考试吧:翻译技巧之切分与合并

发布时间:2012-07-07 共3页

  切分

  英语中长句较多, 句中修饰语多且长,使句子结构复杂,所以英译汉时,不能照样克隆复制,而是得根据汉语语法的特点,灵活处理。切分就是一种常用的方法,是指把英语中的长句分解成两个或两个以上的句子。它常包括单词分译、短语分译和句子分译等三种情况。

  (一) 单词分译

  单词分译是指把原文中的一个单词拆译成一个小句或者句子。采用单词分译主要有两个目的:一是为了句法上的需要。由于一些单词在搭配、词义等方面的特点,直译会使句子生硬晦涩,翻译腔十足,而把某个单词分译却能使句子通顺,且不损伤原意。二是为了修饰上的需要,如加强语气,突出重点等。英语中的名词、动词、形容词和副词等都可分译。例如:

  (1)We recognize that China‘s long-term modernization program understandably and necessarily emphasizes economic growth.

  我们认识到,中国的长期现代化计划以发展经济为重点,这是可以理解的,也是必要的。

  (2) Then and there he named the startled General lying wounded on his cot the new Commander in Chief of the Airforce…

  他就在当时当地任命这位躺在榻上治伤的将军为空军总司令,使这位将军吃了一惊。

  (3) A movie of me leaving that foxhole would look like a shell leaving a rifle.

  我离开那个猫儿洞的速度之快,要是拍成电影的话,会象出膛的子弹一样。

  (4) Yet it is painfully apparent that millions of Americans who would never think of themselves as law-breakers, let alone criminals, are taking increasing liberties with the legal codes that are designed to protect and nourish their society.

  显然,数百万美国人从来没有想过自己会违法,更不用说犯罪了,而就是他们正在越来越肆意歪曲旨在保护和培育这个社会的法律条文,这真令人痛心。

  (原文中painfully apparent如照字面译成“痛心地明显的”,不合汉语表达习惯,将painfully单译成句,既突出了重点,表明作者对这一现象感到痛心的心情,又使语言自然流畅。)

  (5) At present people have a tendency to choose the safety of the middle-ground reply.

  现在,人们都倾向于采取不偏不倚的态度来回答问题,因为它安全,不招风险。

  (choose the safety of the middle-ground reply如机械直译成“选择不偏不倚回答问题的安全”,语言晦涩难懂。将safety分译出来则较好地解决了这一问题。)

  (6) Auntie Julia vainly asked each of her neighbours in turn to tell her what Gabriel had said.

  朱利亚姨妈接连向坐在旁边的人打听加布里埃尔刚才说了些什么,却没有问出个所以然来。

  (二) 短语分译

  短语分译是指把原文中的一个短语分译成一个句子。名词短语、分词短语、介词短语等有时都可以分译成句。例如:

  (1) These cheerful little trams, dating back to 1873, chug and sway up the towering hills with bells ringing and people hanging from every opening.

  这些令人欢快的小缆车建于1873年,嘎嚓嘎嚓摇摆爬上高耸的山峦。车上铃儿叮当作响,每个窗口都是人。(介词短语分译)

  (2) The military is forbidden to kill the vessel, a relatively easy task.

  军方被禁止击毁这艘潜艇,虽然要击毁它并不怎么费事。(名词短语分译)

  (3) Invitingly green Angel Island, once a military installation, contains meandering trails and picnic spots ideal for a day’s excursion.

  迷人的天使岛郁郁葱葱,小径蜿蜒,是一日游的理想野餐场所。但在过去它却是一个军事基地。(名词短语分译)

  主从复合句的分译

  英语复合句汉译时常在分句连接处加以切分,分译成两个或两个以上的句子。例如:

  (1) One day, while out on the bleak moors, Pip is startled by a hulking, menacing man who threatens him if he does not bring him some food immediately.

  匹普外出在阴冷的荒原上游荡时,一个魁梧、凶狠的男子把他吓了一跳。这个男子威胁他,让他立即为他送些食物来。(在who引导的从句前切分)

  (2) All this had come to an end in 1905 when the medical mission was dissolved and several of Mother‘s colleagues were killed in the uprising.

  1905年,这一切都宣布结束了。在一次暴动中,妈妈的几个同事牺牲了,医疗队也解散了。(when处切分)

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