請將下面這段話翻譯成英文:
四合院(courtyard)是一種歷史類型住宅。它在中國很常見,最著名的則是在北京。在古代,一座四合院住著一個單一的大家庭。今天,許多現(xiàn)存的四合院還用作住房,但大都缺乏現(xiàn)代生活設(shè)施。四合院最早可以追溯到西周時期(the Western Zhou Period),至今已有2000多年的歷史。它們表現(xiàn)出中國建筑的優(yōu)秀和基本特征。四合院還是北京的一個文化象征,也是探索古老生活方式的一個窗口。
參考翻譯:
Courtyard is a historical type of residence.It was commonly found throughout China,most famous in Beijing.In ancient times,a courtyard would be occupied by a single large family.Today,many remaining courtyards are still used as houses,but most lack modem living facilities.Courtyards date back to as early as the Western Zhou Period,with a history of over 2,000 years.They exhibit outstanding and iundamental characteristics of Chinese architecture.Courtyard also serves as a cultural symbol of Beijing and a window into old ways of life.
1.在古代,一座四合院住著一個單一的大家庭:“在古代”可譯為in ancient times?!白≈笨梢杂胦ccupy或者live來表示。occupy意為“占據(jù),占領(lǐng)”,在此引申為“住著”;be occupied by/with譯為“被某物占據(jù);忙于”,例如:He was occupied with a novel.他忙于寫小說。
2.今天,許多現(xiàn)存的四合院還用作住房,但大都缺乏現(xiàn)代生活設(shè)施:其中“現(xiàn)存的”可譯為remaining?!坝米鳌笨勺g為be used as?!叭狈Α笨勺g為lack,此處lack為動詞,作名詞講時,可用lack of來表示缺乏。
3.四合院最早可以追溯到西周時期:其中“追溯”可譯為date back to。需要注意的是date back和date back to都表示追溯的意思,但是date back后跟時間段;date back to后跟時間點,表示追溯到某一時間點。