摘要: 英语和汉语是属于两个不同语系的语言,二者之间存在很多差异,了解这些差异对于做好工程英语翻译工作有很大的裨益。
英语和汉语是属于两个不同语系的语言,二者之间存在很多差异,了解这些差异对于做好工程英语翻译工作有很大的裨益。根据我们多年的教学和翻译经验, 我们把英汉之间的差异归纳为以下几个方面:
1. 综合性与分析性
英语属于综合性语言,其标志为词的曲折变化形式;汉语属于分析性语言,主要靠“着”、“了”、“过”等助词来表达不同的时间关系以及动作的进展状况。例如:
1) Thus encouraged,they made a still bolder plan to build another bridge over the Huanghe River.
译文:由于受到这样的鼓励,他们制定了在黄河上再修建一座桥梁的更大胆计划。
2) Without the application of the new technology,suspense bridges over the valleys would have cracked or collapsed during the major earthquake,and many deaths and property losses would have been caused.
译文:如果没有运用这个新技术,这么大的地震中,峡谷上修建的吊桥肯定会断裂或者坍塌,这会造成很多人员伤亡和财产损失。
2. 紧凑与松散
一般说来,英语句子结构紧凑,有大量的连词、介词在句子与句子之间衔接;汉语句子结构松散,句子与句子之间缺少连接成分。例如:
3) Now the integrated circuit has reduced by many times the size of the computer of which it forms a part, thus creating a new generation of portable PC.
译文:现在集成电路成了计算机的组成部分,使计算机的体积大大缩小,从而产生了新一代的便携式家用计算机。
4) A new kind of building material has been developed for the purpose that still taller buildings and longer suspense bridges can be built in any places.
译文:一种新的建筑材料被研制了出来,这种材料可以使更高的大楼和更长的吊桥在任何地方修建。
3. 形合与意合
英语的各类语句的关系靠严密的句法来衔接,从而使句子达到浑然一体的效果,而汉语的语句不靠句法上的衔接,而是讲究意会。例如:
5) The colors of the fences on both sides of the highway change from the bright yellow in the morning to the dark yellow in the evening.
译文:高速路两边护栏的颜色变化多端,早上是鲜黄,到了傍晚则变成了深黄。
6) The narrow streets,poor-quality vehicles and many new drivers pose a great threat to the urban life and pedestrian's peace of mind.
译文:狭窄的街道,质量不高的汽车以及很多新手司机严重地威胁着城市生活,街道上的行人无不胆战心惊。
4. 繁复与简单
英语句子一般较长且结构复杂,汉语句子一般较短且简练。例如:
7) The employer will respond in writing to any request for clarification which is received more than 28 days prior to the deadline for submission of tenders and written copies of the response will be sent to all tenders who have picked up the tender documents.
译文:业主在截标28天前收到投标者提出的澄清要求后,将以书面形式予以答复。该答复的书面复印件将被送至所有已获得招标文件的投标者。