例1 ____________by the secretary.
译文:You will be shown our new workshop.
简评:如果这句话不是划线填内容,你完全可以将它翻译成The secretary will show you our new workshop。正是因为题型是补全句子,这就给翻译带来了一定的难度,你必须去适应题型要求而不是让题型来适应你。让我们看看译文已给出部分:by the secretary显然是一个被动语态特征,秘书在译文里已经由原来的主语变成了译文句子的补足成分。所以,题目是暗示我们要把原句中你们转换成译句里的主语,这样才符合出题要求。
例2 You __________this time.
译文:are expected to organize the trade publicity campaigns.
简评:根据题目可推知全句意思是:我们期望你能组织这次的贸易推广活动。中文句子主语、谓语、宾语分别是:我们、期望、你。但是在英文译文的给出部分中我们看到句子以you开头,也就是说你被期望能组织这次贸易推广活动。中文的宾语变成了英文的主语,这就要求我们在翻译时要使用被动语态。全句完整答案是:You are expected to organize the trade publicity campaigns this time.
2)当汉语句以我们、人们、大家等泛指性代词作主语时,在翻译成英文的时候常常可以忽略主语不译,并把英文译句处理成被动语态。处理后的英文译句往往带有 know,see,find,say,suppose,estimate,report,suggest,stress,consider, expect,admit,point,understand 等动词。
例3 如果原子失去一个或多个电子,我们就说这个原子带正电荷。
译文:If one or more electrons are removed,the atom is said/believed/thought to be positively charged.
简评:这句话是一个条件从句。即:在原子失去一个或多个电子的情况下,这个电子带正电荷。我们就说这个原子带正电荷可理解为这个原子被认为/ 被确信/ 被说成是带正电荷。那么根据前面所说的原则,我们在翻译时可以将泛指性主语我们省略不译,并使用被动语态。
从这个例子里我们还可以看出,在科技文章中,根据英语表达习惯我们应当多采用被动语态,以强调事物的客观性。
例4 人们采用各种措施来防止腐蚀。
译文:All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion.
简评:这句话可以按原文译成主动态,即:People have taken all kinds of measures to prevent corrosion。也可以用被动语态来翻译All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion。两者比较而言,被动态译文更突出表明所有、种种措施已经付诸实施,all kinds of measures得到强调,而主动态译法只是平铺直叙,重点不突出。
此外,汉语句子中有据说、据了解、据报道、据估计、据传言等词语时,可以酌情译成相应的英语被动句,如:It is supposed that,It is said that,It is estimated that,It is calculated that,It is reported that,It is suggested that,It is stressed that,It is thought that,It is considered that,It is expected that,It is well known that,It must be admitted that,It must be pointed out that,It is understood that,It may be safety said that等。
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