唐朝時期，人們就在昌南建造窯坊(kiln),燒制出一種青白瓷(bluish white porcelain)。青白瓷色彩晶瑩，有“人造玉器”的美稱，因而遠近聞名，并大量出口歐洲。當時，歐洲人還不會制造瓷器，因此中國特別是昌南鎮的瓷器很受歡迎。 在歐洲，昌南鎮瓷器是備受珍愛的貴重物品，人們以能獲得一件昌南鎮瓷器為榮。因此，歐洲人就以“昌南”作為瓷器和生產瓷器的“中國”的代稱。久而久之，歐洲人就把昌南的本意忘卻了，只記得它是“瓷器”，即“中國”了。

　　In the Tang Dynasty, people started to build kilns tomake bluish white porcelain in Changnan. The bluishwhite porcelain was glittering and had thereputation of artificial jade, so it became famoushome and abroad and was exported to Europe inlarge amount. At that time, Europeans were not able to make porcelain,so porcelain fromChina，especially from Changnan，was warmly welcomed. In Europe，porcelain from Changnanwas luxurious article cherished by everyone, and obtaining even one piece of it would makepeople feel very proud. In this way，Europeans used Changnan as the code name for china(porcelain) and the place of its production，China. Gradually, Europeans forgot the originalmeaning of Changnan，only remembering it is “china”，namely“China”.

　　【重點詞匯】

　　1.燒制出一種青白瓷:可譯為make bluish whiteporcelain， 燒制可譯為 make，“青白色的”可譯為bluishwhite。

　　2.色彩晶螢:可譯為glittering,意為“閃閃發光的”。

　　3.遠近聞名:可譯為be famous home and abroad。

　　4.以…為榮:即be proud of,文中譯為…make people feelproud。

　　5.久而久之:理解為“逐漸地”，可用gradually來表達。

　　6.只記得它是瓷器:根據前后句，本句可譯為only remembering it is “china”, 用現在分詞作狀語來表達。

　　天津市古文化街于1986年元旦建成開業，全長687米，為模仿清民間建筑風格。它坐落在南開區海河西岸，是一條商業步行街，值得一看。再者，古文化街是天津市的發祥地，也是天津最早的文化、宗教和商業中心。天后宮(即著名的媽祖廟)就在這條街的中心。這條街上出售古玩、古舊書籍、傳統手工藝制品和民俗用品。天津的民間藝術品楊柳青年畫、泥人張彩塑、風箏魏風箏、劉氏磚刻在此也都設有專店。這里還有風味小吃，如茶湯、鍋巴菜、耳朵眼炸糕。

　　Opened on New Year’ Day in 1986, the Ancient Culture Street in Tianjin city is 687 meters long, with its architecture imitating the folk style of the Qing Dynasty. Located on the west bank of Haihe River in Nankai District, it is a commercial pedestrian street which is worth visiting. Furthermore, this street is known as the Cradle of Tianjin, and is the first cultural, religious and business centre of the city. In its centre is the famous Tianhou (Heavenly Queen) Temple, more popularly known as Mazu. Antiques, ancient books, traditional handicrafts and folk products are sold here. Additionally, the traditional folk-art Yangliuqing New Year paintings, Niren Zhang’s Colour-Clay Figurines, Wei Kites and Liu Carvings all have their shops there. There are also local snacks such as Chatang Soup, Guobacai, Earhole Fried Cake, etc.

　　【重點詞匯】

　　古文化街 the Ancient Culture Street

　　模仿 imitate

　　商業步行街 commercial pedestrian street

　　天津市的發祥地 the Cradle of Tianjin

　　天后宮 Tianhou Temple

　　媽祖廟 Mazu Temple

　　古玩 antique

　　手工藝制品 handicraft

　　民俗用品 folk product

　　楊柳青年畫 Yangliuqing New Year painting

　　泥人張彩塑 Niren Zhang’s Colour-Clay Figurine

　　劉氏磚刻Liu Carving

　　風味小吃 snack

　　茶湯 Chatang Soup

　　鍋巴菜 Guobacai

　　耳朵眼炸糕 Earhole Fried Cake