六、 主動式與被動式轉換
英語中被動語態用得較多,而漢語中被動語態則用得相對較少,因此英譯漢時被動語態常常可轉換為主動語態,當然有時也可以保留其被動語態。而英語中的主動語態,有時漢譯也可根據漢語的表達習慣轉換為被動語態。
(一) 被動轉換為主動
英語被動句式轉換為漢語主動句式時,原文中的主語在譯文中有時仍可作主語,有時也可作賓語,有時全句還可譯成帶表語的主動句。例如:
(1) Heat is constantly produced by the body as a result of muscular and cellular activity. 由于肌肉和細胞活動的結果,身體不斷地產生熱。
(2) In a moment he will turn and see us, and his face will be lighted by a smile so radiant you'll feel warm all the way through……過一會兒他會轉過身來看著我們,那時他臉上會泛出燦爛的微笑,讓你全身都感到溫暖。
(3) With the development of speech, the number of occasions producing sudden experiences of pleasure increased, and since laughter was closely associated with speech, man had this means of expressing his pleasure. 隨著說話的發展 ,產生突然感受愉快的機會增多了,并且,由于笑與說話密切相關,人類就有了這種表達愉快的手段。
(4) In future conflicts, similar logistical problems are likely to be repeated——raising the prospect of mass confusion in a full-scale mobilization. 在未來的沖突中,類似的后勤問題大概還會重復出現,從而在一次大規模的動員中有可能出現大亂。
當然有時英語被動語態翻譯成漢語時仍可用被動句式,例如:
(1) When we were first captured, my own reaction was mainly one of fear and suspicion. 我們剛被俘時,我的感覺是又害怕又懷疑。
(2) The visitor was flattered and impressed.客人受寵若驚,深為感動。
(二) 主動轉換為被動
有時, 英語中主動句在漢譯時可用漢語中的被動句來表達,但這一現象似不多見。例如:
(1) His acceptance into the Party is a quite natural thing. 他被吸收到黨內是完全應該的。
(2) Appalled by what he had done, Bob rushed to the parapet and flung himself on the rocks below, where the sea claimed him immediately.鮑勃對他所做的一切感到震驚,他沖到護墻處,縱身跳到下面的巖石上,立即被大海所吞沒。
七、分句轉換
分句轉換是指一種英語分句翻譯成漢語時轉換成另一種分句,例如:
(1) They felt that it was much easier and safer to rob their own people, for they knew that white policemen never really searched diligently for Negroes who committed crimes against other Negroes.他們覺得搶劫他們的同種人要安全得多,因為他們知道,如果黑人侵犯的是黑人,白人警察便從來不認真搜捕。(定語從句——條件狀語從句)
(2) Her great grief in this relation was that her only child, on whose education no expense had been and would be spared, was now old enough to perceive these deficiencies in his mother. 這一方面給她造成了極大的苦悶,也就是有關她的獨生子的問題。雖然過去和今后在兒子的教育費用上既不曾也不會省掉什么錢,然而如今他的年紀已經不小,能注意他母親的這些缺點了。(定語從句——讓步狀語從句)