論科技英語(yǔ)翻譯中的詞類轉(zhuǎn)換

1、論科技英語(yǔ)翻譯中的詞類轉(zhuǎn)換一、綜述國(guó)內(nèi)外對(duì)本課題的研究動(dòng)態(tài)，說(shuō)明選題的依據(jù)和意義:科技英語(yǔ)(English for Science and Technology,簡(jiǎn)稱 EST )作為一門(mén) 學(xué)科始于二十世紀(jì)五十年代，科技英語(yǔ)是英語(yǔ)的一種語(yǔ)體,由于題材和使 用方式的特殊性而形成了詞匯、語(yǔ)法、修辭等方面的特點(diǎn)。隨著當(dāng)今科 學(xué)技術(shù)的迅猛發(fā)展，國(guó)際學(xué)術(shù)交流的日益廣泛，對(duì)科技英語(yǔ)的研究已受到 國(guó)際上普遍重視。英國(guó)著名的語(yǔ)言學(xué)家和翻譯理論學(xué)家凱特福德(Catford )對(duì)于翻譯中的轉(zhuǎn)換做出了詳細(xì)的研究。在國(guó)內(nèi)，有韓其順、 戴文進(jìn)、戴煒華、閻慶甲、等一大批專家學(xué)者在科技英語(yǔ)翻譯方面作出 了多年的努力與研究，其

2、中最具代表性是韓其順主編英漢科技英語(yǔ)翻 譯教程。他們分別從科技英語(yǔ)英語(yǔ)的特點(diǎn)、語(yǔ)言結(jié)構(gòu)信息、語(yǔ)篇或是 語(yǔ)法的角度討論詞類轉(zhuǎn)換在翻譯中的應(yīng)用。盡管當(dāng)前國(guó)內(nèi)外有眾多專 家學(xué)者已致力于這方面的研究，但仍需系統(tǒng)全面地介紹詞類轉(zhuǎn)換的具體 操作方法及要點(diǎn)。為了學(xué)習(xí)和了解國(guó)外先進(jìn)的科學(xué)技術(shù)，與別國(guó)進(jìn)行科技 交流,人們需要學(xué)習(xí)和研究大量的國(guó)外科技文章，但目前仍有不少人無(wú)法 直接閱讀外文文章,這就使得科技翻譯越來(lái)越受到重視。由于英漢兩中語(yǔ) 言在詞匯構(gòu)成詞性使用上的差別，如何科技英語(yǔ)翻譯中既能保持原文意 思又符合漢語(yǔ)的表達(dá)對(duì)中國(guó)和外國(guó)科技界進(jìn)行信息和學(xué)術(shù)交流十分重The efforts that have bee

3、n made to explain optical phenomena by means of the hypothesis of a medium having the same physical character as an elastic solid body led, in the first instance, to the understanding of a concrete example of a medium which can transmit transverse vibrations, and, at a late stage, to the definite co

4、nclusion that there is no aluminiferous medium having the physical character assumed in the hypothesis.More non-finite forms of the verb. Non-finite forms of the verb, namely infinitives, gerunds, the present and the post participles are frequently used in EST. For example:Today the electronic compu

5、ter is widely used in solving mathematical problems having to do with weather forecasting and putting satellite into orbitDifferent uses of the tense. In general English, the past tense is used to indicate things of the past that no longer exist now. But in scientific English, the past tense may jus

6、t indicate time sequence. For example:When steam is condensed again to water, the same amount of heat is given out as it was taken in when the steam was formed.About ConversionCatford, a famous British linguist and translation theoretician, has made a most detailed research into translation conversi

7、on” (Catford 21) and has fruitfully categorized conversion between levels, structures, word-class, units and systems. There are a lot of merits in the rules of translation conversion of this theory. He explained how changes should be made in language form in order to achieve equivalence in meaning.

8、And his theory constitutes the direct theoretical basis for later development of form conversion.The word /conversionz, occurs in various discussions on translation with different meanings. Sometimes it is an equivalence of translation in such statements as translation is the shift from ST to TL sys

9、tem” . In other context it means “change” . And word conversion belongs to the latter meaning.Word Conversion: an Important Means in TranslationThe famous translator Lu Dianyang once defined word conversion as follows By conversion, we mean that in translation a word in one language belonging to a c

10、ertain part of speech is not necessarily to be turned into one of the same part of speech in another language, ie. no correspondence of part of speech between two language is necessary in translation. We can not translate English mechanically word for word into another European language to achieve a

11、dequacy, still less can we translate English into Chinese in this way. This is determined by the fact that Chinese and English are two entirely different languages. But we should know a translator is not supposed to change the z/part of speech77 of the original work at wilT7 . Therefore, in short, w

12、ord conversion means the change of part of speech in translation.It has been generally accepted that word conversion is one of the most important translation techniques in EST translation and any other translation fields. The main reason is that English and Chinese belong to two different language f

13、amilies, the former being a member of the Indo-European language family and the latter a member of the Chinese-Tibetan language family. In translation people can not always get an appropriate corresponding Chinese word for an English word of the same part of speech. A good translator will therefore

14、try all means to reproduce the thought of the author faithfully in another language, quite disregarding the part of speech of individual words used in the source language.Corresponding with the characteristics of EST and the differences between English and Chinese, in EST translation word conversion

15、 can be divided into four categories: conversion into Chinese verbs, conversion into Chinese nouns, conversion into Chinese adjectives, and conversion into Chinese adverbs.Conversion into Chinese VerbsEnglish Nouns Converted into Chinese VerbsSince English verbs are quite limited in their applicatio

16、n, nouns often have to assist them in expression. Generally speaking, English nouns, especially those derived from verbs and nominalization words, can contain quite strong dynamic meaning, and they are often converted into Chinese verbs, for example:Rockets have found application for the exploration

17、 of the universe.火箭已經(jīng)用來(lái)探索宇宙。(英漢科技翻譯教程，55)The air is made up of mixture of gases.空氣是由若干種氣體混合而成的。（科技英語(yǔ)翻譯理論與實(shí)踐，58 ）The operation of an electric machine needs some knowledge of its performance.操作電機(jī)需要懂得電機(jī)的一些性能。(科技英語(yǔ)翻譯理論與實(shí)踐， 57)Gerund, or a verbal noun, can be defined as, according to Oxford Advanced Lear

18、ner7 s English-Chinese Dictionary, the -ing form of an English verb when used as a noun. It serves functionally as a noun in the original text, but retains some properties of a verb. Furthermore, we have no such -ing form in Chinese, so English gerunds, or verbal nouns, are always converted into Chi

19、nese verbs.Reversing the direction of the current reverses the direction of its lines of force.倒轉(zhuǎn)電流的方向也就倒轉(zhuǎn)了它的磁力線的方向。(科技英語(yǔ)翻譯方法, 32)Radiating from the earth, heat causes air currents to rise.熱量從地球輻射出來(lái)時(shí)，使得氣流上升。（英漢科技翻譯教程，20）Nouns in verbal and preposition phrases can be converted into verbs.He had a goo

20、d knowledge of chemistry他精通化學(xué)(科技英語(yǔ)翻譯方法，34)A body is negatively charged when it has electrons in excess of its normal number.當(dāng)物體所帶電子超過(guò)正常數(shù)時(shí)，該物體便帶負(fù)電。(科技英語(yǔ)翻譯理 論技巧，59 )2.2 English Prepositions Converted into Chinese VerbsThe English language, called prepositional language77 , relies heavily on the use of

21、 preposition or prepositional phrases; on the contrary, the Chinese language is a verb-oriented one, in which there can be two or more verbs even in one simple declarative sentence. When the English preposition phrase functions as adverbial it is often converted into Chinese verb. For example:The te

22、rm laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.激光這個(gè)術(shù)語(yǔ)的原義是利用輻射的受激發(fā)射來(lái)放大光波。（科技翻譯方法，39）A force is needed to move an object against inertia.為使物體克服慣性運(yùn)動(dòng)，就需要一個(gè)力。2.3 English Adjectives Converted into Chinese VerbsWhen English adjectives, acting as predicative, are used with prepo

23、sitional to form an adjective phrase or followed by prepositional phrase, it can often have a Chinese verb as its translation equivalent. Such cases are quite common in EST translation.Some region in this solid is devoid of electrons.該固體的某區(qū)域缺乏電子。The atoms of one element are different from those of a

24、ll other elements.一種元素的原子不同于其它元素的原子。And some English adjectives, widely used to describe the psychology or state of a person such as one s consciousness, emotional activities and desires, are usually converted into Chinese verbs.Advancing into the vastness of space, man is becoming fully aware of th

25、e smallness of his planet.由于進(jìn)入浩無(wú)涯際的太空，人類充分意識(shí)到本星球的渺小。(實(shí)用科 技英語(yǔ)翻譯，79)Many scientists are hopeful that in time controlled thermonuclear fusion will solve the energy problems.許多科學(xué)家希望可控?zé)岷司圩兊綍r(shí)將能解決世界能量的問(wèn)題。(實(shí)用 科技英語(yǔ)翻譯,79)Rontgen was certain that the fluorescent effect was not duo to cathode rays.倫琴確信，熒光效應(yīng)不是起因

26、于陰極射線。(英漢科技翻譯教程， 57)2.4 English Adverbs Converted into Chinese VerbsFrom what has been discussed in the previous section, it can be seen that not only verbs but non-verbs, such as nouns (including verbal nouns), adjectives, including verbal adjectives, namely, participles and prepositions are widely

27、 employed in English to denote certain actions. Adverbs are with no exception, especially those share with the same forms as preposition, such as on, off, up, in, out, over, behind, forward, away., when they serve as the predicative with -be, or as the object complements, they are often converted in

28、to Chinese verbs in translation. For instance:Now the experiment is over.現(xiàn)在實(shí)驗(yàn)結(jié)束。The reaction force to this action force pushes the rocket ship along.這個(gè)作用力所產(chǎn)生的反作用力推動(dòng)宇宙飛船前進(jìn)。(實(shí)用科技英語(yǔ)翻 譯，81)Conversion into Chinese NounsEnglish Verbs Converted into Chinese NounsEnglish verbs can be classifies into state a

29、nd action verbs. Professor Dai Wenjin states in his科技英語(yǔ)翻譯理論與技巧that both state and action verbs can be converted into Chinese nouns in certain cases. In fact, these cases can be divided into two sub-types.First as for some English verbs describing the characteristics or circumstances of the subject,

30、and those concepts are difficult to express in Chinese verbs, they are often converted into Chinese nouns to attain a satisfactory translation. For example:Vacuum rectifiers are characterized by the following.真空管整流器具有如下的特性。(實(shí)用科技英語(yǔ)翻譯，65)(18)The fiber-optic communication features high speed, large cap

31、acity and high reliability.光纖通信的特點(diǎn)是高速，大容量和高度可靠。(科技英語(yǔ)翻譯技巧， 29)Second, when converting the English passive voice into the Chinese active voice with ”為(受，遭，挨)construction, the verbs serving as the predicate of the original sentence are usually converted into a noun in the translated sentence.It is clea

32、r that some scientist have been influenced by this theory.要。因而通過(guò)實(shí)例分析得出的結(jié)論具有普遍意義，而不僅僅是解決幾個(gè)翻 譯例子的問(wèn)題。二、研究的基本內(nèi)容，擬解決的主要問(wèn)題：英語(yǔ)和漢語(yǔ)做為兩中完全不同的語(yǔ)言在詞性的選擇用法上有很大的差 別，因此在做英漢翻譯中為了使譯文能夠合乎漢語(yǔ)的表達(dá)方式，通常是 用詞類轉(zhuǎn)換法。詞類轉(zhuǎn)換法在科技英語(yǔ)翻譯中是一種非常重要有用的方 法。本文根據(jù)前人相關(guān)領(lǐng)域的翻譯理論，從科技英語(yǔ)的特點(diǎn)出發(fā)，分析 英漢兩種語(yǔ)言的差異，通過(guò)實(shí)例重點(diǎn)論述了詞類轉(zhuǎn)換在科技英語(yǔ)翻譯中 的具體操作方法和要點(diǎn)。AbstractAs a

33、special type of writing, EST has its own features. Thus in EST translation a variety of methods and techniques are employed. Here in EST translation into Chinese, meaning takes almost absolute precedence over form, so that techniques of word conversion are widely employed which concern making change

34、s in language form for faithful transference of meaning. Combing the features of EST with the difference between English and有些科學(xué)家顯然受到了這種理論的影響。The design will be examined by a special committee first.這項(xiàng)設(shè)計(jì)首先要受一個(gè)特別委員會(huì)的審查。3.2 English Adjectives Converted into Chinese NounsWhen used as predicative, Engli

35、sh adjectives can sometimes be converted into Chinese nouns, which is more likely to happen if the adjectives describe the characteristics of objects, and are often converted into Chinese 性，度，.體”，such as in the following sentences:Glass is much more soluble than quartz.玻璃的可溶性比石英大得多。Why are electrons

36、 more mobile than protons or neutrons?為什么電子比質(zhì)子或中子活動(dòng)性大？Evidence indicates that the outer core is about twice as dense as the material in the mantle.有證據(jù)表明，外地核的密度約為地幔物質(zhì)的兩倍。（英漢科技翻譯教程，58）As is known English adjectives can be used with the to refer to a kind of person or thing that has the same nature. Su

37、ch adjectives are then translated into Chinese nouns.X is used in mathematics for the unknown in equation.X在數(shù)學(xué)等式中表示未知數(shù)。The electrons flow from the negative to the positive.電子從負(fù)極流向正極。(實(shí)用科技英語(yǔ)翻譯，68)English Pronouns Converted into Chinese NounsIn traditional grammar, pronoun is the only word class which

38、 can function as a substitute for another item. Grammarian Bo Bing classifies pronouns into eight categories (薄冰語(yǔ);去,81). So pronouns are widely used in English. In EST material, it is demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those.) that are more likely to be used. While in Chinese, pronouns are s

39、eldom used. To make the meaning of the original sentence clearer and simpler, English pronouns are usually converted into Chinese nouns the pronouns substitute.(26)The properties of semi conductors are different from those of conductors.半導(dǎo)體的性質(zhì)與導(dǎo)體的性質(zhì)大不相同。(實(shí)用科技英語(yǔ)翻譯，72)The unit of weight is the gram, t

40、hat of length is the meter, and that of capacity is the liter.重量的單位是克，長(zhǎng)度的單位是米，容積的單位是升。3.4 English Adverbs Converted into Chinese NounsEnglish adverbs have a relatively important role in sentences in that they are necessary complement for what they modify. In certain cases they may even contain conce

41、ptual meaning, and are better to be converted into Chinese nouns to make the sentences more fluent. Look at the following examples:The device is shown schematically in Fig.5圖五所示為這種裝置的管圖。(英漢科技翻譯教程，59)Chlorine is very active chemically.氯的化學(xué)性質(zhì)很活潑。4 Conversion into Chinese AdjectivesEnglish Adverbs Conv

42、erted into Chinese AdjectivesThe use of adverbs is flexible; they can modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs and even the whole sentence. For example:She did not speak to him much. (Modify verb)He turned to a politically active youth. (Modify adjective)Z/What happened?” I asked, rather sharply. (Mo

43、dify adverb)Unfortunately, he didn t pass the CEM 6. (Modify whole sentence)Chinese as well as applying the translation theory, this thesis discusses the use of word conversion in EST translation, with emphasis on the conversion rules between various parts of speech, including the conversion into ve

44、rbs, conversion into nouns, conversion into adjectives and conversion into adverbs.Key Words: EST; translation into Chinese; verb; noun; adjective; adverb摘要作為一種特殊的文體，科技英語(yǔ)有其獨(dú)特的特點(diǎn)。在漢譯過(guò)程中必然會(huì) 使用多種翻譯方法和技巧。在科技英語(yǔ)漢譯中，意義總是比形式重要。 因此，詞類轉(zhuǎn)換這種翻譯技巧就被廣泛采用，因?yàn)樗ㄟ^(guò)詞類形式上的 轉(zhuǎn)換來(lái)達(dá)到內(nèi)容上的忠實(shí)。本文結(jié)合科技英語(yǔ)的特點(diǎn)和英漢雙語(yǔ)的差異, 在翻譯理論的基礎(chǔ)上系統(tǒng)論述了詞

45、類轉(zhuǎn)換這一重要翻譯技巧在科技英 語(yǔ)這一特定語(yǔ)域中的具體操作及應(yīng)用，重點(diǎn)論述了轉(zhuǎn)換為漢語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞，轉(zhuǎn) 換為漢語(yǔ)名詞，轉(zhuǎn)換為漢語(yǔ)形容詞和轉(zhuǎn)換為漢語(yǔ)副詞。關(guān)鍵詞：科技英語(yǔ)、漢譯、詞類轉(zhuǎn)換、動(dòng)詞、名詞、形容詞、副詞Contents TOC o 1-5 h z Introduction1EST Translation and Conversion2The Characteristics of EST2About Conversion3Word Conversion: an Important Means inTranslation4Conversion into Chinese Verbs5English

46、Nouns Converted into Chinese Verbs5English Prepositions Converted into Chinese Verbs6English Adjectives Converted into Chinese Verbs6English Adverbs Converted into Chinese Verbs7Conversion into Chinese Nouns7English Verbs Converted into Chinese Nouns7English Adjectives Converted into Chinese Nouns8E

47、nglish Pronouns Converted into Chinese Nouns9English Adverbs Converted into Chinese Nouns10Conversion into Chinese Adjectives10English Adverbs Converted into Chinese Adjectives10English Nouns Converted into Chinese Adjectives11Conversion into Chinese Adverbs12English Adjectives Converted into Chines

48、e Adverbs12English Verbs Converted into Chinese Adverbs13Conclusion13IntroductionAs China is making every effort to catch up with the developed countries in the world, an easy access to information on advanced science and technology is of great help in our absorbing modern technology and achieving o

49、ur goals. As such, EST (English for Science and Technology) translation into Chinese has become ever so important, and is a strong driving force for China7 s advancement of science and technology and is bringing about greater and greater economic benefits.A famous translation theorist J.C.Catford on

50、ce said that, Translation may be defined as follows: the replacement of textual material in one language (SL) by equivalent material in another language (TL) (Catford 20). Another famous American translation theorist Eugene A.Nida holds that Translation consists in the reproduction in the receptor l

51、anguage of the message of the source language in such a way that the receptors on the receptor language may be able to understand adequately how the original receptor of the source language understood the original message77 (Nida 10). He insists that anything expressed in one language can neverthele

52、ss be expressed in another language; people with different language from different culture can surely communicate with each other, by seeking equivalence, recognizing the form and semantic structure of the original message, in proper ways, of course. All this shows that the cognitive ability of any

53、nation will never get restricted owing to its backward“ language structure. Then how to seek equivalence becomes the core of translation studies, both in theory and practice. Many excellent translation theorists, critics and workers have devoted themselves to this core problem, and have undoubtedly

54、made great contributions to the study of it. While source language and target language are nevertheless two different languages, they all have their unique ways of formation , word order and signs of discourse.However, Nida also holds that nLanguages are different mainly because they have different

55、language forms” (Nida 4). Since our job is to seek equivalence in content or information, not absolute formal correspondence, we would nevertheless meet with formal deviations from the original textual material, so we must from grammar to vocabulary, change the forms of expression in the source lang

56、uage to be in accordance with that in the target language. This change includes structure change (clause element, voice, negative-affirmative and order change), unit change (changes between clause element and clauses), and class change (word conversion).Word conversion is by far an old topic, but it is not one about which everything