2014年6月15日 星期日

「植物帝國」一書在翻譯上的謬誤(三)

翻譯書原本就不是很容易的事,尤其牽涉到一些專業的名詞更加不易。筆者了解台灣翻譯的稿費原本就不多(雖然筆者還沒有因為譯書有過收入,這方面的資訊純粹是聽一些出版界的朋友說的),但畢竟「信、達、雅」的原則還是應該要掌握,尤其是「信」,如果翻譯有很多錯誤,把作者的意思曲解甚或做相反的解釋,這樣怎麼是好呢?

本文只包括126(p.163)-204的勘誤,1(p.12-87)-50(p.87),以及51(p.87)-125(p.162)在另外兩篇文章中。

p.163
126. (p.176)也許是因為咖啡沒有像茶一樣大的利潤空間,所以似乎也就不會貨源充足。
原文是:perhaps because there was not the seemingly endless supply of coffee that promised a large profit to merchants in the way tea did.
所以應該是:也許是因為咖啡沒有像茶一樣有充足的貨源,所以似乎利潤空間也就不大

127. (p.177)巧克力生產工藝的下一個改革則是把牛油、巧克力和糖放在一起,做成固體的巧克力。
原文是:The next evolutionary phase in chocolate's history was the combination of cocoa butter with chocolate liquor and sugar to produce eating chocolate
作者按:並不是butter就一定是牛油。
所以應該是:巧克力生產工藝的下一個改革則是把可可脂、巧克力和糖放在一起,做成固體的巧克力。

128. (p.177)盛讚茶是「濃淡相宜」的飲料。
原文是:Agnes Strickland extolled the virtues of a drink that was a 'counter-charm to the habits of intoxication'.
所以應該是:盛讚茶是比喝酒好多了的飲料。
(筆者按:據酒井伸雄先生的「扭轉近代文明的六種植物」中(p.120-121)提到,『十六世紀之前,一般人用來解渴的引品不外乎牛奶、羊奶,以及啤酒和紅酒等酒精性飲料。』所以當時的歐洲人很少喝水嗎?)

129. (p.164)(p.178)家庭養豬,使用富有營養的啤酒渣既可做到廢物利用,也可肥豬,一舉兩得;如果飼之茶渣,那倒是可使懶豬晝夜不眠,長肉的事就別提了。
原文是:a family of pigs could be raised on the nourishing waste from domestic beer production, while the only thing ever successfully raised on tea was sleepless night.
所以應該是:家庭養豬,使用富有營養的啤酒渣既可做到廢物利用,也可肥豬,一舉兩得;如果喝茶,除了讓自己失眠,養豬的事就別提了。

130. (p.167) (p.182)中國人以壺燒水沖茶,等到水變得溫熱時茶香也就出來了,喝時再把茶水倒入有柄的小杯。
原文是:In China, tea was brewed in the kettle and drunk only a few degrees above blood temperature when it is at its most flavoursome, removing the need for a cup with a handle.
所以應該是:中國人以壺燒水沖茶,等到茶水變得溫熱時茶香也就出來了,所以喝時便不需要有柄的杯子
(筆者按:這點很有趣,外國人不喝熱湯,但是愛喝燙茶,所以杯子要有柄;我們愛喝熱湯,但是卻不喝燙茶?筆者不喝茶,不知道喝茶的朋友能不能解惑一下?)

131. (p.169)(p.185) 酒店會雇用一些年輕姑娘,讓有些年齡較大而沒有舞伴的人不至於空度光陰。
原文是:Considered a waste of time by older people, tea dances offer an opportunity for the newly independent young career girl to meet friends.
所以應該是:雖然年齡較大的人認為是浪費時間,但午茶舞會提供了剛入社會的年輕女郎認識朋友的機會

132. (p.172)(p.189)人們認識罌粟時並不了解它的性質。
原文是:It is not known when the properties of the opium poppy were first discovered.
應該是:罌粟的性質何時為人所知並不清楚

133. (p.174)(p.190)可提煉出純嗎啡(即海洛因),
原文是:Before it is processed into purer morphine or heroin,
所以應該是:在它被處理成為更純的嗎啡或海洛因之前
(筆者按:海洛因跟嗎啡是不一樣的東西,嗎啡經過化學反應才會變成海洛因)

134. (p.176)(p.192) 這種藥的成分有鴉片、蒂巴因和橘汁,帶一點兒金黃色。
原文是:It contained opium, thebaicum, citrus juice and a trace of gold.
所以應該是:這種藥的成分有鴉片、蒂巴因和橘汁,還有一點點黃金

135. (p.178)(p.195)十七世紀七0年代,船運獲利百分之四百,非同尋常。
原文是:(a 400 per cent profit on shipments was not unusual in the 1670s).
所以應該是:十七世紀七0年代,船運獲利百分之四百很常見

【2014.6.16更新】
136. (p.180)(p.197)政府規定,外國人不許從城門進出,外國的貿易站只能擠在臨河的狹窄地帶。
原文是:(the city gates remained shut to foreigners, while the factories had to squeeze into a narrow strip of land by the river)
所以應該是:政府規定,外國人不許進城,外國的貿易站只能擠在臨河的狹窄地帶。
(筆者按:如果可以查到歷史紀錄應該可以更確定)

137. (p.185)(p.203)英國對中國的要求之一就是允許他們在廣州與中國商人合作,進行特許經營,即所謂的「廣州體系」。由英方定價定量,再由當地商人為他們經營鴉片買賣,各級官員無權過問。
原文是:One of the demands China made for allowing trade in Canton was that a select number of businessmen, supervised by an Imperial Commissioner of Customs (known as the Hoppo to the Bristish) was given a strict monopoly on trade. This was known as 'The Canton System' and it allowed and guild of businessmen, called the Hong merchants, to fix prices and the volume of trade as they saw fit. There was no recourse to people higher up in the chain of command, such as the mandarins of Canton or the governor of the province.
所以應該是:其中中國對於允許外商在廣州貿易所提出的要求,即所謂的「廣州體系」:外商只可以透過指定的一些商家(稱為行商),在海關的欽差大臣(英國人稱為Hoppo)監督之下,進行交易。有多少貨物可以進口、以及販賣的價格,都由行商決定。沒有更上層的人,如廣東的官吏或總督來監督

138. (p.186)(p.204)每箱鴉片價格從一七九九年的四百一十五兩漲到一八一四年的兩千四百二十八兩
原文是:the price per chest of opium went from 415 rupees in 1799 to 2,428 rupees in 1814
rupee是「盧比」,印度的貨幣單位。
所以應該是:每箱鴉片價格從一七九九年的四百一十五盧比漲到一八一四年的兩千四百二十八盧比

139. (p.187)(p.206)帕默斯頓之所以挑中他,乃是因為覺得任用此人既可減輕政府壓力,也利於表現英國的強硬態度。
原文是:It appears that he was selected by Palmerston because it was felt that he would be able to withstand the pressure of the posting and to present Britain's case forcefully.
所以應該是:帕默斯頓之所以挑中他,乃是因為覺得此人抗壓性高,也利於表現英國的強硬態度。

p.188
140. (p.206)發著高燒的納皮爾只得聽從醫生勸告(傳說如此),返回澳門養病。
原文是:Now suffering from fever, Napier was advised by his doctor (and to everyone's relief) to return to Macao for the good of his health.
所以應該是:發著高燒的納皮爾(筆者按:在清朝的檔案上此人名為「律勞卑」,似應從清朝檔案之名)只得聽從醫生勸告(也讓大家鬆了一口氣),返回澳門養病。

141. (p.207)英國政府對西班牙、葡萄牙進入這裡的意圖心知肚明,認為這樣將會影響澳門形勢,
原文是:Napoleon has shown his intent to bring Spain and Portugal into empire and the British Government, aware of how this might destabilize Macao,
所以應該是:當時拿破崙企圖拉攏西班牙、葡萄牙加入帝國,英國政府認為這樣將會影響澳門形勢,

142. (p.207)這次事件已對中國人挑明,外界對他們虎視眈眈,閉關自守再也不能維持國家安寧了。
原文是:how occurrences on the other side of the world could have ramifications for their own country.
所以應該是:這次事件已對中國人挑明,世界另一邊發生的事也會影響到他們

p.189
143. (p.208)毒品猖獗,士兵、市民吸食鴉片成風,以致貪污受賄公行,倫理道德淪喪。由有甚者,連身為一國之君的皇帝本人都沈溺毒品,每天騰雲駕霧尋歡作樂。皇帝的精神領袖意思更勝於一國之主,他對鴉片毒害一籌莫展,就已經是清王朝自身的威脅,他勢必採取作為以挽危局。
原文是:It was rampant among Chinese soldiers and the civil service leading to widespread corruption and low morale. China's social structure laid emphasis on moral obligation and responsibility to the family, community and ultimately the emperor himself, the acknowledged mediator between nature and human society. In this role the emperor was more akin to a spiritual leader than simply a head of state, and his perceived inability to combat the destruction wrought by opium addition could be seen as a threat to the status of the Qing themselves. Something had to be seen to be done.
所以應該是:毒品猖獗,士兵、市民吸食鴉片成風,以致貪污受賄公行,倫理道德淪喪。中國的社會結構,強調對家庭、社會、皇帝(「天」和「人」的中介者)的道德義務和責任。皇帝在精神領袖上的意義更勝於一國的統治者,當他對鴉片毒害一籌莫展,就已經是清王朝自身的威脅,他勢必採取作為以挽危局。

144. (p.208)嚴厲的懲罰並不成功,因為懲罰僅只是提高了走私者的行賄費用而已。
原文是:Harsh punishments had not succeeded because the importer was not going to be punished himself, rather he would just have to raise the level of bribery. Besides, if a smuggler knew that capture meant the death penalty he would risk everything, including his life, not to be caught -- what more did he have to lose?
所以應該是:嚴厲的懲罰並不成功,因為懲罰僅只是提高了走私者的行賄費用而已。如果走私者知道抓到要處死,那麼他更會鋌而走險,反正大不了一死

(p.193)(p.212)這中間有一段有關鴉片戰爭的文字完全沒有翻譯出來。
At the start of the conflict operations were confined to the Canton River environs, but after the capture of the strategic island of Hong Kong Bremer turned the fleet northward. His intention was to intimidate the emperor into submission through a dramatic display of British firepower. Wusong, Shanghai and Zhenjiang were shelled and captured by landing forces during June and July 1842. The British suffered severe losses during the campaign from sunstroke, malaria, dysentery and cholera. Of the 34 men who died during the capture of Zhenjiang, 16 perished from heat exhaustion.
戰爭一開始時局限在珠江周圍,但就在伯麥拿下香港之後,他便率領艦隊北上,企圖藉著展示英國的火力來恫嚇皇帝就範。1842年7月期間,吳淞、上海、鎮江相繼失守。許多英國士兵在戰爭中死於中暑、瘧疾、痢疾和霍亂。 舉例說,在攻打鎮江時,英軍有34人死亡,其中16人因中暑而喪生

145. (p.196) (p.215)又有十多個港口被迫向外國開放。
原文是:Ten more ports were opened to foreigners ...
所以應該是:又有十個港口被迫向外國開放。

146. (p.198)(p.217)鴉片不是藥,卻可以防病治病....
原文是:no medicine of the value of this opium, either in regard to the number of diseases it can  control, or its efficiency in extirpating them...
所以應該是:在防病治病上,沒有其他藥比得上鴉片...

147. (p.200)(p.219)一八三0年時,倫敦供消遣和藥物使用的鴉片消耗量持續增加,土耳其和印度的鴉片進口以每年一萬公斤的速度增長。
原文是:By 1830 recreational and medicinal consumption of opium in Britain was still on the increase and 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) per year were being imported from Turkey and India.
一八三0年時,倫敦供消遣和藥物使用的鴉片消耗量持續增加,每年由土耳其和印度進口的鴉片量為一萬公斤

【2014.6.17更新】
148. (p.204)(p.225)最具諷刺意味的是,瘧疾原本並沒有給美洲大陸帶來太多的痛苦,而隨著歐洲移民的到來,它簡直變成了接踵而至的災難。
原文是:It is supremely ironic that the continent from which the natural treatment for malaria first came was not afflicted with the disease until European settlers introduced it.
所以應該是:最具諷刺意味的是,瘧疾原本並不存在於美洲大陸,而是由歐洲移民帶來的

149. (p.205)(p.227)不過,傳教士們也發現,即便是金雞納樹皮,也有很大的區別。秘魯土著所咀嚼的那種味苦的金雞納樹皮才有治病作用。
原文是:It is possible that the missionaries may have come upon the bark independently, however, for one of their methods of discovering new medicines was to chew the bark of different trees. Chinchona bark is bitter and was therefore considered to have medicinal qualities.
所以應該是:因為耶穌會教士也會靠咀嚼樹皮來找具有藥性的植物,而金雞納樹皮具有苦味,可能因此被認為有藥效。所以,也有可能金雞納樹皮是耶穌會教士發現的

p.207
150. (p.227)非常有趣的是,儘管也是土生土長於新大陸,瑪雅文明--即阿茲特克人的文化裡,卻毫無瘧疾的蹤影。
原文是:It is interesting to note that there are no references to malaria in the Mayan or Aztec civilizations, although the Anopheles mosquito is indigenous to the New World.
所以應該是:非常有趣的是,儘管瘧蚊也是土生土長於新大陸,瑪雅文明或阿茲特克文明裡,卻毫無瘧疾的記載
(筆者按:這個錯誤真的是不可原諒,瑪雅跟阿茲特克不是同一個文明,即便譯者對於中南美洲的古文明沒有興趣,原文明明說的是「Mayan or Aztec civilizations」啊!)

151. (p.228)此時的醫藥研究仍處於西元二世紀的水準,可說是毫無任何理論基礎,放血療法成了兒戲,處處濫用。
原文是:At this time, the profession was still in the thrall of Galen's dictum laid down in the 2nd century AD, which strongly promoted bleeding as a way to expel corrupt humours.
所以應該是:此時的醫學仍崇信西元二世紀蓋倫(Galen)的著作,認為可以經由放血療法把壞的體液排出來治病

p.208
152. (p.229)十八世紀八0年代,這種樹皮的零售價大約是五百克一英鎊,患一次病要用掉大約四點四公斤的樹皮,病癒後,還要連續一週,每天服用五百克,以防復發。
原文的「五百克」是 a pound。一磅是0.454公斤,不是五百克。
所以應該改成:十八世紀八0年代,這種樹皮的零售價大約是每磅一英鎊,患一次病要用掉大約四點四公斤的樹皮,病癒後,還要連續一週,每服用一磅,以防復發。

153. (p.229)這種情況一直維持到歐洲把自己的觸角伸向世界各地為止。
原文是:This remained the case as Europe continued to expand its political dominance over other parts of the world.
所以應該是:這種情況,即使在歐洲向世界擴張時也仍然持續

154. (p.209)(p.230)奎寧為白色晶體狀的植物鹼,分子結構是C2OH24N2O2。味苦,加水後發出特殊香味。奎寧水含量通常是千分之零點零一至零點零三。
原文是:Quinine is a white crystalline alkaloid with the formula C20H24N2O2. It has a bitter taste, which is what gives tonic water its distinctive flavour (tonic water usually contain around 100 to 300 parts per million quinine).
所以應該是:奎寧為白色晶體狀的植物鹼,分子結構是C20H24N2O2。味苦,這也就是為何通寧水(tonic water)帶有苦味。通寧水中奎寧含量通常是一百到三百ppm

155. (p.210)(p.231)製藥業用去了幾乎佔半數的天然奎寧,
原文是:Nearly half of the natural quinine produced enters the food industry.
所以應該是:食品業用去了幾乎佔半數的天然奎寧,

156. (p.211)(p.232)一八七八年至一八七九年間英國也是唉聲連連,葬禮頻仍,不是戰鬥流血犧牲,而是軍隊因為缺少奎寧致使屍橫遍野。
原文是:and the British occupation of Cypress in 1878-79 cost many lives, not through bloodshed, but because quinine was not issued to the troops.
所以應該是:一八七八年至一八七九年間英國佔領賽浦路斯時,軍隊因為缺少奎寧致使屍橫遍野。

157. (p.212)(p.233)美國國內戰爭期間聯邦軍隊遭瘧疾重創,
原文是:During the American Civil War (1861-65) malaria hit the Union Army hard,
「the American Civil War」是南北戰爭...
所以應該是:在南北戰爭期間(1861-65)聯邦軍隊遭瘧疾重創,

158. (p.213)(p.235)尼爾森的尋獵範圍是塔斯馬尼亞島和包括夏威夷群島在內的太平洋群島。一七八九年,他還來不及返鄉去領微薄的賞金,就因高燒不退,死在帝汶島。
原文是:David Nelson collected in Tasmania and the Pacific islands, including Hawaii, before joining the infamous Bounty voyage, and dying of fever in Timor in 1789.
筆者按:「the infamous Bounty voyage」指得是發生在1789年在恩澤號(H.M.S.Bounty)的船員叛變事件,當時尼爾森原本是受船長的聘請,去尋找麵包樹(breadfruit tree);當船上發生叛變事件時,尼爾森因為效忠船長,連同其他十八名船員一起被丟棄在大海中。尼爾森抵達了帝汶(Timor),但在抵達不久後因感冒而去世(資料來源:維基百科David Nelson)。發生在「恩澤號」上面的事件,後來被改編成電影「叛艦喋血記」(Mutiny on the Bounty)。
所以應該是:尼爾森的尋獵範圍是塔斯馬尼亞島和包括夏威夷群島在內的太平洋群島。一七八九年,他參加了惡名昭彰的「恩澤號」(the Bounty voyage)航行,後來因高燒不退,死在帝汶島

p.215
159. 如果僅是砍斷金雞納樹的樹枝,它會自然再生。
原文是:if a cinchona tree is cut to the ground, it will naturally regenerate and send up shoots.
所以應該是:如果把金雞納樹砍到底,他還是會自然再生。(新版已改正)

160. (p.237)這項研究弄清楚了金雞納樹瀕臨死亡的情況和時間。一八八0年,安第斯山脈各共和國出口金雞納樹皮九十點七二萬公斤,
原文是:It also explains how, when the tree was considered to be on the verge of extinction, the Andean Republics managed to export 2,000,000 lb (907,200kg) of bark in 1860
所以應該是:這項研究弄清楚了為什麼當金雞納樹瀕臨絕種時,一八六0年,安第斯山脈各共和國還能出口九十點七二萬公斤的金雞納樹皮

p.219
161. (p.241)獲取植物的方式也有賄賂和「強烈的宗教色彩」之嫌,引得當地人極為不滿。
原文是:but also his way of acquiring live plants involved bribery and 'strong persuasion', and led to local resentment.
所以應該是:獲取植物的方式包括賄賂和「強烈勸說」之嫌,引得當地人極為不滿。

162. (p.242)一八五九年,當一直在歐洲採集植物的斯普魯斯...
原文是:However, in 1859, Spruce, who was botanizing in Ecuador,
所以是:一八五九年,當一直在厄瓜多採集植物的斯普魯斯...

163. (p.242)他雖然活了七十五歲,卻總是懶洋洋、病懨懨的樣子。
原文是:He did in fact suffer many real illness and eventually lost the use of his legs, although he survived to the age of 75.
所以應該是:他雖然活了七十五歲,卻總是病懨懨,而且後來還不良於行

164. (p.242)他曾告訴胡克說他對目前的工作十分滿意,因為「不被限制,比當教師的約束少,還可以研究喜愛的植物」。
原文是:had had communication with Hooker and had pleaded with him for a position that offer 'less confinement and more exertion of the lungs that his late engagement and affording botanical pursuits'.
所以應該是:他曾請求胡克給他一個可以「不被限制,比當教師的約束少,還可以研究喜愛的植物」的工作

165. (p.224)(p.247)弗洛雷斯曾被驅逐十五年,當時正積極籌畫反政府活動。
原文是:Flores had been ousted 15 years previously and was now an active counter revolutionary.
所以應該是:弗洛雷斯曾被驅逐十五年,現在是個積極的反革命份子

166. (p.225) (p.249)再由沃德安負責把這批植物送往印度尼爾吉里丘陵種植,
原文是:before being dispatch by Wardian case to their new home in the Indian Nilgiri Hills,
筆者按:Wardian case在前面(p.153)(p.166)有提到,是專門用來運送植物的箱子。相關參考資料請見維基百科
所以應該是:再經由沃德箱將這批植物送往印度尼爾吉里丘陵種植,

167. (p.226)(p.249)荷蘭人在爪哇島重的金雞納樹奎寧產量也不高。
原文是:And neither species yielded the high levels of quinine achieved by the trees grown by the Dutch in Java.
所以應該是:這兩種金雞納樹奎寧的產量都比不上荷蘭人在爪哇島種的品種
筆者按:明明後面就一直提到荷蘭人種的金雞納樹產量高、後來獨霸市場,為什麼這裡的翻譯錯誤都不知道要校正一下呢?

168. (p.229)(p.254)當時的醫學界對他的發現反應平平。
原文是:the medical community of the time rejected Laveran's claim.
所以應該是:當的醫學界不接受他的發現。

p.230
169. (p.254)希波克拉提斯就曾說過,西元前三二三年亞歷山大大帝就是因此種病喪命。羅馬也曾遭瘧疾肆虐,天主教大教堂因此不得已才遷至亞維農的梵蒂崗;從一三0九年起,有六十八年的時間法國被瘧疾搞得民不聊生。
原文是:Hippocrates mentions it some 2,500 years ago, and it killed Alexander the Great in 323 BC. Rome was so badly hit by malaria that the Catholic Church fled the Vatican for Avignon, France, for 68 years from 1309.
所以應該是:希波克拉提斯在兩千五百年前就曾提到瘧疾;而西元前三二三年亞歷山大大帝就是因此種病喪命。在一三0九年,教廷因羅馬遭瘧疾肆虐,不得已才由梵蒂崗遷到法國的亞維農六十八年

170. (p.254)這裡的居民有百分之九十患過該病,全球因瘧疾死亡人數的百分之八十到百分之九十發生在這個地區。
原文是:where 90 per cent of the world's infected population live and 80 per cent to 90 per cent of global malaria deaths occur.
所以應該是:這裡居住著全世界百分之九十的患瘧人口,全球死於瘧疾的人有百分之八十到百分之九十發生在這個地區。

171. (p.232)(p.256)這時全世界百分之九十七的金雞納已由爪哇供給,孟加拉和馬德拉斯的供給量僅佔百分之二十五。
原文是:97 per cent of the world's supplies were by then concentrated in Java, with Bengal and Madras supplying only 2.5 per cent.
筆者按:97+25超過了百分之百。
所以應該是:這時全世界百分之九十七的金雞納已由爪哇供給,孟加拉和馬德拉斯的供給量僅佔百分之二五。

p.233
172. (p.257)在短時間裡,此舉確保了非洲殖民地的奎寧供給充足,如建立僅有五十年的奈及利亞殖民地,以前根本不可能用上奎寧;這看起來確實有點像天方夜譚。
原文是:It seems unlikely that colonies such as Nigeria, for example, which were established in the short space of 50 years, could have been secured had not quinine been available.
所以應該是:例如最近五十年建立的奈及利亞殖民地,如果沒有奎寧的幫忙,根本不可能建立

173. (p.257)明顯的是,一八五四年的一次類似探查時,當時已經有了奎寧--
原文是:It is interesting to note that it was during a similar trip of 1854 that the prophylactic properties of quinine were established --
所以應該是:有趣的是,在一八五四年的一次類似探查時,發現了奎寧具有預防瘧疾的效果

174. (p.234)(p.259)在後來的整個世紀裡,人們一直在尋找這種藥的合成代用品,卻有一連串的意外發現:一八三四年,帕金發現奎林和苯胺紫。
原文是:Throughout the last century, however, there was a search for synthetic form of the drug, a search that inadvertently yielded many important dye stuffs such as quinoline and mauveline, discovered in 1834 by W.H. Perkin.
所以應該是:在二十世紀,人們一直在尋找這種藥的合成代用品,卻發現了許多重要的染劑:如一八三四年,帕金發現奎林和苯胺紫。
筆者按:本書是2002年出版,所以「last century」應為二十世紀。

p.235
175. (p.259)其化學結構稍有變動,仍以氯奎為名。
原文是:its composition slightly changed, it was renamed chloroquine.
所以應該是:其化學結構稍有變動,並改名為氯奎。

176. (p.259)這些措施卻導致了瘧蚊和瘧原蟲的抗藥性增強,致使世界人口的瘧疾發病率從二十世紀六0年代初期的百分之十升至二十世紀七0年代的百分之四十。
原文是:However, all that was achieved was to create populations of mosquito resistance to pesticides and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. So whereas in the early 1960s only 10 per cent of the world's population was at risk of contracting malaria, by the early 1970s the figure had risen to 40 per cent.
所以應該是:這些措施卻導致了抗殺蟲劑的瘧蚊以及抗氯奎的瘧原蟲出現,造成世界人口有罹患瘧疾風險的比率,由二十世紀六0年代初期的百分之十,上升至二十世紀七0年代的百分之四十

177. (p.260)醫學沒有降服瘧疾,抗藥性和副作用卻使奎寧助紂為虐。
原文是:Malaria continues to be a huge challenge to medical science, and quinine as a treatment is making a comeback.
所以應該是:醫學沒有降服瘧疾,抗藥性和副作用卻使奎寧重回戰場
筆者按:因為抗氯奎瘧原蟲的出現,原本奎寧在二十世紀中葉後因副作用已經很少使用,現在又被重新拿出來治療瘧疾了--奎寧是治療瘧疾的藥,為什麼會「助紂為虐」?

p.228
178. 而是定價賣給馬德拉斯、吉隆坡、孟買
原文是:but sold at a cost to the Government Medical Department of Madras, Colombo and Bombay.
所以應該是:而是定價賣給馬德拉斯、可倫坡、孟買(新版已改正)

179. (p.252)一八五七年印度民族起義發生前,
原文是:In the years after the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857,
筆者按:Sepoy Rebellion不是印度民族起義。在印度,它被稱為第一次獨立戰爭。
所以應該是: 一八五七年印度第一次獨立戰爭發生前,

【2014.6.18更新】
180.(p.238)(p.262)從車胎、傳送帶、膠球、橡皮擦...
原文是:tyres, fan belts, rubber bands, erasers...
所以應該是:從車胎、傳送帶、橡皮筋、橡皮擦...

181.(p.239)(p.263)印地安大酋長「蒙提祖馬第二」舉行的儀式上,
原文是:at the court of the Aztec Emperor Montezuma II,
所以應該是:阿茲特克國王「蒙提祖馬二世」舉行的儀式上,

181.(p.240)(p.266)這時在蘇格蘭,麥金塔發現了用煤焦油溶解橡膠做成防水材料的方法,
原文是:In Scotland at the same time Charles Macintosh had discovered a way of using rubber as a waterproofing material by dissolving it in coal tar naphth,
所以應該是:這時在蘇格蘭,麥金塔發現了用煤焦油溶解橡膠做成防水材料的方法,

182.(p.243)(p.270)在亞馬遜河流域,每年一至六月為採膠期,雨季開始即停止採收。
原文是:Harvesting rubber in the Amazon stops during the rainy season between January and June.
所以是:在亞馬遜河流域,每年一至六月為雨季,採膠停止

p.244
183. (p.270)以半環繞的方式割出一條大約零點八公分的螺旋形切口...
原文是:which involves cutting spiral-shaped grooves to the depth of about 1/4 in (0.8 cm) into the bark half way round the tree
所以應該是:以半環繞的方式割出一條大約零點八公分的螺旋形切口...

184. (p.270)原始的生膠製作是用棍子沾膠成球,再用小火烤熱取下,這種方式可以防止生膠凝固,並依人們需要凝結成球形。
原文是:Originally the latex was turned into rubber by pouring it onto a ball of rubber attached to a stick and placing it over an oily, damp fire. The smoke ensured that mould and fermentation were prevented as the latex coagulated.
所以應該是:原始的生膠製作是用末端有橡膠球的棍子沾膠成球,再用潮濕的火烤熱。這種方式可以防止生膠在凝結之前發酵與定型

185. (p.270)這時期,第一批以人工種植的橡膠樹已高達五公尺,可每隔一天採膠一次。生膠送到工廠裡除去雜質,加入水和少量的蟻酸防止凝固,
原文是:Each tree is planted about 16 ft (5 m) apart and is tapped every other day. The latex is sieved at the factory to remove large particles, and mixed with water and a small amount of formic acid to produce a uniform material as it coagulates.
所以應該是:每株橡膠樹種植間距為五公尺,可每隔一天採膠一次。生膠送到工廠裡先過濾除去雜質,然後加入水和少量的蟻酸使其均勻凝固,

186. (p.271)橡膠業第一次顯露頭角是十九世紀五0年代,巴西對外開放亞馬遜河三角洲時,硫化工藝發明。
筆者按:這一段其實沒有翻錯,但是句子完全不通。應該是:
橡膠業第一次榮景(原文作boom)是十九世紀五0年代,當時硫化工藝已發明,而巴西也對外開放亞馬遜河三角洲的商業經營

187. (p.271)這期間,巴西開始與外國人聯合做生意,擁有外資的亞馬遜河航海公司應時成立。橡膠增產使橡膠製品氾濫,生膠賣不出去,價格狂降。大公司尚可應付這種局面:他們把生膠收購,在買賣中呼風喚雨,膠工們辛苦一場卻是負債累累。
原文是:Ventures such as the Amazon Steam Navigation Company, which combined local Brazilian businessmen and foreign capital, were formed. The increase in rubber production results in goods having to be imported and tappers running up exorbitant debts to the merchants who bought their hard-earned rubber at low prices. This bondage was tacitly excepted by the large commercial companies who obtained their rubber from the merchants in the small market towns.
所以應該是:結合當地的巴西商人和外國資本的企業,如亞馬遜輪船公司,於是成立。在橡膠生產過程中產生了對貨品進口的需求,採膠工因為商人便宜地買了他們辛苦採來的橡膠而累積了高昂的債務。這種行為得到收購橡膠的大公司的默許

188. (p.247)(p.274)從雨林裡求得自己的衣食飯碗,卻不願意傷害雨林。
原文是:exploiting the resources of the Amazon in a form of sustainable farming that does no harm to the ecosystem.
所以應該是:從雨林裡以永續農業的方式來求得溫飽,同時不傷害生態系

189. (p.171)(p.275)不久,胡克得到報告說,有封信已送達貝倫。
原文是:Soon afterwards Hooker received a reply to the letter sent to Belem.
所以應該是:不久,胡克得到報告說,送到貝倫(外館)的信有回信了

190. (p.249)(p.276)貝倫的領事格林對這個建議沒有異議,
原文是:The consul at Belem, Thomas Green, was suitably unimpressed with the suggestion...
所以應該是: 貝倫的領事格林不喜歡這個建議

191. (p.253)(p.279)儘管這批樹種是運往英國的學術機構,但如此大量本身就足證是出於商業目的,而非學術之用。
原文是:Although the quantity involved in the seed transfers indicated an economic rather than an educational purpose, they were destined for an educational establishment.
所以應該是:儘管如此大量的樹種足證是出於商業目的而非學術之用,但樹種本身是運往英國的學術機構沒錯

192. (p.256)(p.284)霹靂州的橡膠樹已經漫山遍野,最先種植橡膠樹的赫斯婁普山區還在沿咖啡園的路邊全部種上了橡膠樹,十分便於監測橡膠樹生長情況。
原文是:Seedlings were dispersed around Perak and one pioneer planter, Heslop Hill, placed tree along the roadside of coffee plantations so that their progress could be easily monitored.
所以應該是:橡膠樹苗已經在霹靂州到處發放,而赫斯婁普‧希爾這位先行者,將沿咖啡園的路邊全部種上了橡膠樹,十分便於監測橡膠樹生長情況。
筆者按:Heslop Hill是人名,不是一座山。

193. (p.257)(p.285)在錫蘭任職期間,他認真研究了採膠技術,一年後他去到新加坡,
原文是:He had witnessed the tapping techniques employed in Ceylon and a year after his arrival in Singapore,
所以應該是:在錫蘭任職期間,他認真研究了採膠技術,他到新加坡一年後


194. (p.258)(p.285)里德雷才華橫溢,精力充沛,把自己的滿腔熱情都獻給了橡膠樹栽培。
原文是:Ridley's energy was boundless, and he promoted rubber zealously.
所以應該是:里德雷精力充沛,把自己的滿腔熱情都獻給了橡膠樹栽培
筆者按:他當然也很有才華,割膠法就是他開發的,可是翻譯的時候還是要盡量照著句子的意思吧。

p.263
195. (p.291)一八七九年更通過一項法令,任何人不得謊報、隱匿土地,一經查出即刻沒收。不久,退出礦山經營的小礦主們得到了英方許諾的土地,經營起了農場。
原文是:In 1879 a regulation was passed decreeing that no land should lie dormant if there was anybody willing to work it. Soon private concessions on mining were granted and plantations began appearing.
所以應該是:一八七九年更通過一項法令,只要有人願意工作,不可以放任土地閒置。很快私營採礦權便開始授權,而種植園也開始出現

196. (p.292)一八九七年,封建的馬來政府同意允許永久性出租土地種植橡膠樹,
原文是:In 1897 the Federated Malay States Government granted land on a perpetual lease for rubber growing..
所以應該是:一八九七年,馬來聯邦政府永久出租土地給橡膠種植
筆者按:翻譯前請查一下國家的正式名稱...

197.(p.292)誰要是違反合約就會受到非常嚴厲的懲罰,違規者將因為苛刻的稅收而背負巨額債務。
原文是:which levied harsh punishments on those participants who reneged on the terms of the contract or incurred debts.
所以應該是:誰要是違反合約就會受到非常嚴厲的懲罰,違規者將背負巨額債務

198. (p.264)(p.293)家庭成員是主要的勞動力,只在播種和收割時才雇用少數工人,因而可以節省開支。
原文是:The land was worked by members of the family, so the only outlay was for the seeds and the rent of the land.
所以應該是:家庭成員是主要的勞動力,唯一的支出是種子與土地的租金,因而可以節省開支。

199. (p.266)(p.295)隨著汽車變得越來越普及,在克萊蒙費朗的德斯坦工廠造出的輪胎更是有利於汽車靈活地轉向、倒退;一九二七年時,這裡雇用的工人已達一千五百八十八人。
原文是:As cars became more and more popular, test tracks for forward and reverse car manouevres were created at the Estaing factory in Clermont-Ferrand, which by 1927 was employing 1,588 people.
所以應該是:隨著汽車變得越來越普及,在克萊蒙費朗的德斯坦工廠(員工人數在一九二七年時達一千五百八十八人)建造了測試跑道,提供汽車在此做前進、倒退等測試

p.267
200. (p.296)此舉帶動當日股市狂飆百分之五百至六百。
原文是:Later on in the day there were dealings in these much-coveted lottery tickets at 500 and 600 per cent premiums.
所以應該是:當天晚一點的時候,這些被爭購的(橡膠公司的)股票以五到六倍的價錢出售

201. (p.296)關於橡膠的故事,最值得注意的是它深遠的影響,(這裡有一整段沒有翻譯)運輸業的發展大大地促進了植物的引種和世界經濟。橡膠業的另一個壯舉是滿足了消費者各方面的需要,由於東南亞農場的育苗、分芽繁殖能力是巴西無法做到的(東南亞農場在橡膠樹栽培技術方面的大力革新,擴大了橡膠樹的繁殖能力)。(畫線的部分是原文所沒有的)
原文是:The story of rubber is remarkable for its impact and its legacy. One of the most startling aspect is that the vast majority of the rubber used today can be traced back to a few seedlings that survived the journey from Brazil to southeast Asia, transforming the development of the crop and the international economy. The other feat of the rubber industry is its ability to meet the consumer demand, and this is due to the proliferation of plantations in southeast Asia. Within its natural limits of 40,000 tons of wild rubber per year, Brazil could never have produced enough.
所以應該是:關於橡膠的故事,最值得注意的是它深遠的影響。令人驚訝的是,現在在東南亞的那些橡膠樹都是從當年熬過由巴西到東南亞長途運輸的幾棵種苗開始的,而它們使得橡膠產業和世界經濟丕變。橡膠業的另一個壯舉是滿足了消費者各方面的需要,而這些都是靠東南亞如雨後春筍般成立的橡膠園達成的。以原產地巴西每年最多產出四萬噸的野生橡膠來看,巴西絕對無法供應全世界的需要

202. (p.272)(p.300)印度獨立後,災難性的地界割劃導致種族騷亂,使五百多萬人喪生。
原文是:The disastrous Partition that followed Indian Independence resulted in racial violence that left over 500,000 dead,
所以應該是:印度獨立後,災難性的地界割劃導致種族騷亂,使五十多萬人喪生。

203. (p.273)英帝國殖民體系的土崩瓦解,來自前殖民地的稅收銳減。
原文是:With the demise of the British empire came a corresponding decline in revenue from the former colonies.
所以應該是:隨著英帝國殖民體系的土崩瓦解,來自前殖民地的稅收銳減。(新版已更正)

p.274
204.(p.303)天然橡膠的原料雖然十分昂貴,但全球的橡膠樹總數差不多是平均每兩個地球人一棵。
原文是:Natural rubber is still used extensively, however, and there is now a cultivated rubber tree for every two human beings on the planet.
所以應該是:天然橡膠仍然被大量的使用,但全球的橡膠樹總數差不多是平均每兩個人一棵。
筆者按:應該不用強調「地球人」吧。

終於結束這本書的勘誤,原本不想對照新版(即「改變世界的植物」),但後來想到,既然「植物帝國」已經改頭換面,要買這本書的人應該也買不到了吧?根據博客來的資料,「植物帝國」已絕版;而新版仍有許多錯誤,筆者打算要有點雞婆的去通知出版商,只是不知道會不會是狗吠火車而已?但本著當老師的職業良心,該做的事情還是要做。

最後要感謝台北教育大學圖書館提供館際合作,讓我可以以105元借到這本書的原文版,說真的原文版看起來還是舒服多了,但是館際合作只能借一個月又不能續借,我又剛好在期末手癢借了它,之前又蹉跎了好些天;等到手癢難耐非要勘誤的時候已經餘日無多,只好規定自己一天要看多少又多少頁,同時還要寫勘誤,真正是給自己一個不可能的任務,但我竟也把它給完成了。

(後記)在我很雞婆的將這幾篇文章的連結寄給出版公司以後,出版公司非常客氣的回信,說今年「改變世界的植物」將會有新版,為了感謝我,他們要送我一本蕭邦筆記本。

這本筆記本經過一點小波折,終於在今天收到。感恩!


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