(悉尼大学校长2014年4月4日授予李尧教授名誉文学博士学位。)
Chancellor, Professor Ivison, Graduates, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
校长,阿维森教授,各位嘉宾,女士们先生们:
The man who stands in front of you is a pilgrim. He started his journey in the remote Inner Mongolian Grasslands. After a 34 year's trudge, he arrived at the holy land, the Great Hall of the University of Sydney at last.
站在你们面前的是一位朝圣者。他从遥远的内蒙古草原出发,经过三十四年的艰苦跋涉,今天终于来到心中的圣地——悉尼大学大会堂。
When he started his journey, he knew nothing about Australia, except that there were koalas, kangaroos, white parrots and black swans. But destiny kept him company; he met an angel from the University of West Australia, who was teaching English in the University of Inner Mongolia. She gave him two books: one is The Selected Short Stories by Henry Lawson, the other is The Tree of Man by Patrick White. These gifts were like a cup of nectar granted by the Gods, and turned him into an immortal. He had great strength, read the two books day and night, and began to understand Australian literature. This angel could be Alison Hewitt, who is one of my distinguished guests today.
当他刚刚开始"朝圣之旅"时,他对澳大利亚几乎一无所知。只知道那里有考拉、袋鼠、白鹦鹉、黑天鹅。但是命运垂青于他。他碰到来自西澳大利亚大学的一位"天使"。那时候,她正在内蒙古大学教英语。她送给他两本书。一本是《亨利·劳森短篇小说选》,另外一本是帕特里克·怀特的《人树》。这两本书宛如希腊神话中上帝送来的花蜜,给了他无穷的力量。他夜以继日地研读,对澳大利亚文学渐渐有了了解。这位天使就是艾莉森·休维特老师,我今天的嘉宾之一。
It seems that the University of Sydney is my destiny. On the path to translating Australian literature into Chinese, I met Professor Hu Wenzhong, who is a graduate of the University of Sydney. He guided me, and introduced me to Nicholas Jose, who was the cultural counselor of the Australia Embassy at that time and sowed the seeds of love and friendship in China. The desert under my feet began to reveal the green of spring, and sparked great hope. The road of thistles and thorns became more and more even. With his help, I entered into Australian literary treasure-house, and at the entrance, Professor Shirley Walker, Professor Robert Dixon, Professor MabelLee, famous writers Thomas Keneally, Alex Miller, David Walker, Brian Castro, Alexis Wright, Mara Moustafine, Ivor Indyk and many other Australian writers, all welcomed me warmly with open arms. They sent me books. They gave me strength and courage. To me, they are all angels from the heavens, from the lucky country. With a cornucopia in my hand, I became the happiest man in the world.
悉尼大学仿佛是我的宿命。在翻译澳大利亚文学的道路上,我碰到了胡文仲教授。他是悉尼大学毕业的研究生。他引领我,并且把我介绍给时任澳大利亚驻华大使馆文化参赞的尼古拉斯·周思先生。作为一位与中国有着千丝万缕联系的澳大利亚著名作家和文化使者,周思先生在中国播撒着友谊和爱的种子。在他的帮助下,我脚下的荒漠现出绿色,崎岖的道路变得平坦,终于走进澳大利亚文学宝库。在这座宝库的门口,雪莉·沃克教授、罗伯特·迪克森教授、梅伯尔·李教授,著名作家托马斯·肯尼里、亚历克斯·米勒、大卫·沃克、布莱恩·卡斯特罗、马拉·穆斯塔芬、亚历克西斯·莱特等都张开双臂热情地欢迎我。他们送给我书,送给我力量和勇气。对于我,他们都是来自天堂、来自"幸运之国"的天使。手捧象征丰收的羊角杯,我成了世界上最幸福的人。
In August 1988, during my first visit to Australia, I met Patrick White in his house. He gave me his autobiography Flaws in the Glass and inscribed on the title page: “To my brave translator Li Yao. May he and his readers be rewarded!” It was a great encouragement to me. Holding the book that the great writer gave me, I made up my mind to be a brave translator. From then on, I climbed one high mountain after another, and devoted myself to the great cause of our two people’s understanding. In this process, the Australian Government is my strong supporter. On behalf of the Australia China Council, Professor Mark Wainwright awarded me Golden Medallion in 2008. At that moment, I felt I had become a champion climber. It is no exaggeration to say that I can’t climb over the mountains without the support and help from the Australian government and Australian friends.
1988年,我第一次访问澳大利亚期间,拜会了诺贝尔文学奖获得者帕特里克·怀特。怀特先生把他的自传《镜中瑕疵》送给我,并且在扉页题词:"给我勇敢的译者李尧,愿他和他的读者能因此书获益。"手捧这位伟大作家的馈赠,我下定决心做一个无愧于怀特先生的勇敢的译者。从那以后,我爬过一座又一座高山,把毕生的精力奉献给我们两国人民相互了解的伟大事业。在这个过程中,澳大利亚政府始终是我强有力的支持者。2008年,马克·温赖特教授代表澳中理事会授予我杰出贡献金质奖章,以表彰我在中澳文化交流,特别是文学翻译领域做出的贡献。那一刻,我觉得我就是个登山冠军。站在高山之巅,回望群山,我越发深切地体会到,没有澳大利亚政府和澳大利亚朋友的帮助与支持,我就不可能翻越那一座座连绵逶迤的高山。
So, respected Chancellor, today you have awarded me the degree of Doctor of Letters. It is not only my great honor, but also symbol of friendship and love.
所以,尊敬的校长,今天你授予我荣誉文学博士学位,这不仅是我个人的荣耀,也是友谊与爱的象征。
In Chinese traditional morality, drips of beneficent water must be repaid with overflowing fountains of gratitude, which is the demand put to the beneficiary. I am a pilgrim, I am also a beneficiary. On my way of pilgrimage, I met a lot of difficulties, but I have also been graced. I have trudged the road for 34 years. A young man has become an old man, but my heart is still young; my spirit is still young. In the coming years, I will do my best to repay your wonderful generosity and kindness.
中国有句老话:滴水之恩当涌泉相报。这是对受恩惠者的道德要求。我是一位朝圣者,但也是一位受恩惠者。"朝圣"的道路上,我遇到许多困难,但也得到许多恩惠。艰难跋涉三十四年,一个年轻人变成了老人,但我的心依然年轻,我的精神依然年轻。在未来的岁月里,我将加倍努力地工作,报答你们慷慨授予我的这份荣誉!
Thank you! 谢谢!
2008年澳中理事会因李尧教授在中澳文化交流特别是在翻译领域做出的成绩,授予他"杰出贡献金质奖章"。
2012年3月中国作协主席铁凝、著名作家莫言在澳大利亚驻华使馆出席我翻译的《卡彭塔利亚湾》新书发布会。
2013年4月澳大利亚总理茱莉亚在北京亲切接见李尧教授。
2013年 4月在北京中澳作家论坛,主持诺贝尔文学奖获得者库切和莫言的对话会。
2015年4月澳大利亚总督在使馆接见李尧等澳研专家。
李尧(1946—):资深翻译家,悉尼大学荣誉文学博士,中国作家协会会员,北京外国语大学澳研中心客座教授,内蒙古师范大学兼职教授。从事英语教学与文学翻译三十多年,翻译出版英美、澳大利亚文学、历史、文化著作五十余部。其中长篇小说《浪子》(TheAncestorGame)、《红线》(TheRedThread)、《卡彭塔利亚湾》(Carpentaria)获澳大利亚"澳中理事会翻译奖"。2008年,因其在中澳文化交流、特别是翻译领域做出的贡献,澳大利亚政府授予其杰出贡献奖章。