一段文字或一句话中几个字形不同、含义也不同、但说明同一概念的词,要选择统一的词义。这种情况较之近义词的统一选义要复杂些,译者应认真分析,请看以下各例。
1. Artificial skin is soft,pliable and handles very much like the real thing, though it is not quite sturdy.
人造皮革虽然不太结实,却很柔软,又富有韧性,手感与真皮相差无几。(thing指代上文skin)
2. The new all solid-state Model 600B electrometer replaces the Model 600A electrometer. It retains all the reliability and features of the older instrument and embodies many improvements.
新型全固态600B型静电计取代了600A型静电计,它完全保留了 600A型静电计的可靠性和其它优点,且在许多方面有所改进。 (older instrument指代上文的Model 600A electrometer)
3. The ozone layer which surrounds the earth performs an important function:it shields the planet from strong ultraviolet radiation.
环绕地球的臭氧层起着重要的作用,它能保护地球免受紫外线的强烈辐射。(planet指代上文earth)
4. Li Shi-zhen had cleared up those confusions which arose from different medicines that had the same name and from various names that had been given to the same substance.
李时珍澄清了那些因异药同名和同葯异名而引起的混乱现象。(substance 指代上文的medicine)
5. Earthquakes take place far underground and science has not yet make enough progress in forecasting when and where the next earth quake will come.
地震发生在地球深处,科学还没有发展到足以预报出下一次地震将在何时何地发生的地步。(come指代上文的take place)