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三三 句子的主要翻译方法句子的主要翻译方法o句子是人们用来交流思想的基本语言单位,它可以表示一个相对完整的意思,具有一定的独立性。因此,在翻译过程中,句子是很重要的翻译单位。如何正确地、地道地翻译好一个句子,是翻译好连贯的篇章的前提和基础。因此,在词的译法基础上,很有必要掌握一些句子的翻译技巧。在本节中,主要联系英汉句式对比,讲述如下几种基本技巧,如拆句分译法、转句译法、合句译法、倒译法、变序译法等。1英汉句式结构比较与常见的句子翻译方法o在翻译过程中,经常会碰到这样的情况:每个单词的意思都理解,但是就是很难把它组织好,译成地道的目的语。这是因为英汉两种语言由于思维方式不一样,在表达上存在着一些差别,具体表现在三个方面:形合与意合;信息的安排方式;修饰语的位置。形合与意合o形合与意合在句子的结构上体现为:英语句子结构紧凑严密,汉语句子简练明快。英语句子中,主干结构突出,大量使用连接手段(如分词、不定式、介词引导的词组或连词引导的从句),结构虽然复杂,但语法逻辑上却非常完整、合理。在表达较复杂的意思时,往往开门见山,然后借助关系代词和连词,把各个句子连接起来,形成一串葡萄似的句子。而汉语在表达复杂思想时,通常借助动词,按照时间顺序或逻辑顺序,一步步地展开,一节连一节,形成竹子似的结构,给人以舒缓明快的感觉。例如:oThe isolation of the rural world because of distance and the lack of transport facilities is compounded by the paucity of the information media.o 鉴于形合与意合的差别,在翻译中非常有必要采取拆句分译法和合句法。拆句分译法就是把原句中的一个单词、一个短语,或是原句拆开,译成句子,使原文的一个句子分译成两个或两个以上的句子。这样的例子还有:oThe Chinese seemed justifiably proud of their economic achievements.oSome men have been virtuous blindly,others have speculated fantastically,and others have been shrewd to bad purposes.oThe region was the most identifiable trouble spot.oNew prices hikes hit Los Angeles supermarketing housewives.oEnergy can neither be created nor destroyed,a universally accepted law.oSpring has so much more than speech in its unfolding flowers and leaves,and the coursing of its streams,and in its sweet restless seeking!(John Galsworthy,The Apple Tree)oThey were at home in the home of the people,moving confidently without fear.oHis failure to observe the safety regulations resulted in an accident to the machinery.oShe had made several attempts to help them find other rental quarters without success.oIt was a white wood-frame house of three creaking stories,with a black wrought-iron fire escape attached to its side like an afterthought.o合句法就是把原文中两个或两个以上的简单句,主从复合句,并列复合句,合译成一个单句。例如:oThe little girl was very miserable.She had no money about her.All her savings had been stolen.oWhen we praise the Chinese leadership and the people,we are not merely being polite.oIn 1844,Engels met Marx,and they became friends.信息的安排方式o不同的语言使用者在组织句子的信息时有不同的安排方式。虽然英语句子和汉语句子的重心相同,都落在结果、结论、假设或事实等上面,但重心的位置不同。在英语中,主要信息通常由主语和谓语或者主句表达出来,并且放在句首,引起读者的注意,松散句(loose sentence)就是很明显的例子。这种句式通常运用于口语和写作中。有时为了悬念,主要信息也会放在句末,这就是掉尾句(periodic sentence)。不过很少用于现代英语写作中,但它是一种有效的表示强调的手段。例如;oLoose:Read the book again if you have time.oPeriodic:If you have time,read the book again.o而在汉语中,主要信息的位置就不像在英语中那样自由。总的来说,汉语中的信息排列更多的是按事物的自然逻辑顺序排列,按照“先发生在前,后发生在后;原因、前提在前,结果、结论在后;铺叙在前,主旨在后;已知、确定、低值信息在前,新知、不确定、高值信息在后”的原则来组织行文,总是把次要部分放在句子开头,然后一步一步地展开,最后才得出结论或说明结果,摆出句子的主要部分,信息的焦点常在句末,其外形看上去就像一节一节的竹竿。例如:生活中既有悲剧,文学作品就可以写悲剧。(原因-结果)o因此,在翻译过程中,译者必须要根据上下文和目的语行文的需要,对原句中的信息进行重新安排,调整句子重心,所以倒译法用得比较多。例如:oGenerally there are two distinct philosophies on how to bring up the child so that in maturity he does not make a nuisance of himself.oMany thanks for the dinner yesterday,which my wife and I enjoyed very much.oShe is very illustrative of what the problem is.o我原本打算在今年一月访问贵国,后来不得不推迟,这使我非常失望。o修饰语的位置o 在汉语中,修饰语不管是词还是词组,一般放在被修饰词的前面,如“红旗”、“美妙的音乐”。有时为了强调,也会放在后面,如“我妹妹,就是那个穿红裙子的”;在英语中,作定语的单词或词组除了可放在被修饰词的前面以外,有些还可放在后面,如“anything useful”;一些短语或从句也可作定语,但一般都放在被修饰词后面。如“products to sell”“The books that you want to borrow are on the shelf.”2一些英语特别句式的处理o尽管句子的翻译一般遵循以上几种方法,但是对于一些特别的句式,还是要进行个别处理的。下面就分别对英语中的定语从句、长句、比较句、否定句、被动句以及汉语中的无主题句、“得”字句、“把”字句、连动句和长句的翻译一一进行介绍。定语从句的译法o定语从句在英语中应用及其广泛,它放在被修饰词的后面,可以向右无限扩展;而汉语里没有类似的结构,定语一般放在它所修饰词的前面,而且不易过长。所以,翻译时,需要结合上下文,根据每句特点灵活处理。对定语从句的翻译应从以下三个方面来考虑。o首先是结构定位法。由于汉语里没有相应的定语结构,所以翻译时必须进行句法结构的转换。这种转换可以分为“扩展式”和“紧缩式”。o扩展式是根据从句对主导词的限制强弱,以主导词为中心向前后扩展,译成汉语的定语结构或独立的句子。o 较短的(限制性和非限制性)或对主导词限制较强的,并且与其关系紧密的定语从句,通常向前扩展,译成“的”词组作定语。如:o1 The people who worked for him lived in mortal fear of him.o2 Mathematicians who have tried to use computers to copy the way the brain works have found that using even the latest electronic equipment they would have to build a computer which weighed over 10 000 kilos.o3 The universities were closed to those who did not conform to the Church of England.o4 Galileo lived at a time when the human spirit was walking after a thousand years of sleep.o5 They saw the first glimmerings of the“new economic order”for which many Third World countries had long been clamoring.较长的或对主导词限制力较弱、且与其关系松弛的定语从句,往往翻译时往后扩展,重复先行词,译成并列句。o1 Some little boys caught sight,yesterday,of a lot of frogs,which were hopping cheerfully around a pond.o2 Ours is a profession which traditionally has been guided by a precept that transcends the virtue of uttering the truth for truths sake,and that is“as far as do no harm.”o3 She had talked to vice-present Nixon,who assured her that everything that could be done would be done.o4 They saw at once his face,which was puffy,solemn,and yellow at the best of times.o5 My grandmother lived in that leisurely age When servants were employed to do housework.o6 She was advised to go back home,where she belonged,not to come there taking honest mens bread of their mouth.o7 It was getting dark,we had to quicken our pace and made our way rapidly towards the river where we hoped the boatman was waiting.o 如果定语从句在意思上是用来进一步补充先行词所牵涉到的具体内容,与主导词关系十分松弛,这时就可省略关联词,按原句序把定语从句译成独立句。如:o1 He had already fought three bloody duels,in which he gave ample proofs of his contempt for death.o2 They worked out a new method by which production has now been rapidly increased.o3 The sun,which had hidden all day,now came over in all its splendor.o4 I had noticed many children who ignored the fences and found holes to allow them through.o5 Last night I saw Modern Times with Charles Chaplin playing the leading role,which I think one of the most amusing films.o紧缩式是指有些定语从句与主导词的表层结构关系不怎么紧密或较松弛,但其深层结构关系却十分紧密,这时可通过紧缩方式揭示这种深层关系,从而转换成汉语的句法结构。定语从句与先行词或主句融为一体。如:o1 We are peoples that have inherited ancient wisdom,that know the worth of biding ones time and recognized opportunity for combat.o2 Mr.Crawley was not a little pleased with the compliment which the governess continually paid him upon his proficiency in French.o3 In this city,we had no place where we might lay our heads.o4 I have never seen the individual who has dared in my house to question my authority.I have nourished a viper in my bosom.o5 This is the way that Americans themselves become familiar with one another.o6 A foreign friend said they were a family that must beg to stay alive.o其次是信息传递法。在英语句子中,定语从句总是传递次要的或辅助的信息,对主导词或主句进行修饰、限制、补充或说明。在具体翻译时,要根据信息中心的原则,对主句和从句的结构进行先后顺序的调整。主要分为“限定式”、“修饰式”、“隐蓄式”。o 当信息焦点落在主句上时,如果定语从句所传递的信息是对主导词或主句所传递的信息加以限制和确定的,那么在翻译时,一定要译成前置式定语。如:o1 The questions which the director stressed in his report are very important indeed.o2 He thought to better his circumstances by marrying a young woman of the French nation,who was by profession an opera girl.o当信息焦点落在主句上时,如果定语从句所传递的信息是对主导词或主句所传递的信息在深层结构上含蓄地说明目的、结果、原因、条件、让步等,使重要信息的传递更加严密、有力。在翻译时,可以把这层含蓄意思揭示出来,把定语从句译成相应的状语从句。如:表示目的o1 Chinese trade delegations have been sent to Asian-African countries who will negotiate trade agreements with the respective governmentso2 While at a museum,one can frequently rent a small recording machine that will explain the objects on display as you move through the museum.表示结果表示结果:o1 I was down in the cellar of society,down in the subterranean depth of misery about which it is neither nice nor proper to speak.o2 She seeks happiness in selfish enjoyment,where it can never be found.o3 In 1929,the whole American society developed an acute crisis of economy which almost destroyed the whole American Economy表示原因:o1 They are far more valuable endowments for a female than those fugitive charms which a few years will inevitably tarnish.o2 A solid fuel,like coal or wood,can only burn at the surface,where it comes into contact with the air.o3 We know that a cat,whose eyes can take in many more rays of light than our eyes,can see clearly in the night.表示条件:o1 We maintain that no peace situation is permanent which does not take into account the legitimate wishes of the majority of the people of any country.o2 He would be a rash man,who should venture to forecast the results of this experiment.o3 Men became desperate for work,any work,which would help them to keep their families.表示让步:o1 George,who was a handicapped man,is good at swimming.o2 The manager insisted on the building another villa,which he had no use for.o3 Tom,who had carefully read through the instructions before doing his experiments,could not obtain satisfactory results,because he followed them mechanically.o4 The mother-in-law badgered the bride and demanded at least another thousand dollars from Sudhas brother,who by then was preparing for a wedding of his own.o练习:o1.It was not until sixty years ago that a method of extracting aluminum ore was found which could lead to a cheap large-scale process.o2.He who would do such things would not deserve respect.o3.Electrical energy that is supplied to a lamp can be turned into light energy.o4.Mrs.Smith who has been married to her husband for nearly 20 years,still doesnt know him very well.o5.She insisted on buying another coat and skirt,which she has no use for.o6.The nervous system consists of a great number of nerves,which like the blood vessels extend to all parts of the body.o7.There was an air about her which showed plainer than any words that she was both weary and disappointed.o8.He would have to be careful not to offend the foreman,who could give him the sack at any time.o9.Buried underground were bodies of plants and animals which were transformed into petroleum during the course of hundreds of millions of years.o10.Charlie,who never believed in interfering if it could be avoided,left her alone,hoping that she would eventually come around.o练习答案:o1.His dismissal was a great surprise to us all.o2.He had a sound feeling that idiom was the backbone of a language and he was all for the racy phrases.o3.Doctors often talked about that miracle drug,almost with awe.o4.Incidentally,I hope Mr.and Mrs.Smith will also enjoy Chinese food.o5.Amid general laughter she went red and hastily left the room.o6.He sold his bike to a dorm mate for fifty Yuan.2 英语长句的译法o英语造句着重于空间搭架,通常是开门见山,先是主语和主要动词,然后运用连词、介词、分词短语、关系代词和关系副词等把有关的材料组成各种关系词结集,通过从属、修饰和并列的办法,向主语和主要动词前后挂钩,直接或间接地嵌扣,因而很容易形成长句。o在翻译长句时,首先要弄清楚原文的句法结构,找出整个句子的中心内容及其各层意思,辨清主次,然后分析几层意思之间的相互逻辑关系;接着把每个单句译成汉语,将这些汉语句子按照时间顺序和逻辑顺序,遵循汉语表达习惯进行调整和重新组合。最后,再通读译文,进行润饰,避免出现欧化的句子。o总之,翻译长句的基本原则是拆句和改变顺序。具体的常见长句译法主要有以下几种:包孕法、断句法、顺译法、逆序法、分译法、插入法、重组法。包孕法o 就是把长句中后置的修饰部分放到中心词的前面,从而使译文紧凑、连贯。这种方法适合翻译含有一个或几个限定性很强的定语从句的英语长句。如:o1 Captured documents which we have obtained from individuals who had been infiltrated through this corridor plus prisoner-of-war reports that we have obtained in recent months led us to believe that the volume of infiltration has expanded substantially.o2 At night he sat beside his lamp and read in the papers that were left him occasionally or in a Bible that he had neglected for years,but he could get little solace from these things.o3 But unfortunately he arrived at a place in a sea where travel was beset with difficulty when he thought he could obtain what he expected.o4 In Africa I met a boy,who was crying as if his heart would break,said,when I spoke to him,that he was hungry because he had had no food for two days.o5 Despite the backwardness(in the communications)-or perhaps because of it-China hopes to leapfrog into the digital era by bypassing many of the costly transitional technologies that industrial nations are now seeking to replace with more advanced digital systems.o6 The law of conservation and transformation of energy is the chief basis of physical,astronomical and chemical reasoning as well as engineering practice.顺译法o翻译英语长句的过程,其实就是化整体为部分的过程。要想使译文通顺,还必须根据汉语的行文规律,考虑怎样安排每一部分的顺序。有时,一些英语句子叙事的先后次序如果正好与汉语的表达习惯相符,那么就顺着原文的语序,全部或部分顺译出来。这种译法通常多用来翻译并列句和带宾语从句或表语从句的复合句。o1 John had nothing to live on,because whenever he had a good job,the more he earned the more he spent,so that he never saved anything.o2 He had attached a wheel with a notched rim to the clock,connected this with the telegraph line,and so arranged it that every time the hour was reached,the right number of dots was automatically sent along the line by the turning of the wheel.o3 If parents were prepared for this adolescent reaction,and realized that it was a sign that the child was growing up and developing valuable powers of observation and independent judgment,they would not be so hurt,and therefore would not drive the child into opposition by resenting it.逆序法o有些英语长句的表达次序与汉语表达习惯不同,甚至完全相反,翻译时就必须进行部分或全部逆译。如:o1 It was our view that the United States could be effective in both the tasks outlined by the President-that is,of ending hostilities as well as of making a contribution to a permanent peace in the Middle East-if we conducted ourselves so that we could remain in permanent contact with all of these elements in the equationo2 Food manufacturers are flooding the UK market with new products in response to rising demand from a population hungry for“something different”.o3 Petra had become the leader of the girls as soon as she snapped out of her original depression at coming to Prague.分译法o 有时英语长句中主句与从句或者主句与其修饰语间的关系并不十分密切,翻译时可按汉语多用短句的习惯,把长句中的从句或短语化为句子,分开来翻译。为了使语言连贯,有时可适当增加词语。如:o1 Undernourishment,after a time,although the neighbours and those who knew his history gladly contributed from their store,affected his body;for he walked much and ate little.o2 His old shoes clumped soundly in the dust as he walked,and his gray-black locks,now grown rather long,struggled out in a dramatic fringe or halo from under his hat.o3 Eager to trust but determined to verify,many single women in an age of risky romance are hiring private detective to check the background of their suitors.o4 The president said that at a press conference dominated by questions on yesterdays election results he could not explain why the Republicans had suffered such a widespread defeat,which in the end would deprive the Republican Party of long-held superiority in the House.o1.分清主从把握结构2.遣词用字恰如其分3.直译意译抓住要点4.适当增添清楚明了5.词语省略言简意赅6.转换变通自然流畅7.结构调整顺理成章8.语态转换约定俗成9.正反交替相得益彰10.定语从句合分替换11.其他从句灵活处理12.长句翻译分切拆组
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