中國古代四大發(fā)明(the Four Great Inventions)—造紙術(shù)、火藥、印刷術(shù)、指南針對全世界產(chǎn)生了巨大而深遠的影響。紙張的發(fā)明大大促進了文明的傳播與發(fā)展。火藥的發(fā)明非常偶然，煉丹師(alchemist)在制作長生不老藥(elixir)的時候偶然制成了火藥。唐代末期，火藥被用于戰(zhàn)爭，13世紀時傳到了全世界。在唐代印刷術(shù)的基礎(chǔ)上，北宋畢昇發(fā)明了活字印刷術(shù)(movable-type printing),開啟了印刷史上的偉大革命。中國古人利用天然磁石制成了第一臺可以辨別方向的指南針，大大增強了船只的遠航能力。

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　　Papermaking, gunpowder, printing and compass arethe Four Great Inventions of ancient China that haveexerted a great and far-reaching impact on theentire world. The invention of paper greatlycontributed to the spread and development ofcivilization. The birth of gunpowder was quite accidental. It was invented inadvertently byalchemists while attempting to make an elixir. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, gunpowder wasused in military affairs, and was spread to all over the world in the 13th century. On the basisof printing in the Tang Dynasty, BiSheng in the Northern Song Dynasty invented the movable-type printing, which lauched a great revolution in the history of printing.Natural magnets weremade into the first direction-finding compass by ancient Chinese people, which greatlyimproved a ship's ability to navigate over long distances.

　　在中國,送常是為了表示尊重、感恩、友誼、一種普遍的禮節(jié)(Courtesy)。這其實是世界各地一種普遍的禮節(jié)。中國禮儀(etiquette)已有幾千年的歷史，代代相傳。對于中國人來說，禮貌要求互惠(reciprocity)，這意味著對別人彬彬有禮的人將收到別人的友善和恩惠。如果他們收到禮物、邀請或款待，他們會在適當?shù)臅r機回贈別人。互惠的習(xí)俗也被認為是建立和維持友誼的傳統(tǒng)方式。與其他國家一樣，在中國，從前會在生日、婚禮或聚會時贈送合適的禮物。禮物是否昂貴、是否很大，都不重要。

　　【參考譯文】

　　In China，gifts are usually given to show respect,gratitude, friendship, love or hospitality. It isactually a common courtesy in the world. With ahistory of thousands of years, Chinese etiquettehas formed and been passed down from generationto generation. For Chinese people, courtesy demands reciprocity, which 'means people whoare well-mannered to others will receive kindness and favors. If they receive a gift, aninvitation or hospitality treatment from someone, they will :offer back to the one when it issuitable. The custom of reciprocity is also considered a traditional way to build and maintainfriendship. For birthdays,weddings or parties, giving suitable gifts in China is just as any othercountries else i do. It does not matter whether your gift is expensive and big or not.

　　中國結(jié)(Chinese knots)是中國傳統(tǒng)的裝飾結(jié)。它是中國特有的民間藝術(shù)。中國結(jié)是以其形狀或者按照其寓意來命名的。中國結(jié)有許多不同的形狀，最常見的有蝴蝶、花、鳥、龍、魚等。在中國，“結(jié)”代表著團結(jié)、友愛、和平、婚姻和愛情等。中國結(jié)與中國人的日常生活緊密相關(guān)，表達了他們對更美好生活的企盼。兼具實用性和裝飾性的中國結(jié)具有傳統(tǒng)的雅致和不斷變化的形式，它充分反映了 中國文化的魅力和精髓。

　　【參考譯文】

　　Traditional Chinese decorative knots, also known as Chinese knots, are typical folk arts of China. Chinese knots are named after their shapes or in accordance with what they suggest. There are many different shapes of Chinese knots, the most common being butterflies, flowers, birds, dragons, fish, etc. In China, “knot” means unity, friendship, peace, marriage, love, etc. Chinese knots are closely related to the everyday life of the Chinese people and express their wishes for a better life. So title Chinese knots, with their classic elegance and ever-changing variations, are both practical and ornamental, fully reflecting the grace and essence of Chinese culture.