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。
# \7 x- d! I. ?* U- V2 P1 k8 w (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。
9 r6 A3 C( [# s0 j* F0 n ①译成并列分句。
5 W. e, J' M( J6 |( `* s2 I' ^ 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。" i8 J8 ~; R! I! k& {& ?9 d
②译成让步分句。
- L( h* o4 t, m4 V) e, \' v 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。
+ G' p! c: r, ]9 f( @4 Y ③译成真实或虚拟条件分句。; J5 W0 z( p5 M
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。
! u. ?( ?- | L- g8 k2 h4 b0 m8 z' k ④译成原因分句。
4 I' a% A, n" F2 V! P We cannot see it clearly for the fog.由于有雾,我们看不清它。: S3 t& f g' S3 r1 }
The machine is working none the worse for its long service. q4 q- l2 I0 z7 t/ k
这部机器并不因使用的时间长而性能变差了。! v: W$ b5 d5 I& I
⑤译成目的分句。* ~3 c# P# \- k5 E5 P& 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。
4 m4 R6 G3 S/ Z( Y (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 w5 P" I. a: s% B) x1 f$ {
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:
_ @) L5 T% P: i+ X8 G9 {! F- B7 K There are four seasons in a year. 一年有四季。
/ f0 g( T7 \" K3 _8 p! \- O1 @+ F Many water power stations have been built in the country.我国已建成许多水电站。( m: x4 e0 D/ f- _+ V! g
②有些介词如for(为了),from(从……),to(对……),on(在……时)等,可以不译。如:0 z% N! f0 X5 C5 r. P
The barometer is a good instrument for measuring air pressure.气压计是测量气压的好仪器。
, `% Z2 T4 V3 _9 v2 N The air was removed from between the two pipes.两根管子之间的空气已经抽出。
, i% [+ _0 |2 G7 v; S. h7 w 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。% s& A4 r7 q0 e& h g7 R, m: |# w
Most substances expand on heating and contract on cooling.
* ~. n' ?. x2 E- G, b0 k$ C 大多数物质热胀冷缩。+ b. O n1 H# q; }0 {! \
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: A' Z4 q6 c! S% f) U
Something has gone wrong with the engine.这台发动机出了毛病。- F6 \ ?* T/ F7 Q3 y
Gold is similar in color to brass金子的颜色和黄铜相似。# b4 \, f1 h; h/ y1 a4 S* L, c5 I
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。7 K" U9 P( H5 }2 d+ D: ~: o
④不少of介词短语在句中作定语。其中of(……的)往往不译。如:. v$ b5 G& ?4 z. p" a
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。)
# S- c T6 j! S k3 F5 @( Y 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。) |