1.在第2句中,“数千年来”表达为for thousands of years 即可,“数”(several)可省译,与之搭配的时态为现在完成时;本文的主题是“玉”,为了上下文论述角度的统一,在翻译该句时宜把主语转换为“玉”,译作jade has been regarded as...。
2.在第5句中,“人们普遍相信”可套用it is widely believed that...句型;“能辟邪,能保护佩戴者免于灾祸” 可用并列结构表达,译为 can ward off the evil and protect the wearer from disaster。
3.倒数第2句的主语“玉饰”宜增译为“佩戴玉饰”,以更好地达意,即Wearingjade jewelry can...
4.在最后一句中,“其中最出名的是......”可处理为非限制性定语从句,译为among which the most famous one is...;“新疆的和田玉”实为“在新疆出产的和田玉",故宜译为Hetian Jade produced in Xinjiang.