詞類的轉(zhuǎn)換
英漢遣詞造句的習(xí)慣不同,英漢互譯時(shí),原文的某些詞在譯文中要轉(zhuǎn)換詞類。比如名詞轉(zhuǎn)為動(dòng)詞或形容詞,形容詞轉(zhuǎn)為名詞或副詞,動(dòng)詞轉(zhuǎn)為名詞等。詞類轉(zhuǎn)換是英漢互譯時(shí)最常用的一種變通手法,通過(guò)詞類的轉(zhuǎn)換可以突破原文的句式,引起句法的轉(zhuǎn)換,如“近來(lái),研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)感冒可以通過(guò)人的手傳染”可譯為Recent research discoveries indicate that flu can be spread by hand contacts. 原文中的“發(fā)現(xiàn)”是動(dòng)詞,而譯文根據(jù)上下文的需要,靈活地把動(dòng)詞轉(zhuǎn)換成名詞discoveries 。詞類轉(zhuǎn)換也 是避免“中式英語(yǔ)”(Chinese English) 或“英式漢語(yǔ)”(Anglicized Chinese ) 的重要手段。譯者應(yīng)根據(jù)上下文靈活處理,以求譯文符合目的語(yǔ)的表達(dá)習(xí)慣。
1.名詞轉(zhuǎn)換為動(dòng)詞
The international food shortage had a direct impact on Kuwait and other barren desert countries.
由于世界普遍缺乏糧食,這就直接影響到科威特和其它荒涼的沙漠國(guó)家。
(原文里impact是名詞,譯成漢語(yǔ)轉(zhuǎn)換為動(dòng)詞“影響”。)
The pianist gave a fine performance .
鋼琴家演奏得很出色。(名詞轉(zhuǎn)換為動(dòng)詞)
Until such time as mankind has the sense to lower its population to the points where the planet can provide a comfortable support for all, people will have to accept more " unnatural food".
除非人類終于意識(shí)到要把人口減少到這樣的程度:使地球能為所有的人提供足夠的飲食,否則將不得不接受更多的“人造食品”。
(在原文中sense是名詞,作has的賓語(yǔ),但在have the sense(of sth./to do sth.)中sense是習(xí)語(yǔ)的主體,故譯成漢語(yǔ)時(shí)常可轉(zhuǎn)譯為動(dòng)詞“意識(shí)到”。)
英語(yǔ)中許多具有動(dòng)作意義的名詞和由動(dòng)詞派生的名詞,往往可根據(jù)需要轉(zhuǎn)譯成漢語(yǔ)中的動(dòng)詞。例如:
Rockets have found application for the exploration of the universe.
火箭已用來(lái)探索宇宙。
He feared the withdrawal of his parents' permission.
他害怕他父母撤消已做出的許可
The settlement of Africa by white people started 500 years ago.
白人向非洲移民開始于500年前。
There was some acknowledgement that the parents had to be involved.
有人承認(rèn)當(dāng)事人的父母勢(shì)必要牽連進(jìn)去。
在漢譯英時(shí),也有把漢語(yǔ)名詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞的情況:
他在劇中的精彩表演給我留下深刻的印象。
His excellent performance in the play impressed me deeply.
這種舉止是罪犯的心理特征。
This kind of behavior characterizes the criminal mind.
在他們看來(lái),他就是絕對(duì)權(quán)威的化身。
To them, he personified the absolute power.
2.動(dòng)詞轉(zhuǎn)換為名詞
漢語(yǔ)里是動(dòng)詞,譯成英文轉(zhuǎn)化為名詞。
希望你們考慮一下我們的意見。
I would very much appreciate it if you could take our suggestion into consideration .
采用這種新裝置可以大大地降低廢品率。
The adoption of this new device will greatly cut down the percentage of defective products.
另外,英文的動(dòng)詞有時(shí)也轉(zhuǎn)譯為漢語(yǔ)的名詞,這類動(dòng)詞往往是由名詞派生或轉(zhuǎn)化而來(lái)。
His wife has done everything possible to mother him.
妻子竭盡全力,像母親一樣照顧他。
The new contract would expire in 5 years.
新合同的有效期為五年。