导言:英汉翻译除了要考虚词类、语序变换外,还要考虑语态的变换。“翻译教室”栏目就和大家说说语态转换。
语态转换是指英汉翻译中两种语言之间的主动式与被动式的互换。一般说来,在汉语中被动式使用较少,而英语则不然,大量的及物动词可以用被动式,不少相当于及物动词的短语也可以用被动式。因此,在进行英汉互译时需要大家考虑语态的转换。
一、汉语被动句的英译
汉语的被动句,大体可分为两类:一是用助词“被、受、遭、给、叫、让”等为标记,表示较强的被动意义。二是形式上是主动式,但意义上是被动式,主语是谓语动词的承受者。这两类句子在译成英语时都要用被动语态。如:
① 李老师深受大家尊敬。Mr Li is GREatly respected by everyone.
② 我的一个朋友被敌人杀害了。One of my friends was killed by the enemy.
③ 这栋教学楼将于年底竣工。The teaching building will be completed at the end of this year.
④ 这个问题正在讨论中。This problem is being discussed.
二、汉语主动句的英译
为了强调接受动作的人或事物的重要性,常把汉语主动句译成英语被动句。如:
① 大米产于南方。Rice is grown in the south.
② 运动会什么时间开?
When will the sports meeting be held?
在汉语中,如果主语是“人们”、“有人”、“大家”等,还有的句子中有“据说”、“必须指出”等时,尽管从语态上说是主动语态,但译成英语时则多用被动语态。如:
① 据说格林一家回到了美国。It is said that the GREens have gone back to the USA.
② 据报道中国女子足球队赢得了比赛胜利。It is reported that the Chinese
Women's Football Team won the game.
③ 人们希望他们能相处融洽。It is hoped that they can get on well with each other.
【巩固练习】将下列句子译成英语:
1.失踪的孩子三天后找到了。
2.众所周知大多数物质有三种形态。
3.小女孩终于得救了。
4.这活儿已经干完了。
5.教室的门都锁上了吗?
6.外面有人找你。
7.中国成立于1949年。
8.据说他在吉林已工作了三年。
9.来宾请出示入场券。
10.第29届奥运会2008年将在北京举行。
参考答案:
1.The lost child was found three days later.
2.It is well known that most matter has three states.
3.The little girl was saved at last.
4.The work has been done.
5.Have all the doors of the classrooms been closed?
6.You are wanted outside.
7.China was founded on October 1st,1949.
8.It is said that he has worked in Jilin for three years.
9.All the visitors are requested to show their tickets.
10.The 29th Olympic Games will be held in Beijing in 2008.