互信赤字

句子：習近平訪美有望減少中美互信赤字。

誤譯：Xi Jinping's visit to the United States is expected to reduce the mutual trust red ink between China and the United States.

正譯：Xi Jinping's visit to the United States is expected to reduce the mutual trust deficit between China and the United States.

解釋：“互信赤字”譯為mutual trust deficit。deficit 的第一個意思是an amount by which something is less than what is expected, due, needed, etc.，泛指“少于期望的、應有的或需要的數額”，即“差額”。也可以簡單解釋為 shortage，即“缺乏”。“互信赤字”就是“相互缺乏信任”。deficit 的第二個意思是 the amount by which money spent or owed is greater than money earned，特指“支出大于收入的數額”，即經濟活動中的“赤字”。由于傳統簿記中登記赤字時用紅筆書寫，red ink(紅墨水)有a deficit or loss shown in the accounts of a bank, company, etc.的意思，即“赤字”。例如，to reduce the deficit 和to reduce the red ink都表示“減少(經濟活動中的)赤字”。但是red ink沒有“缺乏”的比喻意義。因此不能說 mutual trust red ink。

“赤字”的第一個意思是“經濟活動中支出大于收入的差額數字”。英語可以譯為 deficit, red ink。例如：1. 當進口超過出口時，可能導致貿易赤字。When imports exceed exports, this can result in a trade deficit.

2. 這個公司的總裁說他將建議新辦法兩年削減赤字20億美元。The president of the company said he would recommend new ways to reduce the red ink by 2 billion over 2 years.

“赤字”的第二個意思是“缺乏”。可譯為 deficit。如：3. 互信赤字阻礙了中美關系的發展。Mutual trust deficit has hampered the development of the Sino-U.S. relations. ▲ （本欄目供稿：王逢鑫教授）