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标题:2003年英语专业八级翻译试题及一些翻译练习[推荐]
81楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 20:55:00
习语翻译
I. Literal Translation
1. to teach another is to learn yourself教学相长
2. lose face丢脸
3. lose heart气馁
4. lose one’s heart to somebody-->fall in love with somebody
5. thorn in the flesh眼中钉,肉中刺
6. go through fire and water赴汤蹈火
7. be slow to promise and quick to perform允诺宜缓,履行宜速
8. Words are the voice of the heart言为心声
9. When I lend I had a friend, when I asked he was unkind.借钱是朋友,要帐是仇人。
10. to sleep late早上睡懒觉
11. to stay up too late/ to burn up midnight oil睡得晚
borrowing version: ( 喻义相似,喻体不同)
1. in the same boat风雨同舟
2. in two minds三心二意
3. catch at shadows捕风捉影
4. to swim with the stream随波逐流
5. A miss is as good as a mile.失之毫厘,差之千里。
6. All is fair in love and war.情场如战场。
7. Great minds think alike.英雄所见略同。
8. A good conscience is a soft pillow.不做亏心事,不怕鬼叫门。
9. to seek a hare in a hen’s nest缘木求鱼
II. Free Translation
1. to blow hot and cold 摇摆不定,反复无常,出尔反尔
2. to break even不赚不赔;收支平衡; 打成平局
3. to break the ice打破沉默,
4. We have no way of getting enough evidence, but we can put two and two together.
我们无法得到足够证据,但是我们可以根据事实来推断。
5. All you are doing is beating the air. Try to be practical.
你所做的一切都是白费力气,还是实际点吧!
6. to pull one’s leg愚弄某人
7. to move heaven and earth竭尽全力,千方百计
8. child’s play容易的事,简单的事
9. to eat one’s words承认说错了话
10. to have a bone in one’s throat羞于启齿
11. in the seventh heaven欢天喜地
12. out of question毫无疑问
13. out of the question不可能, 不容讨论
14. of age成年
15. of an age同岁
82楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 20:57:00
习语练习
1. You get a goose egg in the sweatbox, but I gave you six ones.
你考试得了零分,但我给了你及格。
2. The murderer has gone west. He went to Chicago and finally went without a passport.
凶手已经死了。他先是逃亡,然后自杀了。
3. Western cowboys loved to pull a stranger’s leg.
西部牛仔喜欢捉弄陌生人。
4. John had called Harry a coward, but the boys made him eat his words after Harry bravely fought a big bully.
约翰称哈利是胆小鬼,但哈利勇敢地打败了一个粗壮的家伙,约翰不得不承认自己说错了话。
5. Today it is a child’s play for a man to drive a car.
在今天开汽车是一件轻而易举的事情。
6. He kissed the hare’s foot.
他迟到了。
7. Joe moved heaven and earth to complete his task.
乔千方百计完成任务。
8. The children are in the seventh heaven with their new toys.
孩子们因为有了新玩具而欢天喜地。
9. It goes against the grain to do it, but I have no choice.
尽管这样做不合我的本意,但我别无选择。
10. All you are doing is to beat the air. Try to be practical.
你做的一切都是徒劳的,还是实际一点吧。
11. Dick likes to pat himself on the back.
迪克喜欢自吹自擂。
12. He was carried out with his feet foremost.
他被抬出去埋葬。
13. They had bought all their furniture before they had a house; this is really putting the cart before the horse!
他们还没有房子就买了全部家具,这真是本末倒置。
14. I haven’t time to play with the children; I have other fish to fry.
我没时间跟孩子们玩儿,我另有要事。
15. I have no opinion of him.
我对他毫无好感。
16. I shall turn a deaf ear in the future to all your promises; you never mean what you say.
今后我对你的诺言将充耳不闻,因为你说话不算话。
17. I can help you no more, for, indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
我不能再帮你了,我实在是力不从心。
18. They have as good as accepted our suggestion.
他们差不多接受了我们的建议。
19. Mr. White is dead is I live.
怀特先生确实死了。
20. The criminal won his reprieve at the eleventh hour.
罪犯在最后时刻获得缓刑。
21. He is a bad sailor.
他晕船。
22. I know he meant business.
我知道他是认真的。
23. Many people have a daily fight to keep the wolf form the door.
许多人每天与饥饿作斗争。
24. When John talked about the affair, we smelt a rat.
当约翰谈起这件事时,我们感到可疑。
25. Last night I heard him driving his pigs to market.
昨晚我听他鼾声如雷。
26. Didn’t she swear she’d never again believe anything in trousers?
她不是发誓再也不相信男人了吗?
27. Tensions could peak within the next weeks and no one could really see light at the end of the tunnel.
在未来几周内,紧张局势将达到顶点,无法看清事态发展的前景。
28. The American ambassador may have a card up his sleeve. One thing is clear: he has been refraining from doing anything that could drag the United States into the conflict.
美国大使也许是胸有成竹,但有一点是很清楚的,他一直在克制自己不做任何事情而使美国卷入这一冲突。
29. I hope all these possibilities will enable us to round the corner.
我希望所有这些可能性能帮助我们度过难关。
30. Don’t do your own thing, or you will meet with failure.
不要一意孤行,否则你会失败的。
31. Arabs rub shoulders with Jews, and have been doing so from the earliest settlement of the territories.
阿拉伯人和犹太人生活在一起,而且从这些地方最初有人定居时就如此。
32. But no one forces you to go to sea. It gets in your blood.
没有人强迫你出海,是你心甘情愿的。Go to the sea去海边; go to church去祈祷
33. Sam is a real cool cat. He never blows his stack and hardly ever flies off the handle. What’s more, he knows how to get away with things…He takes care of the hot dog stand like a breeze until he gets times off. Sam’s got it made; this is it for him.
萨姆先生生性孤傲冷漠,不爱发火,也不轻易动怒,此外他还懂得经商之道,轻松自如地经营着红肠面包摊床,直到有一天别人来接替他的工作。他的事业获得了成功。结果就是这样。
34. I like most yesterday, today and forever.
我喜欢家常便饭----家常便饭吃了保平安。
35. We’ve arrived at the bottom of the hill, we have to quit the car and go by hand.
我们已经抵达山麓,必须弃车步行登山。
36. Damn! Too much quick step, I must quicken my step.
真糟糕,我拉肚子,我必须快点找厕所。
83楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 20:58:00
Amplification增译
I. For rhetoric purpose
1. To supply verbs
Studies serve for delight, ornament and ability.
读书足以怡情、博采、增智/长才。
My work, my family and my friends were more than enough to fill my time.
干工作、做家务、与朋友往来占据了我的整个时间。
2. To supply adj.
What a Chinese! What a “Red Bandit”!
真是一个了不起的中国人!真是一个了不起的“赤匪”!
And Homer! Isn’t he likewise human? Even Homer, may sometimes nod. To err is human.
还有荷马,难道他不是一个活生生的人吗?甚至荷马有时也会打盹儿,错误人皆难免。
3. To supply adv
Time drops in decay like a candle burns out.
时间一点一滴地消逝,就像蜡烛慢慢地燃尽。
He poured out his tale of misfortune.
他滔滔不绝地讲起他的不幸遭遇。
Forget, arrive, finish, leave等动词在进行时态时要增加副词,如“差点”、“就要”、“即将”等。如:
The American soldiers were leaving the army.
美国士兵不断地离开部队。
4. To supply nouns
①不及物动词后加名词(Vi + n)
To wash before meals
饭前洗手
He wanted to learn, to know, and to teach.
他想学习、掌握知识,也想把知识传授给别人。
②n + adj.
He is weak and old.
他年纪大,身体弱。
③abstract n + n
v + -tion / adj. + -ness + 表示状态、方式、工作的形式语
unemployment失业现象
embarrassment尴尬的境地/窘迫的状况
Much of our morality is customary.
我们的道德观念大都具有习惯性。
I couldn’t help looking at them with a certain amount of curiosity.
我不禁用好奇的目光打量着他。
④concrete n + n
He felt the patriot rise within his breast.
他感到一种爱国热情在胸中激荡。
5. To supply words expressing plural form加表示名词复数的词
New buildings have been built up along the banks of the river.
河的两岸建起一幢幢新房。
Fogs hide the mountain peaks.
层层迷雾遮蔽了重重峰峦。
The police let him off with warnings not to cause trouble again.
警察再三警告他不得重新作案,然后放了他。
6. To supply words expressing tenses加表示时态的词语
The curtain has parted, and the mystery is being dispelled.
帏幕已经拉开,神秘感正在消失。
7. To supply summary and connective words.
The Americans and the Russians have undergone a series of secret consultations.
美俄双方进行了一系列秘密磋商。
For mistakes had been made, bad ones.
已经犯了许多错误,而且还是严重的错误。
One foot and you are a dead man.
再往前一步,你就没命了。
That year the Chinese Yuan bought more, and the US dollars, less.
那年,人民币升值,美元贬值。
Association with the good can only produce good, with the wicked, evil.
近朱者赤,近墨者黑。
II. For grammatical usage
84楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 20:59:00
Amplification增译练习
1. He once again imparted to us his great knowledge, experience and wisdom.
他又一次使我们领教了他渊博的知识、丰富的经验和无穷的智慧。
2. We have also admired your exceptional intellectual qualities, your experience and your kindness.
我们也钦佩你过人的才智,丰富的阅历,亲切的态度。
3. Both sides are willing to hold face-to-face talks in order to ease tension in the Middle East.
双方愿意举行面对面的会谈,以缓和中东地区的紧张局势。
4. Theory is something, but practice is everything.
理论固然重要,实践尤其重要。
5. As an Oriental, I cannot but be proud of your historic achievement.
作为一个东方人,我不禁为你们所取得的历史成就感到骄傲。
6. All cash bonus shall be subject to income tax.
所有用现金支付的奖金、分红均需交纳所得税。
7. It’s more expensive than it was last time but not as good.
它价格比上次高,质量却比上次差了。
8. Success is often just an idea away.
成功与否往往只是一念之差。
9. The fan, with its modern, elegant, bright, and harmoniously colored design, is an excellent electrical household appliance for cooling purposes in hot summer days.
本电扇款式新颖,造型大方,色彩鲜艳,色泽柔和,是盛夏消暑纳凉的家电精品。
10. It was a time of diplomacy.
这是用外交手段解决问题的时候了。
11. According to reliable sources, China will build her own space shuttles.
据权威人士透露,中国要研制自己的航天飞机。
12. White lies don’t hurt.
善意的谎言不会伤害别人。
13. God knows what their fate will be, but I can guess.
天晓得他们的命运如何,但我能猜出几分。
14. The purposes of his journey were both military and political.
他此行既有军事目的,也有政治目的。
15. These electronic giants had vast scale, experience, distribution networks and research and development facilities.
这些电子巨头,规模庞大,经验丰富,销售网络完善,研发设施齐全。
16. His announcement got a mixed reaction.
他的声明引起了好坏兼而有之的反应。
17. He sought the distraction of distance.
他试图远走高飞,免得心神烦乱。
18. You’ll never work it out by that method; you are off the track altogether.
用那个方法你永远也算不出那道题,因为你的思路完全背道而驰。
19. Try to forget, if not to forgive, their offences.
对于他们的过错,你要是不能宽恕的话,就别记在心上。
20. The little chap’s good-natured honest face won his way for him.
这个小男孩长相老实,看上去脾气也好,到处有人缘。
21. You are late for the last time.
你被解雇了。(没有下次了)
85楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:00:00
Conversion词类转译
I. Converted into verb
1. Noun-->verb
My admiration for him grows more and more.
我对他越来越钦佩了。
An acquaintance of world history is helpful to the studies of current affairs.
了解世界历史对研究时事很有帮助。
He said he didn’t know whether the Russians were ready for a showdown.
他说他不知道俄国人是否准备摊牌。
-er, -or-->Verb
He is a heavy drinker and a chain smoker.
他这个人既能抽烟,又能喝酒。
Londoners are great readers.
伦敦人喜欢读书。
2. Adj. -->Verb
Be convinced that… 确信…
3. Prep. / Adv -->verb
Are you for or against my opinion?
你赞同还是反对我的观点?
Watermelons are in.
西瓜上市了。
4. take/have/give/make
They took a final look at Iron Mike, still intact in the darkness.
他们最后看了铁麦克一眼---它依旧安然无恙地耸立在黑暗中。
The next news bulletin, shorter than usual, made no mention of the demonstration.
下一个新闻节目比通常短,没有提到游行。
II. Converted into Noun
1. Verb-->Noun, such as aim, characterize, impress, etc
The camel is characterized by an ability to go for many days without water.
骆驼的特点是不喝水能行走多日。
What impressed me most was his heroic deed.
他的英雄壮举给我留下了深刻的印象。
2. Adj.-->Noun
The decreased死者(表单数)
The accused被告(表单数)
其余: the + adj. 表复数。
The fittest survive.适者生存。
III. Adj.-->Adv.
We should make a systematic and comprehensive study of the theory on art and literature.
我们应当系统全面地研究文艺理论。
86楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:01:00
Conversion词类转译练习
1. Independent thinking is an absolute necessity in study.
在学习中,独立思考是绝对必要的。
2. If the newspapers want to have a large circulation number, they must be informative, instructive and entertaining.
如果报纸想得以大量发行,必须具有知识性、思想性和趣味性。
3. Difference between the social systems of states shall not be an obstacle to their approach and cooperation.
各国社会制度不同,不应妨碍彼此接近和相互合作。
4. We are deeply convinced of the correctness of the reform and opening up policy and firmly determined to pursue it.
我们坚信改革开放的正确性,并决心继续奉行。
5. In those years the Republicans are in.
在那些年是共和党执政。
6. Traditionally, there had always been good relations between them.
他们之间始终保持着传统的友好关系。
7. Our age is witnessing a profound political change.
我们时代是一场深刻社会变革的见证。
8. Little by little they went along the entire coast of the Arctic Ocean, making careful observation on the way.
他们沿着北冰洋海岸慢慢地航行,一路仔细观察。
9. Please let us know if our terms are acceptable.
请告是否接受我方条款。
10. The new contract would be good for 5 years.
新的合同有效期为五年。
11. The growing awareness by millions of Africans of their extremely poor and backward living conditions has prompted them to take resolute measures and create new ones.
千百万的非洲人民已经逐渐认识到他们的贫困落后,这就促使他们去采取措施,创造新的条件。
12. We guarantee prompt delivery of goods.
我们保证迅速发货。
13. He noticed a very close agreement between the two countries on the Taiwan issue.
他注意到两国在台湾问题上的看法是非常一致的。
14. These problems defy easy classification.
这些问题难以归类。
15. He personified the evil that was in the world.
他是世间一切邪恶的化身。
16. On this question people of different age groups think differently.
对于这个问题,不同年龄段的人有不同的看法。
17. He was motivated by a desire to reach a compromise.
他的动机是希望达成某种妥协。
18. The cultivation of a hobby and new forms of interest is therefore a policy of first importance to a public man.
因此,对于从事社会活动的人来说,培养一种爱好和新的兴趣至关重要。
19. His style is characterized by brevity.
他的写作特点是简洁。
20. No wonder the sight of it should send the memories of quite a number of the old generations back 36 years ago.
怪不得老一辈的人看到这个情景就会想起36年前的往事。
21. Every state is the best judge of what is required to safeguard its national security.
每个国家应该如何保证他的安全,只有他自己才能做出决策。
22. His words and deeds testify to his honesty.
他的言行证明他是诚实的。
23. Every Englishman has some knowledge, however slight, of the work of our greatest writer.
每个英国人都了解一些我们这位伟大作家的作品,不管他了解多少。
24. Americans have a craze for the sun, a belief that the sun will cure chronic illness and that where there is sunshine, there will be a job.
美国人狂热地喜欢太阳,相信太阳能治疗慢性病,有太阳的地方就有工作。
87楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:02:00
略译练习
1. Everything is good when new, but friends when old.
东西是新的好,朋友还是老的真。
2. You cannot build a ship, a bridge or a house if you don’t know how to make a design or how to read it.
不会制图或看不懂图纸,就不会造船、架桥或者盖房子。
3. Anyone who fails to meet the basic prerequisites will have to sit in an examination designed for this purpose.
达不到基本条件者,都要通过专门考试。
4. Part-time waitress applicants who had worked at a job would receive preference over those who had not.
招收女兼职服务员,有工作经验者优先考虑。
5. We assure you of our prompt attention to this matter.
我们保证立即处理此事。
6. To learn is not an easy matter and to apply what one had learned is even harder.
学习不容易,应用更加难。
7. I should be very grateful if you could notify me of your decisions at your earliest convenience.
如果能早日告知你的决定,我将不胜感激。
8. If some people got their rights, they would complain of being deprived of their wrongs.
有些人得到了权力,就会抱怨被剥夺了犯错误的可能。
9. The sun is setting beyond the western hill.
日薄西山。
10. If you are a twinkler, you have the ability to walk into a room and bring the sunshine with you, making everyone also want to bask in it.
满怀喜悦的人能把阳光带进屋子里,使每个人沐浴其中。
11. It develops an argument; it cites instances; it reaches a conclusion.
它扩展了论点,引用了例证,还得出了结论。
12. In the 1880s the United States was a land sharply divided between the immensely wealthy and the very poor.
19世纪80年代的美国是一个贫富分化十分严重的国家。
13. Even a skilled writer probably could not describe all the features that make one face different from another.
即使最老练的作家也描绘不出区分别人脸的相互特征。
14. It is possible that they never imagined that any considerable amount of public opinion would be rallied in their favor.
他们可能决没有想到竟会有这么多舆论支持他们。
15. The true joy of joys is the joy that joys in the joy of others.
与人同乐,才是真乐。
16. Never trouble yourself with trouble till trouble troubles you.
不要自寻烦恼。
88楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:03:00
分句、合句
1. Reason was the sole guide that Mr. Johnson accepted in his quest.
约翰逊先生在求索中只注重理性。
2. In case the air moves, there will be a breeze.
空气的缓慢流动会产生微风。
3. There are events taking place at this time which dim their hopes and lessen the prospects.
4. The many colors of a rainbow range from red on the outside to violet on the inside.
彩虹有多种颜色,外圈红,内圈紫。
5. It has been rightly stated that this situation is a threat to international security.
这种局势对国际安全是一种威胁,这种说法是完全正确的。
6. Tobacco addicts remain hopelessly blind to signs that say “ No smoking”.
烟瘾大的人对于“禁止吸烟”的牌子仍是视而不见,真是无可救药。
7. Surprisingly enough, none of them showed any sign of fear in face of death.
令人惊讶的是他们这些人面对死亡毫无惧色。
8. Shanghai, once the paradise for adventurers, is now the largest industrial base in China.
上海过去被称作是冒险家的乐园,现在是中国最大的工业基地。
9. “You are talking delightful nonsense,” said Lifu.
李福说:“你虽然信口胡言,倒也满有趣味。”
10. What can easily be seen in his poems are his imaginary and originality, power and range.
他的诗形象生动,别具一格,气势磅礴,题材广泛,这是显而易见的。
11. He is always hungry. He is always poor, out of luck, and friendless.
他总是饥肠辘辘,总是那么可怜,也没有朋友。
12. He was shocked. Never before had anyone come alone, on foot, to his father’s cabin.
他大吃一惊,因为过去从来没有人独自步行去他父亲的小屋。
13. By now you know that getting your money’s worth is not just a matter of luck. It is more often the result of buying skill.
到现在大家才知道,钱要花得值并非仅仅靠运气,通常更需要购物技巧。
14. Franklin Roosevelt listened with bright-eyed smiling attention.
富兰克林·罗斯福总统眼睛闪光,面带微笑,聚精会神地听。
15. He crashed down on a protesting chair.
他猛地坐在一把椅子上,椅子被压得吱吱作响,好像是提出抗议一般。
16. You very likely give other passengers a quick glance to seize them up and to assure them that you mean no threat.
你可旺旺快地瞥一眼其他乘客,使他们确信你并无恶意。
17. He had a disconcerting habit of expressing contradictory ideas in rapid succession.
他有一种令人难堪的习惯,想法前后矛盾,变化多端。
18. They were very frank and candid with each other in a relaxed way.
他们之间开诚布公,直言不讳,而气氛却十分轻松。
89楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:04:00
正反、反正表达法
1. His speech leaves nothing to be desired.
他的演讲很成功。
2. It is not rarely that they discuss the matter form all angles.
他们总是从各种角度来讨论这个问题。
3. An opportunity is not likely to repeat itself.
良机难再。
4. We must never stop taking an optimistic view of life.
我们对生活始终要抱乐观的态度。
5. The significance of these incidents wasn’t lost on us.
这些事件引起了我们的重视。
6. The world could not sustain its population growth without a drastic decline in living standards.
世界要承受人口不断增长,势必使人们生活水平大幅度地下降。
7. The Autumn Report also touched upon the serious economic problems that would crop up.
秋季报告也没有回避可能出现的严重经济问题。
8. He has become understandable restless.
不难理解,他变得很忙。
9. Keep upright.
请勿倒置。
10. Agreeable sweetness.
甜而不腻。
11. “ I have read your articles, I expected to meet an older man.”
我读过你的文章,没想到你这么年轻。
12. She modeled between roles.
她不演戏的时候,去当模特。
13. Appearances are deceptive.
外表不可信。/ 外貌靠不住。
14. Our success and their failure have proved beyond all doubt that our method is far better than theirs.
我们的成功和他们的失败毫无疑问地表明,我们的方法比他们的优越。
90楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:05:00
四字词组练习
1. Truth is never pure, and rarely simple.
真理从来不是纯洁无暇,也很少是简单明了的。
2. Later, Churchill told him that such hesitations were really rare.
后来,邱吉尔告诉他说这种犹豫彷徨确实是很少见的。
3. He was one of his bitterest foes.
他是他一个不共戴天的仇敌。
4. The small group who knew the truth kept it to themselves.
少数知道真相的人都守口如瓶。
5. Without tools man is nothing, with tools he is all.
人没了工具就一事无成,有了工具便无所不能。
6. He grinned from ear to ear at the good news.
听到这个好消息,他笑逐颜开。
7. His irritation couldn’t withstand the silent beauty of the night.
面对宁静的良辰美景,他的烦恼烟消云散了。
8. She is an understanding but demanding teacher.
她是一位既善解人意,又严格要求的老师。
9. Colored lights glowed out on the festival night.
节日之夜,灯火辉煌。
10. If we pull together, success is certain.
如果我们同心协力,肯定就会成功。
11. Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it.
凡是忘掉过去的人,必定重蹈覆辙。
12. No longer able to contain herself, she gave the scoundrel a stinging slap.
她忍无可忍,狠狠地打了那个流氓一记耳光。
13. No doubt the leaders in Bangkok acted as they did --- in the Thai tradition of relying on a distant strong country to balance a nearby danger.
泰国领导人显然是运用了泰国传统的远交近扼的策略。
14. The newspaper might just as well talk loud about that as anything else.
报纸对这件事情可能会像对待其他事情一样大肆宣传。
15. He realized that there is very little that he can offer Frieda materially.
他认识到他在物质上能给予弗里达的帮助实在是微不足道的。
16. His illness has reached an advanced stage, and death is expected at any moment.
他的病已到了晚期,生命危在旦夕。
17. There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery!
我们别无退路,否则只能含垢忍辱,沦为奴隶。
18. The sense of relief among these people seemed to have been enormous and they danced on through the night.
他们看来真是如释重负,竟然跳了一个通宵。
19. The originality of his humor made everyone laugh.
他别具一格的幽默逗得大家开怀大笑。
20. There is hardly any possibility of the two parties reaching agreement.
双方达成协议的可能性微乎其微。
21. You seemed to be a bit flat these days.
这些天来,你好像无所作为。
22. In all fairness, it’s not a not play.
平心而论,这出戏还算不错。
23. Study requires perseverance.
学习需要持之以恒/坚持不懈。
24. I tried to discover and recreate exactly what the composer was trying to convey.
我尽可能把作曲家要表达的思想挖掘出来,并淋漓尽致地使它再现出来。
25. Tired of the pomps and vanities of this heartless world, he chose to live in obscure loneliness.
他看透了尘世间的浮华,并选择了孤身独处/孑然一身。
26. It is regrettable that our appeal remained a dead letter.
很遗憾,我们的呼吁竟如同泥牛入海。
27. As she sat down and began talking, words poured out.
当她坐下来并开始讲话时,她就口若悬河,喋喋不休。
28. But there are clues, and they seem to bear out our earlier suspicion.
但是还有线索可循,这些蛛丝马迹证实了我们当初的猜测。
29. His fury was exaggerated.
他大发雷霆,未免有点小题大做。
91楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:06:00
偶们的一次考试题目。
1. To the Chinese, there was not a civilization, but the civilization.
中国人认为,他们的文化不是文化的一种,而是唯一的文化。
2. We finished our work in half an hour, and I was among the rest.
我们在半个小时之内完成了我们的工作,我也是其中之一。
3. I’m sure that she is equal to the work.
我确信她能胜任这份工作。
4. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
他产生于富贵之家。
5. We broke our necks to get there on time.
为了准时到那儿,我们拼命赶路。
6. She was badly frightened. It took her a great while to find her tongue.
她被吓坏了,半天才说出话来。
7. Children should not call each other names.
孩子们不应该互相谩骂。 Call sb’s name骂人/call sb by name叫某人名字
8. By the fire in his eyes we knew that he meant business.
从他愤怒的目光里,我们知道他是认真的。
9. I suspected that he was pulling my leg.
我怀疑他在捉弄我。
10. These early cars were slow, clumsy and inefficient.
这些早期的汽车速度缓慢,行驶笨拙,而且效率不高。
11. Health is above wealth, for this cannot give so much happiness as that.
健康比财富重要,因为财富不能像健康那样给予我们快乐。
12. There was something original, independent, and heroic about the plan that pleased them all.
这个方案富于创造性,独辟蹊径,很有魄力,因此他们都很喜欢。
13. Everybody has a responsibility to the society of which he is a part and through this to mankind.
每个人对他所属的社会都有一份责任,通过社会,对人类也有责任。
14. He may make mistakes, many of them.
他可能会犯错误,而且会犯很多错误。
15. The boy did not leave home because he was afraid of his father.
那个孩子不是因为害怕他爸爸才离开的家。
16. Ruth was upsetting the other children, so I showed her the door.
鲁思打扰了其他孩子,所以我把她撵了出去。
17. This is the last place where I expected to meet you.
我没想到会在这儿见到你。
18. Every life has its roses and thorns.
每个人的生活都有苦和甜。
19. Not that I love Caesar less, but that I love Rome more.
并不是因为我爱恺撒浅,而是因为我爱罗马深。
92楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:07:00
汉译英时事政经词语选
----摘自Chinese Translators Journal 2003.1
上海取得2010年世博会的举办权
Shanghai Wins World Expo 2010
1. 就像北京欢庆赢得2008年奥运会的主办权一样,当上海挫败其竞争对手取得2010年世博会的举办权时,成千上万的中国人沸腾了,欢呼声、歌声汇成一片,人们的脸上挂满了喜悦的泪水。
In a scene reminiscent of Beijing’s jubilation on winning the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, thousands of Chinese erupted with cheers, songs and tears as Shanghai squashed rival entrants to win the right to host the 2010 World’s Fair and Exposition.
2. 12月4日晚,89名代表在摩纳哥举行了四轮投票,上海在最后一轮投票中击败韩国的丽水,以54票对34票的明显优势胜出。上海的得票数从未低于36票。弗罗茨瓦夫、克雷塔罗、莫斯科在前三轮投票中相继被淘汰。
In four rounds of voting by the 89 delegates in Monaco on the night of December 4th, Shanghai outlasted Yeosu in South Korea to win the final run-off convincingly by 54 votes to 34. Wroclaw was knocked out in the first round, then Queretare and finally Mossow. Shanghai’s votes never dropped below 36.
3. 申办世博会的成功又为上海增添了新的光彩,有可能使中国这座繁华的商业中心再过10年之后成为国际大都市。
The successful bid is another feather in the cap for Shanghai and could transform China’s booming commercial hub into a mega-city over the next decade.
4. 世博会是一个促进各国交流和发展的全球性的大型非商业性活动,被誉为经济和科技领域的“奥运会”。
The World Exposition, regarded as the Olympic Games of economy, science and technology, is a large scale, global, non-commercial event to promote the exchange of ideas and development of the world.
5. 首届世博会于1851年在伦敦举行,但从未在发展中国家举办过,国际展览局是根据1928年签署的一项外交公约成立的,其职责是对所辖范围内的展览活动的频度和质量进行监督和规范。
First held in 1851 in London, the World Expo has never been held in a developing country. And the International Exhibitions Bureau was established by a diplomatic convention in 1928, its function being to regulate the frequency and quality of exhibitions falling within its remit.
6. 上海已在实施重大的扩建计划,由此会兴起一轮建筑热潮,其中包括将要建造的世界上最高的建筑和正在建造的世界上第一条商业化的磁悬浮列车系统。
Major expansion plans were already afoot in Shanghai. It will embark on a building spree which could see it housing the world’s tallest building and is already building the world’s first commercial train system using magnetic levitation technology.
7. 分析人士说,新的扩建计划和预计达到的7000万游客将使房地产业和旅游业前景看好。
Analysts say real estate and tourism firms can expect a bonanza, not only from a projected 70 million visitors but also from an anticipated new frenzy of construction.
8. 这一国际性的盛会将促进中国的对外开放并将加速其现代化的进程。有了中国政府和全国人民的大力支持,上海有信心,有能力使2010年世博会取得圆满成功。
This international event will enhance China’s opening-up effort and accelerate the modernization drive. With the full support of the Chinese government and the whole nation Shanghai is confident and competent of staging World Expo 2010 successfully.
93楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-2 21:08:00
与民营化、城市化相关的词语
1.中国的经济改革已从整体上改变了中国的社会阶层,非国有企业的创业人员和技术人员、外资企业的经理和管理人员以及自由职业人员,都是有中国特色社会主义事业的建设者。
China’s economic reform has brought about overall changes in the pattern of its social strata. Entrepreneurs and technicians of non-state enterprises, managers and administrators of foreign-funded enterprises and people of the professions have all become builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
2.目前有三种力量正在推动中国经济的增长---市场、民间以及政府。随着民间力量迅速摆脱种种束缚,一个新的经济格局正在我国出现。
There are currently three forces powering the growth of China’s economy--- the market, the private sector and the government. As the private sector is rapidly shaking off the fetters of conventions, a new pattern of economy is taking shape in our country.
3.关于多种所有制的问题,我们必须保证不同所有制经济都能够在同一起跑线上平等竞争。
Over the issue of diversified ownership structure, we have to make sure that all forms of economic ownership can compete on a level playing field.
4.党的十六大强调了私有财产的保护问题,给私营企业主吃了“定心丸”。这种安全感将有效遏制资本外逃,并导致民间财富的普遍增加。
The 16th Party Congress stressed the importance of protecting private property, which has taken a load off the minds of private entrepreneurs, and it is this feeling of assurance that will effectively impede capital flight and lead to general growth of wealth in the private sector.
5.与国有企业相比,我国的私营企业无论在广度和规模上发展都很突出,随着十六大后其市场准入问题得以解决,我国私营企业正迎来一片新天地。
Compared with state-owned enterprises, China’s private business have been growing impressively both in scope and scale. A whole new horizon is now opening for the private sector with the issue of its market access being addressed after the 16th Party Congress.
6.专家们普遍认为,积极的财政政策对于最近几年的经济快速增长势头起了很大的作,2003年,这一政策的实施除了应向社会保障、农村教育及基础设施倾斜以外,还应从政府投资转向民间投资。
It is generally agreed among experts that the proactive fiscal policy has considerably contributed to the rapid economic growth in recent years. The year 2003 will see the further implementation of such a policy, which will give added weight to the development of the social security system, rural education and the infrastructure, and a shifting of focus in investment sources from the government to the private sector.
7.我们应该尽一切努力支持民营企业的发展,这对于为国有企业下岗职工提供就业机会至关重要。
We should do whatever it takes to support the development of the private sector, which is of great significance since it can create job opportunities for the layoffs form state-owned enterprise.
8.随着越来越多的私营企业主能够得到国有银行贷款,我国的私营企业将有可能创造更多的就业机会,以吸纳国企下岗职工。
With more and more loans from state-owned banks being available to private business owners, the private sector will be able to generate more jobs to absorb laid-off employees from state-owned enterprises.
9.中国城市化率目前只有37%,比世界平均水平低13个百分点。大力推进城市化,是中国奔向小康社会的历史重任。
China’s urbanization rate now stands at merely 37 percent, 13 percentage points lower than the world’s average level. It remains a historical mission for China to accelerate the process of urbanization, which will enable the nation to move towards moderate prosperity.
10.未来20年,城市化将成为我国经济进一步发展和结构调整的最主要推动力。
It is anticipated that in the next twenty years urbanization will be the main driving force to propel China’s economic development and structural change.
11.市场经济的发展将加速我国的城市化进程,全方位改变我国的社会结构。
The development of China’s market economy will speed up the process of urbanization of our country and reshape the social structure in all dimensions.
12.加快我国城市化进程可以一举两得,一方面可以刺激消费者需求,另一方面可以扩大投资支出。
The acceleration of China’s urbanization will produce the effect of killing two birds with one stone, namely working up consumer demand on the one hand, and boosting investment spending on the other.
12a.随着越来越多的农村人口涌进城市,到2020年,中国的城市化水平将从目前的37%达到50%以上。
With more and more rural residents flocking into cities, the urbanization level of China will increase from the current ratio of 37% to over 50% by the year 2020.
14.解决农民的根本办法不是务农,而是使其“不务正业”。
The only way out for farmers does not lie in farming itself, but in “switching off from the main line”.
94楼
Jean_ok 发表于:2004-1-3 19:10:00
95楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-4 14:45:00
汉译英时事政经词语选
1.新一届政府的工作要点概括为四句话。即:一个目标,两个环节,三个问题和四项改革。
The work of the new government can be put in a nutshell of “four phrases”, namely, to “attain one goal”, “implement two key policies”, “solve three major economic problems” and “promote reforms in four major aspects”.
2.实现一个目标,就是要保持经济持续较快地增长,同时,不断改善人民的生活水平。做到这一点,就要继续保持政策的稳定性和连续性,坚持扩大内需的方针,实施积极的财政政策。
To attain one goal is to maintain a continued sustainable and comparatively rapid development of the national economy and improve people’s living standards. To this end, it is vital for the government to maintain continuity and stability of policies and stick to the policy of working up custom on the domestic market and implement the proactive fiscal policy.
3.抓住两个关键环节。一个是经济结构的战略性调整,另一个是继续扩大对外开放。
The two key policies to be implemented are: to realize the strategic economic restructuring and continue to open up to the outside world.
4.解决三大经济问题就是要解决就业和社会保障问题、财政增收节支问题以及整顿和规范市场经济秩序的问题。
The three major economic problems involve how to solve the unemployment problem and establish a social security system, how to increase fiscal revenue and cut public spending, and how to regulate and standardize the economic order.
5.推进四项改革包括农村改革、企业改革、金融改革和政府机构改革。
The “reforms in four aspects” include the reform of the rural economy, the reform of state-owned enterprises, the reform of the financial system and the reform of governmental agencies.
6.第一项改革是农村改革。农村改革包括农村税费改革,粮食购销体制改革,对农民补贴方式的改革,农村金融改革和农村医疗制度的改革。
The rural reform covers the rural taxation system, grain purchase and sales, subsidies to farmers, the rural financial system and the rural medical and health service.
7.继续把企业改革作为整个经济体制改革的中心环节,致力于建立现代企业制度的目标,同时,推进国有资产管理体制的改革。
The government will continue to regard the reform of state-owned enterprises as the central task of the overall economic reform, aiming at establishing a modern corporate system, and in the meanwhile, China will promote the reform of the system for managing state assets.
8.一方面建立和完善金融监管体制,一方面要加快国有企业的改革,使其建立起真正的现代金融企业制度。
While establishing and improving the financial regulation system, his government will take steps to speed up the reform of state-owned financial enterprises so as to establish a modern financial enterprise system in its true sense.
9.还有政府机构改革,其关键在政府职能的转变,成败与否在此一举。
Anther aspect is the reform of the government agencies, the key of which is to change the functions the government agencies perform. It will be a make-or-break attempt in this regard.
10.为了保证这些任务的完成,必须把握以下二十四个字的原则:城乡协调、东西互动、内外交流、上下结合、远近兼顾、松紧适度。
Six principles, summed up in six words, have been laid out to ensure the achievement of the above objects, namely: coordination between the urban and rural areas, interaction between the eastern and western regions, exchange between China and the outside world, integration between central and local initiatives, balance between long-term and immediate interests, as well as appropriateness between the speed and dimension of reform and the social stability and bearing capacity.
96楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-4 19:26:00
翻译,你的本质是什么?
---------------- 议全译基础上的变译
毛荣贵 ETSL2001.6
翻译,源远流长。
我国最早的译事可上溯至西周之前。《礼记·王制》篇里载有:“中国,夷、蛮、戎、狄……五方之民,言语不通,嗜欲不同。达其志,通其欲,东方曰寄,南方曰象,西方曰狄,北方曰译。”寄、象、狄、译均指通译言语的人。
《周礼·秋官》篇说:“掌蛮狄诸国传谕言辞,而属秋官司寇”,“通夷狄之言者曰象胥。”“象胥”即指当时四方译官。
东汉时,佛经的翻译曾被广泛认为是中国文字翻译之滥觞,但据梁启超考查,战国的《越人歌》当是中国最早的译品。《越人歌》的原文、译文与来历载于西汉刘向的《说苑·善说》篇。
春秋楚康王之弟鄂君子晰“泛舟于新波”,“有越女拥楫而歌”,鄂君子晰不通越语,嘱人翻译,才知道越女所歌为一首情歌。
秦汉之际,北方匈奴崛起。秦汉与匈奴外事频繁,于是,周之“象胥”遂为“译”所代替。
东汉许慎在《说文解字》中对“译”的训诂为“传译四夷之言者”。南朝梁代慧皎《高僧转》三《佛陀什》:“先沙门法显于师子国得《弥沙塞律》梵本,未被翻译,而法显迁化。”“译”字前加上“翻”字,此为最早的文字记载,以此统指口译和笔译。
而给“翻译”下定义的第一人是宋僧法云,他在《翻译名义集》卷一中写到:“夫翻译者,谓翻梵天之语转成汉地之言。音虽似别,义则大同。《宋僧转》云:‘如翻锦绣,背面俱华,但左右不同耳。’”
翻译,你的本质是什么?
回答这个问题,决非易事。似可用苏东坡写庐山的名句写之:横看成岭侧成峰,远近高低各不同。
古今中外,人们在回答这个问题时,见仁见智,有以下不同的着眼点:
1.着眼于语言文字:
朱自清曾经这样认为:我是中国人,我现在所说的译,就是拿外国文翻译成中国文。
《韦氏新大学辞典》(1960年第二版)与朱自清所持的观点略同。该辞典对translation下了这样的定义:
to turn into one’s own language or another language(翻成本族语言或另一种语言)
2.着眼于意义(或意思):
《现代汉语词典》(商务印书馆1996年修订版)对“翻译”的解释是:
翻译,把一种语言文字的意义用另一种语言文字表达出来(也指方言与民族共同语、方言与方言、古代语与现代语之间一种用另一种表达).
《中国大百科全书·语言文字卷》(1988年)给翻译下的定义是:
把已说出或写出的话的意思用另一种语言表达出来的活动。
Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary of Current English with Chinese Translation ( Revised Third Edition 1984)也着眼于此:
Giving the meaning of (something, said or written) in another language
用另外一种语言将所说所写的意义表达出来。
3.着眼于内容和形式:
前苏联文艺派理论家索伯列夫:翻译的目的就是把一种语言中的内容与形式移植到另一种语言中去。
前苏联的语言学派翻译理论家费达罗夫(1953)说过:
翻译是一种语言把另一种语言在内容与形式不可分割的统一中业已表达出来了的东西准确而完全地表达出来。
4.着眼于信息:
当信息论在20世纪中叶创立以来,美国翻译理论家奈达从信息角度研究翻译理论。他从这一角度出发,阐释了翻译的内涵:“所谓翻译,是指从语义到文体在译语中用最切近而又最自然的对等语再现原语的信息。
持这种观点的我国学者也不乏其人。
王德春(1988):翻译就是转换承载信息的语言,把一种语言承载的信息用另一种语言表达出来。
蔡毅(1995)在分析了国外诸多翻译概念之后,言简意赅地说:翻译是“将一种语言传达的信息用另外一种语言传达出来”,信息的内涵是多方面的,包括意义、思想内容、感情、修辞、文体、风格、文化及其形式。
5.着眼于思想或思维:
《英汉翻译教程》(张培基1980):翻译是运用一种语言把另外一种语言所表达的思想内容准确而整体地重新表达出来的语言活动。
杨自俭(1989):翻译是译者的一种特殊而复杂的思维活动过程。
6.着眼于文化:
王克非(1997):翻译是译者将一种语言文字所蕴含的意思用另一种语言文字表述出来的文化活动。
国与国之间日趋频繁和广泛的文化交流促使译者重新认识文化在翻译中的作用。国外以什维采尔为代表的翻译理论家,在其有关翻译的定义中注入了文化内涵:“翻译是单向双相的语际和文化交际过程,在此过程中,在对原话语进行有针对性(翻译)分析的基础上,创造另一种语言和文化介质中代替原话语的次生话语。
7.着眼于综合:
黄忠廉(2000):翻译是一种转移信息内容和变更语言形式的活动;翻译的最初对象是话语,最终对象是文化信息;语言活动只是翻译最直接最显现的表层活动;思维活动是翻译最根本最隐蔽的深层活动;翻译是译文与原文之间求“似”的过程。
黄忠廉对翻译的思考比较深刻,为翻译所下的定义也比较全面,但是表达有琐碎之嫌,是否可以对翻译的本质作以下的概括:
翻译是一种更换语言形式和转移信息内容(包括思想、意义、情感、修辞、文体、风格、文化乃至口吻)的复杂的思维及表达的过程。
基于对严复的翻译思想(即所言)以及严复的翻译实践(即所为)的深入考证,基于对翻译本质的哲学思考,我国年轻学者黄忠廉提出翻译可以分成两类:全译和变译。
所谓变译(或翻译变体),是译者根据读者的特殊需要采用扩充、取舍、浓缩、阐释、补充、合并、改造等变通手段摄取原作中心内容或部分内容的翻译活动。《翻译变体研究》(中国对外翻译出版公司,2000年版)
黄忠廉(2000.8)还从多方面对变译可能性、必要性和可行性作了论证。如:
当下是一个人人可译的时代,是文字权威的失落、译法纷呈的时代,一个只部分需要慢工出细活的时代,一个写作和阅读都在迅速加快的时代。无视条件和需求,死守这完美的全译方式不放,译者永远只能作原作的奴隶,将不利于翻译事业的发展,不利于文化的交流。罗新璋(1990)曾说:“翻译理论中,抹杀译者主动性的论调应少唱,倒不妨多多研究如何拓展译者的创造天地,于拘限中掌握自由。”
本段文字足见作者的学术锋芒,同时也显露了作者的某些稚嫩。比如,“人人可译”概念含混,“文字权威的失落”依据不足,“一个只部分需要慢工出细活的时代”漏洞豁然!对罗新璋的引用也略嫌牵强。
应该承认,当今的信息时代对“变译”(即“非全译”)不仅有数量上,并有质量上的进一步的要求。黄忠廉阐述的变译翻译有理论,有例证,有分析,给译界吹入一股清新的风。
然而,我们不得不承认:全译,在目前,乃至今后一个很长的时期,仍将在译界唱主角。而变译,只能唱配角。此外,凡能登堂入室,青史留名的译作,无论是文学、政论、科技或新闻类的译作,其主体应该是“全译”之作,而非“变译”。
在对翻译的本质作全方位的透视之后,引出的思考是多元的。其中之一是:变译难道就一定适用于“非全译”吗?换言之,全译就不需要变译了吗?
回答是肯定的。就本质言,翻译即变译。
撩开笼罩在翻译本质问题上的层层面纱,徜徉在海洋般的译文和原文之间,我们感受到真正意义上的“(义则)大同”。
翻译的所谓“绝对等值”是根本不存在的。比如:
有不同形式的能,例如热能、声能、电能和化学能。(23个字)
There are different forms of energy, such as heat energy, sound energy, electric energy, and chemical energy.(17个单词)
以上两句,从表面上看,似乎“等值”,其实不然,两句的字数显然不同。
又如:
我们热爱祖国。
We love our country.
同样,汉语说“我们热爱祖国”已足以达意,无须说“我们热爱我们的祖国”。
“大同”二字,也从一个侧面道出了翻译的本质。古今中外,许多关于翻译的著名慨叹都可以“挂”到“大同”二字上。诸如:
“从一种文字出发,积寸累尺地度越那许多距离,安稳到达另一种文字里,这是很艰辛的历程。一路上颠顿风尘,遭遇风险,不免有所遗失或受些挫伤。因此,译文总有失真和走样的地方。”
--------罗新璋《我国自成体系的翻译理论》(1983)
言及翻译,雨果有一著名譬喻。他说:“翻译如以宽颈瓶中灌入狭颈瓶中,傍倾而流失者必多》”
然而,我国的当代文豪钱钟书曾指出:翻译必有“失”,但失于此可以得于彼。
“变译”二字不应该从我们的眼皮底下溜走。这两个字,不仅单刀直入地“拎”出了翻译的本质,而且对于初入译林者来说,“变译”二字,几可起“指南针”的作用。跋涉译林,举步维艰,意欲腾飞,简直不可想象。然而,当译者的头脑注入“变译”二字,崎岖译路会豁成坦途,枯涩译文会顿时着色。总之,全译需要变译,全译呼唤变译!
本文拟从巴金的散文《我的第一个老师》中摘录几段,通过两译比较,来具体认识全译中的“变译”,来探索全译中的变译的种种手段,从而,在透视翻译本质的背景下,使我们的汉译英的实践能调整到一个全新的起点上;在发散性思维运用于翻译实践的前提下,令我们的译笔获得空前的游刃自如。
所谓“两译比较”,即“照译”和“变译”的比较。“照译”,系作者杜撰之词,意思是译者亦步亦趋,尽量按照汉语原文遣词或造句,不作或少作变通,忠实地照汉语原文作英译。当然,这里所说的变译是指全译基础上的变译,而非“摄取原作中心内容或部分内容的翻译活动”。
97楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-4 19:29:00
1.我的第一个先生就是我的母亲。我已经说过使我认识“爱”字的是她。
照译:The first teacher of mine is my mother. I have said that she made me know the word “love”.
变译:Mother is my first teacher who, as I said before, awakened in me a sense of love.
“照译”系常见的初学者的译文,看似忠实。汉语表达“认识‘爱’字”的意思是“懂得了爱”,而英语know the word “love”却令native speakers费解。
变译者使用了“换译”的方法,将“认识‘爱’字”换成了地道的英语表达awakened in me a sense of love,异曲而同工!
变译者的另一个方法是“合译”,原文两句,以逗号分开,而英译却将两句“捏”成一句。中间插入短语as I said before,天衣无缝!
说得彻底一点,佳译必为变译,照译则多为拙译。
2.在我幼儿的时候,她是我的世界的中心。她很完满地体现了一个“爱”字。
照译:In my childhood, she was the center of my world. She incarnated perfectly the word “love”.
变译:She was the center of the world in my early childhood, the very image of love itself.
翻译时,懂“变”则灵,能“变”则优。没有比较的情况下,会觉得照译也未尝不可,再读变译,就令人叫好。这次,变译者运用了“缩译”之法,把原句里的一独立句(她很完满地体现了一个“爱”字。)大胆地“缩”成英译中的一个同位语(the very image of love itself),从而获得了行文之畅洁。上句的“缩译”还导致了“合译”,两句汉语自然合译了一句英语。
3.她使我知道人间的温暖;她使我知道爱与被爱的幸福。
照译:She made me know the warmth in the world; she made me know the happiness to love and to be loved.
变译:It was to her that I owed my awareness of the fact that there is warmth in the world --- that to show love is no less happiness than to be loved.
“照译”无变,一句一句地译,一词紧扣一词。一个“照”字,是初涉译林者的写照,思维呆板,译笔拘谨,没有发掘,决无创意。而变译者则文思鲜活如涌泉,目光锐利善作透视,能直探纸背,能得其赅义,而变“翻译”为“改译”。以上变译就可作例证。且不说变译者将两句汉语自然地糅合在一起,且不说变译者能品味出原句的淡淡的强调意味而巧用英语强调句型,就拿“使我知道爱与被爱的幸福”的英译来说,就足现变译者的胆识和智慧。原句的“使我知道爱与被爱的幸福”是平面的,叙述性的,而英译to show love is no less happiness than to be loved则是立体的,分析性的,堪称“创意之译”,或简称“创译”。因为常人习惯认为to be loved与to show love相比,前者更乐,更幸福。
除了“创译”之外,变译者还非常成功地使用了“合译”手段。全句以it统领,洋洋洒洒,架床叠屋,节外生枝,细细品来,英语味浓香馥郁!由此可见,所谓“变译”,并非单单凭主观意愿就能成就,它需要浓厚的语言功底和敏锐的语感!
4.她常常用温和的口气,对我解释种种的事情。
照译:She would speak to me in gentle tone, explaining all kinds of things to me.
变译:How tenderly and gently she explained to me all sorts of things!
一个“信”字,在译界的位置似乎至高无上,禁锢了译者的思维,对原文只能亦步亦趋,而不敢越雷池一步!“照译”便是明证。变译者所以妙笔生花,一个重要原因在于他对原文所持的态度:由表及里,得其“意”而忘其“形”,当然,这个“形”在上句中是指其句型。“用温和的口气”系一般描述,而其相应英译How tenderly and gently确是强烈的慨叹。这种变译,是译,但在“译”中合理地、科学地掺入了一个“写”字!此种变译之法,我们是否可以称之为“译写”?
我国的译学家罗新璋(1990)曾说:“翻译理论中,抹杀译者主动性的论调应少唱,倒不妨多多研究如何拓展译者的创造天地,于拘限中掌握自由。”这里所说的“自由”,大概就是“译”中有“写”的意思吧。
5.她教我爱一切的人,不管他们贫与富;她教我帮助那些在困苦中需要扶持的人。
照译:She taught me to love everyone, no matter the person is rich or poor. She taught me to help the persons who were in need of support.
变译:She told me it was good to love people, whether poor or rich, and be always ready to give a helping hand to those in need or in trouble.
“照译”对原文“毕恭毕敬”,作了原文的“奴隶”,不敢增减一词。但是,当我们把目光转向“变译”时,便生“出洞见光”之感。你看:
她教我爱一切的人--> She told me it was good to love people.
英译“大胆地”增加了it was good!
她教我帮助那些在困苦中需要扶持的人 --> be always ready to give a helping hand to those in need or in trouble.
英译又“无根据”地增加了be always ready to(情愿地)
“增译”并非新鲜出炉的译技,却是“变译”的“看家手法”之一。品味这种增译,让我们从两个方面去佩服译者主题性。首先,译者对原文的真正吃透,其次,译文能让native speakers更乐意地接受。
6.她教我同情那些景遇不好的婢仆,怜恤他们,不要把自己看得比他们高,动辄将他们打骂。
照译:She taught me to be sympathetic to the slave-girls and servants, kind and gentle to them, who were living in poor condition. Don’t regard yourself as superior to them, beat and scold them at every turn.
变译:She advised me to give a sympathetic thought to servants and maids, who were not so fortunate as we were in their circumstances, and never look down upon them like a superior. They deserved compassion, rather than maltreatment on the slightest pretext.
鉴别来自比较。“照译”出自学生的手笔,似乎无懈可击,但是,读了“变译”,顿时眼亮!
景遇不好--> who were not so fortunate as we were in their circumstances.
与其称此译为“翻译”,不如称此译为“释译”!若作“回译”,可译:他们的生活环境不如我们那么幸运。由此可见,这种似乎“离谱”的“释译”更精确更丰满地传递了“景遇不好”的内涵。
将他们打骂--> They deserved compassion, rather than maltreatment on the slightest pretext.
读此变译,会生嚼橄榄的感觉,越嚼越觉满口生香。“打骂”二字被译成了maltreatment,不仅其涵盖面趋宽,更重要的是表达由丑趋美!“转移信息内容和更换语言形式”在更美的层次上进行,我们是否可以称之为“美译”?当然,英译还在别处透出了原句所不含的“美”。诸如增译了deserved compassion,使用了短语rather than(国人一般不太会使用),还将“动辄”非常精巧地译成了on the slightest pretext!
7.母亲自己也处过不少的逆境。在大家庭里做媳妇,这苦处是不难想到的。但是母亲从不曾在我眼前淌过泪,或者说过什么悲伤的话。她给我看见的永远是温和的,带着微笑的脸。
照译:Mother herself has experienced no lack of adversities. To be a daughter-in-law in a big family, the bitterness was not hard to imagine. But mother had never shed tears or said something sorrowful. She let me see an always gentle and smiling face.
变译:It was natural for a person like her, with her personal sufferings as an insignificant daughter-in-law in a big feudalistic family. Quite imaginable that she had had bitter experience, yet never once did I see her shed tears nor hear her express grief. In my eyes she was always tender, always smiling.
“照译”是何等的“规矩”,在表层结构上求得了最大的等值。而“变译”的第一句简直让读者感到惊诧!因为在原句中,我们实在寻找不到It was natural for a person like her的对应表达。原句的开头是“母亲自己也处过不少的逆境”呀!但是,当我们的目光从句子转移到篇章的时候,便豁然开朗。第6段讲到了母亲教育我们要体惜婢仆,本段则在对母亲的这种品格作一背景交代!是否可以将It was natural for a person like her理解为广义的hypotaxis(形合)?译笔如此大胆泼辣,“无中生有”地翻译,是否可以称之为“译写”?
此种“译写”,闪现在本段其他地方,诸如:
在大家庭里做媳妇--> as an insignificant daughter-in-law in a big feudalistic family
注意英译中的insignificant和feudalistic。
她给我看见的永远是温和的,带着微笑的脸--> In my eyes she was always tender, always smiling.
原句表达的中心词为“脸”,译者竟然“偷梁换柱”般地将它译写成smiling!
8.我在一篇短文里说过:“我们爱夜晚在花园上面天空中照耀的星群,我们爱春天在桃柳枝上鸣叫的小鸟,我们爱从树梢洒到草地上面的月光,我们爱那使水面现出明亮珠子的太阳。我们爱一只猫,一只小鸟。我们爱一切人。”这个“爱”字就是母亲教给我的。
照译:I once said in an article, “we love the shining stars in the sky above the garden at night, we love the chirping birds in the peach and willow trees in springtime, we love the moonlight shedding onto the meadows through the treetops, we love the sun which brings the shining pearls on the water surface. We love a cat, a bird. We love everyone.” This “love” is what mother taught me.
变译:As I wrote in a short article, “we love the twinkling stars high above the flower-garden; we love the little birds chirping on trees in spring; we love the moon shedding light through treetops on the meadows; we love the sun shining brilliantly on a sheet of water. We love a kitten, a bird, everything and everybody.” Love--- that’s what I was taught and imbued with by mother.
译途漫漫,译者总是起步于“照译”,而腾飞于“变译”。我们常说的“译笔拘谨”,即指“照译”。“变译”是超人的学术胆识、深厚的双语功力、纵横的发散思维共同作用的结果。删译≠漏译,前者是变译的又一常用方法,而后者则是译笔稚嫩者的常见病。如:
我们爱春天在桃柳枝上鸣叫的小鸟--> we love the little birds chirping on trees in spring
既然原句出现了“桃柳枝上”,英译怎么可以“视而不译”呢?照译者不敢不译,而变译者却将它删除了。两相比较,你是否觉得删译落得个“干净”?
长期以来,人们关于翻译标准的争辩和探讨撇开了一项重要内容,即翻译客体的具体内容和译文的受众。这是一篇巴金回忆母亲的散文,而不是国务院总理答记者问。前者接受、认可、赞许合理的删译,而后者则视任何“删译”为“漏译”!
删译和增译,在变译者的笔下交替出现,该删则删,删得洒脱;该增即增,增得精彩!请看本段的另一译例:
这个“爱”字就是母亲教给我的--> Love--- that’s what I was taught and imbued with by mother.
原文只有一个“教”字,变译者却旁生出一个imbued,何也?这似乎没有太多的道理可以陈述,似乎也不会有哪一本翻译教程教你在这里增译一个imbued。但是,你会不由自主地去欣赏这个imbued,原因很简单,因为,这个增词让英译更加耐读,更加丰满,更美。
9.因为受到了爱,认识了爱,才知道把爱分给别人,才想对自己以外的人做一些事情。把我和这个世界联起来的也正是这个“爱”字,这是我的全部性格的根底。
照译:Because I have received love, I come to understand love, I come to know I should share love with others, and I should do something for others. What has connected me with the society is just love, this is the root of the whole of my character.
变译:As I had experienced love and come to know what it meant, I began to share it with others and often tried to do something for other people’s sake. Love ---- that is the root of my character.
“艺高胆大”同样是变译者的一种写照。细读本段的变译,你会发现,“把我和这个世界联起来的也正是这个‘爱’字”一句整个地被删减了。初读略存不解,再读便心中豁然。既然英译上文已有I began to share it with others and often tried to do something for other people’s sake,何必再赘添“把我和这个世界联起来的也正是这个‘爱’字”?如此删译,实属大刀阔斧,却并非无原则的漏译。
另如:
这是我的全部性格的根底--> Love ---- that is the root of my character.
同样,这里又出现了删译:原句里的“全部”未被译出。道理并不复杂,试想,“全部”在原句里起强调作用,若真的在英译中译出:that is the root of the whole of my character,是否给读者,特别是native speakers“蛇足”之嫌?my character就是my character,为什么要称the whole of my character?可见,甲语言中的合理的强调手段在乙语言中未必合理。
如前所说,翻译即变译。
本文总结的变译方法有九种:换译、合译、缩译、创译、译写、增译、释译、美译、删译。
98楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-4 19:37:00
El Dorado不断延伸的地平线
By Robert L. Stevenson
叶子南 译
中国翻译2003.3
It seems as if a great deal were attainable in a world where there are so many marriages and decisive battles, and where we all, at certain hours of the day, and with great gusto and dispatch, stow a portion of victuals finally and irretrievably into the bag which contains us.
人在这个世界上好像真可以大有作为,因为世间有那么多联姻婚嫁,决战厮杀,因为我们每日都按时急匆匆、乐滋滋地将一份食物一去不复返地塞入我们自己的皮囊。
And it would seem also, on a hasty view, that the attainment of as much as possible was the one goal of man’s contentious life. And yet, as regards the spirit, this is but a semblance.
乍一看,在这个你争我斗的人生里,人活着的唯一目的仿佛真是获取利益,多多益善。可是从精神方面解读人生,此种观点却只能触及皮相。
We live in an ascending scale where we live happily, one thing leading to another in an endless series. There is always a new horizon for onward-looking men, and although we dwell on a small planet, immersed in pretty business and not enduring beyond a brief period of years, we are so constituted that our hopes are inaccessible, like stars, and the term of hoping is prolonged until the term of life.
正是因为我们不停地追求进取,我们才感到生活幸福,一件事情完成后,另一件随之而来,如此永无止境。对于向前看的人,眼前永远有新的地平线。虽然我们生活在一个小小的星球上,为尘世间的琐事日夜奔忙,加之生命又极其短暂,可是造化使我们永远无法企及希望,恰如天上的繁星,无法摘取;希望和生命似同枝连理,希望会延伸至生命的最后一刻。
To be truly happy is a question of how we begin and not of how we end, of what we want and not of what we have. An aspiration is a joy for ever, a possession as solid as a landed estate, a fortune which we can never exhaust and which gives us year by year a revenue of pleasurable activity. To have many of these is to be spiritually rich.
真正的幸福是启程时的欣喜,而非抵达处的欢乐;真正的幸福源于想有而没有的渴望,而非来自一切到手的满足。渴望是一个永恒的喜悦,一笔如地产般稳固的财产,一份取之不尽的财富,正是心中怀有渴望,我们才年复一年参与令人欣喜的世事。一个人如有很多希望,就是精神的富豪。
Life is only a very dull and ill-directed theatre unless we have some interests in the piece; and to those who have neither art nor science, the world is a mere arrangement of colors, or a rough footway where they may very well break their shins.
人生只是一出枯燥的戏文,编导得又十分拙劣,要想让人生不乏味,我们就得对这出戏文兴致勃勃。一个人若无艺术爱好,又缺乏科学头脑,世界便只是五颜六色的凑合,或可比之为崎岖的旅程,让人历尽坎坷。
It is in virtue of his own desires and curiosities that any man continues to exist with even patience, that he is charmed by the look of things and people, and that he wakens every morning with a renewed appetite for work and pleasure.
但正是因为有了欲望和好奇,人才能永远耐心地活下去,才能见物而喜,遇人而乐,才能在晨起时重新激起想工作、要快乐的冲动。
Desire and curiosity are the two eyes through which he sees the world in the most enchanted colors: it is they that make women beautiful or fossils interesting; and the man may squander his estate and come to beggary, but if he keeps these two amulets he is still rich in the possibilities of pleasure.
欲望和好奇是两只眼睛,人通过它们观看世界,世界于是也色彩纷呈。正因为有了欲望和好奇,女人才能美得倾国倾城,顽石竟会让人兴趣盎然。一个人可以倾家荡产,沦为乞丐,可是只要他有这两样财宝,他就仍然有无限的欢乐。
译者按:这段文字选自斯蒂文森的散文El Dorado,是一篇十分鼓舞人心的短篇。El Dorado是西班牙文,原指南美洲的一片土地,意为黄金之岛,其比喻意思就是想象中绝妙的地方,乌托邦之乡,梦寐以求之处。
Kyle按:原文为全一段,我为了方便打字,将其自行拆成几个段落。
99楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-7 18:12:00
恍悟于比较阅读之时
----从parataxis到hypotaxis
张培基教授的《英译中国现代散文选》是我的“床头书”之一,灯下翻阅,是睡前一种享受,既重温我国的字字珠玑的散文名作,又品尝了英译表达别样的丰姿。
张译不乏亮点,总体精彩可读。然,字里行间残留之不足,也让读者抱憾。试读:
1. 到南京时,有朋友约去游逛,勾留了一日;第二日上午便须渡江到浦口,下午上车北去。
----朱自清《背影》(以下汉语原文出处皆此)
张培基译文(以下简称“张译”):
I spent the first day in Nanjing strolling about with some friends at their invitation, and was ferrying across the Yangtze River to Pukou the next morning and thence taking a train for Beijing on the afternoon of the same day.(42个单词)
对照阅读之下,一个强烈的视觉冲击是:原文简约,而英译竟如此拖沓!难道英语表达就应如此冗杂?且不说两个连词and如何令句子结构趋于松散,就论遣词,the next morning和on the afternoon of the same day夹在同一句中,其中必有可省略之成分!
读到此,笔者寻出杨宪益和戴乃迭所译的《背影》作参照阅览。不比不知道,一比便开窍。杨戴两位对上句的英译是:
A friend kept me in Nanjing for a day to see sights, and the next morning I was to cross the Yangtze to Pukou to take the afternoon train to the north.(32个单词)
果然,在杨戴的译文中把afternoon用作形容词,置于train之前,如此以一当九『afternoon (train) =a train (for Beijing) on the afternoon of the same day』,意思丝毫未改,而且更“信”。比如,杨将“上车北去”的“北”不是译成Beijing,而是译成north。
另外,张译之“有朋友约去游逛,勾留了一日”非常“铺张”,译成了I spent the first day in Nanjing strolling about with some friends at their invitation.从表层结构看,“游逛”被译成strolling about,“约”也被译成at their invitation,看似译笔细密,点滴不漏,其实,却经不起推敲。Strolling about是否译得太泛?at their invitation是否译得过于庄重?
比较阅读在灯下继续,便又有了新的发现。
2. 我们过了江,进了车站。我买票,他忙着照看行李。
张译不可谓不“忠”,亦步亦趋地译成了两句:
We entered the railway station after crossing the River. While I was at the booking office buying a ticket, father saw to my luggage.
再读杨译,发现译文紧缩为一句,系一“尾重”句。表达流畅,且英语味也浓郁。
We crossed the Yangtze and arrived at the station, where I bought a ticket while he saw to my luggage.
比较之下,我们宁可读杨译,为什么?寻思之下,关键恐怕在where一词,这个关系副词的使用,令两句自然“壁合”,紧接着又跟上一个while,译文就获得了流畅感和英语味。
比较阅读,感悟良多。形容这种感悟,可套用陶渊明在《桃花源记》中的一句:初极狭,才通人,复行数十步,豁然开朗。
我们知道,属于不同语系的英语和汉语在句法上各具特色,其间差异不一而足而。当代美国著名翻译家奈达在其Translating Meaning (1983)一书中指出:就汉语和英语而言,也许在语言学上最重要的一个区别,就是形合和意合的对比(contrast between hypotaxis and parataxis)。其实,“意合”一词,并非新词,我国著名的语法学家王力在其《中国语法理论》及《汉语语法纲要》两本书中都提到了“意合”问题。他在后者中言及:复合句里既有两个以上的句子形式,它们之间的联系有时候是以意合的……有的汉语语法书虽然没有提及“意合”一词,但涉及了此现象。如:《现代汉语》(下册)(张志公著)认为复合句分两类:“借助虚词组合成的复句”与“依靠语序直接组合成的复句”。
英语重形合,汉语重意合,这早已是人们的共识。英语借助connectives组成复句,而汉语则更多地依靠语序直接组合复句。比如:
汉语:东海缺少白玉床,龙王来请金陵王。
英译:If the Dragon King wants a white jade bed, he applies to the Wangs of Chiling, it’s said.
英译中的这个if是万万不可少的,否则就违反了英语的表达习惯。
因此,汉译英的过程中往往需要将意合句转化成形合句。从意合到形合,似乎很简单,好像就是增加一个connective就可以了。问题是如此简单吗?否,译者头脑中的形合/意合意识是否成熟,在很大程度上影响译文的质量。
英译中的形合句因添加了connective,其长度似乎应该增加。对比证明,英译添加了connective,构成形合句,译文英语味趋浓,句子遣词不是增加,而是有所减少。试比较:
3. 老境却如此颓唐!他触目伤怀,自然情不能自已。情郁于中,自然要发之于外;家庭琐屑便往往触他之怒。
张译:
To think that he should now be so downcast in old age! The discouraging state of affairs filled him with an uncontrollable feeling of deep sorrow, and his pent-up emotion had to find a vent. That is why even mere domestic trivialities would often make him angry.
译笔拘谨,基本按照原文语序译出。就性质言,译文以意合句为主,意合转化为形合的意识在译文中得不到足够反映,connective使用不到位,洋洋洒洒,三句共计用了47个英语单词。
杨译:
No one could have foreseen such a comedown in his old age! The thought of this naturally depressed him, and as he had to vent his irritation somehow, he often lost his temper over trifles.
如用“牵丝攀藤”写张译,那么,杨译则明快爽洁。诵读前者,恰如艰难举步于灌木丛中,而浏览后者,则是赤足奔跑在海边沙地上。
如此反差,也许可追溯到译文中的as。一个as,看似轻巧,实则不然。As折射了原文中的“因果”逻辑关系,使行文脉络朗现,逻辑突出,表达也就自然明澈。一个as就轻易替代了张译中的That is why…等众多累赘字眼。可以设想,没有这个表示逻辑关系的as,译文就得“绕道而行”,自然就得花费更多的笔墨。
汉译英,许多意合句改变为形合句,增加了connective,但句子却更精炼,遣词也减少的现象并非偶然。
但是,connective的使用,甚至多使用connectives,译文是否就一定趋简呢?未必!请看对比:
4. 我北来后,他写了一信给我,信中说道,“我身体平安,惟膀子疼痛利害,举箸提笔,诸多不便,大约大去之期不远矣。”
张译:
After I arrived in Beijing, he wrote me a letter, in which he said, “ I’m all right except for a severe pain in my arm. I even have trouble using chopsticks or writing bushes. Perhaps it won’t be long now before I depart this life.”
此句使用的connectives“前呼后拥”,如:after/in which/except for/or等。但是,读来仍然摆脱不了“牵丝攀藤”的感觉,特别在读了下译后:
杨译:
After I came north he wrote to me: “My health is all right, only my arm aches so badly I find it hard to hold the pen. Probably the end is not far away.”
两句的字数比是:45:34。让人感到意外的是,杨译所使用的connective仅两个:After/so。
这又是为什么呢?两译对比,尤其是对so的思考,笔者茅塞顿开。
所谓connective,似可根据其作用,分为两类:一种是结构性的(structural connective),另一种是非结构性的(non-structural connective)。结构性的connective既折射句子内部逻辑关系,又是句子的框架性构件,“支撑”起英语句子,可谓“一箭双雕”。
而非结构性的connective不是句子的逻辑标记,仅是行文的纽带,承接上下文,如:
After I arrived in Beijing, he wrote me a letter, in which he said…
After I came north he wrote to me…
上译中的in which即非结构性connective,不反映逻辑关系,承上启下而已。使用了这样的connective,未必能简化表达,与he wrote me a letter相比,in which he said就显得罗嗦,徒增了行文的字数。
结构性的connective,化隐含的逻辑关系为明示的逻辑关系,假如依靠别的文字来描述或传达同样的逻辑关系,自然会多费笔墨。如:
I’m all right except for a severe pain in my arm. I even have trouble using chopsticks or writing bushes.
Only my arm aches so badly I find it hard to hold the pen.
下译中的so,即属于结构性的connective。So虽不起眼,作用却大。So不仅使“惟膀子疼痛利害,举箸提笔,诸多不便”一句中隐含的因果关系“浮出水面”,令读者易懂,而且使句子结构豁然。而张译中的I even have trouble using chopsticks or writing bushes独立成句,逻辑上产生割裂感,“前不着村,后不着店”一般。
汉英翻译,对英语重形合,汉语重意合的规律只有朦胧印象或泛泛了解是远远不够的。光凭语感使用connective,也未必能够达到简化表达的目的。
只有对汉语原句作一番逻辑梳理,并亮出结构性的connective,译文才会显出优势。
汉语意合句的内部逻辑关系,字面上“不动声色”,而内涵却丰富精彩。英译时,一不小心,就会滑入照字面直译的歧路,而不善使用形形色色的connectives,尤其是结构性的connectives。如:
1.早知今日,何必当初?
这是隐含“条件”从句的汉语意合句,英译不可少if:
If I had known it would come to this, I would have acted differently.
2.他老是见异思迁。
这是隐含“时间”从句的汉语意合句,英译不可少the moment:
He is always changing his mind the moment he sees something new.
3.江山易改,本性难移。
这是隐含“转折”关系的汉语意合句,英译不可少but:
It is easy to change rivers and mountains but hard to change a person’s nature.
4.总之,前途是光明的,道路是曲折的。
这是隐含“对比”关系的汉语意合句,英译不可少while:
In a word, while the prospects are bright, the road has twists and turns.
译者缺乏识破汉语原文所隐含的逻辑关系的“火眼金睛”,译文的精神必不能抖擞。如:
100楼
kylepluto 发表于:2004-1-7 18:15:00
5. 我读到此处,在晶莹的泪光中,又看见那肥胖的,青布棉袍,黑布马褂的背影。唉!我不知何时再能与他相见!
从字面上看,上句没有显露逻辑之痕,但是,译者假如不识其面目(隐含“时间”从句的汉语意合句),照字面“老老实实”地去译,那将获得怎样的译文呢?
张译:
Through the glistening tears which these words had brought to my eyes I again saw the back of father’s corpulent form in the dark blue cotton-padded cloth long gown and the black cloth mandarin jacket. Oh, how I long to see him again!
“看见那肥胖的,青布棉袍,黑布马褂的背影”应该如何理解?其中隐藏着怎样的逻辑关系?这是一个需要结合上文细加推敲的问题。其“逻辑”背景是:当父亲离我而去的时候,我看见那肥胖的,青布棉袍,黑布马褂的背影。这个“逻辑”背景是全文之“眼”。汉语是成熟的语言,“当父亲离我而去的时候”不必言明,此意已经很自然地溶入字里行间,读者足以意会。但是,在英译时,译者就必须遵从英语表达习惯,应该化隐为显,变无为有。遗憾的是,张译显然没有注意到这一点,而是作了直译:I again saw the back of father…句中的动宾搭配(saw/back),基本沿袭了汉语原句的动宾结构(看见/背影)。
请读杨译:
When I read this, through a mist of tears I saw his blue cotton-padded gown and black jacket once more as his burly figure walked away from me. Shall we ever meet again?
此译抛弃了原句的动宾结构,而是另立新的动宾搭配:saw / his blue cotton-padded gown and black jacket。这样就腾出了使用connective的空间,译笔多有创意!果然,紧接着出现了一个as(注:这是典型的结构性connective),非常清晰和有层次感地传递了“背影”出现的时间。as his burly figure walked away from me在原句里寻找不到相对应的字眼,却能在上文里寻找到此译的背景。由as引导的从句,贯通了上下文,并成功点题,把父亲的“背影”给译活了,这比单纯地写I again saw the back of father…更让人喝彩。如果说,译文I again saw the back of father…是死板的、平面的、孤立的,而译文I saw his blue cotton-padded gown and black jacket once more as his burly figure walked away from me则是鲜活的、立体的、贯通上文的。
英语的形合表达,竟有此妙处,这是我们始料不及的。此外,我们不应忘记,一个as省略了多少赘词!从张译的43个单词缩减到33个!
6. 我看见他戴着黑布小帽,穿着黑布大马褂,深青布棉袍,蹒跚地走到铁道边,慢慢探身下去,尚不大难。可是他穿过铁道,要爬上那边月台,就不容易了。
张译:
I watched him bobble towards the railway track in his black skullcap, black cloth mandarin jacket and dark blue cotton-padded cloth long gown. He had little trouble climbing down the railway track, but it was a lot more difficult for him to climb up that platform after crossing the railway track.(51词)
没有比较,就没有鉴别。孤立读此译文,觉得并无明显不妥。意思到位,且文字清通。然而,世间万物,总经不起比较,译文亦不例外。把目光投向杨译时,读者的第一个感觉:张译的累赘和杨译的明快。此外,令人称奇的是,杨译的as he waddled to the tracks and climbed slowly down和上一句译文中的as his burly figure walked away from me有异曲同工之妙!于是,读者再次慨叹译者不同凡响的hypotaxis consciousness。
试读杨译:
So I watched him in his black cloth cap and jacket and dark blue cotton-padded gown, as he waddled to the tracks and climbed slowly down ---- not so difficult after all. But when he had crossed the lines he had trouble clambering up the other side.(47词)
由于使用了as,父亲的两个动作(waddled to the tracks / climbed slowly down)就比较紧密地联系起来。结构性的connective的运用能够使译文更趋畅洁,语势如瀑,奔泻酣畅。而这两个动作在张译中彼此遥隔23个单词,语势因此而受阻。如:
I watched him bobble towards the railway track in his black skullcap, black cloth mandarin jacket and dark blue cotton-padded cloth long gown. He had little trouble climbing down the railway track.
杨译使用了as,形容词短语not so difficult after all即能自然跟出,随后的两个connective(but/when)即刻暗示读者:要climbing up也许就不那么容易了。果然,读者读到:he had crossed the lines he had trouble clambering up the other side,承接圆润自如。
再读张译:
He had little trouble climbing down the railway track, but it was a lot more difficult for him to climb up that platform after crossing the railway track.
虽然也使用了but,但是两个并列句的使用令遣词重复,句式呆板,用力平均,且had little trouble与a lot more difficult之间呈“遥望”之势。
杨译给我们的启示是:要识别汉语原句隐含的逻辑关系,在英译时,化意合句为形合句,有时就可以甚至必须跳出汉语句式的束缚,让调整过的句式更多体现“靠近原则”(vicinity principle),从而获得译文语势的流畅美。
这是否可以说是英语形合句的一种新优势呢?
7. 过铁道时,他先将橘子散放在地上,自己慢慢爬下,再抱起橘子走。
张译:
In crossing the railway track, he first put the tangerines on the ground, climbed down slowly and then picked them up again.
如前所说,汉译英时需要有强烈的形合意合意识,要善用connectives,但是,多用未必就好。以上的张译就根据汉语原句中的几个连续发生的动作(散放/爬下/抱起等),根据先后顺序,一一译出。(如:put/climbed down/picked them up),条理清晰,层层递进。
再读杨译:
He put these on the platform before climbing slowly down to cross the lines, which he did after picking the fruit up.
短短一句,译者连续使用了几个connectives(before/which/after等),颇有点让读者眼花缭乱。尤其是句末的which he did after picking the fruit up,令读者如入迷宫,一下子难以醒悟:这个which到底指代上文何词?经过琢磨,方能领悟,这个which是指climbing slowly down to cross the lines。因多用了connectives而使译文由简单变得复杂,由流畅变得曲折,这可以说是一个典型的译例。
8. 这时我看见他的背影,我的泪很快地流下来了。我赶紧拭干了泪,怕他看见,也怕别人看见。
有的语言学家经过长期的观察,悟出了一个精彩比喻:英语句子称为“葡萄型”结构,葡萄主干很短,其上附结着丰硕的果实。而汉语句子则较短,一个短句接一个短句地往下叙述,逐步展开,信息内容像竹竿一样一节一节地通下去,很少有叠床架屋的结构,因而汉句似“竹竿型”结构。他们认为:英汉互译就犹如在“葡萄”与“竹竿”之间作转换。
这个比喻非常出色。所谓的“葡萄”与“竹竿”之间的转换,通俗言之,在汉译英中,即将汉语短句化成英语长句。“化”之关键,是吃透汉语原句中类似竹子的各短句之间的逻辑,而后使用结构性的connectives将它们连接起来,而成为葡萄状结构。
以第8句汉语为例,它前后分成两句。因此,英译就存在两种可能,一是“依样画葫芦”,也译成两句。张译便是如此:
While I was watching him from behind, tears gushed from my eyes. I quickly wiped them away lest he or others should catch me crying.
汉语原句,似“竹竿”,分两节,难道其内部就不存在逻辑关系了吗?
不,原句前后间隐含着转折,我们完全可以在两句之间添加“但是”二字,如:
这时我看见他的背影,我的泪很快地流下来了。但是,我赶紧拭干了泪,怕他看见,也怕别人看见。
杨译能“识破”内含的转折,巧用connective,把两句“捏”成一句:
At the sight of his burly back tears started to my eyes, but I wiped them hastily so that neither he nor anyone else might see them.
“竹子”如何变成了“葡萄”?其中结构性的connective(but)起了关键作用。而后半句使用的so that则更使全句一气呵成,浑然一体。
9. 近几年来,父亲和我都是东奔西走,家中光景是一日不如一日。
张译:
In recent years, both father and I have been living an unsettled life, and the circumstances of our family going from bad to worse.
杨译:
The last few years father and I have been moving from place to place, while things have been going from bad to worse at home.
两译相比,使用了不同的connectives,前者:and;后者:while。
须知,英语中形形色色的connectives其“分量”有轻有重,有庄重的,也有轻描淡写的。比如:and和while虽然都可以用作“对比”的逻辑标记,但是,and显得轻巧随意,而while则是较为严肃郑重些。
如:Robert is secretive and David is candid.
罗伯特为人深藏不露,戴维却是有啥说啥。
此句中的形容词secretive和candid本身就已经存在较为强烈的对比关系,因此,一个and就能凸现对比。若用while,就显得没有必要了。
又如:Certain foods trigger the desire to eat more, while others tend to suppress that desire.
有些食物能够引发你多吃一点的食欲,而有些食物则让你的食欲减退。
此句就不宜使用and作为connective,因为,and的使用不能充分体现原句所含的对比意味。
再回过头来看张译,译文中的and就欠妥,且不说and前后并不存在secretive和candid那样鲜明的对照关系的形容词,再者,and后面已经不是一个句子,而是一个独立结构(the circumstances of our family going from bad to worse),这样,原句所含的对比关系便难以得以鲜明的表露。与其说and起对比作用,不如说and起了连接作用。
杨译不用and而用while,此外,杨译的后半句不是使用独立结构而是另辟一句,这样前后对比便得以凸现。更值得称道的是,杨译在while前后使用了非常漂亮的parallelism(平行结构):have been moving from … to …/ have been going from … to …,结构齐整漂亮,而且音律铿锵上口。让读者回味再三。
本讲通过对两篇译文的对比,意在说明作为审美主体的译者的头脑中的形合与意合的意识的深浅和强弱对其译文将起到何等重大的影响。将汉语“竹竿型”的句子如何“化”成“葡萄型”的结构,是形合和意合的意识的具体化。而在这个“化”的过程中,认识和使用英语的connective就成了一个关键。是否可以打个这样比方:英语句子如葡萄,主干极短,却能“挂”许多果子,全靠connectives的黏合作用。
行文至此,我们已经知道,所谓的connectives无非就是通常意义上的连词、副词等,为何不直接称连词或副词呢?
这还需要从权威英语词典对hypotaxis和parataxis的释义说起。
笔者在众多的外版辞书中发现以下两条释义深入浅出、扼要简明,并附有例句,现摘抄如下:
Hypotaxis: the dependent or subordinate construction or relationship of clauses with connectives; for example, I shall despair if you don’t come
---The American Heritage Dictionary P.649
Parataxis: the arranging of clauses one after the other without connectives showing the relation between them. I.e.: the rain fell; the river flooded; the house was washed away.
---- The World Book Dictionary P.1513
两部外版词典,在释义中,不约而同地使用了connectives,给我们这样一种启示:使用connectives不仅增加了其涵盖面和精确性,而且connectives已经成为约定俗成的遣词。我们还是沿袭这个惯例为好。
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