训练大象主要有两种方法，我们可以分别称之为强硬法与温和法。
Two main techniques have been used for training elephants, which we may call respectively the tough and the gentle.
前一种方法不过是强迫大象干活，并鞭打它，直到它做到人们对它的期望为止。
The former method simply consists of setting an elephant to work and beating him until he does what is expected of him.
撇开任何道德上的考量不说，这也是一种愚蠢的训练方法，因为它会培养出一头充满怨恨的大象，而这头大象在往后某个阶段很有可能变成杀人凶手。
Apart from any moral considerations this is a stupid method of training, for it produces a resentful animal who at a later stage may well turn man-killer.
温和法在初期阶段需要更多的耐心，但却能培养出一头性情愉快、脾气温顺的大象，这头大象将能提供多年忠诚的服务。
The gentle method requires more patience in the early stages, but produce a cheerful good-tempered elephant who will give many years of loyal service.
大象训练的第一要务，是为这头大象指定一个专属象夫，由他全权负责这项训练工作。
The first essential in elephant training is to assign to the animal a single mahout who will be entirely responsible for the job.
大象喜欢只认一个主人，正如狗一样，而且它们还能够表达出相当程度的个人情感。
Elephants like to have one master just as dogs do, and are capable of a considerable degree of personal affection.
甚至还有这样的记载：半驯化的幼象在因某些不可避免的情形而被迫与自己的象夫分离之后，拒绝进食，并因思念而憔悴致死。
There are even stories of half-trained elephant calves who have refused to feed and pined to death when by some unavoidable circumstance they have been deprived of their own trainer.
这类极端案例恐怕需要打个折扣，但它们确实强调了一个普遍原则：象与象夫之间的关系，是成功训练的关键所在。
Such extreme cases must probably be taken with a grain of salt, but they do underline the general principle that the relationship between elephant and mahout is the key to successful training.
捕捉大象用于训练的最经济的年龄段是在十五岁到二十岁之间，因为此时大象几乎已经准备好承担繁重的劳作，并且可以立刻开始"自食其力"。
The most economical age to capture an elephant for training is between 15 and 20 years, for it is then almost ready to undertake heavy work and can begin to earn its keep straight away.
然而，这个年龄段的动物并不容易对人变得顺从，因此在初期阶段必须采用非常强硬的手段。
But animals of this age do not easily become subservient to man, and a very firm hand must be employed in the early stages.
这头被圈养的大象，仍被绳子拴在树上，每当有人走近便猛烈挣扎、嘶鸣大叫，而且很可能会连续好几天因愤怒与恐惧而拒绝一切食物。
The captive elephant, still roped to a tree, plunges and screams every time a man approaches, and for several days will probably refuse all food through anger and fear.
有时候，人们会把一头温驯的大象拴在附近，以便给野象增添信心，而在大多数情况下，这头圈养的大象会逐渐平静下来，并开始接受食物。
Sometimes a tame elephant is tethered nearby to give the wild one confidence, and in most cases the captive gradually quietens down and begins to accept its food.
下一阶段是将大象转移至训练场地，这是一件棘手的事情，需要借助两头温驯的大象分别被拴在圈养大象的两侧来完成。
The next stage is to get the elephant to the training establishment, a ticklish business which is achieved with the aid of two tame elephants roped to the captive on either side.
当同时训练数头大象时，惯例上会将新来的大象安置在两头已完成相当程度训练的圈养大象的畜栏之间。
When several elephants are being trained at one time, it is customary for the new arrival to be placed between the stalls of two captives whose training is already well advanced.
随后它会被完全留置在那里，不受任何干扰，并备有充足的食物和饮水，以便它能够感受适应新环境的气氛，并观察到同伴们身上并没有什么特别令人担忧的事情发生。
It is then left completely undisturbed with plenty of food and water so that it can absorb the atmosphere of its new home and see that nothing particularly alarming is happening to its companions.
当它恢复正常进食时，对它本身的专项训练便正式开始了。
When it is eating normally, its own training begins.
驯兽师手持一根尖端带有锋利金属点的长棍，站在大象正前方。
The trainer stands in front of the elephant holding a long stick with a sharp metal point.
两名骑在温驯大象背上的助手从两侧控制住圈养大象，与此同时，其他人伴随着单调而舒缓的吟唱声，用双手反复摩挲它的皮肤。
Two assistants, mounted on tame elephants, control the captive from either side, while others rub their hands over his skin to the accompaniment of a monotonous and soothing chant.
这据说能在大象身上诱发愉悦的感受，而其效果还会通过使用亲昵的称谓加以强化，例如"好儿子！"或"好父亲！"或"我的母亲！"，具体措辞依据圈养大象的年龄和性别而定。
This is supposed to induce pleasurable sensations in the elephant, and its effects are reinforced by the use of endearing epithets, such as 'ho! my son', or 'ho! my father', or 'my mother', according to the age and sex of the captive.
然而，大象并不会立刻就对这些甜言蜜语产生感应，通常会用象鼻猛烈地向四面八方抽打。
The elephant is not immediately susceptible to such blandishments, however, and usually lashes fiercely with its trunk in all directions.
这些动作由驯兽师用那根尖端带金属的棍子加以控制，而象鼻最终会变得如此酸痛，以至于大象把它蜷起来，此后极少再将它用于攻击性目的。
These movements are controlled by the trainer with the metal-pointed stick, and the trunk eventually becomes so sore that the elephant curls it up and seldom afterwards uses it for offensive purposes.