资源描述
Unit 11
Adverbial Clauses
Highlights of the Unit 单元要点概述
Practical Translation Training 实用翻译训练
I. Adverbial Clauses in English-Chinese Translation 英语状语从句的翻译
II. Translation of Adverbial Clauses in Chinese 汉语状语从句的翻译
Reflections and Practice 思考与练习
BACK
单元要点概述
实用翻译训练英译汉：Why Measure Life in Heartbeats
实用翻译训练汉译英：艾滋病
I. 英语状语从句的翻译
1. 时间状语从句 2. 地点状语从句
3. 原因状语从句 4. 条件状语从句
5. 让步状语从句 6. 目的状语从句
II. 汉语状语从句的翻译
1. 分清主次关系 2. 使用无灵主语
本单元就英语状语从句的翻译问题做了归纳，并对汉语状语的翻译做了简介。
英语状语从句根据功能的不同可分为时间、地点、原因、条件、让步、目的等状语从句，在英汉翻译时一般比较容易处理，不会构成翻译的主要障碍，关键在于怎样将其放入恰当的位置，怎样处理好句与句之间的连接关系。本单元举例说明了各种英语状语从句的翻译方法：1. 时间状语从句，除了按常规的主从关系翻译之外，亦可译作汉语的并列结构或条件句；2. 地点状语从句有时可译作汉语的条件句；3. 原因状语从句可视情况译作汉语主句；4. 条件状语从句可译作汉语的假设句或补语从句；5. 让步状语从句可译作汉语的“不管”、“无论”之类的无条件句；6. 目的状语从句可根据不同的语气或放在句首，或放在句末。
汉语状语的翻译的关键在于两点：一是分清主次关系；二是学会使用无灵主语。因为汉语句与句之间往往没有明显的连接词语，句式衔接通过“意合”的机制来实现，讲究“不言而喻”，需要我们潜心把握。汉语不像英语那样大量地使用无灵名词充当役使主语。汉译英学会使用英语的这种造句法有助于简化译文的结构，将汉语的某些复合结构翻译成英语简单句。
Practical Translation Training
1. English-Chinese Translation
Why Measure Life in Heartbeats
When I became aware of my imminent mortality, my attitudes changed. There was real meaning to the words, "This is the first day of the rest of your life. " There was a heightened awareness of each sunny day, the beauty of flowers, and the song of a bird. How often do we reflect on the joy of breathing easily, of swallowing without effort and discomfort, of walking without pain, of a complete and peaceful night's sleep?
After I became ill, I embarked upon many things I had been putting off before. I read the books I had set aside for retirement and wrote one myself, entitled The Art of Surgery. My wife Madeleine and I took more, holidays. We played tennis regularly and curled avidly; we took the boys fishing. When I review these past few years, it seems in many ways that I have lived a lifetime since I acquired cancer. On my last holiday in the Bahamas, as I walked along the beach feeling the gentle waves wash over my feet, I felt part of universe, even if only a minuscule one, like a grain of sand on the beach.
Although I had to restrict the size of my practice, I felt a closer empathy with my patients. When I walked into the Intensive Care Unit there was an awesome feeling knowing I, too, had been a patient there. It was a special satisfaction to comfort my patients with cancer, knowing that it is possible to enjoy life after the anguish of that diagnosis. It gave me a feeling to see the sparkle in one patient's eyes-a man with a total laryngectomy-when I asked if he would enjoy a cold beer and went to get him one.
If one realizes that our time on this earth is but a tiny fraction of that within the cosmos, then life calculated in years may not be as important as we think. Why measure life in heartbeats? When life is dependent on such unreliable function as the beating of the heart，then it is fragile indeed. The only thin one can depend upon with absolute certainty is death.
Notes and Explanations
1. imminent mortality 即将来临的死亡，大限
2. a heightened awareness 提高（加强）了的意识
3. reflect on v.仔细考虑；注意此句中 the joy 后面的四个 of之间的并列关系的译法
4. embark on（upon） 着手，从事
5. curl v.（苏格兰的）玩冰上溜石游戏 （在冰上滑送圆形石板curling stone的游戏）
6. Bahamas n. 巴哈马群岛〔拉丁美洲〕
7. minuscule a. 小写的，微小的，微不足道的
8. empathy n. 同情，同感
9. the Intensive Care Unit 特别护理室
10. that diagnosis 此处指“确诊为癌症”；注意此句it作形式主语的逆序翻译法
11. laryngectomy n.〔医〕喉头切除术；注意此句语序，状语的位置，形式主语It作翻译法
2. Chinese-English Translation
艾滋病
世界各地有3600万人感染上了艾滋病—比整个澳大利亚的人口还多。目前，艾滋病是全球第四大死因，而在非洲则是头号罪魁。在非洲，艾滋病使工人丧失工作，使家庭丧失经济来源，使父母丧失孩子。有7个非洲国家15至49岁的人口中感染上艾滋病病毒的占20%以上：南非为20%，博茨瓦纳为36%。赞比亚培训教师的速度，赶不上教师患艾滋病而死亡的速度。据估计，非洲在10年之内将有4000万艾滋病孤儿。
亚洲受艾滋病的影响相对较小。只有柬埔寨·泰国和缅甸的艾滋病病毒感染率超过1%。但这种流行病就像台风一样，总是在人们想不到的海岸积聚力量。印度的艾滋病病毒感染率虽然“仅有”0.70%，但按这个比例也有370万人。到2005年，估计中国携带艾滋病病毒的人将达到500万一600万。
Notes and Explanations
1. 感染上艾滋病 suffering from/be infected with/come down with AIDS
2. 头号罪魁 the chief culprit
3. 艾滋病病毒HIV（human immunodeficiency virus 即人体免疫缺损病毒）
4. 博茨瓦纳、赞比亚Botswana，Zambia
5. 赶不上 not fast enough to replace
6. 影响相对较小 comparatively untouched/less affected
7. 柬埔寨、泰国和缅甸 Cambodia，Thailand and Burma
8. 感染率 infection rate
9. 流行病 pandemic/epidemic disease
10. 在人们想不到的海岸积聚力量 gather strength off an unsuspected coast
11. 携带艾滋病病毒的人 HIV-positives（注意英语的简略表达法）
I. Adverbial Clauses in English-Chinese Translation
English adverbial clauses include adverbials of time, place, cause, condition, concession, purpose, result, and so on. Generally speaking, these adverbial clauses do not pose any obstacles to either comprehending or translating, and the crux is how to make the translation conform to Chinese usage, namely, how to arrange them properly. Another point for attention is how to deal with the redundant conjunctivas when English adverbial clauses are translated into Chinese. And here are some instances from the above Practical Translation Training:
● When I review these past few years, it seems in many ways that I that I have lived a lifetime since I acquired cancer. ( adverbial clause of time) 回顾我得癌症后这几年，从许多方面来看，我似乎已经活了一辈子。
● Although I had to restrict the size of my practice, I felt a closer empathy with my patients. (adverbial clause of concession) 虽然我不得不限制目己的医务工作量，但我感到与病人更加心灵相通。
● If one realizes that our time on this earth is but a tiny fraction of that within the cosmos，then life calculated in years may not be as important as we think.（adverbial clause of condition） 倘若人们意识到人的一生只不过是宇宙的时间长河中转瞬即逝的一刹那，那么以岁月计算的生命就不会像我们所想像的那样重要了。
● When life is dependent on such an unreliable function as the beating of the heart, then it is fragile indeed.（adverbial clause of condition） 要是生命依赖于心跳这样一种不可靠的功能，它的确脆弱不堪。
1. Adverbial Clauses of rune
1) Translating into Corresponding Chinese Adverbial Clauses
When translated into Chinese，English adverbial clauses of tune usually stand at the beginning of a sentence. Sometimes，trey may also be translated by using such a Chinese pattern as“一……就”.
● While she spoke，the tears were running down. 她说话时，泪水直流。
● Please turn off the light when you leave the room. 离屋时请关电灯。
● He had scarcely handed me the letter when he asked me to read it. 他把信一交给我，就叫我念给他听。
2）Translating into Chinese Compound Sentences of Parallel Structure
● She sang as she prepared the experiment. 她一边唱着歌，一边准备实验。
● They set him free when his ransom had not yet been paid. 他还没有交赎金，他们就把他释放了。
● I was about to speak，when Mr. Smith cut in. 我正想讲，史密斯先生就插嘴了。
3) Translating into Chinese Adverbial Clauses of Condition
● Turn off the switch when anything goes wrong with the machine. 如果机器发生故障，就把电门关上。
● A body at rest will not move till a force is exerted on it. 若无外力的作用，静止的物体则不会移动。
2. Adverbial Clauses of Place
English adverbial clauses of place are often translated into Chinese adverbial clauses of condition.
● Make a mark where you have any doubts or questions. 在有疑问的地方做个记号。
● The materials are excellent for use where the value of the workpieces is not high. 如果零件价位不高，使用这些材料是最好不过的了。
● Where water resources are plentiful, hydroelectric power stations are being built in large numbers. 只要哪里水源充足，就在哪里修建大批的水电站。
3. Adverbial Clauses of Cause
1）Translating into Corresponding Chinese Clauses of Cause
Chinese adverbial clauses of cause usually begin with“因”，“由于”，and so on.
● The crops failed because the season was dry. 因为气候干燥，作物歉收。
● As the moon's gravity is only about 1/6 of the gravity of the earth，a 200 pounds man weighs only 33 pounds on the moon. 由于月球的引力只有地球引力的六分之一，所以一个体重200磅的人在月球上仅重33磅。
2）Translating into Chinese Principal Clauses
In this case，the original principal clause is changed into a subordinate clause. This is actually the omission of the conjunctive.
● Because he was convinced of the accuracy of this fact，he stuck to his opinion. 他深信这件事正确可靠，因此坚持己见。
● Pure iron is not used in industry because it is too soft. 纯铁太软，所以不用在工业上。
● Since information is continuously sent into the system as it becomes available, Teletext is always kept up-to-date. 新获得的资料不断地输入，所以电传文本总能保持最新信息。
4. Adverbial Clauses of Condition
1）Translating into Chinese Adverbial Clauses of Condition，or Clauses of Supposition
● If something has the ability to adjust itself to the environment，we say it has intelligence. 如果某物具有适应环境的能力，我们就说它具有智力。
● Granted that this is true，what conclusion can you draw? 假设这是实际情况，你又能得出什么结论呢？
● Should there be urgent situation，press the red button to switch off the electricity. 万一有紧急情况，请按红色按钮以切断电源。
2) Translating into Chinese Supplementary Clauses
● You can drive tonight if you are ready. 你今晚就可以出车，如果你愿意的话。
● Any body above the earth will fall unless it is supported by an upward force equal to its weight. 地球上的任何物体都会落下来，除非它受到一个大小与其重量相等的力的支持。
5. Adverbial Clauses of Concession
There are two basic ways of translating English adverbial clauses of concession.
1) Translating into Corresponding Chinese Adverbial Clauses of Concession
● While this is true of some, it is not true of all. 虽然有一部分是真的，但不见得全部都如此。
● I still think that you made a mistake while I admit what you say. 就算我承认你所说的那番话，但我还是认为你犯了个错误。
2）Translating into Chinese "Unconditional" Clauses Such as "不管"、 "不论", etc.
● He got the same result whichever way he did the experiment. 不论用什么方法做实验，他所得到的结果都相同。
● All living things，whether they are animals or plants，are made up of cells. 一切生物，不管是动物还是植物，都是由细胞组成的。
● They were determined to carry out their plan no matter what obstacles they would have to face. 他们决心坚决执行计划，不论他们将面临什么样的障碍。
6. Adverbial Clauses of Purpose
Adverbial clauses of purpose，when translated into Chinese，may either be placed before or after the principal clause of the sentence.
● We should start early so that we might get there before noon. 为了正午以前赶到那里，我们应当早点动身。（我们应当早点动身，以便能在正午之前赶到那里。）
● Steel parts are usually covered with grease for fear that they should rust. 钢制零件通常涂上润滑脂，以防生锈。（为了防锈，钢制零件通常需涂上润滑脂。）
● A rocket must attain a speed of about five miles per second so that it may put a satellite in orbit. 火箭必须获得每秒大约5英里的速度，以便把卫星送入轨道。（为了能把卫星送入轨道，火箭必须获得每秒大约5英里的速度。）
II. Translation of Adverbial Clauses in Chinese
There is generally no apparent difficulty in tackling adverbial clauses in Chinese-English translation. However, as some linguists suggest, English is a hypotactic (形合)language，while Chinese is a paratactic（意合）one，and this disparity of their structures now and then may cause trouble in our translation.
1. Analysis of Subordination
As we can see from various reading materials，English syntax puts more stress on the grammar rules and the formal structure，whereas Chinese syntax seems simple ands compact，free of functional words in many cases. Therefore in the practice of Chinese-English translation，it is up to the translator to detect the implied Chinese meaning and bring it out explicitly in the English version. Distinguishing between main clauses and subordinate ones is one of the most important tasks for a translator.
● 她不老实，我不能信任她。 Since she is not honest，I cannot trust her.
● 人不犯我，我不犯人。 We won't attack others unless we are attacked.
● 打肿脸充胖子，吃亏是自己。 If you get beyond your depth, you'll suffer.
● 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。 As you sow, so will you reap.
● 有饭大家吃。 Let everybody share the food if there is any.
● 不到黄河心不死。 Until all is over, ambition never dies.
2. Using Inanimate Subjects
Another point for attention in Chinese-English translation of adverbial clauses is that in English syntax inanimate nouns may serve as agents of a sentence，whereas Chinese can not. A translator should learn to make use of this syntax appropriately.
● 一看到那棵大树，我就会想起童年的情景。 The sight of the big tree always reminds me of my childhood.
● 恕我孤陋寡闻，对此关系一无所知。 My total ignorance of the connection must plead my apology.
● 凭良心讲，你待我礼貌有加，我却受之有愧。 My conscience told me that I deserved no extraordinary politeness.
● 小梅心地善良，性情温和，对她朋友这种没有心肝的行为实在看不顺眼。 Xiaomei's kindly and gentle nature could not but revolt at her friend's callous behavior.
Reflections and Practice
I Discuss the following questions.
1. How many adverbial clauses are there in English? And what are they?
2. Is it all right for a translator to render English adverbial clauses exactly into corresponding Chinese adverbials? Why or why not?
3. What are the points for attention in the translation of Chinese adverbial clauses?
4. Compare English adverbial clauses with Chinese ones and try to find the similarity and disparity between their structures.
II Put the following sentences into Chinese, paying attention to the adverbial clauses.
1. When Zhou Enlai's door opened they saw a slender man of more than average height with gleaming eyes and a face so striking that it bordered on the beautiful.
2. Inexpressible was the astonishment of the little party when they returned to find that Mr. Pickwick had disappeared.
3. When I try to understand what it is that prevents so many Americans from being as happy as one might expect, it seems to me that there are two causes, of which one goes much deeper than the other.
4. It had been a fine, golden autumn, a lovely farewell to those who would lose their youth, and some of them their lives, before the leaves turned again in a peacetime fall.
5. The assertion that it was difficult, if not impossible, for a people to enjoy its basic rights unless it was able to determine freely its political status and to ensure freely its economic, social and cultural development was now scarcely contested.
6. Aluminum remained unknown until the 19th century, because nowhere in nature is it found free, owing to its always being combined with elements, most commonly with oxygen, for which it has a strong affinity.
7. Marjorie has been raised by a scheming aunt who has been planning to find a
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