（九）运用一般过去时或过去进行时

以一般过去时表示现在时比使用一般现在时更为委婉礼貌。一般过去时即意味说话人原先持有这种想法或观点，现在（即“说”或“写”这句话时）未必坚持，故若对方否定或反对，他并不介意，完全可以接受。

1.我想请你帮我翻译这一封信。

I hoped you would give me a hand with the translation of the letter.

2.你能否将自行车借我一用。

I wondered if I could use your bike for a while.

使用过去进行时比一般过去时具有更多一点的委婉的口吻，因为此时态不仅表明说话人原先的想法，而且进而暗示：这种原先的想法也尚在考虑，未必成熟或妥当。这就告诉对方，尽可直言不讳，无需任何拘束。如：

1.我很想你告诉我你父母对此事所持的意见。

I was wondering if you could inform me of your parents'opinion on this matter.

2.我们想请你为我们照料一下孩子。

We were hoping you would look after the children for us.

（十）虚拟语气

无论是陈述观点还是提出建议，运用虚拟语气比陈述语气显得更加彬彬有礼，委婉谦逊。以英语为母语的人对此语感敏锐，在汉语中无此委婉的表现形式，译者难以自学掌握。试比较：

1.我的意见是你不要去。

a. My opinion is you should not go there.

b. I should advise you not to go.

2.半途而废就太遗憾了。

a. It is a shame to stop the work halfway.

b. It would be a shame to stop the work halfway.

3.天气晴了，我们步行去吧。

a. Since it's fine now, we may walk.

b. Since it's fine now, we might as well walk.

译句a、b相比，显然b句更为可取。

（十一）运用成语典故

1.他的那份傲气真是不得了。

His arrogance takes the cake.

2.她昨天不辞而别。

She took French leave yesterday.

3.这个球队连胜七场，却于关键一场败北。

After seven straight victories the team met its waterloo.

（十二）运用插人成分或附加语句

英语中存在大量的插入成分和附加语句，其中相当一部分可以使语气趋于舒缓。英译时往往需要译者“增补”这类成分，在汉语句中绝少有相对应的表达。

1.先生，您能告诉我去动物园的路吗？

If you like,sir,could you direct me to the zoo?

2.我跳舞跳不好。

I'm not much of a dancer, I'm afraid.

3.您怎么会不爱吃糖果的?

How is it you don't like candy, if I may ask?

（十三）运用比较级

译句b运用了比较级，显然比句a委婉。试比较；

1.我不能作出这样的许诺。

a. I can't make such a promise.

b. This is more than I can promise.

2.你不该干这样的事。

a. You should not do such things.

b. You ought to know better than to do such things.

3.这话毫不客气。

a. The remark wasn't polite at all.

b. The remark was something less than polite.

与谋求英语的形象表达一样，讲究表达之委婉也必须顾及语境及语体，否则会让人产生一种矫揉做作、故作姿态的印象。

责任编辑：admin