语态的选择
学英语的人都知道,传统英语语法将语态分为两个部分:主动语态(active voice)和被动语态(passive voice)。它们被用来说明句子中谓语和主语之间的关系。使用主动语态时表示主语是动作的执行者,使用被动语态则表示主语是动作的承受者。要想在翻译中把握好语态的选择,必须从三个方面来着手。
1) 什么是语态变换?
2) 英语语态与英语词性的关系?
3) 与汉语相比,英语语态的特点是什么?
1.语态变换是指翻译中英语和汉语两种语言之间主动与被动的转换。译文里的语态并不一定完全遵循原文里的语态,要根据情况作恰当选择。
2. 英语语态与英语词性有密切的联系。我们甚至可以直接通过一个词来判断它具有主动含义还是被动含义。如有些名词的后缀常具有主动语态意义。最常见的有 -ar,-or,-er,这样的单词有beggar(乞丐),liar(惯于说谎者),instructor(指导者),professor(教授),worker(工人),writer(作者)。另一些名词后缀如-ee却具有被动意义,这样的单词有examinee(受审查者,被测试者),interviewee(被访问者),employee(被雇佣者)。除名词外,英语定冠词the与过去分词构成的名词常指承受者,如:the oppressed(受压迫者),the accused(被告),the wounded(受伤者)。由-ing分词转化来的形容常带有主动意义,而由及物-ed分词转化来的形容词则常带有被动意义。如interesting film(令人感兴趣的电影),disappointing look(失望的表情)。有些由介词、名词和介词构成的介词短语常表达主动意义,如:in place of(替代),in need of(需要),in want of(需要),in possession of(拥有),in charge of(负责),in control of(控制)。但由介词、定冠词the、名词和介词构成的介词短语常表达被动意义,如:at the mercy of(受......摆布),in the care of(由......照料),in the charge of(由......负责),in the possession of(由......拥有),in the pay of(由......雇用的)。
3.与汉语相比,英语中被动语态使用范围非常广。被动语态多用于以下场合。
1)不清楚动作的执行者是谁。
例1 The front window in the classroom was broken yesterday.(单纯地描述一个事实,即:窗户碎了。但是,窗户被谁打碎了?说话人并不知道)
2)说话人对宾语的兴趣大于对主语的兴趣。
例2 The books are written especially for children.(说话人关心的只是;这本书是特别为孩子们准备的。目的达到就行,书的作者是谁不用管他)
3)不愿意说出动作的执行者,目的是为了使语言更加圆滑、得体。
例3 Its generally considered impolite to ask ones age,salary,marriage,etc.(这句话的潜语境是,有人不识时宜地询问别人的年龄、收入和婚姻状况等,而这是非常不礼貌的。本句的说话者为了避免交际陷入尴尬刻意略去了主语,而选择了It作形式主语)
4)出于修饰的原因,或使句子安排更加合理。
例4 The professor came to our school and warmly welcomed by the teachers and students.(句子的后半句用被动式就可以只安排一个主语the professor。)
汉语虽然也有被、由之类的词表示动作是被动的,但这种表达远没有英语的被动语态那么常见。因此,很多英语被动句在翻译时就被译成了汉语的主动句。反之,很多汉语的主动句在译成英文时会变成英语被动态。
Exercise Eight
1. _______________ (随着工商业的发展),the number of trees in many big cities has dramatically reduced.
2. Travel can widen our knowledge, _____________ (扩大我们的眼界),and make one open-minded as well.
3. Cars are responsible for most of the smog in cities, _______________ (这已经对环境造成了严重的污染).
4.Modernization will be entirely possible in the first half of the 21st century, as long as we ________________(坚持认为)that economic development is the center of all our work.
5. He was convinced on the basis of ____________(当时已出现的情况)that there would be a long and difficult struggle.
国内英语资讯:China calls for Eurasian cooperation to seek common development, prosperity
My View on Being a Dink 丁克族之我见
体坛英语资讯:New Kenya Sevens coach to guide team to 2020 Tokyo Olympics
国际英语资讯:50,000 troops to participate in NATOs Trident Juncture 2018 exercise in Norway
国际英语资讯:Irish minister resigns over private dinners with govt-funded project bidder
美国财政部发布外国投资新规
国内英语资讯:Across China: Bumper harvests through Chinese paintings
体坛英语资讯:Barca drop first points of season in Spains matchday 6
国际英语资讯:EU adopts tougher anti-money laundering rules
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier calls on China, Kazakhstan to further promote synergy of development strateg
体坛英语资讯:Kiprop leads Kenya quest for glory at Frankfurt Marathon
国内英语资讯:Commentary: Chinas push for a more open Eurasia
国内英语资讯:Chinese, Canadian FMs discuss trade, partnership over phone
Let the Surprise Speak of Your Love 让惊喜传达你的爱
国内英语资讯:Chinas northeastern old industrial base wooing overseas talent
《请以你的名字呼唤我》续集叫啥好?网友这波脑洞感受一下
娱乐英语资讯:Taylor Swift wins big at 2018 American Music Awards
国内英语资讯:China urges overall performance management of UN budgetary resources
Metoo发起人吐槽活动毫无成效!一针见血
国内英语资讯:Chinas development stems from reform and opening-up: MOC
国际英语资讯:Japanese PM meets with senior Chinese official on bilateral ties
国际英语资讯:Turkey says all rebel heavy weapons removed from demilitarized zone in Syrias Idlib
体坛英语资讯:Messi to miss Argentina friendlies against Iraq, Brazil
体坛英语资讯:Chinese players move into second round of 2018 Wuhan Open, Stephens crashes out
国内英语资讯:Chinas forex reserves edge down in September
体坛英语资讯:Congos Vita Club edge Moroccos Berkane to advance to CAF Confederation Cup semis
体坛英语资讯:CSKA Moscow beat CBA champions Liaoning 90-46 in Zadar basketball tournament
国际英语资讯:Indonesias quakes, tsunami kill 2,073 as search mission extended
国际英语资讯:Italy needs more, better-qualified migrants to face future
可口可乐居然推出养生饮料了,这世界怎么了