原文
Fine wine delivered the best returns; surprising to cynics who might assume that, in the long run, the value of wine vanishes as it turns into vinegar. Really old wine often has historical resonance. A bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild from 1787 was sold for $156,450 in 1985 because it was thought to belong to Thomas Jefferson.
Estimating the returns from these assets, after costs, is tricky. Indices covering art or musical instruments are much less comprehensive than those covering shares. There may be an upward bias inherent in collectible returns, as successful works are more likely to survive.
Transaction costs, if valuables are sold at auction, may be 30-40%. But these are the kind of assets that tend to be held for many decades (and passed between generations) so the annual cost burden may compare reasonably with equities, which are traded much more frequently.
Then there are the costs of insurance. If people want to keep a Stradivarius at home, theft is a big risk; robbery with violins is a serious crime, after all.
段段分析
1. Fine wine?delivered?the best?returns; surprising to?cynics who might assume that, in the long run, the value of wine vanishesas?it turns into vinegar. Really old wine often has historicalresonance. A bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild?from?1787 was sold?for?$156,450 in 1985 because it was thought to belong to Thomas Jefferson.
詞匯：
a. deliver:及物動詞（vt.），實現(xiàn)，締造→熟詞新義。
eg.?The?only?social responsibility?of?a?company?should be?to?deliver?a?profit?to its?shareholders.
公司的唯一社會價值就是為股東創(chuàng)造利潤。
b. returns:收入，收益，利潤。
eg. small profits and quick returns
薄利多銷
a returns on capital
資本盈利
注：不能省略s
延伸：退貨
eg.Understanding?why?returns?occur?helps?identify?opportunities for?improving?supply chain processes?and?decision-making.?
理解退貨為什么發(fā)生會幫助你識別機會提高供應鏈過程和決策。
c. resonance:共鳴，反響
eg.?It?was?a?faith?reinforced by?common sense,?a?reverence?for?the?wisdom?of?antiquity,?and?its resonance?with?Christian?mythology.
這是一種源自常識的信仰、一種對古老智慧的尊崇以及對基督教神話的共鳴。
語法：
a. as后接原因狀語從句，外刊中常用as表原因。句中位置靈活，置于句首、句中、句末均可。
eg.?As it was getting late, I turned around to start for home.?
天越來越晚，于是我掉頭回家。
We asked Philip to come with us, as he knew the road.?
我們叫菲利浦一起去，因為他認識路。
This is a hard letter to write, as I have to admit I was wrong, and I hate that.
這封信很難寫，因為我得承認自己錯了，但我討厭認錯。
b. from 援引自dated from，表示歷史上的某一天。
c. for 后接價格
類似用法：valued at + 價格
d. 分號的作用：
①?并列分句
People make history; unusual people make history interesting.
I came; I saw; I conquered.
②分隔已有逗號的并列成分，避免歧義
The sun, a bright yellow ball, shone; the children, happy as always, played.
③用于由for example, for instance, namely, that is (to say), in fact, i.e., e.g.等詞語引出的分句之前。
He chose to invest in major industries; i.e., steel, automobiles, and oil.
注：分號后句首字母小寫。
翻譯技巧積累：
巧用分號讓句子更精致多樣。
試比較：
Fine wine delivered the best returns; surprising to cynicswho（引導定語從句）?might assume?that（引導賓語從句）, in the long run（插入語，前后可不加逗號）, the value of wine vanishesas（引導原因狀語從句）?it turns into vinegar.
→
Surprising to cynics?who?might assume that, in the long run, the value of wine vanishes?as?it turns into vinegar, fine wine delivered the best returns.
→
Fine wine delivered the best returns, which was surprising/a surprise to cynics who might assume that, in the long run, the value of wine vanishes as it turns into vinegar.?
使用分號后，常規(guī)語序被打亂，但表達更新穎，讓人眼前一亮。
2. Estimating the returns from these assets,?after?costs, is?tricky.Indices?covering art or musical instruments are?much lesscomprehensive than those covering shares. There may be anupward bias?inherent?in?collectible?returns, as?successful worksare more likely to survive.
詞匯：
a. tricky：難以捉摸的；難對付的→熟詞新義
a tricky situation?
微妙的處境
a tricky bit of work
?需慎重對待的工作
b. indices：index的復數(shù)形式
c. collectible：adj.?可收集的；可回收的
延伸：?collectibles （n.） 藏品
語法：
a. after：鑒于；由于
Average personnal income, after taxes and inflation, is down six percent.
由于納稅和通貨膨脹，個人平均收入下降了6%。
同義詞：due to, in light of, in view of, whereas, considering that, in response to, on account of...
中譯英時，很容易受中文思維的影響，導致譯文中頻繁出現(xiàn)due to等比較基礎的短語，而不容易聯(lián)想到after一詞，可以注意積累一下。
b. much less?+ adj./of +n.：遠不及
eg.?But?the?heavy hand?of the?law?is probably?much?less?of?a deterrent?than?the?invisible?hand of?the?market.
但法律的重拳很可能遠不及市場這只“無形的手”更具威懾力。
翻譯技巧積累：
a. upward bias：向上的偏差（直譯）→高估（意譯）
同義詞：overestimate, overmeasure, overvaluation。
注意從中文思維跳脫出來，為譯文尋找更多表達方式。
b. inherent：內(nèi)在的，固有的
表達某事物天生具有某種屬性，可以用這個短語，可以替換be born to, generate, by nature等表達方式。
c. successful works：成功的作品（直譯）→精品（意譯）
精品的表達還有Boutique，quality?goods，competitive?products，the choicest goods等。
