古典诗歌 and Taming the Tongue

就古典诗歌说几句话：

希腊史诗、波斯雅韵、以至十四行诗都是格律诗。中国出现格律诗，比希腊还要晚许许多多。我们不必以此薄彼，以彼薄此。不过，单音字汉语的确有其抑扬顿挫的音节魅力。（瞿秋白不同意現代汉语是单音语，但是他的例证如“桌子”等实难以偏盖全。）

另一方面，格律诗不轻易向译手就范。同样地，格律诗也不轻易向白话化写手就范。还有的是、中外格律诗都要求读者有一定程度的古典修养。至于在欣赏唐诗方面，我们也不难发现、自己也好，别人也好，国学根基越深厚、就越能跟唐人的气息相通。这里，国学包括史识。一者，律诗名作多含典故，二者，对了解作品时代背景有助。

“不薄今人爱古人”。杜甫这名句，中外皆宜。



……

Taming the tongue？Does it mean censorship? Nope. Censorship is meant to serve the interests of the powers that be. In other words, you are forced to hold your tongue. Freedom of speech be damned.

Taming the tongue is to watch one's mouth. It is well-meant and hopefully well-heeded. When one is emotionally-charged enough, s/he may lose control and start cursing whomsoever being targeted. It won't be a pretty sight whichever way you look at it.


So, unless we want to invite trouble, we'd better avoid tongue-lashing of anyone particularly in public. Tongue-lashing has nothing to do with gender, by the way.


by 苇苇


*All images are from Google.