在漢英翻譯中可進(jìn)行各種詞類的轉(zhuǎn)換, 例如: 漢語動(dòng)詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語名詞、形容詞、介詞;漢語形容詞或副詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語名詞;漢語名詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語動(dòng)詞等等。其中,漢語動(dòng)詞轉(zhuǎn)換成英語抽象名詞尤為普遍。高校常用的翻譯教材,如張培基、呂瑞昌、馮慶華等編撰的翻譯教材均將這種轉(zhuǎn)換列在第一位。請看以下各例:
例1. 中國政府承諾不對無核國家使用核武器。
如不注意詞性轉(zhuǎn)換,譯文可能是:
The Chinese government undertakes not to use (that it will not use) nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.
這種譯文顯得有些口語化,不夠莊重。不如改用抽象名詞non-use:
The Chinese government undertakes non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.
例2. 禁止任何叛國、分裂國家、煽動(dòng)叛亂及竊取國家機(jī)密的行為。
譯文一:To prohibit any act of treason, acts to split the country, incite rebellion and steal secrets.
譯文二:To prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition and theft of state secrets.
以上譯文一使用 split,incite,steal 等動(dòng)詞雖然語義正確,但似乎不夠莊重。譯文二使用抽象名詞,因而顯得文字嚴(yán)謹(jǐn),適合正式法律條文的風(fēng)格。
例3. 技術(shù)引進(jìn)合同應(yīng)當(dāng)訂明下列事項(xiàng):引進(jìn)技術(shù)的保密義務(wù),改進(jìn)技術(shù)的歸屬和分享。
譯文一:Provisions on the obligation to keep confidential the imported technology, and ownership of the right to copy any improvements made to the technology.
譯文二:Provisions on the confidentiality obligation as regards the imported technology, and ownership of the right to copy any improvements made to the technology.
對于“保密”這一動(dòng)作譯文一使用相應(yīng)的動(dòng)詞 keeping confidential,顯得過于口語化。譯文二轉(zhuǎn)用英語抽象名詞confidentiality,在法律文件中顯得較為得體。
例4. 這次十三屆八中全會開得好。
譯文一:The recent Eighth Plenary Session of the Thirteen Central Committee was a successful meeting.
譯文二:The recent Eighth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee was a success.
會“開得好”很少有人直譯為動(dòng)詞 was well conducted。
以上譯文一使用具體名詞 a successful meeting 比較常見;譯文二則將其濃縮為一個(gè)名詞 success,更為簡練。 (來源: 中國英語網(wǎng)) |