英译中 汗译英要诀( 二 )


4.汉语的无主句习惯用法表示存在的意义时,可译成there be 句型. 。如:
①剩下的时间不多了 。
There is very little time left.
②无水则无鱼 。
Without water there would be no fish.
③从理论上讲,供应这么多的水似乎不成问题 。
In theory, there seems to be no problem in supplying this amount of water.
④古今中外,这种情况概莫能外 。
There is no exception to this in modern or ancient, in China or elsewhere.
⑤目前,对各种消费品的需求量已大大增加 。
There is a big increase in demand for all kinds of consumer goods.
以上5例汉语都表现出存在的意义,只不过有的明显,如例①和②,有的隐含在句意中如例③,④和⑤,翻译时都应译成there be 句型,显得贴切、自然、地道 。
5.对于主语比较隐蔽的意合句,要善于确立主语 。如:
①在历史上,由于长江不断改道,在武汉地区形成众多湖泊 。
The constant change of the course of the Yangtze River in history helped form a great many lakes in the areas around Wuhan.
经过分析,本句的主语应该是“长江的不断改道”这个原因,才导致后面的结果“众多湖泊形成”,主语确定了,整个句子结构一目了然 。
②你们公司几点上下班?
What is the clock-in time and clock-off time at your company?
这里用“what”作主语,不用“你们公司”作主语,抓住了重心,符合英语句子习惯 。
③经检查,产品质量合格 。
Examination confirmed that the quality of the products was up to specification.
本句用检查“examination”作主语,显示出了重心,很地道,如果比较“After being examined, the quality of the products was up to specification”,虽然无语法错误,但句子重心不突出,不够简洁,很牵强 。
6.使用“it”形式主语 。如:
①修补屋顶花了八百美元 。
It cost $800 to mend the roof.
②你批评很容易,可是你能做得更好吗?
It’s easy for you to criticize, but could you do any better?
③继续进行实验是很重要的 。
It is important to continue with the experiment.
④年轻人关注成功人士与他们的成功秘诀,这一点完全在我的意料之中.
It was expected that the youngsters showed a lot of interest in those successful people and the secrets of their success.
⑤熬夜没有好处 。
It’s no good sitting up too late.
⑥看见有人随地吐痰让她很生气 。
It annoyed her to see someone spit on the ground.
汉语表达中,一般是叙事在前,结论或观点在后,而英语句子正好相反 。以上6例中的英译都是结论或观点在前,叙事在后,这样避免了头重脚轻,保持了英语句子句尾的重量 。可见,用“it”形式主语完全可以达到英语句子的这一特点 。



英译中 汗译英要诀

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(二)汉语被动式用得少,有时不用被动也可表示被动的意义,而英语句子被动用的较多,特别在科普,法律文本中 。比如在下面的例子中:
①有时候由于文化背景和风俗习惯的不同,也容易引起误解 。
Sometimes, misunderstandings can be caused by differences in cultural backgrounds and customs.
②全市都在兴建新的住宅 。
New houses are being built all over the city.
③本剧场内禁止吸烟 。
Smoking is not allowed in this theatre.
④今晚有人在此讲了一些不该讲的话 。
Some things have been said here tonight that ought not to have been spoken.
⑤仔细看信的地址是否写对了 。
Care should be taken to see that the letter is properly addressed.


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