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 {; _1 w3 S* D0 A, z, B2 d8 L
(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。- j4 ?/ X/ z* i4 b
①译成并列分句。$ I7 W/ ]# D* S5 `+ ?7 L
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。6 v$ A0 _- P% t( X( W Q
②译成让步分句。# `' \6 [" O$ Q+ L5 @4 m( p
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。
0 W9 o$ U; z6 \" M; U5 \) N& K( s ③译成真实或虚拟条件分句。# _: Y) U+ ]- L1 n1 s ~
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。: A* }5 T" V; e* _0 ~
④译成原因分句。9 L$ y+ L( S8 B' n; J- L' ?
We cannot see it clearly for the fog.由于有雾,我们看不清它。
5 Y: ]7 s3 x5 ?$ D4 y The machine is working none the worse for its long service。 F* S1 v1 R5 x* j( [5 v! p& w
这部机器并不因使用的时间长而性能变差了。" \# B6 p! B' I. e1 k' W7 E8 T6 t; L
⑤译成目的分句。0 c+ s* @0 _6 w* A6 E+ f
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。
8 g2 P8 M& m0 n$ c0 w+ B/ I( V (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。9 S' {+ P, p8 A! W( ~7 v F5 m
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:* g, ~ A& h; r& _6 ]
There are four seasons in a year。 一年有四季。
: K% f/ g; T7 Q* x Many water power stations have been built in the country.我国已建成许多水电站。2 k$ [7 V9 C* O# f* [/ b
②有些介词如for(为了),from(从),to(对),on(在时)等,可以不译。如:
% ]. S$ [& q H The barometer is a good instrument for measuring air pressure.气压计是测量气压的好仪器。
9 K& @' q+ q+ x- n The air was removed from between the two pipes.两根管子之间的空气已经抽出。3 M* t. E7 J' z5 ]4 B3 A& k' q) S( ~
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。: |% G5 ]" ]; u# U/ {0 B/ r" ^
Most substances expand on heating and contract on cooling.) H+ E+ d" k; N3 _/ m5 X/ X
大多数物质热胀冷缩。' ~8 Z1 h% z2 |7 f' G
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:
! J; [5 S' ^# J Something has gone wrong with the engine.这台发动机出了毛病。
, \' v8 b: a4 O4 F Gold is similar in color to brass金子的颜色和黄铜相似。7 c) P# i; m5 ^. x1 p( M
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。
9 E7 ]2 d& @) G7 \ f2 Z( ~ ④不少of介词短语在句中作定语。其中of(的)往往不译。如:4 V1 \# i$ V q; l
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。)
. n( M! D& P7 Y" y2 Z 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。) |