双语：盘点别具风格的世界6大怪桥(图)

屈联西

2014年08月07日16:20     来源：沪江英语   




Transformative function in Germany


　　In their most basic form, bridges help people get from point A to point B. Yet sometimes – like in the case of the Rakotz bridge in Kromlau, Germany (pictured) – the structure can transform the very landscape around it and become a work of art。
　　桥的基本功能是帮助人们从A点走到B点。然而有些情况下，如图中这座位于德国Kromlau的Rakotz桥却能让周围的景色焕然一新，变身为艺术精品。
　　Architect Mayur Kanaiya gave special props to the Langkawi Sky Bridge, a 125m-long curving cable bridge atop Gunung Mat Cincang mountain on Pulau Langkawi island. “The curving bridge deck allows visitors an intimate experience of the forest canopy and wildlife,” said Kanaiya. “It’s a great example of treading lightly on the land。”
　　建筑师Mayur Kanaiya设计的这座兰卡威天空之桥采用了独特的支撑结构。这座蜿蜒125米长的索桥盘旋在浮罗兰卡威岛的马西冈山山顶。Kanaiya说，“蜿蜒的桥面让游客能够近距离地感受森林与野生动物。你需要在桥上慢慢地走，慢慢欣赏。”
　　Instead of bricks, mortar or even standard planks of wood, the village of Cherrapunji in the state of Meghalaya – known as one of the wettest places in the world – builds bridges out of tree roots. The local War-Khasis tribe learned long ago how to tame the roots of the native ficus to grow in a certain direction, using bamboo as support. Some of the bridges are more than 30m long and can support the weight of 50 people。
　　印度梅加拉亚邦的小村庄乞拉朋齐是世界上最湿润的地方之一，这里桥梁并非用砖块灰浆或木板建成，而是利用了树根。当地的卡西族很久以前就学会如何利用竹子作为支撑引导树根向特定方向生长。一些桥梁的长度超过30米，可以承受50个人的重量。
　　While most bridges cross above water, the sunken bridge at Fort de Roovere near the village of Halsteren sinks just below it. The walls function like a dam to keep the water out and the structure blends seamlessly with its surroundings, remaining invisible from a distance。
　　大多数桥都建在水面上，德国Halsteren附近Fort de Roovere的这座下沉的桥则反其道而行。桥两边的墙像水坝一样劈开河水，整座桥与周围环境融为一体，远看根本看不见它。
　　Forget the drawbridge. In London, the 12m-long Rolling Bridge curls to one side to let boats through the Grand Union Canal at Paddington Basin. “Its eight steel and timber hinged sections will curl up until the two ends of the bridge meet, forming an octagonal shape,” said Koen Kas, an entrepreneur from Belgium. “Every Friday at noon, the bridge performs its acrobatics for admiring crowds。”
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　　忘了吊桥吧。在伦敦，有一座12米长的“滚桥”，它的桥身可向一边卷起方便来往船只通过帕丁顿盆地的大联盟运河。比利时商人科恩·卡斯说道，“桥的八个桥段由钢和木材制成，以铰链连接，可以完全卷起成为一个八角形。每周五中午，这座桥都会给慕名前来观看的人们表演这项‘杂技’。”
　　Mechanical engineer Achilleas Vortselas had a special affection for stone bridges. “No modern bridge can compare in grace with traditional stone arch bridges,” he said. “Stone bridges often demonstrate the tenacity of mankind to overcome physical obstacles, even with modest technical means. Shaharah Bridge in Yemen is a marvellous case of that。”
　　机械工程师Achilleas Vortselas对于石桥情有独钟。他说道，“现代桥梁没有传统石拱桥的那种壮美。石桥即使工艺平平，但展示了人类克服自然局限的那种坚韧不拔的精神。也门的这座Shaharah桥就是一个很好的例子。”