例如，有這樣一則故事:

      There were once three sons of a wealthy businessman. Whenever they met, the two eldest, who were twins, used to quarrel about which of them should be his father's heir. The youngest, who was not in the least ambitions, took no part in their arguments. ...

      這里，ambition是個多義詞，可以譯成“抱負”也可以譯成“野心”，選擇哪一個，體現了譯者的價值觀。從整體情景來看，顯然，原作者對小兒子是褒揚的、贊同的。所以，應采用后一種譯法:

      “小兒子絲毫沒有野心，他可不參與他們的爭執。”

      在故事的結尾處，作者又提到了小兒子:

      But the youngest brother was able to fulfil his own modest ambition. With the capital he had saved, he converted the house into an orphanage....

      同樣，這兒譯成“小兒子達到了他的野心”，還是“實現了他的抱負”呢？顯然，從上下文來看，應當是褒揚的，該譯成:

      “但是，小兒子卻實現了他那質樸的抱負。...”

      因此，同樣的一個詞，譯者因不同的理解，不同的觀點，不同的價值觀，就會使用不同的譯法。當然，一切須視上下文整體情景而定。

   下面的兩組句子，可以用來訓練我們對于選詞的把握:

      1. It was mid-August and the subject for discussion was the future of Rommel（隆梅爾將軍）and his Africa Corps.

      2. They predicted the youth would have a bright future.

      3. John was an aggressive salesman who did his job quite well.

      4. Hitler pursued an aggressive policy after he seized power.

參考答案:

1. 當時是八月中旬，他們討論的議題是隆梅爾將軍及其非洲軍團的下場。

      2. 他們預言，這個年輕人會有一個錦繡前程。

      3. 約翰是個積極肯干 的推銷員，他工作干得很出色。

      4. 希特勒奪取政權之后便推行侵略 政策。