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Tuesday Nov 06, 2007

汉语主语英译法--译为英语宾语

这种汉语主语一般格式是:定语+名词,如:


原文:铸铁含的碳比钢多。


译文:Cast iron contains more carbon than steel.


原文:锗的导电率比硅高。


译文:Germanium has higher electric conductivity than silicon.


原文:这台150千瓦的发电机的满载率是91%。


译文:This 150KW generator possesses an efficiency of 91% at full load.


原文:半导体的导电性比导体差,比绝缘体好。


译文:Semi-conductors have poorer conductivity that conductor, but better conductivity than insulators.


原文:许多人认真一查,查出了他们是一个不大不小的集团。


译文:After careful investigation of many of these persons, this clique was found to be of some size.


说明:“许多人”开式上像是主语,实际上是宾语。是许多人去查,还是查了许多人?理解成许多人被查是对的。


摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义

Monday Sep 10, 2007

汉语主语英译法--译为英语主语


[阅读全文]

Thursday Sep 06, 2007

汉英主语比较—外位语

一、外位语的概念


汉语主师有一种特殊形式,即外位语(extraposition)。外位语的名称是过去按西方语法系统编造出来的一个名词,我们在这里借用一下。


汉语的外位语,比较常见,又称作外位成分、复指成分。它是汉语句子中的一种特殊成分。外位语是针对本位语而言的。把句中的某一成分抽到句子前头,而在其原来的位置上用另一个词代替,这个抽到句子前头的成分就是外位语,而放在其原来位置上的代替词就是本位语。例如:


1)听力、阅读、语音、口语、笔语、翻译等等样样都要好。


2)商品这东西,千百万人天天看,用,但是熟视无睹。


上边句子中,划线部分是外位语,黑体代替外位语担任句子中职务的本位语。这种表达方式可以使整个句子层次清楚、结构平衡、意思易懂,或者使需要强调的东西得到强调,起到修辞的效果。


外位语有外位主语,外位宾语和外位定语之分。


在英汉翻译中,如果能恰当地运用外位语,也是把英语的三分结构变为汉语的两分结构,有助于译文达到“信顺”的。


原文:I came to know the American friends Brown, Hill, David and their wives two years ago.


译文:美国朋友布朗、希尔、大卫和他们的夫人,我是两年前认识他们的。


说明:译文划线部分是外位宾语,黑体是本位宾语。由于原宾语较长,动宾关系不甚明显,读者不能一目了然,听者也会感到句子拖泥带水。运用外位处理之后,句子分作两段,条理清楚、语气舒缓。


原文:Today's votes have made crystal clear who are the friends and who are the enemies of a people fighting of its freedom and independence.


译文:一个为自由和独立而斗争的民族,谁是它的朋友,谁是它的敌人,通过今天的表决,已经一清二楚了。


说明:这句译文中划线部分是外位定语,黑体是本位定语。一般说来,英语的定语比较繁杂,而汉语的定语框框较小,一般容纳不下过长的定语结构。比如,上例就不宜译成:“谁是一个为自由和独立而斗争的民族的朋友,谁是一个为……”否则,不但读着绕口,而且意思含糊。这两句译文把原定语提前作外位定语,然后用本位语“它的”代替,就使修饰补修饰之间的关系密切了,读起来或听起来感到眉目清楚、意思顺当。


二、外位语的英译


外位语在汉译英中的处理方法举例如下。


原文:资产阶级、小资产阶级,他们的思想意识是一定要反映出来的。(《毛泽东选集》第5卷第392页)


译文:It is inevitable that the bourgeosie  and petty bourgeoisie will give expression to their own ideologies.


说明:这里“他们”就是资产阶级和小资产阶级。英文里没有类似的语言现象。“他们”可以不译。


原文:一分为二,这是个普遍的现象,这就是辩证法。(《毛泽东选集》第5卷第498页)


译文:One divides into two—this is a universal phenomenon,and this is dialectics.


说明:英语顺序也可以倒过来,那就可以删去this了。但现在的译法更为强调和顺当。


原文:种族歧视,这是帝国主义和殖民主义的产物。(强调主语)


译文:Racial discrimination is the offspring of imperialism and colonialism.


原文:制造骗人的报道,其目的是向世界表明侵略是正义的。(强调定语)


译文:The misleading news is designed to show the world that the aggression is justified.


原文:安理会中有关中东局势的辩论和决议,我主为必须严格地把它们放在事实和法律的基础上。


译文:The Security Council's debates and resolutions concerning the situation in the Middle East, I think, must be strictly based on fact and law.


摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义

Monday Sep 03, 2007

汉英主语比较—英译技巧

一、名词性词组


汉语名词性词组作主题的英译法,可参见汉语主语的英译法。


原文:船的使命,赵家本来是很秘密的,……


译文:The Chao family kept very quiet about the errand of the boat.


不译:As for the errand of the boat,the Chao family kept...


原文:小尼姑之流,阿Q本来视若草芥的,……


译文:Now though Ah Q had the greatest contempt for such people as little nuns,...


不译:Such people as little nuns are one...


利用句型转换的办法可以找出话题就是英语句子的什么成分。


原文:火柴擦一下就着了。→擦一下火柴便可使经燃烧。


译文:You ignite a match by scratching it.


原文:开头的镜头是孩子们在海滩上玩。→在开头我们就看到孩子们在海滩上玩。


译文:In the opening shot we saw children playing on the beach.


多数话题不可直译:


原文:经过一个学期的学习,我的英语有了很大的进步,特别是写作、翻译和口语。


原译:After on term of study, my english had got a great improvement, especially in terms of writing, translating and speaking.


修改:After one term of study, my english has been improved greatly, especially in terms of writing, translating and speaking.


说明:my english按汉语思维是话题,后边是说明。英语造句按语法得找出主语、动词、宾语等。这里若用my english作主语,应是my English has been improved...或者把主语改为人:I  have improved my englsih...


原文:我的成功一半要归功于他。


原译:Half of my success belonged to him.


修改:I owed half of my success to him.


说明:汉语里“我的成功”是话题,到英语里译为宾语,选“我”作主语。


二、动词性词组


汉语话题是事物,译为英语句子,在有些翻译书里讲要更换主语。


原文:红色跟蓝色混合会变成什么颜色?


原译:What color is got when red is mixed with blue?


改译:What color do you get when you mix red with blue?


原文:我们穿的鞋是用塑料做的。


原译:We wear the shoes are made of plastics.


改译:The shoes we wear are made of plastics.


说明:错句完全按汉语的词序对应直译,英语里应分清名词中心词和定语的关系与位置,we wear 是定语从句,应放在shoes后边。


三、介词词组


谈到功率,总是把时间计算在内。


When power is spoken of, time is taken into account.


By...定义句型:


By power is meant the speed of doing work.


所谓功率指的是做功的速度。


By force is meant the action of one body on another.


所谓力,指的是一物体对另一物体的作用。


四、时间所处词组


在盐水中会发生严重的腐蚀现象。


Serious corrosion occurs in salt water.


在第三条轨道上密集着18个电子。


The third orbit is packed with 18 electrons.


从这里可以看到富士山。


A view of Mt. Fuji can be obtained from here.


摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义


 

Thursday Aug 16, 2007

汉英主语比较—汉语话题英译法(1)

 一、话题与主语的差异

1.性质不同
汉语句子的概念基本上是话题评论式的。它先提出一个话题(topic),接着是评论(comment)或说明(explanation)。如“郑州的春天风沙很大”。“郑州的春天”是话题,“风沙很大”是评论。话题和评论可以是词,也可以是短语和句子。“郑州的春天”是短语,“风沙很大”是句子。
英语主谓概念是施事行为式的。句子的主语或者是施事或者是受事,句子的谓语必须是行为。如Workers make machines. Workers是施事者, make machines是行为。
因此,汉语说“这里要盖一座体育馆”,按汉语“这里”是话题,“要盖一座体育馆”是评论,依这种习惯就造出了下边的错句:
Here will build a gymnasium.
按英语习惯,“这里” 只能是状语,主语要由“体育馆”来作,是受动者:A gymnasium will be built here.

赵元任先生在谈到汉语主语时说:“有一种强烈的趋势,主语指的事物是有定的,宾语所指的事物是无定的。”(《汉语口语语法》,第46页),这和汉语是注重主题的说法一致。英语是注重主语的,为求每个主语主谓齐全,必须想法变出个主语,这种主语可以说是无定的。我们通过大量观察发现,汉语的有定主语往往用名词表示,英语的无定主语往往用代词表示。

英语注重主语,句子结构是主语(subject)—谓语(predict),着重于施事与行为之间的关系,英语句子都要有主语并且以动词为核心,主语和谓语之间有许多互相制约的语法关系。汉语则不是这样,赵无任先生说:“在汉语里,这种句子(即使把被动的动作也算进去,把“是”也算进去)的比例不大的,也许比50%大不了多少。因此,在汉语里,把主语谓语当作话题和说明来看待,比较合适。”(《汉语口语语法》,第45页)接着他列举了六种汉语主语:
1.名词性主语
2.动词性主语,如“走行,不走也行。”
3.表时间处所和条件的词语。
4.介词引进作者作主语,如“由主席召集会议。”
5.别的介词短语。
6.主谓主语。
这六种主语实际上都是主题,只有第一种与英语主语差不多,有相同或相似之处,第二条在英语里必须转换为动名词与不定式等,第三、四、五条在英语里大多要转换为状语,第六条在英语里要转换为主语从句或不定式等。汉语句子结构是话题与评论,很多是没有认识到这一点,从汉语造句的习惯出发,逐词对应,把汉语的话题译为英语的主语。

2.汉语话题的种类是无限的,英语的主语是有限的。英语主语即subject,其本义也是主题、话题,只是国为动词缘故,现在习惯上只有四种,即主题主语、施事主语、受事主语、形式主语。汉语话题只有一部分可以译为英语的主题主语,多数要译为宾语、状语什么的。因此,汉译英语的首要问题就是选择什么作英语主语,作什么主语:主题主语、施事主语、受事主语、形式主语?
原文:他家起火了。
原译:His home broke out a fire.
改译:A fire broke out in his house.

原文:他出什么事了?
原译:Has he happened anything?
改译:What has happened to him?

原文:他的英语说得很好。
原译:His English speaks good.
改译:He speaks good english.
说明:错名完全是从汉语造句的习惯出发,把“他的英语”这个主题直接对应为英语的主语,把“说得好”这个汉语评论对应为英语的谓语。英语名讲逻辑,此句中应用he作主语。

原文:我觉得研究生的学习很忙。
原译:I felt study of graduate is very busy.
改译:I felt very busy with the study of the graduate course.
说明:错句把汉语主题the study of graduate 当作英语的主语,在英语,busy的主语应是人。汉英句子结构的差异,决定了汉英互译的全部理论和方法。我们的实际经验是英译汉还容易些,因为大体可以按英语的句式搬到汉语里来。汉译英就难多了,因为能按汉语的句式搬到英语里的几率只有50%。

英汉语里的施事主语也不一样,汉语里习惯以人施事,不以物施事,英语里的施事者常常是物,中国人觉得别扭。
原文:我没有注意到这个错误。
原译:I did not notice the mistake.
改译:The mistake escaped me.

原文:我一时记不起他的名字。
原译:I can't remember his name.
改译:His name escapes me for the moment.
汉语里没有形式主语,因此汉译英时很少用形式主语,这都是译出来的英语不地道的原因所在。

3.省略与完整
汉语话题是有定的,是谈话双方都知道的,是说明的中心;英语的主语是无定的,只是占据一个位置使句子完整。
原文:工厂内,以实现生产计划为中心,实行党政工团的统一领导。
译文:In factories, the Party should exercise unified leadership over the work of the Party organization, the management, the trade union and the Youth League, with the fulfillment of production plans as the central task.
说明:谁“实行”?以党作主语好,党是领导一切的。


Tuesday Jul 24, 2007

汉语借用句型回译

汉语白话运动以来,吸收了大量的西文句式,前人已作过详细的研究,这里只罗列一些句型,从事汉译的人知道它们从何而来,便于还原到原来的句型上去。
一、动词句型
1.动宾搭配
捕捉住(这刹那间的灵感) get/grasp inspiration from
归结到一点就是 come to a conclusion
火药味很重/充满火药味  have a strong smell of gunpowder
必将带来前景 open up a vast range of prospects for(doing)something
放了一个试探性的气球 fly/let off a trial balloon
冻结某人的资产 freeze someone's assets
提供服务 offer service
宣告破产 declare bankruptcy

2.介词+宾语+动词
对……表示赞赏 express admiration for
对……表示关注 pay a great deal of attention to
对……表示良好的祝愿 send/offer sb. best wishes
向……挑战 challenge
把……推向前进 push forward
把……减少到最低限度 reduce/decrease... to the minimum
用……的全部力量(做某事)devote onnself to sth.
给……蒙上了一层阴影 cast/throw a shadow on
以……而告终 end in/end up by(doing)sth.
使……成为可能/必要 make ...possible/necessary
成为可能 become possible

3.句子
不敢相信自己的眼睛 cannot trust one's eyes
有共同语言 have a common language
戴着某种颜色的眼镜看 look through blue/green/rose-colored glassed悲观地/羡慕/妒忌地/乐观地看事物
我的眼睛没有骗我。My eyes don't deceive me.
某事损害了某人的形象 impair/damage someone's reputation/image
某事正在变得过时 something is becoming out of date
在他的身上体现了这种新的精神. His embodies the new spirit.
(消息等)插上了翅膀 grow wings

二、连词句型
虽然……但是while...,it is equally true that:While no amount of study and diligence and practice will produce great writing, it is equally true that there can be no great writing without study and diligence and practice.光是勤奋写不出大作品,没有勤奋也写不出大作品。句中的while...it is equally true that相当于汉语里的“虽然……但是”。
It is probably true that, in the first blush of discovery , I over-stated both the difference and my case.应当说,刚发现这个问题的时候,我把差异说过了,把我的意思也说过了。
尽管……可是 though
不仅……而且 not only...but also
除非……否则 not...unless
与其说是……不如说是 rather than
如果……那么 if...then
由于……所以 as/since
当……时候 when
欧化的汉语是:当他自己的妻子都劝不动的时候,你怎么劝得动他呢?
地道汉语是:连他的妻子都劝不了,你怎么能劝得动他呢?
这样我们可以知道汉语的“连……也”可用when来表达。
现在很……而不能,等一会儿才能rather...now and can't ... until later:
She's rather busy now and can't see you until later.
现在她很忙,要晚一会儿才来见你。
仅仅是……吗?就是……这一点吗?anything more than:
Is this purpose anything more than to make them understand clearly what plot means?
他的目的仅仅是让他们懂得什么是情节吗?
不……是没有的,not...but双重否定表示加强肯定:
爱美之心人皆有之。
There is not a human being but loves beauty.

三、副词句型
原文:后来他觉得病得厉害了就去找医生看了。
译文:Then, one day, he felt so ill that he had to go to see a doctor.
原文:十分明显,她是一个很好的售货员。
译文:It is obvious that she is a very good salesman.
原文:很清楚,他的用意是好的。
译文:It is clear that he means well.

一般说来 generally
或迟或早/迟早 sooner or later
一方面……另一方面 on the one hand,...on the other hand
如此……以至于,来自 so...that,其实汉语本来的说法是“形容词或副词+得+动词”

四、介词句型
在不同/某种/一定/很大程度上 to some /great/a certain extent/degree(见《汉英科技写作词典》)
Each object in the universe, no matter how small, pulls on all other objects to some degree.
宇宙中每一物体不管多么小,都在某种程序上吸引所有其他物体。
It is well-known that the mechanical properties of most materials are influenced to some extect by strain rate.
in a way:The experiment was successfully done in a way.
在某种程度上实验是成功的。
To what extent are the criticisms valid?汉语不说“在什么程度上这种批评有效?”而说“这种批评有多少道理?”把这句汉语译为英语时可能会说Is there any reason in the criticism? 同样,“区别有没有?”会说Is there any difference?区别有多大?这里应该用extent, To what extent does the difference obtain in sth.或者To what extent are A vs B different?
由于这样那样的原因:
For this and other reasons, China was unable to develop her resources.
由于这样那样的原因,中国不能开发其资源。
For some reason or other they decided to move to Detroit.
由于这样那样的理由,他们决定迁到底特律。

从广义上讲 in a broad sense
在此基础上 on the basis of

五、名词句型
前者……后者 the former...the latter
表决机器 voting machine
橡皮图章 rubber stamp
价值观念 values
处女地 virgin land/soil
可能性/可读性/不可读性 probability /readability/unreadability
后现代主义/先验论 post-modernism/apriorism
(留下了)美好的回忆 a delightful/ pleasant/ lovely/memory
(给)定调子 call the tune
(寻找)替罪羊 (look for)a scapegoat


摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义

Tuesday Jul 10, 2007

汉英描写句型比较

摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义 编著

[阅读全文]

Monday Jun 25, 2007

《实用英语写作技巧》电子书下载

《实用英语写作技巧》电子书下载

Monday May 28, 2007

英语句型转换(2)

 二、宾语与主语/表语/状语/定语的转化

1)宾语与主语的转换
His heart swelled with pride.→Pride swelled his heart.
The wind swelled out the sails.→The sails swelled out in the wind.
Mark rested his head in his hands.→His arms were resting on the table.

2)宾语与表语的转换

我们知道,谓动可以转换为表语,这时谓动用be,也可以转换为宾语,谓动用have,所以have句和be句可以互相转换。如:
I desired to know further details.
→I had a strong desire to know further details.
→I was strongly desirous to know further details.
我很想知道下一步的详情。

We can win the war.
→We have teh capability of winning the war.
我们能够赢得这声战争。

The news pleased me.
→I was pleased to hear the news.
→I have the pleasure of hearing the news.
我听到这消息很高兴。

The young farm boy looked healthy.
→The young farm boy had a healthy look.
农场的那个小男孩看上去很健康。

许多动词都可以转化为名词,又可以转化为形容词。如:
die → death →dead
free → freedom → free
heal →health →healthy
starve →starvation →starving
thrive →thrift →thrifty
表示长短、宽窄、高低、深浅、粗细等形容词,都有名词对应。如:
The river is 200 kilometers long.
→The river has a length of 200 kilometers.

The building is 20 meters high.
→The building has a height of 20 meters.
科技英语中动词大约三分之一是be,另一个常用的动词是have。如不说:Tin resists corrosion by air and water. 而说:Tin has a resistance to corrosion by air and water.上句讲行为,下句讲性质。故下句常用于科技文章中。再如不说:Water boils at 100℃。

When gases, liquid, and solids are heated, solids make the smallest expansion, liquid makes a greater expansion, and gases make the greatest expansion.
气体、液体、固体加热时,固体膨胀最小,液体体积较大,气体最大。

This truck carries a maximum load of five tons.
这辆卡车的最大载重量为五吨。

在科技文献中,对不具有动作行为含义的虚词汉译时省略,而将动作名词的动作译出,连系动词也是这样。

3)宾语与状语的转换
在汉语里我们可以说“种地”,也可以说“种麦子”,我们可以说“把池塘抽干”,也可以说“把池塘的水抽干”。英语里也是这样,下边是英语也可以这样用的一些动词,其宾语与状语互换之后意思大体不变。
(1)表示“塞入”意义的动词,如stuff,pack, cram, load等;
William stuffed the bag with old clothes.
→William stuffed old clothes into the bag.
(2)表示“堆集”意义的动词,如pile, heap, stack等:
He heaped the plated with food.
→He heaped food on the plate.
(3)表示“提供”意义的动词,如provide, present等;
He presented a silver cup to the winner.
→He presented the winner with a silver cup.
(4)表示“喷洒”意义的动词,如plaster, spray, strew, smear, prinkle, squirt, spatter等:
They spray an plants with an insecticide.
→They spray an insecticide upon plants.
(5)表示“种植”意义的动词,如plant, sow, cultivate, grow等:
He planted his garden with rose bushes.
→He planted rose bushes in his garden.
(6)表示“刻画” 意义的动词,如mark, engrave, inscribe, stamp等;
He engraved the silver plate with my name.
→He engraved my name on the silver plate.
(7)表示“注射”意义的动词,如inject:
They are injecting new drugs into him.
→They are injecting new drugs into him.
(8)表示“清除”意义的动词,如clear, empty,strip, drain等;
They drained the pond of water.
→They drained water from the pond.
(9)表示“捆,系,包”意义的动词,如tie, wrap等:
I wrapped the book in brown paper.
→I wrapped brown paper around the book.
(10)表示“覆盖”意义的动词,如spread等:
She spread the bread with butter.
→She spread butter onto the bread.

4)状语与定语的转化
两句变一句:
An object is placed in the sun. An object becomes hot.
→An object which is placed in the sun becomes hot.
定语从句变成分词短语:
An object which is placed in the sun becomes hot.
→An object placed in the sun becomes hot.
定语从句变成条件从句:
An object which is placed in the sun becomes hot.
→An object becomes hot when/if it is placed in the sun.

5)条件状语的转换
条件从句:If it is mixed with oxygen, this sort of fuel can be burned and release a series of gases.
省略式从句:If mixed with oxygen, this fuel can be burned and release some gases.
分词短语:Mixed with oxygen, this fuel can be burned and release gases.
介词短语:With oxygen, this fuel can be burned, releasing gases.



Monday May 21, 2007

英语句型转换(1)

 一个意思可以有许多不同的表达方式,从句型转换的角度看,这种转换有一定的规律。

一、谓动向主语/宾语/表语的转化

据张今先生研究,英语行为名词是由于谓语动词要向主语、宾语、表语转化而形成的。
1)谓动向主语转化
谓语动词可以变为动作名词作主语,如:
He attends scholl regularly.
他按时到校上学。
→His attendance at school is regular.
他上学很准时。

The partisans resisted the enemy stubbornly.
游击队对敌人进行了顽强的抵抗。
→The resistance of the partisans against the enemy was stubborn.
游击队对敌人的抵抗是顽强的。

所谓合句,通常是把一句变成一个名词词组作另一个句子的主语。如:

They entered into the war. This changed the whole situation.他们参战了,这改变了事个局势。
→Their entry into the war changed the whole situation.他们的参战改变了整个局势。

The old man adopted the girl. This changed the girl's whole life.→The old man's adoption of the girl changed her whold life.这位老人收养了这个女孩,这改变了她的一生。

原来前一句所含的原因条件意义就隐含在主语里了。由于这样的转换,有些动作名词主语表示状语的意思,英译汉时按汉语表达习惯,要译为状语才通顺。如:
条件:He said the realization of this objective will bring China into the front ranks of the countries of the world in terms of gross national income and the output of major industrial and agricultural products.
他说,一旦这一目标实现,中国就将在国民收入总额和主要工农产品的产量上居于世界前列。

原因:My regard to the constitution forbids a compliance with your request.
为了遵守宪法,我不能同意你的请求。

时间:His addition completed the list.
把他添上以后,名单就完备了。

结果:His action was prompted by the fear of being attacked.
他所以这样做是由于担心人家攻击他。

其他:My admiration for him grew more.
我对他越发敬佩了。

2)谓动向宾语的转化

谓语动词变为动作名词作宾语,谓语动词另找一个,这个谓语动词称为虚动词。

He slept well.→He had a good sleep.
他好好地睡了一觉。

She dislikes him.→She has a dislike for him.她不喜欢他。

He bit the apple.他咬了这个苹果。
→He took two bites at the apple.
他咬了这个苹果两口。
I’m not good at making approaches to strangers.
我不会与生人打交道。
句中的making approaches意为“接近”,我们可能会说成I'm not good at approaching to strangers.

英语动词是实词,不是虚词。就是说,英语句子中的动词都有它的实在意义,不像虚词那样只表示关系。但是英语句子中的动词,有时也无实义,只是虚设而已。如一般不说Shall we rest?而说Shall we have a rest?这个句子中的have就是一个虚设动词。它本来是实义动词,有自己的意义,但在have a rest中没有意义。这是英语动词虚实的两面性。
最常用的虚动词有五个have,take, make, do, give,试比较它他在下列各句中的用法。
Have:He fell for several times.→He had several falls.
他跌倒了好几次。
Take:He sipped his tea.→He took a sip of his tea.
他喝了一口茶。
Make:He did not reply.→He made no reply.
他没有回答。
Do:Martin did not read that night.→Martin did no reading that night.
马丁那天晚上没有看书。
Give:He laughed suddenly.→He giave a sudden laugh.
虚动词也有它的习惯用法。
Have 表示时间的持续性:
She had a good sleep.她好好地睡了一觉。
Her face had a healthy glow.她红光满面。
He has the healthy appetite of an adolescent.他的胃口好,跟年轻人一样。
Take表示时间的起点:
She took a walk after supper.她晚饭后散步。
He did not notice my complaints.→He took no notice of my complaints.他没有注意我的抱怨。
Do表示有害的影响:
The accident did a lot of damage to the car.
 这一事故把汽车损坏得很厉害。
Make 表示有意而为之:
He suggested that...
→He made the suggestion that...
他建议....
The distributions were made to adult male citizens.
发放救济只对男性公民。
Give 同脚踢手打之类表示身体器官的动词连用:
He wouldn't consent.→He wouldn't give his consent.
他不同意。
因此,虚动词也不是随便使用的,常会出现搭配不当的错误。
请注意以下句子的表达,中国学生的作文是如何被美国老师修改的。好像中国人的思维与英语的虚动词用法正好一样,美国人却认为那样表达不简洁等等。
有进步have improvements:
误:Seeing that they have improvements, I will feel...
正:Seeing that they have improved, I will feel...
汉语说“有进步”,是动宾结构,英语只用动词就够了。
有……感觉had the feeling of →felt
原文:For the first time in my life I had the feeling of my heart pounding wildly.
修改:For the first time  in my life I felt my heart pounding wildly.
说明:had the feeling of 可以压缩成一个词。
除上述have, take, make, do, give等虚动词,在某些成语中的动词也是虚动词,如:
to pay a visit, to pay attention to,to put up a resistance
We get most of our knowledge through the five senses.
我们的多数知识都是通过这五种官能获得的。
Discharge of the content of the tank is effected/performed/obtained by a pump.
句中的三个谓语动词均无实义,句子的意义由主语和by短语表达。

3)谓动向表语转化
(1)谓语动词可以变为动作名词作表语
This article analyzed  the world situation profoundly.
这篇文章深刻地分析了世界形势。
→This article was a profound analysis of the world situation.

He disappointed his family.
他使他家里的人都失望了。
→He was a disappointment to his family.

Dancing delighted her.跳舞使她高兴了。
→Dancing was her delight.
两个常见名词后缀-er/-ee;
He works in that factory.
他在那个工厂工作。
→He is a worker in that factory.

(2)谓语动词变为形容词作表语
主动形容词:动词+后缀-ful -ive -al -ing
She always attended to her younger brother.
她总是关心她的小弟弟。
→She was always atttentive to her younger brother.
The chile's bad language shocks everyone.
听了这孩子的脏话大家都愣了。
→The child's bad language is shocking to everyone.
被动形容词:动词+ed, -able
He can be relied upon.
他是靠得住的。
→He is reliable.
His disease can be cured.
他的病能治好。
→His disease is curable.

比较下列主被动形容词:
divisive 能引起分裂的/divisible可分裂的,attractive有吸引力的/attractable可被吸引的,conductive有传导力的/conductible可传导的,descriptive具有描述性的/describable可被描述的,preventive有预防能力的/preventable可预防的
He is forgetful of his meals.他忘了吃饭。
Names are forgettable.名字经常会忘掉的。

He is imaginative.他有想象力。
The solution is imaginable.这种解决办法是可以想到的。

4)谓动向状语转化
They complained.→They sighed complainingly.
句子的重心不是sigh,而是complainingly.即大家怨声载道牢骚满腹。
As description develops by analyzing a physical object or scene into its parts and arranging these in space, so narration develops by analyzing a story into the events that compose it and arranging these in time.
句中develop没有多少实在的意义,主要是起形式上的谓语动词作用。句子的主要意义在主语和状语之中。可以汉译为:
正如描写文把物体或景物分成几部分,而后按其空间顺序逐一描写一样,记叙文则是把故事分成几个事件,然后再按时间顺序逐一叙述。






Wednesday May 16, 2007

汉英相似句型比较之汉语句型转换

 汉语句型转换
一、汉语句型分类

1)单句:有两种结构六种句型:
(1)主谓结构:
①动词谓语句:无宾句,单宾句,双宾句,兼语句,连谓句,被字句,有字句,把字句,使字句,连字句,对字句
②形容词谓语句:得字句
③名词谓语句:是字句,像字句,当字句,值字句
(2)非主谓结构:
①省略句
②无主句:泛指句
③独词句

2)复句:由单句合成的复句,又有两种结构,每种结构下又有多种关系:
(1)联合结构
①并列关系:几个分句说明一件事的几个方面,有的无关联语,有的有关联词语:又、也,可以……也可以,既……又,既能……又能,一边……一边,一面……一面,一方面……更一方面。叙述相反的情况:无关联词语;有关联词语:不是……而是,是……而不是,只有……没有,只能……而不能。起补充、解释、说明、比况作用,有的无关联词语,有的有关联词语。
②承接关系:关联词语:再、便、就、才、于是、从而、后来、然后、那么、越……越。
③进层关系:一个关联词语:更、并且、甚至、何况、尤其;一对关联词语:不但……而且,不只……还,不光……并且,不但……反而/反倒,竟然。
④选择关系
任选:或者,或者……或者,是……还是。二选一;不是……就是,要么……要么。取此舍彼;宁可A,决不B。舍此取彼:与其A,不如B。
⑤解说关系:
解证式:如,例如,即,就是,总之,等。总分式:……有两种:一种是……别一种是……。
(2)偏正结构
①因果关系:说明因果:因为……所以,由于……就,……因此/从而,之所以……是因为,……以致辞,致使;推论因果:既然……就,……可见。
②条件关系:
假设条件:如果/要是/假如/若……就/便/那么,若……则。否则/要不然,即使……也,就是……也,哪怕……也,尽管……也。
特定条件:只有……才,除非……才,只要……就。
无条件:无论……也/都,不管……都,任凭……。
③转折关系:重转折:虽然A,但是B,B虽然A,尽管……却,而;轻转折:无虽然部分。
④让步关系:即使……也,纵然……,就算……。
⑤目的关系:为了A才B,B为的是A;免得。

(3)紧缩句
①一……就
②非……不=一定要
③不……不,前一不表示假设条件,后边表结果:如果不……就不
④再……也=即使……也,再是假设条件,也表转折
⑤不……也=即使……也
⑥越……越
⑦就:你有看法就说。
⑧也:看也不看。
⑨才:他看了书才明白。
⑩再:你等一会再出去。
⒒都:做什么事都得卖力气。
⒓还:能去还是去吧!


二、话题—说明转换

原文:超大规模集成电路现在已研制出来了。→现在已研制出了超大规模集成电路。
译文:The Super Large Scale Integrated Circuit has been now developed.
原句的话题与说明与转换句的话题说明颠倒一下,两句所表示的话题不一样。英语造句不是话题说明,而是主动宾,ths Super Large Scale Integrated Circuit总是受动者,此处用被动语态造句。

原文:器件损坏现象发生了。→发生了器件损坏的现象。
译文:The damage to parts of apparatus have occurred.
There have occurred the damage to parts of apparatus.
原文:核力才显示出来。→才显示出核力来。
译文:Nuclear power has just displayed itself.

三、连续说明转换
1)α射线在组织中通过较慢,穿透距离甚短,至多只有几百微米。
    话题                 说明1              说明2                     说明3
2)在组织中通过较慢的α射线,穿透距离甚短,至多只有几百微米。
     定语1                           话题            说明2               说明3
3)在组织中通过较慢、穿透距离甚短的α射线,至多只能穿透几百微米。
     定语1                            定语2                  话题        说明3
1)式为地道的汉语,首先提出话题,后边接着三个说明。3)式受外语影响最大。汉译英时要能把1)变为3),然后译出的英语就地道多了。
The α ray goes slowly in the tissue and penetrate very little, at most hundreds of microns.

四、大小主语转换
原文:该夹持器结构合理。→该夹持器的结构合理。
译文:The structure of the holder is reasonable.
说明:“该夹持器”是话题,“结构合理”是说明,这个说明又是个话题—说明结构,有人称这种句子为大小主语句。

五、状语/补语转换
原文:类似的现象可能在盐湖中发生。→类似的现象可能发生在盐湖中。
译文:The similar phenomena may occur in the salt lake.

六、定名/动宾的转换

原文:距离的测定→测定距离
译文:the measurement of distance
说明:现在定名式用得越来越多,这是受了外语的影响,英译汉时要尽量避免,汉译英时要知道当用的形式。

七、状语/宾语转换
原文:古希腊人对人的性格进行了研究。→古希腊人研究了人的性格。
译文:The ancient Greeks studied the human temperament.

原文:脉冲激光系统已在人造卫星上进行了试验。
译文:A pulsed laser system has been tested on a satellite.



Monday May 14, 2007

英语缩短句子的方法

 有一位著名的心理学家叫George Miller,他研究人的记忆能力的时候曾证明,一个人通常只能记住5-7个独立的信息项。信息项长了,记忆就费劲了。
George Miller的理论使我们想到了汉语造句的科学性。汉语造句通常比较短,诗词最长不超过9个字,一般是5个字或7个字,所以背起来比较容易,现代汉语句子长了,主要是受翻译文章的影响。句子长了也有好处,即容纳的信息量增加了。各信息之间的逻辑关系也比较明确了。但这只限于书面文章,是供阅读的不易背诵。
英语的句子有多长?上海交通大学黄人杰等1984年有计算机统计科技英语,平均句长为21.453词/句。1993年又统计一次,约22.73词/句。这样看来,英语句子的长度远远走出了普通人所能记住的信息项。这对阅读和理解是个很大的困难,更不用说记忆了。但是,实际情况并非如此。英语在它的发展过程中,也创造出了自身的规律来适应人的记忆特点,这就是虽然句子很长,但句子的基本结构很短,大概也总在5-9个信息项左右,人们读完了句子的基本结构,句子的意思也基本清楚了,记忆也不大费劲了。
英语句子很长,但基本结构很短,英语缩短或控制基本结构短的方法很多。

一、使用it作形式主语
It 虽也用作人称代词,但主要是用作先行词,作形式主语。当主语较长时,就用it作形式主语,以便交待清楚句子结构,给人一个整体概念。长主语有不定式短语、动名词短语、从句等。常见句型是:

It is natural that...
It is not difficult to learn a foreign language if you spend time and effort on it.
It is so use crying over spilt milk.
It is a pity that you didn't go to see the film.
It is seldom the case that...
It makes all the fifference that...
It follows that...
It +V-ed that...

二、使用it 做形式宾语
She found it difficult to answer the question.
I think it no use telling them.

由that引导的宾语从句,如后边还有补语,则在that 位置上用it作其形式宾语。如:
We have made it clear that agriculture is the foundation of the national economy.
The experiment makes it evident that air has pressure.
Do you think it possible that the work will be finished by the end of this month?

三、倒装
Among them was a soldier who was wounded in the stomach.
Gone are the days when the Chinese people had to use foreign oil.

这种句子中国人不会用。

We have sent the research, development, and testing office in Chicago a gas analyzer.→
We have sent a gas analyzer to the research, development, and testing office in Chicago.
原句较长,基本结构也长,改变了句子的成分以后,基本结构显得短了,到to就可意识到了全句的结构了,因而也就容易了。

四、同位语从句
This results from the fact that many letters must be dictated, or written rapidly and mailed with little if any revision.(MTW p.336)
摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义


Friday May 11, 2007

科技英语文体

一、名词前置句
英语句子一般是语语短谓语长,但科技英语相反。如:
1.Car D is the most expensive.
2.The most expensive car is D.
3.The car with highest price is D.
句1为口语,句2为前置句,句3句词在最前边,称为名词前置句。这种句子与科技英语爱用被动语态、虚拟词是同一个道理,即都是弱化动词,强化名词。再如:
原文:讨论了发展中国家不断增长的人口对食物和纤维制品的需求。
译文:The demands for food and fiber for ever increasing population in developing countries are discussed.
原文:证明了用洗涤法从工厂烟道中除去氧化硫是可行的。
译文:The feasibility of a scrubbing process for the removal of sulfur oxides from factory flue gases is shown.

二、一般英语用主动,科技英语用被动
一般英语强调用主动语态,科技英语则强调用被动语态,实际上被动语态约占三分之一。科技英语之所以用被动句是因为:
1)过多的提人无必要,还容易含混不清。
一般英语:You can rectify this fault if you insert a wedge...
科技英语:Rectification of this fault is achieved by insertion of a wedge...
2)主语中可带更多的内容。
一般英语:The contents of the tank are discharged by a pump.
科技英语:Discharge of the contents of the tank is effected/performed/obtained by a pump.
By 引出使动者或方法,with引出工具(通常指可拿在手里的)。
3)被动句更简洁。
原文:The loading of the automatic lathe is carried out obtained.
译文:自动车床是用人工上料的。
原文:In some boilers, temperature of over 1650℃ may be obtained.
译文:有些锅炉的温度可能超过摄氏1650度。

三、动词/动名词与动作名词
动词可以变成动作名词以缩短句子结构。
动词:If we compare Type A with Type B, we will find that the former is more advantageous to our purpose.
动作名词:A comparison of Type A with Type B shows that the former has more advantages for our purpose.
动词:Considerable lateral pressure is exerted by the concrete while it is being compacted.
动作名词:Considerable lateral pressure is exerted by the concrete during compaction.
动名词的动词意义多,所以可以跟宾语。动作名词的名词意义多,所以前边可以有冠词,后边不能跟宾语,要加上of 后再跟宾语。
动名词:Filament is heated by applying a voltage.
动作名词:Filament is heated by the application of a voltage.
动名词:If the machines are tested by this method, there will be some loss of power.
动作名词:The testing of machines by this method entails some loss of power.

摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义




Monday Apr 30, 2007

汉英文体之句子结构

正式英语与非正式英语用的句子结构不同,表现在如下几个方面:口语用小短句、并列句、主从句,书面语用长句、复杂的主从句分词结构,等等。
一、口语并列句,书面语复合句
He didn't tell me, but I knew it,thought.口语,并列句。
Although he did not tell me, I knew where he had been.中性。
He scratched his head and confessed himself puzzled.口语。
Scratching his head, he confessed himself puzzled. 书面,分词结构。
The clerk was upset by the manager, and decided to leave the job.口语。
The clerk, upset by the manager, decided to leave the job.书面,分词结构。

二、口语从句,书面语分词结构
If weather permits, we shall go out for a walk.(infml)
Weather permitting, we shall go out for a walk.(fml分词结构)
Since her husband was away, she had to do the work.(infml)
Her husband being away, she had to do the work.(fml分词结构)
As he had worked among peasants for over ten years, he knew them very well.(infml)
Having worked among peasants for over ten years, he knew them very well.(fml分词结构)
When they returned to their camp, they felt hungry and exhausted.中性。
The mountaineers returned to their camp, hungry and exhausted.书面。
Though he was young, he was not unequal to the task.中性。
Young as he was, he was not unequal to the task.书面,倒装。

三、口语短语,书面语完整句
原文:How to make her happy again?
修改:How could I make her happy again?
说明:How to...带有较重的口语色彩。
原文:2000 is the year of dragon, but what a pity is that the world hasn't given the first lottery ticket of the new century—the world hosting power of the Olympic Games to "the offsprings of the dragon".
修改:The year2000 is the year of dragon, but it is a pity that the world has not given the first lottery ticket of the new century hosting the Olympic Games, to "the offspring of the dragon".
说明:此句有六点修改:(1)句子不以阿拉伯数字开头;(2)“What a pity”用于口语,“...it is a pity that ”用于书面;(3)正式文体不用缩写词;(4)用逗号点开:“...century, hosting the Olympic Games, to...”;(5)"offspring"为不可数名词。
原文:But I'd like to be a teacher anyway.Why?
修改:But I'd like to be a teacher anyway, for several reasons.
说明:(1)“Why”是口语,只用于非正式语体;(2)这里最好改用“for several reasons”,这是“承上启下”之“韧带”,实不可少。
原文:Please believe us, during the course of making wonders in China...
修改:It must be made clear that during the course of making wonders in China...
说明:有人称句子为口语,it句型为书面语。

四、不用介词结尾
原文:...he had been long seeking a justifiable reason to date her, whom he was deep in love with.
修改:...he had been long seeking a justifiable reason to date her, with whom he was deep in love.
说明:最好不用介词结束句子。

五、强调句型
误:...but she did teach all the people around her a very good lesson.
正:...but, at that time, she nonetheless taught all the people around her a very good lesson.
说明:did teach 这种加强语气的手段一般用于口语,不用于书面语。

(摘自《汉译英基础教程》马秉义)

Friday Apr 27, 2007

英汉辞格比较

 一、英汉相似的辞格
1.拟人法
英汉语虽然都有拟人化personification,但是习惯不一样,各自拟人的东西不一样。所以,英译汉时需要变驼,否则不通顺。汉译英时也得变通,否则也令人费解。例如帝国主义、社会帝国主义,中文里可以说帝国主义干这样的坏事,但是在英文里用帝国主义作主语就比较勉强,要用帝国主义者才符合习惯用法。换句话说,中文里的抽象名词可以当作人那样,做这做那,英文就比较困难。
原文:宗教不得干预政治。
误:Religion must not interferewith politics.
正:It is impermissible to interfere with politics in the name of religion.

原文:不要上帝国主义的当(《毛泽东选集》 第5卷第68页)
译文:...so that we will not be taken in by the imperialists...

原文:他们思想解放,天不怕地不怕,没有什么脚镣手铐的束缚,规划搞得很生动。(《毛泽东选集》第5卷第203页)
译文:The minds of the comrades there are emancipated, they defy heaven and earth and are not fettered by shackles and manacles, and their plans are dynamic.

说明:这里英文中加they,作为“天不怕地不怕”的主语,完全合乎中文意思。但是如果不加they,或者把defy改成defying,或者译成fearing neither heaven nor earth,那么主语就变成minds,英文就通不过了。

2.夸张
修辞手段同词汇与句子结构不能截然分开。成语和形象比喻都是修辞手段。夸张(the exaggeration or hyperbole)也是通过词汇和句子结构来表现的。例如:
原文:The woman shed a flood of tears.
译文:那女人泪流满面。
原文:I will follow you to the end of the world.
译文:你走到哪儿,我跟到哪儿。

3.明喻
明喻又叫直喻(the simile),汉语有“像,如”等,英语都有as,like等标志词,在汉英互译中有的可以直译,有的需要根据上下文加以变通。
英语:as brave as a lion
汉语:像狮子一样勇猛
英语:as timid as a rabbit
汉语:胆小如鼠
英语:Childhood is like a swiftly passing dream.
汉语:童年就像梦一样一闪而过。

4.隐喻
陷喻又叫暗喻(the metahor),其汉英互译法与明喻一样。
原文:He has a heart of stone.
译文:他的心像石头一样硬。
原文:My brother studies hard.He is the head of his class.
译文:我弟弟学习很用功,他在班上是头一号。
原文:the fruit of his efforts
译文:他辛勤劳动的成果
原文:He lives in that match-box of a house.
译文:他住的房子火柴盒那么点大。

5.借喻
英语的the metonymy and the synecdoche都相当于汉语里的借喻。
原文:The pen is mightier than the sword.
译文:笔杆子比刀枪厉害。
原文:Idon't ride a wheel, but i am a good oar.
译文:我不会开车,我会开船。
原文:The world watches, the world listens.
译文:全世界(的人)都看着,全世界(的人)都听着。

6.反语(the irony)
原文:Everybody says it, and what everybody says.must be true.
译文:大家都这样说,大家都说的肯定是真的。(实际上不是真的。)
原文:I fear I wrong the honourable man whose daggers have stabbed Caesar.
译文:我担心我冤枉了好人,说他们刺杀了凯撒。(实际不冤枉,那些人也不是君子。)

另外还有:antonomisia借代,paronomasia双关,euphemism委婉,contrast对照,catchword repetition联珠,rhetoric question设问,paradox反论。

二、英语常用汉语罕用的辞格
如:oxymoron矛盾修饰,zeugma轭式搭配,alliteration头韵法。

1.She opened the door and her heart to the homeless boy.门和心在汉语各不相关,但在英语却可串在一起。全句的意思是她为这个无家可归的孩子引为知已,热情接待,无话不谈。如直译“她为这个无家可归的孩子可开了门和心”就连原文的意思也表达不出来,更谈不到修辞效果了。借助排比法:“她为这个无家可归的孩子打开了自己的大门,也打开了自己的心扉。”
He caught a cold and a bus.直译是“他得了感冒并赶上了汽车。”感冒和汽车互不相涉,但在英语却可以串起来,是幽默地描写他弱不禁风,费劲赶上了公共汽车,结果得了一场病。似可用拈连法译为“他赶上了公共汽车,也赶上了一声感冒。”感冒本来不是“赶上”,但由于有了上文“赶上公共汽车”,所以也就可以拈过来,体现出原文的诙谐笔调。
Weeping eyes and hearts直译“流泪的眼和心”就索然寡味,似可译为“一双又流泪的眼一颗颗哭泣的心”。
狄更斯在A Tale of Two Cities中写道:“...When I and my sorrows are dust”,这句话曾有人译为“当我和我的忧愁都化为烟尘的时候”,意思差不多,却缺乏原文的修辞色彩,忧愁化为烟尘也显得十分牵强。这里试用排比译为:“等到我的尸骨公为灰烬,我的悲哀也随风散去时,……”
这种格式在汉语也有。如“人究志不穷”“身残志不残”。志本来不会穷,也不能残,用在这里,紧接上文,就显得十分自然,意味深长。

2.矛盾修辞法
cruel kindness不宜译为“残忍的仁慈”可译为害人不浅的仁慈。
painful pleasure不宜译为“痛苦的喜悦”,可译为“悲喜交集”。
laborious idleness不能译为“辛苦的闲散”,可译为“令人腻烦的闲散”。

3.头韵法
He described the claim in alliterative fashion as a composite of fantasy, fallacy and fiction.曾有人译为“他用押头韵的方式把这种要求描绘成虚幻、虚妄、虚构的混合物。”译得很好,可惜不能作为普遍仿效的例子。因为英语头韵千变万化,很难碰到这样的汉语搭配。
He is all fire and fight.可用对偶手法译为“他怒气冲冲,来势汹汹”。

摘自《汉译英基础教程》 马秉义