Document

英汉句子比较与翻译
英汉句子结构比较
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英语重形合(hypotaxis),汉语重意合
(parataxis)
形合主要靠语言本身语法手段(形式手段),
意合主要靠句子内部逻辑联系
比喻:
英语句子:一棵参天大树,一串葡萄,一串珍
珠,一树荔枝
汉语句子:一根竹子,一盘珠子 ,一江波涛
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奈达 《译意》Translating meaning:
就汉语和英语而言,也许在语言学中最重要的
一个区别就是形合与意合的对比 (contrast
between hypotaxis and parataxis)
英语注重显性衔接(overt cohesion),汉语
注重隐性连贯(covert coherence)
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傅雷:东方人与西方人的思维方式有基本分歧,
我人重综合,重归纳,重暗示,重含蓄;西方
人则重分析,细微曲折,挖掘唯恐不尽,描写
唯恐不周。
汉语学家王力:西洋语法是硬的,没有弹性;
中国语法是软的,富有弹性。……所以中国语
法以达意为主。 英国人写文章往往化零为整,
而中国人写文章却往往化整为零。
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例句:
由于距离远,又缺乏交通工具,使农村社会与外界隔绝,
而这种隔绝,又由于通讯工具不足而变得更加严重。
Because there is a great distance and there are not
enough transport facilities, the rural world is isolated.
This isolation has become more serious because there
are not enough information media.
The isolation of the rural world, because of distance
and lack of transport facilities, is compounded by the
paucity of the information media.
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英语句子中,名词与介词占优势
主谓机制:抓住了谓语动词就抓住了英语句子
的灵魂。
名词与名词之间的联系要借介词来串通
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Carlisle Street runs westward, across a great
black bridge, down a hill and up again, by
little shops and meat-markets, past singlestoried homes, until suddenly it stops against
a wide green lawn. (7个介词)
卡莱尔大街往西伸展,越过一座黑色大桥,爬
下山岗又爬上去,经过许多小铺和肉市,又经
过一些平房,然后突然朝着一大片绿色草地中
止了。
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Inadequate training for farmers and the low
productivity of many farms place the majority
of country dwellers in a disadvantageous
position in their own countries.
农民缺乏训练,许多农场生产率很低,这就使
得大多数农民处于贫穷的境地。
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汉语句子中,动词占优势
《红楼梦》:晴雯先接出来,笑道:“好啊,
叫我研了墨,早起高兴,只写了三个字,扔下
笔就走了,哄我等了这一天,快来给我写完了
这些墨才算呢!”
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英汉句子重心的差异
We believe that it is right and necessary that people
with different political and social systems should live
side by side—not just in a passive way but as active
friends.
我们认为生活在不同政治社会制度下的各国人民应该
共处,不仅仅是消极共处,而是要积极地友好相处,
这是正确而必要的。
汉语的习惯是叙事在前,表态在后。英语的习惯是表
态在前,叙事在后。
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The visit gives me the opportunity which I have long
sought, to see for myself the achievements of the
Chinese people.
这次访问使我有机会亲眼看一看中国人民取得的成就,
这是我向往已久的。
I am heartened by the assurance which your
Government has repeatedly given that the
arrangements for Hong Kong contained in the
Agreement are not measures of expediency.
贵国政府一再表示,协议中有关香港的安排不是权宜之
计,这种保证使我感到鼓舞。
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英语:end-weight头轻脚重,属于主语显著
(subject-prominent)语言
It is….to…; there…
英语重视主语的位置及其统帅全局的作用。因
此在汉译英中,如何找准句子重心,确定主语
常常是翻译成败的关键因素。
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汉语:头重脚轻,属于主题显著(topicprominent)语言
语言学家赵元任:在汉语中,主语与谓语之间
的语法关系与其说是施事和动作的关系,不如
说是话题和说明的关系,施事和动作可以看作
是话题和说明的一个特例。
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I worked very hard on this book.
这本书我花了很多心血。
He isn’t interested in things like watching TV,
listening to songs, or dancing.
看电视、唱歌、跳舞这类活动他都不感兴趣。
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英汉语言语态上的差异
英语:广泛使用被动语态
汉语:较少使用被动语态
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英语被动语态使用的情况:
1 不知道或是没有必要说明行为的实行者
The audience are requested to keep silent.
请观众保持肃静。
She was offered a job in a middle school.
人家给她一个中学里的位置。
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2 动作的对象是谈话的中心话题
Clinton is expected to give his testimony by
videotape.
克林顿将会以录像的形式提供证词。
The scientific research plan has already been drawn
up.
科研计划已经拟出来了。
The girl was criticized yesterday.
这个女孩昨天挨了一顿批评。
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3 无从说出动作的实行者是谁
She was seen to go out of the room.
人家看见她走出了那个房间。
You’re wanted on the phone.
你的电话。
This rubbish is being disposed of.
(有人)正在处理这些垃圾。
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4 为了加强上下文的连贯、衔接
John actually loved Mary and was loved in return.
约翰真的爱玛丽,而玛丽也爱约翰。
He appeared on the stage and was warmly applauded
by the audience.
他出现在台上,观众热烈鼓掌欢迎。
Language is shaped by, and shapes, human thought.
人的思想形成语言,而语言又影响了人的思想。
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5 出于礼貌,使措辞得当,语气委婉
Visitors are requested to show their tickets.
来宾请出示入场券。
Passengers are requested to fill in the
customs declaration form here.
请旅客在此填写报关表。
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汉语的被动态
1 有形式标记的被动态
2 无形式标记的被动态
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1 表被动意义的助词
让,叫,给,被,受,挨,遭,由,加以,予以,为……所,
被……所,是…..的
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例句:
工作已由他完成了。
The work has been done by him.
杯子给打得粉碎。
The cup has been broken into pieces.
这个问题必须予以处理。
This matter must be dealt with.
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2 无被动助词
看似主动,但在主谓关系上却有被动含义,这
种语言现象在汉语中大量存在。
例句:
那里讲什么语言?
What language is spoken there?
这个任务必须按时完成。
This task must be fulfilled in time.
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汉语无主句
用来表达观点、态度、要求、告诫、号召等
例句:
应该教育儿童讲老实话。
Children should be taught to speak the truth.
发现了错误,一定要改正。
Wrongs must be righted when they are
discovered.
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汉语:人们、人家、有人、别人、大家
英语: it
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练习
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英语时态的汉译
汉语主要通过词汇和句法手段来表示“时”的
变化,如用“了”、“着”、“过”、“已
经”、“就要”、“现在”、“将来”、“正
在”、“过去”等
英语时态必须用动词的曲折变化体现出来
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Few follow the advice of Isabella Beeton, the
guru of British cooks in the 19th century, who
decreed in an early edition of her book that “a
good meal, if enjoyed and digested, gives the
support necessary for the morning’s work.”
(许余龙,1987:56)
19世纪英国烹饪大师伊莎贝拉·比顿曾在其著作
的一个早期版本里说过:“享用一顿美餐,能使
整个上午工作精力充沛。”这番高见,现在很少
有人领教了。
When he has taken his exercise and is
drinking his tea or his beer, and lighting his
pipe…
(George Santayana, The Weather in His Soul)
设想在他运动之余品茶或喝酒,并点着烟斗
时……
(刘士聪 译)
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二十岁那年,我就逃出了父亲的家庭。直到现
在还是过着流浪的生活。
(萧红 《永久的憧憬和追求》)
When I was twenty, I fled home. Since then I
have been wandering around like hobo.
(刘士聪 译)
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大学毕业后我分配到一所学校任教,认识了后来
成为我妻子的琳。但我并未引起她的注意,因为
那时我实在太平常了。
(周全 《造个安乐窝》)
After graduating from a univesity, I was
assigned to work as a teacher in a high school,
where I met Lin, who later became my wife. But
I’m so ordinary a man that I never attracted any
of her attention then.
(居祖纯 译)
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英汉语言语序上的差异
潘文国:英语基本上是一种形态性的语言,汉
语基本上是一种语义性的语言。
主要差异集中在定语和状语的位置上。
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定语后置
1 some-, any-, every-, no等构成的复合代词
He told me something important.
他告诉我了一件重要的事情。
There is nothing wrong with this computer.
这台电脑没有什么毛病。
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2 –ible, -able 结尾的形容词作定语,与every, the only
或形容词最高级连用来修饰一个名词时,也常需后置。
The doctors have tried every way possible.
大夫们已经试过各种可能的办法了。
They had the greatest difficulty imaginable getting
there in time.
为了能及时赶到那儿,他们克服了极大的困难。
It is the only wild berry edible here in this area.
它是这个地区惟一能食用的野莓。
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3 定语从句和某些分词作定语时,也需后置
Here are the New Year cards I’ve just
received.
这些是我刚收到的新年贺卡。
Most of the people studying here are middle
school teachers.
在这里学习的多数是中学老师。
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4 起表语作用的形容词作定语,也需后置。
Everybody present at the conference
welcomed the decision.
出席大会的人都欢迎那个决议。
There are many young people adrift in the big
cities in that country.
那个国家的大城市里有很多四处游荡的年轻人。
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a-形容词
aware, alike, astir, alone, ashamed, alight,
aghast, averse, alive, adrift, afire, asleep
the half-asleep children, the fully awake
patient, a somewhat afraid soldier, a really
alive student, a very ashamed girl
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5 某些外来语和固定词组中
consul general 总领事
secretary general (of the U.N.) (联合国)秘书长
director-general 总干事
president-elect 当选总统
heir apparent 有确定继承权的人(推定继承人)
heir presumptive 假定继承人
court martial 军事法庭
matters political 政治上的问题
a position unique 独一无二的地位
things foreign 外国事物
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sum total 总额,总数
the third person singular 第三人称单数
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 特命
全权大使
battle royal 大混战
the nominative absolute 独立主格结构
the body politic 政治团体
things artistic 艺术品
the day following 下一天
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Chapter ten 第十章
page three 第三页
the element known 已知的元素
the parties concerned 有关各方面
the victory won 所取得的成绩
the mistake made 所犯的错误
a man good and true 一个善良正直的人
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6 某些成对的形容词作定语需要后置,翻译时需灵活处
理
All nations, large or small, rich or poor, should be
equal.
国家不论大小贫富,都应一律平等。
Teachers, old and new, must respect each other and
learn from each other.
新老教师都应互相尊重,互相学习。
The reason for the change is lack of money, pure and
simple.
更改的原因纯粹是因为缺少经费。
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定语组位置比较
一张红木小圆桌
a small round red wooden table
一位中国现代优秀作家
an outstanding contemporary Chinese writer
繁荣昌盛的社会主义现代化强国
a modern, prosperous, powerful socialist
country
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汉语中的习惯是把最能说明事物本质的放在最
前面,而把表示规模大小、力量强弱的放在后
面。英语则恰恰相反,越能说明事物本质的定
语越要靠近它所修饰的名词。同时,还可以根
据定语和其所修饰的名词之间的关系安排前后
位置,定语和中心词关系越密切,位置越接近。
如关系难以判断,则按词的长短排列,短的在
前,长的在后。
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状语位置的比较
英语的状语位置不固定,汉语状语通常是放在
主语之后,谓语之前。
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never
He was never late. 他从不迟到。
He never got up late. 他从不晚起。
He can never speak English without making serious
mistakes. 说英语他总是出大错
He has never been abroad.他从未出过国。
I will never agree to their demands.我决不同意他们的
要求。
You seem never to think of yourself.
你好像从来不考虑自己。
Never in all my life have I heard such nonsense! 我这
辈子从没有听过这种废话!
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状语的顺序
汉语的习惯:时间,地点,方式
(从大到小)
英语的习惯:方式,地点,时间
(从小到大)
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Ba Jin was born in 1904 into a big landlord
family in Sichuan Province in China.
巴金1904年出生在中国四川省的一个封建大地
主家庭。
The news briefing was held in Room 301 at
about nine o’clock yesterday morning.
新闻发布会是昨天上午大约九点在301会议室
召开的。
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Suddenly the President, looking out ov
er the vast landscape, said, with an
underlying excitement in his voice, the words
I gave earlier….
总统眺望着辽阔的景色,突然用很兴奋的语调
说了我在前文已经提到过的话。
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中国远洋运输公司成立于1961年4月,至今已有
28年的历史。28年来,在国家的大力支持下,
经过不懈的努力,公司业务和船舶数量迅速发展
和增长。
Established in April 1961, the China Ocean
Shipping Corporation has, in the past 28 years
through arduous efforts, with the support from
the state, expanded its shipping business and
increased its number of ships.
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汉语的逻辑习惯
1 强调时序上的先后顺序:
古今,先后,始终,父子,老少,开关,本末,推翻,
缩小
2 强调从整体到局部,从大到小的空间关系:大小,上
下,高低,长短,明暗,远近
3 强调心理上的轻重关系:天地,男女,日月,帝王,
父母,内外,左右,君臣,是非,新旧,死伤,我你他
练习
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句子成分的转换
1 非主语译成主语(1)介词的宾语译成主语
There are four seasons in a year.
一年有四季。
Now, heat is being added to the substance.
现在这种物质正在加热。
At least two quarts of water are required daily by a
normal individual.
一个正常的人每天至少需要两夸脱的水。
High-quality machines of various types are
produced in our country.
我国生产各种类型的优质机器。
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(2)动词宾语译成主语
这种宾语在意义上跟主语有比较密切的联系,通常是
主语的某一部分或某一属性。
An automobile must have a brake with high
efficiency.
汽车的刹车必须高度有效。
Water has a density of 62.4 pounds per cubic foot.
水的密度是每立方英尺62.4磅。
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(3)表语译成主语
A crystal receiver is a less complicated structure
than a valve receiver.
晶体收音机的结构不像电子管收音机那么复杂。
Ice is not so dense as water and therefore it floats.
冰的密度小于水,因此能浮在水面上。
Two widely used alloys of copper are brass and
bronze.
黄铜和青铜是两种广泛使用的铜合金。
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2.非谓语译成谓语
(1)定语译成谓语
动词“have”的宾语移作主语时,一般需要把该宾语的
定语译成谓语,原来的谓语have省略不译。
Manganese has the same effect on the strength of
steel as silicon.
锰对钢的强度的影响和硅相同。
The wings have controllable sections known as
ailerons.
机翼上可操纵的部分叫做副翼。
Solids have a shape independent of the container.
固体的形状与容器无关。
(2)主语译成谓语
 A glance through his office window offers a panoramic view of the
Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
 从他的办公室窗口可以一眼看到华盛顿纪念碑和林肯纪念碑的全
景。
 A view of Mt. Fuji can be obtained from here.
 从这里可以看到富士山。
 His very appearance at any affair proclaims it a triumph.
 任何场合,只要他一露面,就算成功了。
以上作为句子主语的名词往往是含有动作意味的名词,或动词派生的
名词。
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(3)表语译成谓语
英语中的某些形容词、副词、介词、名词接介词短语等在句中做
表语时,通常可译成动词谓语。
The fact that she was able to send a message was a hint.But I had
to be cautious.
她暗示我能够给我带个信,但是我必须小心谨慎。(形容词译成谓语)
As he ran out, he forgot to have his shoes on.
他跑出去时,忘记了穿鞋。(副词译成谓语)
This explanation is against the natural laws.
这种解释违反自然规律。(介词译成谓语)
We were on the supposition that they could improve the complex
machine.
我们认为他们能改进这台复杂的机器。(介词短语译成谓语)
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3.非宾语译成宾语
(1)主语译成宾语
When power is spoken of, time is taken into
account.
说到功率时,总是把时间计算在内。
Mr Billings cannot be deterred from his plan.
(人们)不能阻止比凌斯先生实行他的计划。
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4. 非定语译成定语
(1)主语译成定语
为了强调英语句中某一个成分,把它译成主语,再
将英语的主语译做汉语中的定语。
How many electrons has a magnesium atom in its
outer layer
镁原子的最外层有多少个电子?
Various substances differ widely in their magnetic
characteristics.
各种材料的磁特性有很大不同。
Without air, the earth would undergo extreme changes
in temperature.
没有空气,地球的温度会发生极大的变化。
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(2)状语译成定语
英语中位于句首的某些状语(多为地点状语),
有时可译成汉语的定语。
In this world, things are complicated and are
decided by many factors.
世界上的事情是复杂的,是由各方面的因素决定的。
Throughout the world, oil consumption is growing
rapidly.
全世界的石油消耗量正在迅速增长。
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5. 定语从句译成状语从句
有些因果定语从句,兼有状语从句的功能,在意
义上与主句有状语关系,说明原因、结果、目的、让
步、假设等。翻译者应从原文的字里行间发现这些逻
辑关系,然后译成相应的复句。
The ambassador was giving a dinner for a few
people whom he wished especially to talk to or to
hear from.
(有!)大使只宴请了几个人,因为他特地想和这些
人谈谈,听听他们的意见。 (表示原因)
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Chinese trade delegations have been sent to AsianAfrican countries who will negotiate trade
agreements with the respective governments.
中国派了贸易代表团往亚非各国,以便与各国政府商
谈贸易协定。 (表示目的)
There was something original, independent, and
heroic about the plan that pleased all of them.
这方案富于创造性,独出心裁,很有魄力,所以他们
都很喜欢。(表示结果)
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He insisted on building another house, which
he had no use for.
他坚持要再造一栋房子,尽管他并无此需要。
(表示让步)
A man is nothing who yields his purpose.
如果一个人放弃自己的目的,就成为一个不堪
造就的人了。
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句子结构的转换
1.主语转译法
(1)主语是动名词或表示动作意义的名词,作用在说明动作的
原因、条件、时间等。因此,常把它译成状语从句,而把它后面
处于宾语的名词或答词译成主语。(有)
Pressure of work has somewhat delayed my answer.
由于工作很忙,回复稍迟了些。
The mere sight of it turned one's mind.
只消看它一眼,人们就会动心。
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如主语是动名词,谓语make, cause, offer,
bring, help, allow, permit, require, give,
compel一类动词,可根据句子意义,译成条件
结果句。例如:
Another hour's ride will bring us to the village.
只要再走一小时,我们就可以到达那个小村。
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(2)主语虽不是动名词,但是主语及其修饰
词在一起也能够说明动作的原因、条件、时间
等作用。这类句子也按上述办法处理。
Fast modern airplanes have made the world
seem a smaller space.
有了现代化的飞机,世界似乎比以前小了。
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(3)表示时间、地点、范围的名词与某些特
定的动词连用,常表示动作发生的时间、地点、
场所。翻译是可将主语译成状语。
The world has witnessed different roads to
modernization
世界上已有了不同的现代化道路。
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2 成分分译法
分译法的要领是,把原文中较长的句子成分,或不易安
排的句子成分拆分出来另做处理,一般译成汉语短语或
独立句。下面介绍一些常见的分译法。
(1)主语分译是指把带定语的主语分译成一句。通常
把主语的定语移做谓语。如:
Lower temperature is associated with lower growth
rates.
温度一低,生长速度就慢下来。
The very short wave lengths of ultrasound make a
great difference in what ordinary sound waves can do.
超声波的波长极短,其功能与普通声波相比大不相同。
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(2)谓语分译
谓语分译是翻译带形式主语it的主语从句的一种
常用法。翻译时, 先把主句的谓语分译成一个独立
语,然后再译从句。
It is obvious that he means well.
很显然,他的用意是好的。
It is common knowledge that weight is a pull exerted
on an object by the earth.
众所周知,重量是地球作用在物体上的引力。
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(3)定语分译
英语的定语与汉语不同,可以位于名词之后,因此其长度不受限制,
可以拉得很长。汉语只有前置定语,一般不宜过长。所以,对原文中
较长的后置定语,往往采取分析法。下面介绍介词短语和分词短语以
及几个形容词同时做定语时的分译情况。
Fossils are early plants or animals once buried in earth, now
hardened like rock.
化石是过去埋在地下,现在已像岩石一样硬化了的植物和动物。
She sat with her hands cupping chin, staring at a corner of the little
kitchen.
她坐在那儿双手托着下巴,眼睛凝视着小厨房的一角。
He was a tall, thin, elegant man with the air of thorough-bred.
他身材修长,温文尔雅,风度翩翩。
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(4)状语分译
下面介绍副词、介词短语和不定式短语作状语时的分译情况。
Illogically, she had expected some kind of miracle solution.
她满想会有某些奇迹般的解决办法,这是不合情理的事。(副词译成
句子)
Their power increased with their number.
他们人数增加了,力量也随之增加/大。(介词短语译成句子)
He arrived in Washington at a ripe moment internationally.
他来到华盛顿,就国际形势而言,时机正合适。(介词短语译成句子)
Heat is required to change ice to water.
冰变成水,就需要热。(不定式译成句子)
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3.句子变换法
翻译时,有时为了通顺、易懂、紧凑、生动起见,
改变原文句子结构。例如:
He was very clean. His mind was open.
他为人单纯而坦率。
His father had a small business in the city of Pisa. This
city is in the north of Italy near the sea.
他的父亲在意大利北部近海的比萨做小生意。
(Calileo?- church)
Then we came to the grasslands.Marshes
everywhere.No birds!No trees!No house!Not a soul to
be seen.
然后,我们来到草地,到处是沼泽,没有飞鸟,没有树
木,没有房舍,没有人烟。
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When I negotiate, I get nervous.
我在谈判时总有些紧张。
One must have studied hard before one could
succeed in mastering a foreign language.
一个人必须勤学苦练,才能精通一种外国语。
Be a pupil before you become a teacher.
先做学生,再做先生。