考题实例:Odd though it sounds, cosmic inflation is a scientifically plausible consequence of some respected ideas in elementary-particle physics and many astrophysicists have been convinced for the bet
考题实例:Odd though it sounds, cosmic inflation is a scientifically plausible consequence of some respected ideas in elementary-particle physics and many astrophysicists have been convinced for the better part of a decade that it is true. (1998)
宇宙彭涨说虽然听似奇特,但它是基本粒子物理学中一些公认的理论在科学上看来可信的推理。众多天体物理学家七、八年来一直确信这一学说是正确的。
(词类转换 被动and)
考题实例:Astrophysicists working with ground-based detectors at the South Pole and balloon-borne instruments are closing in on such structures, and may report their findings soon.(1998)
天体物理学家使用南极陆基探测器及球载仪器,正越来越近地观测这些云系,也许不久会报告他们的观测结果。
( 结构转换,and, 短语)
在翻译过程中,由于两种语言在语法和表达习惯上的差异,我们有时必须改变原文某些词语的词类或句子成分才能有效地传达出原文的准确意思。譬如这样一例:
This watch never varies more than a second in a month.这块表一个月的误差从不超过一秒。
英语中的vary(改变,不同)为动词,汉语没有这样的表达习惯,所以只能将其转换为名词“误差”。
英译汉试题中有这样一道题:
My point is that the frequent complaint of one generation about the one immediately following it is inevitable.
此题的结构并不复杂,表语从句的主谓结构为:the complaint is inevitable. 不过,由于complaint的修饰成分过长,我们不宜将the frequent complaint of one generation about the one immediately following it译作“一代人对紧接它下来的下一代人的经常的抱怨”,而是要对名词complaint,代词the one和进行词类转换,分别译作动词“抱怨”和名词“一代人”,同时省略代词it,增添连接成分“这一点”,进行这样的词类转换、增减和调整之后,译文就出来了。
参考译文:我的看法(观点)是,一代人对下一代人常常抱怨,这一点是在所难免的。
再看下面这道试英译汉试题:
Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties.
参考译文:社会支持就是 以人际关系为基础的 人们之间的资源交换。
You very likely give other passengers a quick glance to size them up and to assure them that you mean no threat.
此句中的give other passengers a quick glance不宜照字面译作“给乘客们迅速的一瞥”;而要译作“很快地瞅别的乘客一眼”,to assure them的宾语从句that you mean no threat,其中的谓语动词mean也需要进行了词类转换。
参考译文: 你很可能很快地瞅别的乘客一眼,打量他们一下,让他们放心你毫无威胁的意思。
翻译中的转换变通技巧主要有词类转换和句子成分转换两种情况。
II.英译汉的词类转换方法技巧
1.各种词类转换成动词
汉语的动词使用频率比英语高, 所以将英语各种词类转换成汉语动词是最常见的词类转换。如:Families upstairs have to carry pails to the hydrant downstairs for water.
住在楼上的人家得提着水桶去楼下的水龙头打水。(英语动词只有一个,汉语有5个。)
以下是常见的英语各种词类转换为汉语的动词的情况。
1) The sight and sound of our jet planes filled me with special longing.
看到我们的喷气式飞机,听见隆隆的机声,我感到心驰神往。(名词转为动词)
2) Rockets have found application for the exploration of the universe.
火箭已经用来探索宇宙。(名词转为动词)
3) Everyone in the room was greatly surprised at what he said.
听他一说,房间里的每个人都大吃一惊。(介词转为动词)
4) A force is needed to move an object against inertia.
为使物体克服惯性而运动,就需要一个力。(介词转为动词)
5) Chemist that he is, Charles is suspicious of all doctors‘ prescription.
查尔斯是位化学家,所以他对任何大夫开的药都怀疑。(形容词转为动词)
6) When the switch is off, the circuit is open and electricity doesn’t go through.
当开关断开时,电路就形成开路,电流不能通过。(副词转为动词)
7) In this case the temperature in the furnace is up.
在这种情况下,炉温就升高。(副词转为动词)
2.各种词类转换为名词
1) Most U S spy satellites are designed to burn up in the earth‘s atmosphere after completing their missions.
根据设计,美国大多数间谍卫星要在完成使命后焚毁于大气层中。(动词转为名词)
2) The design aims at automatic operation, easy regulation, simple maintenance and high productivity.
设计的目的在于自动操作,调节方便,维护简易,生产率高。(动词转为名词)
3) The new contract would be good for ten years.
新的合同有效期为10年。(形容词转为名词)
4) In the fission processes the fission fragments are very radioactive.
在裂变过程中,裂变碎片具有强烈的放射性。(形容词转为名词)
5) He is physically weak but mentally sound.
他身体虽弱,但思想健康。(副词转为名词)
6) Supporters of the “nature” theory insist that we are born with a certain capacity for learning that is biologically determined.
支持“天性”论的人坚持说,我们生来就具有一定的学习才能,这是由生物因素决定的。(副词转为名词)
7) Radio waves are similar to light waves except that their wavelength is much greater.
无线电波与光波相似,但无线电波的波长要长得多。(代词转为名词)
8) The specific resistance of iron is not so small as that of copper.
铁的电阻系数不如铜的电阻系数那样小。(代词转为名词)
3.各种词类转为形容词
1) Given that they’re inexperienced,they‘ve done a good job.
鉴于他们没有经验,干成这样真不错。(名词转为形容词)
2) Independent thinking is an absolute necessity in study.
学习中的独立思考是绝对必须的。(名词转为形容词)
3) Earthquakes are closely related to faulting.
地震与断裂运动有密切的关系。(副词转为形容词)
4) It is demonstrated that gases are perfectly elastic.
已经证实,气体具有理想的弹性。 (副词转为形容词)
5) The pressure inside equals the pressure outside.
内部的压力和外部的压力相等。(副词转为形容词)
4. 各种词类转换成副词
1) Below 4℃, water is in continuous expansion instead of continuous contraction.
水在4度以下就不断地膨胀,而不是不断地收缩。(形容词转为副词)
2) Only when we study their properties can we make better use of the materials.
只有研究这些材料的特性才能更好地利用它们。(形容词转为副词)
3) I have the honor to inform you that your request is granted.
我荣幸地通知您,您的请求已得到批准。(名词转为副词)
4) The new mayor earned some appreciation by the courtesy of coming to visit the city poor.
新市长有礼貌地前来访问城市贫民,获得了他们的一些好感。(名词转为副词)
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