这的确是困难程度系数较大的问题，它需要译者既有较高的中文修养，又要有较高的英文造诣，一知半解的人常常在此翻车。如：
写罢，掷笔在桌上。又歌了一回，再饮数杯酒，不觉沉醉，力不胜酒，便呼酒保计算了，取些银子算还，多的都赏了酒保。
And tossed the pen on the table. He intoned the verses to himself, then downed a few more cups of wine. He was very dunk. Song-Jiang asked for the bill, paid, and told the waiter to keep the change.（沙博里译《水浒传浔阳楼宋江吟反诗》）
现在，《水浒传》最好的英译本要数沙博里先生的本子了。沙博里出生在美国，年轻人时来到中国，一住就是半个多世纪。为了译好《水浒传》，据了解他潜心研究了山东的地方志和旧时方言，可谓精诚所致，译著既达又雅。然而历史告诉大家，中国古人没用过钢笔，宋时用的还是毛笔，故the pen 应改为the writing-brush。
白洋淀的导游牌上，红菱被硬硬地翻译成Red Ling。菱角有对应词的，应改为Red Water Chestnut1。这里常常有外国人参观，这样翻译，让人汗颜！
下面的几段译文就较好地照顾到了西方人的思维和理解习惯。
老者道：西方却去不能。那山离此有六十里远，正是西方必然趋势。却有八百里火焰，周围寸草不生，若过此山，就是铜脑盖，铁身躯，也要化成汁哩。
Its impossible to get to the west, the old man replied, The mountains are about twenty miles from here. You have to cross them to get to the west, but theyre over 250 miles of flame. Not a blade of grass can grow anywhere around. Even if you had a skull2 of bronze and a body of iron, you would melt trying to cross them.
（詹纳尔译《西游记孙奥创一调芭蕉扇》）
美国把贸易和人权扯在一块，只能损害两国的经济利益。
The US policy of linking trade with human rights can only bring harm to the economic interests of the two countries.
关起门来搞建设是不成的，中国的进步不能离开世界。 China cant develop in isolation3 from the rest of the world.
4、戒主语暗淡
主语是句子的灵魂， 定住译文的主语的是重点的一步棋。主语定偏了，整个句子将看上去松散乏力，甚至会误导读者。
假如这个问题不解决，必然影响两国的利益。
Failure to settle this issue is bound impair4 the relations between the two countries seriously.
If the problem is not solved , it is sure to affect the interests between the two countries
在上面的两种译文中，显然第一种译文主语选得好，句子流畅。
一同的利益把大家两个伟大的国家连接在一块。
What holds our two great nations together is the cement of common interests.
此句主语部分处置得颇为干练。
操吴戈兮披犀甲，车错毂兮短兵接。
We grasp huge shields, clad in Rhinoceros5 Hide;the Chariots clash, the Daggers6 gashing7 wide.（杨宪益译《屈原国殇》）
屈原一开篇就操吴戈兮披犀甲，车错毂兮短兵接，显然需要补充应有些主语。在《国殇》诗中，后面还有身既死兮神以灵，子魂魄兮为鬼雄的句子，可见屈原是以局外人的视角来写殉国的将士的，而非把自己混为军中一员。译文中的主语应改为They较妥。
厨房里少了一条鱼，主人发誓要一查到底，揪出偷鱼的贼。
Finding a fish in kitchen was lost, the host swore to find out the thief who stole the fish.
尽管汉语中好像有厨房主人两个主语，译者果断地选定了the host作主语。打点明确，增强了句子的内聚力。
夏威夷的沙滩上，椰影婆娑，海风习习，一妙龄女郎正躺在白色的塑料椅上养神。
On the Hawaiian sandy beach, the coconut8 palms are whirling, the congenial sea breeze is blowing, and a young lady is lying in the white plastics chair resting to restore energy.
由于是轻松读本，又是描述性的文字，用三个主语the coconut palms、the congenial sea breeze、a young lady仍是可取的。
