中國傳統文化 第10期:四大發明(1)

The Four Great Inventions（1）

四大發明（1）

During the Song Dynasty, the Chinese people further developed the making of the compass, paper, gunpowder, and the art of printing.

宋朝時期，中國人進一步發展了指南針、造紙術、火藥和印刷術。

Together, they are called the four great inventions that China contributed to the world.

這些被 稱爲“四大發明”，是中國對世界作出的貢獻。

As early as the Warring States period the magnetic force of magnetite was discovered, and a sort of instrument was made of magnetite to show directions.

早在戰國時期，人們就發現了磁力，並用磁石製造了一種儀器，用它來辨別方向。

This was certainly the earliest compass in the world.

這無疑是世界上最早的指南針。

During the Han Dynasty, people made a spoon-like compass.

漢朝時期，人們製造了一種形如勺子的指南針。

A small spoon, made of magnetite, with a very smooth bottom, was placed on a square copper plate.

這是一個磁石制的勺子，勺子底很平滑，置於一個四方形的銅盤上。

The center of the plate was ground smooth to make it easy for the spoon to move.

盤子中心很光滑，因此勺子可以很容易地轉動。

When the spoon, after it was turned, came to a stop, its handle would point to the south.

勺子停止轉動後，勺柄所指的方向就是南方。

This form of compass was further improved during the Song Dynasty.

這種指南針在宋朝時期得到了改進。

People made iron needles and rubbed them on a piece of magnetite, so that they would become magnetic.

人們製造了鐵針，把這些鐵針在一塊磁石上摩擦，使它們具有磁性。

Then one such needle was hung with a thin thread, or put on something light that floated on the water in a bowl.

然後將它們用一根細線吊起來，或是將它們置於一些 可以漂浮在一碗水上的輕物體。

The latter was the compass that was first used in navigation.

後來這種用法首先在航海中使用。

China was the first country in the world to use the compass on sea-going ships.

中國是第一個在海船上使用指南針的國家，

Historical records show that in 1099 -1102 the compass was used on ships sailing to or from Guangzhou.

據歷史記載，在1099年到1102 年的幾年間，中國人就在來往於廣州的海船上使用了指南針。