为什么英文翻译中国的诗感觉那么别扭,就像中文翻译英文诗一样,意境这东西是不是有语言的限制?

为什么英文翻译中国的诗感觉那么别扭,就像中文翻译英文诗一样,意境这东西是不是有语言的限制?

翻译得别扭的诗,主要还可能是因为翻译者对另一语言的把握不够好.翻译其实是再创作,翻译者必须在两种语言中都有接近于原作者的功力才有可能创造出足够好的翻译.这对大多数翻译者来说太难了.
最著名的好的翻译,就是裴多菲的诗（下面是从匈牙利文翻译成的英文版）：
Liberty,love!
These two I need.
For my love I will sacrifice life,
For liberty I will sacrifice my love.
殷夫的译文：
生命诚可贵,
爱情价更高.
若为自由故,
二者皆可抛.
下面给你一个从中文翻译成英文的例子：
六祖慧能的诗：
心平何劳持戒 行直何用修禅
恩则孝养父母 义则上下相怜
让则尊卑和睦 忍则众恶无喧
若能钻木出火 淤泥定生红莲
苦口的是良药 逆耳必是忠言
改过必生智慧 护短心内非贤
日用常行饶益 成道非由施钱
菩提只向心觅 何劳向外求玄
听说依此修行 天堂只在目前
下面的英文翻译,我参考了已故翻译家刘重德教授的翻译.刘原来的翻译,有些英语词汇意思的掌握不够准确,而且有几句的意思偏离了彗能的本意,我在这里都给改正过来了.
With calm mind what precept need you bind?
With honest deed why not leave Zen behind?
In gratitude be filial to father and mother,
In righteousness be loyal to subordinate and superior.
With modesty each is content with his place,
With tolerance one shows strength with grace.
The will that bores wood to fetch fire,
Can also grow the red lotus from mire.
Bitter pills are often good medicine,
Unpleasant words one must always listen.
Wisdom arises from mending faulty ways,
Evasion is what a feeble mind betrays.
One learns the most in daily function,
Never can Buddhahood be reached from benefaction.
Bodhi is only found within the mind:
Why look outside for a mystic find?
Mark and follow this advice
Paradise is right before your own eyes.
这个翻译,意境就比较接近原文的意境,而且读起来朗朗上口,一点也不别扭.