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。 (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。/ @; w; U4 I5 x* l5 L- H
①译成并列分句。
8 S% e% z) G4 C; j5 H. l3 h 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。
8 i i( Y, _, o& l2 e* `+ r ②译成让步分句。
/ ?2 E' c2 V: m( k) a 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。7 j: e, Z. U' Y1 D( B
③译成真实或虚拟条件分句。
' a( J7 a& M1 t" t) r4 Y" Y9 V' P1 A 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。6 a* z l# w5 C' P
④译成原因分句。
( N) E V! G6 `* H4 z3 f! [ We cannot see it clearly for the fog.由于有雾,我们看不清它。
0 V& p( r' ?' G; W1 x7 ~ The machine is working none the worse for its long service.
4 E9 S; H7 W! g+ r( `$ @ 这部机器并不因使用的时间长而性能变差了。, {0 `, {7 M5 _2 c2 M+ u
⑤译成目的分句。
9 Q) h; k$ M3 h, B/ l 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。
( r2 b2 R4 ?3 ~" q! _/ K (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。" p: C* b9 M7 w% r# K0 ~4 }
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:5 a9 e4 F3 L' G7 n" u
There are four seasons in a year. 一年有四季。2 a+ `! m: i6 ]5 i
Many water power stations have been built in the country.我国已建成许多水电站。
- ?1 Q% O; q6 s# g3 Y" J n' r ②有些介词如for(为了),from(从……),to(对……),on(在……时)等,可以不译。如:
7 i( p1 r6 b9 B& f/ b9 t The barometer is a good instrument for measuring air pressure.气压计是测量气压的好仪器。, b* |# S: E/ `; ^+ _$ ?
The air was removed from between the two pipes.两根管子之间的空气已经抽出。
4 |, }$ [7 E3 q) H# S 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。
) N I3 e$ c% N Most substances expand on heating and contract on cooling.
3 M& V. J7 F0 t! j. z9 N4 W 大多数物质热胀冷缩。8 |! Q7 k3 `+ r8 Y, _2 H' H4 Z5 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:6 w9 G1 `6 |. V9 `2 |$ z
Something has gone wrong with the engine.这台发动机出了毛病。& t1 p9 ^, s, N0 }/ ]8 [, i
Gold is similar in color to brass金子的颜色和黄铜相似。
6 C! h! t7 ]) o5 a4 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。
3 \. G- H: I# k& [/ h) g ④不少of介词短语在句中作定语。其中of(……的)往往不译。如:( q3 e$ d/ M$ J+ L! N
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。)5 R; E( K9 X5 E) Q: b
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。) |