清明節一般翻譯為"Tomb Sweeping festival"或者"Tomb-sweeping Day"，掃墓節或掃墓日。這個翻譯著重強調了清明節的重要習俗“掃墓”。這種說法的好處是，老外一聽就能大概明白這個節日的背後含義。
也有人把清明節翻譯為"All Souls'Day"，這是一種站在對方文化角度考慮做出的翻譯。因為"All Souls'Day"在西方是確實存在的節日，一般稱為“萬靈日”。這是一個宗教節日，在有的教派裡甚至不止一天。教會會在這一天為那些去世後無法進入天堂的信徒祈禱，希望他們早日進入天堂。其基本意義和清明節相似，也是祭奠死者的節日。
另外再談到作為節氣的清明，它被譯為"Clear and Bright"，清潔和明亮。我們也不難發現，這種譯法強調的是清明時節的氣候狀況，和其他節氣的翻譯出發點一致。比如立夏被譯為"Summer begins"、小寒、大寒分別被譯為"Slight cold"和"Great cold"。
我們人耳熟能詳的一首關於清明的詩就是：
《清明》
----杜牧
清明時節雨紛紛，
路上行人慾斷魂。
借問酒家何處有，
牧童遙指杏花村。
杜牧《清明》英文翻譯版本
1.許淵衝譯
A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day
The mourner's heart is going to break on his way. Where can a wineshop be found to drown his sad hours?
A cowherd points to a cot 'mid apricot flowers.
2.吳偉雄譯
It drizzles thick and fast on the Mourning Day,
The mourner travels with his heart lost in dismay. When asked for a wineshop to kill his gloomy time, A cowboy points at Almond Hamlet far away.
3.萬昌盛、王僴中譯
The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day,
So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.When asked where could be found at avern bower,
Acow boy points to yonder village of the apricot flower.
4.楊憲益、戴乃迭譯
It drizzles endless during the rainy season in spring,
Travelers along the road look gloomy and miserable.When I ask a shepherd boy where I can find a tavern,
He points at a distant hamlet nestling amidst apricot blossoms.
5.吳鈞陶譯
It drizzles thick and fast on the Pure Brightness Day,
I travel with my heart lost in dismay."Is there a public house somewhere, cowboy?"
He points at Apricot Village faraway.
6.蔡廷幹譯
The rain falls thick and fast on All Souls' Day,
The men and women sadly move along the way.They ask where wineshops can be found or where to rest ----
And there the herdboy's fingers Almond-Town suggest.
7.孫大雨譯
Upon theClear-and-Bright Feast of spring, the rain drizzleth down in spray.
Pedestrians on countryside ways, in gloom are pinning away.
When asked "Where a tavern fair for rest, is hereabouts to befound",
The shepherd boy the Apricot Bloom Vill, doth point to afar and say.
（素材來源於網絡，僅供方便交流學習，侵聯刪。）
閱讀更多 英語快樂嗑English 的文章
