What are dragon boat races?
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Expact's Journal
激情澎湃的赛龙舟
Exciting Dragon Boat Race
2008年是我在中山的第一年，每一天都是对食物或传统活动的全新发现，由于我们住的地方靠近河边，我经常看到龙舟船员在附近划船，但这似乎不特定在一年中的某个时间或某个日期。让我感到困惑的是，端午节的中文拼音中，并没有提到龙或船。节日背后的故事也不尽相同，但当中最著名的一个是：战国时期有一位著名诗人叫屈原，他是一个充满激情的爱国者，却未能拯救自己的国家。在农历五月初五，他在绝望之下跳进了汨罗江自尽。人们十分悲伤，试图把食物扔进河里，以免他的尸体被鱼吃掉。他们还试图用龙首船搅动河水，把鱼吓跑。
My first year in Zhongshan, 2008 is a bit of a blur of numerous confusing occasions and festivals that I had never encountered or heard of before coming to China. Everyday felt like a new discovery of food or some traditional event. As we live near the river, I often would see crews of dragon boats rowing up and down, but it didn’t seem exclusively to be one time of year or one particular date. The name in Chinese is Duan Wu Jie (pinyin) which always confused me because it doesn’t mention dragons or boats. The stories behind the festival are also varied, but probably the most famous one goes like this: There was a famous poet called Qu Yuan during the “Warring States” Period. He was a passionate defender of his State, however he was unable to save it. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, in a fit of despair he threw himself into the MiLuo river. The people were saddened by this and attempted to save his body from being eaten by the fish, by throwing food into the river. They also tried scaring the fish away with dragon headed boats, churning up the water.
就个人而言，我觉得糯米饭团（粽子）有点油腻，大热天时很难下咽。所以把它们扔进河里对我来说是个不错的主意！希望这样还能把鱼养肥，好让我日后可以钓鱼！
Personally, I find the sticky rice parcels a bit too stodgy and difficult to eat on a hot day, so throwing them into the river sounds pretty good to me! Hopefully it fattens up the fish for me to catch at a later date too!
抛开这些题外话，端午节是中国四大节日之一（与春节、清明节和中秋节并列）。2021年，我有幸参与当地一支龙舟队的训练。在家乡新西兰，我一直很喜欢划船，所以这样的机会让我感到很兴奋。
But levity aside, Dragonboat Festival is considered one of the four major festivals of China (alongside Spring Festival, Tomb Sweeping Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival). In 2021 I had the opportunity to join the practice of one of our local dragon boat crews. I have always enjoyed rowing in my native New Zealand and was excited to give it a try here.
不幸的是，由于多年的社交足球运动，我的背部已大不如前，我无法与队伍一同竞渡。参加不用比赛的扒龙舟对我来说是完美的选择。我喜欢队伍中的友情，以及他们在划船时互相开玩笑和打趣。没有什么比一句善意的挖苦或恭维更能激励你的队友为团队付出更多的努力！
Unfortunately, due to many years of social football, my back isn’t what it used to be and I would be unable to compete with the crews, so a chance to join in without competition was perfect for me. I enjoyed the social camaraderie of experience and the banter and jokes bandied about amongst the crew as they rowed. Nothing like a good backhanded compliment to motivate your buddies to give more effort for the team!
这段经历让我想起了下班后和朋友们一起踢足球的日子。我们聚集一起，在投入紧张的比赛之前进行随意的闲聊。我们为了身边的人而努力，不敢成为因为缺乏努力而让队友失望的人。这事关你的自尊心，尤其是在邻近的村庄之间，你不会想在输掉比赛的第二天上班时面对他们！
The experience among the crew very much reminded me of my days playing football after work with friends. One by one we would assemble and make casual chit chat before settling down to the serious work of the sport. Doing it for the person next to you, not daring to be the one who lacks effort and lets down your teammates. There is a lot of pride at stake, especially amongst the neighbouring villages. You don’t want to have to face them at work the next day having lost on the water!
这种精神显然也感染了那些在喧闹的河岸上大声为你加油的亲朋好友与邻居。现在，当我在场边为队伍加油时，我与队伍有了更深的连接，声音也更有气势。今年的端午节如期而至，请侧耳聆听并尽可能加入这欢呼声中吧。你的声音将为这盛大的节日增添精气神。
The spirit that arises from this is palpable and extends to those friends, family and neighbours cheering you on so boisterously from the riverbank. Now when I cheer on the crews from the sidelines, I have a more personal connection and an extra vigour in my voice to push my team on to victory. So when the Dragonboat Festival rolls around this year, listen carefully and join in the chants as best you can. Your voice will contribute to the atmosphere and spirit of the great occasion.
【出品】ZICC中山市海外传播中心 中山英文网
【统筹】陈慧 刘捷
【编导】廖薇 潘晓佳
【视频制作】廖嘉丽 胡超超 林嘉明
【翻译】廖薇 李靖 实习生 汪羽涵
【文字/英文校对】 Donald Kepple
【素材来源】中山市海外传播中心
编辑 李靖 二审 廖薇 三审 陈慧
