translation problems

monix
 March 08, 2010, 10:56 PM posted in I Have a Question

I am translating a text and I found some difficulties. Anybody eager to help. Thanks in advance.

他平日在店里。但是他也常常到相熟的公馆里去做活，或者做包工，或者做零工。

祖父聘请了一位前清的老秀才来管教我们

老陈的店在这个时期遭到“丘八”的光顾

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changye
 March 09, 2010, 01:19 AM

或者做包工(contract job)，或者做零工(odd job)。

一位前清(Qing dynasty, from the standpoint of people in 中华民国)的老(old)秀才(a successful applicant of county-level imperial exam (科举))来管教我们

遭到“丘八”(derogatory term for a soldier, 兵 (soldier) = 丘 + 八)的光顾

When you read Chinese literary works such as 巴金, the online dictionary below would be very useful.

http://www.zdic.net/cd/

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monix
 March 09, 2010, 11:21 AM

Thanks Changye. As you can see I am trying to read some 巴金 literary works but there are some words I do not understand.

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changye
 March 09, 2010, 01:07 PM

Hi monix

Reading Chinese literature, especially works before the war, is a big challenge for us learners of Mandarin. It's necessary for you to know not only old-fashioned words and phrases but also cultural and historical background knowledge. 加油！