三、中英文詞類不一定對應,必須進行調適。例如:
(21) Jack is mentally sound but physically weak.(杰克思想健全、身體虛弱。)(副詞變成名詞)
(22) Yesterday’s stage performance was quite a success.(昨天的舞臺表演相當成功。(名詞變形容詞)
(23) The elimination of illiteracy is a matter of great urgency.(掃除文盲是當務之急。)(名詞變成動詞)
(24) We are against racial discrimination.(我們反對種族歧視。)(介詞變成動詞)
四、 中英文句式不吻合時,就要變動。例如:
1.英文被動語態變成中文主動語態。例如:
(25) A new syllabus has been drawn up.(已經擬定了一份新的課程綱要。)
(26) This can be done and must be done.(這件事可以辦并且必須辦。)
(27) It must be admitted that Singapore is a small island country. (我們必須承認新加坡是個很小的島國。)
2.英文的簡單句變成中文的復雜句。例如:
(28) His failure to observe the traffic rules resulted in the road accident.(由于他沒有遵守交通規則,所以導致了公路意外。)
(29) With your permission, I will embark on the project as soon as possible.(如果你答應的話,我將盡快展開這項計劃。)
3.英文長句成分復雜需要作邏輯性的變動,以符合中文句法。例如:
(30) The management’s reputation fell still further when it refused to accept the suggestion of the Labour Union that an increase in the salary of the workers was a precondition for the settlement of the current dispute.(勞工聯合會建議增加工人的薪水作為解決當前糾紛的先決條件,但管理層拒絕接受這建議,結果它的聲望再度下降。)
總而言之,直譯和意譯各有所長,可以直譯就直譯,不可直譯時就采用意譯,甚至雙管齊下,兩者兼施。有些慣用語的英譯就要先直譯后意譯,才能兼顧到譯文的表層結構和原文的深層意思。例如:
(31) 不勞而獲 (Reap without sowing → Profit by others’ toil.)
(32) 飲水思源 (When you drink the water, think of its source → never forget where one’s happiness comes.)
(33) 種瓜得瓜,種豆得豆 (Plant melons and get melons, sow beans and get beans → You reap what you have sown.)
(34) 真金不怕火 (True gold fears no fire→ A person of integrity can stand severe tests.)
最后,看看下列兩名翻譯大師在紅樓夢中的一小段有關林黛玉講話的譯文。前者是霍克斯(Hawkes)教授的意譯版本;后者是楊憲益教授和戴乃迭(Gladys Yang)的直譯文:
(35)黛玉說:你說你會過目成誦,難道我就不能一目十行了!
霍克斯:“You needn’t imagine you are the only one with a good memory,”said Dai-yu naughtily.
“I suppose I’m allowed to remember lines too if I like.”)
楊憲益,戴乃迭:“You boast that you can memorise a passage with one reading. Why can’t I learn ten lines at one glance?”
你們覺得那一段譯文比較貼切,比較有韻味呢?
從上面35個例子不難看出中英對譯時雖然可以字字直譯,但由于兩種語言差異處處,翻譯時必須在譯文上作些調整或變動,才不會有“翻譯腔”,才可以使辛辛苦苦,絞盡腦汁的翻譯作品達到“信”和“達”的標準,進而朝向“雅”的巔峰境界邁步;雖不易至,心向往之.