翻译技巧精讲

[skyhyatt]

LECTURE3.1
英语每个句子都要有主语(语法上的省略句另当别论),而汉语里则存在没有主语的无主句.无主句英译时,通常需要加主语,或者改变句子结构,以符合英语句子的构造.有些汉语长句译成英语,往往采用”断句”方法,即把一个汉语句子分成两个或两个以上的英语句子.
一.句子处理—断句
对汉语长句进行断句处理,是出于英语表达习惯的需要.断句是为了用英语对汉语原句的内容按逻辑重新组合,而不是任意改写.英译时必须完整地保留原句的意思,做到不增不减.如:中国学生很灵,一挥而就,洋教师阅后,评出了最佳作文一篇,学生们听后大为不解,这种通篇说谎的文章怎么能被评为”最佳”?
His Chinese students,quick at writing,finished the homework at one go and turned it in in no time.He went through the papers and picked the one that he thought the best.When he read it out to the students,they were greatly perplexed.Of all the comments,why did he like this one best?
汉语一句话译成了四个句子,意思紧凑,表达清晰流畅.
至于断句,是个”仁者见仁,智者见智”的问题.例如下面一句汉语,可以有多种断句译法,这里仅提供一种译文,仅参考:
一定要言行一致,理论与实践密切结合,反对华而不实和任何虚套,少说空话,多做工作,扎扎实实,埋头苦干.
Deeds and words must match and theory and practice must be closely integrated.We must reject flashiness without substance and every sort of boasting.There must be less empty talk and more hard work.We must be steadfast and dedicated.

二.句子处理—改换句型和加词
无论是断句还是改换句型,常常要通过加词(增加主语)来构成英语句子.所谓加词,在本文里系指因句子结构需要而增加主语,以及因内容表达需要而添加必要的词语.下面举例说明:
1翻译无主句,大多采用添加主语的办法.
添加什么样的主语取决于上下文.一般来说,所添加的主语多半是泛指的补丁人称代词one,we,you,he,they和不定代词anyone等.例如:
记住,听音乐会必须保持安静.
You must remember to remain still when you attend a concert.
没有调查就没有发言权.
He/Anyone who makes on investigation has no right to speak.
上面最后一个无主句也可以套用英语的”No,…,no…”的句式而译为:
No investigation,no right to speak.
2如翻译”海峡两岸同胞”时,“海峡”一次译成”the Taiwan Straits”因为这里指的是台湾海峡.还有翻译”三资企业”,如果不把它的具体内容”中外合资经营”(Chinese-foreign equity joint venture)”中外合作经营”(Chinese-foreign cooperative joint venture)”外商独资企业”(wholly foreign-owned enterprise)交待清楚,而只是笼统地译成”enterprises with three kinds of investment”,人家就不知道是哪三种.再如我们耳熟能详的”四项基本原则”等都需要一一增补具体内容,只有这样,才能达到翻译的目的.