翻譯是用一種語言把另一種語言所表達(dá)的思維內(nèi)容準(zhǔn)確而完整地重新表達(dá)出來的語言活動(dòng)。(張培基等,1980)它需要對(duì)原文有準(zhǔn)確的理解然后用適當(dāng)?shù)奈淖执_切的表達(dá)出來。大學(xué)英語四、六級(jí)考試題型之一是翻譯,常另部分考生束手無策,但是它是有方法有技巧可循的。尤其對(duì)于非英語專業(yè)考生來說,掌握基本的翻譯方法與技巧是十分必要的。通過分析四、六級(jí)考試真題,可以總結(jié)出如下常用的翻譯方法與技巧。
一、詞義的選擇
英國著名語言學(xué)家弗斯(J·R·Firth, 1890—1960)說:“Each word when used in a new context is a new word.”意思是說,一個(gè)詞的詞義隨其所在上下文而變化,或同一個(gè)詞在不同的地方會(huì)有不同的意思。(郭著章等,2003)因此根據(jù)上下文選擇適當(dāng)?shù)脑~義是非常重要的。
例:
1. We look forward to being invited to attend the opening ceremony. (被邀請(qǐng)出席開幕式)(10年6月四級(jí)真題)
“attend”有多個(gè)意思,如“出席”、“上(大學(xué)等)”、“照料”等, 此例句中是取其“出席”之意。
2. You would not have failed if you had followed my instructions. (按照我的指令去做) (09年12月四級(jí)真題)
“instruction”有“教導(dǎo)”、“指令”、“說明”等意,此例句中是取其“指令”之意。
3. Our efforts will pay off if the results of this research can be applied to the development of new technology. (能應(yīng)用于新技術(shù)的開發(fā))(08年6月四級(jí)真題)
“apply”有“申請(qǐng)”和“應(yīng)用”之意,此例句中取其“應(yīng)用”之意。
二、 詞類的轉(zhuǎn)譯
在翻譯過程中,由于兩種語言的語法和習(xí)慣的表達(dá)差異,在保證原文意思不變的情況下,有時(shí)候需要改變?cè)~類(任智巍,2003)。
例:
1.Since my childhood I have found that nothing is more attractive to me than reading(沒有什么比讀書對(duì)我更有吸引力).(06年12月四級(jí)真題)
此例句中“吸引力”本是名詞,我們翻譯時(shí)將其轉(zhuǎn)譯為形容詞“attractive”比較好。
2. In order to finance my education/studies(為了掙錢供我上學(xué)),mother often takes on more work than is good for her. (06年6月四級(jí)真題)
此例句中“上學(xué)”本是動(dòng)詞,我們翻譯時(shí)將其轉(zhuǎn)譯為名詞"study"或"education"比較好。
三、 增詞法
增詞法就是在翻譯時(shí)按意義上(或修辭上)和句法上的需要增加一些詞來更忠實(shí)通順的表達(dá)原文的思想內(nèi)容(張培基等,1980)。增詞法也是四級(jí)考試?yán)锓g題型常用的技巧之一。
1.Some psychologists claim that people might feel lonely when they are far from home. (出門在外時(shí)可能會(huì)感到孤單)
此例句中“when”的時(shí)間狀語從句中需要增加主語“they”。(06年12月四級(jí)真題)
2. How long does a jacket like this last me? It all depends on how often you wear it. (這要看你多長時(shí)間穿一次)(09年12月六級(jí)真題)
此例句中“穿”后面的賓語實(shí)際上是前面的"jacket", 所以翻譯時(shí)要加上賓語,為了避免重復(fù)要用it代替。
四、 從句的譯法
四六級(jí)考試翻譯題型里常出現(xiàn)的從句主要有名詞從句、定語從句和狀語從句。
1.名詞從句
四六級(jí)考試?yán)锍霈F(xiàn)的英語名詞從句主要包括主語從句和賓語從句兩大類,翻譯此類句子時(shí)大多不用改變句子順序。
(1) 主語從句
從四六級(jí)考試歷年真題來看,其中出現(xiàn)的主語從句主要由what引導(dǎo)。
例:
What many people don't realize (很多人沒有意識(shí)到的) is that Simon is a lover of sports, and football in particular. (09年6月四級(jí)真題)
(2) 賓語從句
在四六級(jí)考試歷年真題里出現(xiàn)的賓語從句主要由why、that引導(dǎo)
例:
①Your resume should attract a would-be boss's attention by demonstrating why you are the best candidate for a certain position. (為什么你是某個(gè)特定職位的最佳人選)(08年12月六級(jí)真題)
②Civilized men do not realize that they are deprived of the necessities of life. (并未意識(shí)到被剝奪了生活所必需的東西。)(06年6月四級(jí)真題)
③ it 做形式賓語
She has decided to go on a diet, but finds it hard to resist the temptation of ice cream.(很難抵冰淇淋的誘惑。)(09年6月六級(jí)真題)
2.定語從句
四六級(jí)歷年真題里出現(xiàn)的定語從句都是為限制性的,主要分為不帶介詞和帶介詞的。
① 不帶介詞的
例:
We can say a lot of things about those who devote their whole lives to poetry(畢生致力于詩歌的人): they are passionate, impulsive, and unique.(08年6月六級(jí)真題)
② 帶介詞的
Medical researchers are painfully aware that there are many problems to which they have no answers till now. (他們至今還沒有答案)(08年12月四級(jí)真題)
3. 狀語從句
(1) 時(shí)間狀語從句
例:
① Scientists agree that it will be a long time before we find the methods to cure cancers. (我們找到治愈癌癥的方法)(09年12月四級(jí)真題)
② The anti-virus agent was not known until a doctor found it by chance.(直到一名醫(yī)生偶然發(fā)現(xiàn)了它)(08年12月四級(jí)真題)
③Some psychologists claim that people might feel lonely when they are far from home.(出門在外時(shí)可能會(huì)感到孤獨(dú))(06年12月四級(jí)真題)
(2)條件狀語從句
例:
① You'd better take a sweater with you in case it turns cold. (以防天氣變冷)(08年12月四級(jí)真題)
② Please come here at ten tomorrow morning if it is convenient for you. (如果你方便的話)(07年6月四級(jí)真題)
五、 倒裝的譯法
四六級(jí)考試中常出現(xiàn)的倒裝有:
1. only修飾副詞、狀語從句或介詞短語位于句首時(shí)
例:
①Only when I reached my thirties did I realize that reading could not be neglected. (我才意識(shí)到讀書時(shí)不能被忽視的。)(10年12月六級(jí)真題)
②Only in the small town does he feel secure and relaxed.(他才感到安全和放松)(07年6月六級(jí)真題)
2. 否定副詞或短語如never, hardly, little, seldom, by no means, in no way, on no account, under no circumstances等位于句首時(shí)。
例:
① He assured his friend that under no circumstances would he break his promise to pay back the money. (他會(huì)違背還錢的承諾)(10年6月六級(jí)真題)
② Never once have the old couple quarreled with each other(老兩口互相爭(zhēng)吵)since they were married 40 years ago. (08年6月六級(jí)真題)
③ The manager never laughed; neither did she lose her temper. (她也從來沒有發(fā)過脾氣)(10年6月四級(jí)真題)
3. not until置于句首時(shí)。
例:
Not until the deadline did he send out(直到截止日期他才寄出)his application form.(06年12月六級(jí)真題)
4. as 引導(dǎo)的讓步狀語從句中,表語、副詞、動(dòng)詞原形要放到句首。
例:
Much regretted as I felt(我感到遺憾), I was unable to finish the work on time.
六、虛擬語氣的翻譯方法
例:
①M(fèi)any educators advise that kids should not be addicted to computer games.(不要沉溺于電腦游戲)
②Nancy is supposed to have finished her chemical experiment(做完化學(xué)實(shí)驗(yàn))at least two weeks ago. (08年6月六級(jí)真題)
③If you had followed my advice, you would not have been in trouble. (聽從了我的忠告,你就不會(huì)陷入麻煩)。(06年12月六級(jí)真題)
④Hadn't been so strict with herself, she wouldn't have made such great success. (不會(huì)取得這么大的進(jìn)步)
⑤The manager could have attended the meeting in person (本可以親自參加會(huì)議), but he was called away for some urgent business abroad. (09年12月六級(jí)真題)
參考文獻(xiàn):
[1]張培基,喻云根,李宗杰.彭謨禹.英漢翻譯教程[M].上海:上海外語教育出版社,1980.
[2]任智巍.大學(xué)英語四六級(jí)翻譯方法與技巧[J].哈爾濱:哈爾濱學(xué)報(bào),2003.
(作者簡(jiǎn)介:梅妮(1985-) ,女 ,湖北松滋人,長江大學(xué)外國語學(xué)院在職研究生,助教,長江大學(xué)文理學(xué)院外語學(xué)部英語教師,研究方向:英語教育。)