选择合适得体的词语,准确传达讲话人的意图。汉语和英语有较大的区别。汉语词义较笼统,表意较模糊,注重的是意念;而英语在词义上较具体,表意较准确,注重的是形式,句式结构严谨。这使得汉语和英语语境的构成的特点也随之不同。因此,在选词时要做到词义准确。例如:
1、国际公约
[误译]public international treaty
[正译]general multilateral convention
[评析]“国际公约”不能译成public international treaty,因为这里的“国际公约”是指许多国家为解决某一重大问题而举行国际会议最后缔结的多边条约,所以选用convention(国际公约国家、派别或军事力量之间的契约,尤指关于某一特定问题的国际公约,如战俘待遇),全文应译成:general multilateral convention。
2、“明寓”从设计到装潢都体现了中国明朝时期的建筑风格,我相信您一定会喜欢这套古典式公寓。
[误译]”Ming House”is a classic Chinese residence emboding the architectural style of China’s Ming
Dynasty. I am sure you will like this classic appartment.
[正译]”Ming House”is a classic Chinese residence designed and decorated in the architectural style
of China’s Ming Dynasty. I am sure you will like it.
[评析]“体现”的英语对应词是embody和demonstrate。但是,embody主要用于表述想法和感情,与这句的意义不符,不能使用。Demonstrate虽有“(某事物)的实例,表明”之意,但原文的意思是“明寓”就是以明朝风格设计和装潢的。通过直接使用design和decorate的被动语态,准确的表达了原意,在语体上也符合英语具体明了的表达习惯。
3、我感谢陆登庭校长的邀请,使我有机会在这美好的金秋时节,来到美国您们这座古老而又现代化的学府。
[误译]I wish to thank President Rudenstine, for inviting me to this ancient yet modernized institution of the United States in
this golden fall.
[正译]I wish to thank President Rudenstine, for inviting me to this old yet modern institution of the United States in this
golden fall.
【评析]看到“古老”一词,往往首先想到ancient,但是虽然哈佛大学是一个有悠久历史的大学,此处用old也比用ancient作定语更为恰当。用ancient显然是不合适的。
4、我正在过街时,差点被汽车撞着。
[误译]I was crossing the street and was almost knocked by a car.
[正译]I was crossing the street and was almost hit by a car.
[评析]动词hit意为“碰撞”,常用于“车撞”。Knock意为“撞倒”。
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