中国文化集锦
A Collection of Choice Specimens from Chinese Culture

英语逾甲子情缘
Over Sixty Years’ Love of Knowledge about the English Language

生命的意义是为了服务，生命的价值是为了奉献。
The meaning of life lies in service; the value of life in giving.

🌹江苏溧阳旖旎风光颂
In Praise of Liyang's Picturesque Landscape/Ode to the Scenic Grace of Liyang，Jiangsu Province

春夏秋冬四季美，福禄寿禧万年兴。
Beautiful in all four seasons, may blessings of fortune, happiness, longevity, and good fortune last forever.

溧阳享有“上有天堂，下有苏杭；苏杭之外，美在溧阳”之美誉。Liyang enjoys the reputation of "Up above there is paradise, down below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou; beyond these two beautiful cities, the splendour lies in Liyang." 这句俗语的意思是指天堂是最美丽的，而人间的苏州和杭州如同地上的天堂一样美好；溧阳风光之美妙可以与苏杭这两座城市之美相媲美。

Translated by Zhu Qixin, a native of Liyang，Jiangsu province.
译者朱歧新，江苏省溧阳人。

天目湖光映碧霄，南山竹海涌云涛。The waters of Lake Tianmu reflects the azure sky; The South Hill Bamboo Sea with surging clouds and waves.

平桥雪浪千峰秀，古邑春风百奇娇。 Snow waves at Pingqiao, ten thousand peaks display their grace; The ancient town's spring breeze is full of wonders and beauties.

茶岭香凝凝玉露，石泉声碎碎琼瑶。Chaling emits a fragrance that condenses into dew; Stone springs burst forth, their sound shattering jade-pearls.

千年文脉今犹在，醉倚斜阳看雁翱。A thousand years of heritage still thrive today; Drunk in the slanting sun, I watch the wild geese soar.

黄金烽火凝忠魂，甓桥文脉溯前朝。Golden beacon eternizes the loyalty of spirits; The cultural context of the Biqiao can be traced back to the previous dynasties.

阁帖藏珍传法乳，贞娥信诺重天昭。Precious treasure of the pavilion tablet transmitting the nourishment of calligraphic tradition; The fidelity of a woman of chastity and virtue to her promise shines resplendent under heaven.

松摇翠壑千重浪，梅覆茅山一径皑。Pine trees sway, stirring waves of emeralds in the deep valley; A path through Mount Mao is blanketed in plum blossoms, its surface glistening with snow.

茶岭含烟凝玉露，石泉漱月进珠玑。Tea-clad hills veiled in mist, dewdrops crystallizing like jade; The moonlight dances on the spring stream, jewels slipping into the pearl's embrace.

古邑春深花自放，新楼夕照燕双归。In ancient town, deep in spring, the flowers bloom of their own accord; Twin swallows return to the new mansion in the evening glow.

春染平陵草色新，茶芽初展碧嶙峋。Spring paints Pingling's grass with fresh hues; Emerald peaks cradle the first unfurling tea shoots.

夏来菏举千塘玉，竹海风生六月尘。When summer comes, lotuses rise like jade in a thousand ponds; Bamboo sea wind brings June dust.

萤火点星穿曲径，清溪载梦泛舟人。Fireflies light up the stars through winding paths; The dream-laden boatman glides through the limpid stream.

秋深银杏铺金道，霜叶枫林醉野津。The ginkgo trees cast golden trails; Beneath their falling leaves in deep autumn.

稻浪翻香盈四野，渔歌荡月满湖鳞。Fragrant rice waves undulate, filling the countryside with their golden hue; Fisherman's songs ripple the moonlit scales on the lake.

冬雪漫披茅岫素，泉蒸暖雾绕松筠。The thatched peak draped in winter's white snow; Warm mist rises from the spring, winding around the pines and bamboo.

四时迭奏山川曲，一邑风华总醉神。The symphony of mountains and rivers unfolds through the four seasons; A town's graceful charms, forever enchanting.

春夏秋冬四季美，福禄寿禧万年兴。Beautiful in all four seasons, may blessings of fortune, happiness, longevity, and good fortune last forever.

这是对江苏溧阳一年四季美景的真实写照。This is a true portrayal of the beautiful scenery in all four seasons in Liyang, Jiangsu province.

诗词是中华文化的重要组成部分，也是我们民族精神的瑰宝。Poetry is an important part of the Chinese culture and also a treasure of our national spirit.

诗歌是情感的寄托，是心灵的歌唱，是往事的回忆，更是美好的向往。Poetry is the source of emotion, it is a song of the heart, a reminder of the past, and more beautiful yearning.

我们一起工作，实现相互成就。
We work together to achieve mutual accomplishment/or achievement.

英语易学, 学精难。English is simple to pick up, but extremely challenging to master.

Hometown sentiment refers to the deep emotional attachment of nostalgia one feels for his hometown or a place of origin. It encompasses the longing for familiar landscapes, childhood memories and cultural roots, often evoking a sense of warmth and belonging. This sentiment is particularly strong when one is far away from home as it reflects a yearning for the past and a connection to one's identity. The phrase captures the bittersweet mix of love, nostalgia, and pride associated with one's homeland. "故乡情"是指一个人对自己故土深深情感依恋的怀旧，它包含着对熟悉的风景、童年的记忆和文化根源的渴望，常常感到一股暖意涌上心头和归属感以及与自己的身份联系在一起。这种情感在远离家乡时尤为强烈，因为它反映了对过去的竭望和与自己想法的联系。该句短语铨释了爱与怀旧、自豪交织的百感交集之情。

由于水平，英语译文中有阙漏乖误之处，请识者斠。Due to standard of education, infelicities of the English translation text, if any, await correction by the knowledgeable.