词类的转换

第二节　词类的转换

在翻译实践中，要做到既忠实于原文又符合译文的语言规范，就不能机械地按原文词类“对号入座”，逐字硬译，而需要适当改变一些词类，即把原文中属于某种词类的词在译文中转译成另一种词类。这就是我们现在要讨论的词类的转换。

词类转换在英译汉或汉译英都是非常重要的手段之一，运用得当，可使译文通顺流畅，符合英汉习惯。现将英译汉以及汉译英时最常见的词类转换介绍如下:

一、名词的转换

英语中名词使用的概率相对汉语较高，而且词义相当灵活，翻译时要从其基本意义出发，符合汉语习惯，联系上下文加以词类转换等灵活处理。通常英语名词可转译成汉语动词、形容词或副词。

(一)英语名词转译成汉语动词

1．由动词派生的英语名词常常转译成汉语动词。例如:

(1)Her decision to retire surprised us all．

她决定退休，我们大为惊讶。

(2)Packaging refers to the provision of special container or wrapping materials before selling．

包装方法指的是在销售之前提供专门容器或包装材料。

(3)We know that the mastery of a foreign language is a not easy．

我们知道，掌握一门外语是不容易的。

(4)On the recommendation of ABC Company，we learn that you are a leading manufacturer of TV sets in China．

经ABC公司介绍，我方得知贵方是中国电视机主要生产商。

(5)The formulation of the export sales contract represents the conclusion of some possibly difficult negotiation．

制定出销售合同意味着这可能是艰辛谈判的结束。

(6)His resolution to give up smoking failed once again．

他决心戒烟，可又失败了。

2．具有动词意义的英语名词常常转译成汉语动词。例如:

(1)Every morning，she would go to the park for a walk．

每天早晨，她都要去公园散步。

(2)He taught me the value of an opportunity．

他教导我要珍惜每一个机会。

(3)Have you any idea where he lives?

你知道他住哪吗?

(4)The commpany has gone bankruptcy．

该公司已破产。

(5)Delay in delivery will cause us no small difficulty．

迟交货物将给我方带来不便。

(6)We have the pleasure to introduce ourselves to you with great hope that we may have an opportunity to cooperate with you．

我们有幸自荐，盼望有机会和你们合作。

3．表示身份或职业的英语名词常常转换成汉语动词。例如:

(1)Tom proved to be an excellent storyteller．

汤姆讲故事很出色。

(2)The economic environment is characterized by buyers，sellers and competitors．

经济环境的特点就是买、卖与竞争。

(3)He is not a smoker，but his father is a chain-smoker．

他不抽烟，可他的父亲一支接一支不停地抽。

(4)Some of my classmates are good singers．

我同班同学中有些人唱歌唱得很好。

(5)Talking with his son，the old man was the forgiver of the young man’s past wrong doings．

在和儿子谈话时，老人宽恕了年青人过去所干的坏事。

(6)She was a winner in this competition with her amazing performance．

凭着她出色的表演，她赢得了这场比赛。

(二)英语名词转译成汉语形容词

1．由形容词派生的英语名词可转译成汉语形容词。例如:

(1)She is a real beauty．

她非常漂亮。

(2)He has been put in a high security prison for two years．

他两年前被关进了戒备森严的监狱。

(3)The biggest difficulty of setting up a venture is raising capital．

创立企业最难的是筹集资本。

(4)You are welcome to visit our company at your convenience．

欢迎您方便时访问我公司。

(5)She was in danger，but is much better now．

她曾一度危险，现在好多了。

(6)These issues now assume even greater importance．

这些问题现在就显得更加重要了。

2．一些加不定冠词做表语或做定语的英语名词可转译成汉语形容词。例如:

(1)His promotion was a success．

这次促销活动是成功的。

(2)I am a perfect stranger in the city．

我对这个城市是完全陌生的。

(3)Mutual trust is an absolute necessity in international trade．

互信对国际贸易是绝对必需的。

(4)The blockade was a failure．

这次封锁是失败的。

(5)It looks like a norm that people make crimes in this district．

在这个区域作案看起来没有什么不正常的。

(6)He has an iron will．

他有着钢铁般的意志。

(三)英语名词转译成汉语副词

英语中有些意义抽象的名词可以转译成汉语副词。例如:

(1)It is our great pleasure to note that China has achieved great economic growth．

我们很高兴地看到，中国的经济已经有了很大的发展。

(2)Our clients studied the sample with great interest．

我方客户很感兴趣地琢磨着我们的样品。

(3)When he catches a glimpse of a potential antagonist，his instinct is to win him over with charm and humor．

只要一发现有可能反对他的人，他就本能地用他的美丽和风趣将这个人争取过来。

(4)They climbed to the top of the mountain with great persistence．

他们顽强地爬到了山顶。

(5)The workers loaded the goods onto the vessel with great care．

工人小心翼翼地爬到了山顶。

(6)She looked with pride at the result of her work．

她自豪地看着自己的工作成果。

二、英语形容词的转换

英语形容词可转译成汉语动词、副词或名词。

(一)英语形容词转译成汉语动词

英语中有些表示知觉、欲望的心理状态的形容词做表语时，可以转译成汉语动词。例如:

(1)We are regretful that we are unable to advance the shipment to May．

无法将装运期提前至五月，甚歉。

(2)She was able to support herself by doing a part job．

她能够靠打工养活自己。

(3)Granny Li is very fond of children．

李奶奶很喜欢孩子。

(4)The export trade is subject to many risks．

出口贸易常遇到很多危险。

(5)I feel doubtful about whether to go or not．

我对是去是留拿不定主意。

(6)We are desirous of establishing business relations with you．

我方期望与贵方建立业务关系。

(二)英语形容词转译成汉语副词

英语名词译成汉语动词时，修饰名词的形容词常常转译成汉语副词。例如:

(1)Please allow me to make a brief introduction about company．

请允许我简要地介绍下本公司。

(2)The sales manager took a quick glance at the minutes．

市场部经理迅速地浏览了下会议记录。

(3)We shall pay close attention to your order．

我方会密切关注贵方订单。

(4)It’s very dangerous to take a sudden turn．

急转弯非常危险。

(5)Some professors made strong comments on this scandal．

一些教授强烈地抨击了这件丑闻事件。

(6)There is an increasing interest in the large-scale use of solar energy all over

the world．

世界各地对大规模地利用太阳能越来越感兴趣。

(三)英语形容词转译成汉语名词

1．表示特征或性质的英语形容词可转译成汉语名词。例如:

(1)The more carbon the steel contains，the harder and stronger it is．

钢的含碳量越高，强度和硬度就越大。

(2)Steven was eloquent and elegant．

史帝文有口才，还有风度。

(3)They were considered insincere．

人们认为他是个伪君子。

(4)The Wilde family were religious．

王尔德全家都是虔诚的教徒。

(5)If your prices are competitive，we shall place a large order with you．

若贵方价格有竞争力，我方将大量订购。

(6)The true，the good and the beautiful always exist in comparison with the

false，the evil and the ugly，and grow in struggle with the latter．真、善、美总是在同假、恶、丑相比较而存在，相斗争而发展。

2．有些英语形容词前加上定冠词表示某一类人时，可转译成汉语名词。例如:

(1)They are going to build a school for the blind and the deaf．

他们将为盲人和聋人修建一所学校。

(2)Robinhood often looted the rich and helped the poor．

罗宾汉经常劫富济贫。

(3)They did their best to help the sick and the wounded．

他们尽了最大的努力帮助病号和伤员。

(4)He had deep sympathy for the insulted and the injured．

他对受侮辱的人和受损害的人有深厚的同情心。

(5)The family were so sad about the dead．

全家对死者感到非常难过。

(6)Lily was told to look after the disabled．

李莉要照顾这些残疾人。

三、英语副词的转换

英语副词可转译成汉语名词、形容词或动词。

(一)英语副词转译成汉语名词

有些英语副词因表达需要可转译成汉语名词。例如:

(1)He is physically weak but mentally sound．

他身体虽弱，但思想健康。

(2)They have done well economically．

他们经济工作做得好。

(3)This gave the country great impacts financially．

这给该国在金融方面造成了巨大的影响。

(4)It’s so miserable for one to die spiritually．

一个人的精神枯竭了，是多么痛心的事。

(5)Tact must be used in requesting permission and unless it is given willingly

and cordially，the patrol shall not be landed．

征求同意，应注意方法。如果同意不是出于自愿真诚，巡逻队就不得登陆。

(6)I am credibly informed that the expert is coming on Friday．

我从可靠的方面得知专家星期五到达。

(二)英语副词转译成汉语形容词

有些英语副词因表达需要可转译成汉语形容词。例如:

(1)The film impressed me deeply．

这部电影给我留下了深刻的印象。

(2)The sun affects tremendously both the mind and body of a man．

太阳对人的身体和精神都有极大的影响。

(3)Sometimes we have had to pay dearly for mistakes．

有时我们不得不为错误付出昂贵的代价。

(4)The sun rose thinly from the sea．

淡淡的太阳从海上升起。

(5)Last night we spent happily together．

我们一起渡过了一个愉快的夜晚。

(6)When tables and other materials are included，they should be conveniently placed，so that a student can consult them without turning over too many pages．

当书中列有表格或其他参考资料时，应当将这些内容编排在适当的位置，以便使学生在查阅时，不必翻太多的书页。

(三)英语副词转译成汉语动词

有些英语副词因表达需要可转译成汉语动词。例如:

(1)Now，I must be away．

现在，我该离开了。

(2)When she went back，the radio was still on．

她回来是，收音机仍然开着。

(3)The meeting was over．

会议结束了。

(4)She is not in．

她不在家。

(5)My friend is off for Australia．

我朋友要去澳洲了。

(6)On with the show!

节目开始吧!

四、英语动词的转换

英语动词可转译成汉语名词或副词。

(一)英语动词转译成汉语名词

1．英语中有些动词，特别是名词派生或名词转用的动词，在汉语中不易找到相应的动词，翻译时可将其转译成汉语名词。例如:

(1)Most students behaved respectfully towards their teachers．

大部分学生对老师的态度都很恭敬。(名词转用的动词)

(2)His speech impressed the students a lot．

他的演讲给观众的印象很深。(名词转用的动词)

(3)The products of this factory are chiefly characterized by their fine friend

ship and durability．

该厂产品的主要特点是工艺精湛、经久耐用。(名词派生的动词)

(4)To them，he personified the absolute power．

在他们看来，他就是绝对权威的化身。(名词派生的动词)

(5)The double-arched logo of McDonald symbolizes the giant corporation．

麦当劳的M形标志是该巨型企业的象征。

(6)The man I saw at the party looked and talked like an American．

我在聚会上见到的那个人，外表和谈吐都像美国人。(名词转用的动词)

2．有些英语被动式句子中的动词，可以译成“受到/遭到……+名词”或“予以/加以……+名词”的结构。例如:

(1)He was snuffed by the top-ranking officials there．

他受到那边高级官员们的冷遇。

(2)His image as a good salesman was badly tarnished．

他作为一个好推销员的形象，已遭到很大的玷污。

(3)The project was carefully overseen by these workers．

这些工作者对这项工程加以严密的监控。

(4)We do not think business will be affected by this development．

我们认为业务不会受到这种发展的情况的影响。

(5)He’s very well considered within the company．

他在公司中受到很高的评价。

(6)Snow was treated very shabbily by the U．S．press and officialdom during this period，victimized for his views．

在这期间，斯诺受到了美国新闻界和政界极不公正的对待，由于他的观点，他受到了迫害。

(二)英语动词转译成汉语副词

英语中有些动词具有汉语副词的含义，可以转译成汉语副词。例如:

(1)When I leave the house，I always watch out．

我出门时总是非常小心。

(2)I succeeded in persuading him．

我成功地说服了他。

(3)They can’t wait to get back home for Christmas Day．

他们都急着赶回家过圣诞。

(4)Ambulances rushed the injured to hospital．

救护车把受伤的人火速送到医院。

(5)I slipped a few jokes into the speech．

我在讲话中巧妙地加了几句笑话。

(6)He tried to finish the job within a week．

他尽量在一周内完成这项任务。

五、英语介词的转换

英语介词搭配多样，关系复杂，运用广泛，翻译时应根据上下文灵活处理，通常可转译成汉语动词。例如:

(1)He is leaving for Beijing at 9 this morning．

今天上午9点他将动身去北京。

(2)It gives me a great pleasure to be here with you．

能和你在此相聚，我感到很高兴。

(3)You can’t think how angry your mother was at the news then．

你想象不出你母亲听到那个消息时有多恼火。

(4)Are you for or against the plan?

你赞成还是反对这项计划?

(5)We should advise you to get in touch with them for your requirements．

建议你方与他们取得联系，洽购所需商品。

(6)Small-company stocks in a slump for most of this year have suddenly come to life．

今年大部分时间都处于低谷的一些小公司的股票，却骤然恢复了生机。

六、汉语动词的转换

(一)汉语动词转译成英语名词

汉语中动词使用相对较频繁，而且常常几个动词连起来使用。而前面已提到，英语中名词使用相对较多，在汉译英时，可根据需要将汉语动词转译成英语名词。例如:

(1)说来话长。

It is a long story．

(2)你很幸运，没有被处罚。

You were so lucky to escape punishment．

(3)由于世界粮食短缺普遍，这就直接影响到科威特和其他沙漠国家。

The international food shortage had a direct impact on Kuwait and other barren desert countries．

(4)我方急需该货物。

We are in bad need of the goods．

(5)秦医生光明磊落，待人平等，热爱医学。

Open and aboveboard，Dr．Qin is a man of easy access and has a strong love for medical science．

(6)交易增加，要求流通的货币量也增加。

An increase in business requires an increase in the amount of money coming into general circulation．

(二)汉语动词转译成英语形容词

汉语中一些动词往往可以转译成英语形容词，常用“be+形容词”来表达。例如:

(1)他在年轻人中很受欢迎。

He was popular among young people．

(2)我们切不可满足于仅仅有一点书本知识。

We should never be content with a little book knowledge．

(3)他连续24小时上网，这可说不过去。

He has been on line for 24 hours in a row．This is inexcusable．

(4)科学家们深信，所有的物质都是不灭的。

Scientists are confident that all matter is indestructible．

(5)约翰热衷于足球。

John is keen on football．

(6)大多数子女都要独立，不愿依靠父母。

Most children want to be independent of their parents．

(三)汉语动词转译成英语介词或介词短语

介词的使用在英语中也非常灵活，在汉译英时，可根据需要将汉语动词转译成英语介词或介词短语。例如:

(1)我们都反对这个提议。

We are against this proposal．

(2)如果遇到火警，首先要切断电源。

Break the circuit first in case of fire．

(3)人们不应只追求名誉地位。

People should not be after only fame and position．

(4)我们不顾一切困难、挫折，坚持努力工作。

We kept on working hard in spite of all difficulties and setbacks．

(5)他拿起钥匙离开了家。

He left home with the keys．

(6)皮特终于可以休息了。

Peter can be off his feet at last．

(四)汉语动词转译成英语副词

同样，有些汉语动词也可用英语副词来表达，用词更加简明，意思也非常准确。例如:

(1)灯开着，但没有人在家。

The light was on，but nobody was in．

(2)那本书不久就要出版了。

That book will be out pretty soon．

(3)油箱里的油用完了。

The oil in the tank was up．

(4)他是黎明前出发的。

He was away before dawn．

(5)他匆匆经过，没有跟我说话。

He hurried by without speaking to me．

(6)走开，让我清静一下。

Just go away and leave me alone．

七、汉语名词的转换

有些汉语名词在翻译时，也可转译成英语动词。但是，同时需注意，如果汉语前有形容词修饰语，则也要随之转换成英语副词。例如:

(1)他的呼吸有大蒜的味道。

His breath smells of garlic．

(2)王先生为这次旅行做了十分周密的准备。

Mr．Wang had prepared meticulously for his journey．

(3)明天发传真给你。

We shall fax you tomorrow．

(4)我方产品的特点是质量好，设计时尚。

Our products are characterized by high qualities and fashionable designs．

(5)她在最后一幕里占了很突出的地位。

She figured prominently in the last act．

(6)地球的形状像一个大球。

The earth is shaped like a big ball．

八、汉语形容词或副词的转换

汉语形容词或副词可以转译成英语名词，这主要是语法结构或修辞上的需要。例如:

(1)思想交流是十分必要的。

Exchange of ideas is a vital necessity．

(2)她非常漂亮。

She is a real beauty．

(3)用雷达探测水下目标是没有用的。

It is no use employing radar to detect objects in water．

(4)你说他傻不傻?

Don’t you think he’s an idiot?

(5)那个家伙笨得出奇。

That fellow is a typical fool．

(6)我们应该吃苦在前，享受在后。

We should be the first to bear hardships and the last to enjoy comforts．

Exercises

一、翻译下列英语句子，注意斜体英语名词的转换

1．I had the impression that your brother was the director of the company．

2．We realized the growing need to industrialize certain sectors and the economy．

3．I had the fortune to meet you．

4．The new mayor earned some appreciation by courtesy of coming to visit the city poor．

5．A change of state from a solid to a liquid form requires heat energy．

6．The operation of a machine needs some knowledge of its performance．

7．The medicine should be put out of the children’s reach．

8．Some of my colleagues are good dancers．

9．He was always an unwelcome intruder．

10．I’m afraid I am a failure in teaching．

二、翻译下列英语句子，注意斜体英语形容词的转换

1．The audience was becoming restless．

2．He then acted as a reluctant interpreter．

3．He placed the highest value on our cooperation．

4．This is a sheer nonsense．

5．Buckley was in a clear minority．

6．A successful scientist must be a good observer．

7．They regarded him as a potential adversary．

8．We were so suspicious and resentful of him．

9．Generally speaking，neither gold nor stone is soluble in water．

10．We seek a deep-rooted understanding through the multiplication of our economic，cultural，scientific，technical and human ties．

三、翻译下列英语句子，注意斜体英语副词的转换

1．I suppose boys think differently from girls．

2．The TV is always on in their house．

3．He knew he was mortally ill．

4．The time is up．

5．How long will he be away?

6．The local shop has some radios going cheap．

7．Make sure the lid is on．

8．The room was cheaply furnished．

9．I am physically exhausted．

10．As she ran out，she forgot to have his shoes on．

四、翻译下列英语句子，注意斜体英语动词的转换

1．Politicians are often satirized on TV and radio．

2．The judge’s decision was set aside by the Appeal Court．

3．She designs for a famous shop．

4．The food supply will not increase nearly enough to match the growth in population．

5．Formality has always characterized their relationship．

6．On that day they were escorted to the Great Wall of China．

7．Mary succeeded in passing the interview．

8．A tear stole down her cheek．

9．The minutes of the last meeting were approved．

10．We were most impressed by the fact that even those patients who were not told of the illness were quite aware of its potential outcome．

五、翻译下列英语句子，注意斜体英语介词的转换

1．He went out with his hat on．

2．I paid fifty Yuan for an old bicycle．

3．They went out after new mineral resources day after day．

4．The president took the foreign guests around the campus．

5．What’s on the television tonight?

6．He is using the language，talking in it，thinking in it．

7．The vice-chairman of the board voted against the joint-venture project．

8．The L/C is on the way to you．

9．There is nothing in this shop above a dollar．

10．How people design computer games is beyond me．

六、翻译下列汉语句子，注意斜体汉语动词的转换

1．目前我国各地对各种消费品的需求量已大大增加。

2．他们不满足于现有的成就。

3．她漂亮得无法形容。

4．交关税前，进出口货物由海关保管，存储费由进口商负担。

5．新的法律有专门适用于个体户的条文。

6．我知道有困难，但大家都得克制一下自己。

7．水接通了吗?

8．我听从了你的建议，去医院了。

9．这是递交给董事会的一份财务报告。

10．我派人带你到周围转转。

七、翻译下列汉语句子，注意斜体汉语名词的转换

1．他反对的理由是:这个计划不现实。

2．他们就金融危机的话题展开了讨论。

3．气候的变化对我们的健康都有一定的影响。

4．我们的建议是:工作应该尽早开始。

5．我得刊登广告聘请一位新秘书。

6．医院就服务质量进行了改善。

7．他脸上带着焦虑的神色。

8．李莉喜欢做组织工作。

9．就订舱事宜，我们已与轮船公司取得了联系。

10．这些事对他后来的事业有帮助。

八、翻译下列汉语句子，注意斜体汉语形容词或副词的转换

1．只有研究这些材料的特性才能更好地利用它们。

2．这家工厂生产效率高。

3．这对姐妹艰难地完成了学业。

4．我和同事们相处非常融洽。

5．我们现在出口大量的衬衫。

6．工程师为这次设计作了十分周密的准备。

7．这件事对我来说是完全是无所谓的。

8．露西十分自信地结束了她的演讲。

9．该仪器性能稳定、操作可靠、维护方便，因而受到用户的欢迎。

10．我们愿在平等互利的基础上与贵公司建立业务关系。