1、致蒋经国信 廖承志 经国吾弟： 咫尺之隔，竟成海天之遥(1)。南京匆匆一晤，瞬逾三十六载。幼时同袍，苏京把晤，往事历历在目(2)。惟长年未通音问，此诚憾事。近闻政躬违和，深为悬念 (3)。人过七旬，多有病痛，至盼善自珍摄。 三年以来，我党一再倡议贵我两党举行谈判(4)，同捐前嫌，共竟祖国统一大业。共竟祖国统一大业(5)。惟弟一再声言“不接触，不谈判，不妥协 ”，余期期以为不可。世交深情，于公于私，理当进言(6)，敬希诠察。 祖国和平统一，乃千秋功业(7)，台湾终必回归祖国，早日解决对各方有利。台湾同胞可安居乐业，两岸各族人民可解骨肉分离之痛，在台诸前辈及大陆去台人员 亦可各得其所，且有利于亚太
2、地区局势稳定和世界和平。吾弟尝以“计利当计天下利，求名应求万世名” (8)自勉，倘能于吾弟手中成此伟业(9)，必为举国尊敬，世人推崇，功在国家，名留青史(10)。所谓“罪人”之说，实相悖谬。局促东隅，终非久计。明若吾弟，自当了然(11)。如迁延不决，或委之异日(12)，不仅徒生困扰，吾弟亦将难辞其咎(13)。再者，和平统一纯属内政。外人巧言令色，意在图我台湾，此世人所共知者。当断不断，必受其乱(14)。愿弟慎思。 孙先生手创之中国国民党，历尽艰辛，无数先烈前仆后继，终于推翻帝制，建立民国(15)。光辉业迹，已成定论。国共两度合作，均对国家民族作出巨大贡献。首次合作，孙先生领导，吾辈虽幼，亦知一
3、二。再次合作，老先生主其事，吾辈身在其中，应知梗概。事虽经纬万端，但纵观全局，合则对国家有利，分则必伤民族元气(16)。今日吾弟在台主政，三次合作，大责难谢。双方领导，同窗挚友，彼此相知，谈之更易(17)。所谓“投降” 、 “屈事” 、 “吃亏” 、 “上当”之说，实难苟同。评价历史，展望未来，应天下为公，以国家民族利益为最高准则(18)，何发党私之论！至于 “以三民主义统一中国”云云，识者皆以为太不现实，未免自欺欺人(19)。三民主义之真谛，吾辈深知，毋须争辩。所谓台湾“经济繁荣，社会民主，民生乐利”等等，在台诸公，心中有数，亦毋庸赘言。试为贵党计，如能依时顺势，负起历史责任，毅然和谈， 达
4、成国家统一，则两党长期共存，互相监督，共图振兴中华之大业。否则，偏安之局(20)，焉能自保。有识之士，虑已及此(21)。事关国民党兴亡绝续(22)，望弟再思。 近读大作，有“切望父灵能回到家园与先人同在” (23)之语，不胜感慨系之。今老先生仍厝于慈湖，统一之后，即当迁安故土，或奉化，或南京，或庐山，以了吾弟孝心。吾弟近曾有言：“要把孝顺的心，扩大为民族感情，去敬爱民族，奉献于国家。 ”诚哉斯言，盍不实践于统一大业！就国家民族而论，蒋氏两代对历史有所交代(24)；就吾弟个人而言，可谓忠孝两全。否则，吾弟身后事何以自了。尚望三思。 吾弟一生坎坷，决非命运安排，一切操之在己(25)。千秋功罪，系于
5、一念之间。当今国际风云变幻莫测，台湾上下众议纷纾岁月不居，来日苦短，夜长梦多(26)，时不我与。盼弟善为抉择(27)，未雨绸缪。 “寥廓海天，不归何待？ ” 人到高年，愈加怀旧，如弟方便，余当束装就道，前往台北探望，并面聆诸长辈教益。 “度尽劫波兄弟在，相逢一笑泯恩仇” 。遥望南天，不禁神驰(28)，书不尽言，诸希珍重，伫候复音。 老夫人前请代为问安。方良、纬国及诸侄不一。 顺祝 近祺！ 廖承志 年月日 A Letter to Chiang Ching-Kuo Liao Chengzhi July 24, 1982 Dear brother Ching-Kuo, Who would have
6、expected that the short distance between us should be keeping us poles apart! It is now more than 36 years since our brief encounter in Nanjing. The days we spent together in childhood as well as later in the Soviet capital, however, are still as fresh as ever in my memory. But its a pity indeed tha
7、t we havent heard from each other for so many years. Recently it filled me with much concern to learn of your indisposition. Men aged over seventy are liable to illness. I hope you will take good care of yourself. For three years, we have repeatedly proposed bilateral talks between the two parties t
8、o let bygones be bygones and strive together for the great cause of national reunification. But you have time and again insisted upon having “no contact, no talks and no compromise”, which I truly think inadvisable. In view of the public and personal concerns as well as long-standing deep friendship
9、 between our two families, I feel duty-bound to offer you a word of advice for careful consideration. The peaceful reunification of the motherland will be a great achievement to go down in history. Taiwan is bound to be reunited eventually with the motherland. An early settlement of the problem will
10、 be in the interests of all. The compatriots in Taiwan will be able to live in peace and happiness, the people of all nationalities on both sides of the Taiwan straits will be relieved of the pains of separation from their flesh and blood, and our senior folks in Taiwan and those formerly migrated t
11、here from the mainland will all be properly placed and provided for. And, moreover, it will contribute to the stability of Asia and the Pacific region as well as to world peace. You used to seek self-encouragement from the motto, “The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fa
12、me to be sought should be an everlasting fame.” If you should be instrumental in bringing about the cause of national reunification, you will certainly win esteem and praise nationwide and your meritorious service to the country will earn you a niche in the temple of fame. It is sheer absurdity to t
13、hink yourself “guilty” for rendering such a service. After all, dragging out your existence in that tight eastern corner is by no means a permanent solution. This should be crystal clear to a man of your wisdom. Procrastination, hesitation or sleeping over the problem will only lead to adversity and
14、 you, my brother, will hardly be able to escape censure. Moreover, peaceful reunification is entirely an internal affair of China. As is known to all, outsiders who are talking glibly against it have designs on our Taiwan. To be irresolute when a prompt decision should be taken would only spell disa
15、ster. I, therefore, would like you to think this over carefully. After going through untold hardships during which countless revolutionaries unflinchingly laid down their lives, the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic. This has been unive
16、rsally recognized as a glorious achievement. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party twice cooperated and on both occasions they made tremendous contributions to the country and the nation. We know something about the first cooperation, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, though we still young at that time. The
17、second cooperation was presided over by your father and, as participants in it, we should know what it was all about. Complicated as the matter was, an overall view of the situation will show that united, the country and the nation benefit; divided, they suffer. Now, as head of the Taiwan administra
18、tion, you have unshirkable responsibility for bring about the third cooperation. Leaders from both sides will find it easier to talk the matter over since they know each other well, having formerly been schoolmates and close friends. I find it really hard for me to subscribe to those views which des
19、cribe cooperation as “surrender”, “humiliating”, “suffering losses” or “being duped”. In reviewing history or looking ahead to the future, one should be public-minded and put the interests of the country and the nation above all. Why harp on the narrow interest of a party? Such remarks as “unifying
20、China with the Three Peoples Principles” are regarded by all thinking people as unrealistic, deceptive and ostrich-like. People of our generation know the true meaning of the Three Peoples Principles quiet well and there is no need to argue about it. Neither is there any need to dwell on such assert
21、ions as Taiwans “economic prosperity, democracy and easy livelihood”, the truth of which all gentlemen in Taiwan must be quiet aware of. To my mind, if you, for the sake of your party, shoulder the historic task and, going with the stream, take part in peace talks for our national reunification, the
22、 two parties will be able to coexist for a long time to come, supervising each other and making a common effort to revitalize China. Otherwise, content as you are with your present rule over the tight eastern corner, how can such a situation be expected to last for long? This is a question already o
23、n the minds of thinking people. It is a matter of survival or extinction for the Kuomintang and I hope you will think it over again. Recently I was profoundly moved when I read one of your writings in which you expressed the “longing for my fathers soul to return to the homeland and be among the for
24、efathers”. The remains of your father, now still temporarily placed at Cihu, shall, upon national reunification, be immediately moved to the final resting place in Fenghua, Nanjing or Lushan in fulfilment of your filial whishes. You recently said, “Filial devotion should be expanded into national de
25、votion to the country.” Well said! Why dont you apply it to the great cause of national reunification? As far as the country and the nation are concerned, you will have fulfilled the task imposed on you and your father by history; as far as you yourself are concerned, this will be an expression of b
26、oth loyalty and filial piety. Other how could you account for yourself after your passing away? I hope you will think more about it. Dear brother, the frustrations marking your lifetime are by no means predestined. You yourself alone are master of your own fate. Merits and demerits to be recorded in
27、 history hinge on the decision made in a moment. The present international situation is capricious. Throughout Taiwan people of all strata are talking about their future. Time does not stay and brief is the day. A long night invites bad dreams; time and tide wait for no man. I hope you, my brother,
28、will make a wise choice and repair the house before it rains. “Vast is the expanse of sky and water. What are you waiting for, staying away from home?” The longing for old friends grows with age. If it suits your convenience, I will pack and go on a visit to Taibei to consult our elders. “For all th
29、e disasters the brotherhood has remained; a smile at meeting and enmity is banished.” When I look south towards the distant horizon, my heart cannot help going out to my compatriots there. No word is enough to express what I wish to say. It is hoped that you will take good care of yourself. I am loo
30、king forward to a reply from you. Please convey my regards to your mothers as well as to Fang-Liang, Wei-Kuo and the children. Best wishes to you. Liao Chengzhi 注释 (1)“咫尺之隔，竟成海天之遥”的原译为 No one ever expected that a strip of water should have become so vast a distance，未充分表达原文的感叹语气以及“海天之遥”与当时两岸的关系。现改译为
31、Who would have expected that the short distance between us should be keeping us poles apart，其中 poles apart 作 widely separated 解。此句形式上为疑问句，实为感叹句，故句尾接感叹号。 (2)“幼时同袍，苏京把晤，往事历历在目”的原译为 From our childhood friendship to our chats in the Soviet capital, everything in the past is still alive in my memory，基本上逐
32、字直译，流畅不足。现改译为 The days we spent together in childhood as well as later in the Soviet capital, however, are still as fresh as ever in my memory，其中 are still as fresh as ever 比 still remain fresh 强调。 (3)“近闻政躬违和，深为悬念”的原译为 Recently I was told that you are somewhat indisposed and this has caused me much
33、concern，采用复合句逐字直译，欠简练。现用简单句改译为Recently it filled me with much concern to learn of your indisposition。 (4)“我党一再倡议贵我两党举行谈判，同捐前嫌”的原译为 our party has repeatedly proposed talks with your party to bury the hatchet。为了避免 party 一词的重复出现，现改译为 we have repeatedly proposed bilateral talks between the two parties t
34、o let bygones be bygones。 (5)“共竟祖国统一大业”的原译为 work jointly to accomplish the great cause of national reunification。为突出 “共同力求”的内涵，现将此句改译为 strive together for the great cause of national reunification。 (6)“世交深情，于公于私，理当进言”原译为 Considering both the public interests and our close friendship which has lasted
35、 for generations, I regard it as my duty to offer some advice which I hope you will consider carefully，其中有三处欠妥：， “于公于私”译为 the public interests，未交代“于私” ；， “世交深情”中“世交”实际上只从双方父辈（廖仲恺和蒋介石）开始，原译却把它扩大到“祖祖辈辈” （for generations） ；，句子欠紧凑。现改译为 in view of the public and personal concerns as well as the long-stan
36、ding deep friendship between our two families, I feel duty-bound to offer you a word of advice for careful consideration。 (7)“乃千秋功业”译为 a great achievement to go down in history，其中 to go down 是成语，作“被载入”解，也可译为 to be recorded in history。 (8)“计利当计天下利，求明应求万世名”译为 the interests to be considered should be t
37、he interests of all; the fame to be sought should be an everlasting fame，前后都是简单句，形成排比。原译为 the interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be a fame that would last forever，前后稍欠匀称。 (9)“倘能于吾弟手中成此伟业”译为 if you should be instrumental in bringing about the great
38、 cause of national reunification，其中 instrumental 作“有助于” （helpful ）解。原译为 if the great cause of national reunification would be accomplished through your work，语言欠地道。又 would 一词用得欠规范，就改为 should。 (10)“功在国家，名留青史”译为 your meritorious service to the country will earn you a niche in the temple of fame，其中 a ni
39、che in the temple of fame 是成语，作“流芳百世”解，与 a lasting fame 同义。 (11)“明若吾弟，自当了然”译为 this should be crystal clear to a man of your wisdom。原译为this is of course quiet clear for a man as intelligent as you。注意 wisdom 着重“判断是非的能力” ，intelligent 着重 “理解力” 。 (12)“委之异日”译为 sleeping over the problem，其中 sleep over 或 sle
40、ep on 是成语，作“暂缓对作出决定”(to postpone a decision about)解。原译是 leaving the problem to other days。 (13)“难辞其咎”译为 hardly be able to escape censure，其中 censure 和 the blame 同义，但更有力。 (14)“当断不断，必受其乱”译为 to be irresolute when a prompt decision should be taken would only spell disaster，其中 spell 作“招致” 、 “带来”解。 (15)“孙先
41、生手创之中国国民党，历尽艰辛，无数先烈前仆后继，终于推翻帝制，建立民国”原译为 the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen endured countless hardships and finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic; numerous revolutionaries advanced wave after wave and laid down their lives for the cause，其中把“无数先烈前仆后继”单独译成一句，使全段缺乏连贯性，层次不清。现
42、改译为 after going through untold hardships during which countless revolutionaries unflinchingly laid down their lives, the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic (16)“事虽经纬万端，但纵观全局，合则对国家有利，分则必伤民族元气”的原译为though the matter was as complicated as co
43、uld be, an all-round view of the situation would show that cooperation is beneficial to the country and the nation while division is detrimental to them，其中未能用简练的手法表达原文后半部的排比结构；同时 would 一词也用得欠规范。现改译为Complicated as the matter was, an overall view of the situation will show that united, the country and
44、 the nation benefit; divided, they suffer。 (17)“双方领导，同窗挚友，彼此相知，谈之更易”的原译为 it would be easier to talk the matter over when leaders on both sides used to be schoolmates and close friends who know one another well，其中后半部分缺乏逻辑性。现改译为 leaders from both sides will find it easer to talk the matter over since
45、they know each other well, having formerly been schoolmates and close friends。 (18)“应天下为公，以国家民族利益为最高准则”意即“ 应一心为公，以国家民族利益高于一切” ，故英译为 should be public-minded and put the interests of the country and the nation above all。原译为 should bear in mind the public interests of the country and the nation, and us
46、e this as the supreme criterion，与原文意思有出入，原因是对原文理解仅限于某些字面。 (19)“识者皆以为太不现实，未免自欺欺人”译为 are regarded by all thinking people as unrealistic, deceptive and ostrich-like，其中 thinking people 意即“有见解的人” ；ostrichlike本来的意思是“鸵鸟般的”或“藏头露尾的”现作“自欺的”解。 (20)“偏安之局”的意思为“偏据一方以自安” ，故译为 content as you are with your present r
47、ule over the tight eastern corner。 (21)“有识之士，虑已及此”意即“有头脑的人都已经为此担忧 ”。原译为 this is a question those who are sensible are already turning over in their minds。现改译为 This is a question already on the minds of thinking people。 (22)“事关国民党兴亡绝续”的原译为 It involves the survival and development of the Kuomintang，其中
48、把 “兴亡绝续“译为 survival and development，与原意有出入。现将原句改译为 It is a matter of survival or extinction for the Kuomintang。 (23)“与先人同在”的原译为 be reunited with the forefathers，稍欠自然。现改译为 be among the forefather。 (24)“蒋氏两代对历史有所交代”的原译为 this would be an answer of the two generations of the Chiangs to history，由于逐字直译，未能
49、达意。现改译为 you will have fulfilled the task imposed on you and your father by history。 (25)“一切操之在己”的上一句为“决非命运安排” ，故英译时按 “由自己掌握命运”的意思译为 You yourself alone are master of your own fate。原译为 Everything depends on yourself。 (26)“夜长梦多”中的“梦”为“恶梦” ，比喻“不好的事 ”或“节外生枝” ，故译为全句为 A long night invites bad dreams。原译为 A long night is fraught with dreams。 (27)“善为抉择”的意思应为“作出明智的选择” ，故译为 will make a wise choice。 (28)“不禁神驰”译为 my heart cannot help going out to，其中 to go out to 是成语，作“在感情上被所吸引” （be emotionally drawn to）解。 (29)“伫候复音”的原译为 I am waiting impatiently for a reply。现改译为 Im looking forward to
