汉语中常常有许多词组和短语作为修饰语。而这些词组中又以四字结构的形式为多,并常常成串出现。翻成英语时,要找出中心词与修饰词的关系,根据英语的词义和习惯加以组合、化简或者将重复词语或结构全部提出来,总译一次,加在全部有关词语或结构的前面,统管兼顾。有时也可以用代词或别的名词或相当于名词的词来代替重复使用的名词或名词词组。由于中、英文在语法结构,构词方法等特点的不同,翻译时可以进行语法意义、修辞意义以及避免重复等方面进行省略。例如:
1.这些新型汽车速度快,效率高,行动灵活。
[误译]These new cars have fast speed,high efficiency and agile action.
[正译]These new cars were fast.efficient and handy.
[评析]在本句中,在主语“汽车”出现后,后面跟有主谓词组“速度”、“效率”、“行动”,都是用来加强语气说明主语的特征,而英文的形容词、副词则有其包含意义。因而,所修饰的主语无须赘述。翻译不好,还容易形成中国式英语。
2.这部打字机真是价廉物美。
[误译]This typewriter’s price is indeed low and quality is indeed fine.
[正译]his typewriter is indeed cheap and fine.
[评析]原译文不仅是中国式英语,意思也不清晰。在本句里把形容词修饰的特征表达出来,显得有些画蛇添足。
3.他这个人历来都是勇于探索,勇于创造,勇于改正错误。
[误译]He has always been courageous enough to probe into things, courageous enough to make inventions and courageous
enough to correct his mistakes.
[正译]He has always been courageous enough to probe into things, to make inventions and to correct his mistakes.
[评析]这个句子出现三次同一个动词“勇于”,如果都译出来就违背了英语忌重复的原则,而且英译文冗长。应该将重复词语“勇于”全部提出来,总译一次,统管兼顾。
4.发达国家有四大优势:先进的技术,先进的管理经验、资金雄厚、人才丰富。
[误译]Developed countries are strong in four areas: advanced technology,modem managerial expertise, abundant capital
and experienced professionals.
[正]Developed countries have an dege on four areas: technology, managerial expertise, capital and experienced professionals.
[评析]在本句中结合整个句意,“四大优势”本身就含有了“先进”、“雄厚”、“丰富”的意思,所以不必把这几个形容词都一一翻译出来,这样英译文简练明晰。
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