第一篇:中譯英翻譯技巧
一、戒“從一而終”
漢語言簡意賅,句子靈活,往往是一個漢語詞匯對應N個英語詞匯,具體到在本句中應該采用哪個意項,務必抓住精神實質,不可以不變應萬變。至于怎么應變,這就是顯示譯者功力的地方了。
比如:都是“問題”,下面的翻譯各不相同,幾乎是打一槍換一個地方。
共同關心的問題 questions of common interest
解決問題 solve a problem
問題的關鍵 the heart of the matter
關鍵問題 a key problem
原則問題 a question/matter of principle
沒有什么問題 without any mishap
摩托車有點問題 Something is wrong with the motorcycle.問題不在這里 That is not the point.譯者要掌握這種漢英翻譯中的“游擊戰(zhàn)術”,翻譯家應是不同“文化王國”邊境線上的“游擊戰(zhàn)略家”。
沙博里將《水滸傳》譯為:Outlaws of the Marsh(沼澤地上的亡命之徒),楊憲益譯將屈原的《國殤》譯為:For Those Fallen forTheir Country,北外出版社將《儒林外史》譯為:The Scholars。這些都是譯者吃透了原文的原意而譯出的佳作。
二、戒望文生義,機械直譯
這多半是初學者犯的毛病,他們易于被表面現(xiàn)象所迷惑。
黃牛(yellow cow——ox前誤后正,下同)黃鸝(yellow bird ——oriole)
黃瓜(yellow melon——cucumber)紫菜(purple vegetable ——laver)
紅木(red wood——padauk)紅豆杉(red fir——Chinese yew)
黑社會(black society ——sinister gang)
三、戒“水土不符”,習慣搭配失當
這的確是難度系數(shù)較大的問題,它要求譯者既有較高的中文修養(yǎng),又要有較高的英文造詣,一知半解的人常常在此“翻車”。如:
寫罷,擲筆在桌上。又歌了一回,再飲數(shù)杯酒,不覺沉醉,力不勝酒,便呼酒保計算了,取些銀子算還,多的都賞了酒保。
And tossed the pen on the table.He intoned the verses to himself, then downed a few more cups of wine.He was very dunk.Song-Jiang asked for the bill, paid, and told the waiter to keep the change.(沙博里譯《水滸傳·潯陽樓宋江吟反詩》)
目前,《水滸傳》最好的英譯本要數(shù)沙博里先生的本子了。沙博里出生在美國,青年時來到中國,一住就是半個多世紀。為了譯好《水滸傳》,據(jù)說他潛心研究了山東的地方志和舊時方言,可謂精誠所致,譯著既“達”又“雅”。然而歷史告訴我們,中國古人沒有用過鋼筆,宋朝時用的還是毛筆,故the pen 應改為the writing-brush。
下面的譯文就較好地照顧到了西方人的思維和理解習慣。
美國把貿(mào)易和扯在一起,只會損害兩國的經(jīng)濟利益。
The US policy of linking trade with human rights can only bring harm to the economic interests of the two countries.關起門來搞建設是不成的,中國的發(fā)展離不開世界。China can't develop in isolation from the rest of the world.四、戒主語暗淡
主語是句子的靈魂,定住譯文的主語是關鍵的一步棋。主語定偏了,整個句子將顯得松散乏力,甚至會誤導讀者。例如:
如果這個問題不解決,勢必影響兩國的利益。
Failure to settle this issue is bound to impair the relations between the two countries seriously.If the problem is not solved, it is sure to affect the interests between the two countries.在上面的兩種譯文中,顯然第一種譯文主語選得好,句子流暢。又如:
廚房里少了一條魚,主人發(fā)誓要一查到底,揪出偷魚的賊。夏威夷的沙灘上,椰影婆娑,海風習習,一妙齡女郎正躺在白色的塑料椅上養(yǎng)神。
On the Hawaiian sandy beach, the coconut palms are whirling, the congenial sea breeze is blowing, and a young lady is lying in the white plastic chair resting to restore energy.因為是輕松讀本,又是描述性的文字,使用三個主語the coconut palms、the congenial sea breeze、a young lady仍是可取的。
五、戒結構單調,組合生硬“拉郎配”
由于漢英結構不同,表達方式迥異,“硬性翻譯”不僅讀起來別扭,而且會鬧出笑話。這就要求譯者在翻譯時靈活使用整合的技巧,將句子整合,凸顯漢語中所隱含的層次,補充所缺失的成分。有時要將簡單句譯成并列句,有時將并列句譯成主從句。
在紀念大學畢業(yè)20周年聚會時,我忽然問起原來的班主任:“我個子又不矮,怎么把我安排在了第一排呢?”
At the reunionpartyfor 20 anniversary of graduation from university, I suddenly asked my former teacher in charge of our class then:“ Since I am not of short stature, how did you arrange me at the first row?”
一個高度近視的女博士去擦鞋店擦高統(tǒng)靴,禿頭老板親自蹲下來給她效勞。
When a woman doctor who suffers a severe myopic went to shoes-polishing shop for her buskins,the bald boss squatted down to serve her personally.六、戒“愚忠”,不諳增減之道
我們耳熟能詳?shù)臇|西外國人可能會感到一頭霧水,譯者需要增加必要的說明和補充或者減譯。否則,外國人會不知所云。畢竟,漢譯英最終是給外國人看的。
例如:風水
fengshui——the location of a house or tomb, supposed to have an influence on the fortune of a family.七、戒語句重復
漢語多重復,以強化語氣;英語則要盡量避免重復。
王曰:“此鳥不飛則已,一飛沖天;不鳴則已,一鳴驚人。”
“The bird may not have flown yet”, replied the King,“Once it does, it will soar to the sky.I may not have cried out yet, but once it does, it will startle everyone.”
(楊憲益譯《史記-滑稽列傳》)
中國人也好,外國人也好,死人也好,活人也好,對的就是對的,不對的就是不對的。
What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong, no matter what it concerns, the Chinese or foreigners, the dead or the living.八、戒另起爐灶,走失精氣神
譯文要力求其“信”,盡可能契合漢語原來句子的氣勢、情緒和結構。
例如,元朝人王實甫寫下了《西廂記》,張雪靜改編后并作了翻譯——
掏出張生那封信,回頭環(huán)視見梳妝臺上的梳妝盒,眼睛一轉,心里說有了,將信放了進去,合上蓋時故意壓了一角露在外面。
Rose took out Zhang's letter, she thought, “It would be better to put it in her make-up case, and letter find it herself.” So she put the letter in the case, leaving a corner of it sticking out, so that it would be quickly noticed.不難看出,譯文與原文相去甚遠,互不吻合,成了“兩張皮”。
你已經(jīng)死在過深的怨憤里了嗎?
死?不,不,我還活著——
請給我以火,給我以火!
Have you perished in this deep rancor and bitterness?
Death? No, no.I’m still alive.Please give me a light, give me a light!
我們承諾:追求天人和諧,人際和諧,身心和諧,追求人人相親,人人平等,天下為公,努力實現(xiàn) 我們城市的和諧統(tǒng)一。
這里所說的“天人和諧”“人際和諧”“ 身心和諧”“人人相親”“人人平等”“天下為公”,無疑都體現(xiàn)中華文化的內涵。但是,如果將它們原樣照搬地直譯成英文恐怕就難免出現(xiàn)冗長和累贅。以“身心和諧”和“天下為公”為例,它們的英譯分別是harmony between body and mind和the whole world as one community.可在“世界歷史文化名城市長論壇”的宣言中鄭重其事地提出要追求基于陰陽五行之上的 “harmony between body and mind” 是不是恰當呢?至于在列舉了那么多的“和諧”追求,以及“人人相親”“人人平等”的目標后,再另加一個漢字語境下聲勢奪人,英語語境下卻平淡無奇的對“天下為公(the whole world as one community)”的追求,似乎也有點不倫不類。“南京宣言”的英語文本對這段話是這樣翻譯的:
We are committed to achieving harmony between man and nature, in people-to-people relationahips, and in the development of urban societies.We will work for fraternity, equality, and justice.原文中“身心和諧”、“人人相親”、“ 人人平等”、“天下為公”的“四字格”表述在譯文中統(tǒng)統(tǒng)被融進了整句話的意境和精神中,不另譯出。而這樣做的結果是譯文反而愈顯蘊義明晰、簡潔得體。既傳達出原文的本質含義,又避免了照搬漢語行文風格而導致的英文表述拖泥帶水,值得我們借鑒。
總理在本次記者招待會上,引用了《戰(zhàn)國策》中的一句“行百里者半九十”。那么,《戰(zhàn)國策》的英文名稱是什么呢?
Stratagems of the Warring States
這就是《戰(zhàn)國策》名稱的英譯。有不少我們常用的成語就是出自《戰(zhàn)國策》,比如:
鷸蚌相爭,漁翁得利
這個成語我們可以翻譯成:a quarrel which benefits only a third party 或者借用英語中一句相應的俗語:When shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning game.這句俗語翻譯成中文,也有“螳螂捕蟬,黃雀在后”的意思。借用英語中的固定表達法來翻譯成語,是一個很好的方法,同學們要記得平時多多積累這方面的知識哦。
當然,在不怎么正式的場合,這個成語我們也可以簡單翻譯成:Two dogs strive for a Bone, and a third runs away with it.畫蛇添足
同樣,這個成語也可以借用英語中現(xiàn)成的表達法:gild the lily,給百合花鍍金,當然就是畫蛇添足的意思啦。
狡兔三窟
A crafty person has more than one hideout 三人成虎
這個成語出自一個典故,意為當很多人都以訛傳訛的時候,謊言也就成了真理 可以翻譯成:A lie, if repeated often enough, will be accepted as truth.狐假虎威
肯尼迪總統(tǒng)曾在自己的講話中引用這個成語,他說的是:to seek power by riding the back of the tiger 總理也引用了《離騷》中的一句:亦余心之所善兮,雖九死其猶未悔
我們也先來看《離騷》名字的翻譯吧:The Sorrow of Separation 同樣,其中的名句也有很多,比如這一句:
民生各有所樂兮,余獨好修以為常。
可以翻譯成:Everybody has his own interest, but I especially love moral cultivation.口譯中有時候不需要太講究字眼,一定要翻譯得和原文一樣文采斐然,最重要的是抓住意思,第一保證準確,第二保證句式通順易于理解。“兄弟雖有小忿,不廢懿親”這一句則是出自《左傳》,是春秋時期魯國史官左丘明所著,所以書名可以翻譯成:
Zuo's Commentary
和《戰(zhàn)國策》一樣,《左傳》中也有不少成語:
外強中干
這個成語的翻譯我們可以借用毛主席的一句名言:一切反動派都是紙老虎。a paper tiger 是當時對這句話的直譯,用在這里也非常貼切。
城下之盟
這個成語是指敵人兵臨城下時被逼簽訂的合約,所以可以直接翻譯成:a forced “treaty of peace” 多行不義必自斃
這句鏗鏘有力,而翻譯時我們也可以借用英文中的一句俗語:Give a thief rope enough and he will hang himself.只是相比原文,氣勢不夠。但如果在現(xiàn)場翻譯中遇到這句,同學們就可以以現(xiàn)成的英語表達法來應急;如果覺得還可以有更好的翻譯,那就要靠平時自己多琢磨啦,然后有機會的話,也可以像我們的美女口譯員張璐那樣,給出精彩的翻譯哦。
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第二篇:中文地址中譯英翻譯參考
中文地址分段翻譯成英文
中國:China
浙江省:Zhejiang Province 上海市:Shanghai City 香港:HK(Hong Kong)
杭州市西湖區(qū):West Lake District,Hangzhou City
宿松縣:Susong County
梅江鎮(zhèn):Meijiang Town 朝陽鄉(xiāng):Chaoyang Township
格林威治村:Greenwich Village _______________________________________________________________________________ 虹橋經(jīng)濟開發(fā)區(qū):Hongqiao Economic Development Zone
三亞路25號:No.25,Sanya Road 西園八路2號:No.2,Xiyuan Road 8 之江中路:Middle Zhijiang Road 武漢繞城高速公路:Wuhan Ring Expressway 莘建東路58弄2號:No.2, Lane 58, Shenjian East Road 火炬大街創(chuàng)新路2號:No.2,Innovation Road, Torch Avenue 環(huán)城西路北段377號:No.377,North Ring West Road 北三環(huán)東路36東路,東城區(qū):No.36,North Third Ring East Road, Dongcheng District
西湖科技園:West Lake Science and Technology Park 南山軟件園:Nanshan Software Park 麻紡小區(qū):Mafang Community 新都花園:Xindu Garden Community 綠城廣場:Lucheng Square
16號樓:Building16
3單元303號:Room303,Unit3 H座2單元404室:Room404,Unit2,Building H 4樓:Floor 4
例子1:南國東路青松一街8號四樓
翻譯:Floor 4, No.8, Qingsong 1th Street, Nanguo East Road
例子2:江西省南昌市高新區(qū)火炬大街創(chuàng)新路2號科研大樓四樓
翻譯:Floor 4, Scientific Research Building, No.2,Innovation Road, Torch Avenue, High & New Technology Zone, Nangchang City, Jiangxi Province,P.R.China 或 Floor 4,Scientific Research Building, No.2,Chuangxin Road, Huoju Avenue, High & New Technology(Gaoxin)Zone, Nangchang City, Jiangxi Province,P.R.China(P.R.:中華人民共和國縮寫)
注:本文部分內容參考于網(wǎng)絡,可用于常用地址的英文翻譯。若有不足處,還請補充及更正!
第三篇:收入證明中譯英翻譯[最終版]
Committee of the Communist Party of
***Town, *** City, China
中共***市***鎮(zhèn)委員會
在 職 及 收 入 證 明
茲證明****,男,****年*月出生,自****年***月起在我單位工作,任職****市****黨委書記,稅后年薪(包括工資、獎金、補貼、分紅等)為人民幣****元。
特此證明。
****年 ****月 ****日
單位(蓋章)
Statement of Employment and Income
This is to certify that ****, male, born in ****, has been working in our department since****.He is now in position of Party Secretary of ****, **** City.His annual income(including salary, bonus, subsidy, etc.)is RMB ****yuan after tax.Name of Department:
Committee of the Communist Party of
****, ****City, China
Date:
第四篇:2013中譯英范文
黃浦區(qū)
1.2.3.4.5.1.2.3.4.這個故事激勵年輕人為更美好的生活奮斗。(inspire)時光飛逝,尤其當你聚精會神地讀一本好書時。(absorb)安全系統(tǒng)不會允許你進入大樓,除非你有正確的密碼。(unless)我從未想到過會在機場遇到多年未曾謀面的老朋友。(It)無用信息的傳播會對人類社會產(chǎn)生不利影響的事實已經(jīng)引起公眾的注意。(that)
airport.5.The fact that the spread of useless information can have a bad effect on human society has attracted the
attention/awareness of the public.楊浦區(qū)(第一次學業(yè)調研)
1.2.3.4.5.1.2.3.4.5.記得要學與思相結合。(combine)黨號召官員們提高效率,避免浪費。(call)人們保護個人信息的意識有待提高。(remain)開發(fā)清潔的公共交通是被廣泛認可的改善空氣質量的好方法。(recognize)這位總統(tǒng)一直為緩慢的經(jīng)濟復蘇和諸多外交事務的挑戰(zhàn)憂心忡忡,但至今仍束手無策。(worry)
far he hasn’t found a way out.浦東新區(qū)
1.2.3.4.5.他下定決心要實現(xiàn)抱負。(determine)居民們都希望有朝一日能更方便地享受圖書館的優(yōu)質服務。(access)老師的贊賞給了我很大的鼓舞,這對一名學生而言非常寶貴。(which)接完電話,他既沒關門也沒關燈就匆匆忙忙離開了辦公室。(with)實驗結果與我們所期望的大相徑庭,但我們相信探索越多,就越可能成功。(likely)
1.He is determined to realize/accomplish/achieve/fulfill his ambition.2.Residents all hope that they can have easy assess to the quality service of libraries one day(some day).3.The teacher’s compliment(s)gave me(filled me with)a great encouragement(inspiration), which is so precious for a
student.4.Having answered the phone, he left the office in a hurry with the door open and the light(s)on.5.The result of the experiment is totally different(contrary to)from what we have expected, but we believe(that)the
more we explore, the more likely we are to/will succeed.徐匯區(qū)、松江區(qū)、金山區(qū)
1.2.3.4.5.這三天的社會實踐讓我們受益匪淺。(benefit)令我們寬慰的是,政府正在采取措施改善我們的住房條件。(relief)盡管困難重重,他從未放棄過成為一名優(yōu)秀建筑師的愿望。(desire)第一次看Gangnam Style的時候,其生動的節(jié)奏,富有創(chuàng)意的舞蹈,給我留下了深刻的印象。(The first time)一些大城市的空氣正日益惡化,這應該讓我們警覺到:環(huán)保意識的缺乏已讓市民付出了健康的代價。(alert)
1.We benefited a lot from the three-day social practice./ The three-day social practice benefited us a lot.2.To our relief, the government is taking measures/action to improve our housing conditions.3.Despite many difficulties / In spite of many difficulties, he never gave up his desire to become /be an excellent /
outstanding / a distinguished architect.4.The first time I watched Gangnam Style, I was deeply impressed by its lively rhythm and creative dance./ its lively
rhythm and creative dance impressed me a lot / deeply / greatly.5.The air quality in some big cities is getting / becoming from bad to worse, which should alert us(to the fact)that the
lack of environmental awareness has come at the expense of the health of the citizens./ the lack of environmental awareness(lacking environmental awareness)has cost the citizens their health./...that the citizens have paid(high)price for the lack of environmental awareness.閔行區(qū)
1.2.3.4.5.1.2.3.4.5.(worth)這孩子年齡太小,無法應對這么復雜的局面。(too...to...)當我心情不佳時,我常聽聽音樂來去除煩惱。(mood)經(jīng)過熱烈討論,我們一致同意再為那所小學捐贈一臺電腦。(agree)事實證明網(wǎng)絡購物存在風險,因此下定單之前一定要深思熟慮。(exist)
1.2.3.4.5.你很有可能在這次考試中取得好成績。(likely)每天攝入太多的鹽和糖會對人體的健康造成嚴重的損害。(take in)汽油價格的不斷上漲對人民的生活和國家的經(jīng)濟發(fā)展產(chǎn)生了很大的影響。(affect)迄今雖說屢屢采取嚴控措施,但絕大多數(shù)人仍然覺得難以承擔目前的高房價。(though)他向經(jīng)理保證,一經(jīng)錄用,他會竭盡所能為公司服務,絕不辜負公司的期望并為自己的理想打拼。(assure)
1.You are most likely to achieve good results in this examination./ It’s most likely that you will achieve good results
in this examination.2.Taking in too much salt and sugar every day will / may cause serious damage to people’s health./ It will / may
cause serious damage to people’s health if they take in too much salt and sugar every day.3.The constant / continuous rise in gasoline prices / That the prices of gasoline went up / rose constantly /
continuously has greatly affected the people’s life and the development of the country’s economy.4.Though severe / strict control measures have been taken repeatedly / again and again by now / up to now, the vast
majority of people / most people still feel / find it difficult / hard to afford the current high housing prices.5.He assured the manager that if / once(he was)appointed / accepted, he would do his best to work for / serve the
company, live up to the expectation of the company and strive for his own ideal.奉賢區(qū)
1.2.3.4.5.我們應積極參加各種各樣的課外活動。(variety)公司在意的不是員工的長相,而是他們的工作表現(xiàn)。(care)記住,你的父母也曾經(jīng)年少,大多數(shù)情況下他們能理解你正在經(jīng)歷的事情。(what)充足的鍛煉、健康的飲食、規(guī)律的作息對保持最佳考試狀態(tài)至關重要。(key)黃浦江被污染后,政府采取了許多有效的措施以改善水質,這使公眾很滿意。(improve)
1.We should take an active part in a variety of out-of-class activities.2.What a company cares about is not the employees’ appearance, but their job performance.3.Remember that your parents were teenagers once and that, in most cases, they can understand what you’re going
through.4.Adequate exercise, healthy eating/a healthy diet and regular sleep are the key to staying in top shape for exams.5.After the Huangpu River was polluted, the government has taken many effective measures to improve the quality of
the water, which has greatly satisfied the public.靜安區(qū)、楊浦區(qū)、寶山區(qū)、青浦區(qū)
1.2.3.4.5.1.2.3.4.5.許多駕駛員對新的交通法規(guī)都感到不習慣。(use)傳統(tǒng)的火車票購買方式已經(jīng)被網(wǎng)絡購買方式所取代了。(replace)過不了幾天他們就會把面試結果寄給你的。(It)我們非常關心食品質量,因為它與每一個人的健康都息息相關。(concern)那些消防戰(zhàn)士冒著生命危險把困在著火的屋子里的老人和小孩全部救了出來。(trap)
1.2.3.4.5.1.2.3.4.5.我們昨晚沒有回家作業(yè)。(free)為了紀念這位戰(zhàn)士,將舉辦一場音樂會。(memory)能否充分利用能源是科學家所面對的重要問題。(use)聽說他的幽默感為英語節(jié)開幕式平添了一份快樂。(add)對語言學習者來說,接觸英文材料并養(yǎng)成好的習慣能提高學習效率。(expose)
efficiency.閘北區(qū)
1.2.3.4.5.1.2.3.4.5.家長們越來越關注孩子的心理健康。(health)必須采取果斷措施應對食品污染問題。(must)經(jīng)過勸說,瑪麗總算打消了去那個偏遠城市安家的念頭。(idea)只要你可以上網(wǎng),任何難題幾乎都可瞬間解決。(access)盡管生產(chǎn)商宣稱這款天然的洗發(fā)水不含任何化學成分,消費者仍然興趣寥寥。(although)
1.2.3.4.5.過馬路時務必要小心。(sure)聽流行音樂是我課余最愛的放松方式。(relax)是要都有副作用,這是每個人都應該有的醫(yī)學常識。(which)那晚在觀眾席中看女兒彈鋼琴,她的父母是多么地自豪啊!(How)即便上海牌照(the license plate)的價格一路飆升,人們對私家車的需求依然如故。(remain)
1.2.3.4.5.Be sure to be careful when crossing the road.Listening to pop music is my favorite way to relax after school.All medicine has side effects, which is medical knowledge everyone should have.How proud the parents were that night when they sat in the audience watching their daughter playing the piano!Despite the soaring price of license plate in Shanghai, people’s need for private cars remain the same.
第五篇:高考中譯英解題方法和技巧
高考中譯英解題方法和技巧
一、判斷句型,構建框架
句型好比是句子的骨架,選用合適的句型是做好中譯英的第一步,也是至關重要的一步。英語中句子通常分為簡單句、并列句和復合句,其中有一些較為固定的常用句型更是高考經(jīng)常考查的內容,熟悉并學會運用這些句型將有助于同學們很快建立句子結構,完成翻譯。下面就是一些需要掌握的常見句型:There is no need for sb.to do sth....It is no good doing sth....It is no use doing sth....It’s a waste of time doing sth....It is necessary/important for sb.to do sth....It suddenly occurred to sb.that...It seems/appears/ happens that...The more..., the more...The reason why...was that...What matters is not...but...祈使句+and/or...In spite of the fact that...,...There is no doubt that...It won’t be long before...(從句謂語用一般現(xiàn)在時)
I’d appreciate it very much if you could...It’s said/believed/reported/estimated that...Where there is..., there is...As an old saying goes,...Word came that...Chances are that...It remains to be seen whether...(It is)no wonder that...It is taken for granted that...It is known to all that...It takes sb.some time to do sth.......so...that...Be sure to do...It is certain that...A is to B what C is to D.It makes no difference whether...It all depends on sb./sth.whether......makes it a rule to do sth....Make sure that...(從句謂語用一般現(xiàn)在時)
二、把握關鍵詞,熟悉短語搭配
歷年高考中譯英題的考核點中,短語搭配占了很大的比重,其中動詞短語尤為重要。正確使用關鍵詞,用好短語搭配,往往會使難題迎刃而解。下面是近幾年高考出現(xiàn)的短語考點:
1.我們將作進一步的討論,然后再作出最終結論。(before)(2001年高考)
We will have a further discussion before we draw a final conclusion.2.當時,那位出租車司機別無選擇,只能求助于顧客。(choice)(2002年高考)
At that time, the taxi driver had no choice but to turn to the tourist(for help).3.這條鐵路橫貫平原,把那個偏遠山城與海港連接了起來。(remote)(2003年高考)
The railway crosses the plain and connects the remote mountain city with the sea port.4.你該就剛才的所作所為向在場的人道歉。(apologize)(2004年高考)
You should apologize to the people present for what you have just done.5.多吃蔬菜和水果有益健康。(good)(2005年高考)
Eating more vegetables and fruits does good to one’s health.6.我忘了提醒他面試的時間。(remind)(2007年高考)
I forgot to remind him of the time for the interview.三、了解漢英差異,避免誤入陷阱
1.連詞
中文中,“因為??所以??”“雖然??但是??”“除非??否則??”等常用來表示因果、轉折等關系。但是在英語中,不能同時使用并列連詞和狀語從句的連詞。例如:
除非采取緊急措施,否則我們的計劃將流產(chǎn)。
Unless we take urgent measures, or our plan will be spoiled.(?菖)
Unless we take urgent measures, our plan will be spoiled.(?菁)
他盡管雙目失明,卻沒有放棄作家夢。
Although he was blind in both eyes, but he didn’t give up his dream of being a writer.(?菖)
Although he was blind in both eyes,(yet)he didn’t give up his dream of being a writer.(?菁)
2.語態(tài)
在中英不同的語言文化中,主動和被動的表達存在著一定的差異。有時中文看似主動,譯成英語卻應用被動形式;有時中文是被動的意思,在英語中卻用主動形式。
以下情形中常用英語的主動形式表示中文的被動意思:
(1)某些連系動詞(如look, sound, smell, feel, taste, prove等)要用英語主動形式表中文被動意義。例如:
他告訴我的事情被證實是真的。
What he told me proved to be true.(2)當read, wash, sell, clean, cook, cut, wear, carry等用作不及物動詞且表示主語的某種屬性時,通常要用英語主動形式表示中文被動意義。例如:
這本書被賣得很快。
The book sells quickly.(3)當open, close, shut, lock, move等用作不及物動詞且表示主語的某種屬性時,通常用英語主動形式表示中文被動意義。例如:
這門關不上。
The door won’t shut.(4)某些“be+形容詞+to do”結構中的不定式通常要英語用主動形式表示中文被動意義。例如:這篇學術論文很難被翻譯過來。
The academic article is difficult to translate.(5)be worth后的動名詞要用英語主動形式表中文被動意義。例如:
這可能值得考慮。
This might be worth thinking about.(6)在need, want, require等少數(shù)表示“需要”的動詞后接動名詞用主動形式表被動意義。例如:這些植物得天天澆水。
The plants need watering every day.也有很多情況下,英語的被動形式表示中文的主動含義。這時很多同學就可能會忽略被動語態(tài)的使用。例如:
坐在樹下的人是我叔叔。
The man who was seated under the tree is my uncle.這樣的例子不勝枚舉,同學們在練習時應注意多積累和總結。
3.語序
在某些情況下,英語的主謂必須全部或部分倒裝。有時為了保持句子平衡,各部分順序會發(fā)生顛倒,這與中文表達順序有所不同。例如:
我們的祖國從來沒有像今天這樣強大過。(Never)
Never before has our country been as powerful as it is today.老師僅靠一支粉筆上課的日子一去不復返了。(Gone)
Gone are the days when a teacher gave lessons only with a piece of chalk.我認為你找不到自行車了。
I don’t think you can find your bicycle.4.標點符號
漢語中的某些標點符號是英語沒有的。例如英語中沒有頓號(、),常用逗號充當并列連接作用。英語中也沒有書名號(《》),漢語用于書名、報刊雜志名的書名號,英語中常用斜體字代替。
有些標點符號的漢英表示形式是不同的。例如在漢語中句號是以空心圓(。)來表示的,在英語中是實心點(.)。又如漢語中的省略號是居中的六點(??),英語是用位于底部的三點(...)來表示。同學們在使用這些符號時要特別注意,防止混淆。
四、理解成語與俗語,無須字字對譯
近年的高考中譯英題中,總會出現(xiàn)一些比較地道的中文或常用的成語,許多同學對于這些成語和俗語的翻譯常不知所措。此時,同學們不妨冷靜下來,從成語的實際意義入手,在理解的基礎上,用適當?shù)挠⒄Z表達出來,完全不必字字對譯。有些成語和俗語的中英文是基本對應的,例如欣喜若狂(be wild with joy),熟能生巧(practice makes perfect)等。但大多數(shù)還是需要通過意譯的方法來表達。以近年的高考試題為例:
1.請盡早作出決定,不然你會坐失良機。(or)(2003年高考)
Please make up your mind/make your decision as early as possible, or you’ll miss the good/golden chance/opportunity.2.這個游戲的規(guī)則太復雜,三言兩語解釋不清。(too...to)(2004年高考)
The rules of the game are too complicated to explain/be explained in a few words.3.他進公司后不久就獨立完成了一項艱巨的任務,同事們對他刮目相看。(so)(2005年高考)He finished a difficult task on his own/independently soon after he entered the company, so his colleagues looked at him differently/with new eyes/regarded him in a totally different light.4.這小孩太調皮了,使得他那忙于工作的父母常常心煩意亂。(So...)(2006年高考)
So naughty is the child that he often upsets his parents who are busy with their work.5.醫(yī)生挨家挨戶上門巡訪,省去了許多老年人去醫(yī)院的麻煩。(save)(2007年高考)
Doctors’ door-to door visits save many old people’s trouble of going to hospital.從上面的高考真題中可以看出,俗語與成語的翻譯主要在于含義的表達,只要完整正確地表達了成語的含義,即使與參考答案不完全一致,也是可以得到滿分的。
五、學會一題多譯,拓寬解題思路
同一句中文可能會有幾種不同的英語翻譯方法,在平時的練習中,同學們可以盡量拓寬思路,嘗試一題多譯。這樣不僅可以提高翻譯的技能,同時還能促進語法知識的鞏固和詞匯的復習,是一舉多得的好辦法。例如:
1.令我大吃一驚的是他終于改掉了抽煙的壞習慣。
To my great surprise, he finally got rid of the bad habit of smoking.What surprised me greatly was that he at last kicked his smoking habit.I was greatly surprised at the fact that he finally quit smoking habit.He finally gave up smoking, which surprised me a lot.2.她一聽到這個噩耗就號啕大哭。
As soon as she heard the sad news, she burst into tears.The moment/instant/minute she heard the sad news, she burst out crying.At the sad news, she burst out crying.On hearing the sad news, she couldn’t help crying.Immediately/Directly she heard the news, she burst into tears.Hardly/Scarcely/Rarely had she heard the sad news when she burst into tears.No sooner had she heard the sad news than she burst out crying.