A:有評論家認為中國書法的不同流派都有其政治含義。比如王羲之,他的書法曾經(jīng)被視為對正統(tǒng)文化的攻擊而遭詬病,但在他死后幾十年,卻被朝廷封為書法的正宗。
A: Some critics suggest that different genres of Chinese calligraphy have different political implications.Take Wang Xizhi for example. His calligraphy was repudiated as unorthodox durning his lifetime but only a few decades after his death, was established as an orthodox genre.
B:是這樣。歷史上,中國書法與權(quán)力密不可分。兩千多年前,中國的第一個皇帝秦始皇統(tǒng)一了中國的文字。新的簡化漢字使書寫變得簡單。人們使用適合毛筆書寫的直線筆畫寫字,從此產(chǎn)生了隸書。隨著時間的轉(zhuǎn)移,其他字體也產(chǎn)生可,最后形成中國書法的五種字體:篆、隸、楷、行、草。
B: That's for sure! Historically, Chinese calligraphy and politics were closely intertwined. Over 2000 years ago. Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first Emperor in Chinese history, established the official Chinese writing characters. The new, simplified characters made writing calligraphy less complicated. It allowed people to use characters with more straight strokes, thus making it easier to write with brushers. This created the Li genre. Over time, other variations were also developed, which eventually lead to the formation of the five genres in Chinese calligraphy. These were the Zhuan, Li, Kai, Xing and Cao gcnrcs.
A:我聽說中國的皇帝大多擅長書法,唐代皇帝李世民就熱衷于收集王羲之的作品。
A: I've heard that most emperors were good at calligraphy. The Tang Dynasty Emperor Li Shiming was an avid collector of Wang Xizhi's writings.
B:對。清朝皇帝乾隆還編撰了一套字貼,把他認為正宗的字體收錄其中。從某種程度上說,皇帝好惡決定了不同書法流派的興衰。
B: That'right. Qing Dynasty Emperor Qian Long played a key role in compiling an authoritative collection of calligraphy. To some extent, preferences of the Emperors had an influence on the rise and fall of certain calligraphy genres.
A:普通中國人似乎也熱愛書法。
A: Ordinary Chinese people also seemed to like calligraphy a lot.
B:這一方面是因為歷代皇帝的提倡,另一方面是因為朝廷從7世紀開始實行的科舉考試。這種考試借文章選拔人才,成為平民百姓的晉身之階。書法因此受到重視。此外,書法還有著實際的效用,比如結(jié)交朋友。比起珠寶或金錢,送人一副書法作品就來得高雅、體面。
B: Part of the reason was the sponsorship by the Emperors. Another reason was the Imperial Civil Service exminations that started in the 7th century. Those examinations were focused on writing and provided a way for ordinary people to achieve a better life. As a result, calligraphy became widdely accepted. Calligraphy also had its practical values because it was a good way to make friends and was more presentable as a gift rather than jewelry or money
A;現(xiàn)在的書法還有這樣的功效嗎?
A: Does calligraphy still have these practical functions now?
B:還有。很多人研習書法的目的是提升文化素養(yǎng);老年人學習書法是為了保健強身。人們認為,在凝神氣定地思考布局的過程中,體內(nèi)的氣會隨之運動,對健康頗有益處。
B: Yes. Many people practice calligraphy as a method to keep fit. They believe that when a person concentrates on writing calligraphy, his inner wellbeing is stimulated.
A:我一直認為電腦的出現(xiàn)會導致中國書法的衰落。現(xiàn)在看來,這不太可能。你怎么能拿著一幅從電腦中打印出來的書法作品送給上司呢?
A: I had thought computer would lead to the disappearance of Chinese calligraphy, Now I understand that's not likely to happen. How can you give your boss computerprinted calligraphy as a gift?
B:除非你想讓他炒掉你。
B: You don't, unless you want him to fire you!