一. 動(dòng)詞的時(shí)態(tài)和語(yǔ)態(tài)

(一)動(dòng)詞的時(shí)態(tài)

英漢翻譯過(guò)程中動(dòng)詞時(shí)態(tài)的翻譯至關(guān)重要,動(dòng)詞時(shí)態(tài)的理解和表達(dá)是覺得譯文是否順暢達(dá)意的關(guān)鍵,如果我們不注意這個(gè)問題,就會(huì)造成對(duì)原文的誤解。下面就談一下英漢中時(shí)態(tài)的翻譯。

1. 英語(yǔ)的時(shí)態(tài)一般是通過(guò)詞形變化來(lái)表現(xiàn)的,而漢語(yǔ)則是通過(guò)一些表示時(shí)間的特定詞語(yǔ)來(lái)表現(xiàn)的。英譯漢時(shí),要通過(guò)加進(jìn)表示時(shí)間的詞來(lái)表達(dá)英語(yǔ)中的時(shí)態(tài)概念。常見的有:“現(xiàn)在”“如今”“將來(lái)”“以后”;“曾經(jīng)”“已經(jīng)”“正在”“剛剛”“著”“了”“過(guò)”,如:

I have been there.

我曾經(jīng)去過(guò)那里。(譯文用“曾經(jīng)”“去”來(lái)表示完成時(shí)的概念)

That kind of computer was and still is a remarkable one. ?

該計(jì)算機(jī)過(guò)去是,現(xiàn)在仍然是一種了不起的電腦。

有時(shí)英語(yǔ)中的一般現(xiàn)在時(shí)表示客觀真理等無(wú)時(shí)間性的狀態(tài),翻譯時(shí)就不用加詞了。

The sun rises in the east.

太陽(yáng)從東方升起。

2. 相對(duì)的,漢譯英時(shí),一般就可以省略表示時(shí)間的詞,而用英語(yǔ)相應(yīng)的時(shí)態(tài)來(lái)表達(dá)。

他現(xiàn)在在北京工作。

He is working in Beijing now.

我已經(jīng)吃過(guò)早飯了。

I have had my breakfast.

但需要注意的是,漢語(yǔ)的靈活性極大,不一定所有的“了”都是過(guò)去時(shí)或完成時(shí),比如下面這例:

今天上午我吃了兩個(gè)饅頭。

I had two buns this morning.

下面我們就談?wù)劃h語(yǔ)中常見的具體表時(shí)間的詞的英譯(之前列舉的“如今”“曾經(jīng)”等詞指示時(shí)間的意味較為明確,因此不再贅述啦~)

1. “著”

(1) 表示動(dòng)作正在進(jìn)行

他說(shuō)完話站起來(lái),直視著我。

He finished his conversation and stood up, looking straight at me.

(2) 表示某種持續(xù)的狀態(tài)

在新西蘭,毛利人保持著深厚的文化傳統(tǒng)。

In New Zealand, the Maori people maintain a strong cultural tradition.

2. “了”通常是過(guò)去時(shí)和完成時(shí)的標(biāo)志,

Somehow Karin managed to cope with the demands of her career.

卡琳設(shè)法達(dá)到了其職業(yè)的要求。

我已經(jīng)掌握了有關(guān)該組織誕生的可靠的詳細(xì)資料。

I had obtained the authentic details about the birth of the organization.

3. “過(guò)”,表示曾經(jīng)的動(dòng)作,一般過(guò)去時(shí)的標(biāo)志,如:

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. ?

努力過(guò),失敗過(guò),沒關(guān)系,屢戰(zhàn)屢敗,屢敗屢戰(zhàn),每一次失敗都比上一次更好。

但有時(shí),也是完成時(shí)的標(biāo)志,(在漢譯英中較為明顯)。

她丈夫以前從來(lái)沒得過(guò)任何心臟疾病。

Her husband had never before had any heart trouble.

二. 動(dòng)詞的語(yǔ)態(tài)

英譯漢時(shí)被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)的基本的翻譯方法如下:

1. 直接譯為主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)

(1) 譯為無(wú)主句或添加模糊主語(yǔ)

It is said that…

據(jù)說(shuō)…

Such a conclusion can be drawn…

(我們)可以得出這個(gè)結(jié)論…

The boy can be assumed

(我們可以)假設(shè)這個(gè)男孩…

有時(shí)為了譯為明確行文,可以適當(dāng)添加“我/我們”“人們”等模糊的主語(yǔ)。

The students were seen reciting the new words and phrases.

有人看見學(xué)生們?cè)诒承聠卧~和短語(yǔ)。

(2)? 在主語(yǔ)明確的情況下,保留原句主語(yǔ)。

The food was exhausted only in a few days.

食物在幾天內(nèi)就吃光了。

2. 譯為被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)

不能譯為主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)的,可采用中文中的被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)的句式來(lái)譯,常見的被動(dòng)句式有“為…所”“讓…給”。

Unifies our country's condition asas our country's historic tradition, causes these to be adopted by us.

結(jié)合我國(guó)的國(guó)情以及我國(guó)的歷史傳統(tǒng), 使這些為我所用。

Her dress was caught by a nail.

她的衣服讓釘子給鉤住了。

3. 科技文獻(xiàn)中譯為“能夠”“可以”

Because it is very slippery,it is used for lubrication.

因?yàn)樗芑?,因此可以用?lái)做潤(rùn)滑劑。

4. 用“是…的”字句表示被動(dòng)

“是 …的” 是一種形式主動(dòng),實(shí)際上是不用“被”字的被動(dòng)句,例如:

War is invented by the human mind.

戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)是人的智慧發(fā)明的。

再如冰心的《夢(mèng)》,“五色的絲線,是能做成好看的活計(jì)的;香的,美麗的花,是要插在頭上的;鏡子是妝束完時(shí)要照一照的;在眾人中間坐著,是要說(shuō)些很細(xì)膩很溫柔的話的;眼淚是時(shí)常要落下來(lái)的。女孩子是總有點(diǎn)脾氣,帶點(diǎn)嬌貴的樣子的?!?/div>

For?instance,?silk?thread?of?all?colors?was?fancied?for?beautiful needlework;?fragrant?brilliant?flowers?should?be?put?in?hair?for?decoration;?dressing?should be?followed?by?taking?a?look?in?a?mirror;?when?sitting?among?a?crowd,?a?girl?should?speak?in?a soft?and?delicate?tone;?she?should?be?lachrymose?and?normally?somewhat?petulant?like?a pampered?child.

注意:從整體上來(lái)說(shuō),翻譯時(shí)主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)比被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)更為普遍。但在以下幾種情況時(shí),要使用被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài):(文學(xué)翻譯時(shí)有時(shí)為了句子生動(dòng)也會(huì)采用被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài))。

①動(dòng)作的發(fā)出者顯而易見或不重要(選自《非文學(xué)翻譯理論與實(shí)踐》)

世人常稱大學(xué)為‘最高學(xué)府’…

A university has often been misleadingly referred to as "the highest seat of learning"…(選自《張培基英譯現(xiàn)代散文》)

②為了強(qiáng)調(diào)

The suggestion was made by Mrs. Smith.

這個(gè)建議是由史密斯女士提出的。(強(qiáng)調(diào)施動(dòng)者)

One of the most controversial members of the European Parliament has been interviewed by the press about the proposal.

l中國(guó)尊重非洲人民自主選擇適合自己國(guó)情的政治制度和發(fā)展道路…(強(qiáng)調(diào)動(dòng)作的接受者)

China respects the political systems and paths to development independently adopted and pursued by people that suit their national conditions.(選自《三級(jí)筆譯實(shí)務(wù)》)

③表示委婉,禮貌,推脫責(zé)任,比如:This bill has not been paid,比you have not paid the bill 委婉。

A mistake was made就比we made a mistake 更不具有針對(duì)性。

④有時(shí)為了避免語(yǔ)氣過(guò)于正式的one,或過(guò)于非正式的you作主語(yǔ),也會(huì)使用被動(dòng)。

These documents can be found on the second floor.

這些文件可以在二樓找到。

⑤表示客觀陳述(科技文體中較常見)

These are also called stimulant fat burners.

他們也被稱為刺激性脂肪燃燒劑.

⑥漢譯英時(shí),有時(shí)前后句間并沒有邏輯關(guān)系時(shí)會(huì)用被動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài),一般用于列舉措施,如:(以下例子選自《三級(jí)筆譯實(shí)務(wù)》)

… 限制旅客人數(shù),減少道路建設(shè);鼓勵(lì)當(dāng)?shù)貓F(tuán)體積極參與管理;對(duì)游客進(jìn)行環(huán)保教育;以及重點(diǎn)保護(hù)藏族文化。

…the number of tourists should be limited,as should road construction; the participation of local communities should be encouraged; educational opportunities for visitors to learn about nature should be established; and an emphasis should be put on the Tibetan culture.

綜上所述,時(shí)態(tài)屬于翻譯的細(xì)節(jié)問題,語(yǔ)態(tài)則相對(duì)宏觀一些,但二者在翻譯時(shí),都需要是具體情況而定,選擇最佳的翻譯方法,從而提高譯文質(zhì)量。