沖擊波英語專八系列:翻譯之漢譯英--政治類(2)
道德觀念,對(duì)于人們可能并不陌生,而道德判斷,則有些新穎,似乎頗具學(xué)術(shù)味道。
其實(shí),在任何社會(huì)里,都離不開道德判斷,它不過是對(duì)道德觀念的一種具體體現(xiàn)與應(yīng)用。
概括而言,道德判斷可以理解為特定社會(huì)中一種以文化為依托的判斷;即對(duì)社會(huì)上的一些作為或不作為,甚至意識(shí)、動(dòng)機(jī)乃至性格等的對(duì)錯(cuò)、善惡、得失等所形成的觀點(diǎn)所作出的評(píng)估。因社會(huì)文化的不同,道德判斷也是多樣的。
在西方傳統(tǒng)文化里,個(gè)人首先被看作是獨(dú)立的存在,具有各種權(quán)利和行為自由,同時(shí)也對(duì)自己的行為全權(quán)負(fù)責(zé)。然而,不同個(gè)體之間的利益又會(huì)發(fā)生沖突,如何解決?這就需要遵守維護(hù)相互間利益的社會(huì)契約原則。
背景介紹
本篇節(jié)選自林巍的《道德判斷》。這是一篇帶有學(xué)術(shù)論文性質(zhì)的雜文。對(duì)于這一類型作品的翻譯,既不能像學(xué)術(shù)論文那樣對(duì)待,也不能完全等同于一般性散文,而是要在二者之間把握一種度。
難點(diǎn)解析
1. “道德觀念”譯為“moral”?!暗赖屡小弊g為“moral judgment”。
2. “對(duì) ……并不陌生”:即“對(duì) ……熟悉”,譯為“be familiar with”。
3. “頗具學(xué)術(shù)味道” :譯為 “a bit academic”。其中“a bit”的意思是“有一點(diǎn)兒”。
4. 第二段 “其實(shí),在任何社會(huì)里,都離不開道德判斷,它不過是對(duì)道德觀念的一種具體體現(xiàn)與應(yīng)用 ?!弊g為“As a matter of fact, moral judgment, as a speci?c manifestation of morality, is deeply rooted in any society.”。其中“manifestation”的意思是“體現(xiàn)、表現(xiàn)”。短語“be deeply rooted in...”解釋為“根深蒂固于……”。
5.“以文化為依托的”:即“受文化所限的”,譯為“culture-bound”。這種“名詞+形容詞”的復(fù)合詞,在翻譯中使用,可使譯文變得更為簡(jiǎn)潔 。類似結(jié)構(gòu)的還有:snow-topped:峰巒積雪的;apple-green :蘋果綠的;snow-white :雪白的。
6.“作為或不作為”:譯為“action or inaction”。
7. “對(duì)錯(cuò) 、善惡、得失”:譯為 “right or wrong, good or bad, bene?cial or damaging”或 “right or wrong, good or evil, gain or loss”。
8. “因社會(huì)文化的不同,道德判斷也是多樣的?!笨勺g為英語條件句“Moral judgments are naturally diversi?ed given the cultural differences across societies.”。其中“given”作“考慮到……”解,相當(dāng)于“taking into consideration”。
9. 最后一段第一句“……個(gè)人首先被看作是獨(dú)立的存在 ,具有各種權(quán)利和行為自由,同時(shí)也對(duì)自己的行為全權(quán)負(fù)責(zé)?!钡闹鞲刹糠质恰皞€(gè)人首先被看作是獨(dú)立的存在”,“具有 ……同時(shí)也對(duì) ……全權(quán)負(fù)責(zé)”是次要信息,故譯文將其譯為分詞短語和形容詞短語結(jié)構(gòu) ,用以具體說明。
10. “獨(dú)立的存在”:譯為“independent entities”,其中“entity”本意為 “實(shí)體、存在”。
11. “具有” :譯為“be endowed with”。例如 :Americans are endowed with a world-class tertiary educational system second to none. 美國(guó)人仍擁有無人能比的世界級(jí)高等教育體系。
12. “發(fā)生沖突”:譯為“be at odds with”,此短語本意為“與……爭(zhēng)執(zhí),意見不一致”。
13. “這就需要遵守維護(hù)相互間利益的社會(huì)契約原則。”是漢語中典型的無主語句型,這里可以翻譯成被動(dòng)語態(tài),譯為“The principle of social contract is thus required to uphold interests based on consensus.”。
參考譯文?
Everybody is familiar with the term “moral”, but not “moral judgment”which seems to be novel and a bit academic.?
As a matter of fact, moral judgment, as a speci?c manifestation of morality, is deeply rooted in any society.?
Generally speaking, moral judgments may be understood as culture-bound evaluations in a society, that are the assessments or opinions formed as to whether some action or inaction, intention, motive or character is right or wrong, good or bad, bene?cial or damaging. Moral judgments are naturally diversi?ed given the cultural differences across societies.?
In traditional western culture, individuals are primarily viewed as independent entities endowed with a set of natural rights, freedom and responsible for their actions. Different individual interests, however, may be at odds with each other from time to time. In resolving these con?icts, the principle of social contract is thus required to uphold interests based on consensus.?
選自《中國(guó)翻譯》
- 相關(guān)熱點(diǎn):
- 英語專業(yè)八級(jí)考試
- 專四專八
- 商務(wù)英語情景會(huì)話