1、AComparisonofThoughtPatternsbetweenChineseandWesterners-LectureOutlinefortheCourseofE-CTranslationbyXuDerong第1页“Cultural Thought Patterns in Intercultural Education,”-published by American linguist Robert B.Kaplan on Language Learning in 1966.(Semitic languages include Arabic and Hebrew;Romance lang
2、uages refer to French,Italian and Spanish,which come from Latin.)1.Linear(直线型)vsSpiral(螺旋型)第2页第3页 Francis Bacon 培根(1561-1626):Of StudiesStudiesservefordelight,forornament,andforability.Theirchiefusefordelight,isinprivatenessandretiring;forornament,isindiscourse;andforability,isinthejudgmentanddispos
3、itionofbusiness.读书足以怡情,足以傅彩,足以长才。其怡情也,最见于独处幽居之时;其傅彩也,最见于高谈阔论之中;其长才也,最见于处世判事之际。(王佐良译)第4页关雎 关关雎鸠,在河之洲。窈窕淑女,君子好逑。参差荇菜,左右流之。窈窕淑女,寤寐求之。求之不得,寤寐思服。悠哉悠哉。辗转反侧。参差荇菜,左右采之。窈窕淑女,琴瑟友之。参差荇菜,左右毛之。窈窕淑女。钟鼓乐之。第5页2.Concreteness(具象)vs abstractness(抽象)In line with latest trends in fashion,a few dress designers have been
4、sacrificing elegance to audacity.有些时装设计师为了赶时髦,舍弃了优雅别致样式,而一味追求袒胸露体奇装异服。Wisdom prepares for the worst;but folly leaves the worst for the day it comes.聪明人防患于未然,愚蠢者临渴掘井。第6页Hisadditioncompletedthelist.把他添上,名单就全了。Somethinginsidemeseemedtostopmomentarily.我顿时呆住了。Hiswearinessandtheincreasingheatdeterminedhim
5、tositdowninthefirstconvenientshade.他疲惫不堪,天气也越来越热。他于是下了决心,一碰到舒适阴凉处,就坐下休息。第7页3.本体型思维 vs 客体型思维 国学大师钱穆:中国文化以人文为中心,以人生为本位,最富人文意识,最重人文精神,中国文化本质上是一个人本文化。这种人本文化长久积淀,形成了汉民族本体型思维方式,即以人为中心来观察、分析、推理河研究事物西方文化则以物本为主体,以自然为本位,比较偏重于对自然客体观察和研究。这种思维方式差异反应在语言上,当包括行为主体时汉语习惯于用表示人或生物词(animate)做主语,而英语则惯用非生物名词(inanimate)做主语
6、Thethickcarpetkilledthesoundofmyfootsteps.(Joseph)我走在厚厚地毯上,一点脚步声也没有。Anideasuddenlystruck/occurredto/dawnedon/me.第8页Hispassioncarriedhimastray.他因感情冲动而误入歧途。Hisillnesskeptherinhospitalfourweeks.他因病在医院住了四个星期。Dawnmethimwellalongtheway.在东方欲晓时候,他早已走了一大段路了。TheMayFourthMovementof1919sawthebeginningofthe“New
7、Redology”,representedbyscholarssuchasHuShiandYuPing-bo.19“五四”运动以后,开始了“新红学”时代,代表人物有胡适、俞平伯这么一些学者。第9页Memoranda were prepared in advance of private meetings on matters to be discussed.在举行个别交谈之前,我已经就全部要讨论问题预先拟好了备忘录。4.顺向思维 vs 逆向思维“您先请!”After you!Back and forward vs 以前和以后:In measuring forwards from a point
8、 of time in the past,only the following construction is normal:(英语语法大全,P944)当从过去某个时间向后算起时,以下结构才是惯用。可是我们已经说到故事后面去了。Butwearegettingaheadofthestory.第10页毛泽东诗句“一桥飞架南北”Abridgewillflytospanthenorthandsouth.“九五折”:a five percent discount;“自学”:self-taught;“油漆未干”:wet paint;“乘客止步”:crew only.第11页 A Comparison be
9、tween Chinese and English Language1.Subject-prominentlanguagevsTopic-prominentlanguageEnglish:the grammatical units of Subject and Predicate are basic to the structure of sentences.(主语突出语言)Chinese:theinformationalunitsoftopicandcommentarebasictothestructureofsentences.(主题突出语言)第12页We shouldnt mention
10、 it any more.这件事我们不要再提了。The Chinese people have experienced too many of such social upheavals.这么社会动荡,中国人经历得太多了。第13页2.Hypotactic vs Paratactic Hypotaxis(形 正 当)refers to the placement of related clauses,constructions,etc,in a series using connecting connecting wordswords,for example,I shall despair if
11、 you dont come.Parataxis(意 正 当)refers to the placement of related clauses,constructions,etc.in a series without without the the use use of of connecting connecting wordswords,e.g.Veni,vidi,vici.(I cam,I saw,I conquered.)第14页天净沙天净沙(秋思秋思)马致远马致远枯藤老树昏鸦。小桥流水人家。古道西风瘦马。夕阳西下,断肠人在天涯。第15页 Tune:Tian Jing Sha T
12、une:Tian Jing ShaWithered vines hanging on old braches,Returning crows croaking at dusk.A few houses hidden past a narrow bridge,And below the bridge a quiet creek running.Down a worn path,in the west wind,A lean horse comes plodding The sun dips down in the westAnd the lovesick traveler is still at
13、 the end of the world.(丁祖荫&Burton Raffel,trans)第16页Directly I began to cross the Common I realized I had the wrong umbrella我刚准备穿过公共草坪,就发觉自己拿错了雨伞。(柯平译,比较:当我刚开始穿越公共草坪时候,我发觉我拿错了雨伞。)第17页HowisHypotaxisRealizedinEnglish?2.1关系词和连接词,如who,whose,which,what,when,why,how,and,or,but,yet,so,however,until,since,un
14、less,lest第18页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.为何如此众多美国人不能如想象中那样幸福呢?我认为原因有二,而二者之间又有深浅之分。第19页2.2 介词,with,to,in,of,about,between,through,insid
15、e,onto,upon,within,according to,along with,apart from,because of.据G.Curme 统计,英语各类介词共约286个。The many colors of a rainbow range from red on the outside to violet on the inside.彩虹有各种颜色,外圈红,内圈紫。第20页Changeofinformation,ifany,concerningthecontentsofthissectionwillbefoundintheappendixattheendofthisbook.本节内容
16、如有更改,均见本书末附录。第21页 汉语重意合而不重形合,词语之间关系常在不言之中,语法意义和逻辑联络常隐含在字里行间。汉语意合往往采取以下伎俩:2.3词序人不犯我,我不犯人。We will not attack unless we are attacked.说 是 说 了,没 有 结 果。Ive made proposals,but they proved futile.第22页2.4 重复、排比、对偶、对照等他不来,我不去。If he wont come here,Ill not go there.聪明一世,胡涂一时。Smart as a rule,but this time a fool
17、第23页2.5 紧缩句。有 饭 大 家 吃。Let everybody shares the food if there is any.不到黄河不死心。Until all is over,ambition never dies.第24页2.6 四字格不进则退 He who does not advance falls backward./Move forward,or youll fall behind.物极必反 Once a certain limit is reached,a change in the opposite direction is inevitable.酒醉智昏:When
18、 wine is in,wit is out.第25页Summery of the first two differences:1.SubjectvsTopicprominentlanguage信息结构2.HypotacticvsParatactic句法结构WhatlightcanthesedifferencesshedontheE-Ctranslation?Recallthefirsttranslationprinciple:遵照译语句法和惯使用方法规范在英译中时适当利用主题句,突出信息主题;少用甚至不用形式连接伎俩,多以意义连接译文。第26页3.Complex vs.Simple(繁复繁复
19、与简短)与简短)“Subordination(隶属结构),theplacingofcertainelementsinmodifyingroles,isafundamentalprincipleofwriting.”-Crews据统计,对英语而言,专业作者写句子平均长度为20个词,受过教育人写句子平均长度为25个词。而汉语以中短句居多,最正确长度为7至12字。第27页 两种语言不一样造句方式两种语言不一样造句方式英语造句主要使用“楼房建筑法”(architecturestyle),句子普通有完整结构,许多相关成份经过各种表示关系和连接伎俩组成关系词结集(conjunctivenexus),直接或
20、间接粘附在这个句子结构里外,前后、左右或中间,整个句子成了庞大复杂“建筑物”。汉语主要采取“流水记事法”(chroniclestyle),惯用分句或流水句来逐层叙述思维各个过程(streamlinethethoughts)。第28页依据上述英汉特点,英译汉是经常要破句重组,化繁为简。Inthedoorwaylayatleasttwelveumbrellasofallsizesandcolors.门口放着一堆雨伞,少说也有十二把,五颜六色,大小不一。第29页CanyouansweraquestionwhichIwanttoaskandwhichispuzzlingme?我有一个问题弄不懂,想请教
21、你,你能回答吗?第30页汉语分句或流水句译成英语时,经常要化简为繁,组合成复合句或长句。因为距离远,又缺乏交通工具,农村社会是与外界隔绝。这种隔绝状态,因为通讯工具不足,就变得愈加严重了。Theisolationoftheruralworldbecauseofdistanceandthelackoftransportfacilitiesiscompoundedbythepaucityoftheinformationmedia.第31页原来悟空手疾眼快,正在那混乱之时,他拔下一根毫毛,叫声“变!”就变做他本相。(吴承恩西游记)AsSunWukongwasdeftofhandandquickofe
22、ye,hepluckedoneofthehairsfromhisbodyinthemidstofthefrayandshouted“Change!”Itchangedintohisowndouble.第32页4.Impersonal vs Personal(物称与人称)物称与人称)回顾:回顾:语言差异普通源于思维模式差异:本体型思维与客体型思维AprominenttendencyinEnglish:Thewriterandthereaderareoutofthepicture,hidingthemselvesbehindimpersonal language.英语较重视“什么事发生在什么人身上
23、汉语重视“什么人怎么了”。第33页“什么风把你给吹来了?”“爱情把我们心连在一起”“高山低头,河水让路”markedinChinese,thefrequencyislow.Whathashappenedtoyou?你出什么事了?Anideasuddenlystruckme.我突然想到了一个主意。Notasoundreachedourears.我们没有听到任何声音。Agreatelationovercamethem.他们欣喜若狂。Alarmbegantotakeentirepossessionofhim.他开始变得惊慌万状。第34页英语用非人称做主语句子大致能够分为两大类:4.1 用抽象名词
24、和无生命事物名称作主语,同时使用抽象名词和无生命事物名称作主语,同时使用表示人用表示人 动作和行为动词作谓语。动作和行为动词作谓语。Excitementdeprivedmeofthesoundofmyfootsteps.我兴奋什么话也说不出来了。Thefortyyears,1840-80,broughtalmosttenmillionmigrantstoAmerica.(P.Bromhead:LifeinModernAmerica)从1840至1880这四十年中,近一千万移民移居美国。第35页Mygoodfortunehassentyoutome,andwewillneverpart.(H.A
25、ndersen:ThelittleMermaid)我很幸运,能够得到你,让我们永不分离吧。汉译英时,用“物称”代替“人称”经常是一个译出地道英文有效伎俩。一看到那棵大树,我便想起了童年情景。Thesightofthebigtreealwaysremindsmeofmychildhood.最近忙于其它事务,未能早些复信,深感抱歉。Iamverysorrythatthepressureofotheroccupationshaspreventedmefromsendinganearlierreplytoyourletter.第36页凭良心讲,你待我礼貌有加,我却受之有愧。Myconscienceto
26、ldmethatIdeservednoextraordinarypoliteness.小梅心地善良,性情温和,对她朋友这种没有心肝行为,实在看不顺眼。Xiaomeiskindlyandgentlenaturecouldnotbutrevoltatherfriendscallousbehaviour.第37页4.2 用非人称代词用非人称代词“it”做主语做主语Itneveroccurredtomethatshewassodishonest.我从来也没想到她这么不老实。Howisitwiththesickman?那病人怎么样了?Itisagoodhorsethatneverstumbles,(Pr
27、overb)人有失误,马有失蹄。Itisinthehouroftrialthatamanfindshistrueprofession.人总是在面临考验关头,才发觉自己专长。第38页5.Passive vs Active(被动被动 vs 主动)主动)被动语态在英语里是一个常见语法现象。英语惯用被动句主要有一下几方面原因:5.1不需要、不可能或不便指明施事(agent)Themurdererwas caughtyesterday,anditissaidthathewillbe hanged.Somethingshavebeensaidheretonightthatoughtnottohavebee
28、nspoken.今晚有些人在此讲了些不该讲话。第39页5.2句法要求:为了使句子平衡,保持末端中心(endfocus)和末端重量(endweight),以符合主语简短、谓语复杂表示习惯。Iwasastoundedthathewaspreparedtogivemeajob.他准备给我一份工作,这使我大吃一惊。而汉语被动使用受到限制。古代汉语主要用“为”字或”为所“结构。如论语”不为酒困“,杜甫”茅屋为秋风所破“。当代汉语主要用”被字式“,如”被捕“,”被杀“,”被压迫“等,辅以“让”、“给”、“挨”、“受”、“遭”等词。第40页英语被动句在译成汉语时常以变换主语,省略主语或采取通称或泛称(如“人
29、有些人”、“人们”、“大家”、“某人”等方式译为主动句。JohnactuallylovedMaryandwaslovedinreturn.约翰真爱玛丽,而玛丽也爱约翰。Languageisshapedby,andshapes,humanthought.人思想形成了语言,而语言又形成了人思想。第41页Careshouldbetakentoseethattheletterisproperlyaddressed.注意看看信地址是否写对了。Hehasoften,notalwaysjustly,beenaccusedofindecisiveness.人们经常指责他优柔寡断,即使这种指责并不总是公正
30、Voicesareheardcallingforhelp.有些人听见呼救声音。第42页6.Abstract vs Concrete(抽象与详细)抽象与详细)RECALL:中西思维差异(具象与抽象)英语抽象表示法主要见于大量使用抽象名词。这类名词涵义概括,指称笼统,覆盖面广,往往有一个“虚”、“泛”、“暗”、“曲”“魅力”,便于表示复杂思想和微妙情绪。抽象表示法在英语里使用得相当普遍,尤其惯用于社会科学论著、官方文章、报刊评论、法律文书、商业信件等文体。注意:过分使用名词会使文句冗长(wordy)、含糊(vague),缺乏活力(lifeless),许多英语文体家都反对滥用抽象表示法,主张多用生
31、动活泼动词来简化句子结构,增加表示生气和活力。GeorgeOrwell,PoliticsandtheEnglishLanguage(1946)第43页Thesignsofthetimespointtothenecessityofthemodificationofthesystemofadministration.(Times)(Itisbecomingclearthattheadministrativesystemmustbemodified.)管理体制需要改革,这已越来越清楚了。Wasthistherealizationofananticipatedliability?(=Didyouexp
32、ectyouwouldhavetodothis?)你有没有预料到你必需做这件事?英译汉时可采取以下伎俩表示英语抽象词义。第44页(1)用动词取代抽象名词Imarveledattherelentlessdeterminationoftherain.(N.Rigg)雨无情下个不停,我感到惊异。Hehadsurfacedwithlessvisibilityinthepolicydecision.(B.Barnhart)在决议过程中,他已经不那么抛头露面了。Theseproblemsdefyeasyclassification.这些问题难以归类。第45页(2)用范围词使抽象概念详细化范围词(categ
33、orywords)用来表示行为、现象、属性等概念所属范围。Whattheywantedmostwasanendofuncertainties.(Betrayed Spring)那时他们最渴望就是结束这摇摆不定局面局面。Hediscussedgreatness and excellence.他探讨了伟大和出色涵义涵义。第46页BothweandtheChineseapproachedthatfirstopeningtowardeachotherwithcaution,uncertainty,even trepidation.(R.Nixon:The Real War)我们和中国人双方都是怀着慎重
34、不安甚至是惶恐心心情情来相互探讨这次首次接触。其它例子如:complexity复杂性性;arrogance高傲态度态度;eccentricity古怪行为行为;light-heartedness轻松愉快心情心情;lithonephrotomy肾结石切除术术等。(3)用详细词语阐释抽象词义。第47页Nocountryshouldclaiminfallibility.(The Sin-U.S.Joint Communique)任何国家都不应自称一贯正确一贯正确。Thestarstwinkledintransparentclarity.星星在清澈清澈星空星空中闪烁。Thisramblingprope
35、nsitystrengthenedwithyears.岁月增添,游兴游兴更浓。第48页(4)用形象性词语(如比喻、成语、谚语等)使抽象意义详细化Hewasopennowtochargesofwilful blindness.这时人们指责他装聋作哑装聋作哑。Hewaitedforherarrivalwithafrenzied agitation.他等着她来,急得象热锅上蚂蚁热锅上蚂蚁。第49页Italkedtohimwithbrutal frankness.我对他讲话,即使逆耳,却是忠言即使逆耳,却是忠言。Oh,butalltherules of self-preservationwerebro
36、kenwhenwesawthatlittleface,filledwiththeterrorofdeath,beingsuckeddownstream.是啊,不过一看见那张小脸带着害怕淹死恐惧神情被激流越冲越远,我们就把明哲保身金科玉律明哲保身金科玉律统统打破了。第50页总结:英汉对比与翻译总结:英汉对比与翻译1.Subject-prominentlanguagevsTopic-prominentlanguage(主语突出与主题突出)2.Hypotactic vs Paratactic(形合与意合)形合与意合)3.Complex vs.Simple(繁复与简短)繁复与简短)4.Imperson
37、al vs Personal(物称与人称)物称与人称)5.Passive vs Active(被动被动 vs 主动)主动)6.Abstract vs Concrete(抽象与详细)抽象与详细)英汉两种语言不一样特点对于翻译有何启示?第51页我们翻译标准是什么?回顾:遵照译语句法和惯使用方法规范,采取适当变通和赔偿伎俩,以确保特定上下文中最主要意义优先传译为前提,尽可能多和正确地传递原语信息多重意义,以争取原文和译文最大程度地等值。(柯平)启示:依据英汉特点,正确读取原文意义;翻译成汉语时,尽力遵照汉语句法、惯使用方法和思维习惯,以提升译文可读性,防止翻译腔。第52页一则翻译实例:原文:Jose
38、ph Pulitzer(1847-1911)isAmericanjournalistandpublisher,whocreatedalongwithWilliamRandolphHearstanewandcontroversialtypeofjournalism.Pulitzersawhimselfasacrusaderonthesideofpeopleandaspokesmanfordemocracy(形合).Hesupportedlabor,attackedtrustsandmonopolies,andrevealedpoliticalcorruption.Whenjournalismwa
39、snotarespectablewayofearningonesliving,Pulitzerwascommittedtoraisingthestandardsoftheprofession.PulitzerwasthefounderofPulitzerPrizes.TodaythemostprestigiousprizeinAmericanjournalismisnamedafterhim.第53页原译:约瑟夫普利策是一位美国新闻记者和出版商,他和威廉伦道夫赫斯特两人都是美国一个全新而又充满争议新闻业缔造者。普利策把自己看作是站在人民一方十字军战士(形合),是民主代言人。他支持劳动,攻击托拉
40、斯和垄断(抽象),揭示政治腐败。那时新闻业还不是一条体面谋生之路,普利策决心提升新闻业水准。普利策是普利策奖创建者。今日美国最有声望新闻奖即以他名字命名。改译:约瑟夫普利策是一名美国新闻记者和出版商,他和威廉伦道夫赫斯特一道缔造了全新而又充满争议新闻业。普利策把自己看作(不译为“自视为”)人民利益捍卫者(意合)和民主代言人。他支持劳动者,攻击托拉斯主义和垄断行为(详细化),揭露(注意其语用意义)政治腐败。当初新闻业还不是一条体面谋生之路,普利策决心提升新闻业水准。他创建了普利策奖。这项以他名字命名新闻奖在今日美国新闻界享受最高声誉。(注意信息结构:旧新)第54页 REFERENCES1.包惠南文化语境与语言翻译 中国对外翻译出版企业 2陈定安英汉比较与翻译 中国对外翻译出版企业 1998 3.柯平 Contrastive Linguistics 南京师范大学出版社 19994.连淑能 英汉对比研究 高等教育出版社 1993第55页






