英漢兩種語言的主謂搭配,在大多數(shù)情況下是相通的。英語里一個(gè)主謂搭配,譯成漢語后可以保持原來的搭配,但有時(shí)卻不行,漢譯英時(shí)也是這樣。一般說來,漢語的主謂關(guān)系沒有英語那么密切。英語對(duì)于主語能否作后面的動(dòng)作考慮較多。因此,譯文以什么作主語,怎樣和謂語搭配,是一個(gè)經(jīng)常需要斟酌的問題。
為了敘述的方便,這里所說的“主謂搭配”是指主語和謂語動(dòng)詞的搭配。
一.怎樣處理無主句?
漢語有些句子沒有主語,稱為“無主句”。這種句子相當(dāng)普遍。有時(shí)一句話根本沒有主語;有時(shí)前面一句話有主語,一直管下去,后面幾句話就沒有主語了;有時(shí)后面的動(dòng)作并不是前面的主語所做的,卻沒有新的主語出現(xiàn)。雖然如此,句子的意思還是清楚的,不會(huì)引起誤解。按照同樣的句子結(jié)構(gòu)譯成英語就不行了。
例1.過去,只講在社會(huì)主義條件下發(fā)展生產(chǎn)力,沒有講還要通過改革解放生產(chǎn)力,不完全。應(yīng)該把解放生產(chǎn)力和發(fā)展生產(chǎn)力兩個(gè)講全了。
In the past, we only stressed expansion of the productive forces under socialism, without mentioning the need to liberate them through reform. That conception was incomplete. Both the liberation and the expansion of the productive forces are essential.
這是一個(gè)很典型的例子。從英語的角度考慮,“只講”前面缺主語,譯文加了we作主語。在泛泛而談的時(shí)候,加we是最方便的。接下去,“不完全”前面還缺一個(gè)主語,這里再用we就不行了。推敲一下就可以看出,這“不完全”三字指的是上面這種認(rèn)識(shí)或說法,因此譯文以That conception為主語。最后,“應(yīng)該”前面還缺一個(gè)主語。既然原文說應(yīng)把兩個(gè)方面講全,譯文就以Both the liberation and the expansion of the productive forces作主語,把這兩個(gè)方面放在突出的位置上,這就是把原文的賓語變?yōu)樽g文的主語了。
例2.所以,能發(fā)展就不要阻擋,有條件的地方要盡可能搞快點(diǎn),只要是講效益,講質(zhì)量,搞外向型經(jīng)濟(jì),就沒有什么可以擔(dān)心的。
Therefore, those areas that are in a position to develop should not be obstructed. Where local conditions permit, development should proceed as fast as possible. There is nothing to worry about so long as we stress efficiency and quality and develop an export-oriented economy.
例3.社會(huì)主義的本質(zhì),是解放生產(chǎn)力,發(fā)展生產(chǎn)力,消滅剝削,消除兩極分化,最終達(dá)到共同富裕。就是要對(duì)大家講這個(gè)道理。
The essence of socialism is liberation and development of the productive forces, elimination of exploitation and polarization, and the ultimate achievement of prosperity for all. This concept must be made clear to the people.
例4.這樣好嘛,就是要有創(chuàng)造性。
That’s good. Creativity is just what we want.
例5.對(duì)改革開放,一開始就有不同意見,這是正常的。
In the beginning opinions were divided about the reform and the open policy. That was normal.
從英語的角度來看,例2“能發(fā)展就不要阻擋”需要落實(shí)到一個(gè)名詞上,也就是說這一部分譯文需要有個(gè)主語。下文緊接著提到“有條件的地方”,因此前面一句用those areas that...為主語就十分恰當(dāng)了。例3至例5分別以This concept,Creativity和opinions為主語,也就是說都是把原文的賓語用作主語,但謂語部分各不相同,例3用了被動(dòng)語態(tài),例4和例5都是主動(dòng)語態(tài),但結(jié)構(gòu)不同。由此可見,即便都是把賓語用作主語,謂語部分也要根據(jù)實(shí)際需要而定。
二.怎樣處理主謂搭配?
有時(shí)如果譯文照搬原文的主謂搭配會(huì)感到很別扭,這就是需要變動(dòng)一下主語。一種常見的辦法是到主語部分中的定語里找一個(gè)詞來作主語,后面的謂語可能好安排一點(diǎn)。
例6.我國經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展分三步走,本世紀(jì)走兩步,達(dá)到溫飽和小康,下個(gè)世紀(jì)用三十年到五十年時(shí)間再走一步,達(dá)到中等發(fā)達(dá)國家的水平。
China is developing its economy in three steps. Two steps will be taken in this century, to reach the point where our people have adequate food and clothing and lead a fairly comfortable life. The third step, which will take us 30 to 50 years into the next century, is to reach the level of the moderately developed countries.
例7.我國的經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展,總要力爭隔幾年上一個(gè)臺(tái)階。
In developing the economy, we should strive to reach a higher level every few years.
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