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。
①译成并列分句。
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。
②译成让步分句。
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1佳设计之一。
③译成真实或虚拟条件分句。
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。
④译成原因分句。
We cannot see it clearly for the fog.由于有雾,我们看不清它。
The machine is working none the worse for its long service.
这部机器并不因使用的时间长而性能变差了。
⑤译成目的分句。
This body of knowledge is customarily pided 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。
宾语从句
1.用that, what, how, when, which, why, whether, if 等引起的宾语从句,翻译成汉语的时候,一般不需要改变它在原句中的顺序。
I told him that because of the last condition, I’d have to turn it down.
我告诉他,由于那最后一个条件,我只得谢绝。
Can you hear what I say?
你听得到我所讲的吗?
I don’t know that he swam across the river.
我不知道他游过了那条河。
I don’t know how he swam across the river.
我不知道他是怎么游过那条河的。
有时可加“说”字,再接下去翻译译英语原文宾语从句的内容。
Smith replied that he was sorry.
斯密斯回答说,他感到遗憾。
He would remind people again that it was decided not only by himself but bylots of others.
他再三提醒大家说,决定这件事的不只是他一个人,还有其他许多人。
2、用it作形式宾语的句子,在翻译的时候,that所引导的宾语从句一般可按英语原文顺序翻译;it有时候可以不用翻译。
I made it clear to them that they must hand in their papers before 10 o’clock in the morning.
我向他们讲清楚了的,他们必须在上午十时前交卷。(it没有翻译)
I heard it said that he had gone abroad.
听说他已经出国了。(it没有翻译)
但有时候,也可以在译文中将that引导的宾语从句提前到句子最前面翻译。
I regard it as an honor that I am chosen to attend the meeting.
我被选参加会议,感到光荣。(it没有翻译)
We consider it absolutely necessary that we should open our door to the outside world.
打开国门,实行开放,我们认为这是绝1对必要的。(it翻译为“这”)
译成汉语的被动语态
英语中的许多被动句也可以翻译成汉语的被动句,句中经常使用汉语中表示被动意义的一些标志词,如“被”、“给”、“遭”、“挨”、“为……所”、“使”、“由……”、“受到”等。例如:
1)These signals are produced by colliding stars or nuclear reactions in outer space.
这些讯号是由外层空间的星球碰撞或者核反应所造成的。
2)Over the years, tools and technology themselves as a source of fundamental innovation have largely been ignored by historians and philosophers of science.
多年来,工具和技术本身作为根本性创新的源泉在很大程度上被科学史学家和科学思想家们忽视了。
3)For a long period to come, most of China’s elderly will continue to be provided for by their families.
在未来很长的一段时间里,中国的老年人仍旧要由他们的家庭来赡养。