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科技英语的翻译

时间:2023-04-01 理论教育 版权反馈
【摘要】:新闻报道涉猎面广,词汇量大,语言现象纷繁复杂,对译者的知识面以及语言功底的要求较高。如Ground Zero,这个词起源于1946年,原指“核爆炸原点,爆炸中心”,后引申意义为“基本点或起始点;巨大变化发生的中心点”。还有一个十分有趣的例子是关于zombie一词。这样受人摆布的活死人被称为zombie。在已故英国王妃戴安娜巴黎车祸事件报道中,这个词出现频率极高,也进入了英语词汇,意思是“狗仔队”。

新闻报道涉猎面广,词汇量大,语言现象纷繁复杂,对译者的知识面以及语言功底的要求较高。新闻翻译总结起来主要应突出以下几个方面:

1.译文要精炼、准确、流畅;

2.理解原文要透彻;

3.长句处理要得当。

下面我们从词汇及句型的角度详细阐述一下新闻翻译实践中的主要难点及对策。

4.1.1 词汇

新闻英语的词汇是其最突出的特色之一。英美新闻报刊的编辑记者们永远是语言变化阵地上的前沿人物。由他们创造并流传开来为大众所接受的词汇如今已数不胜数。此外,新闻报道几乎涵盖社会生活的方方面面,因此词汇量庞大复杂,并且在新兴事物的涌现下,创造新词的频率也十分惊人。最后,新闻报道在时效性的要求下,用词十分简洁;在各种修辞手段的帮助下又不失深邃新鲜,增加了可读性和趣味性。我们从以下几个方面来阐述新闻报道的词汇特点:

一、新词层出不穷

在新闻报道中,读者往往会读到或听到一些新词,如:charitainment(娱乐明星参与慈善活动),stem cell(干细胞),blog(网络日志;博客),podcast(传播或播放媒体文件;播客)等等。在这些新词当中,有些词是早已存在,只不过在新的事件或新的语境中产生了新的含义。如Ground Zero,这个词起源于1946年,原指“核爆炸原点,爆炸中心”,后引申意义为“基本点或起始点;巨大变化发生的中心点”。在最近几年的几大时事背景下,它又有了一些新的意义,如

1.The families of Sept.11made their annual pilgrimage to Ground Zero yesterday,burdened by familiar sorrows and a growing,gnawing anxiety that the world is forgetting them too fast.

结合上下文我们知道,这句话里的Ground Zero毫无疑问指的是遭受“9.11”恐怖袭击之后的纽约世界贸易中心遗址,因此我们可将它译为:

“9.11”恐怖袭击遇难者家属昨天前往世贸中心遗址进行一年一度的吊唁活动。他们背负着丧失亲人的悲伤和日益令人心烦的焦虑,认为世界将他们遗忘得太快了。

2.Secretary-General tours worst destruction he has ever seen at tsunami’s Ground Zero.

从这句话可以看出,此处的Ground Zero是指2004年底南亚地区遭受空前海啸袭击的地方,所以这句话可译成:

联合国秘书长视察了造成极大毁坏的海啸发生地。

还有一个十分有趣的例子是关于zombie一词。这个词首次出现在19世纪末期,当时有一种起源于西部非洲的伏都教(Voodoo)通过神秘仪式将死人复生,加以控制。这样受人摆布的活死人被称为zombie。而现在,随着互联网的普及与发展,某一台上网的电脑很可能染上某种病毒并受其控制,到处散发垃圾邮件,新闻记者将其称为zombie,请见例句:

“One alarming trend to emerge from the survey was the increasing number of zombie computers—PCs that have been compromised remotely by hackers or virus writers...Zombie computers are sending out over 40%of the world’s spam,usually to the complete ignorance of the PC’s owner.”

国内媒体将zombie computers翻译成“僵尸电脑”,虽有些耸人听闻但也不失准确。

另外有一部分新词是将某些旧词与其他一些词汇或词根组合起来改头换面,形成新的意义。Britcom就是一个很好的例子,这个词来自于sitcom即situation comedy(电视连续剧或情景喜剧)。Britcom这个词取British的前半部分和sitcom的后半部分组合起来,意义当然就是“英式情景戏剧”了。近年来,随着中国航天事业的发展,常常有一个新词taikonaut(太空人)出现在外国的新闻报道中。这个词是由汉语“太空”(taikong)与英语astronaut(航天员)中的后半部分-naut拼接而成,组成新词taikonaut。

二、外来语使用频繁

在新闻报道中,除新词不断涌现之外,外来语的使用也非常频繁。如南非曾经臭名昭著的“种族隔离制度”,在新闻报道中就用上了南非语中的apartheid来精确表达这种制度的意义,后来这个词就进入了英语词汇。近两年见报率比较高的一个词叫paparazzi,来自意大利语,原意是“自由职业的摄影师”,靠拍到具有新闻价值的照片为生,他们成天跟踪名人名流,偷拍他们的照片,因此名声大噪。在已故英国王妃戴安娜巴黎车祸事件报道中,这个词出现频率极高,也进入了英语词汇,意思是“狗仔队”。还有,美国政治特有的词汇caucus是指政党核心成员的秘密会议,特别是推举该党派的总统候选人的小范围会议,但它源于印第安语,指印第安部落领袖会议。类似这样的外来语还有:tsunami(日语,海啸),jihad(阿拉伯语,圣战),bona fide(法语,货真价实的),Zeitgeist(德语,时代精神),czar(俄语,沙皇,掌权者),tycoon(日语,大人物),thug(印地语,暴徒),junta(西班牙语,军政府),nirvana(梵语,涅?)

三、措辞新颖且词义丰富

由于新闻报道大力求新猎奇以招徕读者,所以一些短小精悍但意义丰富的小词见报率很高,这就需要译者在翻译时特别要加以考校,以免出现不该出现的错误,例如,bottom line是一个在新闻报道中出现频繁但又经常被误解的词汇。很多人望文生义地将它翻成“底线”,然后再硬生生搬到文章里去,哪能不出错呢?其实这个词的本义是指“最下面的一条线”,也就是在运算加加减减之后在最终结果上面划上的一条线,而公司或企业的利润或亏损也就是经过这样一个过程算出来的,因此这个词在很多语境下指代的就是“(企业的)盈亏一览结算线,即企业的利润或亏损”,如下例:

In bad times,like the 70’s or 90’s,the pressure of the bottom line was expected to lead bosses“finally”to a proper market-based system of employment.

很显然,这句话中的bottom line是指盈亏一览结算线,草率地将其译为“底线”,恐怕没有多少人理解它的真正含义,因此将这句话译为“在70年代或90年代经济不景气的时候,追求利润的压力迫使那些老板们最终采用一种面向市场的雇佣体系。”就不会令人费解了。

再如,strain也是一个含义丰富的词汇,光是做名词时意义就有“拉力;紧张;曲调;性情气质;种类等等”,不通过上下文仔细推敲,是不可能准确翻译出其真正含义的。请看下面两个例子。

1.Officials at the Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah said that in 1998scientists there turned small quantities of wet anthrax into powder to test ways to defend against biowarfare attacks.A spokeswoman at Dugway,Paula Nicholson,said the powdered anthrax produced that year was a different strain from the one used in the recent mail attacks that have killed five people.

译文:位于犹他州的陆军Dugway试验场官员说,早在1998年这里的科学家就已经成功地将少量湿润的炭疽菌变成粉末状态,用来研制抵御生化战争的方法。该机构发言人Paula Nicholson说,当年研制出的粉末状炭疽孢子与最近造成五人死亡的炭疽邮件事件中所用到的细菌种类完全不同。

2.Scientists have identified the first direct link between stress and aging,a finding that could explain why intense,long-term emotional straincan make people get sick and grow old before their time.

译文:科学家已经确认了压力和衰老之间的首个直接证据,这一发现解释了为什么长期剧烈的情绪紧张会造成人类疾病和早衰。

从上述两个例子可以看出,strain在不同的语境中具有不同的含义。在例1中译为“种类”,在例2中译为“紧张”因此译者要准确的翻译一个含义丰富的词或词组,就必须要全面地理解和掌握它。

4.1.2 句子

长句是新闻英语句式的最大特点,尤其是新闻报道的开头,往往是将事件最重要的信息包含在一到两个长句中。因此,在翻译之前首先要对长句有精确的理解,并把握句中各个成分的意义,理清层层叠叠的逻辑关系。请看下面的例子。

The BBC last night beat off an 11th hour legal attempt to block a program naming four men in connection with the Omagh bombing which killed 29 people.The demand by the Northern Ireland human rights commission for the Panorama program to be injuncted was thrown out by the high court in Belfast,Mr.Justice Kerr finding in the corporation’s favor just 90minutes ahead of transmission to end a dramatic day of legal argument.

显而易见,第一句中的to block a program naming four men in connection with the Omagh bombing which killed 29people是legal attempt的定语,详细说明了legal attempt的内容。第二句中by the Northern Ireland human rights commission以及for the Panorama program to be injuncted是demand的定语,说明demand的具体细节。此外,通过对上下文的推敲不难看出句1中的legal attempt就是句2中的the demand,因为上述两个定语中to block a program和for the program to be injuncted意义相同。此外,对于较长的定语在译文中究竟放在被修饰词的前面还是后面,要看句子的通顺程度如何。一般来说,中文不采用冗长的定语,因此大多数情况下我们要把定语和主句分开,使它们成为松散的句子,并用逗号连接起来。

译文:英国广播公司昨晚成功地驳回了针对其一档节目最后一刻的法律诉讼,该节目将公布四名涉嫌参与造成29人死亡的奥马爆炸案的凶手身份。该诉讼由北爱尔兰人权委员会提出,旨在请求法庭强制禁止“万象”节目播出,但此上诉于节目预定播出前90分钟被贝尔法斯特高级法院的克尔法官驳回。最终这个戏剧性的诉讼日以英国广播公司的胜利而告终。

练 习

一、将下列长句或段落译成汉语:

1.Last year was the warmest in a century,nosing out 1998,a federal analysis concludes.Researchers calculated that 2005produced the highest annual average surface temperature worldwide since instrument recordings began in the late 1800s,said James Hansen,director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

2.A web site that earned an enterprising British student,named Alex Tew, 1 million suffered a crippling attack by ransom-seeking hackers.Alex Tew,21,said that his Million Dollar Homepage was targeted after he publicized how it had helped him raise money for his university studies.Tew had sold 10,000 small squares of advertising space on the Web site for 100each,achieving his target in four months.His initiative spawned several copycat sites.

3.John Lennon’s original draft of lyrics to the groundbreaking Beatles song A Day in the Life has gone on sale.The manuscript,being sold in New York in a sealed-bid auction ending 7March,is expected to fetch about 2million,auction house Bonhams said.Lennon wrote the song after reading about the death of his friend,Guinness heir Tara Browne,in the Daily Mail

on 17January 1967.

4.In a year filled with political wrangling,natural disasters and pop culture curiosities,Americans turned to Merriam-Webster to help define them all.Filibuster.Refugee.Tsunami.Each was among the dictionary publisher’s 10most frequently looked-up words this year among some 7million users of its online site.But topping the list is a word that some say gives insight into the country’s collective concern about its values:integrity.The noun,formally defined as a“firm adherence to a code”and“incorruptibility,”has always been a popular one on the company’s Web site,said Merriam-Webster President John Morse.But this year,the true meaning of integrity seemed to be of extraordinary concern.About 200,000people sought its definition online.

5.Behind the celebrity factor,behind the recall circus,lies a tantalizing possibility.In his unique blend of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism,Arnold Schwarzenegger is a genuinely new kind of American politician.

二、将下列段落译成英语:

1.2007年世界特殊奥林匹克运动会会标、主题及2005年度电视公益宣传片的征

集活动得到了全球关注特殊奥林匹克运动的各界人士的积极参与。自2004年11月初至12月底,2007年特奥会组委会共收到来自全球42个国家和地区的会标设计入选作品1 480余件、主题口号入选作品2 500余件。2005年1月17日,2007年特奥会会标、主题全球征集活动的首次评审委员会在上海召开。评审委员会对所有的会标设计入选作品进行了初步审核并评选出50件入围作品。2007年特奥会会标、主题的最终获奖方案预计于2005年2月正式公布。

2.在漫长的世界史上,只有几代人在自由处于危亡之际肩负重任去捍卫自由。我决不在这责任之前退缩;我乐于接受。我不相信我们中间会有人愿意跟别的民族及别的世代交换位置。我们在这场努力中所献出的精力、信念与虔诚、将照亮我们的国家以及所有为国家服务的人,而从这一火焰所出的光辉必能照亮全世界。

科技英语是指广泛运用于科学技术领域的专门英语,包括专业著作,学术文献和技术报告等。它的特点是大量使用科技词汇,注重客观性,结构严谨,而且长句及被动语态使用频繁。

译者在从事科技英语翻译时,除了要具有相当的专业知识外,还要充分掌握科技作品的语法和句法特征,注意英汉语的表达方式,分析句子要仔细,理解原文的意思要透彻。尽量使译文明晰流畅。处理结构复杂的长句时要灵活,要避免死译或硬译。

下面我们着重探讨科技英语翻译时应特别注意的几个问题。

4.2.1 熟悉科技英语的词汇特征

科技英语中最重要的特点就是使用大量科技词汇。由于科学技术领域十分广泛,许多行业使用的专门词汇数量十分庞大,因此在翻译时译者必须认真查阅相关专业词典和书籍,透彻理解它们的含义,准确选择术语,运用恰当的方式传达原文的意义。

此外,科技英语的词汇中还包含许多由拉丁文或希腊文词根构成的词汇如:dioxide(二氧化物),symbiosis(生物共生)以及日常生活中的某些常用词汇。这些日常生活中的常用词在不同的专业中具有不同的含义,如parallel一词,在地理学中表示“纬度”,在数学中表示“平行线”,在电学中表示“并联”,在军事中表示“平行堑壕”,在印刷术中表示“平行号”。因此译者熟悉和掌握科技英语词汇的特色十分重要,它有助于译文的准确性。

4.2.2 掌握科技英语的句式特点

科技作品除了使用大量的科技词汇外还具有名词结构较多,被动语态较多以及句子结构复杂等特点。因此译者在翻译时必须要认真分析句式特点,才能确保译文的准确性。

一、名词结构的处理

在科技作品中名词结构常由各种灵活的介词所引导并充当句中的主语或宾语、后置定语、状语或补语成分。通常,在名词结构中除了多个叠加的名词结构给我们的理解和翻译造成一定的难度外,大量使用的抽象名词也是难点之一。因此对于多个叠加的名词结构我们除了弄懂各个结构的意思以外,更重要的是要弄懂它们之间的关系,哪一个修饰哪一个,核心词是哪一个,这样才能保证译文的准确性。例如:

1.A recent discovery by the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft of large areas of magnetic materials on Mars indicates that the planet once had a magnetic field,much like Earth does today.

在这句话中,a recent...on the Mars是句中的主语,它包含了大量的名词结构。它的核心词是discovery,作它定语的名词结构有by the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft(表示discovery的执行者),of large areas(表示discovery的内容),of magnetic materials(补充说明discovery的具体内容),on Mars(补充说明discovery的地点)。确定了这些名词结构的成分后,我们就可以按照汉语的表达习惯把这些名词结构处理成一个句子:最近火星全球测量仪在火星表面发现了大面积的磁性物质。

译文:最近火星全球测量仪在火星表面上发现了大面积的磁性物质,这表明火星与地球一样拥有一个大磁场。

2.Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia,agroup of conditions that all gradually destroy brain cells and lead to progressive decline in mental function.

在这一句中,名词结构有of dementia,agroup of...conditions,而agroup of conditions是dementia的同位语,它又由that引导的定语从句来修饰。我们可以把这个复杂的同位语译成:逐渐毁坏脑细胞并导致智力状况渐次低下的症状。

译文:早老性痴呆症是一种常见的痴呆症。它是由许多逐渐毁坏脑细胞并导致智力渐次低下的症状综合而成。

二、被动语态的处理

英语科技作品的另一个特点就是被动语态使用较多,而在汉语表达中人们往往使用主动语态。因此在翻译英语科技作品时应切记按照中文的表达习惯多用主动语态,这样译文才会显得通顺。例如:

1.The first purpose to which the new space technology was applied was communication.

被动句the new space technology was applied可译为“利用新的航天技术”,但如果在“利用新的航天技术”前面加上“人们”两字,将它变成主动句,就更能体现汉语的表达方式了。

译文:人们利用新的航天工程技术的首要目的就是通讯。

2.As early as 1945,it was noted that if a satellite were in orbit at a constant altitude of 22,300mile,its period would exactly match that of the earth’s surface.

被动句it was noted可译为“被注意到”或“被指出”,但将它译为“有人指出”就更符合汉语的表达方式了。

译文:早在1945年就有人指出,如果一颗人造卫星位于离地面22 300英里的常定高度的轨道上,其周期恰恰等于地球的自转周期。

三、长句的处理

在英语科技作品中长句的使用也十分频繁。在翻译这些长句时,我们首先需要对句子的复杂成分加以分析,找出句子的最基本构成成分:主、谓、宾以及纷繁复杂的各种定语、状语或补语,完整准确地理解句子的意思,然后根据汉语的语言习惯,采用恰当的翻译方式(如将长句分成若干个短句),切忌硬译或死译。请看下面两个长句的分析及它们的译文。

1.In the process of debugging a microprocessor,an operator sits in front of a screen on which the image of the silicon is projected and uses a nano-machining tool to expose the layer where the defect is likely to be found.

此长句的主语是an operator,谓语是sits和uses。介词短语In the process of debugging a microprocessor和in front of a screen on which the image of the silicon is projected都是状语,前者修饰整个句子,后者修饰sits。在后一个介词短语中,on which the image of the silicon is projected是定语从句,修饰a screen。动词不定式to expose the layer where the defect is likely to be found是宾语a nano-machining tool的补语,而在动词不定式中,where the defect is likely to be found是定语从句,修饰the layer。分析了句子的结构,掌握了句子的意思,翻译起来就容易多了。

译文:在排除微处理器故障时,操作员坐在投射出芯片影像的屏幕前,使用纳米工具将有可能发现的故障层显露出来。

2.Indeed,those very characteristics of the physical sciences have led to the“ivory tower”mentality of the natural scientists,to their assertions that science is neutral,that it has nothing to do with politics,and should be allowed to be undertaken for its own sake,without regard to the ways it may be applied.

这是一个较为复杂的长句。它的主语是those very characteristics of the physical sciences,谓语是have led to,宾语是the“ivory tower”mentality of the natural scientists和their assertions that science is neutral,that it has nothing to do with politics,and should be allowed to be undertaken for its own sake,without regard to the ways it may be applied。其中that science is neutral,that it has nothing to do with politics是their assertions的同位语,should be allowed 是that science is neutral句中的并列谓语,to be undertaken是主语sciences的补语。两个介词短语for its own sake和without regard to the ways it may be applied是状语,而在后者中it may be applied是定语从句,修饰the ways,其中它省略了介词和关系代词in which。剖析了句子的结构,了解了句子的意思,这样翻译起来就轻松多了。

译文:物理学科的这些特征确实已经造成了自然科学家的“象牙塔”心态,使他们产生了这样的看法:自然科学是中立的,与政治毫无关系,应该任其发展而无需顾及其应用的方式。

练 习

一、将下列段落译成汉语:

1.The discovery of two large pieces of the Titanic’s hull on the ocean floor indicates that the fabled luxury liner sank faster than previously thought.The hull pieces were a crucial part of the ship’s structure and made up a bottom section of the vessel that was missing when the wreck was first located in 1985,the researchers said.After the bottom section of the hull broke free,the bow and stern split,said Roger Long,a naval architect who analyzed the find.The stern,which was still buoyant and filled with survivors,likely plunged toward the ocean floor about five minutes later.

2.The moon may have gotten its start 4.5billion years ago when,according to the theory,aplanetary projectile about one-seventh the earth’s mass collided with the earth.The energy of collision crushed and vaporized major parts of the two globes,sending out a high-velocity jet of material at temperatures as high as 12,000degrees Fahrenheit.Within Just a few hours,some of it came back together far enough away from the earth to remain in orbit.The earth itself reformed as a combination of the old planet and the bulk of the projectile.

Strong support for this scenario has come recently from simulations on some of the world’s most powerful computers,primarily in a project at Los Alamos national laboratory involving astronomer Alastair Cameron,one of

the first proponents of the theory.

One reason for the appeal of the giant-impact scenario is that it seems to explain all the chemical findings from Apollo.For example,the moon rocks lack water,sodium and other volatile materials-precisely the substances that would boil away in the rapid vaporization after impact.

二、将下列段落译成英语:

1.日本著名的富士山由于冬雪稀少,很多人猜测这座沉睡了三百年之久的火山可能要爆发了。但是有关专家们说雪的多少与地壳运动之间没有任何联系。上个月,日本很多地方像往年一样,都下了雪,但是从近来的一些照片上可以看到,以往被白雪覆盖的富士山顶如今已经裸露出来。

2.U-2飞机驾驶员感到担心的是,中央情报局已在U-2飞机上安上了一种装置,这种装置在必要时能提前爆炸,把包括飞机和驾驶员在内的一切罪证一下子都消除干净。这种说法原来是俄国人提出来的,后来又被美国的一些写文章的人接过去大肆宣扬。

公文一般是指政府或其他机构发布的宣言、告示、声明或其他证明材料。我们常常提到的“应用文”就属于这种文体。公文最突出的文体特点就是正式性:措辞客观严谨准确,不拖泥带水;句式上基本都是复杂长句为主。另一个重要特点就是它的格式体例相对固定,不易更改。基于以上各点,翻译者在处理公文体的时候应把握简洁、准确和格式范例这三大要点。当然充分吃透原文意义,正确理解某些特殊词汇的含义也相当重要。

4.3.1 证书的翻译

证书作为一种认证手段在日常生活中十分普遍。译者在翻译证书的时候最重要的就是要照顾到体例和格式。各种不同的证书在行文和格式规范上的要求都有所不同,因此在翻译证书类文件时最重要的就是要参考翻译范本,严格遵循其体例。此外,由于证书文体的特殊性,在翻译时措辞也要尽量客观、简洁和准确,在句式的处理上,要避免短句,多用结构复杂的长句。请看下面的例子:例一:学位证书

上面这个学位证书的翻译可以参照我国学位证书翻译的格式进行,参考译文如下:

西北大学

博士学位证书

黛贝拉·丹尼斯·莱特女士于公元一九九九年十二月二十九日在伊立诺伊州艾文思顿出色地通过我校博士学位考查和论文答辩,经我校研究生院推荐,特授予哲学博士学位。

西北大学校长:(签名)

理事会会长:(签名)

理事会秘书:(签名)

研究生院院长:(签名)

例二:结业证书

以上这个结业证书参照一般范本,可译为:

从以上两个典型证书的译文可以发现,证书翻译中最重要的就是格式,在翻译之前译者一定要找到相关模板,这一点非常重要。证书的正文一般很简短,在翻译具体地名、人名信息时请注意采用统一认可的版本,以免造成不必要的误解。

练 习

1.将下面证书译成汉语:

2.将下面证书译成英语:

户口簿

户别:非农业户口

户主姓名:宋耀明

户号:01647

住址:上海市徐汇区高安路55弄4号

户口登记机关:上海市徐汇区公安局

签发日期:1988年7月5日

姓名:宋哲

与户主关系:父子

曾用名:无

性别:男

出生地:上海

国籍:中国

籍贯:浙江宁波

出生日期:1982年1月31日

本地其他住址:无

宗教信仰:无

公民身份证号码:310102198201315423

身高:1米74

血型:A

最高学历:本科

婚姻状况:未婚

服兵役情况:无

工作单位:复旦大学

职业:教师

何时由何地迁入此地:1978年10月由上海市静安区南京西路710弄5号迁入

4.3.2 摘要的翻译

摘要一般分为新闻摘要、统计摘要、论文摘要、报告摘要等等。由于摘要旨在给阅读者提供一个在短时间内掌握全文大意的机会,因此,摘要主要体现完整、清楚、简明这几大特点。因此译者在用词方面要少用修饰语,尽量直白但也要注意少用行话俗语,切忌累赘重复;在句式上务求明晰简洁,多用短句,尤其在汉译英时尽量避免使用复杂长句和多重后置定语。请看下面两个摘要翻译的例子。

例一

A Report of the Structural Engineering Review

Abstract:

The intent of the structural engineering review is to provide an independent review of the representative structural systems,as depicted in structural drawings and design criteria prepared by the Design Structural Engineer,in order to confirm their feasibility and conceptual adequacy.

Our review consisted of the following activities:

●Verify the codes,ordinances,and other regulations being used on the project.

●Review design criteria and verify that they conform to applicable codes,meet the owner’s objectives,and are technically feasible.

●Review the design concepts and design assumptions and determine if they conform to the design criteria,are technically correct,and encompass all major aspects of the Project.

●Review the constructability of the proposed structural schemes.

●Verify that an economical design scheme has been selected.

●Review the gravity load path from the locations of load application to the foundation.

●Review typical structural framing elements and assemblies,e.g.,beams,columns,and shear wall.

●Identify the lateral force resisting system,and review the load path from application of lateral loads to the foundation.

●Identify cost saving opportunities.

●Provide structural recommendations for improvement if applicable.

译文:

结构工程审查报告

摘要:

此次结构工程施工图审查的目的是基于结构设计单位提供的结构图纸和设计准则内容,对这个独特的结构体系提供一个独立的审查,以确认其可行性和概念的适当性。

我们的施工图审查包括以下内容:

●验证规范、法令和其他用于此工程的规章。

●审查设计准则,验证其是否符合现行规范,达到业主目标,并在技术上可行。

●审查设计概念和设计假定,确定其是否符合设计准则,技术上是否正确,是否包含此工程的所有主要方面。

●审查此结构方案的施工可行性。

●验证是否采用了经济的设计方案。

●审查从荷载施加处至基础的重力荷载路径。

●审查标准结构框架单元和集合,例如:梁、柱、剪力墙等。

●验证抗侧力体系和从水平荷载施加处至基础的荷载路径。

●验证节省造价的可能性。

●提供可行的结构改进建议

例二

民工潮对区域收入差距的影响

摘要:

本文通过对数据的实证分析和理论分析回答下列问题:1.中国东、中、西部地区间的收入差距和农村劳动力跨地区流动的状况如何?2.农村劳动力跨地区流动对地区发展和收入差距有什么影响?3.为什么大量的劳动力跨地区流动没有缩小地区收入差距?这个现象背后的政策含义是什么?4.农村劳动力跨地区流动的未来潜力还有多大?

关键词:区域发展,收入差距,劳动力流动

译文:

Rural Labor migration and Its Impact on Regional Income Disparity

Abstract:This article answers the following questions via data analysis and theoretical analysis:1)What are the current situations of income disparity among China’s East,Central and West regions,and rural labor migration across the three regions?2)What is the impact of migration of rural labor on regional development and income disparity?3)Why labor migration didn’t reduce income disparity among regions?What are the policy implications?and 4)What are the potentials of further rural labor migration?

Key words:regional development,income disparity,labor migration

此摘要翻译比较好地把握了简洁清晰的原则,如中文原句“这个现象背后的政策含义是什么?”翻译成“What are the policy implications?”非常明白晓畅,当然比“What is the meaning of policy behind the phenomenon?”这种生硬的翻译要自然得多。

练 习

一、将下面摘要译成汉语:

China faces severe environmental challenges.The Chinese government has made environmental protection one of its fundamental state policies and established the concept of“scientific development”to guide economic growth and social advancement.In recent years,environment has been incorporated as major consideration into policy making and institutional reforms.The general public increasingly focuses their attention on environment issues and the mass media plays a critical role in educating and raising awareness.It can be argued that China’s environment protection has developed into its current status mainly as a result of mass media’s ongoing coverage of environment issues.Mass media provide a green forum where the government,the general public,the corporate world,environment organizations,advocates and other stakeholders can come together and discuss their environment concerns.

This thesis is innovative in that it focuses on environmental communication,an important but often neglected subject.For the first time in China’s journalistic studies,the concept of environmental communication is put forward.Instead of talking about the role of media in environment protection in isolation,this thesis places its discussions in a much larger context where political,economic,social and cultural factors are all at play.The author uses literature,historical records,interviews and online surveys,and addresses a wide range of issues including the social functions of mass media,development of environmental communication,its impacts and effectiveness,current problems and future challenges.The author also makes constructive recommendations about ways to enhance the effectiveness of environmental communication.Key words:mass media environmental protection environmental communication

二、将下面的摘要译成英语:

先秦至汉初诸子之学皆渊源于《易经》。就儒家而言,其思想的基本特征是治国安民的社会实践。以此为参照,考诸《易经》,不难发现,儒家思想的许多内容,如和合精神、民本思想、内圣与外王相统一的思想等,皆可在《易经》中见其端绪。

关键词:易经,儒家,和合,民本,内圣外王

4.3.3 广告的翻译

广告就其文体来说比较特殊,主要体现在措辞巧妙,力求达到一鸣惊人的效果以期给消费者留下深刻印象;其次是频繁创造新词,经常使用暗喻,谐音,双关等修辞手法以强化效果;再次是句法上简洁明了,讲究节奏韵律琅琅上口。在翻译广告时我们要注意“功能对等”原则,即以保留广告效果为最终目的,对于文化背景上的差异在翻译时可以进行必要的变通或改动,也就是说,不一定要拘泥于原文一字一句的硬译,毕竟广告并非新闻或公文体始终要求严谨准确,一个始终脍炙人口的例子应该是著名的CocaCola了,它那完美的中文译名“可口可乐”为其产品在我国大行其道立下了汗马功劳。类似这样的英文广告例子不胜枚举,如:美国著名品牌“麦斯威尔”咖啡的广告语Good to the last drop译为:滴滴香浓,意犹未尽;著名钻石公司DeBeers的广告语A diamond lasts forever译为:钻石恒久远,一颗永流传;摩托罗拉广告语Intelligence everywhere译为:智慧演绎,无处不在;肯德基广告Finger-licking good!译为:吮指回味。所有这些经典的广告翻译正是运用了灵活变通的原则,几乎没有一例是对照原文直译的,而且在译文中还特别照顾到了中文的韵律,一听或一读便很难忘记,这样广告的效果就达到了。

还有一类广告叫做分类广告,内容五花八门,包括招聘求职、租售房屋、外出旅行、征婚启事等等。这类广告语言平实简洁,其目的是传达实际信息而非吸引读者注意力,因此翻译时应尽量忠实于原文。如下面的英语招聘广告:

RESTAURANT MANAGER/ASSISTANT MANAGER

Responsibilities:

—Responsible for restaurant operations

—Staff management and training

—Budgeting and cost control

—Execute marketing promotions with marketing team

Requirements:

—At least 5years experience in F&B industry,with 2years in similar capacity

—Strong analytical,leadership and communication skills

—Aggressive,dynamic with sharp business acumen and business driven

—Good command of spoken and written English and Chinese

—Familiar with MS office applications

—Candidates with less experience would be considered as Assistant Manager

Interested parties please send CV applications via E-mail to opportunities @aqua.com.hk or by fax to 3428 8845. For more details,please visit our website at www.aqua.com.hk译文:

餐厅经理/助理经理

主要职责:

——负责餐厅运营

——员工管理及培训

——预算及成本控制

——与市场营销小组一起策划市场推广活动

职位要求:

——餐饮业中至少五年工作经验,两年相关职位经验

——具有良好的分析、领导和沟通技巧

——积极进取,个性活跃,具有敏锐的商业意识和兴趣

——具有良好的中英文读写能力

——熟练操作微软办公系统

——经验略显不足者可应聘助理经理职位

有意者请将个人简历发送至opportunities@aqua.com.hk或传真至34288845,有关详情请登录网站www.aqua.com.hk

下面我们再来看一个汉语广告的例子:

新联想——全球PC领导企业

新联想是一家极富创新性的国际化的科技公司,由联想及原IBM个人电脑事业部所组成。

作为全球个人电脑市场的领导企业,新联想从事开发、制造并销售最可靠的、安全易用的技术产品及优质专业的服务,帮助全球客户和合作伙伴取得成功。

我们成功的基础是让客户实现他们的目标:工作高效、生活丰富多彩。

我们的价值观

联想公司及员工郑重承诺,以下四个核心价值观是我们一切工作的基础:

成就客户——致力于客户的满意与成功

创业创新——追求速度和效率,专注于对客户和公司有影响的创新

精准求实——基于事实的决策与业务管理

诚信正直——建立信任与负责任的人际关系

译文:

Lenovo:A Worldwide Leader in Technology

Lenovo is an innovative,international technology company formed as a result of the acquisition by the Lenovo Group of the IBM Personal Computing Division.

As a global leader in the PC market,we develop,manufacture and market cutting-edge,reliable,high-quality PC products and value-added professional services that provide customers around the world with smarter ways to be productive and competitive.

We base our success on our customers achieving their goals:productivity in business and enhancement of personal life.

Our values

Lenovo and its employees are committed to four company values that are the foundation for all that we do:

—Customer service:We are dedicated to the satisfaction and success of every customer.

—Innovative and entrepreneurial spirit:Innovation that matters to our customers,and our company,created and delivered with speed and efficiency.

—Accuracy and truth-seeking:We manage our business and make decisions based on carefully understood facts.

—Trustworthiness and integrity:Trust and personal responsibility in all relationships.

还有一些广告篇幅比较长,翻译时除运用上述一些基本原则外,译者还必须注意语言的感召力,忌用结构盘错的长句、复杂句,注意洞悉顾客的心理,只有这样广告才能译得好,译得巧。请看下面美国著名制药公司礼来旗下品牌ALIMTA的一则广告:

Reaching to the horizon has always been a tale of discovery.We’ve always wanted to know where we are in the world to find our bearings,avoid obstacles,and navigate the way to our goals.In fact,whether on land or at sea,knowing where we are can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.In former times,travelers relied on primitive techniques to establish their position and to gain an idea of their course.Yet it would still take a measure of instinct and a great deal of luck to reach their destination,a combination far too unreliable.The search for an accurate means of measuring position became the greatest scientific challenge of its day,culminating in the work of 18th century engineer John Harrison.His efforts solved the challenge of longitude and a new era was born.With longitude,the possibilities were endless;new positive perspectives were found.New vantage points yielded the freedom to venture beyond the known world and discover exciting new horizons.Command the elements;master the world!

Today,we stand on the verge of discovery.We look to improve our perspective to change our vantage point and find a positive pathway.Our success against cancer also requires a new tool.To navigate obstacles and overcome limitations,we must find new bearings as we enter unfamiliar territory.The time has come to challenge conventional wisdom and change perceptions to discover new possibilities,to focus efficacy in the right direction and to enhance survival.This has been our challenge,a challenge that we have accepted.We are facing the new world in cancer treatment.Find hope,find a path,find your way with Alimta!

译文:

飞越地平线始终是一个非同寻常的探索过程。我们总想知道自己身处世界何方,这样才能找准方向,超越障碍直达目标。其实,不论是陆地还是海洋,认清自身处境何在也就意味着辨明生死。从前的旅行者依靠原始的技巧识别自己的位置,了解自己的旅程。然而,要想达到目的地,仍然需要运用本能,仰仗运气。利用这两种因素实在太不可靠。于是,寻找精确定位的方法就成了那时候科学家们最大的挑战。18世纪工程师约翰·哈里森的成就达到了这一领域科学探索的顶峰。他成功地解决了经度这一难题,一个崭新的时代就此诞生了。有了经度理念,无限的可能呈现出来,崭新而令人振奋的视野为我们所发现。这些有利条件催生出了飞跃已知世界去探索全新世界的自由精神。驾驭自然,驾驭世界!

如今我们又要向探索进发。我们要致力于拓宽我们的视野,改变观点,积极探索。要想在与癌症的斗争中取得胜利就需要开发全新工具。要在进入陌生领域时能越过障碍,超越局限,就必须找到新的方向。如今这个时代要挑战传统智慧,改变思路去发掘新的可能性,找准方向着眼功效,提高存活指标。这一向是我们面临的挑战,一个我们早已勇敢面对的挑战。我们正面对癌症治疗这个新领域。与ALIMTA一起,找到希望,找到出路!

此类广告因为主要是通过解说的方式用声音传达给受众,因此在翻译的时候要把声音这个因素充分考虑进去,也就是说译文要照顾到声韵节奏,因此最好大量使用排比句,句子要短小,措辞要响亮,有强烈节奏感,适合朗诵宣读。

4.3.4 商务信函的翻译

商务信函是公司之间进行商务交流和贸易往来的重要联系纽带,也是传播企业文化的手段,同时在商业纠纷当中还可以作为书面证据。商务信函就其功能而言可分为:答复函、订货函、任命函、祝贺函、感谢函、介绍函、邀请函、联络函、致歉函、慰问函、吊唁函、推销函等。

在翻译商务信函的时候,要注意内容准确,形式规范,简洁严谨,亲切礼貌等原则。最重要的还是译文要符合汉语的表达习惯。如称呼里常用的“Dear”一词,是表达礼貌的套语,因此在翻译时可以处理成“尊敬的”或者不处理,在姓名后加上汉语里习惯使用的“您好”。此外,在结束语中,英文习惯使用“Yours sincerely”等,在翻译时同样不要直译,可将它译为“敬呈”或“敬上”等。

商务信函一般分为如下几个部分:

1.Letterhead信头

2.Date日期

3.Inside Address信内地址

4.Courtesy Title礼貌性的尊称

5.Organization Title公司名称

6.Salutation称呼语

7.Body of the Letter正文

8.Complimentary Close信尾客套话

9.Signature签名

10.Hand-Written Signature or Signature Identification手写体签名或签名

11.Enclosures附件

请看下面这个例子:

Your Company Logo and Contact Information

January 11,2005

Brian Eno,Chief Engineer

Carolina Chemical Products

3434Pond View Lane

Durham,NC 27708

Dear Mr.Eno:

Enclosed is the final report on our installment of pollution control

equipment at Eastern Chemical Company,which we send with Eastern’s

Permission.Please call me or send me an E-mail message at the address below if

I can answer any questions.

Sincerely,

Nora Cassidy

Technical Services Manager

ncassidy@company.com

Enclosure:Report

译文:

公司标志和联系方式

2005年1月11号

布莱安·恩诺 总工程师

卡罗来纳化学制品公司

池景道3434号

北卡罗来纳州杜汉市27708

尊敬的恩诺先生:

有关东方化工公司的污染控制装置安装的最终报告请见附件。呈交报告之前我们已经得到东方公司的许可。如有任何问题请来电与我联系,或发送电邮至以下地址。

诺拉·卡西迪 敬上

技术服务经理

电邮ncassidy@company.com

翻译时除了格式上的对等以外,译者在措辞上还要特别注意忠实于原文,注意商务英语中常用的表达法和句型,以便完整地传达原文所要达到的目的。以下是一些商务英语中常用的句型及译文。

一、建立贸易关系

1.我们愿意与贵公司建立商务联系。

We are willing to establish trade relations with your company.

2.我公司经营纺织品的进出口业务,希望与贵方建立商务联系。

This corporation is specialized in handling the imports and exports business in textile products and wishes to enter into business relations with you.

二、自我推荐

1.请容许自我介绍,我们是……业内领先的一家贸易公司。

Let us introduce ourselves as a leading trading firm in...

2.本公司经营这项业务已有多年,并享有很高的国际信誉。

Our company has been in this line of business for many years and enjoys high international prestige.

三、推销产品

1.我们从……获知贵公司的名称,不知贵公司对这一系列的产品是否有兴趣。

Your name has been given by...and we like to inquire whether you are interested in these lines.

2.我们新研制的……已推出上市,特此奉告。

We are pleased to inform you that we have just marketed our newlydeveloped...

3.我们盼望能成为贵公司的……供应商。

You will be interested to hear that we have just marketed our new product.

四、索取资料

1.我们对贵方的新产品……甚感兴趣,希望能寄来贵公司的产品目录及价目表。

We are interested in your new product...and shall be pleased to have a catalog and price list.

2.我们从《纽约时报》上看到贵公司的广告,但愿能收到产品的价目表及详细资料。

We have seen your advertisement in The New York Times and should be glad to have your price lists and details of your terms.

3.获知贵公司有……已上市,希望能赐寄完整的详细资料。

We hear that you have put...on the market and should be glad to have full details.

4.如蒙赐寄有关……的样品和价目表,我们将甚为感激。

We should be obliged if you would send us patterns(or samples)and price lists of your...

五、寄发资料

1.我们非常乐意寄送给你一个邮包,里面有……

We are pleased to send you by parcel post a package containing...

2.欣寄我方目录,提供我方各类产品的详细情况。

We have pleasures in sending you our catalogue,which gives full information about our various products.

3.欣然奉上我方产品样品,在贵方展厅展出。

We should be pleased to let you have samples to give a demonstration at your premises.

4.为使贵方对我方各种款式的手工艺品有一初步了解,今航邮奉上我方目录和一些样品资料,供您参考。

In order to give you some ideas of various qualities of handicrafts we carry,we have pleasure in forwarding you by airmail one catalogue and a few sample books for your perusal.

5.随函附上本公司新近生产的……样品,请查收。

You will find enclosed with this letter a sample of new...

6.随函附上购货合同第××号两份,希查收。请签字并回寄一份我方备案。

Enclosed please find two copies of Purchase Contract No...,which we trust will be found in order.Kindly sign and return one copy for our file.

7.我们确认向贵方购买……,随函附上订单确认书供参照。

We confirm having purchased from you...A confirmation order is enclosed for your reference.

六、请求做代理商

1.我们期盼与一些英国公司接洽,希望成为它们的销售代理商之一。

We are anxious to contact some British firms with a view to acting as their selling agents.

2.如蒙考虑担任销售你们……代理商,我们将十分高兴。

We should be glad if you would consider our application to act as agents for the sale of your...

七、请求报价

1.兹函请提供……的报价。

We are writing to invite quotations for the supply of...

2.请赐知定期供应……之报价。

Please let us have a quotation for the regular supply of...

3.请赐知下列货品的最低价格。

Kindly quote us your lowest prices for the goods listed below.

八、询价

1.随函寄上询价单一份。

We are enclosing here with an inquiry sheet.

2.如果贵方对……感兴趣,请告具体询价。

If you are interested in our...,please let us know with a specific inquiry.

3.一收到贵方具体询价单,我方马上航空邮上样品册并报价。

Quotations and sample books will be airmailed to you upon receipt of your specific inquiry.

九、议价

1.我们发现你方报价比我们从其他地方收到的略为偏高,请你方降价以适应竞争。

We find your quotation slightly higher than those we have received from other sources,and ask you to reduce your price to meet the competition.

2.我们很抱歉地通知你方价格无竞争力,若贵方能降低价格,使我方可接受的话,我们仍对交易感兴趣。

We’re sorry to inform you that your price has been found uncompetitive,but we’re still interested in doing business if you can bring down your price to a level acceptable.

练 习

一、将下列两封函件译成汉语:

函件一

Mr.Zhang,

Attached are the updated drawings for the Tower according to last Monday’s meeting.This is a progress set for your review and comments.We will continue to develop these drawings,and send out updates accordingly.

This E-mail is also copied to all consultants,please confirm upon receiving.Please review these drawings and send me your comments,let me know if there’s any question.Thank you everyone!

Cheers,

Peter

函件二

Dear all,

Well,the day is finally here.Today is my last day at C,and I just want to say thank you.I have learned so much here,and I think there is something really special about this place.We have an atmosphere that is friendly to learning,and an environment that contributes heartily to the growth of all our staff.It’s been great working(and having fun too)with so many great people.I hope that even when I’m gone we can keep in contact.

As far as the next step goes,I will be going back to my home town to start a new adventure there.Thanks again,it’s been a pleasure.

Tom

二、将下面一封函件译成英语:

各位员工:

在此我想让你们每一个人都知道东南亚的海啸给我们公司带来的影响以及我们对这一悲惨事件的反应。

在去年12月26日东南亚海底地震所掀起的惊涛骇浪中,已有超过15万人丧生,还有许多人仍然失踪无法清点;仅印度尼西亚和斯里兰卡两国就有一百多万人流离失所,而印度泰国和马尔代夫等国还有更多的人生活受到了影响。斯里兰卡和印度尼西亚两国可能是目前最需要人道主义援助的国家。

同其他公司一样,我们公司也向救灾工作提供了极大的支援,并且发动受灾地分支机构的当地员工们协同。

我向你们保证我们选择资助的工程及其最新进展将在第一时间通知各位。有时候,有些公司看起来像是在用公开承诺捐助的手段以达到广告宣传的目的。如今这个时候,我们首要关注的应该是那些在这次人类历史上最残酷的自然灾害中遭受惨痛损失的人们。我希望大家能从以上信息看出我们公司正脚踏实、极为认真地尽力将自己所贡献的一切变得更加有意义,我们会沿着这条路一直走下去。

总裁:阿伦·约翰逊

4.3.5 商品说明书的翻译

商品说明书也叫“产品说明书”或“使用说明书”。它是关于商品的构造、性能、规格、用途、使用方法、维修保养等的文字说明,时常也配有图片解说。其功能主要是帮助或指导消费者正确使用产品。商品说明书与广告文体截然不同,前者严谨规范,语句简洁;常使用专业术语和被动语态,不像广告文体那样充满修辞手法。因此,在翻译商品说明书的时候要注意:1)译文要与原文风格一致,表达要简练;2)译文应进行适当的语序调整以符合汉语的表达习惯;3)对于带有修辞手法的说明部分,可以在翻译的时候进行较大调整,以保证功能对等。请看下面一个有关药品的英文说明书及其译文。

Redoxon

Redoxon high potency pure Vitamin C is indicated as follows:

1)For prevention and treatment of various acute and chronic infectious diseases and other diseases by strengthening body immune defense system.

2)For recovery from illness,post-operation wound healing and secondary treatment of allergic diseases.

3)For prevention and treatment of scurvy.

Redoxon Effervescent Tablets each contains 1g of Vitamin C(Ascorbic Acid)

Instructions:Dissolve one effervescent tablet in a glass of hot or cold water.

Dosage:Adults—One tablet daily;Children—half a tablet daily.

Keep out of the reach of children.Keep tube tightly closed and store away from heat and moisture.

译文:

力度伸含纯维生素C

疗效:上佳

用途:1.增强机体抵抗力,用于预防和治疗各种急、慢性传染性疾病或其他疾病。

2.用于病后恢复、术后创伤愈合以及过敏性疾病的辅助治疗。

3.用于预防和治疗坏血病。

力度伸泡腾片每片含1克维生素C(抗坏血酸)

用法用量:将一片泡腾片放入一杯冷水或热水中。

成人每日1片,儿童每日1/2片。

请勿放置于儿童容易接触的地方。请保持筒盖紧闭,避免受热或潮湿。

药品类商品说明书与其他商品说明书略有不同,尤其讲究严谨简明,因此在翻译时要尽量忠实于原文,而且清晰、明了、易懂。如有涉及医学药学专门术语的还要参考相关字典谨慎处理。上述译文基本保持了原文风格,只是对个别字句进行了微调或改动,如将Redoxon high potency pure Vitamin C is indicated as follows译为:力度伸含纯维生素C。疗效:上佳。用途:1.增强机体抵抗力,用于预防和治疗各种急、慢性传染性疾病或其他疾病。2.用于病后恢复、术后创伤愈合以及过敏性疾病的辅助治疗。3.用于预防和治疗坏血病,而不是将它译为:力度伸强效维生素C片的作用如下,这样的处理是恰当的,更符合汉语的表达习惯。读者一看就明白了。当然,考虑到药品还是属于商品,因此在说明书翻译中略增添些字句以达到宣传的效果是完全可以的,但前提是绝不能扭曲或漏掉原文的内容。

下面我们再来看一个有关更换灯泡注意事项的汉语说明书其译文。

更换灯泡注意事项

在卸下螺丝之前,请先断开交流电源线。

在更换灯泡之前,需要有1小时的时间让内部灼热的表面冷却。必须使用同样的BQC-PGA10X//1型灯泡单元进行更换。

紫外线辐射会损伤眼睛。维修之前请先关闭灯泡。

高压灯泡有爆炸的危险。灯泡一旦破裂,有产生玻璃碎屑的危险。

需要小心操作。

译文:

LAMP REPLACEMENT CAUTION

Before removing the screw,disconnect power cord.

Hot surface inside.Allow 1hour to cool before replacing the lamp.Replace with same lamp unit type BQC-PGA10X//1only.

UV radiation can cause eye damage.Turn off lamp before servicing.

High pressure lamp:risk of explosion.Potential hazard of glass particles if lamp has ruptured.

Handle with care.

从以上译文可以看出,将汉语说明书译成英语时要把握简洁明白的原则,特别是对于这种操作指示性说明书,多使用动词和简单句,避免复杂长句和词组。

4.3.6 商务法律文件的翻译

商务法律文件最大的特点是准确、规范、庄重和严谨。因此,我们在翻译法律文件时,切不可随意动手,而是首先要对法律英语的特点有全面的了解,然后再参照各类实例进行处理。下面我们首先从词汇和文体两方面来了解法律英语的一些基本特点。

4.3.6.1 法律英语的词汇特点

法律文件大量使用书面语以及专业术语,有很多在法律英语中频繁出现的词汇所具有的意思与在普通语境中所具有的意思有很大区别,如:

其次,法律文件中也使用大量古体词,如下列表中列举的一些常用词:

因此,翻译法律文件时,译者一定要多参考专业工具书,掌握专业术语,只有这样才能做到翻译准确无误。

4.3.6.2 法律英语的文体特点

法律英语中最具特色的就是长句的使用。在法律文件当中,由于订立条款时要考虑到可能发生的情况,每种情况都要准确说明并有条理地安排在同一个句子当中,以求严谨完整地表达某个信息。所以在翻译时译者一定要在深刻领会原文意思的情况下,首先从句子结构入手,依照逻辑关系把句子的各个层次清楚地梳理出来,再按照汉语的表达习惯将其翻译成多个句子。

请看下面两个长句及它们的译文,这两个长句均选自中国法律英语网(美国克莱顿法选段)。

例一

It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in commerce,in the course of such commerce,to pay or grant,or to receive or accept,anything of value as a commission,brokerage,or other compensation,or any allowance or discount in lieu thereof,except for services rendered in connection with the sale or purchase of goods,wares,or merchandise,either to the other party to such transaction or to an agent,representative,or other intermediary therein where such intermediary is acting in fact for or in behalf,or is subject to the direct or indirect control,of any party to such transaction other than the person by whom such compensation is so granted or paid.

译文:商人在其商业过程中,支付、准许、收取、接受佣金、回扣或其他补偿,或其他任何形式的补贴或折扣都是非法的。但对同商品购销相关的,提供给另一方当事人或代理机构或代表人或其他中间机构的劳务除外。这里的其他中间机构是事实上或代表或服从于该交易一方的直接、间接控制,而不是受准许支付回扣或支付回扣一方的直接、间接控制。

原文整个段落就是一个句子,尽管句子比较长但结构并不复杂。译文是基本按照原文语序来进行处理。而且译者将原文长句处理成三个汉语句子,比较符合汉语的表达习惯,同原文的意群相符合。

例二

No person engaged in commerce or in any activity affecting commerce shall acquire,directly or indirectly,the whole or any part of the stock or other share capital and no person subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission shall acquire the whole or any part of the assets of another person engaged also in commerce or in any activity affecting commerce,where in any line of commerce or in any activity affecting commerce in any section of the country,the effect of such acquisition may be substantially to lessen competition,or to tend to create a monopoly.

译文:从事商业或从事影响商业活动的任何人,不能直接或间接取得其他从事商业或影响商业活动的人的全部或部分股票或其他资本份额。联邦贸易委员会管辖权下的任何人,不能取得其他从事商业或影响商业活动的人的全部或一部分资产,在本国任何商业领域或影响任何商业部门的活动中,该取得实质上可能会减少竞争或形成垄断。

译文较好地处理了句子的复杂结构,措辞准确,较完整地表达了原文的信息。

此外,法律英语的另外一个特点就是特殊句型的使用非常频繁,如it开头作形式主语的句型在法律文本里比比皆是。因此在翻译时要注意语序调整,以符合汉语的表达习惯。请看下面的例子。

It shall be unlawful for any person to discriminate in favor of one purchaser against another purchaser or purchasers of a commodity bought for resale,with or without processing,by contracting to furnish or furnishing,or by contributing to the furnishing of,any services or facilities connected with the processing,handling,sale,or offering for sale of such commodity so purchased upon terms not accorded to all purchasers on proportionally equal terms.

译文:任何人按并非给予所有购买者同等条件签订合同提供,或协助提供与所购商品有关的加工、处理、销售的劳务、设施时,偏向一方购买者而不利于其他购买者(购买是为了转售,进行或不进行加工)的歧视性做法,都是非法的。

译文较好地处理了句中的语序,首先将原文中的主语翻译在前,而将表语置后,符合汉语的表达习惯。

4.3.6.3 合同翻译

法律文件在商务活动中运用得很广,尤其是各类具有法律约束力的合同。一般来说英文的合同总体上分为四大部分:title(合同名称),preamble(前文),body(正文)以及witness clause(结尾条款)。需要注意的是在英文合同的前文部分中,比较重要的部分是“订立合同的缘由或说明”,即由几个whereas引导的部分。在翻译合同时,译者一定要参照合同范本,注意格式规范正确。而且还要透彻理解合同原文,措辞要谨慎,还要注意汉语的表达习惯。请看下面两个合同范例。第一份是简易合同文本,第二份是保密合同文本。

例一

CONTRACT

AGREEMENT made this the first day of July,2000,between Overseas Company,hereinafter called“the Company”,and Mr.Tom Jeffery,hereinafter called“the Executive”.

WHEREAS,it is the desire of the Company to engage the Executive to perform such services under the terms hereof;and

WHEREAS,the Executive desires to commit himself to serve the Company on the terms herein provided;

NOW THEREFORE,in consideration of their mutual promises made herein,and for other good and valuable consideration,receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by each party,the parties,intending to be legally bound,hereby agree as follows:

1.Recitals.The parties agree that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.

2.Miscellaneous.Time is of the essence of this agreement.This agreement is made in the State of Florida and shall be governed by Florida law.This is the entire agreement between the parties and may not be modified or amended except by a written document signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.This agreement may be signed in more than one counterpart,in which case each counterpart shall constitute an original of this agreement.Paragraph headings are for convenience only and are not intended to expand or restrict the scope or substance of the provisions of this agreement.Wherever used herein,the singular shall include the plural,the plural shall include the singular,and pronouns shall be read as masculine,feminine or neuter as the context requires.The prevailing party in any litigation,arbitration or mediation relating to this agreement shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’fees from the other party for all matters,including but not limited to appeals.Pinellas County,Florida,shall be proper venue for any litigation involving this agreement.This agreement may not be assigned or delegated by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the parties have signed this agreement as of the day and year first above written.

Overseas Company(Signature)

Tom Jeffery(Signature)

译文:

合 同

本协议由海外公司(以下称“公司”)与汤姆·杰弗里先生(以下称“执行官”)于2000年7月1日订立。

鉴于公司将保证按照以下条款让执行官履行自己的服务,

且鉴于执行官将保证按照以下条款履行自己的服务,

因此,考虑到双方的保证,以及为了其他在此承认已收到的有益且有价值的考虑,双方同意如下条款,并受其法律约束:

1.述语:双方承认,以上所做陈述真实准确,构成本协议的组成部分。

2.其他条款

双方认为,时间因素至关重要。本协议的订立地为佛罗里达州,应受佛罗里达州法律的管辖。本协议作为双方的完整协议,只能由受到强制执行的一方通过书面签署的文件加以变更。本协议应有两份(或以上)的正本,由协议双方签署。各段落标题词的使用仅是为了方便,不能扩大或限制本协议条款的范围与实质内容。本协议中任何一处使用的复数当然包括单数,反之亦然;本协议中任何一处使用的代名词应当根据文本需要确定其性别,即男性、女性或者中性。在与本协议有关的诉讼、仲裁或者调解中,胜诉的一方有权要求对方为其支付一切相关而合理的律师费用,包括(但不限于)行使请求权的费用。涉及本协议的一切诉讼应由佛罗里达州派尼拉思郡法院管辖。经一方书面同意,另一方可将本协议转让或委托给第三方。

兹证明,本协议由双方在上述订约日期签订。

甲方:海外公司(盖章)

乙方:汤姆·杰弗里(签名)

翻译类似这样的合同时,译者可参照此模板进行翻译。

CONTRACT

AGREEMENT made this_______day of_______,20_____,______ between______________________,hereinafter called“_______”,and ,hereinafter called“_______”.

WHEREAS,_______;

WHEREAS,_______;and

WHEREAS,_______;

NOW THEREFORE,in consideration of their mutual promises made herein,and for other good and valuable consideration,receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by each party,the parties,intending to be legally bound,hereby agree as follows:

1....

2....

3....

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the parties have signed this agreement as of the day and year first above written.

__________________________ __________________________(Seal)__________________________

Witnesses

__________________________ __________________________(Seal)

__________________________

Witnesses

译文:

合 同

本协议由_______(以下称“_______”)与(以下称“_______”)于20_______年_______月_______日订立。

鉴于_______;

鉴于_______;

且鉴于_______,

因此,考虑到双方的保证,以及为了其他在此承认已收到的有益且有价值的考虑,双方同意如下条款,并受其法律约束:

1.……

2.……

3.……

兹证明,本协议由双方在上述订约日期签订。

甲方:___________________ ________________(盖章)

甲方见证人:_______

乙方:___________________ ________________(盖章)乙

方见证人:_______

例二

Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement

ABC Company having its principal office at Sydney(hereinafter referred to as“ABC”)and XYZ Company having its principal office at Hong Kong (hereinafter referred to as“XYZ”)in consideration of the mutual covenants of this Agreement,hereby agree as follows:

Article 1In connection with negotiations between both parties regarding a strategic alliance(hereinafter referred to as“Subject Matter”),each party to this Agreement may wish to disclose its proprietary information(hereinafter referred to as“Information”)to the other party on a confidential basis.The disclosing party may consider such Information proprietary under this Agreement either because it has developed the Information internally,or because it has received the Information subject to a continuing obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the Information,or because of other reasons.

Article 2When information deemed to be proprietary is furnished in a tangible form,the disclosing party shall mark the Information in a manner to indicate that it is considered proprietary or confidential or otherwise subject to limited distribution as provided herein.When Information is provided orally,the disclosing party shall,at the time of disclosure,clearly identify the information as being proprietary or confidential or otherwise subject to limited distribution as provided herein,and promptly thereafter provide written confirmation of the proprietary or confidential nature of such information.In addition,the existence and terms of this Agreement,and the fact and substance of discussions and correspondence between the parties concerning the Subject Matter,shall be deemed Proprietary Information.

Article 3With respect to Information disclosed under this Agreement,the party to whom the Information is disclosed,its employees and employees of its affiliated companies shall:

(1)Hold the Information in confidence,exercising a degree of care not less than the care used by disclosing party to protect its own proprietary of confidential information that it does not wish to disclose,and in any event,not less than a reasonable degree of care;

(2)Restrict disclosure of the Information solely to those directors,officers,employees and/or agents/consultants with a need to know and not disclose it to any other person;

(3)Advise those persons to whom the Information was disclosed of the obligations to keep in confidence with respect to the Information;and

(4)Use the Information only in connection with continuing correspondence and discussions by the parties concerning the Subject Matter,except as may otherwise be mutually agreed upon in writing.

Article 4If the party to whom information has been disclosed proposes to disclose that Information to any unaffiliated consultant or agent,it shall obtain the prior written consent of the party from whom the Information was originally received,and shall arrange for the execution of the consultant or agent of non-disclosure agreement in a form satisfactory to the party from whom the Information was originally received.

Article 5The Information shall be deemed the property of the disclosing party and,upon request,the other party shall return all Information received in tangible form to the disclosing party or shall destroy all such information at the disclosing party’s direction.If either party loses or makes an unauthorized disclosure of the other party’s Information,it shall notify such other party immediately and use reasonable efforts to retrieve the lost or wrongfully disclosed Information.

Article 6The party to whom Information is disclosed shall have no obligation to preserve the proprietary nature of any Information which:

(1)Was previously known to such party free of any obligation to keep it confidential;or

(2)Is or becomes generally available to the public by means other than unauthorized disclosure;or

(3)Is developed by or on behalf of such party independent of any information furnished under this Agreement;or

(4)Is received from a third party whose disclosure does not violate any confidentiality obligation;or

(5)Is required to be disclosed by law or by any government agency having jurisdiction pursuant to an order to produce or in the course of a legal proceeding pursuant to a lawful request for discovery provided,however,that if a party is so required to disclose the Information such party shall promptly notify the other party of the order or request in discovery and cooperate with such other party in any reasonable manner requested in the event the other party elects(at its expense)to intervene in the proceeding in which the order was entered or the request for discovery made for the purpose of limiting or avoiding such disclosure by any lawful means including,but not limited to in camera review and protective order.

Article 7Neither this Agreement,nor the disclosure of Information under this Agreement,nor the ongoing discussions and correspondence between the parties,shall constitute or imply a commitment or binding obligation between the parties or their respective affiliated companies,if any,regarding the Subject Matter.If,in the future,the parties elect to enter into binding commitments regarding the Subject Matter,such commitments shall be explicitly stated in a separate written agreement executed by both parties,and the parties hereby affirm that they do not intend their discussions,correspondence,and other activities to be construed as forming a contract regarding the Subject Matter or any other transaction between them without execution of such separate written agreement.

Article 8Neither party is responsible or liable for other party’s actions taken pursuant to this Agreement,or for any business decisions made or inferences drawn by the other party in reliance on the Information provided according to this Agreement.Neither party solicits any changes in the business practices or services of the other,and no obligations are incurred with regard to the accuracy of the observations of either party.Neither party makes any warranty,express or implied,with respect to the Information.Neither party shall be liable to the other hereunder for amounts representing loss of profits,loss of business,or indirect,or punitive damages of the other party in connection with the provision or use of the Information hereunder.

Article 9This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assignees.

Article 10This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Britain Law and shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the English Courts.In the event of a dispute arising under this Agreement resulting in litigation,the loosing party shall pay the court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees of the prevailing party.

Article 11Disclosures of Information under this Agreement may take place for a period(the“Information Disclosure Period”)of no more than one (1)year following the Effective Date set forth below.The obligations of the parties contained in Paragraphs 3and 4shall survive and continue beyond the expiration of the Information Disclosure Period for a term of three(3)years.

Article 12The parties acknowledge that in the event of an unauthorized disclosure,damages to the disclosing(Information-owning)party as a result thereof may be difficult or impossible to ascertain,and in any event inadequate to compensate such disclosing party;and therefore such disclosing party may seek injunctive relief and/or specific performance as well as monetary damages against the party that breaches this Agreement.

Article 13So long as this Agreement is not breached as a result thereof, this Agreement shall not be construed to prevent either party from pursuing any other business activity,whether or not related to the Proprietary Information exchanged.

Article 14This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the Information provided hereunder.No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding on the parties unless made in writing and executed on behalf of each party by its duly authorized representative.

Each party represents that it has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf as of the date written below by a representative empowered to bind that party with respect to the undertakings and obligations contained herein.译文:

共同保密协议

ABC公司(以下称为ABC),其总部设于悉尼,与XYZ公司(以下称为XYZ),其总部设于香港,鉴于本协议的共同契约条款,谨达成如下协议:

1.双方在磋商战略性联盟(此后称为“主题事项”)的问题上,本协议任何一方可以在保密的基础上向另一方披露其专有信息(此后称为“信息”),披露方可以认为该信息具有专有性,因为披露方是在协议双方内部披露了该信息,或因为披露方在接受“信息”的同时已经承担了为“信息”继续保密的义务,或由于其他的原因。

2.当被视为专有的“信息”以载体的形式提供出来时,披露方须以对“信息”进行标记的方式,指出该信息的专有性或机密性,或者把该信息的传布局限在协议所规定的范围里。当“信息”由口头提供时,提供方在披露的同时,应明确声明其专有性或机密性,或者把该信息的传布限制在协议规定范围里,或者,事后立即书面确认该信息的专有性和机密性。此外,该协议之实体和条款,双方就“主题事项”所进行磋商的事实和内容以及相关“主题事项”的通信都被将认为具有专有性。

3.在该协议条款下所披露的“信息”方面,获披露“信息”的一方,其职员及其附属公司的职员应该做到:

a.对该信息保密,所采取的谨慎程度不少于披露方为保护其不愿披露的专有机密信息所采取的谨慎程度,并且,在任何情况下,以合理的谨慎程度进行保密。

b.把信息的披露范围仅仅局限于董事会、公司高级职员、职员和/或有必要知道的代理/顾问,不得将信息披露给其他任何人。

c.建议获披露该“信息”之人士履行对该信息的保密义务。

d.仅仅将该信息用于有关“主题事项”的通信和磋商上,除此以外使用该信息必须经双方书面同意。

4.获披露“信息”一方想要将“信息”披露给非附属的顾问和代理,必须首先经由“信息”原本披露方的书面认可,并且与该顾问和代理签署有关保密协议,其形式必须为“信息”原本披露方所满意。

5.“信息”应被视为信息披露方的财产,一旦该方要求,另一方应以载体的形式把所有“信息”归还给披露方,或者按照信息披露方的指示销毁该信息。如另一方丢失了“信息”或者在未经授权的情况下披露了“信息”,应立即通知对方并作合理的努力来追回丢失或错误地泄露了的信息。

6.在下述情况下,获披露“信息”的一方没有任何义务来保持该信息的专有性:

a.此前已为不受保密性义务约束的一方获知,或

b.即便不存在未经授权披露的该信息也可以或者将可以逐渐为公众所悉,或

c.披露或代表该信息的一方与该协议项下的任何信息无关,或

d.该信息从第三方获得,其披露不违反任何保密义务,或

e.“信息”被依法提供或应有司法权的政府部门的要求根据某项法令被提供,或者在诉讼的过程中按照法律的要求被提供,被要求提供“信息”的一方应立即通知另一方该命令或要求。如果对方为了要用合法的手段,包括但不限于照相和保护性措施以达到限制和避免信息被披露的目的而要求(自行承担费用)介入有关信息披露的命令或要求事务,该方应按照另一方所要求的任何合理的方式与另一方合作。

7.该协议、该协议项下信息的提供以及正在进行的磋商和双方信函往来都不构成或意指对“主题事项”的承诺或关于“主题事项”的约束双方极其相关的下属公司的义务。如果将来双方选择对“主题事项”达成约束性的承诺,必须以书面形式单独订立由双方签署的协议以明确说明该义务。双方据此认定无意将他们的磋商、往来信函和其他活动被视为形成有关主题事项的合约。在没有另行书面协议的情况下,也不视为其他任何的彼此间的交易。

8.任何一方都不必对另一方依据该协议所采取的行动以及依据该协议所提供的信息而作出的商业决策和推断负任何责任。任何一方都不可据此要求另一方改变其经商手法服务方式,任何一方都不承担其评析的准确度的义务。任何一方对“信息”不作明确的或暗示的担保。任何一方对另一方因“信息”的提供和使用所遭受的利润损失,业务损失或者间接性、惩罚性的损害之款项不承担责任。

9.本协议对在此所提的双方极其继承人或受让人均有约束。

10.本协议将受英国法律的制约并以英国法律为解释依据,并受到英国法庭的司法管辖。一旦该协议项下事项引起争议并提起诉讼,败诉方将承担法庭费用和胜诉方合理的律师费。

11.该协议项下的信息的披露时期(信息披露期)可以在以下指定的生效日后的一年内。信息披露期期满时,本协议条款3和条款4所包含的双方的责任义务在信息披露期届满后须继续生效三年。

12.协议各方认同,如果出现未经授权的“信息”披露的情况,其结果是该信息原始提供方(权利人)遭受的损害可能难于或者不可能确定。如果赔偿不足,信息权利人可以向违反本协议的一方寻求强制性的救济/或履行本协议以及追索赔偿金。

13.只要该项协议没有被违反,对于本协议的解释不应妨碍各方从事其他商务活动,无论这些商务活动是否与双方所交换的专有信息相关。

14.本协议构成各方对本协议下提供的“信息”的完整理解。本协议的任何修改或变动应以书面形式由协议双方各自正式指定的代表签署,否则均为无效或对双方不产生约束力。

协议各方表示指派各自授权的代表在以下签明日期代表本方签署本协议,就本文所述的承诺和责任约束对方。

练 习

将下列法律文件译成英语:

1.

企业法人资格公证书

(沪)字第199号

兹证明上海顶点书店于2000年7月1日经杨浦区工商行政管理局核准登记,取得工商第199号《企业法人营业执照》,具有法人资格。上海顶点书店系民营经济性质的企业,注册资金10万元,法人住所在上海市松林街8号,法定代表人是经理,王松林,其经营范围是书刊杂志报纸等。

中华人民共和国上海市公证处(公章)

公证员:李正(签名)

2.

驰名商标认定和保护规定

第二条 本规定中的驰名商标是指在中国为相关公众广为知晓并享有较高声誉的商标。相关公众包括与使用商标所标示的某类商品或者服务有关的消费者,生产前述商品或者提供服务的其他经营者以及经销渠道中所涉及的销售者和相关人员等。

第三条 以下材料可以作为证明商标驰名的证据材料:

(一)证明相关公众对该商标知晓程度的有关材料;

(二)证明该商标使用持续时间的有关材料,包括该商标使用、注册的历史和范围的有关材料;

(三)证明该商标的任何宣传工作的持续时间、程度和地理范围的有关材料,包括广告宣传和促销活动的方式、地域范围、宣传媒体的种类以及广告投放量等有关材料;

(四)证明该商标作为驰名商标受保护记录的有关材料,包括该商标曾在中国或者其他国家和地区作为驰名商标受保护的有关材料;

(五)证明该商标驰名的其他证据材料,包括使用该商标的主要商品近三年的产量、销售量、销售收入、利税、销售区域等有关材料。

文学翻译与新闻和科技翻译完全不同,后者要求准确而洗炼的语言,而文学翻译则很难一言以蔽。著名翻译家严复先生所提出的“信、达、雅”三个标准,应当是为文学翻译所订立的不二准则。而在文学翻译实践当中,要充分贯彻这三字方针,难度相当大。美国翻译理论家尤金·奈达指出“翻译是两种文化之间的交流。对于真正成功的翻译而言,熟悉两种文化甚至比掌握两种语言更重要。因为词语只有在其作用的文化背景中才有意义。”

因此对于文学翻译者来说,熟谙文学作品背后的文化背景无疑是首要任务,但熟悉并了解文化背景还只是文学翻译中的第一步,如何将异域的文化介绍给我国读者,一直是文学翻译界争论不休的问题。面对迥异于我国的外国文化概念,翻译界主要有两种观点:一是归化法,二是异化法。在轰轰烈烈的五四新文化运动期间,后者一直占据上风。鲁迅先生在文学翻译中提倡“直译”,有时候甚至赞成“硬译”,坚持要将外国的语言文化中不同于我们的新概念新思维直接介绍过来,给陈腐的旧文化注入新鲜的活力。当然,在那段时间里,异化法所造就的不少食洋不化的译文在我们现在看来十分可笑,最著名的例子莫过于将milky way译作“牛奶路”了。此后,随着拨乱反正,归化法大行其道,也造就了某些著名的例子,如英美文学译本里的人物随口说出“说到曹操,曹操就到”这一类地道的中文俗语。数十年前那场有关“信”和“达”的争论其实到现在还没有结束,我们在翻译文学作品中需要处理的典型文化背景实在太多了,因此如何充分领会并把握“信、达、雅”这三个标准的确值得我们深思和探索。

综上所述,在文学翻译中我们应遵循下面三大原则:

1.灵活运用归化法和异化法,避免走极端,既要忠实于原文传达原作的思想内容,也要把握好语言分寸;

2.工具书必不可少,不仅要备有普通词典,而且还要备有有关典故、引语、历史、文化方面的参考工具书;

3.译文质量要高,不仅要求通顺,而且还要符合中文表达习惯,对于原文使用的各类修辞手法也要视情况在译文中予以充分体现。

文学作品的形式多种多样,下面我们就从诗歌、散文、小说和戏剧这几个方面并通过一些实例来探讨文学翻译中应注意的几个问题。

4.4.1 诗歌的翻译

诗歌翻译是文学翻译中难度最大的,翻译界有句老话叫“翻译难,译诗更难”。诗歌是人类文学中最早出现的形式,几乎所有的民族都有着自己最原始而古老的史诗。诗歌和其他几种文学形式有所不同,它的最大差别就在于它是用来诵唱的,因而强调琅琅上口。诗歌最重要的特征就是其韵律格式,英语诗歌也不例外。

英语诗歌有三个最重要的特征:meter(格律),foot(音步)和rhyme(押韵)。格律指的是重读(扬)及弱读(抑)音节,主要有抑扬格、扬抑格、扬抑抑格、抑抑扬格等;音步指的是一行诗中一对重读和弱读音节,而押韵则是两个单词或两行诗的末尾重读元音及其后随的辅音必须相同而其前的辅音则必须相异。下面我们通过两个简单的例子来认识一下诗歌中的这三个特征。

一、诗歌的格律与音步

The Road Not Taken

二、诗歌的押韵

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost(1874-1963)

Whose woods these are I think I know.a

His house is in the village though;a

He will not see me stopping here b

To watch his woods fill up with snow.a

My little horse must think it queer b

To stop without a farmhouse near b

Between the woods and frozen lake c

The darkest evening of the year.b

He gives his harness bells a shake c

To ask if there is some mistake.c

The only other sound’s the sweep d

Of easy wind and downy flake.c

The woods are lovely,dark and deep,d

But I have promises to keep,d

And miles to go before I sleep,d

And miles to go before I sleep.d

这首诗的押韵格式是:aaba bbcb ccdc dddd。美国著名诗人罗伯特·弗洛斯特曾经说过:“诗就是在翻译中失掉的东西。”(Poetry is what gets lost in translation.)由于中英两种语言在发音特点和规律上完全不同,因此在翻译英诗的过程中损失最大的恐怕就是其格律了,几乎无法在译文中表达出来;押韵相对容易些,但即使是最高明的译者也得要绞尽脑汁。

请欣赏下面三种不同的译文:

雪夜林边小立

我想我认识树林的主人

他家住在林边的农村;

他不会看见我暂停此地,

欣赏他披上雪装的树林。

我的小马准抱着个疑团:

干嘛停在这儿,不见人烟,

在一年中最黑的晚上,

停在树林和冰湖之间。

它摇了摇颈上的铃铎,

想问问主人有没有弄错。

除此之外唯一的声音

是风飘绒雪轻轻拂过。

树林真可爱,既深又黑,

但我有许多诺言不能违背,

还要赶多少路才能安睡,

还要赶多少路才能安睡。

(飞白 译)

注:这个译本中的押韵与原诗完全不同,第二节、第三节和第四节的二四行最后一个字押韵。

停马在雪夜的林边

这是谁家的林子,我想我知道,

虽说他的农舍却在村子那一头;

他不会看到我停留在这儿

望着他的林子积雪有多厚。

我那小马一定会感到奇怪:

停留在这儿?又没村舍在邻近——

夹在一座森林和一片冰湖之间,

在这一年中最昏暗的黄昏。

他摇了摇胸前的挂铃,

想问问到底有没有弄错。

此外只听得一阵微风吹过,

和一阵鹅毛似的雪片卷过。

树林真可爱,幽暗而深远。

可是我还得赶赴一个约会,

还得赶好多里路才能安睡,

还得赶好多里路才能安睡。

(方平 译)

注:这个译本以无韵诗体翻译。

雪夜遇林地

(佚 名)

注:此译本的格律押韵都非常工整,类似中国的五言古诗。

如果不考虑格律和押韵的话,上述三种译文的表达以及对意境的把握在笔者看来各有千秋。就诗歌的头尾来讲,方译要胜飞译一筹。特别是第一节中飞译用“农村”、“暂停”和“披着雪装”似乎并不太顺口。但要知道弗洛斯特是美国最著名的平民诗人,普通美国人都熟悉他的诗歌,不为别的,就是措辞平实,琅琅上口却又别有意境。因此,方译本抛开了韵律的束缚,更加放得开,开头第一段语言平实通顺。但方译在该讲究辞藻的时候也能灵活处理,如最后一节第一句,飞译作“既深又黑”,而方译为“幽暗而深远”,不仅朗诵起来更上口,考虑到了和前面的“可爱”一词的并列关系,原诗意境也油然而现。但方译本第二节最后两句的处理似乎不及飞译。按照中文的说话习惯,时间状语在前地点状语在后要更自然点,这里方译明显是遵循“信”的原则,没有对原诗作顺序上的改动。第三个译本虽然有其可取之处,但正是由于过多的照顾到了韵律,而忽视了其他方面的对应。第一节是该译本中比较出色的一段,但第二段最后的“幽光更白影,凭吊对群树”则完全是译者的发挥想象,没有把“黄昏”这个原诗中的重要概念译出来。还有最后一节中原诗句The woods are lovely在译本中完全没有体现,可能是译者考虑到中文讲究含蓄,诗作中很少有大白话,所以用“忘返”来暗示喜爱之情,但忽略了严复先生放在第一位的“信”原则,过于“雅”而不顾“信”显然是不可取的。特别是考虑到弗洛斯特的文风一向平民化,读起中译来却像是士大夫的感慨,的确是过了。就诗歌标题的翻译来看,飞白译本是最好的,既忠于原文又按照汉语习惯通顺而比较雅致地表达了出来,而方平译本的标题则略嫌太过于忠实原文。

综上所述,在诗歌翻译中我们要注意把握“信”、“达”、“雅”之间的关系。在诗歌的韵律和意境这两大特色方面应略偏重后者,但也要尽量照顾到前者。著名翻译家袁可嘉先生曾经提出译诗时用“顿”的方法来处理英文中的格律。

4.4.2 散文的翻译

从广义的范畴来定义散文那就是除开诗歌体的一切文体都叫做散文,英文中prose这个词的拉丁词源的意义就是“简单易懂,直截了当”。这里我们所谈的散文是除开小说文体以外的抒情、叙事作品,包括评论性文章和传记作品。

散文的文体特点是:没有格律押韵的讲究、用词平实而准确,使用各种修辞手法来强化观点但不滥用。因此我们在翻译散文的时候要注意以下三个原则:

1.充分理解文章,把握作者的核心观点;

2.译文的遣词造句宜准确明晰,忌过分华丽;

3.修辞手法如排比句、反问句等句式的处理要尽量尊重原文。

下面就让我们来赏析一下培根的散文名篇《谈读书》中的两个选段及其译文:

Studies serve for delight,for ornament,and for ability.Their chief use for delight,is in privateness and retiring;for ornament,is in discourse;and for ability,is in the judgment and disposition of business.For expert men can execute,and perhaps judge of particulars,one by one;but the general counsels,and the plots,and marshalling of affairs,come best from those that are learned.To spend too much time in studies,is sloth;to use them too much for ornament,is affectation;to make judgment wholly by their rules,is the humor of a scholar....

Reading maketh a full man;conference a ready man;and writing an exact man.And therefore,if a man write little,he had need have a great memory;if he confer little,he had need have a present wit:and if he read little,he had need have much cunning,to seem to know,that he doth not.Histories make men wise;poets witty;the mathematics subtitle;natural philosophy deep;moral grave;logic and rhetoric able to contend....

译文:

读书足以怡情,足以博彩,足以长才。其怡情也,最见于独处幽居之时;其博彩也,最见于高谈阔论之中;其长才也,最见于处世判事之际。练达之士虽能分别处理细事或一一判别枝节,然纵观统筹、全局策划,则舍好学深思者莫属。读书费时过多易惰,文采藻饰太盛则骄,全凭条文断事乃学究故态……。

读书使人充实,讨论使人机智,笔记使人准确。因此不常作笔记者须记忆特强,不常讨论者须天生聪颖,不常读书者须欺世有术,始能无知而显有知。读史使人明智,读诗使人灵秀,数学使人周密,科学使人深刻,伦理学使人庄重,逻辑修辞之学使人善辩……。

(王佐良 译)

王佐良先生的译文与培根的这篇原文同样成为传世经典。首先,译文用浅显的文言将17世纪杰出散文家的语言翻译过来是非常明智的选择,使文章有了古雅而洗炼的味道。在句式的处理方面,译文将原文用的排比修辞手法淋漓尽致地表现出来,特别是译文的开头两句,与原文对应极其工整,从某种意义上来讲,这两句译文甚至好过原文。

现代散文作品鲜有如培根名篇那样的雅致,但现代散文平实的文字中蕴涵的力量和哲理仍然引人入胜。如美国著名作家威廉·福克纳在接受诺贝尔文学奖时的致辞就是一例。

Our tragedy today is a general and universal physical fear so long sustained by now that we can even bear it.There are no longer problems of the spirit.There is only the question:When will I be blown up?Because of this,the young man or woman writing today has forgotten the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing because only that is worth writing about,worth the agony and the sweat.

He must learn them again.He must teach himself that the basest of all things is to be afraid;and,teaching himself that,forget it forever,leaving no room in his workshop for anything but the old verities and truths of the heart,the old universal truths lacking which any story is ephemeral and doomed—love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice.Until he does so,he labors under a curse.He writes not of love but of lust,of defeats in which nobody loses anything of value,of victories without hope and,worst of all,without pity or compassion.His griefs grieve on no universal bones,leaving no scars.He writes not of the heart but of the glands.

译文:

我们今天的悲剧是一种普遍而实在的恐惧,它旷日持久,我们也逆来顺受。对灵魂问题的探索现已消逝无踪,人们只关注一个问题:末日何时来临?正因为如此,现在从事写作的青年男女们忘记了人类内心深处的矛盾冲突问题,单凭这个问题就能造就非凡的作品,因为只有这个才是值得我们书写的,值得我们忍受痛苦与挥洒汗水。

作家必须得重新认识这些问题。他必须让自己明白最可鄙视的乃是畏惧;而且要教会自己永远抛开畏惧,在他的作坊里只给古老的真理和心灵的真相留下空间。缺少了爱情、荣誉、怜悯、自豪、同情与牺牲这些亘古不变的真理,任何故事都注定是昙花一现。在作家领悟到这一道理之前,他必定劳而无功:他描写的不是爱情而是欲望,而是无关痛痒的琐碎失败,而是毫无希望的苍白胜利,最糟糕的是,缺乏怜悯或同情。他所悲痛的只不过是自己的细微创伤,连疤痕都没有留下。他所书写的只是人的躯体而非人的心灵。

这篇演讲辞看似简单,但理解并翻译却并不容易。比如第一段第一句中的so...that句型笔者就没有生硬的译为“如此……以至于”,而是用了一个“也”,简单自然的过渡,行文更加流畅。还有第二段最后一句的几个排比成分,译文中也对应使用了“不是,而是”,体现出了原文的气势。当然在句型的处理上,译文也没有显得过于僵硬,比如第二段第二句是个长句,在处理后半部分的时候译者将句子给倒了过来,译为“缺少了有关爱情、荣誉、怜悯、自豪、同情与牺牲这些亘古不变的真理,任何故事都注定是昙花一现。”这样是为了符合中文的表达习惯。其实这个部分的处理还可以将原文的双重否定变为中文最习惯的肯定句,也就是将上面这个句子译为“只有……的故事才能流芳百世。”译者没有译成肯定句主要考虑到该段落中否定句占多数而且双重否定句的力量更加强大。除此之外,译者对原文的某些部分的处理更多考虑到了“雅”而非“信”,如第一段中原文When will I be blown up?译文中没有用“炸死”来直译。还有第二段最后一个词glands,也没有直译为“腺”,而是用“躯体”来代替。

4.4.3 小说的翻译

小说属于描写文体,它不像诗歌讲究韵律,充满象征和比喻;也不像散文,有时候太过于平实而生动不足;更不同于戏剧,偏重场景与对话。小说的特色在于其叙事结构和人物刻画。小说塑造人物的主要手段就是人物语言对话、心理活动和动作形象的描述。因此小说的语言相对比诗歌散文都要灵活,特别是某些动词和形容词的运用细致入微,翻译时译者应当仔细推敲斟酌。此外关于小说中出现的具有文化特色的修辞手法在翻译时要灵活运用归化法或异化法。总之,在翻译小说时,译者一定要深刻领悟原作的真谛,把握好语言分寸,只有这样,才能真实地再现原作的艺术意境,将小说中的人物、环境、情节清晰地展现在读者面前,从而达到传达原作的思想内涵。

现在让我们来赏析一下亨利·詹姆斯的小说《戴茜·米勒》中的一段及其

译文:

She had been walking some quarter of an hour,attended by her two cavaliers,and responding in a tone of very childish gaiety,as it seemed to Winterbourne,to the pretty speeches of Mr.Giovanelli,when a carriage that had detached itself from the revolving train drew up beside the path.At the same moment Winterbourne perceived that his friend Mrs.Walker—the lady whose house he had lately left—was seated in the vehicle and was beckoning to him.Leaving Miss Miller’s side,he hastened to obey her summons.Mrs.Walker was flushed;she wore an excited air.“It is really too dreadful,”she said.“That girl must not do this sort of thing.She must not walk here with you two men.Fifty people have noticed her.”

Winterbourne raised his eyebrows.“I think it’s a pity to make too much fuss about it.”

“It’s a pity to let the girl ruin herself!”

“She is very innocent,”said Winterbourne.

“She’s very crazy!”cried Mrs.Walker.“Did you ever see anything so imbecile as her mother?After you had all left me just now,I could not sit still for thinking of it.It seemed too pitiful,not even to attempt to save her.I ordered the carriage and put on my bonnet,and came here as quickly as possible.Thank Heaven I have found you!”译文:

戴茜在两位护花使者的陪同下走了大约几十分钟。她不时地应答着乔瓦利的甜言蜜语,那种讲话的语调在温特伯恩听来似乎显得很欢快,但又很幼稚。突然,一辆马车驶出川流不息的车流,在路边停了下来。就在此时,温特伯恩发现了他的朋友沃克夫人——他刚刚才离开她的寓所——正坐在那辆车上在向他招手。温特伯恩把米勒小姐撇在一旁,顺着沃克夫人的手势疾步迎上前去。沃克夫人满面通红,表情激动。“这太不像话了”,她说道,“决不能让那姑娘干出这种伤风败俗的事了,决不能让她和你们两个男人在这里游逛。不知有多少人注意她啦。”

温特伯恩愣了一下,说道:“为此大惊小怪,我觉得很遗憾。”

“让那姑娘作践自己,才遗憾呢!”

“她很清白,”温特伯恩说道。

“她简直是疯了!”沃克夫人叫道,“你见过像她母亲那么傻的吗?刚才你们大家离开我之后,一想到此事,我就按捺不住了。不想法去拯救她似乎有点太不近人情了。我便叫了辆马车戴好帽子,急忙赶来了。谢天谢地!总算找到你们啦!”

译文生动准确,惟妙惟肖地再现了人物的性格。如保守思想极浓的沃克夫人与为戴茜打抱不平的温特伯恩之间的对话读来有一种言如其人之感。此外,译文对原作中的词语的调用,语序的调转以及语句的分合都处理得十分到位,非常符合汉语的表达习惯,如在翻译responding in a tone of very childish gaiety,as it seemed to Winterbourne,to the pretty speeches of Mr.Giovanelli时,译者将最后的介词短语并到上一句中,然后再处理余下的部分;而且译者还将tone of very childish gaiety分拆译成“语调里显得很欢快,但又很幼稚”,而不是将它译成“用天真而快乐地语调”,在节奏上与原文更接近,也更符合中文的表达方法。

4.4.4 戏剧的翻译

戏剧不同于小说与散文,它同诗歌一样,讲究“唱诵”出来的效果,更强调感染力。因此,在翻译的时候,译者要尽可能考虑到剧本的“诵读”效果,也就是如翻译家、表演家英若诚先生所言,戏剧翻译要“口语化”。下面我们来欣赏一下英若诚翻译萧伯纳名剧《芭巴拉上校》中的一个选段:

CUSINS:Barbara won’t stand that.You will have to choose between your religion and Barbara.

库森斯:芭巴拉绝不容忍这一套,您必须在芭巴拉和您的宗教之间做出选择。

UNDERSHAFT:So will you,my friend.She will find out that that drum of yours is hollow.

安德谢夫:你也一样,朋友。她早晚要发现你这面大鼓里头空空如也。

CUSINS:Father Undershaft:you are mistaken:I am a sincere Salvationist.You do not understand the Salvation Army.It is the army of joy,of love,of courage;it has banished the fear and remorse and despair of the old hell-ridden evangelical sects;it marches to fight the devil with trumpet and drum,with music and dancing,with banner and palm,as becomes a sally from heaven by its happy garrison.It picks the waster out of the public house and makes a man of him;it finds a worm wriggling in a back kitchen,and lo!a woman!Men and women of rank too,sons and daughters of the Highest.It takes the poor professor of Greek,the most artificial and self-suppressed of human creatures,from his meal of roots,and lets loose the rhapsodist in him,reveals the true worship of Dionysus to him,sends him down the public street drumming dithyrambs[he plays a thundering flourish on the drum].

库森斯:安德谢夫老爷子,您完全错了。我是个真心实意的救世军。您不理解救世军。这是一支由欢乐、博爱、勇敢组成的军队,它把那些老拿地狱吓唬人,动不动就是恐惧、忏悔、绝望的老一套的基督教教派的地盘都抢过来了。救世军是吹着喇叭、敲着大鼓,迈着正步朝魔鬼进攻的,它唱着歌,跳着舞,高举旗帜,挥舞着棕榈叶,这才配得上它这样一支来自天堂的幸福的神圣的近卫军。救世军能从小酒馆里找出个落魄的废物,把他变成男子汉,救世军也能把围着锅台转的可怜虫变成真正的女性。不但如此,也包括上流社会的男男女女,最后都成了天上父亲的子女。像我这样一个希腊文教授,本来是人类社会最虚假,最不敢表露自己的一种人,救世军让我也甩开了我原来清苦、规规矩矩的生活,让我也敢于狂想,让我明白了什么叫做对希腊酒神的崇拜,让我也能在大街上敲鼓,而且敲出个花样了。(他敲了一个花哨的鼓点,打得山响)

UNDERSHAFT:You will alarm the shelter.

安德谢夫:你这样要吓着大棚里的人。

CUSINS:Oh,they are accustomed to these sudden ecstasies of piety.However,if the drum worries you—[he pockets the drumsticks,unhooks the drum,and stands it on the ground opposite the gateway].

库森斯:没事,这儿的人对这样突如其来的宗教狂热都习惯了,不过,如果这个鼓叫您不安——(他把鼓槌装在衣袋里,摘下鼓钩,将鼓对着门道搁下)

UNDERSHAFT:Thank you.

安德谢夫:谢谢你。

从此译文中可以看出,戏剧翻译要照顾到表演需要,文字上不需要过多修饰,措辞上尽量避免生僻的书面语,句式上也务求简洁,可以使用排比等富有节奏感的结构。如原文:lets loose the rhapsodist in him,reveals the true worship of Dionysus to him,sends him down the public street drumming dithyrambs,英若诚先生的处理是重复三个“让”字,成为排比句型以加强戏剧效果;此外,他还增添了一些词语让译文更顺畅,如“让我明白了什么叫做对希腊酒神的崇拜”这一句译文并没有拘泥于原文翻成“向他展示真正的狄奥尼索斯崇拜”。在原文中这一小段自白中,说话者将自己用“他”第三人称来表示,但英若诚的译文中则一律还原成第一人称。这样的处理如何看待,恐怕要见仁见智了。

练 习

一、将下列选段译成汉语:

1.We hold these truths to be self-evident,that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,that among these are life,liberty,and the pursuit of happiness.That,to secure these rights,governments are instituted among men,deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.That,whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends,it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it,and to institute new government,laying its foundation on such principles,and organizing its powers in such form,as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

(Thomas Jefferson,Declaration of Independence)

2.I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted,every hill and mountain shall be made low,the rough places will be made plain,and the crooked places will be made straight,and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,and all flesh shall see it together.This is our hope.This is the faith with which I return to the South.With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.With this faith we will be able to work together,to pray together,to struggle together,to go to jail together,to stand up for

freedom together,knowing that we will be free one day.

(Martin Luther King Jr.,I have a Dream)

3.All that day from morning until past sunset,the cannon never ceased to roar.It was dark when the cannonading stopped all of a sudden.

All of us have read of what occurred during that interval.The tale is in every Englishman’s mouth;and you and I,who were children when the great battle was won and lost,are never tired of hearing the recounting the history of that famous action.Its remembrance rankles still in the bosoms of millions of the countrymen of those brave men who lost the day.They pant for an opportunity of revenging that humiliation;and if a contest,ending in a victory on their part,should ensue,elating them in their turn,and leaving its cursed legacy of hatred and rage behind to us,there is no end to the socalled glory and shame,and to the alterations of successful and unsuccessful murder,in which two high-spirited nations might engage.Centuries hence,we Frenchmen and Englishmen might be boasting and killing each other still,carrying out bravely the Devil’s code of honor.

(William Makepeace Thackeray,Vanity Fair)

二、将下列选段译成英语:

1.历史的道路,不全是平坦的,有时走到艰难险阻的境界,这是全靠雄健的精神才能够冲过去的。

一条浩浩荡荡的长江大河,有时流到很宽阔的境界,平原无际,一泻万里。有时流到很逼狭的境界,两岸丛山叠岭,绝壁断崖,江河流于其间,回环曲折,极其险峻。民族生命的进程,其经历亦复如是。

人类在历史上的生活正如旅行一样。旅途上的征人所经过的地方,有时是坦荡平原,有时是崎岖险路。老于旅途的人,走到平坦的地方,固是高高兴兴地向前走,走到崎岖的境界,愈是奇趣横生,觉得在此奇绝壮绝的境界,愈能感到一种冒险的美趣。

中华民族现在所逢的史路,是一段崎岖险阻的道路。在这一段道路上,实在亦有一种奇绝壮绝的景致,使我们经过这段道路的人,感到一种壮美的趣味。但这种壮美的趣味,没有雄健的精神是不能够感觉到的。

我们的扬子江、黄河,可以代表我们的民族精神,扬子江及黄河遇见沙漠、遇见山峡都是浩浩荡荡地往前流过去,以成其浊流滚滚、一泻万里的魄势。目前的艰难境界,哪能阻抑我们民族生命的前进?我们应该拿出雄健的精神,高唱着进行的曲调,在这悲壮歌声中,走过这崎岖险阻的道路。要知在艰难的国运中建造国家,亦是人生最有趣味的事……

(李大钊《艰难的国运与雄健的国民》)

2.秋天,无论在什么地方的秋天,总是好的;可是啊,北国的秋,却特别地来得清,来得静,来得悲凉。我的不远千里,要从杭州赶上青岛,更要从青岛赶上北平来的理由,也不过想饱尝一尝这“秋”,这故都的秋味。

江南,秋当然也是有的;但草木凋得慢,空气来得润,天的颜色显得淡,并且又时常多雨而少风;一个人夹在苏州上海杭州,或厦门香港广州的市民中间,浑浑沌沌地过去,只能感到一点点清凉,秋的味,秋的色,秋的意境与姿态,总看不饱,尝不透,赏玩不到十足。秋并不是名花,也并不是美酒,那一种半开,半醉的状态,在领略秋的过程上,是不合适的。

(郁达夫《故都的秋》)

3.我从乡下跑到京城里,一转眼已经六年了。其间耳闻目睹的所谓国家大事,算起来也很不少;但在我心里,都不留什么痕迹,倘要我寻出这些事的影响来说,便只是增长了我的坏脾气,——老实说,便是教我一天比一天的看不起人。

但有一件小事,却于我有意义,将我从坏脾气里拖开,使我至今忘记不得。

这是民国六年的冬天,大北风刮得正猛,我因为生计关系,不得不一早在路上走。一路几乎遇不见人,好容易才雇定了一辆人力车,教他拉到S门去。不一会,北风小了,路上浮尘早已刮净,剩下一条洁白的大道来,车夫也跑得更快。刚近S门,忽而车把上带着一个人,慢慢地倒了。

(鲁迅《一件小事》)

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