英语中大多数介词含义灵活,一词多义多用。除了一些常用短语已有译法外,大量介词需要从其基本意义出发,联系上下文加以灵活处理。下面简明地介绍几种基本译法。1 C& O* A4 W% e/ o
(3)分译:介词短语作定语时,往往是定语从句的一种简略形式。介词短语作状语时,有时是状语从句的简略形式。有些介词短语还是并列句的简略形式。因此汉译时,有的可以拆句分译。
* u+ w8 [2 [% I F- { ①译成并列分句。# w: R% t+ v% @( y8 D( v
The porous wall acts as a kind of seine for separating molecules.多孔壁的作用就象一把筛子,它把不同质量的分子分开。) \! G" m0 r7 h& p
②译成让步分句。
U7 _1 F7 V" @' T With all its disadvantages this design is considered to be one of the best.这个设计尽管有种种缺点,仍被认为最佳设计之一。
% y* e- p+ C, T ③译成真实或虚拟条件分句。- ]/ w; j2 i, n
Mans warm blood makes it difficult for him to live long in the sea without some kind warmth.人的血液是热的,如果得不到一定的热量,人就难以长期在海水中生活。! |8 p* c/ f+ ? z% b3 f
④译成原因分句。- _6 t& F" J2 o% O: G
We cannot see it clearly for the fog.由于有雾,我们看不清它。
0 H7 t# ~; y/ G The machine is working none the worse for its long service.+ p5 q% E2 F7 r6 s" Y' T4 j& U% n" U
这部机器并不因使用的时间长而性能变差了。
) |: }) c$ N8 e! N5 H ⑤译成目的分句。
9 x! @3 [, @1 |/ G8 V5 t# B2 R& p7 x& y* g This body of knowledge is customarily divided for convenience of study into the classifications: mechanics, heat, light, electricity and sound..为了便于研究起见,通常将这门学科分为力学、热学、光学、电学和声学。! b& L9 j' T; E
(4)不译:不译或省略翻译是在确切表达原文内容的前提下使译文简练,合乎汉语规范,决不是任意省略某些介词。5 v0 ?% N# O5 w
①表示时间或地点的英语介词,译成汉语如出现在句首,大都不译。如:) S2 J8 f* J) Y
There are four seasons in a year. 一年有四季。
! H5 l+ p+ w w6 H; c5 z* y Many water power stations have been built in the country.我国已建成许多水电站。
, E; ~5 T! d r8 Z0 w3 i ②有些介词如for(为了),from(从……),to(对……),on(在……时)等,可以不译。如:
+ B0 M. g7 B' d1 M" O+ U The barometer is a good instrument for measuring air pressure.气压计是测量气压的好仪器。" C' W: {) ]0 G2 c# d g0 C+ R6 L; P5 m( W
The air was removed from between the two pipes.两根管子之间的空气已经抽出。( \* a0 W4 q: Z
Answers to questions 2 and 3 may be obtained in the laboratory.问题2和3的答案可以在实验室里得到。* I* u; H% a1 g
Most substances expand on heating and contract on cooling.
$ p( l* E5 f% M: i 大多数物质热胀冷缩。
1 ^) i- j2 `" ~. r/ P ③表示与主语有关的某一方面、范围或内容的介词有时不译,可把介词的宾语译成汉语主语。如:' _; y% p! M$ k1 w
Something has gone wrong with the engine.这台发动机出了毛病。) P& ^' Q5 U% \; f) x: F v. o
Gold is similar in color to brass金子的颜色和黄铜相似。
5 g A L6 Y0 K( W Its never occurred to me that bats are really guided by their ears.我从未想到蝙蝠居然是靠耳朵引路的。2 s/ S0 \' R; M6 i5 l1 K1 Q/ A9 }
④不少of介词短语在句中作定语。其中of(……的)往往不译。如:
0 X6 G8 U4 \ G( o0 s9 v The change of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done in motors.电能变为机械能是通过电动机实现的。 (of短语和change在逻辑上有主谓关系,可译成立谓结构。)
7 e2 i0 \8 U5 j$ F Some of the properties of cathode rays listed below.现将阴极射线的一些特性开列如下。(第一个of短语和some在逻辑上有部分关系,Of不译出。) |