一. 动词的时态和语态
(一)动词的时态
英汉翻译过程中动词时态的翻译至关重要,动词时态的理解和表达是觉得译文是否顺畅达意的关键,如果我们不注意这个问题,就会造成对原文的误解。下面就谈一下英汉中时态的翻译。
1. 英语的时态一般是通过词形变化来表现的,而汉语则是通过一些表示时间的特定词语来表现的。英译汉时,要通过加进表示时间的词来表达英语中的时态概念。常见的有:“现在”“如今”“将来”“以后”;“曾经”“已经”“正在”“刚刚”“着”“了”“过”,如:
I have been there.
我曾经去过那里。(译文用“曾经”“去”来表示完成时的概念)
That kind of computer was and still is a remarkable one.
该计算机过去是,现在仍然是一种了不起的电脑。
有时英语中的一般现在时表示客观真理等无时间性的状态,翻译时就不用加词了。
The sun rises in the east.
太阳从东方升起。
2. 相对的,汉译英时,一般就可以省略表示时间的词,而用英语相应的时态来表达。
他现在在北京工作。
He is working in Beijing now.
我已经吃过早饭了。
I have had my breakfast.
但需要注意的是,汉语的灵活性极大,不一定所有的“了”都是过去时或完成时,比如下面这例:
今天上午我吃了两个馒头。
I had two buns this morning.
下面我们就谈谈汉语中常见的具体表时间的词的英译(之前列举的“如今”“曾经”等词指示时间的意味较为明确,因此不再赘述啦~)
1. “着”
(1) 表示动作正在进行
他说完话站起来,直视着我。
He finished his conversation and stood up, looking straight at me.
(2) 表示某种持续的状态
在新西兰,毛利人保持着深厚的文化传统。
In New Zealand, the Maori people maintain a strong cultural tradition.
2. “了”通常是过去时和完成时的标志,
Somehow Karin managed to cope with the demands of her career.
卡琳设法达到了其职业的要求。
我已经掌握了有关该组织诞生的可靠的详细资料。
I had obtained the authentic details about the birth of the organization.
3. “过”,表示曾经的动作,一般过去时的标志,如:
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.
努力过,失败过,没关系,屡战屡败,屡败屡战,每一次失败都比上一次更好。
但有时,也是完成时的标志,(在汉译英中较为明显)。
她丈夫以前从来没得过任何心脏疾病。
Her husband had never before had any heart trouble.
二. 动词的语态
英译汉时被动语态的基本的翻译方法如下:
1. 直接译为主动语态
(1) 译为无主句或添加模糊主语
It is said that…
据说…
Such a conclusion can be drawn…
(我们)可以得出这个结论…
The boy can be assumed
(我们可以)假设这个男孩…
有时为了译为明确行文,可以适当添加“我/我们”“人们”等模糊的主语。
The students were seen reciting the new words and phrases.
有人看见学生们在背新单词和短语。
(2) 在主语明确的情况下,保留原句主语。
The food was exhausted only in a few days.
食物在几天内就吃光了。
2. 译为被动语态
不能译为主动语态的,可采用中文中的被动语态的句式来译,常见的被动句式有“为…所”“让…给”。
Unifies our country's condition asas our country's historic tradition, causes these to be adopted by us.
结合我国的国情以及我国的历史传统, 使这些为我所用。
Her dress was caught by a nail.
她的衣服让钉子给钩住了。
3. 科技文献中译为“能够”“可以”
Because it is very slippery,it is used for lubrication.
因为它很滑,因此可以用来做润滑剂。
4. 用“是…的”字句表示被动
“是 …的” 是一种形式主动,实际上是不用“被”字的被动句,例如:
War is invented by the human mind.
战争是人的智慧发明的。
再如冰心的《梦》,“五色的丝线,是能做成好看的活计的;香的,美丽的花,是要插在头上的;镜子是妆束完时要照一照的;在众人中间坐着,是要说些很细腻很温柔的话的;眼泪是时常要落下来的。女孩子是总有点脾气,带点娇贵的样子的。”
For instance, silk thread of all colors was fancied for beautiful needlework; fragrant brilliant flowers should be put in hair for decoration; dressing should be followed by taking a look in a mirror; when sitting among a crowd, a girl should speak in a soft and delicate tone; she should be lachrymose and normally somewhat petulant like a pampered child.
注意:从整体上来说,翻译时主动语态比被动语态更为普遍。但在以下几种情况时,要使用被动语态:(文学翻译时有时为了句子生动也会采用被动语态)。
①动作的发出者显而易见或不重要(选自《非文学翻译理论与实践》)
世人常称大学为‘最高学府’…
A university has often been misleadingly referred to as "the highest seat of learning"…(选自《张培基英译现代散文》)
②为了强调
The suggestion was made by Mrs. Smith.
这个建议是由史密斯女士提出的。(强调施动者)
One of the most controversial members of the European Parliament has been interviewed by the press about the proposal.
l中国尊重非洲人民自主选择适合自己国情的政治制度和发展道路…(强调动作的接受者)
China respects the political systems and paths to development independently adopted and pursued by people that suit their national conditions.(选自《三级笔译实务》)
③表示委婉,礼貌,推脱责任,比如:This bill has not been paid,比you have not paid the bill 委婉。
A mistake was made就比we made a mistake 更不具有针对性。
④有时为了避免语气过于正式的one,或过于非正式的you作主语,也会使用被动。
These documents can be found on the second floor.
这些文件可以在二楼找到。
⑤表示客观陈述(科技文体中较常见)
These are also called stimulant fat burners.
他们也被称为刺激性脂肪燃烧剂.
⑥汉译英时,有时前后句间并没有逻辑关系时会用被动语态,一般用于列举措施,如:(以下例子选自《三级笔译实务》)
… 限制旅客人数,减少道路建设;鼓励当地团体积极参与管理;对游客进行环保教育;以及重点保护藏族文化。
…the number of tourists should be limited,as should road construction; the participation of local communities should be encouraged; educational opportunities for visitors to learn about nature should be established; and an emphasis should be put on the Tibetan culture.
综上所述,时态属于翻译的细节问题,语态则相对宏观一些,但二者在翻译时,都需要是具体情况而定,选择最佳的翻译方法,从而提高译文质量。
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