1、数词和冠词的翻译数词和冠词的翻译考考大家:考考大家:几个几个 A few;several;a number of 好几百个好几百个 Hundreds of 几十万几十万 Hundreds of thousands of 成千上万成千上万 Thousands of 这是你这是你第几次第几次来杭州?来杭州?Is this your first visit to Hangzhou?我我十分十分愿意回答这个问愿意回答这个问题。题。I feel more than happier to answer this question.第一节、数词的翻译第一节、数词的翻译 数词通常用来表达精确的数目和数量,数词
2、通常用来表达精确的数目和数量,翻译过程中翻译过程中“一就是一,二就是二一就是一,二就是二”不能不能含糊。含糊。然而,在一定的语境中,数字已经失然而,在一定的语境中,数字已经失去了精确的概念,变得抽象、模糊、笼统,去了精确的概念,变得抽象、模糊、笼统,如在如在“三思而后行三思而后行”、“百战百胜百战百胜”中,中,数词已不再表达原先的精确数值,翻译这数词已不再表达原先的精确数值,翻译这样的数据时,就不能死抠数字本身。样的数据时,就不能死抠数字本身。一、保持原来数字不变一、保持原来数字不变 你好像一夜之间长高了十英寸。你好像一夜之间长高了十英寸。You look as if you grew ten
3、 inches in the night.一寸光阴一一寸光阴一寸寸金。金。An inch of time is(worth)an inch of gold.你故意淹死两千两百个小工,每一个小工你故意淹死两千两百个小工,每一个小工的性命你扣三百的性命你扣三百钱钱。You drowned 2200 coolies in cold blood,and for each life,you raked in 300 dollars.一些笼统数字的翻译一些笼统数字的翻译 十几个 几十个 几十年 七十好几了 亿万 More than/no more than twenty Dozens of Decades
4、 Well over seventy Hundreds of millions of翻译磨刀石(数字直译)翻译磨刀石(数字直译)一个中心,两个基本一个中心,两个基本点点 四项基本原则四项基本原则 和平共处五项原则和平共处五项原则 他们俩每人有十个孩他们俩每人有十个孩子。子。一鸟在手,胜于百鸟一鸟在手,胜于百鸟在林。在林。One central task and two basic points The four cardinal principles The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Both of them have ten childr
5、en.(each?)A bird in the hand is better than a hundred in the wood.二、改变原来的数字二、改变原来的数字 有的数据无法直译,如一些一语双关有的数据无法直译,如一些一语双关的歇后语,以及字面意义和实际意义完全的歇后语,以及字面意义和实际意义完全不符的成语和俗语等。有的数词虽然可以不符的成语和俗语等。有的数词虽然可以直译,但与译入语的表达习惯不协调,易直译,但与译入语的表达习惯不协调,易引起歧义。引起歧义。这些情况下,只好牺牲某些形式上的这些情况下,只好牺牲某些形式上的特点,结合上下文的内容和译入语的习惯,特点,结合上下文的内容和译入
6、语的习惯,采取意译法,酌情改变数字。采取意译法,酌情改变数字。他买了他买了24本杂志。本杂志。He has bought two dozen magazines.500年年来,中国的戏剧有了很大的发展。来,中国的戏剧有了很大的发展。The past five centuries witnessed great development in Chinese drama.他的数学在班上是他的数学在班上是首屈一指首屈一指的。的。His math is second to none in his class.每次我们闲聊,她每次我们闲聊,她十有八九十有八九要说到你。要说到你。She talks abo
7、ut you nine times out of ten when we have a chat.三五三五中秋夕,清游拟上元。(中秋夕,清游拟上元。(红楼梦红楼梦)Mid-autumns fifteenth night is here again.As on the feast of lanterns we stroll round.一些序数词的翻译一些序数词的翻译 你们队得了你们队得了第几名第几名?Did your team win the championship?这个孩子是你的这个孩子是你的老几老几啊?啊?Is this your oldest/youngest child?一朝一朝被蛇
8、咬,被蛇咬,十年十年怕井绳。怕井绳。Once bitten,twice shy.(套译套译)三思三思而后行。而后行。Look before you leap.(套译套译)要遵照英语习惯要遵照英语习惯 普及工作若是停留在一个水平上普及工作若是停留在一个水平上那么那么教育者和被教育者岂不都是教育者和被教育者岂不都是半斤八两半斤八两?If popularization remains at the same level for everwill not those educators and those being educated be six of one and half a dozen of
9、 the other?翻译磨刀石翻译磨刀石(意译意译)1 1 对于人性,我有研究,对于人性,我有研究,略知一二略知一二。2 2 你不该对此事你不该对此事说三道四说三道四。3 3 此乃此乃千载难逢千载难逢的好机会,你一定要抓住。的好机会,你一定要抓住。4 4 别别三心二意三心二意了,就这么办吧。了,就这么办吧。5 5 五大三粗五大三粗 6 6 不管三七二十一。不管三七二十一。7 7 六神无主六神无主key 1 I have studied human nature,and I know a thing or two.2 You should not have said anything abou
10、t the matter.3 You must seize the chance.Its a chance of lifetime.(very rare chance)4 Dont be wavering.Go right ahead.5 big and tall 6 do something regardless of the consequences 7 restless(in a state of utter stupefaction)三、省略数词三、省略数词 翻译活动中,总有一些数词在语法。语言翻译活动中,总有一些数词在语法。语言形式上都不符合译文的表达习惯和文化背形式上都不符合译文的
11、表达习惯和文化背景,无法找到对等的词来翻译,这时该省景,无法找到对等的词来翻译,这时该省则省,但译文在则省,但译文在联想意义上联想意义上应该和原文应该和原文一一致致。如:。如:身怀六甲:身怀六甲:To be pregnantExamples:六街三市六街三市 六亲六亲 六畜六畜 万紫千红万紫千红 一诺千金一诺千金 九死一生九死一生 Downtown area All ones relatives and friends(Six)domestic animals A variety of color A promise that will be kept A narrow escape from
12、 death(a near escape/go)此地无银此地无银三百两三百两。A guilty person gives himself away by conspicuously protesting his innocence.那大汉已有那大汉已有七八分醉七八分醉。(水浒传水浒传)Now the big fellow was already half-drunken.等他们赶来增援时,已是等他们赶来增援时,已是“正月十五正月十五贴门贴门神,晚了神,晚了半月半月啦啦”。But they were too late for a rescue.有些商场的售货员态度冷若冰霜,拒人有些商场的售货员态
13、度冷若冰霜,拒人千千里里之外。之外。Shop assistants in some markets are frosty in manner,repelling customers from a distance.翻译磨刀石翻译磨刀石 1 1 百闻不如一见。百闻不如一见。2 2 乱七八糟乱七八糟 3 3 沧海一粟沧海一粟/不足挂齿不足挂齿/不值一提不值一提/九牛一毛九牛一毛 4 4 一个巴掌拍不响。一个巴掌拍不响。5 5 孤注一掷孤注一掷 6 6 一不做,二不休一不做,二不休 7 7 一失足成千古恨一失足成千古恨key 1 Seeing is believing.2 at sixes and
14、sevens 3 a drop in the bucket 4 It takes two to make a quarrel.5 to put all ones eggs in one basket 6 In for a penny,in for a pound.or One may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.7 A hundred years cannot repair a moments loss of honor.or A single slip may cause lasting sorrow.倍数的翻译倍数的翻译 1 倍数增加倍数
15、增加 表示表示A 的大小是的大小是B 的的N倍,或者倍,或者A比比B大大N-1倍:倍:A is N times as great(long,much)as B.A is N times greater(longer,more)than B.A is N times the size(length,amount)of B.这本书比那本书厚两倍。这本书比那本书厚两倍。This book is three times as thick as(three times thicker than)that one.注:当相比对象注:当相比对象B B很明显时,英语中的很明显时,英语中的than than(a
16、s,of)B(as,of)B常被省略。常被省略。表示表示“增加增加到到”Increase to N times Increase N times/n-fold Increase by N times Increase by a factor of N动词increase常用raise,grow,go up,step up,multiply等替换 集成电路的产量比去年集成电路的产量比去年增加了两倍增加了两倍。The production of integrated circuits has been increased to three times as compared with last y
17、ear.化肥产量比化肥产量比1996年年增加了增加了4倍倍。The output of chemical fertilizer has been raised five times(by a factor of five)as against 1996.那样可以使代谢率提高那样可以使代谢率提高一倍或两倍一倍或两倍。That can increase metabolic rates by two or three times.There is a“N-fold”increase/growth句型句型 据报道,价值破纪录地据报道,价值破纪录地增长了三倍增长了三倍。There is a four-t
18、ime increase in value according to the report.A record high increase of four times in value was reported.Double,treble(triple),quadruple 这些机器的效率已经这些机器的效率已经提高了两倍或三倍多提高了两倍或三倍多。The efficiency of the machines has been more than trebled or quadrupled.百分比表达倍数百分比表达倍数 美国移民研究中心美国移民研究中心1999年年9月发表的一份报告指出,移月发表的
19、一份报告指出,移民的贫困率民的贫困率1979年至年至1997年间年间增长了增长了123%,移民贫困,移民贫困人口由人口由270万万增至增至770万万。1989年至年至1997年间,新增贫年间,新增贫困人口中,移民困人口中,移民达达300万人万人,占占75%。A report by the American Center for Immigration Research in September,1999 pointed out that the poverty rate of the immigrants increased 123 percent between 1979 and 1997,
20、and the population of poor immigrants soared from 2.7 million to 7.7 million.Indeed,between 1989 and 1997,among the newly increased poor population,3 million(or 75%of the total)were immigrants,accounting for 75 percent of the total.用用Again表示倍数表示倍数 A比B多一倍 A is as much(large,long)again as B.=A is twic
21、e as much as B A比B多一半(A是B的一倍半)A is half as much again as B.A is one and a half times as much as B.2 倍数减少倍数减少 A is N times as small(light,slow)as B.A is N times smaller(lighter,slower)than B.Decrease N times Decrease by N times Decrease by a factor of N There is a N-fold decrease/reduction 这种薄膜比普通纸张要
22、这种薄膜比普通纸张要薄一半薄一半。This sort of membrane is twice thinner than ordinary paper.新型晶体管的开关时间新型晶体管的开关时间缩短了缩短了2/3。Switching time of the new-type transistor is shortened 3 times.该设备的误差率该设备的误差率降低了降低了4/5。The equipment reduced the error probability by a factor of 5.这种产品的主要优点是重量这种产品的主要优点是重量减轻了减轻了1/2。The principa
23、l advantage of the product is a two-fold reduction in weight.第二节、活用英语冠词第二节、活用英语冠词 定冠词(定冠词(the)、不定冠词)、不定冠词(a/an)、零冠词、零冠词 汉译英时要注意冠词的适当添加。汉译英时要注意冠词的适当添加。一、补足不定冠词一、补足不定冠词 a/an 1 补充补充a/an表示次数概念表示次数概念 我有权要求你对你的话作我有权要求你对你的话作一番一番解释。解释。I have a right to demand an explanation of your words.做了做了一番一番视察视察 To mak
24、e an inspection of 进行进行一场一场辩论辩论 To have an argument with 汉语动词转化成英语抽象名词时,汉语动词转化成英语抽象名词时,或使用或使用there bethere be结构时,注意根据结构时,注意根据上下文和语法需要添加不定冠词上下文和语法需要添加不定冠词 气温突然下降。气温突然下降。There was a sudden fall in temperature.城里发生了麻疹病。城里发生了麻疹病。There has been an outbreak of measles in town.2 表示种类或部分概念表示种类或部分概念 一种宁静的幸福充
25、满了他的心田。一种宁静的幸福充满了他的心田。A serene happiness filled his heart.她干工作有惊人的坚忍不拔的毅力。她干工作有惊人的坚忍不拔的毅力。She did her work with a perseverance that was truly amazing.3 添加不定冠词表示具有某添加不定冠词表示具有某种品质的人或物种品质的人或物 百岁以上的人是百岁以上的人是很少见的很少见的。A man over a hundred years old is a rarity.这种红黄纹路的贝壳真是这种红黄纹路的贝壳真是稀奇物稀奇物。This red and yel
26、low striped seashell is quite a curiosity.drill 1 我们的折叠桌是个很方便的家具。我们的折叠桌是个很方便的家具。2 摄影是一种艺术。摄影是一种艺术。3 他以幽默大师闻名,但他现在没有什么他以幽默大师闻名,但他现在没有什么幽默了。幽默了。4 在村与村之间,你几乎看不到一个人。在村与村之间,你几乎看不到一个人。5 少校真诚地喜欢并尊敬他的嫂嫂。少校真诚地喜欢并尊敬他的嫂嫂。+a/ankey 1 Our folding table is a great convenience.2 Photography is an art.3 He was famed
27、 as a wit,but he has no wit now.4 You saw hardly a soul between the villages.5 The major had a sincere liking and regard for his sister-in-law.二、补足定冠词、限定词二、补足定冠词、限定词 这起犯罪行为很快被发现了。这起犯罪行为很快被发现了。犯罪行为在增加。犯罪行为在增加。The crime was soon discovered.Crime is increasing.比较:比较:比较:比较:你觉得这音乐怎样?你觉得这音乐怎样?他的工作是制作音乐。他的
28、工作是制作音乐。What do you think of the music?His work is to compose music.某些表示人体部位的名词前某些表示人体部位的名词前需加定冠词需加定冠词 这种场景会很悦目的。这种场景会很悦目的。The scene will please the eye.她想方设法训练青年学生的听力。她想方设法训练青年学生的听力。She tried to train the ear of young students.某些表示工具、容器等意义某些表示工具、容器等意义的名词前要加定冠词的名词前要加定冠词 文强于武。文强于武。The pen is mightier
29、 than the sword.汤姆很喜欢喝酒。汤姆很喜欢喝酒。Tom is too fond of the bottle.从生到死从生到死 from the cradle to the grave独一无二的事物前和专有名词中独一无二的事物前和专有名词中要用定冠词要用定冠词 太阳从东方升起。The sun rises in the east.长城 The Great Wall 在白天 In the daydrill 1 生活的浮沉使他变得颓废。生活的浮沉使他变得颓废。2 这首歌很好听。这首歌很好听。3 我总感到对妇女有欠公平。我总感到对妇女有欠公平。4 他又厚着脸皮要钱了吗?他又厚着脸皮要钱了
30、吗?5 她做了富有诗意的动作。她做了富有诗意的动作。6 跟同班同学不和睦是很烦人的。跟同班同学不和睦是很烦人的。+thekey 1 The ups and downs of his life made him prop out.2 The song is pleasant to the ear.3 I always feel the injustice towards women.4 Did he have the cheek/face to ask for more money?5 She made the poetry of motion.6 Being on the outs with
31、a classmate is very upsetting.零冠词零冠词 1 表示处所、建筑物、人物、事物的可数表示处所、建筑物、人物、事物的可数具体名词前具体名词前 Go to school/college/bed/hospital/prison/market/war In bed/town/jail/church Play chess/bridge/golf/basketball零冠词与名词连用泛指一般人或零冠词与名词连用泛指一般人或一般事物一般事物 这个学校很需要教授。Professors are needed in this school.电流是一种能源形式。Electricity i
32、s a form of energy.Drill 1 他从头到脚都被雪覆盖。他从头到脚都被雪覆盖。2 牛奶可以用来制作黄油和奶酪。牛奶可以用来制作黄油和奶酪。3 知识总是在扩充。知识总是在扩充。4 植物用阳光、水、二氧化碳,在叶子上植物用阳光、水、二氧化碳,在叶子上制作食物。制作食物。Zero articleskey 1 He is covered with snow from head to foot.2 Milk is made into butter and cheese.3 Knowledge is always expanding.4 Plants made food in their leaves using sunlight,water and carbon dioxide.