英译文语气过强也是中国式英语的一个标志。汉语语气较强,常含有夸张性的词语,汉语中也有不少绝对化的表达方式;而英语则讲究含蓄、委婉,不愿把话说足。译者应熟悉这种差异,英译时有意识地适当减弱英译文的语气。在一般情况下过分强调,反而减弱词语的意义。例如:
1、到中国来访问的贵宾,我去年都跟他们讲过。
[误译]I have discussed that with all of the distinguished guests last year.
[正译]I have discussed that with many foreign visitors last year.
[评析]本句汉语的言辞有些夸张,英译时需要减弱语气。因此,“所有到这里的贵宾”译为many foreign visitors。
2、关于广东信托投资公司事件,我想这个问题也是大家所关心的。
[误译]On the question of Guangdong International Trust and Investment Company,I think this is also a question of interest
to everyone.
[正译]On the question of Guangdong International Trust and Investment Company,I think this is also a question of interest
to many of you.
[评析]“大家”不要译成语气很强烈的everyone或者等词all,可弱化为many。
3、中央的财政,银行,都拿不出钱来支持转基因技术。把钱浪费了。
[误译]The central government and including various state banks do not have money to support transgene technology because
a lot of money has been squandered.
[正译]The central government and including various state banks do not have enough money to support transgene technology
because a lot of money has been squandered.
[评析]原汉语中所说的中央财政“拿不出钱来”支持转基因技术,只是一种较为夸张的说法,如果将英译文改成do not
have enough money,语气恰到好处。
4、WTO的这些国家已经认识到没有中国参加的WTO是没有中国参加WTO是没有代表性的,是忽略了中国这个潜在的最大市场。
[误译]The WTO member states have come to realize that a WTO without China would not be representative, or the WTO would have
neglected China, the largest potential market in the world.
[正译]The WTO member states have come to realize that a WTO without China would not be representative enough, or the WTO
would have neglected China, the largest potential market in the world.
[评析]本句汉语的表达方式有些绝对化,汉语原文中的“没有代表性的”这个短语语气过强,英译时应适当减轻语气。在英译文中可弱化为would not be representative enough等。
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