英语特殊结构的句型比较固定,在纷杂的英语句子中找出一些普遍性和代表性的规律,对理解或翻译颇有裨益。在尊重汉语习惯表达方式的前提下,如何将英语特殊结构译成准确的汉语,是提高翻译水平的关键问题之一。
1.倒装句
英语倒装句,无论是完全倒装,还是部分倒装,都与汉语的语序有差异,翻译时应尊重汉语习惯,将句子理顺。例:
1)Down came the hammer and out flew the sparks.铁锤一落,火星四溅。(原句为完全倒装。)
2)Shot by the guerrillas were two entirely innocent tourists.被游击队打死的是两个无辜的游客。(原句为完全倒装。)
3)Not until the jet engine had come into use could planes travel at supersonic speeds.直到使用喷气发动机之后,飞机才能以超音速飞行。(原句为部分倒装。)
4)All the engineers could do was bridge it,and that was a hell of a job.But bridge it they did ,and only in twenty-four hours.工程师们所做的就是架桥,这可是一项艰苦的工作。但是他们却架起了桥,而且只花了24小时。(倒装句的主动词提前,因句中无情态动词,所以根据其时态加了did,翻译时不必译出。)
5)No matter what measure they took,in no sense could the overflowing tide be controlled.无论采取什么措施,外流的潮流都无法控制。
6)Not only are the different situations arising in practice too numerous,but the technical capacity of the contractors is too uneven to admit of any advice at a distance.这不仅由于实践中出现的情况五花八门,而且施工者的技术能力参差不齐,不可能考虑在远距离外提出任何建议。(原句的前半句为部分倒装。后半句中uneven意思为“不相等”,at distance“远处”,too...to含有否定意义。) |