15、在語(yǔ)言的使用方式中,英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)有何不同?
英語(yǔ)多引申,漢語(yǔ)多推理。英語(yǔ)有兩句俗話:一是You know a work by the company it keeps.(要知義如何,關(guān)鍵看詞伙),二是Words do not have meaning,but people have meaning for them.(詞本無(wú)人,義隨人生)。這說明詞典對(duì)詞的定義和解釋是死的,而實(shí)際運(yùn)用中的語(yǔ)言是活的。從原文角度來(lái)說,這種活用是詞義和用法的引申,翻譯的時(shí)候要準(zhǔn)確理解這種引申,譯者就需要進(jìn)行推理。
經(jīng)典例題19 While there are almost as many definitions of history as there are historians,modern practice most closely conforms to one that sees history as the attempt to recreate and explain the significant events of the past.(1999年71題)
參考譯文:盡管關(guān)于歷史的定義幾乎和歷史學(xué)家一樣多,現(xiàn)代實(shí)踐最符合這樣一種定義,即把歷史看作是對(duì)過去重大歷史事件的再現(xiàn)和解釋。
“recreate”根據(jù)構(gòu)詞法和一般詞典上解釋都是“重新創(chuàng)造”,而考研英語(yǔ)大綱詞匯表中只有名詞“recreation”,所給詞義為“娛樂、消遣”,在這種情況下,考生很容易把recreate譯成“重新創(chuàng)造”或者“娛樂”。仔細(xì)觀察一下recreate在句中的用法,不難發(fā)現(xiàn)它帶有賓語(yǔ)the significant events of the part(過去的重大歷史事件)。從邏輯上來(lái)講,“過去的重大歷史事件”是不能“重新創(chuàng)造”的,作者顯然對(duì)recreate一詞的詞義進(jìn)行了引申,再想想我們生活中發(fā)生的情況:歷史、文學(xué)、電影、電視經(jīng)常向我們展示過去發(fā)生的事情,這種展示用恰當(dāng)?shù)闹形谋磉_(dá)就是“再現(xiàn)”,所以,句中用“再現(xiàn)”譯recreate才是正確的理解和表達(dá)。做翻譯的人經(jīng)常會(huì)有這樣一種感受:某個(gè)詞明明認(rèn)識(shí),可就是不知道該怎樣表達(dá)。這其實(shí)就是詞的引申和推理在起作用?,F(xiàn)在我們看一看sure這個(gè)詞在不同句子中的處理情況:
經(jīng)典例題20
①I am not quite sure of his having said it. 我不能確定他是否說過這話。
②This is the surest guarantee that we shall be successful.這是我們?nèi)〉贸晒ψ羁煽康谋WC。
③He made a sure step out of the mud. 他從泥淖中跨出了穩(wěn)健的一步。
④She had a sure grasp of the subject. 她對(duì)這門學(xué)科的知識(shí)掌握得很牢固。
⑤He is very sure in his beliefs. 他的信仰十分堅(jiān)定。
5個(gè)sure分別譯成了“確定”、“可靠的”、“穩(wěn)健的”、“牢固”和“堅(jiān)定”,如果都譯成大家熟悉的“確信的”、“肯定的”,中文譯文豈不成了天書?原文詞義稍有引申,譯文就要進(jìn)行適當(dāng)?shù)耐评怼?BR> 16、就句子結(jié)構(gòu)而言,英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)有何不同?
英語(yǔ)多省略,漢語(yǔ)多補(bǔ)充。英語(yǔ)一方面十分注重句子結(jié)構(gòu),另一方面又喜歡使用省略。英語(yǔ)省略的類型很多,有名詞的省略,動(dòng)詞的省略,有句法方面的省略,也有情景方面的省略。在并列結(jié)構(gòu)中,英語(yǔ)往往省略前面已出現(xiàn)過的詞語(yǔ),而漢語(yǔ)則往往重復(fù)這些省略了的詞。
經(jīng)典例題21
①Ambition is the mother of destruction as well as of evil.野心不僅是罪惡的根源,同時(shí)也是毀滅的根源。
②Reading exercises one's eyes;speaking,one's tongue;while writing,one's mind.F.Bacon)閱讀訓(xùn)練人的眼睛,說話訓(xùn)練人的口齒,寫作訓(xùn)練人的思維。
③Association with the good can only produce good,with the wicked,evil.近朱者,近墨者黑。
④One boy is a boy,two boys half a boy,three boys no boy.一個(gè)和尚挑水吃,兩個(gè)和尚抬水吃,三個(gè)和尚沒水吃。
在考研英譯漢中,省略是一種很常見的現(xiàn)象。
經(jīng)典例題22 Whether to use test,other kinds of information,or both in a particular situation depends,therefore,upon the evidence from experience concerning comparative validity and upon such factors as cost and availability.
參考譯文:因此,究竟是使用測(cè)試,其它種類的信息,還是在特定的情況下兩者都使用,取決于關(guān)于相對(duì)效度的來(lái)自經(jīng)驗(yàn)的證據(jù),同時(shí)還取決于成本和可獲得性這樣的因素。
whehter…or…是并列連詞,or前面省略了不定式to use,and upon中間省略了動(dòng)詞depends,譯文中補(bǔ)充了“使用”和“取決”。
17、就邏輯思維而言,英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)有何不同?
英語(yǔ)多前重心,漢語(yǔ)多后重心。在表達(dá)多邏輯思維時(shí),英語(yǔ)往往是判斷或結(jié)論等在前,事實(shí)或描寫等在后,即重心在前;漢語(yǔ)則是由因到果、由假設(shè)到推論、由事實(shí)到結(jié)論,即重心在后。
經(jīng)典例題23 I was all the more delighted when,as a result of the initiative of your government it proved possible to reinstate the visit so quickly.
參考譯文:由于貴國(guó)政府的提議,才得以這樣快地重新實(shí)現(xiàn)訪問。這使我感到特別高興。
經(jīng)典例題24 The assertion that it was difficult,if not impossible,for a people to enjoy its basic rights unless it was able to determine freely its political status and to ensure freely its economic,social and cultural development was now scarcely contested.
參考譯文:如果一個(gè)民族不能自由地決定其政治地位,不能自由地保證其經(jīng)濟(jì),社會(huì)和文化的發(fā)展,要享受其基本權(quán)利,即使不是不可能,也是不容易的。這一論斷幾乎是無(wú)可置辯的了。
不難看出,英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)的重心在句中的位置有時(shí)是不一樣的,翻譯的時(shí)候如果不進(jìn)行調(diào)整,勢(shì)必給表達(dá)造成很大的困難。以上是英語(yǔ)跟漢語(yǔ)在思維方式和表達(dá)習(xí)慣上的十大區(qū)別。只有了解這些區(qū)別,才能對(duì)英譯漢有正確的認(rèn)識(shí),才能在翻譯中抓住重點(diǎn),找到解決問題的辦法。
18. 做英譯漢時(shí)所依據(jù)的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是什么?
最為提倡的翻譯標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是一個(gè)世紀(jì)前嚴(yán)復(fù)提出的“信、達(dá)、雅”。大學(xué)英語(yǔ)測(cè)試中的英譯漢雖然是應(yīng)試之作,但對(duì)“信、達(dá)、雅”文字原則一樣可行?!靶拧奔粗覍?shí),譯文須忠實(shí)于原文:“達(dá)”即通達(dá)順暢,讀來(lái)流暢,符合譯文的語(yǔ)言習(xí)慣:“雅”是對(duì)語(yǔ)言的更高要求,即譯文要雅致,是優(yōu)美的漢語(yǔ)。對(duì)于大學(xué)非英語(yǔ)專業(yè)的學(xué)生來(lái)說,英譯漢必須掌握前兩個(gè)標(biāo)準(zhǔn),在達(dá)到“信”和“達(dá)”的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)后,可以追求最后一則。
翻譯的過程大致分為三步: 理解、表達(dá)與校正。理解指對(duì)原文的理解,主要是指首先找到要翻譯句子的主謂結(jié)構(gòu),看看這句話主要講什么,然后再找出句子的其他成分,如定語(yǔ)、賓語(yǔ)、狀語(yǔ)等。表達(dá)是指把原文分析后,用譯文表達(dá)。校正就是在完成了表達(dá)之后,對(duì)照原文進(jìn)行檢查,看看所選詞義是否符合上下文,原文要表達(dá)的意思有沒有表達(dá)錯(cuò)誤,漢語(yǔ)的譯文中意義上是否與原文對(duì)等,譯文有沒有譯者增加的不是原文作者的意思,或者譯者刪減,丟失了原文作者要表達(dá)的意思。這三個(gè)環(huán)境是翻譯過程必不可少的。
19、理解句子時(shí)應(yīng)注意些什么問題?
理解原文是翻譯最關(guān)鍵、最易出問題的一步。譯文的模糊不清很多時(shí)候是源于譯者對(duì)原文理解得不透徹、不仔細(xì)。理由可以從以下幾個(gè)方面來(lái)考慮:
(1)搞清句子結(jié)構(gòu),辨別主語(yǔ)和謂語(yǔ)。抓住了句子的主干,各部分之間的從屬關(guān)系也就看得比較清楚,有益于從整體把握句子。
(2)理解虛擬語(yǔ)氣。虛擬語(yǔ)氣是英語(yǔ)特有的一種表達(dá)方式,它包括對(duì)現(xiàn)在、未來(lái)、過去的假設(shè),在英語(yǔ)中有多種表現(xiàn),譯成漢語(yǔ)時(shí)一定要弄清它的對(duì)象和范圍,盡量把虛擬的意思傳達(dá)出來(lái)。
(3)搞清楚關(guān)系。句中如果有代詞,應(yīng)根據(jù)上下文找出其所指代的內(nèi)容,并將其準(zhǔn)確地翻譯出來(lái)。
(4)明白否定的方式。英語(yǔ)思維的特點(diǎn)也表現(xiàn)在它對(duì)否定式的用法上,中國(guó)讀者往往容易在這里產(chǎn)生錯(cuò)誤。例如:
All that glitters is not gold(發(fā)光的未必都是金子)。
在這里是以全部否定的形式來(lái)表達(dá)部分否定的事實(shí)。英語(yǔ)也用雙重否定表示肯定,這種現(xiàn)象英語(yǔ)中常見,漢語(yǔ)中并不常見,翻譯時(shí)需要多加注意。
(5)一詞多義。一詞多義是很常見的現(xiàn)象。判斷詞義一定要根據(jù)上下文確定其具體的義,不能因?yàn)槭沁^去認(rèn)識(shí)的詞便不加深究,便草率地按以前的理解翻譯而產(chǎn)生錯(cuò)誤。如:
There is company downstairs.樓下有客人。
如按通常的理解以為company是“公司”的意思,就出錯(cuò)了。
(6)注意英國(guó)英語(yǔ)和美國(guó)英語(yǔ)的不同。英美語(yǔ)言之間有很多差異,比如:英國(guó)英語(yǔ)中continent指歐洲大陸,而在美語(yǔ)中,continent卻指美洲大陸;又如:英語(yǔ)中homely是“家常的、樸素的”的意思,并無(wú)貶義,在美語(yǔ)中卻是“不漂亮的”。所以翻譯時(shí)一定要搞清文章是英語(yǔ)作者還是美國(guó)作者寫的。
(7)成語(yǔ)。成語(yǔ)具有約定俗成的特點(diǎn),屬于語(yǔ)言中較難理解的部分。英語(yǔ)的某些成語(yǔ)具有形象思維的特點(diǎn),可以和漢語(yǔ)相吻合,比如:Strike the iron as it is hot.(趁熱打鐵)但有一個(gè)成語(yǔ)的含義與我們的理解大相徑庭,如:Claw me and I will claw thee.(互相吹捧)所以翻譯時(shí)一定要小心。
(8)語(yǔ)意的褒貶與輕重。翻譯時(shí)還要注意詞語(yǔ)的感情色彩,即它是褒、是貶,還是中性。這種感情色彩往往表明了作者的主觀態(tài)度,好惡與愛憎。把握住它對(duì)于正確、傳神的翻譯是非常必要的。有時(shí)單憑個(gè)別詞是難以判斷的,還要根據(jù)上下文來(lái)判斷,因?yàn)闉檫_(dá)到諷刺的目的,作者可能正話反說或反話正說。
(9)注意文章的語(yǔ)體色彩。如果是專業(yè)文章,那么術(shù)語(yǔ)一定很多,敘述也較客觀,少有個(gè)人色彩,翻譯時(shí)應(yīng)多選用正式的詞語(yǔ)。如果是一般的敘述,則可能日常用語(yǔ)較多,小詞和短語(yǔ)較多。翻譯時(shí)也要注意這一點(diǎn),以此來(lái)確定詞語(yǔ)的選擇。
(10)留心文化背景。中西文化的差異非常明顯。比如,中國(guó)的親戚劃分非常仔細(xì),而英文中的cousin一詞對(duì)應(yīng)的中文可以是表(堂)兄弟(姐妹),可以有八個(gè)之多。
本章試以2002年真題為例,幫助考生熟悉英譯漢這種題型的難易程度、出題思路,并具體指導(dǎo)考生如何應(yīng)對(duì)。
以下為2002年真題:
經(jīng)典例題25 Almost all our major problems involve human behavior,and they cannot be solved by physical and biological technology alone.What is needed is a technology of behavior,but we have been slow to develop the science from which such a technology might be drawn.61)One difficulty is that almost all of what is called behavioral science continues to trace behavior to states of mind,feelings,traits of character,human nature,and so on.Physics and biology once followed similar practices and advanced only when they discarded them.62)The behavioral sciences have been slow to change partly because the explanatory items often seem to be directly observed and partly because other kinds of explanations have been hard to find.The environment is obviously important,but its role has remained obscure.It does not push or pull,it selects,and this function is difficult to discover and analyze.63)The role of natural selection in evolution was formulated only a little more than a hundred years ago,and the selective role of the environment in shaping and maintaining the behavior of the individual is only beginning to be recognized and studied.As the interaction between organism and environment has come to be understood,however,effects once assigned to states of mind,feelings,and traits are beginning to be traced to accessible conditions,and a technology of behavior may therefore become available.It will not solve our problems,however,until it replaces traditional pre_scientific views,and these are strongly entrenched.Freedom and dignity illustrate the difficulty.64)They are the possessions of the autonomous(self_governing)man of traditional theory,and they are essential to practices in which a person is held responsible for his conduct and given credit for his achievements.A scientific analysis shifts both the responsibility and the achievement to the environment.It also raises questions concerning“values”。Who will use a technology and to what ends?65)Until these issues are resolved,a technology of behavior will continue to be rejected,and with it possibly the only way to solve our problems.
首先通讀文章。該篇主要講的是:我們?nèi)祟惖囊恍┲饕獑栴}只有借助行為科學(xué)才能解決。而行為科學(xué)的發(fā)展與人類認(rèn)知環(huán)境對(duì)人類行為的影響密切相關(guān)。研究行為的技術(shù)手段存在的前提是它取代傳統(tǒng)的科學(xué)理論。傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的自由和尊嚴(yán)是要求一個(gè)人對(duì)自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績(jī)而給予肯定。但科學(xué)分析把這一切都?xì)w因于環(huán)境的作用。誰(shuí)來(lái)使用這種技術(shù)手段?以及到什么樣的程度?研究行為的技術(shù)手段只有在這些問題得到解決之后才有可能不繼續(xù)受到排斥。
在通讀之后,我們?cè)賮?lái)分析理解劃線的句子。
一般來(lái)說,英漢兩種語(yǔ)言在句子的結(jié)構(gòu)上有較大的差異。英譯漢試題中復(fù)合句、長(zhǎng)難句較多,考生在答題時(shí)首先要弄清原文的句法結(jié)構(gòu),找出句子的中心內(nèi)容,理清各層的意思,然后分析各層意思間的關(guān)系,最后按照漢語(yǔ)的特點(diǎn)譯出原文。
請(qǐng)看第61句。這是一個(gè)復(fù)合句,結(jié)構(gòu)不太復(fù)雜。句子的框架是One difficulty is that almost all of what is called behavioral science continues to trace behavior to…。that引導(dǎo)表語(yǔ)從句,在這個(gè)表語(yǔ)從句中包含了一個(gè)由what引導(dǎo)的賓語(yǔ)從句,作介詞of的賓語(yǔ)。表語(yǔ)從句的主語(yǔ)是almost all of…,謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞是continues.雖然這個(gè)句子有兩個(gè)層次的從句,但是可以把原文的句子結(jié)構(gòu)保留下來(lái)。全句譯為:難題之一在于所謂的行為科學(xué)幾乎全都依然從心態(tài)、情感、性格特征、人性等方面去尋找行為的根源。
再看第65句。這是一個(gè)主從復(fù)合句。句子的框架是Until these issues are resolved,a technology of behavior will…and with it…。until引導(dǎo)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句。主句如果用肯定形式,那么,這個(gè)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句翻譯時(shí)可譯成“如果…不…”。在主句中,and又連接兩個(gè)并列的分句。it指代“a technology of behavior will continue to be rejected”,即指研究行為的技術(shù)手段受排斥這件事。with it possibly the only way to solved our problems之后省略了相同的謂語(yǔ)will also continue to be rejected.a technology of behavior在這里譯成“研究行為的技術(shù)手段”。理順了它們之間的邏輯關(guān)系之后,按層次把該句譯為:(如果)這些問題得不到解決,研究行為的技術(shù)手段就會(huì)繼續(xù)受到排斥,解決問題的惟一方式也可能隨之繼續(xù)受到排斥。
除了分析清楚各層次之間關(guān)系之外,句子翻譯的另一要點(diǎn)是:不能斷章取義??佳蓄}的英譯漢是讓考生將一篇短文中的劃線部分翻譯出來(lái),即斷章翻譯。然而,劃線部分是整篇文章中的有機(jī)部分,和上下文連為一體。因此,翻譯時(shí)尤其要注意劃線部分中的代詞所指代的內(nèi)容,同時(shí)在譯文中反映出來(lái),做到準(zhǔn)確完整。
請(qǐng)看第62句。這是一個(gè)主從復(fù)合句。句子的框架是The behavioral sciences have been slow to change partly because…and partly because…。兩個(gè)partly because引導(dǎo)并列的原因狀語(yǔ)從句。主句是The behavioral sciences have been slow to change.原因狀語(yǔ)從句在句末可譯成“之所以…是因?yàn)椤钡木涫?。句中的explanatory items原意為“用來(lái)解釋的條目”。在此句中如果這樣直譯,那就有失準(zhǔn)確。因?yàn)閑xplanatory items指代的是61句中的states of mind,feelings,traits of character,human nature.所以,應(yīng)當(dāng)根據(jù)上下文譯為“用來(lái)解釋行為的依據(jù)”。此句譯成:行為科學(xué)之所以發(fā)展緩慢,部分原因是用來(lái)解釋行為的依據(jù)似乎往往是直接觀察到的,部分原因是其他的解釋一直很難找到。 再看第64句。這是一個(gè)由and連接的并列句。在第二個(gè)分句中又有一個(gè)介詞in+which引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句,修飾practices.文中的人稱代詞they指代的是上句中的freedom and dignity.在翻譯此句時(shí)一定要根據(jù)語(yǔ)意環(huán)境,譯為“自由和尊嚴(yán)”。全句譯為:自由和尊嚴(yán)是傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的,是要求一個(gè)人對(duì)自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績(jī)而給予肯定的必不可少的前提。
在翻譯英語(yǔ)句子時(shí),特別是長(zhǎng)句時(shí)往往會(huì)碰到一些比較難翻的詞和詞組。所以,在確定詞義時(shí)一定要從詞語(yǔ)的搭配和句子或段落等語(yǔ)言單位對(duì)詞義進(jìn)行考慮,以保證詞義理解的準(zhǔn)確。詞義的引申和詞性的轉(zhuǎn)換是兩種重要的解題技能。它可以使譯文忠實(shí)通順,符合漢語(yǔ)的表達(dá)習(xí)慣。
例如:第63句。這是一個(gè)由and連接的并列句,句子的層次相對(duì)來(lái)說比較簡(jiǎn)單。但句中的難點(diǎn)是詞組natural selection,selective role和動(dòng)詞formulate的翻譯。natural selection譯為“自然選擇”,selective role譯為“選擇作用”。動(dòng)詞formulate原意為“用簡(jiǎn)明的形式表示”,在此應(yīng)引申為“闡明”。
英譯漢其目的是測(cè)試考生正確理解書面英語(yǔ)材料的能力。考試大綱規(guī)定,英譯漢試題通常是一篇約400詞的短文,要求考生在30分鐘內(nèi)根據(jù)上下文將文章中劃線的5個(gè)部分譯成漢語(yǔ),譯文應(yīng)該通順達(dá)意。短文題材一般為政治經(jīng)濟(jì)、社會(huì)生活、文化教育或科普知識(shí)。2002年英譯漢試題譯文
我們遇到的幾乎所有重要問題都涉及到人的行為,而且僅靠物理技術(shù)和生物技術(shù)是無(wú)法解決這些問題的。我們所需要的是一種行為技術(shù),但是可能產(chǎn)生這種技術(shù)的科學(xué)一直發(fā)展緩慢。(61)難題之一在于所謂的行為科學(xué)幾乎全都依然從心態(tài)、情感、性格特征、人性等方面去尋找行為的根源。物理學(xué)和生物學(xué)一度模仿類似的做法并且只有當(dāng)它們拋棄這些做法后才得到發(fā)展。(62)行為科學(xué)之所以發(fā)展緩慢,部分原因是用來(lái)解釋行為的依據(jù)似乎往往是直接觀察到的,部分原因是其他的解釋方式一直難以找到。環(huán)境因素顯然是重要的,但是它的作用仍然是模糊不清的。它既不推動(dòng)也不阻礙行為科學(xué)的發(fā)展,它具有選擇作用,因而這種作用是很難發(fā)現(xiàn)和分析的。(63)自然選擇在進(jìn)化中的作用僅在一百多年前才得以闡明,而環(huán)境在塑造和保持個(gè)體行為時(shí)的選擇作用則剛剛開始被認(rèn)識(shí)和研究。然而,由于人(生物)和環(huán)境之間的相互作用已經(jīng)逐漸被人們所認(rèn)識(shí),所以現(xiàn)在正開始從已知的環(huán)境去尋找一度認(rèn)為是心態(tài)、情感和性格特征所造成的影響其根源所在。因此就可以建立一門行為技術(shù)。但是,如果行為技術(shù)代替不了傳統(tǒng)的科學(xué)發(fā)展以前的觀點(diǎn),那它將無(wú)法解決我們的難題。而這些傳統(tǒng)的觀點(diǎn)是根深蒂固的。自由和尊嚴(yán)是難處之所在。(64)自由和尊嚴(yán)(它們)是傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的,是要求一個(gè)人對(duì)自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績(jī)而給予肯定的必不可少的前提??茖W(xué)的分析把責(zé)任和成績(jī)歸因于環(huán)境。它還提出有關(guān)“價(jià)值觀念”的種種問題。誰(shuí)會(huì)使用一門技術(shù)?其目的何在?(65)在這些得到解決以前,研究行為的技術(shù)手段就會(huì)繼續(xù)受到排斥,解決問題的惟一方式可能也隨之繼續(xù)受到排斥。
注釋:
1.assign…to…認(rèn)為…是…造成的。例如:1)They assigned his odd behavior to his ill health.(他們認(rèn)為他古怪的行為是身體不好造成的。)2)The fire was assigned to various causes.(這次火災(zāi)是種種原因造成的)
2.shift…to(onto)…把…推到…的頭上。例如:1)I mustn't shift my responsibility to[upon]you.(我不能把責(zé)任推到你身上。)2)I don't want to shift the blame onto her.(我不想把錯(cuò)推到她身上)
3.64題中g(shù)ive sb.credit for sth.意為“因?yàn)椤隙橙说墓凇?,如:The police was given credit for keeping the public services running smoothly.(由于使公用事業(yè)順利運(yùn)轉(zhuǎn),警方受到表彰)
4.65題中with it隨之。and引導(dǎo)一個(gè)并列的省略分句,補(bǔ)全后為:and with it possibly the only way to solve our problems will continue to be rejected.
練習(xí)
Now zoom forward to our present time and think of our pre_Internet communications systems as sorts of protozoa(原生動(dòng)物)。What we're witnessing today in the realm of cyberspace—the online reformulation of everything from the way we play and learn to how we shop and trade stocks may represent no less a world_ transforming change than the spectacular burst of creation so long ago.
One notable difference:The primeval organisms did not have a guide_book to inform them about what to expect and how to deal with some of the fabulous things to come.We do,in the recently released New Rules for the New Economy by Kevin Kelly,a founding editor of Wired magazine.
“The key premise of this book is that the principles governing the world of the soft—the world of intangibles,of media,of software,and of services—will soon command the world of the hard—the world of reality,of atoms,of objects,of steel and oil,and the hard work done by the sweat of brows,”Kelly writes.Driving this economic transformation is the combination of shrinking computers and expanding communications,he says,adding:(1)“We have seen only the beginnings of the anxiety,loss,excitement,and gains that many people will experience as our world shifts to a new highly technical planetary economy.”Does that sound like techno_hype?
It's barely a taste of the radical and often counterintuitive“rules”that Kelly dishes out.(2)He employs an aphoristic(格言的)and,well,wired style that will easily appeal to geeks and should also turn on any mainstream readers who are a little more than curious about where the digitally rendered world is headed.
Where it's likely headed,in Kelly's words,is“upside down”。Chew,for example,on the idea that“the surest way to smartness is through massive dumbness”。What that means in essence is that tiny computer chips,though relatively“dumb”on their own,can be added to billions of mundane objects and,thereby,yield substantial economic benefits.Such as real time buying patterns on everything from shirts to soda cans.In the conventional world of supply and demand where we all grew up,value came from scarcity.As in,diamonds,gold and oil.In a world of digital imperatives,as Kelly correctly points out,“power comes from abundance.”(3)That was a principle that Apple tragically failed to understand when it backed off from licensing its graphic computer interface,assuring that its market share would be savaged by Microsoft's more open Windows operating system.Which leads us to another of Kelly's hardwired laws:Follow the free.In the universe of atoms,as a resource is consumed it becomes more expensive to produce.As gold is mined,nuggets(天然金塊)at first may be easy,and therefore cheap,to find.But when particles of ore must be squeezed out of tons of rock,the price of gold becomes more dear.
But in what Kelly terms“the new order”,the law of plentitude kicks in,leading a savvy company such as Netscape to distribute its Web browser for free in order to sell auxiliary services or products.Similarly,expensive cell phones are offered as freebies(免費(fèi)的東西)to gain contracts for phone services.
Finally,Kelly tells us to look around and see how much the world has already changed under our very feet.(4)An American farmer today,for instance,may still get some dirt under his fingernails,but much of his labor is performed under the umbrella of the electronic network.The cab in his tractor has a wireless phone and a satellite_linked GPS location device;his home computer is connected to a never_ending stream of weather data,grain market reports and moisture detectors in the soil.(5)New Rules for the New Economy suggests that we might even learn something from those plucky life forms that exploded on the scene a half billion years ago.“The qualities needed to succeed in the network economy can be reduced to this:a facility for charging into the unknown.”
答案
文章大意: 正在日益縮小的電腦與不斷壯大的通訊業(yè)的結(jié)合在推動(dòng)著經(jīng)濟(jì)變革?!队芯€》雜志的創(chuàng)刊編輯凱文·凱利在他發(fā)表的《新經(jīng)濟(jì)之新規(guī)則》一書中指出:網(wǎng)絡(luò)正影響著全人類的各個(gè)領(lǐng)域,而網(wǎng)絡(luò)經(jīng)濟(jì)使整個(gè)社會(huì)翻天覆地。而我們想在網(wǎng)絡(luò)經(jīng)濟(jì)中取得成功所需的素質(zhì)就是一種沖入未知領(lǐng)域的技能。(1)結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是We have seen only…and gains that many people will experience as our would shifts to…。關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞the anxiety,loss,excitement,and gains.as引導(dǎo)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句。shift to在此句中譯為“轉(zhuǎn)變”。gains在此句中應(yīng)轉(zhuǎn)譯為“成就”。
參考譯文:我們看到的僅僅是我們的世界向一個(gè)新的高科技全球經(jīng)濟(jì)轉(zhuǎn)變時(shí)許多人將體驗(yàn)到的焦慮、失落、激動(dòng)與成就的開端。
(2)結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是He employs an aphoristic…style that will easily appeal to…and should also turn on…readers who…。關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)定語(yǔ)從句,修飾style.在此從句中包含了由關(guān)系代詞who引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞any main_stream readers.where the digitally rendered world is headed作介詞about的賓語(yǔ)。main_stream readers在此譯為“主流讀者”。
參考譯文: 他采取的是一種格言式的而且還是有線的風(fēng)格,很容易吸引那些怪人,而且吸引那些主流讀者的興趣,他們對(duì)這個(gè)數(shù)字化世界的發(fā)展前途多少都有點(diǎn)好奇。
(3)結(jié)構(gòu)分析: 句子的框架是That was a principle that Apple…when it backed off from…,assuring that its market share would…。本句的主句是That was a principle…。關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞principle.when引導(dǎo)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句?,F(xiàn)在分詞短語(yǔ)assuring that…充當(dāng)that引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句的原因狀語(yǔ)。名詞從句that its market share would be savaged by…作assuring的賓語(yǔ)。principle指代上文的“power comes from abundance”這一原則。back off原意為“屈服,讓步”,在此句中譯為“放棄”。
參考譯文:“蘋果”電腦公司悲劇性地未能理解這一原則,它放棄了它的圖形電腦界面的
銷售許可,因?yàn)閾?dān)心自己的市場(chǎng)份額會(huì)被微軟更開放的視窗操作系統(tǒng)無(wú)情地侵占。
(4)結(jié)構(gòu)分析: 句子的框架是An American farmer…may still get some dirt…,but much of his labor is performed under…。這是一個(gè)由but連接的并列句。dirt在此句中譯為“污泥,泥巴”。under the umbrella of應(yīng)轉(zhuǎn)譯為“在…覆蓋下”。
參考譯文: 比如今日的美國(guó)農(nóng)民,也許指甲蓋里仍藏著些許污泥,但他的許多勞作都是在電子網(wǎng)絡(luò)覆蓋下進(jìn)行的。
(5)結(jié)構(gòu)分析: 句子的框架是New Rules for the New Economy suggests that we might even learn…life forms that exploded on the scene…。that we might…是賓語(yǔ)從句,作suggest的賓語(yǔ)。在這個(gè)從句中包含了由關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞plucky life forms.explode原意為“爆發(fā),爆炸”,在此句中譯為“急速增長(zhǎng)”。life forms指文中的原生動(dòng)物。
英語(yǔ)多引申,漢語(yǔ)多推理。英語(yǔ)有兩句俗話:一是You know a work by the company it keeps.(要知義如何,關(guān)鍵看詞伙),二是Words do not have meaning,but people have meaning for them.(詞本無(wú)人,義隨人生)。這說明詞典對(duì)詞的定義和解釋是死的,而實(shí)際運(yùn)用中的語(yǔ)言是活的。從原文角度來(lái)說,這種活用是詞義和用法的引申,翻譯的時(shí)候要準(zhǔn)確理解這種引申,譯者就需要進(jìn)行推理。
經(jīng)典例題19 While there are almost as many definitions of history as there are historians,modern practice most closely conforms to one that sees history as the attempt to recreate and explain the significant events of the past.(1999年71題)
參考譯文:盡管關(guān)于歷史的定義幾乎和歷史學(xué)家一樣多,現(xiàn)代實(shí)踐最符合這樣一種定義,即把歷史看作是對(duì)過去重大歷史事件的再現(xiàn)和解釋。
“recreate”根據(jù)構(gòu)詞法和一般詞典上解釋都是“重新創(chuàng)造”,而考研英語(yǔ)大綱詞匯表中只有名詞“recreation”,所給詞義為“娛樂、消遣”,在這種情況下,考生很容易把recreate譯成“重新創(chuàng)造”或者“娛樂”。仔細(xì)觀察一下recreate在句中的用法,不難發(fā)現(xiàn)它帶有賓語(yǔ)the significant events of the part(過去的重大歷史事件)。從邏輯上來(lái)講,“過去的重大歷史事件”是不能“重新創(chuàng)造”的,作者顯然對(duì)recreate一詞的詞義進(jìn)行了引申,再想想我們生活中發(fā)生的情況:歷史、文學(xué)、電影、電視經(jīng)常向我們展示過去發(fā)生的事情,這種展示用恰當(dāng)?shù)闹形谋磉_(dá)就是“再現(xiàn)”,所以,句中用“再現(xiàn)”譯recreate才是正確的理解和表達(dá)。做翻譯的人經(jīng)常會(huì)有這樣一種感受:某個(gè)詞明明認(rèn)識(shí),可就是不知道該怎樣表達(dá)。這其實(shí)就是詞的引申和推理在起作用?,F(xiàn)在我們看一看sure這個(gè)詞在不同句子中的處理情況:
經(jīng)典例題20
①I am not quite sure of his having said it. 我不能確定他是否說過這話。
②This is the surest guarantee that we shall be successful.這是我們?nèi)〉贸晒ψ羁煽康谋WC。
③He made a sure step out of the mud. 他從泥淖中跨出了穩(wěn)健的一步。
④She had a sure grasp of the subject. 她對(duì)這門學(xué)科的知識(shí)掌握得很牢固。
⑤He is very sure in his beliefs. 他的信仰十分堅(jiān)定。
5個(gè)sure分別譯成了“確定”、“可靠的”、“穩(wěn)健的”、“牢固”和“堅(jiān)定”,如果都譯成大家熟悉的“確信的”、“肯定的”,中文譯文豈不成了天書?原文詞義稍有引申,譯文就要進(jìn)行適當(dāng)?shù)耐评怼?BR> 16、就句子結(jié)構(gòu)而言,英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)有何不同?
英語(yǔ)多省略,漢語(yǔ)多補(bǔ)充。英語(yǔ)一方面十分注重句子結(jié)構(gòu),另一方面又喜歡使用省略。英語(yǔ)省略的類型很多,有名詞的省略,動(dòng)詞的省略,有句法方面的省略,也有情景方面的省略。在并列結(jié)構(gòu)中,英語(yǔ)往往省略前面已出現(xiàn)過的詞語(yǔ),而漢語(yǔ)則往往重復(fù)這些省略了的詞。
經(jīng)典例題21
①Ambition is the mother of destruction as well as of evil.野心不僅是罪惡的根源,同時(shí)也是毀滅的根源。
②Reading exercises one's eyes;speaking,one's tongue;while writing,one's mind.F.Bacon)閱讀訓(xùn)練人的眼睛,說話訓(xùn)練人的口齒,寫作訓(xùn)練人的思維。
③Association with the good can only produce good,with the wicked,evil.近朱者,近墨者黑。
④One boy is a boy,two boys half a boy,three boys no boy.一個(gè)和尚挑水吃,兩個(gè)和尚抬水吃,三個(gè)和尚沒水吃。
在考研英譯漢中,省略是一種很常見的現(xiàn)象。
經(jīng)典例題22 Whether to use test,other kinds of information,or both in a particular situation depends,therefore,upon the evidence from experience concerning comparative validity and upon such factors as cost and availability.
參考譯文:因此,究竟是使用測(cè)試,其它種類的信息,還是在特定的情況下兩者都使用,取決于關(guān)于相對(duì)效度的來(lái)自經(jīng)驗(yàn)的證據(jù),同時(shí)還取決于成本和可獲得性這樣的因素。
whehter…or…是并列連詞,or前面省略了不定式to use,and upon中間省略了動(dòng)詞depends,譯文中補(bǔ)充了“使用”和“取決”。
17、就邏輯思維而言,英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)有何不同?
英語(yǔ)多前重心,漢語(yǔ)多后重心。在表達(dá)多邏輯思維時(shí),英語(yǔ)往往是判斷或結(jié)論等在前,事實(shí)或描寫等在后,即重心在前;漢語(yǔ)則是由因到果、由假設(shè)到推論、由事實(shí)到結(jié)論,即重心在后。
經(jīng)典例題23 I was all the more delighted when,as a result of the initiative of your government it proved possible to reinstate the visit so quickly.
參考譯文:由于貴國(guó)政府的提議,才得以這樣快地重新實(shí)現(xiàn)訪問。這使我感到特別高興。
經(jīng)典例題24 The assertion that it was difficult,if not impossible,for a people to enjoy its basic rights unless it was able to determine freely its political status and to ensure freely its economic,social and cultural development was now scarcely contested.
參考譯文:如果一個(gè)民族不能自由地決定其政治地位,不能自由地保證其經(jīng)濟(jì),社會(huì)和文化的發(fā)展,要享受其基本權(quán)利,即使不是不可能,也是不容易的。這一論斷幾乎是無(wú)可置辯的了。
不難看出,英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)的重心在句中的位置有時(shí)是不一樣的,翻譯的時(shí)候如果不進(jìn)行調(diào)整,勢(shì)必給表達(dá)造成很大的困難。以上是英語(yǔ)跟漢語(yǔ)在思維方式和表達(dá)習(xí)慣上的十大區(qū)別。只有了解這些區(qū)別,才能對(duì)英譯漢有正確的認(rèn)識(shí),才能在翻譯中抓住重點(diǎn),找到解決問題的辦法。
18. 做英譯漢時(shí)所依據(jù)的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是什么?
最為提倡的翻譯標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是一個(gè)世紀(jì)前嚴(yán)復(fù)提出的“信、達(dá)、雅”。大學(xué)英語(yǔ)測(cè)試中的英譯漢雖然是應(yīng)試之作,但對(duì)“信、達(dá)、雅”文字原則一樣可行?!靶拧奔粗覍?shí),譯文須忠實(shí)于原文:“達(dá)”即通達(dá)順暢,讀來(lái)流暢,符合譯文的語(yǔ)言習(xí)慣:“雅”是對(duì)語(yǔ)言的更高要求,即譯文要雅致,是優(yōu)美的漢語(yǔ)。對(duì)于大學(xué)非英語(yǔ)專業(yè)的學(xué)生來(lái)說,英譯漢必須掌握前兩個(gè)標(biāo)準(zhǔn),在達(dá)到“信”和“達(dá)”的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)后,可以追求最后一則。
翻譯的過程大致分為三步: 理解、表達(dá)與校正。理解指對(duì)原文的理解,主要是指首先找到要翻譯句子的主謂結(jié)構(gòu),看看這句話主要講什么,然后再找出句子的其他成分,如定語(yǔ)、賓語(yǔ)、狀語(yǔ)等。表達(dá)是指把原文分析后,用譯文表達(dá)。校正就是在完成了表達(dá)之后,對(duì)照原文進(jìn)行檢查,看看所選詞義是否符合上下文,原文要表達(dá)的意思有沒有表達(dá)錯(cuò)誤,漢語(yǔ)的譯文中意義上是否與原文對(duì)等,譯文有沒有譯者增加的不是原文作者的意思,或者譯者刪減,丟失了原文作者要表達(dá)的意思。這三個(gè)環(huán)境是翻譯過程必不可少的。
19、理解句子時(shí)應(yīng)注意些什么問題?
理解原文是翻譯最關(guān)鍵、最易出問題的一步。譯文的模糊不清很多時(shí)候是源于譯者對(duì)原文理解得不透徹、不仔細(xì)。理由可以從以下幾個(gè)方面來(lái)考慮:
(1)搞清句子結(jié)構(gòu),辨別主語(yǔ)和謂語(yǔ)。抓住了句子的主干,各部分之間的從屬關(guān)系也就看得比較清楚,有益于從整體把握句子。
(2)理解虛擬語(yǔ)氣。虛擬語(yǔ)氣是英語(yǔ)特有的一種表達(dá)方式,它包括對(duì)現(xiàn)在、未來(lái)、過去的假設(shè),在英語(yǔ)中有多種表現(xiàn),譯成漢語(yǔ)時(shí)一定要弄清它的對(duì)象和范圍,盡量把虛擬的意思傳達(dá)出來(lái)。
(3)搞清楚關(guān)系。句中如果有代詞,應(yīng)根據(jù)上下文找出其所指代的內(nèi)容,并將其準(zhǔn)確地翻譯出來(lái)。
(4)明白否定的方式。英語(yǔ)思維的特點(diǎn)也表現(xiàn)在它對(duì)否定式的用法上,中國(guó)讀者往往容易在這里產(chǎn)生錯(cuò)誤。例如:
All that glitters is not gold(發(fā)光的未必都是金子)。
在這里是以全部否定的形式來(lái)表達(dá)部分否定的事實(shí)。英語(yǔ)也用雙重否定表示肯定,這種現(xiàn)象英語(yǔ)中常見,漢語(yǔ)中并不常見,翻譯時(shí)需要多加注意。
(5)一詞多義。一詞多義是很常見的現(xiàn)象。判斷詞義一定要根據(jù)上下文確定其具體的義,不能因?yàn)槭沁^去認(rèn)識(shí)的詞便不加深究,便草率地按以前的理解翻譯而產(chǎn)生錯(cuò)誤。如:
There is company downstairs.樓下有客人。
如按通常的理解以為company是“公司”的意思,就出錯(cuò)了。
(6)注意英國(guó)英語(yǔ)和美國(guó)英語(yǔ)的不同。英美語(yǔ)言之間有很多差異,比如:英國(guó)英語(yǔ)中continent指歐洲大陸,而在美語(yǔ)中,continent卻指美洲大陸;又如:英語(yǔ)中homely是“家常的、樸素的”的意思,并無(wú)貶義,在美語(yǔ)中卻是“不漂亮的”。所以翻譯時(shí)一定要搞清文章是英語(yǔ)作者還是美國(guó)作者寫的。
(7)成語(yǔ)。成語(yǔ)具有約定俗成的特點(diǎn),屬于語(yǔ)言中較難理解的部分。英語(yǔ)的某些成語(yǔ)具有形象思維的特點(diǎn),可以和漢語(yǔ)相吻合,比如:Strike the iron as it is hot.(趁熱打鐵)但有一個(gè)成語(yǔ)的含義與我們的理解大相徑庭,如:Claw me and I will claw thee.(互相吹捧)所以翻譯時(shí)一定要小心。
(8)語(yǔ)意的褒貶與輕重。翻譯時(shí)還要注意詞語(yǔ)的感情色彩,即它是褒、是貶,還是中性。這種感情色彩往往表明了作者的主觀態(tài)度,好惡與愛憎。把握住它對(duì)于正確、傳神的翻譯是非常必要的。有時(shí)單憑個(gè)別詞是難以判斷的,還要根據(jù)上下文來(lái)判斷,因?yàn)闉檫_(dá)到諷刺的目的,作者可能正話反說或反話正說。
(9)注意文章的語(yǔ)體色彩。如果是專業(yè)文章,那么術(shù)語(yǔ)一定很多,敘述也較客觀,少有個(gè)人色彩,翻譯時(shí)應(yīng)多選用正式的詞語(yǔ)。如果是一般的敘述,則可能日常用語(yǔ)較多,小詞和短語(yǔ)較多。翻譯時(shí)也要注意這一點(diǎn),以此來(lái)確定詞語(yǔ)的選擇。
(10)留心文化背景。中西文化的差異非常明顯。比如,中國(guó)的親戚劃分非常仔細(xì),而英文中的cousin一詞對(duì)應(yīng)的中文可以是表(堂)兄弟(姐妹),可以有八個(gè)之多。
本章試以2002年真題為例,幫助考生熟悉英譯漢這種題型的難易程度、出題思路,并具體指導(dǎo)考生如何應(yīng)對(duì)。
以下為2002年真題:
經(jīng)典例題25 Almost all our major problems involve human behavior,and they cannot be solved by physical and biological technology alone.What is needed is a technology of behavior,but we have been slow to develop the science from which such a technology might be drawn.61)One difficulty is that almost all of what is called behavioral science continues to trace behavior to states of mind,feelings,traits of character,human nature,and so on.Physics and biology once followed similar practices and advanced only when they discarded them.62)The behavioral sciences have been slow to change partly because the explanatory items often seem to be directly observed and partly because other kinds of explanations have been hard to find.The environment is obviously important,but its role has remained obscure.It does not push or pull,it selects,and this function is difficult to discover and analyze.63)The role of natural selection in evolution was formulated only a little more than a hundred years ago,and the selective role of the environment in shaping and maintaining the behavior of the individual is only beginning to be recognized and studied.As the interaction between organism and environment has come to be understood,however,effects once assigned to states of mind,feelings,and traits are beginning to be traced to accessible conditions,and a technology of behavior may therefore become available.It will not solve our problems,however,until it replaces traditional pre_scientific views,and these are strongly entrenched.Freedom and dignity illustrate the difficulty.64)They are the possessions of the autonomous(self_governing)man of traditional theory,and they are essential to practices in which a person is held responsible for his conduct and given credit for his achievements.A scientific analysis shifts both the responsibility and the achievement to the environment.It also raises questions concerning“values”。Who will use a technology and to what ends?65)Until these issues are resolved,a technology of behavior will continue to be rejected,and with it possibly the only way to solve our problems.
首先通讀文章。該篇主要講的是:我們?nèi)祟惖囊恍┲饕獑栴}只有借助行為科學(xué)才能解決。而行為科學(xué)的發(fā)展與人類認(rèn)知環(huán)境對(duì)人類行為的影響密切相關(guān)。研究行為的技術(shù)手段存在的前提是它取代傳統(tǒng)的科學(xué)理論。傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的自由和尊嚴(yán)是要求一個(gè)人對(duì)自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績(jī)而給予肯定。但科學(xué)分析把這一切都?xì)w因于環(huán)境的作用。誰(shuí)來(lái)使用這種技術(shù)手段?以及到什么樣的程度?研究行為的技術(shù)手段只有在這些問題得到解決之后才有可能不繼續(xù)受到排斥。
在通讀之后,我們?cè)賮?lái)分析理解劃線的句子。
一般來(lái)說,英漢兩種語(yǔ)言在句子的結(jié)構(gòu)上有較大的差異。英譯漢試題中復(fù)合句、長(zhǎng)難句較多,考生在答題時(shí)首先要弄清原文的句法結(jié)構(gòu),找出句子的中心內(nèi)容,理清各層的意思,然后分析各層意思間的關(guān)系,最后按照漢語(yǔ)的特點(diǎn)譯出原文。
請(qǐng)看第61句。這是一個(gè)復(fù)合句,結(jié)構(gòu)不太復(fù)雜。句子的框架是One difficulty is that almost all of what is called behavioral science continues to trace behavior to…。that引導(dǎo)表語(yǔ)從句,在這個(gè)表語(yǔ)從句中包含了一個(gè)由what引導(dǎo)的賓語(yǔ)從句,作介詞of的賓語(yǔ)。表語(yǔ)從句的主語(yǔ)是almost all of…,謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞是continues.雖然這個(gè)句子有兩個(gè)層次的從句,但是可以把原文的句子結(jié)構(gòu)保留下來(lái)。全句譯為:難題之一在于所謂的行為科學(xué)幾乎全都依然從心態(tài)、情感、性格特征、人性等方面去尋找行為的根源。
再看第65句。這是一個(gè)主從復(fù)合句。句子的框架是Until these issues are resolved,a technology of behavior will…and with it…。until引導(dǎo)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句。主句如果用肯定形式,那么,這個(gè)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句翻譯時(shí)可譯成“如果…不…”。在主句中,and又連接兩個(gè)并列的分句。it指代“a technology of behavior will continue to be rejected”,即指研究行為的技術(shù)手段受排斥這件事。with it possibly the only way to solved our problems之后省略了相同的謂語(yǔ)will also continue to be rejected.a technology of behavior在這里譯成“研究行為的技術(shù)手段”。理順了它們之間的邏輯關(guān)系之后,按層次把該句譯為:(如果)這些問題得不到解決,研究行為的技術(shù)手段就會(huì)繼續(xù)受到排斥,解決問題的惟一方式也可能隨之繼續(xù)受到排斥。
除了分析清楚各層次之間關(guān)系之外,句子翻譯的另一要點(diǎn)是:不能斷章取義??佳蓄}的英譯漢是讓考生將一篇短文中的劃線部分翻譯出來(lái),即斷章翻譯。然而,劃線部分是整篇文章中的有機(jī)部分,和上下文連為一體。因此,翻譯時(shí)尤其要注意劃線部分中的代詞所指代的內(nèi)容,同時(shí)在譯文中反映出來(lái),做到準(zhǔn)確完整。
請(qǐng)看第62句。這是一個(gè)主從復(fù)合句。句子的框架是The behavioral sciences have been slow to change partly because…and partly because…。兩個(gè)partly because引導(dǎo)并列的原因狀語(yǔ)從句。主句是The behavioral sciences have been slow to change.原因狀語(yǔ)從句在句末可譯成“之所以…是因?yàn)椤钡木涫?。句中的explanatory items原意為“用來(lái)解釋的條目”。在此句中如果這樣直譯,那就有失準(zhǔn)確。因?yàn)閑xplanatory items指代的是61句中的states of mind,feelings,traits of character,human nature.所以,應(yīng)當(dāng)根據(jù)上下文譯為“用來(lái)解釋行為的依據(jù)”。此句譯成:行為科學(xué)之所以發(fā)展緩慢,部分原因是用來(lái)解釋行為的依據(jù)似乎往往是直接觀察到的,部分原因是其他的解釋一直很難找到。 再看第64句。這是一個(gè)由and連接的并列句。在第二個(gè)分句中又有一個(gè)介詞in+which引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句,修飾practices.文中的人稱代詞they指代的是上句中的freedom and dignity.在翻譯此句時(shí)一定要根據(jù)語(yǔ)意環(huán)境,譯為“自由和尊嚴(yán)”。全句譯為:自由和尊嚴(yán)是傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的,是要求一個(gè)人對(duì)自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績(jī)而給予肯定的必不可少的前提。
在翻譯英語(yǔ)句子時(shí),特別是長(zhǎng)句時(shí)往往會(huì)碰到一些比較難翻的詞和詞組。所以,在確定詞義時(shí)一定要從詞語(yǔ)的搭配和句子或段落等語(yǔ)言單位對(duì)詞義進(jìn)行考慮,以保證詞義理解的準(zhǔn)確。詞義的引申和詞性的轉(zhuǎn)換是兩種重要的解題技能。它可以使譯文忠實(shí)通順,符合漢語(yǔ)的表達(dá)習(xí)慣。
例如:第63句。這是一個(gè)由and連接的并列句,句子的層次相對(duì)來(lái)說比較簡(jiǎn)單。但句中的難點(diǎn)是詞組natural selection,selective role和動(dòng)詞formulate的翻譯。natural selection譯為“自然選擇”,selective role譯為“選擇作用”。動(dòng)詞formulate原意為“用簡(jiǎn)明的形式表示”,在此應(yīng)引申為“闡明”。
英譯漢其目的是測(cè)試考生正確理解書面英語(yǔ)材料的能力。考試大綱規(guī)定,英譯漢試題通常是一篇約400詞的短文,要求考生在30分鐘內(nèi)根據(jù)上下文將文章中劃線的5個(gè)部分譯成漢語(yǔ),譯文應(yīng)該通順達(dá)意。短文題材一般為政治經(jīng)濟(jì)、社會(huì)生活、文化教育或科普知識(shí)。2002年英譯漢試題譯文
我們遇到的幾乎所有重要問題都涉及到人的行為,而且僅靠物理技術(shù)和生物技術(shù)是無(wú)法解決這些問題的。我們所需要的是一種行為技術(shù),但是可能產(chǎn)生這種技術(shù)的科學(xué)一直發(fā)展緩慢。(61)難題之一在于所謂的行為科學(xué)幾乎全都依然從心態(tài)、情感、性格特征、人性等方面去尋找行為的根源。物理學(xué)和生物學(xué)一度模仿類似的做法并且只有當(dāng)它們拋棄這些做法后才得到發(fā)展。(62)行為科學(xué)之所以發(fā)展緩慢,部分原因是用來(lái)解釋行為的依據(jù)似乎往往是直接觀察到的,部分原因是其他的解釋方式一直難以找到。環(huán)境因素顯然是重要的,但是它的作用仍然是模糊不清的。它既不推動(dòng)也不阻礙行為科學(xué)的發(fā)展,它具有選擇作用,因而這種作用是很難發(fā)現(xiàn)和分析的。(63)自然選擇在進(jìn)化中的作用僅在一百多年前才得以闡明,而環(huán)境在塑造和保持個(gè)體行為時(shí)的選擇作用則剛剛開始被認(rèn)識(shí)和研究。然而,由于人(生物)和環(huán)境之間的相互作用已經(jīng)逐漸被人們所認(rèn)識(shí),所以現(xiàn)在正開始從已知的環(huán)境去尋找一度認(rèn)為是心態(tài)、情感和性格特征所造成的影響其根源所在。因此就可以建立一門行為技術(shù)。但是,如果行為技術(shù)代替不了傳統(tǒng)的科學(xué)發(fā)展以前的觀點(diǎn),那它將無(wú)法解決我們的難題。而這些傳統(tǒng)的觀點(diǎn)是根深蒂固的。自由和尊嚴(yán)是難處之所在。(64)自由和尊嚴(yán)(它們)是傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的,是要求一個(gè)人對(duì)自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績(jī)而給予肯定的必不可少的前提??茖W(xué)的分析把責(zé)任和成績(jī)歸因于環(huán)境。它還提出有關(guān)“價(jià)值觀念”的種種問題。誰(shuí)會(huì)使用一門技術(shù)?其目的何在?(65)在這些得到解決以前,研究行為的技術(shù)手段就會(huì)繼續(xù)受到排斥,解決問題的惟一方式可能也隨之繼續(xù)受到排斥。
注釋:
1.assign…to…認(rèn)為…是…造成的。例如:1)They assigned his odd behavior to his ill health.(他們認(rèn)為他古怪的行為是身體不好造成的。)2)The fire was assigned to various causes.(這次火災(zāi)是種種原因造成的)
2.shift…to(onto)…把…推到…的頭上。例如:1)I mustn't shift my responsibility to[upon]you.(我不能把責(zé)任推到你身上。)2)I don't want to shift the blame onto her.(我不想把錯(cuò)推到她身上)
3.64題中g(shù)ive sb.credit for sth.意為“因?yàn)椤隙橙说墓凇?,如:The police was given credit for keeping the public services running smoothly.(由于使公用事業(yè)順利運(yùn)轉(zhuǎn),警方受到表彰)
4.65題中with it隨之。and引導(dǎo)一個(gè)并列的省略分句,補(bǔ)全后為:and with it possibly the only way to solve our problems will continue to be rejected.
練習(xí)
Now zoom forward to our present time and think of our pre_Internet communications systems as sorts of protozoa(原生動(dòng)物)。What we're witnessing today in the realm of cyberspace—the online reformulation of everything from the way we play and learn to how we shop and trade stocks may represent no less a world_ transforming change than the spectacular burst of creation so long ago.
One notable difference:The primeval organisms did not have a guide_book to inform them about what to expect and how to deal with some of the fabulous things to come.We do,in the recently released New Rules for the New Economy by Kevin Kelly,a founding editor of Wired magazine.
“The key premise of this book is that the principles governing the world of the soft—the world of intangibles,of media,of software,and of services—will soon command the world of the hard—the world of reality,of atoms,of objects,of steel and oil,and the hard work done by the sweat of brows,”Kelly writes.Driving this economic transformation is the combination of shrinking computers and expanding communications,he says,adding:(1)“We have seen only the beginnings of the anxiety,loss,excitement,and gains that many people will experience as our world shifts to a new highly technical planetary economy.”Does that sound like techno_hype?
It's barely a taste of the radical and often counterintuitive“rules”that Kelly dishes out.(2)He employs an aphoristic(格言的)and,well,wired style that will easily appeal to geeks and should also turn on any mainstream readers who are a little more than curious about where the digitally rendered world is headed.
Where it's likely headed,in Kelly's words,is“upside down”。Chew,for example,on the idea that“the surest way to smartness is through massive dumbness”。What that means in essence is that tiny computer chips,though relatively“dumb”on their own,can be added to billions of mundane objects and,thereby,yield substantial economic benefits.Such as real time buying patterns on everything from shirts to soda cans.In the conventional world of supply and demand where we all grew up,value came from scarcity.As in,diamonds,gold and oil.In a world of digital imperatives,as Kelly correctly points out,“power comes from abundance.”(3)That was a principle that Apple tragically failed to understand when it backed off from licensing its graphic computer interface,assuring that its market share would be savaged by Microsoft's more open Windows operating system.Which leads us to another of Kelly's hardwired laws:Follow the free.In the universe of atoms,as a resource is consumed it becomes more expensive to produce.As gold is mined,nuggets(天然金塊)at first may be easy,and therefore cheap,to find.But when particles of ore must be squeezed out of tons of rock,the price of gold becomes more dear.
But in what Kelly terms“the new order”,the law of plentitude kicks in,leading a savvy company such as Netscape to distribute its Web browser for free in order to sell auxiliary services or products.Similarly,expensive cell phones are offered as freebies(免費(fèi)的東西)to gain contracts for phone services.
Finally,Kelly tells us to look around and see how much the world has already changed under our very feet.(4)An American farmer today,for instance,may still get some dirt under his fingernails,but much of his labor is performed under the umbrella of the electronic network.The cab in his tractor has a wireless phone and a satellite_linked GPS location device;his home computer is connected to a never_ending stream of weather data,grain market reports and moisture detectors in the soil.(5)New Rules for the New Economy suggests that we might even learn something from those plucky life forms that exploded on the scene a half billion years ago.“The qualities needed to succeed in the network economy can be reduced to this:a facility for charging into the unknown.”
答案
文章大意: 正在日益縮小的電腦與不斷壯大的通訊業(yè)的結(jié)合在推動(dòng)著經(jīng)濟(jì)變革?!队芯€》雜志的創(chuàng)刊編輯凱文·凱利在他發(fā)表的《新經(jīng)濟(jì)之新規(guī)則》一書中指出:網(wǎng)絡(luò)正影響著全人類的各個(gè)領(lǐng)域,而網(wǎng)絡(luò)經(jīng)濟(jì)使整個(gè)社會(huì)翻天覆地。而我們想在網(wǎng)絡(luò)經(jīng)濟(jì)中取得成功所需的素質(zhì)就是一種沖入未知領(lǐng)域的技能。(1)結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是We have seen only…and gains that many people will experience as our would shifts to…。關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞the anxiety,loss,excitement,and gains.as引導(dǎo)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句。shift to在此句中譯為“轉(zhuǎn)變”。gains在此句中應(yīng)轉(zhuǎn)譯為“成就”。
參考譯文:我們看到的僅僅是我們的世界向一個(gè)新的高科技全球經(jīng)濟(jì)轉(zhuǎn)變時(shí)許多人將體驗(yàn)到的焦慮、失落、激動(dòng)與成就的開端。
(2)結(jié)構(gòu)分析:句子的框架是He employs an aphoristic…style that will easily appeal to…and should also turn on…readers who…。關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)定語(yǔ)從句,修飾style.在此從句中包含了由關(guān)系代詞who引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞any main_stream readers.where the digitally rendered world is headed作介詞about的賓語(yǔ)。main_stream readers在此譯為“主流讀者”。
參考譯文: 他采取的是一種格言式的而且還是有線的風(fēng)格,很容易吸引那些怪人,而且吸引那些主流讀者的興趣,他們對(duì)這個(gè)數(shù)字化世界的發(fā)展前途多少都有點(diǎn)好奇。
(3)結(jié)構(gòu)分析: 句子的框架是That was a principle that Apple…when it backed off from…,assuring that its market share would…。本句的主句是That was a principle…。關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞principle.when引導(dǎo)時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句?,F(xiàn)在分詞短語(yǔ)assuring that…充當(dāng)that引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句的原因狀語(yǔ)。名詞從句that its market share would be savaged by…作assuring的賓語(yǔ)。principle指代上文的“power comes from abundance”這一原則。back off原意為“屈服,讓步”,在此句中譯為“放棄”。
參考譯文:“蘋果”電腦公司悲劇性地未能理解這一原則,它放棄了它的圖形電腦界面的
銷售許可,因?yàn)閾?dān)心自己的市場(chǎng)份額會(huì)被微軟更開放的視窗操作系統(tǒng)無(wú)情地侵占。
(4)結(jié)構(gòu)分析: 句子的框架是An American farmer…may still get some dirt…,but much of his labor is performed under…。這是一個(gè)由but連接的并列句。dirt在此句中譯為“污泥,泥巴”。under the umbrella of應(yīng)轉(zhuǎn)譯為“在…覆蓋下”。
參考譯文: 比如今日的美國(guó)農(nóng)民,也許指甲蓋里仍藏著些許污泥,但他的許多勞作都是在電子網(wǎng)絡(luò)覆蓋下進(jìn)行的。
(5)結(jié)構(gòu)分析: 句子的框架是New Rules for the New Economy suggests that we might even learn…life forms that exploded on the scene…。that we might…是賓語(yǔ)從句,作suggest的賓語(yǔ)。在這個(gè)從句中包含了由關(guān)系代詞that引導(dǎo)的定語(yǔ)從句,修飾先行詞plucky life forms.explode原意為“爆發(fā),爆炸”,在此句中譯為“急速增長(zhǎng)”。life forms指文中的原生動(dòng)物。