07英漢翻譯八大操作策略之?dāng)U充詞義

字號:

“擴(kuò)充詞義”可以指下列方面的操作:
    (1)譯文增字法:即對原文的某個詞做“放大”或“延伸”處理。它是需要譯者根據(jù)原文的特定的上下文在漢譯句中適當(dāng)增加幾個字或一句話,以使句義在邏輯上更忠實于原文的內(nèi)涵。
    例如一些抽象名詞、形容詞可譯為:
    Respect尊敬→受人尊敬
    Affection喜愛→惹人喜愛
    Banquet宴會→擺宴席、搞宴請
    Breakdown of equipment and morale裝備逐漸破損、士氣不振
    Be always quite difficult是很困難的→一直困難重重
    1.A settlement and peace will remain elusive.
    *解決與和平仍然是一件毫無把握的事。
    解決問題,實現(xiàn)和平,仍然是一件毫無把握的事。
    2.In California,hundreds of billions of dollars ride on the success of earthquake prediction.
    *在加利福尼亞,地震預(yù)報的成功關(guān)系到千百億美元。
    在加利福尼亞州,地震預(yù)測的成功與否關(guān)系到千百億美元的財產(chǎn)和投資。
    3.At this difficult stage,ex-president of the USA may have more celebrity than influence.
    *在這個困難階段,前任美國總統(tǒng)可能仍會有聲望,但已無影響。
    在這個困難階段,前任美國總統(tǒng)可能仍會享有聲望,但已無影響力可言。
    4.Rushing to the scene to congratulate his troops on a textbook performance,Interior Minister Charles Pasqua told reporters,The nightmare is over.
    內(nèi)政部長查爾斯·巴士奎趕到現(xiàn)場,祝賀內(nèi)務(wù)部隊官兵干得漂亮而又完全符合規(guī)范。他對在場的記者說:“噩夢已經(jīng)結(jié)束”。
    5.Britains will have the chance in the next few months to try out an emerging technology that could put mobile telephones within the reach of even modest domestic budgets.
    *英國人在未來的幾個月里可能研制出一種新興的技術(shù),這種技術(shù)能使中等收入的家庭也能用得起移動電話。
    英國人在未來的幾個月里可能研制出一種新興的技術(shù),這種技術(shù)一投入使用,即使是中等收入的家庭也能用得起移動電話。
    *What science strives for is an utmost acuteness and clarity of concepts as regards their mutual relation and their correspondence to sensory data.
    結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是What science strives for is……as regards their mutual relation and their correspondence to sensory data.這是一個主從復(fù)合句。名詞性從句What science strives for作主語。介詞短語as regards their mutual relation and their correspondence to sensory date作狀語。介詞短語as regards也作regarding,意為“關(guān)于”。Sensory data意為“感性材料”。
    參考譯文:科學(xué)為之奮斗的目標(biāo),就是要使概念之間的相互關(guān)系以及與感性材料的一致性盡可能地準(zhǔn)確與清楚。
    *If we desire sincerely and passionately the safety,the welfare and the free development of the talents of all men, we shall not be in want of the means to approach such a state.
    結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是if we desire……,the welfare and the free development……,we shall not be in want of……。if引導(dǎo)條件狀語從句。desire的賓語被狀語sincerely and passionately隔開。In want of相當(dāng)于“in need of”,在此句中譯為“缺乏”。approach在此作動詞意為“靠近”。
    參考譯文:如果我們真心實意而又滿腔熱情地希望整個人類能享有安全與幸福并且自由地發(fā)展其才干,我們就不會缺少去達(dá)到這一境界的方法。
    *While we consider this to be the best form of democracy, it is not without difficulties and possible limitations, some of which may become apparent in this case.
    結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子框架是While…,it is not without difficulties and possible limitations.“while引導(dǎo)讓步狀語從句。相當(dāng)于though,修飾主句。指示代詞this指代前面提到的公眾投票來決策問題的做法。主句中又套嵌數(shù)量詞some of加關(guān)系代詞which引導(dǎo)的定語從句修飾difficulties and possible limitations.Not without為雙重否定的介詞短語,做表語,可以譯成肯定句。
    參考譯文:雖然我們認(rèn)為這是民主的最完美的形式,但它還有各種困難和潛在的缺陷;在這種情況下有些問題變得明顯了。
    *But such a system would not only be the beginning of real freedom of contract between employers and employees; its principal advantage would be the improvement of freedom in interpersonal relationships in every sphere of daily life.
    結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是But such a system would not only be……its principal advantage would be the improvement of.叫分號連接兩個并列分句。sphere意為“領(lǐng)域”。
    參考譯文:但是,這樣一種制度將不只是雇主和雇員之間真正自由簽署合同的開始;它的主要優(yōu)點是在日常生活的每一個領(lǐng)域中使人際關(guān)系吏為自由。
    (2)譯文解釋法。這種“擴(kuò)充詞義”的操作策略是:使用添加一定的解釋性、說明性的行文。由于中西文化和社會習(xí)俗的差異,英語的有些詞匯不能直譯出來,有必要對漢語的詞匯表達(dá)進(jìn)行解釋性、說明性的翻譯。
    1.In the age of information,we are open books.
    *在信息時代,我們都是公開的書本。
    在信息時代,我們每個人的一切情況都沒有什么秘密可言了。
    2.This country's economy remains in intensive care.
    *該國經(jīng)濟(jì)仍處于重病特別護(hù)理中。
    該國經(jīng)濟(jì)依然處于岌岌可危的境地。
    3.Those young people are heading for an early grave through smoking and lack of exercise.
    *那些年輕人通過抽煙和缺少運動,正在向一個早期墳?zāi)贡既ァ?BR>    那些年輕人由于抽煙加上缺少運動,實際上是在減短自己的壽命。
    4.In that country several million of people have lived near or below the breadline for almost two decades.
    在那個國家差不多二十年了,生活在貧困線以下,或溫飽問題還沒有完全解決的仍有幾百萬人。
    *It is not so bad being ignorant if you are totally ignorant;the hard thing is knowing in some detail the reality of ignorance,the worst spots and here and there the not-so-bad spots,but no true light at the end of the tunnel nor even any tunnels that can yet be trusted.
    結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是it is not so bad being ignorant if;the hard thing is knowing.……the reality…but no true light……nor even any tunnels……分號連接兩個并列分句。前面的分句句首it為形式主語,真正的主語為being ignorant;if引導(dǎo)條件狀語從句。后一分句的is knowing…和no true light…nor even any tunnels由but連接做系表謂語;句尾that引導(dǎo)的定語從句修飾tunnels.
    此句的短語light at the end of the tunnel意為“困難(不快)的事情有結(jié)束的跡象”。
    參考譯文:如果有人徹底無知的話,無知也就不那么糟了。困難的是人們詳細(xì)了解無知的實際情況——最差的方面以及這里或那里并不太差的方面,但并不了解困難的事情根本沒有結(jié)束的跡象,甚至還沒有可以信賴的任何解決問題的途徑。
    He worked his way through the ranks,eventually becoming managing director responsible for the chain's operations in southern England.
    他從基層干起,逐級向上升,最終當(dāng)上了負(fù)責(zé)該連鎖大企業(yè)在南英格蘭事務(wù)的常務(wù)主任。
    注釋:①responsible for形容詞短語作后置定語。②多義詞operations不是“手術(shù)”“運作”,而是“企業(yè)”的意思。
    新的技術(shù)革命和頻繁中西文化交流使我們的英語熟詞有了新意或偏義。例如,skin一詞的意思是“人與人的實際接觸或交往”。
    People who correspond with each other electronically often feel the need for skin and try to meet in what they call real life.
    彼此之間用電子方式通信的人們經(jīng)常覺得有面對面接觸的需要,他們也盡可能在他們稱之為現(xiàn)實的生活中交往。
    The desire for skin can be seen in downtowns and shopping malls - people want human contact even when they could buy things via television or the telephone.
    這種與人直接謀面接觸的愿望在鬧市區(qū)和商場是可以領(lǐng)略到的。即使人們可以通過電視或電話購物,他們還是想有人與人之間的直接交往。
    再舉一例:動詞短語plug in意為:“將插頭插入電源插座”或“給……接通電源”?,F(xiàn)在它有了特殊的含義:“接通(進(jìn)入)電腦網(wǎng)絡(luò)”。新的形容詞plugged-in表示“聯(lián)通了電腦網(wǎng)絡(luò)的”一類意思。
    Parents who want their kids to be plugged in to the Net but would prefer they not be exposed to pornography, need no longer fear.
    那些想讓自己的孩子使用電腦網(wǎng)絡(luò)卻又怕他們大量接觸到各種色情圖文的家長們現(xiàn)在不必再擔(dān)心。
    Will tomorrow's students be a generation of plugged-in servants or a race of silicon salves?將來的學(xué)生是否會成為一代電腦網(wǎng)絡(luò)的仆傭或是一群硅片的奴隸呢?
    More plugged-in bureaucrats have E-mail address and print them on their business cards?有更多的官員已經(jīng)使用電腦網(wǎng)絡(luò),在他們的公務(wù)名片上都印有各自的電子信箱地址。
    Textbook是舊詞新意:“合乎規(guī)范的,理想化的”,“符合規(guī)定的”,“堪稱典范的,典型的(typical)”。
    It's a textbook marriage of supply and demand.供求雙方各得其所,合作十分理想。
    Indeed,British Airways provides a textbook case of how new management methods and attitudes can transform a service company.如何運用新的管理方式和觀念來改造一個服務(wù)性企業(yè),英國航空公司在這方面的確提供了一個范例。
    (3)譯文合理加工法。“擴(kuò)充詞義”的操作也包括對英語原句某些表達(dá)做“轉(zhuǎn)譯加工”處理。這是指,英語的某些表達(dá)在漢譯時不能原封不動地照譯,而要在“取其要義”的基礎(chǔ)上,大膽將其換上漢語的句式和搭配慣例,使之讀起來更符合漢語行文的規(guī)范或搭配。如:
    Writers are often regarded as the conscience of society,but in Hongkong many writers are only concerned with grabbing money and publicity;they have no principles or shames and are a disgrace to the profession, fumed the editor of one Chinese language magazine.
    *“作家通常被看作是社會的良知。但在香港許多作家只關(guān)心撈錢和掙名,他們沒有原則,甚至沒有廉恥,是這個行業(yè)的恥辱?!?BR>    “人們通常認(rèn)為作家是社會的良知。但是在香港許多作家只關(guān)注如何去追名逐利。他們毫無原則,甚至根本不知廉恥,令文壇名譽掃地?!币患抑形碾s志的編輯怒不可遏地這么說道。
    *The scientific method itself would not have led anywhere,it would not even have been born without a passionate striving for clear understanding.
    結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是The scientific method itself would not have…it would not even have been born without…。這是一個含雙重否定的并列句。even表示遞進(jìn)。在第二個并列分句中not.……without為雙重否定。翻譯時譯成一個肯定的意思更貼切。
    參考譯文:科學(xué)方法本身不能導(dǎo)致任何結(jié)果。而且,只有充滿激情地去努力尋找確切的理解,科學(xué)方法才會產(chǎn)生。
    *Scientists must play their part in dispelling the shaky image of both themselves and of science in general,and in explaining the new approaches and how they may be applied to benefit all of society.
    結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是Scientists must play their part in……in dispelling…。和and explaining……并列做狀語,轉(zhuǎn)譯為“一面……,一面……”。句尾how引導(dǎo)的賓語從句和the new approaches并列做explaining的賓語,其中代詞they指前面提到的the new approaches.dispel意為“驅(qū)散,消除”。
    參考譯文:科學(xué)家必須在這些方面發(fā)揮作用:一面驅(qū)散他們自己和整個科學(xué)在公眾心目中搖搖欲墜的形象,一面解釋一些新方法和如何應(yīng)用這些方法來造福于全社會。