英语一语双关(pun )之朝花夕拾(2)
有语言权威曾经说过,“一语双关是机智的最低形式。”(pun is the lowest form of wit .)我持截然相反的观点:“一语双关是机智的最高形式。”
由于一语双关天生固有的不可译性,它是机智中最难领略其妙处的一种文字游戏,要求读者不仅对该语言有透彻的理解,还需具备与该语言密切相关的文化背景知识:
1. My mother makes our family eat so much salad, I wish she'd lettuce alone.
(相关词:salad 和lettuce 。关键词: lettuce =let us )
2. I was at a bar nursing a beer. My nipple was getting quite soggy.
(关键词: nurse a beer ,慢慢喝着啤酒。 nurse 另一个意思是“喂奶”。)
3. Why are Teddy Bears never hungry?
They are always stuffed!
(关键词:stuffed , 既可理解为“塞满填充物”,也可理解为“填饱肚子”。)
4. Why are playing cards like wolves?
They come in packs.
(关键词: packs, 可以是“一副纸牌”,又可指是“成群结队”。)
5. The best way to communicate with a fish is to drop him a line.
(关键词:line , 可以是“一行字,” 也可以是钓鱼的线。drop somebody a line , 是英语习语,“给某人留个便条。” 因为句子有了“鱼”,又与钓鱼线挂上钩了。)
散发这种一语双关的句子,有点像姜太公钓鱼(drop you a line ), 愿者上钩!
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