词法翻译Lexical Translation.doc

第三章 词法翻译Lexical Translation第一节 词义的确定词是任何语言的基本组成单位。在具体的翻译实践中，如何确定词的意义就显得非常重要。对很多初学翻译的人来说，他们很容易将词作为翻译的基本单位。显然这种做法是不可取的，因为一个词在不同的句子中它的词类和词义都有可能发生变化。我们知道，英汉两种语言都有一词多类、一词多义的现象，所以在弄清原句结构后，译者必须善于选择和确定句中关键词的词义。在翻译过程中，我们一般都可以在译文语言中找到同原文中某个单词、词组或成语意义上的对等表达。因此，对等译法(equivalent translation)是翻译中最常用、最重要的翻译方法。一般而言，英汉两种语言中单词的对等率是最高的，尤其是专有名词或其它表示事物名称的名词。英语中的一些成语和谚语也可以在汉语中找到其相应的对等表达。例如： Television 电视 small 小 and 和，与 To burn ones boat 破釜成舟 thousands upon thousands of 成千上万 Practice makes perfect. 熟能生巧。 Ill news travels fast. 坏事（恶事）传千里。 There is no smoke without fire. I think our boss is a man who always speaks his mind.但是在相当多的时候，尤其是在翻译句子时，对等译法还不能完全适用，因为单个的词或词组会受整句意思的影响，从而它的词类和词义也可能发生改变，所以这时需要将这些词和词组放在句子中来考虑，才能准确地确定它们的词义。一、根据词类确定词义选择某个词的词义，首先要判断这个词在原句中所起的作用，应属哪一种词类，然后才确定其确切的词义。如right一词，它就具有形容词、副词、名词和动词等多种词类，而且在同一词类中，还具有不同的意义。翻译时首先确定其所属词类，再找一个恰当的词义。例：1 And not only has won, but because it has won, has been in the right. 它（指发动战争的国家）不仅取得了战争的胜利，而且正因为它胜利了，就成了正义的一方。（胜者王侯败者寇。）2 For that is what going to war means, it means saying that might is right. 因为这就是进行战争（诉诸武力）意味着什么，它就意味着说：“强权就是公理。”3 She tried her best to right her husband from the charge of bribery. 她尽力为她丈夫被控受贿申冤。4 All came right in the end. 结果一切顺利。再做汉译英时也应该先确定词类，再选择合适的词义。例：5 十年树木，百年树人。 It takes ten years to grow trees, but one hundred years to rear people.6 树大招风。 A tall tree caches the wind-a person in a high position is liable to be attacked.7 年轻人应该树立远大的理想。 Youths should foster a lofty ideal.More examples:1 Like charges repel; unlike charges attract.2 Like knows like.3 His wife likes her pet dog more than him.4 Like father, like son.2 He acts like he is the manager.6 It will clear up very like.二、根据语境确定词义借助语境（context）确定词义主要是针对同一词类的一词多义而言的。所谓语境，就是语言使用的环境。词义的选择不是随意的，它受到语言环境的制约。语境所涉及的因素很多，包括上下文（verbal context）、地点、时间、话题和交际方式等。例如：1 We hope Mr. White will not forget himself, gone are the days when a representative of a large country in UN may do whatever he likes. 我们希望怀特先生不要忘乎所以，在联合国里一个大国代表可以为所欲为的日子已经一去不复返了。2 We hope our most respected Secretary General will not forget himself, his poor health is known to everybody. 我们希望最可敬的秘书长先生不要过于忘我工作，他的健康状况欠佳是众所周知的。3 Its time to go aboard. 该上（车、船、飞机）了。More examples:1 Mary received a love letter.2 Tom was very depressed today because he got a Dear John letter from Mary.3 Dont worry; he is the last man to do such a thing.4 We all think he is the last person for such a job.5 A mouse is the carrier of many kinds of virus.三、根据习惯搭配确定词义搭配（collocation）是人们使用语言的一种习惯，是长期以来语言使用的一种约定俗成。英汉两种语言都存在一些固定搭配。因此在翻译实践中，虽然有些英语词在同一词类中、具有相同意义的情况，但是和不同的词搭配，译成汉语时还要根据与它搭配的词而选择最符合汉搭配习惯的词语。例如：1 He has great ears and eyes. 他耳聪目明。2 Premier Zhou Enlai has great wisdom, experience and knowledge. 周恩来总理有着无穷的智慧、丰富的经验和渊博的知识。3 In the following competition, our team enjoys advantages. 在下一场比赛中，我们队占有优势。4 Now a lot of wild animals are enjoying national protection. 现在很多野生动物受到国家保护。5 At present the two countries are enjoying an economical honey-moon. 当前，这两国正处于经济蜜月期（在经济上打得火热）。6 During the Gulf War, the Middle East area enjoyed constant attention. 海湾战争期间，中东地区一直为人们所关注。More examples:1 It was a good dinner.2 He is a good chess player.3 She speaks good English.4 I have done a good days work.5 It was a girl with good manners.6 The young brother wants to have the good half of the bread.7 She proved to be a good listener.EXERCISE (equivalent translation)One Put the following into Chinese:1. I took the news with a grain of salt.2. Unless youve got an ace up your sleeve, we are dished.3. He went through fire and flood to save his girlfriend.4. You have a lucky star above you.5. She is now between the devil and the deep sea on this matter.6. He is reaping what he has sown.7. She is an easy-going woman. She always throws her cares to the winds.8. That fellow is always fair without but foul within.9. That little girl has a ready tongue.10. The light-fingered gentry frequented these shops.Two Put the following into English:1. 这些国家的经济形势每况愈下.2. 为了掩人耳目,他们把自己打扮成革命者.3. 扪心自问,他不得不承认自己是错的.4. 他们个个摩拳擦掌,士气很高,准备再打一个漂亮仗.5. 我们必须全力以赴,拿下这场球.6. 按当时情况,他出了忍气吞声又能怎么办呢?7. 侵略者已经走投无路.8. 我讨厌游手好闲的人.9. 你为什么要引狼入室?10. 他是信口开河,他对经济一窍不通.EXERCISE (the choice of meaning)One Put the following into Chinese:1. soft pillow soft music soft heartsoft cushion soft wood soft watersoft money soft drink soft answer soft breeze soft light soft goods soft voice soft fire soft words soft hat regular reading regular flights regular armyregular job regular visitor regular verb regular speed regular gasoline 2. run into debt run for presidencyrun wild run a factoryrun the streets run a feverrun to the extremes run to seed3. The foreign trade has risen to unprecedented figures.Dr. Eliot was one of the most revered figures in the world of learning.On the desk, there was a bronze figure of Plato.He saw dim figures moving towards him.June was good at figure skating.Many women take physical courses to keep their figures.Did you see her wedding diamond in a triangle figure?Two Put the following into English:1. 在中国我们每到一座城市，就逛大街，逛商店，逛公园，上剧场，下饭馆。2他得知母亲病了，坐立不安。 3得知本国发生了强烈地震，总统一直心乱如麻。4考试开始前，学生们的心里七上八下。5那个可怜的男孩见到父亲到处找棍子，感到六神无主。6当妻子骂骂咧咧闯到房间来时，这个得了“妻管严”的男人便有些手足无措。第二节 词义的引申英语中有时用抽象的概念来描写具体的事物，有时又用具体的词语来修饰抽象的事物。在英译汉时，我们会发现某些词在英语辞典上根本找不到适当的词义，如任意硬套或逐词死译，会使译文生硬晦涩，不能确切表达原意，甚至造成误解。这时我们就要从该词的基本含义出发，根据汉语的表达方式作适当的处理，进一步加以引申（extension），选择比较恰当的汉语词来表达。一、将词义作抽象化的引申为了译文的忠实与通顺，我们往往有必要把原文中带有具体意义或具体形象的单词、词组、成语或句子进行抽象化处理。例如：1 Then this girl gets killed, because shes always speeding. 今后这姑娘会断送性命的，因为她总违反交通规则。2 I was not one to let my heart rule my head. 我不是那种让感情统治理智的人。3 Even his closest colleagues profess not to know whether he is a hawk or a dove. 甚至连他最亲密的同僚也承认，说不清他是主战派还是主和派。4 He is the champion of the colonial regime and of the racial segregation. 他是这个殖民政权和种族隔离的罪魁祸首。More examples:1 The see-sawing situation of this match appealed millions of audience.2 Every life has its roses and thorns.3 There is a mixture of the tiger and the fox in the character of the imperialists.4 Dont always poke your nose into others personal affairs.5 Are you licking my boots? Even so, I wont lend you another penny any more.二、将词义作具体化的引申词义具体化是同词义抽象化相对而言的。所谓具体译法，就是在翻译过程中把原文中抽象的或者是比较抽象的词、词组或句子用具体或者比较具体的概念来进行翻译，从而消除或降低语言差别给翻译带来的损失，使译文产生与原文同样的效果。例如：1 We were all greatly moved by his loftiness. 我们都被他那种崇高品质深深打动。2 Many changes take place during the transformation. 在转化过程中出现了许多变化。3 All the irregularities of the students in that university resulted in punishment. 在那所大学里学生的任何越轨行为都受到了处罚。4 I dont want to hang on my parents sleeves. 我不想依靠父母过日子。5 This boy is too careless; all his books are dog-eared. 这个孩子真粗心，它的书本都已经折角了。More examples:1 Great minds think alike.2 As a mother, no matter where she goes or where she is, what she can never cut off is the connection between her and her children.3 The Great Wall is a must for most foreign visitors to Beijing.4 Two years working is a must to the people who want to take up graduated examination.5 They know where theyve come from, they know where theyre at, and they know where theyre going.6 The President now is on a poverty tour.EXERCISE (extension of meaning)One Put the following into Chinese:1. No one is satisfied with his favoritism in his work.2. The black people were fighting against the segregation of the government.3. The crime sent him into notoriety.4. The government is doing its best to ease the tension in that area.5. By this means she cast in a bone between the husband and the wife.6. This testimony puts quite a new face on the whole matter.7. The two sides were at swords points on the matter of abortion.8. He thinks by all this fast talking and flattery he can pull the wool over her eyes, but she isnt deceived.9. The society held its meeting behind closed doors.10. I must bare my heart to someone, or I shall go mad.Two Put the following into English:1你应该把好坏分清楚。2同反复无常的人没法相处。3等她自作自受，少不得要自己败露的。4我不敢班门弄斧，承望您发表高见。5别人家里鸡零狗碎的事情你都知道得这么全，真是个顺风耳啊！6今天下午的比赛，棋逢对手，一定很精彩。第三节 词义的褒贬语言本身没有阶级性，但是在具体使用时不可能不为一定的阶级服务。为了忠实于原文的思想内容，翻译时必须正确理解原作者的基本政治立场和观点，然后选用适当的语言手段来加以表达。原文中有些词本身就表示褒贬意义，但也有些词孤立起来看似乎是中性的，译成汉语时就要根据上下文恰如其分地把它们的感情色彩表达出来。一、 贬义词和褒义词一般情况下，如果词本身具有褒或贬的意义，翻译时按其本身的感情色彩来处理就行了。例如：1 He was a man of high renown. 他是位有名望的人。2 His notoriety as a rake did not come until his death. 他流氓的恶名是他死后才传开的。3 Their rude manners offended many of us. 我们很多人都很反感他们的粗鲁行为。4 This film star possesses a charming figure. 这位影星有着迷人的身材。5 He was polite and always gave advice willingly. 他彬彬有礼，总是诲人不倦。More examples:1 The two politicians talked for no more than five minutes, at a significant moment in their careers.2 As a demanding boss, he expected total loyalty and dedication from his employees.3 The reckless driver died in a traffic accident.4 The old guy is always trying to be different and has a whole bag of tricks.5 This general is really wise and resourceful.二、中性词在确定词的感情色彩时，中性词（neutral word）相对来说比较难一些，因为中性词可能会受其上下文的影响而转化成褒义词或贬义词。因此在翻译时译者必须将该中性词同它的上下文联系起来确定其词义，这样才能更好地体现原作者的态度。例如：1 He keeps boasting that he once had a glorious past. 他一直吹嘘说自己曾有过辉煌的过去。2 Our country boasts in rich natural resources and talent resources. 我们国家以拥有丰富的自然资源和人力资源而自豪。3 Mary always gets what she wants by playing office politics. 玛丽总是靠耍手腕来达到她的目的。More examples:1 Parents always influence their children.2 The side-effect of this medicine will influence patients health.3 His fathers being a very famous politician influenced his career greatly.4 Mr. Brown felt greatly flattered when he received the invitation to deliver a lecture.5 He was too obviously flattering the gentleman by saying he was the most courageous man he had ever seen.3 Youre flattering me by saying that.4 This is our scheme for this term.5 The enemys scheme went bankrupt.6 We know Peter to be industrious and clever.7 He is too clever for us.8 The adoption of the new policies will surely lead to some striking result.9 There would have been more painful result but for the drastic measures.EXERCISE (derogatory/commendatory meaning of words)One Put the following into Chinese:1. John was an aggressive salesman who did his job quite well.2. Hitler pursued an aggressive policy after he seized power.3. Those boys are enough to be self-respecting.1. We needed tough-minded soldiers in our army.2. I always considered him calculating and mercenary and did my best to avoid him.3. She was vexed by the persistent ringing of the phone.4. The stubborn boy refused to listen to his parents advice.5. As luck would have it, no one was in the building when the explosion occurred.6. As luck would have it, there was rain on the day of the picnic.7. It is his meticulousness that is preventing him from making any progress in his research work.Two Put the following into English:1 没想到他们的封建思想是那样的顽固不化。 2 诗人应该具有丰富的想象力。3 叫那些人不要大吵大闹。4 这位女影星在舞会上真是仪态万方。5 凡是忘掉过去的人注定要重蹈覆辙。6 他欺骗了我，使我成了他进行罪恶勾当的工具。7 年轻人肯定有一个光明的未来。8. 他怎么也没有想到自己的未来如此的渺茫。第四节 词类转译词类转译实际上指的是在翻译时词与词之间的词性转换（conversion of parts of speech）。在翻译过程中，有些句子可以逐字对译，但有些不行。原文中有些词在译文中需要转换词类，才能使汉语译文通顺自然。一、 转译成动词英语和汉语比较起来，汉语中动词用得比较多，这是一个特点。一般而言，一个英语句子只有一个谓语动词，其它表示动作的概念通常用非谓语动词或其它的词性形式来代替了。在汉语中，我们可以几个动词或动词性结构连用，却不涉及到任何词形变化。可见从英语翻译成汉语时，一些其它的词类就会转换成汉语的动词。英语非动词词类转译成汉语的动词主要有以下几种情况：（一）名词转译成动词英语中大量由动词派生的名词和具有动作意义的名词以及其它名词可转译成汉语的动词。例如：1 Under severe attack, the enemys retreat was complete at the close of the day. 遭到沉重的打击后，敌人在天黑时才撤退完。2 After the Civil War, the US government called for the establishment of more professional and technical schools. 内战结束后，美国政府倡导建立更多的职业技术学校。3 Each Contracting State undertakes to adopt, in accordance with its Constitution, such measures as are necessary to ensure the application of this Convention. 各成员国均有义务依照其宪法采取本公约实行的必要措施。4 Though he is an amateur actor, he is a better player than you. 尽管他是一名业余演员，他演得可比你好。5 No matter the sight of it should send the memories of quite a number of the old generation back 40 years ago. 难怪看到这种情景很多老一辈人就回想起40年前的往事。6 You are old enough to take care of yourself. 你已经长大了，该学会照顾自己了。More examples:1 The improbable pregnancy was big news for the womans family.2 The new situation requires the formation of a new strategy.3 In fact, the abuse of drugs has become one of the worlds most serious social problems.4 We wouldnt have any idea when the boy was born.5 All the people at presence should take warning from this incident.（二）介词转译成动词许多含有动作意味的前置词（介词），译成汉语时往往可以译成动词。其它前置词如果和含有动作意味的名词连用也可以这样译。例如：1 He decided to let John into the secret. 他决定让约翰介入这一秘密。2 The European Community is the best instrument for this purpose. 欧共体是实现这一目的的最好机构。3 He was away before dawn. 他是黎明前出发的。4 What are you after? 你追求的是什么？More examples:1 “Coming!” Away she skimmed over the lawn, up the path, up the steps, across the veranda, and into the porch.2 Are you for or against the idea to have translation course?3 He went to the shop for a bottle of wine.4 Up the street they went, past stores, across a broad square, and then entered a huge building.5 Dont bother; the meal will be on me.（三）形容词转译成动词英语中表示知觉、情欲、欲望等心理状态的形容词，在系动词后作表语时，可转译成汉语的动词。常见的这类形容词有：Confident, careful, certain, cautious, angry, sure, ignorant, afraid, doubtful, aware, concerned, glad, delighted, sorry, ashamed, thankful, grateful, anxious, alive, able, surprised, puzzled, interested, bored, satisfied, etc. 例如：1 Doctors have said that they are not sure they can save his life. 医生们说他们不敢肯定能否救得了他的命。2 The fact that she was able to send a message was a hint. But I had to be cautious. 她能够给我带个信儿这件事就是个暗示。但是我必须小心谨慎。3 Animals become indifferent to their young as soon as their young can look after themselves. 动物们的后代一旦能够自己照顾自己了，它们的父母就不再管了。4 He is indiscriminate in reading. 她读书不加选择。5 I have been bored with my study. 我已经厌倦了学习。More examples:1 Even having 8 years in contact with her, he is still not sure she will marry him at last.2 The manager is grateful to the customers for their valuable suggestions.3 They were not content with their present achievement.4 What she is concerned with is nothing but money and fame.5 Even after a whole month, they are still surprised at the fact that I won the first prize.（四）副词转译成动词有些副词作表语时带有明显的动作意味，所以在翻译成汉语时也可以转译成汉语的动词。例如：1 The boy told me that his father was out. 那个男孩告诉我他的父亲出去了。2 Mr. Nixon had said repeatedly that the American war in Indochina would soon be over. 尼克松先生屡次声言，美国在印度支那的战争即将结束。3 Wait me here; Ill be back soon. 在这儿等我，我很快就回来。More examples:1 Can you come with us? Anyway, its up to you.2 Time is up. I must be off now.3 That presidential candidate is in again.4 Our holiday is three weeks away.5 The match was over, but there were still many fans in the stadium, crying for the victory of their supporting team.（五）连词转译成动词例句：1 They will return in 60 days or two month. 2 Eight and seven is fifteen. 3 The distance is four kilometers or 2.4856 miles.二、转译成名词（一）英语中很多由名词派生的动词，以及由名词转用的动词，在汉语中不易找到相应的动词，一般可将其转译成汉语名词。例如：1 To them, he personified the absolute power. 在他们看来，他就是绝对权力的化身。2 Most US satellites are designed to burn up in the earths atmosphere after completing their missions. 美国的绝大多数间谍卫星，按其设计，在完成使命后会在大气层中焚毁。3 You grossly misunderstood her. 你对她有明显的误解。More examples:1 Formality has always characterized their relationship.2 A well-dressed man, who looked and talked like an American, got into the hall.3 Dont you have such occasions when you are treated unfairly?4 Our company does not guarantee anything.5 He acted as though he knew women far too well for such a low-graded pupil.（二）有些英语被动式句子中的动词，可以译成“受（遭）到+名词”、“予（加）以+名词”这类结构。例如：1 Several buildings around the square were damaged. 广场附近的几幢建筑物遭到了毁坏。2 Two super go players from Japan were defeated one after another. 两位日本围棋高手接连受挫。3 We were all deeply moved by his persistent spirit.4 Such incidents must be paid attention to in the future.（三）形容词转译成名词有些英语的形容词前加定冠词，其功能相当于名词，翻译时应将其转译成名词。另外，还有些形容词作表语时也可以转译成名词。例如：1 By the poor here, I mean those whose yearly income is below 20,000 Yuan. 所谓穷人，这里我指的是哪些年收入两万元以下的人。2 Robin Hood and his merry men hated the rich and loved and protected the poor. 罗宾汉和他的伙伴们痛恨阔人，热爱并保护穷人。3 The White family were religious. 怀特一家都是虔诚的教徒。4 His estimate of Hitler was cold-blooded and honest. 他对希特勒的估计是客观的，也是真心话。More examples:1 I think your husband is quite eloquent, considerate and elegant too, but a little she-man.2 Official Moscow is going to object the proposal.3 Hospitals are getting more efficient these days.4 It took a long presidential drive to get them talk again.（四）副词转译成名词这类转译比较少，一般是那些由名词派生出来的副词才可这样翻译。例如：1 Originally he was from Shanghai. 他的原籍是上海。2 This area is still poor economically. 这一地区经济仍然很落后。3 He is physically strong but mentally unhealthy.三、转译成形容词由形容词所派生的名词和副词可转译成形容词。例如：1 We were deeply impressed by what he did in the critical moment. 他在关键时刻的行为给我们留