英译汉的技巧(1).doc

08英语本科《英译汉》学习资料 25
英译汉的技巧
要真正掌握英译汉的技巧并非易事。这是因为英译汉时会遇到各种各样的困难；首先是英文理解难，这是学习、使用英文者的共同感觉。由于两国历史、文化、风俗习惯的不同，一句英文在英美人看来顺理成章，而在中国人看来却是颠颠倒倒、断断续续，极为别扭；其次是中文表达难，英译汉有时为了要找到一个合适的对等词汇，往往被弄得头昏眼花，好象在脑子里摸一个急于要开箱子的钥匙，却没有。另外，英译汉时对掌握各种文化知识的要求很高，因为我们所翻译的文章，其内容可能涉及到极为广博的知识领域，而这些知识领域多半是我们不大熟悉的外国的事情，如果不具备相应的文化知识难免不出现一些翻译中的差错或笑话。正是因为英译汉时会遇到这么多的困难，所以，我们必须通过翻译实践，对英汉两种不同语言的特点加以对比、概况和总结，以找出一般的表达规律来，避免出现一些不该出现的翻译错误，而这些表达的规律就是我们所说的翻译技巧。
1. 词义的选择和引伸 Diction
英汉两种语言都有一词多类和一词多义的现象。一词多类就是指一个词往往属于几个词类，具有几个不同的意义；一词多义就是同一个词在同一词类中又往往有几个不同的词义。在英译汉的过程中，我们在弄清原句结构后，就要善于运用选择和确定原句中关键词词义的技巧，以使所译语句自然流畅，完全符合汉语习惯的说法；选择确定词义通常可以从两方面着手：
　　1、根据词在句中的词类来选择和确定词义
001. They are as like as two peas.
002. He likes mathematics more than physics.
003. Wheat, oat, and the like are cereals.

　　2、根据上下文联系以及词在句中的搭配关系来选择和确定词义。
　　004. He is the last man to come.
　　005. He is the last person for such a job.
　　006. He should be the last man to blame.
007. This is the last place where I expected to meet you.

Story
008. This war is becoming the most important story of his generation.

009. It is quite another story now.
010. Some reporters who were not included in the sessions broke the story.

011. He’ll be very happy if that story holds up.

012. The Rita Haywoth story is one of the saddest.

013. A young man came to Scott’s office with a story.

014. Last December, the Post first reported that probes were being made in each of those cities, but officials refused to confirm the story.

015. The story about him became smaller and by and by faded out from the American TV.

016. Tell me the story of what happened to you.

017. The story of the opera was printed in the program.

　　词义引伸是我们英译汉时常用的技巧之一。翻译时，有时会遇到某些词在英语辞典上找不到适当的词义，如果任意硬套或逐词死译，就会使译文生硬晦涩，不能确切表达原意，甚至会造成误解。这时就应根据上下文和逻辑关系，从该词的根本含义出发，进一步加以引伸，引伸时，往往可以从三个方面来加以考虑。
　　1、词义转译。当我们遇到一些无法直译或不宜直译的词或词组时，应根据上下文和逻辑关系，引伸转译。
018. Crisis? What crisis? We’ll emerge from this crisis even stronger. We’ve done it before. Now we are going to do it again.

019. The energy of the sun comes to the earth mainly as light and heat.

2、词义具体化。根据汉语的表达习惯，把原文中某些词义较笼统的词引伸为词义较具体的词。
020. The car in front of me stalled and I missed the green.

　　3、词义抽象化。根据汉语的表达习惯，把原文中某些词义较具体的词引伸为词义较抽象的词，或把词义较形象的词引伸为词义较一般的词。
021. Every life has its roses and thorns.
022. Though a translation may be like old wine in new bottles or a woman in man’s clothing, the results can be both tasteful and alive.

023. When Stephen was introduced to the old couple, they said simply, “We’ve read your article. We expected to meet an older man.”

024. You will get no word from him. He’s a regular oyster.

025. He had clean hands during this ten years’ government.

026. Don’t put your finger into another’s pie.
027. There is much woman about him.
2. 词类转译Conversion
　　在英译汉过程中，有些句子可以逐词对译，有些句子则由于英汉两种语言的表达方式不同，不能逐词对译，只能将词类进行转译之后，方可使译文显得通顺、自然；对词类转译技巧的运用须从四个方面加以注意。
　　1、转译成动词。英语中的某些名词、介词、副词，翻译时可转译成汉语中的动词。
028. Rockets have found the application for the exploration of the universe.

　　2、转译成名词。英语中的某些动词、形容词，翻译时可转换成汉语中的名词。
　　029. The earth on which we live is shaped a ball.

　　030. The doctor did his best to cure the sick and the wounded.

　　3、转译成形容词。英语中有些作表语或宾语的抽象名词，以及某些形容词派生的名词，往往可转译成汉语中的形容词。另外，当英语动词转译成汉语名词时，原来修饰该动词的副词也往往随之转译成汉语中的形容词。
　　031. It is no use employing radar to detect objects in water.

　　032. The sun affects tremendously both the mind and body of a man.

　　4、转译成副词。英语中的某些名词、形容词，翻译时可转译成汉语中的副词。
033. When he catches a glimpse of a potential antagonist, his instinct is to win him over with charm and humor.

3. 增词Amplification
英译汉时，按意义上、修辞上或句法上的需要加一些词，使译文更加忠实通顺地表达原文的思想内容；但是，增加的并不是无中生有，而是要增加原文中虽无其词却有其意的一些词，这是英译汉中常用的的技巧之一。
　　1、根据意义上或修辞上的需要。
034. Flowers bloom all over the yard.

035. After the banquets, the concerts and the table tennis exhibition, he went home tiredly.

036. He sank down with his face in his hands.

037. I had known two great social systems.

038. As for me, I didn’t agree from the very beginning.

039. The article summed up the new achievements made in electronic computers, artificial satellites and rockets.

040. A book，tight shut，is but a block of paper．
译文一：—本书，紧紧合上，只是—叠纸。
译文二：—本书，如果紧紧合上不读，只是—叠纸。
译文三：一本书，如果紧紧合上不读，只是一叠废纸。

041. Success is often just an idea away．
译文一：成功往往只是一个念头的距离。
译文二：成功往往只是一念之差。

042. Nothing happened in the night．
译文一：夜间什么事也没发生。

043. Away flies the arrow!
译文一：箭飞走了!

044. Tom Canty, born in rags and dirt and misery, what sight is this! (Mark Twain: The Prince and the Pauper)
译文一：啊，汤姆•康第，生在破烂、肮脏和苦难中，现在这番景象却是多么显赫啊！

045. She felt the flowers were in her fingers, on her lips, growing in her breast.
译文一：她觉得手里和唇上都是花儿，胸中也生长着花儿。

046. Target priorities were established there.

047. But there had been too much publicity about my case.

048. I had been completely honest in my replies, withholding nothing．

2、根据句法上的需要增补一此词汇。
　　049. Reading makes a full man; conference a ready man; writing an exact man.

050. Matter can be changed into energy, and energy into matter.

051. Courage in excess becomes foolhardiness, affection weakness, thrift avarice.

052. Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. (Francis Bacon)

053. This is true of nations as it is of individuals.

054. Better be wise by the defeat of others than by your own.

“Nothing but a pony?" My father asked.
“Nothing，”I said.
055. How shall l do it?”
“Just as you wish.”
056. The strongest man cannot alter the law of nature.

057. I am in charge of the depot, only I. People will hold me responsible but not you.

058. More thorough testing might have caught the failure initially.

059. Suppose the preparatory work should not be completed.

060. For mistakes had been made, bad ones.

　　061. All bodies on the earth are known to possess weight.

3. 从文化上考虑，增加背景信息，提高可读性。
062. Every family is said to have at least one skeleton in the cupboard.

063. Advice and correction roll off him like water off a duck’s back.
4. 正反、反正表达 Negation
　　正反、反正汉译技巧是指翻译时突破原文的形式，采用变换语气的办法处理词句，把肯定的译成否定的，把否定的译成肯定的。运用这种技巧可以使译文更加合乎汉语规范或修辞要求，且不失原意。这种技巧可分五个方面加以陈述。
　　1、肯定译否定
064. The above facts insist on the following conclusions.

065. Mattie’s hand was underneath, and Ethan kept his clasp on it a moment longer than necessary.
原译：玛提的手在下，伊桑把它握住，握得比必要的时间长了一会儿。

066. Just make yourself at home.

067. Only three customers remained in the bar.

068. Washington must do something about that man, and soon.

069. He was 75, but he carried his years lightly.
070. His speech leaves much to be desired.
071. John was a fool for danger.
072. Computers may eventually be able to learn by using such senses as smell, touch and taste. But will computers become smarter than people? That is anybody’s guess.

073. I gave you credit for being more sensible.
074. Please withhold the document for the time being.
原译：请暂时扣下这份文件。

075. Appearances are deceptive.
076. While she liked his work, she pointed out areas where improvement was possible.

077. The United Nations has not, so far, justified the hopes which the people of the world set on it.
　　2、否定译肯定
078. She won’t go away until you promise to help her.

079. I couldn’t agree more with you.
　　3、双否定译肯定
　　080. There can be no sunshine without shadow
　　但是，如果翻译时保留英语原来的“否定之否定”的形式并不影响中文的流畅时，则应保留的目的还可突出原文中婉转的语气。如He is not unequal to the duty. 他并非不称职。
　　4、正反移位
081. I don’t think he will come.
　　5、译为部分否定
082. Not all minerals come from mines.

083. Both of the substances do not dissolve in water.
5. 重复Repetition
　　重复技巧是英译汉中的一种必不可少的翻译技巧。由于英译汉时往往需要重复原文中的某些词才能使译文表达明确具体；又由于英汉语言结构不同，重复的手段和作用也往往不尽相同，大致可分为三种。
　　1、为了明确
　　084. I had experienced oxygen and /or engine trouble.

　　085. A locality has its own over-all interest, a nation has another and the earth get another.

　　2、为了强调
　　086. He wandered along the street, thinking and thinking, brooding and brooding.

　　3、为了生动
　　087. While stars and nebulae look like specks or small patches of light. They are really enormous bodies.

6. 倒译技巧
　　英汉词句组成和排列的顺序千差万别，因此英译汉时作些调整，颠倒一下顺序，则是一种极为常见的翻译技巧，这种翻译技巧共分五种类型。
　　1、复合句倒译技巧。复合句倒译可分为部分倒译和完全倒译两种技巧。
　　088. This university has 6 newly established faculties, namely, Electronic Computer, High Energy Physics, Laser, Geo-physics, Remote Sensing, and Genetic Engineering.

　　089. Many laws of nature actually exist in nature though they have not yet been discovered.

　　2、被动句倒译的技巧。被动句倒译时，有时可将被动句倒译成主动句，有时可将状语倒译成主语。
　　090. The structure of an atom can be accurately described though we cannot see it.

091. Table tennis is played all over China.

3、以否定型副词或条件副词开头的句子的部分倒译技巧。能引起这种倒译的副词有no, never, hardly, no longer, in no way, not until, not even, only 等。

092. Never before have I read such an interesting book.

　　4、带有介词短语句子的部分倒译技巧
　　093. These data will be of some value in our research work.

5、习语的倒译技巧。
　　094. For its last 600 miles the Yellow River flows eastwards through the flat, fertile, North China Plain, which is densely populated.

　　095. Heal the wounded, rescue the dying, practice revolutionary humanitarianism.

096. We have to be quick of eye and deft of hand.

7. 句子成份的转译　　
英汉两种语言，由于表达方式不尽相同，在具体英译汉时，有时往往需要转换一下句子成分，才能使译达到逻辑正确、通顺流畅、重点突出等目的。句子成分转译作为翻译的一种技巧，其内容和形式都比较丰富，运用范围也相当广泛，共包括五个方面的内容。
　　1、主语转译技巧，可以将句子的主语转译成汉语中的定语、宾语、状语等。
　　097. To get all the stages off the ground, a first big push is needed.

　　098. Machinery has made the products of manufactories very much cheaper than formerly.

　　2、谓语转译技巧。可以将谓语转译成定语。
099. Radar works in very much the same way as the flashlight.

　　3、宾语转译技巧。可以将宾语转译成主语。
　　100. Automatic lathes perform basically similar functions but appear in a variety of forms.

　　4、定语转译技巧。定语可以转译成谓语和状语。
　　101. Neutron has a mass slightly larger than that of proton.

　　102. Scientists in that county are now supplied with necessary books, equipment and assistant, that will ensure success in their scientific research.

　　5、状语转译技巧。状语转译一般指的是状语从句的转译。它可分作把时间状语从句转译成条件状语从句，把地点状语从转译成条件状语从句和把原因状语从句转译成因果偏正复句中的主语等三种形式。
　　103. These three colors, red, green and violet, when combined, produced white.

　　104. Where there is nothing in the path of beam of light, nothing is seen.

　　105. Because he was convinced of the accuracy of this fact, he stuck to his opinion.

8. 分句
　　英译汉时，由于两种语言的句子结构大不相同而往往需要改变一下句子结构以适应于汉语的表达习惯。所谓分句，就是指把原文的一个简单句译成两个或两个以上的句子。
　　106. A man spending twelve days on the moon would find, on returning to the earth, that a year had passed by already.

　　107. It goes without saying that oxygen is the most active element in the atmosphere.

　　108. He managed to raise a crop of 200 miracle tomatoes that weighed up to two pounds each.

9. 被动语态的翻译
由于表达习惯上的差异，英语往往习惯用被动语态来表达，而汉语则更多用主动语态来表达。如：That young man cannot be relied upon.译成汉语就应该是“那位年轻人不可信赖”或者“我们不能信任那位年轻人”。如果将此句译成汉语的被动句“那位年轻人不可以被信赖”，译文就会显得很别扭，不符合汉语的表达习惯。由此可见，翻译时经常进行语态的转换是十分必要的。英语中被动语态的使用十分广泛，相比之下，汉语被动语态使用的范围要小得多。因此，在英译汉时，大量被动语态的句子需要通过种种方法加以处理，以保证译文通顺流畅地表达原意。英语被动语态的汉译一般有以下几种方法。
1. 译成汉语主动句
将英语被动语态译成汉语主动语态的方法一般包括以下几种：
（1）保存原文主语
当英语被动句中的主语为无生命的名词，而且句中不出现由by引导的行为主体时，翻译时往往将原句中的主语仍然译成主语。
109. The meeting is scheduled for April 6th.
110. Water can be changed from a liquid into a solid.
111. When rust is formed, a chemical change has taken place.

（2）主宾颠倒
英语中很多被动句子在表示行为主体的词前都加上by， 翻译时可将这类by结构中的宾语译成主语，而将原来的主语译成宾语。
112. She was given a new pen by her father.
113. Heat and light can be given off by this chemical change.

114. Only a small portion of solar energy is now being used by us.

有时英语被动句中并未出现by结构，而只是代之以一个由介词短语构成的状语。这时仍可采用主宾颠倒的译法，将介词短语中的名词或名词词组译成句子的主语。
115. Communication satellites have already been used for living transmission in our country.
116. The numerical data concerned are provided in the next chapter.

（3）增加主语
有些英语被动句并未在句中出现表示行为主体的词或词组，在翻译这类句子时，可适当增添一些不确定的主语，如“人们”、“有人”、“大家”、“我们”等。
117. The issue has not yet been thoroughly explored.

118. She was seen to enter the building about the time the crime was committed.

119. What we say here will not be long remembered, but what we do here can change the world.

2. 译成汉语无主句
英语中有些被动句不需要或无法说出行为的主体，因此，翻译时往往译成汉语的无主句。这时，原句中的主语一般译成宾语。
120. Measures have been taken to prevent the epidemic from spreading quickly.

121. Water can be shown as containing impurities.
122. The unpleasant noise must be immediately put an end.

3. 译成汉语判断句
有些英语被动句并不突出强调被动动作，而着重对事物的状态、过程和性质等加以描述，其作用与系表结构类似。因此，翻译这种英语被动句，经常采用“是...的”判断句式。
123. The decision to attack was not taken lightly.
124. Printing was introduced into Europe from China.
125. The manuscript was sent to the printer in London a few weeks before the French revolution.
126. The credit system in America was first adopted by Harvard University in 1872.

4. 译成汉语被动句
有些英语被动句着重被动的动作，因此，翻译时仍然可以翻译成汉语的被动句，以突出英语原文的被动意义。一般说来，被动句指的是具有被动形式标记的句子。虽然英语被动语态使用范围颇广，但其被动标记却很单一，主要是“be+动词的过去分词”及其变化形式。另一方面，汉语被动句式使用较少，但其被动标记要繁杂得多。汉语中表达被动意义的语言手段主要包括使用“被、受、遭、让、给、由、把、得到、受到、加以、得以、为...所、由...来”等等。
127. The minister was found to have appropriated government money.

128. He had been fired for refusing to obey orders from the head office.

129. The schoolboy was knocked down by a minibus when crossing the street.

130. He was praised by his teacher.
131. Problems should be resolved in good time.
132. For a long period to come, most of China’s elderly will continue to be provided for by their families.
5. 常用被动句型“It+被动语态+that”的翻译
在这种句型中，it是形式主语，that引导出的是主语从句。汉语译文习惯上采用主动语态，有时还需要增译出泛指性的主语“我们”、“人们”、“大家”、“有人”等等，有时也可译成无主语的汉语句子，并酌情加上汉语介词“根据”或“据”。
133. It is considered that bioclimatology is an involved subject.

134. It is stressed that the field of science may be divided into two major areas: natural science and social science.

135. It should be pointed out that this process is oxidation.

下面是一些常用被动句型的习惯译法：
It is hoped that... 希望，有人希望
It is assumed that... 假设，假定
It is claimed that... 据说，有人主张
It is believed that... 有人想信，大家相信
It is reported that... 据报道，据通报
It is considered that... 人们认为，据估计
It is said that... 据说，有人说
It is supposed that... 据推测，人们猜测
10. 视角转换
按照译语的思维方式或表达习惯重新组织原句的信息，从与原语不同（不包括相反）的角度来表达同样意思。
136. Good winner, good loser.
137. I won’t keep you waiting long.
138. The darkness was thinning, but the street was still dimly lighted.

139. He drove slowly down the hill, his elbows resting on the wheel, his chin cupped in his hands。
140. Old habits die hard.
141. A thousand mustaches can live together, but not four breasts.

142. Ignorance of the law excuses no man.
Exercise
Passive Voice
143. The sense of inferiority that he acquired in his youth has never been totally eradicated.
144. On their domestic stations events in the Middle East were dismissed briefly.

145. By the end of the war 800 people had been