The author studies to learn the language. The Houyhnhnm, his master, assists in teaching him. —-
作者学习语言。侯因恩姆，他的主人，协助他教学。 —-

The language described. Several Houyhnhnms of quality come out of curiosity to see the author. —-
描述的语言。几个品质上佳的侯因恩姆人出于好奇来看作者。 —-

He gives his master a short account of his voyage.
他给他的主人简短地讲述了他的航行经历。

My principal endeavour was to learn the language, which my master (for so I shall henceforth call him), and his children, and every servant of his house, were desirous to teach me; —-
我的主要努力是学习语言，我的主人（从现在开始我将这样称呼他），以及他的孩子们和他家里的每个仆人，都渴望教我； —-

for they looked upon it as a prodigy, that a brute animal should discover such marks of a rational creature. —-
因为他们认为，一个畜生竟然能展示出如此明显的理性生物的特征，这是个奇迹。 —-

I pointed to every thing, and inquired the name of it, which I wrote down in my journal-book when I was alone, and corrected my bad accent by desiring those of the family to pronounce it often. —-
我指着一切东西，询问它的名字，当我独自一人的时候，我把它写在我的日记本上，并通过请求他们家人经常发音来纠正我的差劲发音。 —-

In this employment, a sorrel nag, one of the under-servants, was very ready to assist me.
在这个工作中，一个栗色的骡子，一个下级仆人，非常愿意帮助我。

In speaking, they pronounced through the nose and throat, and their language approaches nearest to the High-Dutch, or German, of any I know in Europe; —-
在说话时，他们通过鼻子和喉咙发音，他们的语言与我在欧洲了解的任何一种语言都最接近高地德语或德语。 —-

but is much more graceful and significant. —-
但它更加优雅和有意义。 —-

The emperor Charles V. made almost the same observation, when he said “that if he were to speak to his horse, it should be in High-Dutch.”
当查理五世皇帝说“如果他必须与他的马交流，那就应该用高地德语”时，他几乎做出了同样的观察。

The curiosity and impatience of my master were so great, that he spent many hours of his leisure to instruct me. —-
我的主人非常好奇和急躁，他花了很多休闲时间来教导我。 —-

He was convinced (as he afterwards told me) that I must be a Yahoo; —-
他确信（后来告诉我）我一定是个雅虎； —-

but my teachableness, civility, and cleanliness, astonished him; —-
但是我的学习能力、礼貌和整洁给他带来了惊讶； —-

which were qualities altogether opposite to those animals. —-
这些品质完全与那些动物相反。 —-

He was most perplexed about my clothes, reasoning sometimes with himself, whether they were a part of my body: —-
他对我的衣服感到非常困惑，有时自言自语地思考它们是否是我的一部分： —-

for I never pulled them off till the family were asleep, and got them on before they waked in the morning. —-
因为我从未在家人睡觉前脱下它们，在他们醒来之前把它们穿上。 —-

My master was eager to learn “whence I came; —-
我的主人迫切想知道“我从哪里来； —-

how I acquired those appearances of reason, which I discovered in all my actions; —-
我是如何获得我在所有行动中表现出来的理智外观的。” —-

and to know my story from my own mouth, which he hoped he should soon do by the great proficiency I made in learning and pronouncing their words and sentences. —-
而通过我在学习和发音他们的词汇和句子方面取得的卓越进步，他希望很快就能亲自听到我口述的故事。 —-

” To help my memory, I formed all I learned into the English alphabet, and writ the words down, with the translations. —-
“为了帮助我的记忆，我将学到的一切整理成英文字母，并将单词写下来，附上翻译。” —-

This last, after some time, I ventured to do in my master’s presence. —-
过了一段时间，我冒险在主人的面前做了这件事。 —-

It cost me much trouble to explain to him what I was doing; —-
向他解释我在做什么确实花了我很多麻烦； —-

for the inhabitants have not the least idea of books or literature.
因为居民对书籍或文学一无所知。

In about ten weeks time, I was able to understand most of his questions; —-
大约十个星期后，我能够理解他的大部分问题； —-

and in three months, could give him some tolerable answers. —-
三个月后，我可以给他一些尚可的回答。 —-

He was extremely curious to know “from what part of the country I came, and how I was taught to imitate a rational creature; —-
他非常好奇地想知道“我来自哪个地方并且我是如何被教会模仿一个理性的生物。” —-

because the Yahoos (whom he saw I exactly resembled in my head, hands, and face, that were only visible), with some appearance of cunning, and the strongest disposition to mischief, were observed to be the most unteachable of all brutes. —-
因为他看到我在头部、手部和面部与雅虎非常相似（仅有这些部位可见），而雅虎生性狡猾，有着最顽皮的性情，被认为是最不易教导的动物。 —-

” I answered, “that I came over the sea, from a far place, with many others of my own kind, in a great hollow vessel made of the bodies of trees: —-
我回答说：“我是从一个遥远的地方乘坐一个由树木制成的巨大空心船过海而来的，与许多和我一样的人一起： —-

that my companions forced me to land on this coast, and then left me to shift for myself. —-
我的同伴们强迫我在这个海岸上登陆，然后让我自己摆脱困境。” —-

” It was with some difficulty, and by the help of many signs, that I brought him to understand me. —-
有些困难的是，通过许多手势帮助，我使他明白了我的意思。 —-

He replied, “that I must needs be mistaken, or that I said the thing which was not; —-
他回答说：“我必须被误解了，或者我说了不真实的事情； —-

” for they have no word in their language to express lying or falsehood. —-
因为他们的语言中没有表示说谎或虚假的词汇。 —-

“He knew it was impossible that there could be a country beyond the sea, or that a parcel of brutes could move a wooden vessel whither they pleased upon water. —-
他知道海的那边不可能有一个国家，也不可能有一群野兽能够凭借水上的木船自由移动。 —-

He was sure no Houyhnhnm alive could make such a vessel, nor would trust Yahoos to manage it.”
他确定活着的Houyhnhnm绝不会制造出这样的船只，也不会信任Yahoos来操作。

The word Houyhnhnm, in their tongue, signifies a HORSE, and, in its etymology, the PERFECTION OF NATURE. I told my master, “that I was at a loss for expression, but would improve as fast as I could; —-
Houyhnhnm这个词，在他们的语言中，表示一匹马，并且在词源上，表示着完美的自然。我告诉主人，“我找不到合适的表达方式，但我会尽快进步； —-

and hoped, in a short time, I should be able to tell him wonders. —-
并且希望不久的将来，我能够告诉他一些惊人的事情。 —-

” He was pleased to direct his own mare, his colt, and foal, and the servants of the family, to take all opportunities of instructing me; —-
他很高兴地指示他自己的母马、小马和马厩的仆人，利用一切机会来教导我。 —-

and every day, for two or three hours, he was at the same pains himself. —-
每天，他都会自己承受两三个小时的痛苦。 —-

Several horses and mares of quality in the neighbourhood came often to our house, upon the report spread of “a wonderful Yahoo, that could speak like a Houyhnhnm, and seemed, in his words and actions, to discover some glimmerings of reason. —-
附近有几匹高质量的马和母马经常来我们家，听说“有一只能像荷恩姆人一样说话的奇娃”，并且他的言行中似乎表现出了一些理智的迹象。 —-

” These delighted to converse with me: they put many questions, and received such answers as I was able to return. —-
这些动物很高兴与我交谈：他们问了很多问题，我尽力回答。 —-

By all these advantages I made so great a progress, that, in five months from my arrival I understood whatever was spoken, and could express myself tolerably well.
通过这一切优势，我取得了很大的进步，从我到达那里的五个月内，我可以听懂任何人说的话，并且能够表达得相当不错。

The Houyhnhnms, who came to visit my master out of a design of seeing and talking with me, could hardly believe me to be a right Yahoo, because my body had a different covering from others of my kind. —-
荷恩姆人来拜访我的主人，是想见见我并与我交谈，他们几乎不相信我是一只真正的奇娃，因为我的身体与我同类的其他人有所不同。 —-

They were astonished to observe me without the usual hair or skin, except on my head, face, and hands; —-
他们惊讶地观察到我没有通常的毛发或皮肤，除了头部、脸部和手部。 —-

but I discovered that secret to my master upon an accident which happened about a fortnight before.
但是在离现在不到两周前的一次意外中，我将这个秘密告诉了我的主人。

I have already told the reader, that every night, when the family were gone to bed, it was my custom to strip, and cover myself with my clothes. —-
我已经告诉读者，每天晚上，当家人都上床睡觉后，我习惯脱光衣服，把自己裹起来。 —-

It happened, one morning early, that my master sent for me by the sorrel nag, who was his valet. —-
有一天早上，我的主人通过那匹杂色马叫我去找他，那匹马是他的仆役。 —-

When he came I was fast asleep, my clothes fallen off on one side, and my shirt above my waist. —-
当他来的时候，我正在熟睡，我的衣服掉在一边，我的衬衫露出了腰。 —-

I awaked at the noise he made, and observed him to deliver his message in some disorder; —-
他的动静把我吵醒了，我注意到他有些慌乱地传达了他的消息； —-

after which he went to my master, and in a great fright gave him a very confused account of what he had seen. —-
之后他去找我的主人，非常害怕地向他描述了他所见到的事情。 —-

This I presently discovered, for, going as soon as I was dressed to pay my attendance upon his honour, he asked me “the meaning of what his servant had reported, that I was not the same thing when I slept, as I appeared to be at other times; —-
我很快就发现了这一点，因为我一换好衣服就去侍奉他，他问我“他的仆人所报告的意思是什么，说我在睡觉时不同于其他时候的样子； —-

that his vale assured him, some part of me was white, some yellow, at least not so white, and some brown.”
他的披肩向他保证，我有的部分是白色的，有的是黄色的，至少不那么白，还有一些是棕色的。

I had hitherto concealed the secret of my dress, in order to distinguish myself, as much as possible, from that cursed race of Yahoos; —-
我之前一直隐瞒着我的衣服的秘密，为了尽可能与那些可恶的雅虎族区别开来。 —-

but now I found it in vain to do so any longer. —-
但是现在我发现再隐瞒也没有意义了。 —-

Besides, I considered that my clothes and shoes would soon wear out, which already were in a declining condition, and must be supplied by some contrivance from the hides of Yahoos, or other brutes; —-
而且我考虑到我的衣服和鞋子很快就会磨损殆尽，必须用雅虎或其他野兽的皮革来替换，这样整个秘密就会被揭穿。 —-

whereby the whole secret would be known. —-
于是我告诉我的主人，“在我来的那个国家，我这种人总是用经过加工处理的某些动物的毛皮来遮盖身体，既为了体面，也为了避免热和冷的侵蚀； —-

I therefore told my master, “that in the country whence I came, those of my kind always covered their bodies with the hairs of certain animals prepared by art, as well for decency as to avoid the inclemencies of air, both hot and cold; —-
如果他愿意，我可以立即给他看到关于我自己的这一点。 —-

of which, as to my own person, I would give him immediate conviction, if he pleased to command me: —-
只是请他原谅，如果我没有暴露出那些大自然教导我们遮掩的部位。 —-

only desiring his excuse, if I did not expose those parts that nature taught us to conceal. —-
我只是想说，我绝对没有任何意思。” —-

” He said, “my discourse was all very strange, but especially the last part; —-
“他说：“我的讲话都非常奇怪，尤其是最后一部分； —-

for he could not understand, why nature should teach us to conceal what nature had given; —-
因为他无法理解，为什么大自然要教导我们隐藏天生的东西； —-

that neither himself nor family were ashamed of any parts of their bodies; —-
他自己和家人都不为自己身体的任何部分感到羞耻； —-

but, however, I might do as I pleased.” Whereupon I first unbuttoned my coat, and pulled it off. —-
但是，我可以按照自己的意愿行事。”说完，我首先解开了外套，脱掉了它。 —-

I did the same with my waistcoat. I drew off my shoes, stockings, and breeches. —-
我也同样脱下了西装马甲。我脱下了鞋子、袜子和裤子。 —-

I let my shirt down to my waist, and drew up the bottom; —-
我将衬衫下摆拉到腰部，把衬衫底部卷起来， —-

fastening it like a girdle about my middle, to hide my nakedness.
系在腰间，以隐藏我的赤裸。

My master observed the whole performance with great signs of curiosity and admiration. —-
我的主人用很大的好奇和赞赏观察着整个过程。 —-

He took up all my clothes in his pastern, one piece after another, and examined them diligently; —-
他一个接一个地拿起我所有的衣物，仔细检查； —-

he then stroked my body very gently, and looked round me several times; —-
然后他非常温柔地抚摸着我的身体，多次环顾四周； —-

after which, he said, it was plain I must be a perfect Yahoo; —-
之后，他说，显然我一定是一个完美的野人。” —-

but that I differed very much from the rest of my species in the softness, whiteness, and smoothness of my skin; —-
但是我在皮肤的柔软度、洁白度和光滑度方面与我的同类非常不同； —-

my want of hair in several parts of my body; the shape and shortness of my claws behind and before; —-
我的身体几个部位缺乏毛发，爪子前后的形状和长度也不同寻常； —-

and my affectation of walking continually on my two hinder feet. He desired to see no more; —-
而且我故意总是用两只后脚行走。他不想再看了； —-

and gave me leave to put on my clothes again, for I was shuddering with cold.
并且允许我重新穿上衣服，因为我冷得发抖；

I expressed my uneasiness at his giving me so often the appellation of Yahoo, an odious animal, for which I had so utter a hatred and contempt: —-
我对他经常用“雅虎”这个可憎的动物称呼我表示不安，我对此深恶痛绝； —-

I begged he would forbear applying that word to me, and make the same order in his family and among his friends whom he suffered to see me. —-
我请求他不要再用这个词来称呼我，并且在家人和朋友中也下令不准称呼我； —-

I requested likewise, “that the secret of my having a false covering to my body, might be known to none but himself, at least as long as my present clothing should last; —-
我还要求“只有他一个人知道我有一个假覆盖物掩盖我的身体，至少在我现在的服装耐久之内； —-

for as to what the sorrel nag, his valet, had observed, his honour might command him to conceal it.”
因为他的马夫曾经观察到这一点，他的尊贵之处可以命令他隐瞒。”

All this my master very graciously consented to; —-
我主人非常慷慨地同意了这一切； —-

and thus the secret was kept till my clothes began to wear out, which I was forced to supply by several contrivances that shall hereafter be mentioned. —-
因此，这个秘密一直保持到我的衣服开始穿旧，我被迫通过一些方法来补充，这些方法将在下文提到。 —-

In the meantime, he desired “I would go on with my utmost diligence to learn their language, because he was more astonished at my capacity for speech and reason, than at the figure of my body, whether it were covered or not; —-
与此同时，他希望我“用尽最大的努力学习他们的语言，因为他更对我的言语和理性的能力感到惊讶，而不是对我的身体形象是否有穿着”； —-

” adding, “that he waited with some impatience to hear the wonders which I promised to tell him.”
“他还补充说，他迫不及待地想听我承诺要告诉他的奇迹。”

Thenceforward he doubled the pains he had been at to instruct me: —-
从那时起，他加倍了教导我的痛苦； —-

he brought me into all company, and made them treat me with civility; —-
他带我参加各种社交场合，并让他们礼貌地对待我； —-

“because,” as he told them, privately, “this would put me into good humour, and make me more diverting.”
“因为”，他私下告诉他们，“这将让我心情愉快，并使我更加有趣。”

Every day, when I waited on him, beside the trouble he was at in teaching, he would ask me several questions concerning myself, which I answered as well as I could, and by these means he had already received some general ideas, though very imperfect. —-
每天我等待他的时候，除了他在教学上的困扰之外，他还会问我一些关于我自己的问题，我尽力回答，通过这些方式，他已经获得了一些概念，虽然还非常不完整。 —-

It would be tedious to relate the several steps by which I advanced to a more regular conversation; —-
详细描述我如何逐步实现更规范的对话会很乏味； —-

but the first account I gave of myself in any order and length was to this purpose:
但我首次有条理和详细地给出的关于自己的叙述是这样的：

“That I came from a very far country, as I already had attempted to tell him, with about fifty more of my own species; —-
“正如我已经试图告诉他的那样，我来自一个非常遥远的国家，带着我自己物种中的大约50人； —-

that we travelled upon the seas in a great hollow vessel made of wood, and larger than his honour’s house. —-
我们乘坐一艘由木头制成的巨大的空心船在海上航行，比他的殿下的房子还要大。 —-

I described the ship to him in the best terms I could, and explained, by the help of my handkerchief displayed, how it was driven forward by the wind. —-
我尽力描述了船，还通过展开手帕的方式解释了它是如何被风推动前进的。 —-

That upon a quarrel among us, I was set on shore on this coast, where I walked forward, without knowing whither, till he delivered me from the persecution of those execrable Yahoos. —-
在我们之间发生争吵后，我被丢弃在这片海岸上，我开始漫无目的地向前走，不知道往哪里去，直到他救我脱离了那些可恶的雅虎的追捕。 —-

” He asked me, “who made the ship, and how it was possible that the Houyhnhnms of my country would leave it to the management of brutes? —-
他问我，是谁制造了这艘船，以及我的国家的Houyhnhnm们怎么会把它交给野兽们去管理呢？ —-

” My answer was, “that I durst proceed no further in my relation, unless he would give me his word and honour that he would not be offended, and then I would tell him the wonders I had so often promised. —-
我回答说，如果他保证不会生气，我才敢继续讲述我的经历，告诉他我曾经承诺的奇观。 —-

” He agreed; and I went on by assuring him, that the ship was made by creatures like myself; —-
他答应了，于是我继续向他保证，船是由和我一样的生物制造的； —-

who, in all the countries I had travelled, as well as in my own, were the only governing rational animals; —-
在我旅行过的所有国家，包括我的国家，我们这样的动物是唯一能够进行理性统治的； —-

and that upon my arrival hither, I was as much astonished to see the Houyhnhnms act like rational beings, as he, or his friends, could be, in finding some marks of reason in a creature he was pleased to call a Yahoo; —-
我到达这里后，看到Houyhnhnm们像理性的生物一样行动，我感到非常惊讶，就像他或他的朋友们发现一个他称为雅虎的生物里有一些理性的迹象一样。 —-

to which I owned my resemblance in every part, but could not account for their degenerate and brutal nature. —-
至于我在各个方面都与它们极度相似，但却无法解释它们堕落和残暴的本质。 —-

I said farther, “that if good fortune ever restored me to my native country, to relate my travels hither, as I resolved to do, everybody would believe, that I said the thing that was not, that I invented the story out of my own head; —-
我进一步说道，“如果好运让我回到故乡，去讲述我来到这里的旅行，正如我决心所做的，人们会认为我说了谎，认为我是捏造故事的。” —-

and (with all possible respect to himself, his family, and friends, and under his promise of not being offended) our countrymen would hardly think it probable that a Houyhnhnm should be the presiding creature of a nation, and a Yahoo the brute.”
并且（对他本人、他的家人和朋友表示最大的尊敬，并在他保证不会生气的情况下）我们的同胞们很难相信一个Houyhnhnm会成为一个国家的主导生物，而Yahoo却是一只畜生。”