Unit10文獻(xiàn)閱讀與翻譯第10章

1、Translation Skill(10):Subordinate Clauses (a) Nominal ClausesWhatnEnglish subordinate clauses are classified into six groups, namely, subject clauses(主語從句), object clauses(賓語從句), predicative clauses(表語從句), appositive clauses(同位語從句), attributive clauses(定語從句), and adverbial clauses(狀語從句).nSince the f

2、irst four of them function as nouns in a complex sentence, they are generally called nominal clauses.Subject Clauses(主語從句主語從句)1)Subject Clauses Introduced by Such Pronouns as What, Whatever, Whoever, How, etc.When such clauses are translated, they may generally retain their original position. Subjec

3、t Clauses(主語從句主語從句)(1)What he told me was only half-truth.他告訴我他告訴我的只是半真半假的東西而已。(2)What ever he saw and heard on his trip gave him a very deep impression.他此行所見所聞他此行所見所聞都給他留下了深刻的印象。For example：Subject Clauses(主語從句主語從句)2)”It” Functioning as a Formal Subject .In this case, the subject clause may either

4、precede or follow the principal clause in the Chinese version. Subject Clauses(主語從句主語從句)(1)It seemed inconceivable that the pilot could have survived the crash.駕駛員在飛機(jī)墜毀之后竟然還能活著，駕駛員在飛機(jī)墜毀之后竟然還能活著，這看來是不可想象的事。(2)It is clear that the difference between elements is in the structure of their atoms. 很清楚，元素之

5、間的差別就在于他們的原子結(jié)構(gòu)。元素之間的差別就在于他們的原子結(jié)構(gòu)。For example：Object Clauses(賓語從句賓語從句)Generally speaking, there is no need to change the order in translating object clauses. However, in some cases, for example, when “it” functions as the formal object in a complex sentence, a change of order is necessary.(1)I unders

6、tand that he is well-qualified, but I feel that he needs more experience.我知道他完全夠條件他完全夠條件，但我覺得他需要更多的經(jīng)驗。他需要更多的經(jīng)驗。(2)I take it for granted that you will come and talk the matter over with him. 我想當(dāng)然地認(rèn)為，你會來跟他談這件事的。我想當(dāng)然地認(rèn)為，你會來跟他談這件事的。For example：Object Clauses(賓語從句賓語從句)(3)I regard it as an honor that I am

7、 chosen to attend the meeting. 我被選參加會議我被選參加會議，感到十分榮幸。Predicative Clauses(表語從句表語從句)English predicative clauses are generally translated in the original order.(1)This is where the shoe pinches.這就是問題的癥結(jié)所在。問題的癥結(jié)所在。(2)Things are not always as they seem to be. 事物并非總是如其表象那樣。如其表象那樣。For example：(3)His view o

8、f the press was that the reporters were either for him or against him. 他對新聞界的看法是，記者們不是支持他就是反對記者們不是支持他就是反對他。他。Predicative Clauses(表語從句表語從句)Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)An appositive clause is clause that, functioning as a noun, stands in apposition to a noun.The following methods are usually used to

9、 translate appositive clauses.1)Treat the Appositive as an Attributive, i.e., Putting the Appositive Clause before the Noun.(1)We are not investigating the question whether he is trustworthy.我們不是在調(diào)查他是否可以信任他是否可以信任的問題。Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)For example：(2)Yet, from the beginning, the fact that

10、I was alive was ignored.然而，從一開始，我仍活著這個事實我仍活著這個事實卻偏偏被忽視了。2)Use Punctuation Marks or Other Means.Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)Punctuation marks such as colon, dash, or such expressions as “這樣”,”這種”,”這一”,”即”,etc. are used for stress. The appositive clause can be placed either before or after the noun.

11、(1)But considering realistically, we had to face the fact that our prospects were less than good.但是現(xiàn)實地考慮一下，我們不得不正視這樣一個事這樣一個事實：我們的前景并不美妙。實：我們的前景并不美妙。(2)And there was the possibility that a small electrical spark might accidentally bypass the most carefully planned circuit.For example：而且總有這種可能性這種可能性一個

12、小小的電火花可能會一個小小的電火花可能會意外地繞過最為精心設(shè)計的線路。意外地繞過最為精心設(shè)計的線路。Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)(3)The fact that the gravity of the earth pulls everything towards the center of the earth explains many things.地球引力把一切東西都吸向地心這一事實地球引力把一切東西都吸向地心這一事實解釋了許多現(xiàn)象。(4)Not long ago the scientists made an exciting discovery that t

13、his “waste” material could be turned into plastics.For example：不久以前，科學(xué)家們有了一個令人振奮的發(fā)現(xiàn)，即即可以把這種可以把這種”廢廢”物變?yōu)樗芰?。物變?yōu)樗芰?。Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)(5)It does not alter the fact that he is the man responsible for the delay.延遲應(yīng)由他負(fù)責(zé)，延遲應(yīng)由他負(fù)責(zé)，這個事實是改變不了的。For example：Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)3)Change the S

14、tructure of the Sentence.Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)For example：(1)An order has been given that the researchers who are now in the skylab should be sent back.已下命令將現(xiàn)在在航天實驗室里的研究人員送回來。將現(xiàn)在在航天實驗室里的研究人員送回來。(2)Even the most precisely conducted experiments offer no hope that the result can be obtained wi

15、thout any error.即使是最精確的實驗，也沒有希望獲得無任何誤差也沒有希望獲得無任何誤差的實驗結(jié)果。的實驗結(jié)果。3)Change the Structure of the Sentence.Appositive Clauses(同位語從句同位語從句)For example：(3)However, the writing of chemical symbols in the form of an equation does not give any assurance that the reaction shown will actually occur.但是，將化學(xué)符號寫成反應(yīng)式，

16、并不意味著所表示并不意味著所表示的反應(yīng)確實會發(fā)生。的反應(yīng)確實會發(fā)生。The concept of nominal clauses does not exist in Chinese syntax. Generally speaking, Chinese complex sentences are classified into two categories: combined sentences(聯(lián)合復(fù)句)and a sentence containing a modifier(偏正復(fù)句).Judging from their sentence structure, English compl

17、ex sentences are always combined in long sentences by strict rules, with sentences embedded in one another; whereas Chinese sentences are short and brief.The following is a typical illustration:As was cleared up some time later when news came from a distant place that an earthquake was felt the very

18、 day the little copper ball fell.過了一些時候，從遠(yuǎn)方傳來了消息，在小銅球墜落的當(dāng)天，確實感覺到了地震。問題終于得到了澄清。The above English complex sentence, when translated into Chinese, is divided into several segments-this obviously shows the difference in sentence structure between these two languages.Therefore in Chinese-English translat

19、ion, we may reverse this method, namely, translate clusters of short, brief Chinese sentences into long and overlapped English sentences.Special Attention:The translation of ReportsThe nature of reports is similar to that of proposals, both in category and in structure.The following is a sample of L

20、etter Report:The General Manager, 堪培拉，ACT2600Acme Electronics Ltd., Acme電子有限公司Canberra, ACT2600. 總經(jīng)理Special Attention:The translation of Reports Dear Sir, (總經(jīng)理先生) RENOVATIONS, 153 HILLCREST You instructed me on 20th June,1998 to report on the repairs and renovation needed at the Companys premises at

21、 153 Hillcrest. (您于1998年6月20日指示，要我對Hillcrest街153號公司房舍需修整翻新的事宜向您報告。) I accordingly visited the premises on 25th June and made the following observations:(為此，我于6月25日視察了該處房屋，現(xiàn)向您書面匯報如下：) Special Attention:The translation of Reports 1.That the walls of the Branch Office Managers office need to be repainted. (分公司經(jīng)理室的墻壁需要粉刷油漆。) 2.That the air-conditioning plant needs to be serviced in the near future. (空調(diào)設(shè)備需要盡快維修。) 3.That the carpet in the reception hall is very worn and needs to b