一名之立，旬月踟躕。翻譯不僅需要理解原文，還要了解原文寫下的背景，談論的話題，溝通的對象和目的，彌合源語與目標語之間的語言和文化差異，並在需要時解決修辭手法上的困境。聯合國文件涉及的知識範圍極廣，溝通背景複雜，情境不一，慣用長句和複合句，凸顯了中英文之間的差異與衝突，尤其給譯員們造成困難。中文處高翻們在嚴格的產量要求下，不忘翻譯的本職與初衷，力求在有限的時間內提供高質量的譯文。
以下我們將與你分享中文處朱海鳴先生在國際翻譯日特展中，為悼念聯合國第七任秘書長科菲·安南翻譯的詩歌作品。朱海鳴說：「平時我喜歡寫點律詩絕句，也時而作些英詩中譯、中詩英譯。所以這次挺有興趣，也花了不少時間。這首悼念安南的詩，因為原作比較直白，而且不押韻，挺不容易譯得像詩。另外有些句子不太容易理解。好在我和俄文譯者與作者溝通後解了惑。我加了韻，想讓中文讀者感覺像詩。」不難看出，這是一篇凝結譯者心血、令人回味的佳作。
When the Eternal Creator created,
He created the Hornblower and He created the Drummer.
Water has crossed the path. The path has crossed the water.
Who is the elder?
The path was built to reach the water
The water is from ancient of times
The water is from ancient of times
From the Eternal Creator.
Come, hurry, come in numbers!
Come, hurry, come crowd together!
Come, hurry, come, with trembling!
Divine Drummer Kwame Ansah Sasraku summons you hither!
You are summoned as the rain summons the rainbow.
Eminent and noble personage gathered here,
Hearken with good ears.
I bear a grave message.
A great man has fallen.
A mighty tree has been uprooted.
It has filled our mouths with bitter kola nuts.
Shocking the world.
Ghana’s warrior son.
Distinguished Knight of King Otumfoɔ Nana Osei Tutu II and Asante Kingdom.
Illustrious Star of Africa. Leader of the world.
Suddenly was moved to his Village by the Eternal Creator.
Distinguished Knight, Kofi,
We offer you Condolence.
Condolence. Alas!
Condolence for your suffering.
Distinguished Knight, Kofi Atta Annan,
Intrepid warrior for Peace.
Whose fortress was Patience, Wisdom and Justice.
You gave all of yourself a sacrifice to all nations.
Your life’s goal to seek and sow Peace everywhere.
Your name and fame will never fade.
Nations will remember you. Always.
A white cock ashed by a hawk,
Kofi, Spokesman before nations,
Head of the United Nations.
Siriboɔ Sakyi whose sword was sharpened for gallant deeds
Kofi, Master of Peace,
We offer our Condolence.
Alas!
We give you Condolence for your suffering.
Kofi, you sewed and mended the shredded.
While some tore apart, you sewed together.
Stalwart.
Grandchild of the man of flint, smelling of gunpowder,
Distinguished Knight who detested selfishness,
Hope of Nations,
We wish you farewell. May the path be gentle and blessed.
May the path be gentle and blessed.
You filled Africa with pride and glory.
We give you Condolence. Alas! Alas! Alas!
And so, was what was said not true?
That the Eternal Creator created death and death took him?
Favorite son of Africa
Condolence.
You left. Darkness has enclosed us.
In Peace may you go and in Tranquility may you rest.
Condolence. Alas!
Condolence. Alas! Alas!
Alas! Alas! Alas!
獻給傑出的騎士科菲·安南
永恆造物主創造了世間，
他創造了吹角者，他創造了擂鼓漢。
水流過道路，路跨過水麵。
要問誰先？
開路是為了取水，
水來自萬年以前。
遠古已有之水
流自永恆造物主的源泉。
來吧，趕快，眾人都來！
來吧，趕快，大家相見！
來吧，趕快，激動而顫！
神聖鼓手誇梅·安薩把你們召喚！
就像雨把彩虹召喚。
聚集在此的各位貴賓，
請你細聽
我的沉痛之言：
一位偉人剛剛倒下，
一顆大樹生命已斷。
這消息像柯拉果讓我們口中苦澀，
讓全世界為之驚撼。
加納的英雄兒子、
奧通弗·奧賽·圖圖二世國王和阿散蒂王國的傑出騎士、
非洲之星、世界領袖，
永恆造物主突然把他送回這鄉間。
傑出的騎士科菲·安南，
我們把你悼念。
嗚呼！
哀悼你的困苦艱難。
傑出的騎士科菲·安南，
你為和平奮不顧身。
耐心、智慧、正義是你的堡壘，
你為各國人民把全身心奉獻。
你用一生播種和平，
你的光芒永不褪色，
你的英名普世相傳。
像潔白雄雞倒在鷹的爪下，
萬邦代言者科菲·安南，
領導聯合國、站在最前沿，
為成就大業秉持鋒利的阿散蒂武士之劍。
和平大師科菲·安南，
我們把你悼念。
嗚呼！
哀悼你的困苦艱難。
科菲，你修補破碎的人間。
有人撕裂世界，你把世界縫合復原。
多麼偉岸！
燧石人的子孫，你身染硝煙。
傑出的騎士，你鄙視自私，
為萬邦奏響希望的和弦。
永別了！一路走好、一路平安。
一路走好、一路平安。
非洲為你自豪，你讓非洲榮耀。
我們把你深深悼念。嗚呼！深深悼念！
不得不相信這句箴言：
死亡是永恆造物主所創，死亡也帶走了科菲·安南。
非洲的愛子
我們把你悼念。
你去了，讓黑暗籠罩在我們心田。
祝你走好、願你平安。
我們把你悼念。
嗚呼！永誌不忘。
嗚呼！永在心間。
——朱海鳴譯