1. 根据上下文辨词义。
词义有轻重的不同
例如表示打破的词
break是最一般的用语,意思是经打击或施加压力而破碎。
crack是出现了裂缝,但还没有变成碎片。
crush是从外面用力往内或从上往下而压碎。
demolish是破坏、铲平或削平。
destroy是完全摧毁,使之无法复原。
shatter是突然使一物体粉碎。
smash旧指由于突如其来的一阵暴力带一声响而彻底粉碎。
又如表示闪光的词
shine照耀;指光的稳定发射。
glitter闪光;指光的不稳定发射。
glare耀眼;表示光的最强度。
sparkle闪烁;指发射微细的光度。
词义有范围大小和侧重面的不同
在一定上下文中,在agriculture,farming,cultivation,agronomy四个词中:agriculture指农业科学、农业技术、整个农业生产过程,所包含的范围最广。farming指农业的实践。cultivation指农业物的栽培过程。agronomy指把科学原理运用到农业耕作中去的实践。
又如在empty,vacant,hollow这组同义词中,它们各自有不同的形容对象和强调的内容:
empty可以用来形容house,room,cup,box,stomach,head,words等词,表示空的,一无所有。
vacant可以用来形容position,room,house,seat等词表示没有人占用的,空缺的。
hollow可以和tree,voice,sound,cheeks等词连用,表示空洞的,虚的,不实的,下陷的。
2. 论褒贬,即要注意同义词之间有不同的语体色彩、使用范围及程度。
任何语言都有语体之分,有高雅的、通俗的、粗野 的,还有俚语、公文用语及术语等。文学作品中,作家通过不同的语体来刻画人物的性格特征,更是常用的方法。翻译时,必须审其雅俗,量其轻重,这样,才能恰如其分地表达原文的精神。
词义有感情色彩和语体色彩的不同。如死就有许多委婉的说法:
to expire 逝世 to pass away 与世长辞
to close ones day 寿终 to breathe ones last 断气
to go west 归西天 to pay the debt of nature 了结尘缘
to depart to the world of shadows 命归黄泉 to give up the ghost 见阎王
to kick the bucket 翘辫子 to kick up ones heels 蹬腿
又如怀孕也有许多委婉的说法:
She is having a baby. She is expecting.
She is in the family way. She is knitting little booties.
She is in a delicate condition. She is in an interesting condition.
又如警察:
policeman 正式用语 cop 美国口语
bobby 英国口语 nab 美国俚语
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