科英翻译方法与技巧,学与练.doc

一、科技术语的翻译方法 随着社会的进步和科技的发展，新的发明创造不断涌现，随之也就出现了描述这些事物的新术语。在科技英语翻译中，我们常常碰到如何把这类术语译成适当的汉语的问题。通常，有以下约定俗成的方法。1.意译：意译就是对原词所表达的具体事物和概念进行仔细推敲，以准确译出该词的科学概念。这种译法最为普遍，在可能的情况下，科技术语应采用意译法。例如：holography 全息摄影术 astrionics 宇航电子学 guided missile 导弹 aircraft carrier 航空母舰 videophone 可视电话 walkie-talkie 步话机 power roller 健腹轮 E-mail 电子邮件 一般说来，有三类科技新词语采用此译法：1.1.合成词：由两个或两个以上旧词构成的复合词 : skylab 太空实验室 moonwalk 月球漫步 friction factor 摩擦系数 1.2.多义词：旧词转义，即通过赋予旧词以新义而构成新术语drone 雄蜂无人驾驶飞机 bug 臭虫窃听器 computer 计算者计算机 1.3.派生词：在原有的词根上加前缀或后缀构成新术语例如： thermocouple 热电偶 voltmeter 电压表 2. 音译：音译就是根据英语单词的发音译成读音与原词大致相同的汉字。采用音译的科技术语主要有两类: 2.1.计量单位的词：hertz 赫兹（频率单位） bit 比特（度量信息的单位，二进制位） lux 勒克司（照明单位）joule 焦耳（功或能的单位） 2.2. 某些新发明的材料或产品的名称（尤其在起初时）：celluloid 赛璐珞（硝纤象牙） nylon 尼龙（酰胺纤维） sonar 声纳（声波导航和测距设备） vaseline 凡士林（石油冻） morphine 吗啡 一般地说，音译比意译容易，但不如意译能够明确地表达新术语的涵义。因此，有些音译词经过一段时间后又被意译词所取代，或者同时使用。例如：combine 康拜因联合收割机 ，laser 莱塞激光 vitamin 维他命维生素，penicillin 盘尼西林青霉素 3.形译：用英语常用字母的形象来为形状相似的物体定名。翻译这类术语时，一般采用形译法。常用的形译法又分为下列三种情况：3.1.选用能够表达原字母形象的汉语词来译：T square 丁字尺 I-column 工字柱 U-bend 马蹄弯头 V-slot 三角形槽3.2. 保留原字母不译，在该字母后加“形”字，这种译法更为普遍：A-bedplate 形底座 D-valve 形阀 C-network 形网络 M-wing 形机翼3.3.保留原字母不译，以字母代表一种概念：X ray X射线 L-electron L层电子（原子核外第二层的电子）N-region N区（电子剩余区，即电子导电区）4.意音结合译：在音译之后加上一个表示类别的词，或者把原词的一部分音译，而另一部分意译。4.1有些词以音译为主，在词首或词尾加上表意的词：logic 逻辑电路 covar 科伐合金（铁镍钴合金）4.2. 由前缀加入计量单位构成复合词，计量单位采用音译：megavolt 百万伏（特） microampere 微安（培） kilowatt 千瓦decibel 分贝4.3.某些复合词意音结合译： radar-man 雷达手 valve-guide 阀导4.4.有些由人名构成的术语，人名音译，其余部分意译：Ohms law 欧姆定律 Curie point 居里点 Morse code 莫尔斯电码Monel metal 蒙乃尔合金注意：人们在熟悉了这类术语后往往只记人名的第一音节音译，后加“氏”字译出：Babbit metal 巴氏合金 Brinell test 布氏试验 5.直译：在科技文献中商标、牌号、型号和表示特定意义的字母均可不译，直接使用原文，只译普通名词：B-52 E bomber B-52 E轰炸机 Kubota Mobile Crane Model KM-150 库宝塔KM-150型流动式起重机 另外，科技术语的译名应注意规范化。凡约定俗成的译名，不要随意更动。正如鲁迅先生指出不能把“高尔基”译成“郭尔基”一样。创新译名要能正确表达出事物的真实含义，应尽量采用意译。 例如：dustoff 战地救护直升机，该词义与飞机起飞和降落时扬起的尘土有关，dust (尘土）+ off（离开）。在同一篇文章或同一本书中专业术语的译名必须前后统一，这特别适用于那些有几个通用译名的专业术语。否则，就可能引起误解。例如：nylon尼龙/耐纶/酰胺纤维二、词的增减翻译方法.词的增加 英汉二种语言由于语法结构的差异，修辞手段的不同，在翻译过程中往往需要增补或减少词量。如THOUGH 引导的让步状语从句，其主句不需要任何呼应词；但在汉语中，表示转折的关系时，从句要用“虽然”，主句要用“可是”、“然而”、“却”等。试翻译下面句子：1.增补英语中的省略词Matter can be changed into energy, and energy into matter. The best conductor has the least resistance and the poorest the greatest. 2.增加关联词White or shining surfaces reflect heat; dark surfaces absorb it. Since air has weight, it exerts force on any object immersed in it. 3.增加表示复数的词Note that the words “velocity” and “speed” require explanation. The first electronic computers used vacuum tubes and other components, and this made the equipment very large and bulky. 4.具在动作意义的抽象名词的增译 Oxidation will make iron and steel rusty. The principles will be illustrated by the following transition. The lack of resistance in very cold metals may become useful in electronic computers. The temperature needed for this processing is lower than that needed to melt the metal. 5.逻辑加词，顺理成章。Air pressure decreases with altitude. According to scientists, it takes nature 500 years to create an inch of topsoil. It may well improve long-term weather forecasting. This shows that the resistance of an electric conductor is inversely proportional to its cross-section area. 6.补充概括性词语The frequency, wave length and speed of sound are closely related. This report summed up the new achievement made in electron tubes, semiconductors and components. The resistance of the pipe to the flow of water through it depends upon the length of the pipe, the diameter of the pipe, and the nature of the inside walls (rough or smooth)7.修辞加词，语气连贯Heat from the sun stirs up the atmosphere, generating winds. In general, all the metals are good conductors, with silver the best and copper the second.This question is really a circuit design rather than a layout problem. The pointer of the ampere-hour meter moves from zero to two and goes back to zero again. Translation reference 1. 物质可以转化为能，能也可以转化为物质。 最好的导体电阻最小，最差的导体电阻最大。2. 白式的或发亮的表面反射热，而黑暗的表面则吸收热。 因为空气具有重量，所以处在空气中的任一物体都会受到空气的作用力。3. 请注意，速度和速率这两个词需要解释。 第一批计算机使用真空管和其他元件，这使得设备又大又笨。4. 氧化作用会使钢铁生锈。 这些原理将由下列演变过程来说明 这种在甚低温金属中没有电阻的现象可能对电子计算机有很大的用处。 这种加工方法所需的温度要低于熔化该金属的温度。5. 气压随海拔高度的增加而下降。 根据科学家们的看法， 自然界要用500年的时间才能创造一英寸的表层土壤。 这会提高长期天气预报的准确率。这表明，导体电阻的大小与导体横票面的大小成反比。6频率、波长和声速三者是密切相关的。 这篇报告总结了电子管、半导体和元件三方面的成就。 水管对于通过的水流的阻力取决于下列三个因素：管长、管道直径，管道内壁的性状（粗糙或平滑）7. 太阳发出的热能搅动大气，于是产生了风。 一般说来，金属都属于良导体，其中以银为最好、铜次之。 这个问题实在是属于线路设计方面的， 而不是线路面罩方面的问题。 安培小时计的指针先从零转到2，然后又回到零。.词的减少1.冠词的省译The earth moves round the sun. 地球绕太阳转.The volume of a gas increases more quickly than that of a liquid.气体体积增加的速度比液体快.Any substance is made of atoms, whether it is a solid, a liquid or a gas. 任何物质,不论是固体、液体或是气体，都由原子组成。2.介词省译The difference between the two machines consists in power. 这二台机器的差别在于功率不同。The rocket engine carries with it the oxygen of its own. 火箭发动机自带氧气。Hydrogen is the lightest element with an atomic weight of 1.008 氢是最轻的元素，原子量为1.008In the absence of force, a body will either remain at rest, or continue to move with constant speed in a straight line. 若无外力作用，物体则保持其静止状态，或作匀速直线动力。3.人称代词、物主代词、反身代词的省译A wire lengthens while it is heated. 金属丝受热则伸长。The diameter and the length of the wire are not the only factors to influence its resistance. 导线的直径和长度不是影响电阻的仅有的因素。Different metals differ in their conductivity. 不同的金属具有不同的导电性能。The atoms of all metals arrange themselves in patterns. 所有金属的原子都是按一定的结构排列的。4 “it” 在某些句型中的省略It was not until the middle of the 19th century that the blast furnace came into use. （it 引强调句）直到十九世纪中叶，高炉才开始使用。It requires 2 calories to warm 1 gram of water 2C .一克水的温度升高2C需要两卡It was thought that all atoms of the same element were exactly alike. （ It 作形式主语）曾有人认为同一种元素的所有原子都是完全相同的。This formula makes it easy to determine the wave length of sounds. （It 作形式宾语）这一公式使得求声音的波长十分容易。People consider it true that all types of radiant energy move through a vacuum at the speed of light. （It 作形式主语）人们认为各种辐射能确实都是以光速通过真空的。5 .连词的省略Like charges repel each other while opposite charges attract. 同性电荷相斥，异性电荷相吸。The advantage of rolling bearings is that they cause less friction. 滚动轴承的优点是它产生的摩擦力较小。Practically all substance expand when heated and contract when cooled. 几乎所有的物质都是热胀冷缩的。When short waves are sent out and meet an obstacle they are reflected. 短波发送出去，遇到障碍物就反射回来。6 .动词的省略In most cases the soil near the surface is merely damp and is not completely saturated with water. 在大多数情况下，地表附近的土壤仅仅有些潮湿，但含水量未完全饱和。（系语IS 省略）When the pressure gets low, the boiling-point becomes low.气压低，沸点就低。（get become均可省略）For this reason television signals have a short range. 因此，电视信号的传播距离短。（定语 转译汉语的谓语，原文中的谓语have无实际意义）The nuclear reactions give the sun its constant supply of energy. 太阳中的核反应不断向太阳提供能量。（宾语转译成汉语的谓语，原文中谓语give无实际意义）Solid expand and contract as liquids and gases do. 如同液体及气体一样，固体也膨胀和收缩。(do 代替expand 和contract，省略不译。)7 .关系代词的省译There are some metals which posses the power to conduct electricity and the ability to be magnetized. 有些金属具有导电能力 和磁化能力。The rate at which the electricity flows is measured in amperes. 电流速度用安培测量。Every liquid has it own boiling point, which is invariable under the same condition. 每种液体都有其沸点，在同样的情况下不会改变。In mechanics fluids are usually divided into such as compressible and incompressible .力学中通常将液体分为可压缩和不可压缩二种。三、英汉科技翻译中词性的转换英汉二种语言属于不同的语系，在语言结构和表达方式方面各有其自身的特点。因此，要使译文忠于原文又顺畅可读，就不能局限于逐词对等翻译，必须采取适当的词性转换、句子成分转换乃至句型转换的翻译技巧。科技英语中大量使用名词化结构，而汉语中动词用得多，也比较灵活。再如汉语中没有冠词、关系代词、关系副词、分词、不定式、动名词等，翻译时就要进行适当的转换处理。.转换成汉语动词1.英语名词化结构及动名词一般均可译成汉语的动词1）A change of state from a solid to a liquid form requires heat energy.2) Light from the sun is a mixture of light of many different colors. 3) Integrated circuits are fairly recent development. 4) Rockets have found application for the exploration of the universe. 5) In the dynamo, mechanical energy is used for rotating the armature between the poles of an electromagnet 2.英语的介词用得特别多，在很多情况下，尤其是构成状语时，往往译成汉语的动词：6）A force is needed to move an object against inertia. 7) Modern industry would be out of the question without iron and steel. 8) With its many characteristic properties iron has come to be the leading material for general engineering structure. 3.作表语的形容词可转换成汉语的动词9) Both of the substances are not available. 10) Television is different from radio in that it sends and receives pictures. 11) Natural gas is often present in the reservoir rock.12）If extremely low-cost power were every to become available from large nuclear power plants, electrolytic hydrogen would become competitive. 4.副词作表语时可转译成汉语的动词。13） Open the valve to let air in. 14) In this case the temperature in the furnace is up. 15) When the switch is off, the circuit is open and electricity doesnt go through. 16) In a gas the molecules are relatively far apart. 参考答案:1）从固态变为液态需要热能。 2）太阳光是由许多不同颜色的光混合而成的。3）集成电路是近年来才发展起来的。4）火箭已经用来探索宇宙。5）在直流发电机当中，机械能用来转动电磁铁两极之间的电枢。6) 为使物体克服惯性而运动，就需要一个力。7）没有钢铁，就谈不上现代化工业。8）铁具有多种性能，所以它已成为一般工程结构中的主要材料。9） 这两种物质都不溶于水。10）电视不同于无线电在于能发送和接收图象11）储油岩中常有天然气。12) 如果从大型核电站获得成本极低的电力，电解氢的竞争能力就会增加。13) 打开阀门，让空气进入。14）在这种情况下，炉温就升高。15）当开关断开时，电路就形成开路，电流不能通过。16）相对来说，气体分子互相离得很远。.转换成汉语名词1. 某些英语动词的概念难以直接用汉语的动词表达，翻译时可转换成名词：1) The design aims at automatic operation, easy regulation, simple maintenance and high productivity. 2) Such materials are characterized by good insulation and high resistance to wear. 3) An electron or an atom behaves in some ways as though it were a group of waves. 4) The new liquid crystals feature wide working temperature range, low voltage operation and high reliability. 5) If a box weighs 10 kilograms, an upward force of 10 kilograms must be exerted to lift it. 1)设计的目的在于自动操作、调节方便、维护简易、生产率高。2)这些材料的特点是：绝缘性好，耐磨性强。3)电子和原子的性质多少有点象是一组波。4)新型液晶的特点是：工作温度范围宽，工作电压低，可靠性高。5)假定箱子的重量是十公斤，就必须施加十公斤向上的力才能把它举起来。2. 英语中中大量使用代词，汉语则不然；为了使概念清楚，符合汉语表达习惯，可将代词译成所代替的名词：1）The friction of the bearings causes them and the lubricating oil which is circulating through them to warm up. 2) Radio waves are similar to light waves except their wave length in much greater. 3) The specific resistance of iron is not so small as that of copper. 4) The result of this experiment is much better than those of previous ones. 5) Electricity may be produced by a generator which is turned by a motor using any of the other forms of energy. 1） 轴承的摩擦使轴承和流通于轴承间的润滑油发热。2） 无线电波与光波相似，但无线电波的波长要长得多。3） 铁的电阻系数不如铜的电阻系数那样小。4） 这次实验的结果比前次实验结果都好得多。5） 发电机可以发电，而发电机是由利用任何其它能量形式的原动机带动的。3. 某些副词转译成汉语的名词会使译文更加顺畅1）Electromagnetic waves travel as fast as light. 2) The device is shown schematically (粗略地) in Figure 5. 3）This instrument is used to determine how fully the batteries are charged. 4) All structural materials behave plastically above their elastic range. 5) It was not until early 40s that chemists began to use this technique analytically. 1） 电磁波传播的速度和光一样。2） 图5所示为这种装置的简图。3） 这种仪表用来确定电瓶充电的程度。4） 超过弹性极限时，一切结构都会显示出塑性。5） 直到40年代初，化学家们才开始将这种技术用于分析方面。. 转换成汉语形容词1 修饰动词的副词，由于动词转换成名词，因而可相应地转译形容词1） Earthquakes are closely related to the faulting. 2） These modern installations affect tremendously the entire communication system. 3） The waveguide tube is chiefly characterized by its simplicity of structure. 4） The magma within the earth may be heavily charged with gases and steam. 5） An electric current varies directly as the electromotive force and inversely as the resistance. 1） 地震与断裂运动有密切的关系。2） 这些现代化装置对整个通讯系统有极大的影响。3） 这种波导管的主要特点是结构简单。4） 地球内的岩浆可能会有大量的气体和蒸汽。5） 电流的大小与电动势成正比，与电阻成反比。2 副词作定语修饰名词，译成形容词1） The equations below are derived from those above. 2） The pressure inside equals the pressure outside. 3） The building around are mostly of modern construction. 4） The most nearby source of water for irrigation may be the ground water reservoir underneath.1） 下面的方程式是由上面的那些方程式推导出来的。 2） 内部的压力与外部的压力相等。3） 附近的建筑物大多数是现代化结构。4） 灌溉用的最近水源，可能就是地面底下的地下水库。3. 有时把名词译成汉语的形容词更汉语的表达习惯1）This experiment was a success. 这个试验是成功的。2) The lower stretches of the rivers show considerable variety. 河下游的情况是多种多样的。3) Single crystals of high perfection are an absolute necessity for the fabrication of integrated circuit. 高度完整的单晶对于制造集成电路来说是绝对必要的。词性转换翻译练习将下列句子译成汉语，注意下划线部分的译法：1. This steam engine is only about 15 percent efficient. 2. The earth shaped like a ball. 3. If a body weighs 50 kilograms, it means that the earth attracts the body with a force of 50 kilograms. 4. Most isotopes (同位素)produced artificially are radioactive. 5. The wave beam can be efficiently radiated from a conveniently short antenna. 6. Even well before, scientists recognized that light has a vast capacity for transmitting information. 7. The scale under the pointer reads directly in amperes. 8. A highly developed physical science is characterized by an extensive use of mathematics. 9. Geology is concerned with systematic study of rocks and minerals. 10. Only when we give full play to mans initiative can we make full use of machines to transform nature. 11. Ground water also contains dissolved carbon dioxide from the air and from the exchange of gases in plant roots. 12. The buoyant force up equals the weight down. 13. Gases differ from solids in that the former have greater compressibility than the latter. 14. A continuous increase in the temperature of a gas confined in a container will lead to a continuous increase in the internal pressure within the gas. 15. Without air, the earth would undergo extreme changes in temperature. 16. How fast a machine works is one of its important characteristics. 17. Scientists are confident that all matter is indestructible. 18. We found difficulty in solving this complicated problem. 19. The technical renovation has improved the internal combustion engine, especially with better efficiency. 20. The unit of weight is gram, that of length is the meter, and that of capacity is the litre. 参考答案：1. 这种蒸气机的效率只有15%左右。2. 地球的形状象个球体。3. 如果一物体重50公斤，这就是税，地球对该物体的吸引力为50公斤。4.多数人工制造的同位素都具有放射性。5. 波束可以从一根使用方便的短天线上有效地发射出去。6. 甚至在此之前很久，科学家们就认识到光传播信息的容量极大。7. 指针下的计数即为安培数。8. 一门高度发展的自然科学的特点是广泛地应用数学。9. 地质学系统地研究岩石和矿物。10. 我们只有充分地发挥人的能动性，才能充分地利用机器来改选自然。11. 地下水也含有溶解了的二氧化碳，这些二氧化碳是从空气和从植物根系的气体交换中获得的。12. 身上的浮力等于向下的重量。13. 气体和固体的区别在于前者的可压缩性比后者更大。14. 不断提高密闭容器内气体的温度，会使气体内的压力不断增大。15. 没有空气，地球的温度就会急剧变化。 16. 工作速度是机器的重要特性之一。17. 科学家们深信一切物质是不灭的。18. 我们发现，解决这个复杂的问题是困难的。19. 技术革新改进了这台内燃机，特别在效率方面更好。20. 重量的单位是克，长度的单位是米，容积的单位是升。四、句子成分转换 在翻译过程中，虽然有时可以使译文的主语、谓语、宾语等句子成分保持与原文对应，但由于英汉两种语言各自的思维方式与表达习惯，在大多数情况下并无一对一的对应现象，就不能采取语言对等的译法。为了使译文通顺达意，必须运用转换翻译技巧，包括词性转换、句子成分转换及句型转换。词性转换在大多数情况下必然引起句子成分的转换，观察下列句子：Earthquakes are closely related to faulting. 地震与断裂运动有密切的关系。 上述句中，原来的谓语动词 related 在译文中转换成名词，修饰它的副词closely 转换成了形容词。不言而喻，英语句的谓语主要部分related 译成汉语时就转换成了宾语；原来作为状语的closely 就相应地转译了定语。 此外，科技英语文体中大量使用被动语态，在译成汉语时，除了增译 “被”、“受”等助动词保留被动结构外，可将原句中的状语转译成主语。请看下列句子:Matter can be moved and changed by energy. 能可以使物质运动并发生变化。 原文中的主语Matter 在译文中转换为宾语；而原文中的状语 by energy 则转换成了主语。再则，由于二种语言的不同的表达方式与特殊的词汇手段，翻译过程中不可避免地要进行句子成分转换的技巧处理。例如：1960s saw the great advance in electronics industry. 此句以表示时间的词1960s为主语，用saw 作谓语（类似的词有witness, notice, find 等）这是很地道的英语书面语。但在译成汉语时如果仍保持原文的句子结构，则读者决不能接受。如果在译文中转换句子成分，就可以收到通顺畅达的效果。译文比较：60年代看到电子工业巨大的进展。电子工业在60年代取得了巨大的进展。 第二种译法将原文中的定语译作主语，而原谅中的主语则转译成状语，并交加谓语saw意译成“取得了”，既保留了愿意，又符合汉语的表达习惯。由此可见，句子成分的转换是英语互译时必不可少的一种技巧。主语转换成宾语，这种技巧常用于翻译被动句：As the match burns, heat and light are given off. 火柴燃烧时发出光和热。Considerable use has been made of these data. 这些资料得到了充分的应用。Much progress has been made in electrical engineering in less than a century. 不到一个世纪，电气工程就取得了很大的进展。About 40 million tons of ammonia are consumed annually in agriculture. 农业每年大约消耗四千万吨氨。After some underground nuclear tests, large numbers of tiny aftershocks are recorded during the next few weeks. 在进行某些地下核试验后的几个星期内，可以记录到大量微弱的余震。主语转换成谓语，以care, need, attention, emphasis, improvement 名词及名词化（nominalization）结构作主语时，常这样处理：Care should be taken at all times to protect the instrument from dust and dump.应当始终注意保护仪器，不使沾染灰尘和受潮。There is a need for improvement in our experimental work. 我们的实验工作需要改进。Some improvement in efficiency can be gained at high speed by reducing viscosity and at low speed by increasing viscosity. 在高速时降低粘度，在低速时增大粘度，均可提高效率。The expansion of steam in the cylinder causes some of the steam to condense. (= When the steam expands in the cylinder some of the steam condenses.) 蒸汽在缸中膨胀时，分部蒸汽冷凝。The rotation of the earth on its own axis causes the change from day to night. (= The earth rotates on its own axis, which causes the change from day to night.) 地球绕轴自转，引起昼夜的变化。The protection of the ear to reduce sound pressure on it is necessary if the ear is to subject to noise at a sound pressure level more than 85 decibels. 如果耳朵要连续承受压级为85分贝以上的噪音，则必须保护耳朵以减低它所承受的声压。The transfer of heat from one molecule to the next is known as conduction.热从一个分子传到另一个分子称为热传导。谓语转换成主语，英语某些动词如act, behave, feature, characterize, relate, load, conduct等在汉语中往往都要转译成名词才符合汉语的表达习惯，因此，作为句子成分也就相应地转换成主语。Neutrons act differently from protons. 中子的作用不同于质子。A highly developed physical science is characterized by an extensive use of mathematics. 一门高度发展的自然科学的特点是广泛地应用数学。Water with salt conducts electricity very well. 盐水的导电性能良好。Matter is anything that occupies space and has weight. 凡占有空间并具有重量的都是物质。（比较：物质是占有空间并具有重量的一切东西。）Wrought irons behave differently from iron that contains a lot of carbon.熟铁的性能不同于含碳量高的生铁。宾语转换成主语，英语有下列常用结构: to have a length of ， to have a height of, to have a density of , to have a voltage of , 但如果照字面译成汉语，则十分生硬，往往将“长度”、“高度”、“密度”、“电压”作为主语，此外，词汇搭配的关系也要求成分转换。This sort of stone has a relative density of 2.7. 这种石头的相对密谋是2.7。An electron has about 1/1840 the mass of the proton. 电子的质量大约是质子的1/1840。Light