和孩子一起学习一些关于中秋节的英文表达。
中秋节马上就要到了，如何用英语向外国人介绍我们的传统节日和文化呢？今天我用一篇摘自China Highlights网站上的文章为例，跟大家一起学习一些关于中秋节的英文表达。
Origins and History of China's Mid-Autumn Festival
文章的标题是，中秋节的来由与历史。在标题中，中秋节的英文用的是Mid-Autumn Festival, 而很多外国人知道中国的中秋节的名字，是Mooncake Festival。Mooncake，月亮蛋糕，就是月饼的意思。
The early form of the Mid-Autumn Festival was derived from the custom of moon worship during the Zhou Dynasty over 3,000 years ago. In ancient China, most emperors worshiped the moon annually. Then the custom was accepted by the masses and became more and more popular over time.文章说，中秋节最早形式，是在3000多年以前的周朝，人们向月亮祈福的一种风俗。在古代中国，大多数的皇帝，每年都会举行向月亮祭祀祈福的仪式。后来这种风俗逐渐在民间也很流行了。从西周时期开始，古代中国皇帝就在秋天祭祀月神，祈求丰收之年。在《周礼》中，中秋一词首次出现。但是当时，中秋只是表示时间概念，还并没有中秋这个节日。
Originated in the Zhou Dynasty (1045 – 221 BC)Ancient Chinese emperors worshiped the harvest moon in autumn, as they believed that the practice would bring them a plentiful harvest the following year.The custom of offering sacrifices to the moon originated from worshiping the moon goddess, and it was recorded that kings offered sacrifices to the moon in fall during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1045 – 770 BC).The term "Mid-Autumn" first appeared in the book Rites of Zhou (周礼), written in theWarring States Period(475 – 221 BC). But at that time the term was only related to the time and season; the festival didn't exist at that point.
Became Popular in the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907)
到了唐朝，赏月开始在上层社会变得流行起来。有钱的商人和官宦人家，开始在自家庭院举办聚会，喝酒赏月，音乐和舞蹈也变得必不可少。而普通人则只是向月亮祈祷丰收。到唐朝末期，不止上层社会，普通民众中也开始流行赏月这一风俗。In theTang Dynasty(618 – 907 AD), appreciating the moon became popular among the upper class.Following the emperors, rich merchants and officials held big parties in their courts. They drank and appreciated the bright moon. Music and dances were also indispensable. The common citizens just prayed to the moon for a good harvest.Later in the Tang Dynasty, not just the rich merchants and officials, but also the common citizens, began appreciating the moon together.
Became a Festival in the Song Dynasty
(960 – 1279)
到了北宋时期，农历8月15日被正式确立为“中秋节”。从那时起，向月亮献祭就变得非常流行了。In theNorthern Song Dynasty(960–1279 AD), the 15th day of the 8th lunar month was established as the "Mid-Autumn Festival". From then on, sacrificing to the moon was very popular, and has become a custom ever since.
Mooncakes Eaten from the Yuan Dynasty
(1279 – 1368)
食月饼的风俗则起始于元代，这是一个由蒙古人统治的朝代。而反抗蒙古人的信息，被人们藏在月饼中进行传递。The tradition of eating mooncakes during the festival began in the Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368), a dynasty ruled by the Mongols. Messages to rebel against the Mongols were passed around in mooncakes.
Popularity Peaked in the Ming and Qing
Dynasties (1368 – 1912)
到了明清时期，中秋节跟春节一样，得到中国人的重视。人们用各种活动来庆祝中秋节，如燃烧宝塔，跳火龙舞等。During theMing Dynasty(1368 – 1644 AD) and theQing Dynasty(1644 – 1912 AD), the Mid-Autumn Festival was as popular as Chinese New Year.People promoted many different activities to celebrate it, such as burning pagodas and performing the fire dragon dance.
Became a Public Holiday from 2008
2008年，中秋节成为了一个公众假期。很多传统的节庆活动消失了，人们用新的方式庆祝节日。很多成年人人和学生把中秋节看成可以从忙碌的工作学习中逃离出来的一个假日，有的人和家人朋友相约在假期旅游，或者在家里观看中秋节晚会。Nowadays, many traditional activities are disappearing from Mid-Autumn festivities, but new trends have been generated.Most workers and students regard it simply as a public holiday to escape work and school. People go out traveling with families or friends, or watch the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala on TV at night.
