翻译理论与实践第二讲.ppt
Translation Techniques of English Words(一),翻译理论与实践(2),21 词义的选择与引申(selection and extension of the meaning of a word),一、词义的选择英语和汉语在词汇方面存在较大差异,在两种语言中,很难找到一词一义的对应情况,这就需要我们在翻译过程中理解英语原文单词的意思,然后努力地在汉语中寻找与这个英语单词具有相同意义的常用表达方法;同时,英语单词在不同的场合和搭配中,词义有时差别很大。如果把某些英语单词或词组按词典上的意义直译过来,就会使译文晦涩生硬,不易理解,甚至还可能引起误解。以常用词“home”为例,其基 本含义是“家”。但是,当词类不一样,或上下文不一样,对它的翻译就 完全不同。,1Ill see the children home tonight 译文今晚我送孩子们回家。评析本句中home作副词,意思是“回家”。2The stupidity of his behavior was brought home to him 译文他彻底明白了他行为的愚蠢。评析本句中“home”作名词,“bring something home to somebody属固定搭配,意思是“使某人彻底了解”。3Maternity home costs in America have gone up sharply 译文)美国妇产医院收费已急剧上涨。评析本句中“home”作名词,根据上下文,应将“maternity home译为“妇产医院”。,4Much is produced here for home market 译文这里为国内市场生产了许多产品。评析)本句中“home”作形容词,意思是“国内的”。5He was born in England,but he now looks at Paris of his home 译文他出生在英国,但现在将巴黎看成是他的家乡。评析本句中“home作名词,意思是“家乡”。,6Hes at home with the classics 译文他精通古典文学。评析介问短语“at home”在本句中的意思是“精通”。7“Our next football match at home or away?译文)我们下次的比赛是在本地还是在他处举行?评析介问短语at home本句中的意思是“在本地”。8MrsHill is not at home to everyone except relatives 译文希尔太太不会客,但亲戚除外。(评析)介词短语at home本句中的意思是“接待宾客”。,9She did not feel at home in such a splendid house 译文那个女孩在这样富丽堂皇的房子卫感到拘束。评析)介词短语“at home”本句中的意思是“自由自在”。10The control lever should be turned to its home position in time 译文应及时将操纵杆复位。评析“home在这里作形容词,意为“原来的”,11The screw on the end cap must be driven home 译文必须将端盖上的螺钉拧紧。评析“home在这里作副词,意为“到底”。12The plane homed to its carrier under the guide of electronic navigation system 译文)飞机在电子导航系统的引导下飞回航空母舰。评析“home在这里作动词,意为“回到”。由此可见,一词多类、一词多义的现象在英语中十分普遍。翻译时,词义的选择应从以下几方面着手:,1根据词类判断词义 许多英语单词具有不同的词性,即分属几种不同的词类,有时候当名词用,有时候当动词用;有时候作形容词,有时候作副词等等。词类不同,词义存在不同程度的差异。词汇的多种词类往往造成词义理解 和翻泽的困难。翻泽时,我们可以根据语法关系来辨别该词在句中的词类及其充当的成分,以便准确地判断词义。例如:,workers on low incomes buy low and sell high fall to new low又如:net profitcommunication netnet a fat profit,(low为形容词)低收入的工人(low为副词)贱买贵卖(low为名词)跌到新的低点(net为形容词)纯利润(net为名词)通讯网(net为动词)净赚一大笔钱,“low和net在以上短语中的词类各不相同,词义也大相径庭。在句子中,主要依靠语法知识辨别词的类别,以此断定词义。,1I think,however,that,provided work is not excessive in amount,even the dullest work is to most people less painful than idleness 译文然而,我认为,对大多数人来说,只要工作量不是太大,即使所做的事再单调也总比无所事事好受。评析若把“provided看作过去分词,修饰”work,语法上没有问题,但意思不通,逻辑也不对;如果把它看作个连词,作“假如”、“只要”解,意思就通顺了。因此,正确判断词类是选择词义的前提。,2Like enough,the suspect will turn up in the hotel near the railway station 译文)那个嫌疑人很可能会出现在火车站附近的酒店里。评析like的词类和用法较多样。此句中“like用作副词,修饰“enough,“like enough的意思是“大概、可能”,多用于口语当中。3The foreign minister fielded with ease all the questions the correspondents had raised 译文外交部长对记者提出的问题对答如流。(评析)根据语法可以判断出“field”在此句作动词使用,本意是“棒球比赛中接或截球”,这里理解为“回答问题”。,2根据句子的内容判断词义 同个词即使属于同词类,当它们被使用在不同学科、不同领域,意义也大不相同。例如,在一般用语中“bridge的词义是“桥”,在 乐器方面它用来指“小提琴等上绷弦的琴马”;在口腔学中它的意思是“齿桥”;此外,它还有“桥牌”和“鼻梁”的词义。又如,“induction”在一 般用语中词义是“正式就职,入会”,但在物理学方面它的词义就变成了“感应线圈”。再如,“premise的常用词义是“前提”,但一旦用于法律 事务上,其词义为“契约之缘起或要件”。翻译时必须充分考虑词汇的使用场合来确定词义。,1As with the locomotive bogie,the coach bogie is a four wheel or sixwheel truck,supporting the coachend through the medium of a pivot,and with freedom to swing 译文)同机车转向架一样,客车转向架也是二轴或三轴的,利用枢轴支撑车厢的端部,使之可以自由转动。评析句中“fourwheel or six-wheel”没有按照字面意思译成“叫四轮”、六轮”,而是根据行业术语表达为“二轴”、“三轴”,行家一看便一目了然。,2 Due diligence should be done before finalizing any large investment Or acquisition(译文)在确定大笔投资或并购前需要进行尽职审查。(评析)“due diligence”的字面意思是“应有的勤奋”,而在金融领域,指会计师等专业人员审核有关资料是否齐备的过程,业内通常译为“尽职审查”或“审慎调查”。3A transistor has three electrodes,ie the emitter,the base and the collector(译文)晶体管有三个电极,即发射极、基极和集电极。(评析)在日常用语中,“base”的意思是“基础”,在电子领域“base”作“基极”解。,4 The moment he found a bug under his desk,he understood why everything they talked about the project had been known by his business rival(译文)在桌下发现窃听器的那一瞬间,他马上明白了为什么他的竞争对手对于他们的计划了解得清清楚楚。(评析)在一般用语中,“bug”是“臭虫”的意思,根据上下文,此句的“bug”一定不能作“臭虫”解,否则给人以莫名其妙、不得要领的感觉,没有达到翻译的目的。原来“bug”还有“窃听器”的意义,本句正是此意。,5 Foxholes were used by so1diers as a shelter against enemy fire and as a firing point(译文)过去战士们利用散兵坑来躲避敌人的炮火、向敌人发射火力。(评析)不能想当然地将“foxholes”译为“狐狸洞”。在军事用语中,它专指“散兵坑”。,3根据词在句中的搭配关系判定词义任何一种语言,在长期使用的过程中,会形成一种固定的词组或常见搭配。一般说来,一个孤立的词其词义是不确定的,但当处于特定的搭配关系时,由于受到周围词的制约,词义就变得明朗化了,即某一词与不同的词搭配在一起,其意义会大不一样。由于英语、汉语之间的种种差异,这些比较固定的说法,有时可以译成另一种语言,有时则不行。因此,翻译时必须注意两种语言间的搭配差异。以“heavy”及其搭配 词语为例:,heavy cloudsheavy cropsheavy wineheavy newsheavy roadheavy seaheavy heartheavy fireheavy smokerheavy breadheavy trafficheavy reading,厚云丰收烈性酒令人悲痛的消息泥泞的路波涛汹涌的海洋忧伤的心猛烈的炮火烟瘾很大的人没有发好的面包拥挤的交通沉闷冗长的读物,以上二均是“形容词heavy+名词”短语,可以发现,与不同的名词搭配,“heavy”的词义也不尽相同。又如:1Rogge says his surgical career has taught him about having a sense of responsibility,and remaining humble,calm and cool(译文)罗格说,当外科医生的经历培养了他的责任感,同时也教会了他处事时保持谦虚、平和与冷静的态度。(评析)本句宾语从句的谓语动词has taught”分别译成了“培养”和“教会”,以便与后面的两个宾语部分搭配。,2The organizations are increasingly recognizing the necessity and advantages of developing new products and services(译文)全体行政管理人员正越来越意识到开发新产品和提供新服务的必要性和优越性。(评析)当“develop”与“products”一起搭配使用时,它的意思是“开发”。3Many experts from different countries get together to develop an energy policy(译文)来自不同国家的许多专家们聚集在一起,来制定一项能源政策。(评析)当“develop与“policy”一起搭配使用时,它的意思是“制 定”。,4 What man should really be proud Of is his brain,which has enabled him to develop machines that go at fantastic speeds(译文)人类真正应该引以自豪的是大脑,因为大脑使人能够发明 出运动速度极快的机器。(评析)当“develop”与“machines”一起搭配使用时,它的意思是“发明”。,4根据上下文意思和语境确定词义 上下文和语境对词义影响极大。除了根据词性来判断词义之外,选择词义的一个更为重要的方法就是根据上下文采判断词义,因为很多英语单词即使弄清楚了它的词性,但仍须从几个或几十个义项,中选定确切的词义。这就需要借助于上下文提供的各种线索做出合理的分析、推理、判断,确保理解和表达的准确性。,1 And if we dont step aside,perhaps supercomputers will simply move in and push us aside(译文)如果我们不主动让位,也许超级电脑会毫不客气地闯进来,把我们推到一边去。(评析)原文是关于电脑强势作用的讨论。本句中副词“simply 不能直接对译为“简单地”,因为不符合-上下文的意思。译成“毫不客气地”,放在这个语境中则非常恰当。,2 Every president,I am sure,1eaves the White House poorer than he was when he went in(译文)我相信,每一位总统在离开白宫时他的财产总是比刚进广白宫时少了。(评析)本句不能译为“.总要比他刚进白宫时贫穷”,显然不符合原句语义。应将“poorer”理解为“(财产总是比刚进白宫时)少了”。,3.Lets control our nostalgia:that traditional family had many faults,not least in the roles it imposed on females(译文)别再怀旧了,传统家庭有很多缺陷,尤其是强加给妇女的种种责任。(评析)原句中短语“not 1east”表示“尤其,特别”;根据上文“traditional family had many faults”,这里“the roles”表示“责任”而不是“角色”。,4 Suddenly the line went limp“Im going back”said Smith.“We must have a break somewhere Wait for me I will be back in five minutes”(译文)引爆线突然耷拉下来。史密斯说:“我回去看看。一定是 某个地方断了线。等一下,我五分钟就回来。”(评析)通常情况下,“have a break”的意思是“休息一下”,但是在 此句中,根据上文“suddenly the line went limp(引爆线 突然耷拉下来)判断,“have a break”只能作“断了线”解。,5 Mary always gets what she wants by playing office politics(译文)玛丽在办公室总是靠耍手腕来达到她的目的。(评析)“politics的意思是“政治”,词义中性。但在本句话中,必 须译成贬义词“耍手腕”才能与上下文意义呼应,练习:1 Needing some light to see by,the burglar crossed the room with a 1ight step to 1ight the light with the light green shade(译文)夜贼需要一点儿亮光来辨别四周,于是轻步穿过房间,去点亮带有浅绿色灯罩的灯。,2The company has raised its JV equity to 70 to gain management contro1 It has trebled its initial investment and is now expanding its product range and manufacturing capacity to meet growing demands(译文)公司将其在合资公司的股份增至70,以获得管理控制 权。这使它的先期投资增加了两倍,而且现在正在扩大产品范围和生产能力来满足不断增长的需求。,3He halted in the district where by night are found the 1ightest street,hearts,vows and 1ibrettos(译文)他到了一个市区才停下来,那里的夜晚有最明亮的街道、最愉快的心情、最轻易出口的盟誓和最轻松的歌曲。,4It must be a terrific ego trip He cant help but think people are for him(译文)那一定是一次极好的自我表现的机会,他禁不住想人们是会支持他的。,Translate the following sentences into Chinese.1.The seller must exercise all clue diligence to send forward the documents,and it shall be his duty to tender them,with all the dispatch.2.If a particular cargo is partially damaged,the damage is called particular average.3.We are carrying currency or monetary instruments over U.S.$10,000 or foreign equivalent.4.I hope that we can look forward to seeing this subject being developed.,5.He enjoys the company of intelligent girl,well-learned men and his close friends.6.It developed that he had lost the money to a local businessman.7.He killed his chances of success.8.He killed the proposal when it came from the committee.,9.He killed the spirit of the group.10.She put five dollars in my hand,You have been a great man today.11.As a result,many families in the western world just dont work.12.The terms of the transaction have been negotiated on an arms length basis.,二、词义的引申 在翻译过程中,有时会遇到某些词在英语词典上找不到适当的词义,如果生搬硬套或逐字死译,会使译文生硬晦涩,无法确切地表达原意,甚至造成误解。这时应该根据上下文内容和逻辑关系,从该词的根本含义出发,进行适当、合理的引申。引申是语言中的普遍现象,词义引申是建立在相似联想的思维基础之上,是由事物之间具有某种相似性而引起的。翻译时,首先要弄清原文的意思,然后按照汉语习惯,选择适当词义加以引申,以求更确切地表达原文意思。引申不能脱离原文词义的基本范围,不能带有随意性。进行英译汉时,词义的引申通常,从以下几方面着手:I表示具体意思 根据汉语表达习惯,将词义引申为意义较明确的词,即把原文中意义较笼统、抽象的词义具体化,使汉语表达清晰、流畅,成为可接受译文。1 Maria was quite alone among them all in dungeon of a house;and Julias tongue was enough to kill her(译文)玛丽住在她们中间异常孤独,就像监牢一般,朱莉亚那刻薄的话语常常使她痛苦不堪。(评析)译文将原文中的“tongue”引申为“刻薄的话语”,将“kill”引申为表意形象的“痛苦不堪”,意义由抽象变为具体,泽文意思明晰。,2 A11 the wit and learning in the economic circle will be present at the Seminar(译文)经济界的所有专家学者都将出席这次研讨会。(评析)“wit and learning由意义抽象的“智慧与学识”引申为具体的“专家学者”,通俗易懂。,3Walt Whitman,too,scored the materialism of the age(译文)华尔特惠特曼也谴责了当时的贪图物质利益的风气。(评析)原句“materialism指“唯物主义”,意义抽象,这里将其引申为意义具体的“贪图物质利益的风气”,忠实原文,又使译文易于理解。,4The battlefield became something holy.It was not touched.(译文)这个战场几乎已成为一个圣地了,它仍然保持着当年的旧观。(评析)原文“something holy和“not touched”表意抽象,汉译时 把它们引申为“圣地”、“旧观”,语义由模糊变为明确,准确地表达了原文的含义。,5.The remedies you propose are neat and easy but impossible.译文)你提出的补救措施倒是干脆利落、轻而易举,但是行不通。评析)“neat、“easy和“impossible都属于概念笼统的形容词,如直译成“干净”、“容易”和“不可能”,会令读者不得要领。译文将它们分别引申为含义具体、形象的“干脆利落”、“轻而易举”、“行不通”,不失为好的处理方法。,2表示抽象化意思 某些表示具体事物的词在翻译时可以进行抽象化引申,即将词义人具体引向抽象,从特殊引向一般,从局部引向概括等。,1John is a guy who likes his parents,who takes his profession seriously and who frowns on drugs 译文约翰热爱父母,工作认真,讨厌毒品。评析)原文frowns on drugs表意形象,如直译为“向毒品皱眉头”,显然语句显得生硬,也不符合汉语的表达习惯。因此,取其抽象之意“讨厌毒品”,较好地传达出原文的语义。,2Greece,s beaches once again passed European Union water quality tests with flying colors 译文)希腊海滩再次成功通过了欧盟的水质监测。(评析)“with flying colors原指凯旋而归的船队驶回本国港口时桅杆上挂满彩旗,此处可引申为“凯旋而归”、“大功告成”。,3Americans love work.It is meat and drink to them(译文)美国人热爱工作。工作对于他们来说就是乐趣。评析)这句话如果生搬硬套地按字面译为“工作对于他们来说就是肉和饮料”,这样的译文必会滑稽、蹩脚,不妨把“meat”和“drink由具体的事物引申为它们所代表的笼统意象,即“趣事、享乐”。,4General manager Finklestein said he needed to pull a rabbit out of his hat to save the company(译文)总经理芬克尔斯坦说他需要拿出一个绝招来挽救公司。(评析)“pull a rabbit out of his hat原义为“从帽子里抓出一只兔子来”,是很具体的动作,此处若直译,会使读者感到不可思议。根据上下文,译文将其引申为“像变魔术一样拿出一种不同凡响的解决办法”,即“绝招”,较好地传达出了原文的含义,也使读者一目了然。,5So vast and so pervasive is the sea that if the earths crust were made level,ocean water could form a blanket over 8,000 feet deep 译文)海洋如此浩瀚辽阔,如果把地球的表层平整起来,那么海水可以在上面形成厚8,000英尺的覆盖层。评析该句汉译时将宾语从句中的blanket(毯子)”引申为“覆盖层”,表意清楚。,3多义词的翻译 英语中一词多义的现象较为普遍,翻译时应根据上下文已有的信息,仔细斟酌,确定词义。,1To be honest with you,your invention is very ingenious,but not very practical 译文 坦白地说,你的发明的确很精巧,但是不很实用。评析“practical常用意思是“实际的,实际上的”,用在此句,意思肯定不通顺。在这里,它的意思是useful(实用)”。,2Weve had practically no fine weather this month;it has been raining all the time 译文 这个月可以说没有好天气,一直都在下雨。评析 本句“practically的意思是“almost(几乎)”,而不是“实际”或“实用”。,3There was a solid vote in favor of the proposal that plastic bags should be reduced 译文 减少塑料袋使用的提案获全体一致通过。(评析“solid的基本含义是“固体的,坚固的”,用在这里显然与原文意思不吻合。根据上下文,它应该做undivided(一致的,无分歧的)”解。,4Weve been waiting for you for a solid hour although its raining cats and dogs 译文)尽管大雨滂沱,我们在这整整等了你一个小时。评析“solid此句的意思是without a break(无间断的)”。,4词义重复翻译 英语中,出于结构对称、修辞需要、强调等目的,有时同一个词或词组在一句话中会重复出现。汉译时需要根据具体情况灵活处理。,1Day after day and year after year,they fought and lived stubbornly in the wild mountains and forests 译文 一天一天,一年一年,他们顽强地生活和战斗在荒山野林里。评析)原文用Day after dayand year after year以示时间持续之久,汉译时可以直接对译过来,起到同样的强调作用。,2She is a girl of thoughts,of theory,with a strong sense of social responsibility 译文 她是一个有理想、有理论、有社会责任感的女孩。评析)译文重复介词“of的对应词义“有”,保留了原句修辞手段,实现了结构对称,又加强了语气。,3He read and read,and finally got the book through after a whole day 译文他读啊读,读了整整一天,终于把这本书读完了。(评析译文用“读啊读”对应原文的read and read,简练、通顺。,4Every change of season,every change of weather,every hour of the day produces some change in the magical hues and shapes of these mountains 译文 季节的每一更迭,气候的每一转变,乃至一天中的每一小时,都给这些山峦的奇幻色彩和形态带来变化。评析 本句将原文重复出现三次的“change根据汉语的搭配习 惯,分别译为“更迭”、“转变”和“变化”,避免了同词重复产 生的拖沓感,使译文贴切、地道,有文采。,练习:1In truth,although they havent had generations of practice,theres no reason why men cant rear children as well as women 译文 说实话,虽然他们没有代代相传抚养儿女,但不能因此就说男人不如女人会带孩子。评析 原句中practice一词本义为“实践”,根据句意此处引申为表意具体、明确的“抚养儿女”,译文表达准确,语义鲜 明。,2Now that the merger of“dot”and“com”has created so many young millionaires,there is a new topic:venture capital(译文)既然网络公司的兼并造就了如此多的百万富翁,我们面临一个新的话题:风险资本。评析“dot和com是常见的域名后缀,翻译时有必要将它们引申为“网络公司”,既符合原文语义,也易于中文读者接受。,3The young man made a full and particular account of the traffic accident he had witnessed that evening 译文 年轻人完整而又精确地讲述了那天傍晚他所目睹的交通事故。评析 如将本句的“particular”理解为“特别的”、“特殊的”,意思不通顺,在这里particular的正确含义应该是“very exact(精确)”,这样才能与原意吻合。,4And,for the first time in a very long time,IBM will have a competitor thats strong enough,bold enough,and talented enough to take them head-on in the enterprise space 译文 IBM公司在产业界将第一次有了一个拥有足够实力、足够胆识和足够才能,敢于与之正面对抗的竞争对手。评析)原文重复“enough,三次,以此强调竞争对手的强大,也传达出IBM公司不敢对此掉以轻心的潜台词。汉语译文应保留重复成分,并对译为“足够”,恰到好处地传递了原文的含义。,Translate the following sentences into Chinese.1.The president does his best to keep his finger on the pulse of his companys activities.2.How do we account for this split between the critics and the readers,the head and the heart?3.That boy has been a thorn in every teachers side since he entered the school.4.He is a chameleon with no opinion of his own.,总裁竭尽全力去掌控公司的运转情况。,评论家和读者之间,也就是理智与情感之间的这种分歧如何解释呢?,那个男孩子自进校以来就使每个老师大伤脑筋。,他是一个没有主张,反复无常的人。,5.It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait.6.He had to work flat out since he had a big family to support.7.If you think he is the right person for the job,you are all wet.8.This more complex computer could design one still more complex and so on and so on and so on.,同样错误犯两次就是愚蠢。,他有一大家人要养活,得拼命的工作。,如果你认为他是这项工作的合适人选,那你就大错特错了。,这台更复杂的电脑有能设计出一台更更复杂的电脑。以此类推,一代代地研制下去。,Translate the following sentences into Chinese.1.The Great Wall is a must for most foreign visitors to Beijing.2.His business mushroomed when he opened the new store.3.There are one thousand and one people watching the games in the stadium yesterday.4.For the balance of the section,lets speak in straightforward and elementary terms to describe the function and form of the electronic computer.,5.Brain drain has been Egypts number one concern-as a matter of fact it has been an epidemic in that area of the world.,22词性的转换(Conversion of parts of speech),英汉两种语言的表达方式不同,翻译时如果追求词类对等,许多情况下根本行不通。因而,英汉翻译时不能一味拘泥于某些词汇在原文的词性,应对原文词类进行适当的转换,即把英语的某一类词转换成汉语的另一类词,这样才能使译文忠于原文又符合汉语习惯和语法规则。,词性转化的情况归纳起来主要有以下几种:一、英语名词、形容词等转译为汉语动词英语主谓机制显著,句子往往动词少,常靠词的形态变化来表达意思;汉语注重动态描写,词没有形态变化,表达意思时通常借助动词,按 时间及逻辑顺序层层交代。英译汉时,英语中的许多意思都可以用汉语的动词来表达。,1英语名词转译为汉语动词 英语中名词使用较多,汉语中动词使用较多。以下两种情况通常将英语名词转化成汉语动词:第一,动词的派生词转化成汉语动词,如 application,evaluation,creature等;第二,具有动词词性或动词含义的名词转化成汉语动词,如cheer,victory,approach等。,1The accumulation of new data during the past decade has brought a refinement of some earlier views and concepts 译文最近几十年来,由于不断积累新资料,从而完善了以前的一些观点和概念。评析原文中的“accumulation”是由动词“accumulate”派生而来,根据汉语习惯译成动词“积累”,译文比较通顺易懂。,2The operation of a computer needs some knowledge of its performance 译文操作计算机需要懂得它的一些性能。评析“operation和knowledge”在原文中是名词,但在译文中却分别译为动词“操作”和“懂得”,这样译文更加流畅。,3China is one of the ear