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1、翻译常用技巧:结构与解构（以今为例） 英汉两种语言有着不同的表现形式。英语是形合的语言，而汉语是意合的语言。英语的形合表现为性、数、格、时态、语态、标点符号和严紧的树型句子结构及其各种句内的镶嵌成分。而汉语则如行云流水，句型比较松散。有人说汉语句子就象一串灯笼，你把它们围成什么形状都是亮的。古时，汉语甚至连标点符号也没有。因此，在这种有着明显差异的两种语言间进行篇章语意转换，不掌握某些规律是很难做到的。这就是我们这个章节要讲的内容：汉译英的“结构”突显特征。试以译例加以说明。原文和译文均来自英语世界2003/9。原文是李大钊先生的名篇今，译文是张培基先生的作品。 今 李大钊1）我以为世间最可宝
2、贵的就是“今”，最易丧失的也是“今”。因为他最易丧失，所以更觉得他可以宝贵。The Living PresentOf all things in the world, I think, the present is the most precious, and also the most apt to slip through our fingers. We, therefore, treasure it all the more because of its transience.解析：第一句的翻译，句子结构就被打乱，“我认为”被翻成镶嵌成分I think，状语被提前由介词结构组成，the
3、most apt to短语来翻“最易”，slip through our fingers将“丧失”具体化，是抽象向具体引伸的做法。第二句的译文将因果关系颠倒，therefore构成插入成分，突显英语结构形式。用all the more 短语表示“更”。 2）为甚么“今”最可宝贵呢？最好借哲人耶曼孙所说的话答这个疑问：“尔若爱千古，尔当爱现在。昨日不能唤回来，明天还不确实， 尔能确有把握的就是今日。今日一天，当明日两天。”Why is the present so precious? The following quotation from philosopher Emerson best se
4、rves for an answer: “Make use of time if you love eternity; yesterday cannot be recalled; tomorrow cannot be assured; only today is yours. One today is worth two tomorrows.”解析：该段落牵涉到翻译中的一个特别现象：回译。回译是指原文中被引用部分原本来自译语，翻译只是找回原来的说法，此时，译者切不可字作主张将之改译。“尔若爱千古，尔当爱现在。昨日不能唤回来，明天还不确实， 尔能确有把握的就是今日。今日一天，当明日两天。” 才是
5、“Make use of time if you love eternity; yesterday cannot be recalled; tomorrow cannot be assured; only today is yours. One today is worth two tomorrows.” 的译文。所以“借 的话答这个疑问”用了The following quotation 来翻译, 最好被翻译成best serves for连动语义结构形式以突显结构。3）为甚么“今”最易丧失呢？因为宇宙大化刻刻流转，绝不停留。时间这个东西，也不因为吾人贵他爱他稍稍在人间留恋。试问吾人说“今”
6、说“现在”，茫茫百千万劫，究竟哪一刹那是吾人的“今”，是吾人的“现在”呢？刚刚说他是“今”是“现在”，他早已风驰电掣的一般，已成“过去”了。吾人若要糊糊涂涂把他丢掉岂不可惜？Why is the present so easily lost? Because the universe as well as human life is changing non-stop all the time. Time never tarries with us a bit longer because we treasure and love it. It is hard to tell which mo
7、ment in the ups and downs of life is our present or now? what we call our present or now at one moment will at the next be quickly gone and become the past. Isnt it a pity to unthinkingly idle away the present?解析：这段文字的翻译牵涉对汉语本身的理解问题。宇宙大化、百千万劫等词语皆为佛教用语。这说明，翻译不只是文字间的转换，它需要广阔的知识结构；另一方面，它告诉我们，每个时代的人说话皆自
8、己时代的气息，译者要善于跟踪语言的时效特征，以便正确理解原文。宇宙大化指的是世界上的万事万物，其中自然包括人，所以被翻译成the universe as well as human life，用as well as 将自然世界和人类世界连接在一起。刻刻流转，绝不停留 是复说，表示强调，强调的点是静态的：停止，而英文着眼点在“变”，所以英语翻译成is changing non-stop all the time， 用non-stop 替换叠词来表示结构特征。用never tarries with 短语翻译稍稍留恋。百千万劫 指的是沧海桑田的变化，人世间起伏轮回，翻译成the ups and do
9、wns of life。用be quickly gone 翻译风驰电掣 既简洁明了，又显现结构特征。用unthinkingly 翻译糊糊涂涂 是同样的道理。这也表明许多汉语的四字结构都是用英语一个单词来表示的。用idle away 表示虚度光阴，贴切自然。 4）有的哲学家说， 时间但有“过去”与“未来”，并无“现在”。有的又说，“过去”“未来”皆是“现在”。我以为“过去未来皆是现在”的话倒有些道理。因为“现在”就是所有“过去”流入的世界，换句话说，所有“过去”都埋没于“现在”的里边。故一时代的思潮，不是单纯在这个时代所能凭空成立的，不晓得有几多“过去”时代的思潮，差不多可以说是由所有“过去”时
10、代的思潮，一凑合而成的。 Some philosophers say that we have the past and the future, but not present. Others say that the present is inclusive of the past and the future. I, however, incline towards the latter view because the present is where all the past empties itself or, in other words, where lies hidden th
11、e entire legacy of the past. The prevailing thought of any age does not come into being all by itself. It is the synthesis of the popular thoughts of numerous previous ages or probably of all the past. 解析：这段翻译中，Some Others 构成句与句之间的衔接关系，体现结构性。用is inclusive of 表示包含。用the latter view 替代“过去未来皆是现在” 充分体现英语
12、的中的回指关系，是篇章衔接的典型特征。I, however, incline towards the latter view because 用 however 插入，体现结构，短语incline towards 表示我以为话倒有些道理。用because 所引导的成分将相邻两句整合起来，用两个where 引导的表语从句将汉语中的两个小句变成镶嵌成分结构到一个复合句中。用the entire legacy of the past. 将“过去” 具体化，说明过去不只是时间概念，而是过去文化的传承。这再次说明翻译不仅仅是文字的转换，他是译者强有力的操控，是带着某种认知解读后的理解，和这种理解的再现。
13、埋没 并非是丢弃，而是冰山的水下隐藏部分， 是支撑，所以被翻译为lies hidden 以构成句内的倒装结构。这样，我以为“过去未来皆是现在”的话倒有些道理。因为“现在”就是所有“过去”流入的世界，换句话说，所有“过去”都埋没于“现在”的里边。 两个句子就被结构成一个复合英语句I, however, incline towards the latter view because the present is where all the past empties itself or, in other words, where lies hidden the entire legacy of t
14、he past. 最后一句，汉语是一个句子，但被翻译成两个英语句子， 只说明，汉译英，虽然结构是突显现象，解构的方式也是使用的。其原因就在于同样的概念结构，不同的语言用不同的语义结构来表达，换句话说，不同语言所代表的文化其语义结构甚至概念结构的方式是各不相同的。这正是译者要调和的地方。我们知道，每个时代都存在不同的思潮。但当我们说某个时代的思潮时指的是这个时代的主流思潮，所以故一时代的思潮 被翻译成The prevailing thought of any age ，It 回指The prevailing thought 构成衔接，一凑合而成的 被提前翻译，打破了原语语序，构成英语结构句。用c
15、ome into being all by itself. 翻译凭空成立 是结构对结构的翻译，是翻译方法积累的主要内容。 5）吾人投一石子于时代潮流里面，所激起的波澜声响，都向永远流动传播，不能消灭。屈原的离骚，永远使人人感泣。打击林肯头颅的枪声，呼应于永远的时间与空间。一时代的变动，绝不消失，仍遗留于次一时代，这样传演，至于无穷，在世界中有一贯相联的永远性。 The rippling sound stirred up by a pebble thrown into the current of the times will keep spreading forever. Li Sao, au
16、thored by Qu Yuan, will continue to touch a deep chord in the heart of every reader through all ages. The lethal shot that hit Abraham Lincolns head will keep echoing through all lands and all eternity. The changes of each age, instead of becoming extinct, will pass on to the next. The process will
17、go on endlessly to form an eternal link in the world. 解析：这部分翻译中，上来主语就被替换了。波澜声响The rippling sound 变成了主语，因为永远流动传播spreading forever 的是它，符合英语的结构特征，两个过去分词短语stirred up by、thrown into 将汉语中的相关成分结构到一个英语复合句里。Li Sao 为不翻之翻，尊从“名从俗”的道理。will continue to touch a deep chord in the heart of every reader through all a
18、ges 仍然是用由抽象到具体的翻译方法来翻永远使人人感泣。用扣动心弦来替代感泣，可被视为换喻，或归化翻译。也许这样翻译更象英文。打击林肯头颅的枪声 “的”字结构成分被转化为从句The lethal shot that hit Abraham Lincolns head 构成主语从句和will keep echoing through all lands and all eternity 一起构成新的复合句，永远的时间与空间 翻译为all lands and all eternity，lands 让空间更具象化，空间并非空荡无物的空间，而是人们的家园。shot 和will keep echoin
19、g 构成合理的逻辑主谓关系。instead of becoming extinct 不只是插入，更体现转折关系，彰显英语的结构特征。由于意群的划分方式不同，当然，这和译者的主观选择也有关系，原文中的一个句子被拆分为两个英语句子。 6）昨日的事件，与今日的事件，合构成数个复杂事件。此数个复杂事件，与明日的整个复杂事件，更合构成数个复杂事件。势力结合势力，问题牵起问题。无限的“过去”，都以“现在”为归宿。无限的“未来”，都以“现在”为渊源。“过去”“未来”的中间全仗有“现在”以成其连续，以成其永远，以成其无始无终的大实在。一掣现在的铃，无限的过去未来皆遥相呼应。这就是过去未来皆是现在的道理，这就是
20、“今”最可宝贵的道理。 The events of yesterday and today will combine to form several complicated events which will in turn combine with those of tomorrow to form several new complicated events. Thus one influence combines with another; one problem gives rise to another. The infinite future results from the pr
21、esent. It is the present that serves as a connecting link between the past and the future to bring about continuity, eternity and a boundless big whole. Ring the bell of the present, and you will hear the distant echoes of the infinite past and future. That accounts for the fact that the present is
22、inclusive of the past and the future and that the living present is the mist precious.解析：昨日的事件，与今日的事件，合构成数个复杂事件。此数个复杂事件，与明日的整个复杂事件，更合构成数个复杂事件。 这两个句字被定语从句镶嵌入一个复合句里The events of yesterday and today will combine to form several complicated events which will in turn combine with those of tomorrow to for
23、m several new complicated events 因为汉语里此数个复杂事件 构成了回指。这就象英译汉时我们说过的那样，英语中从句可被翻译另一个独立的句子，用引导词重复先行词做主语，可以表示条件、让步、因果和假设等，那么反过来，句与句之间有连动关系的也就可以被结构在一起，组成英语的结构句。“过去”“未来”的中间全仗有“现在”以成其连续，以成其永远，以成其无始无终的大实在。 英语译文用形式主语句构成结构形式It is the present that serves as a connecting link between the past and the future to bri
24、ng about continuity, eternity and a boundless big whole。用that 引导的从句将以成其连续，以成其永远镶嵌其中，大实在 就是“整体”。一掣现在的铃，无限的过去未来皆遥相呼应。这就是过去未来皆是现在的道理，这就是“今”最可宝贵的道理。 Ring the bell of the present, and you will hear the distant echoes of the infinite past and future. That accounts for the fact that the present is inclusiv
25、e of the past and the future and that the living present is the most precious 这两句的翻译中，虽然句逗没什么改变，但第一句中加入了人称代词，使之更英语化。第二句虽然汉语句子较短，译文还是加入了宾语从句，并用短语is inclusive of 将过去和未来衔接在一起。 7）现时有两种不知爱“今”的人：一种是厌“今”的人，一种是乐“今”的人。厌“今”的人也有两派。一派是对于“现在”一切现象都不满足，因起一种回顾“过去”的感想。他们觉得“今”的总是不好，古的都是好。政治、法律、道德、风俗，全是“今”不如古。此派人唯一的希望
26、在复古。他们的心力全施于复古的运动。Nowadays two kinds of people dont know how to care for the present. One kind are sick of the present; the other are crazy about it.Among those who are sick of the present, some are dissatisfied with everything of today that they become nostalgic about yesterday. To them, things now
27、adays, including politics, laws, morality and social customs, are all inferior to those in the past. They place their only hope on turning the clock back to days of old. They throw themselves heart and soul into the back-to-the-ancients campaign. 解析：厌“今”的人也有两派。一派是对于“现在”一切现象都不满足，因起一种回顾“过去”的感想。 这两个句子在
28、英语里被总分法结构成一个句子，并用定语从句加以镶嵌Among those who are sick of the present, some are dissatisfied with everything of today that they become nostalgic about yesterday。Among 和some 构成总分关系，第二个定语从句将进一步的解释因起一种回顾“过去”的感想 镶嵌入前句中构成结构关系。他们觉得“今”的总是不好，古的都是好。政治、法律、道德、风俗，全是“今”不如古。To them, things nowadays, including politics
29、, laws, morality and social customs, are all inferior to those in the past. including 构成的分词短语把前后句连接在一起，取消了后一句的语法独立性，使之成为镶嵌成分，things are all inferior to those in the past 为主体构成了独立复合句。此派人唯一的希望在复古。他们的心力全施于复古的运动。They place their only hope on turning the clock back to days of old. They throw themselves h
30、eart and soul into the back-to-the-ancients campaign. 此两句虽句逗未变，但英语中大量使用短语，并将抽象现象具体化。如：place their only hope on，turning the clock back，heart and soul，back-to-the-ancients campaign。复古 也被翻译成两种表达：days of old，back-to-the-ancients 。 8）一派是对于“现在”一切现象都不满足，与复古的厌“今”派全同。但是他们不想“过去”，但盼“将来”。盼“将来”的结果，往往流于梦想，把许多“现在”
31、可以努力的事业都放弃不做，单是耽溺于虚无飘渺的空玄境界。这两派人都是不能助益进化，并且很足阻滞进化的。Some, though also dissatisfied with everything of today like those mentioned above, long for the future instead of the past, so much as that they abandon themselves to dreams and fantasies and even give up many things that can be achieved right now
32、through their own efforts. People of these two categories hinder social progress instead of furthering it. 解析：一派是对于“现在”一切现象都不满足，与复古的厌“今”派全同。但是他们不想“过去”，但盼“将来”。盼“将来”的结果，往往流于梦想，把许多“现在”可以努力的事业都放弃不做，单是耽溺于虚无飘渺的空玄境界。这两个长句，翻译成英语被结构在了一起。从汉语语篇角度看，他们是另一派，和上文构成衔接。英语译文也是采用上文的总分法，由among 中分裂出some, some， though als
33、o dissatisfied with everything of today like those mentioned above 构成的转折，将与复古的厌“今”派全同 变成了镶嵌成分；so much as that 将盼“将来”的结果，往往流于梦想 变成镶嵌成分；many things that can be achieved right now through their own efforts，that 引导的定语从句把把许多“现在”可以努力的事业都放弃不做 变成了镶嵌成分，这样，两个比较长的汉语句子就整合为一个英语复合句了Some, though also dissatisfied
34、with everything of today like those mentioned above, long for the future instead of the past, so much as that they abandon themselves to dreams and fantasies and even give up many things that can be achieved right now through their own efforts。而instead of短语将最后两小句结构在一起People of these two categories h
35、inder social progress instead of furthering it.。 9）乐“今”的人大概是些无志趣无意识的人，是些对于“现在”一切满足的人。觉得所处境遇可以安乐优游，不必再商进取，再为创造。这种人丧失“今”的好处，阻滞进化的潮流，同厌“今”派毫无区别。 People who are crazy about the present are generally apathetic and lack high aspirations. They see nothing wrong in the present. Complacent about their presen
36、t circumstances, they feel no need for progress or creation. Such people abuse the present and stem the tide of progress. There is no difference at all between them and those who are sick of the present. 解析：乐“今”的人大概是些无志趣无意识的人，是些对于“现在”一切满足的人。People who are crazy about the present are generally apathe
37、tic and lack high aspirations. 乐“今”的人 四个字同样被翻译为定语从句，关键是为了体现英语的结构性。Complacent about their present circumstances, they feel no need for progress or creation. about 构成的结构短语化解了无主句觉得所处境遇可以安乐优游 在英语中的句子独立性，使之成为镶嵌成分，让不必再商进取，再为创造 成为独立主句。最后一句这种人丧失“今”的好处，阻滞进化的潮流，同厌“今”派毫无区别。被拆分为两个独立的英语句子Such people abuse the pr
38、esent and stem the tide of progress. There is no difference at all between them and those who are sick of the present。 由此可见， 翻译中结构与解构都是相对而言的，只是由汉语翻译成英语时，结构的成分比较突出而已。 10）原来厌“今”为人类的通性。大凡一境尚未实现以前，觉得此境有无限的佳趣，有无疆的福利；一旦身陷其境，却觉不过尔尔，随即起一种失望的念，厌“今”的心。又如吾人方处一境，觉得无甚可乐；而一旦其境变异，却又觉得其境可恋，其情可思。 It is common among
39、human beings to be discontented with the present. They usually dream of something that has not yet come into being with fantasies about its being extremely agreeable and beneficial. But, once that something has become a reality, they call it just so-so and then fall into despair and grow weary of th
40、e present. Or they may feel a new environment rather unimpressive, but once things have changed, they begin to think well of it and recall it with tenderness. 解析：原来厌“今”为人类的通性为单句，但还是被翻译成复合句以显英文的机构特征It is common among human beings to be discontented with the present. 译文用It 做形式主语替代to be discontented wi
41、th the present。大凡一境尚未实现以前，觉得此境有无限的佳趣，有无疆的福利They usually dream of something that has not yet come into being with fantasies about its being extremely agreeable and beneficial. 译者用定语从句和dream of，with 将两个小句转变成一个复合句。用once that something has become a reality 将一旦身陷其境 变成插入成分，用grow weary of the present 短语翻译厌
42、“今”的心。又如吾人方处一境，觉得无甚可乐；而一旦其境变异，却又觉得其境可恋，其情可思。Or they may feel a new environment rather unimpressive, but once things have changed, they begin to think well of it and recall it with tenderness. 用短语对短语来翻译。 11）前者为企望“将来”的动机；后者为反顾“过去”的动机。但是回想“过去”，毫无效用，且空耗努力的时间。若以企望“将来”的动机，而尽“现在”的努力，则厌“今”思想却大足为进化的原动。乐“今”是一
43、种惰性，须再进一步，了解“今”所以可爱的道理，全在凭他可以为创造“将来”的努力，决不在得他可以安乐无为。 The former case has to do with future expectations, and the latter with past memories. However, given a combination of the two cases, dissatisfaction with the present will become a great moving force of social development. Being contented with thi
44、ngs as they are is a kind of inertia. We need to understand that the present is precious not because it can allow us to idle about in the midst of comfort and pleasure, but because it offers us an opportunity to strive to create the future.解析：The former，the latter 构成译文中的衔接。但是回想“过去”，毫无效用，且空耗努力的时间。若以企
45、望“将来”的动机，而尽“现在”的努力，则厌“今”思想却大足为进化的原动。However, given a combination of the two cases, dissatisfaction with the present will become a great moving force of social development. 这两句的翻译，译者采用明显的内在整合，将两种厌“今”的人结合在一起，合并翻译成given a combination of the two cases 并将尽“现在”的努力 糅合于“厌”字上将之翻译为dissatisfaction with 做主语以构成复
46、合句的主句成分dissatisfaction with the present will become a great moving force of social development。乐“今”是一种惰性，须再进一步，了解“今”所以可爱的道理，全在凭他可以为创造“将来”的努力，决不在得他可以安乐无为。 最后这句汉语句子被拆解了，乐“今”是一种惰性 被独立出来，并被复合化Being contented with things as they are is a kind of inertia，主语是Being contented with things as they are，as they
47、are 构成镶嵌成分。须再进一步，了解“今”所以可爱的道理，全在凭他可以为创造“将来”的努力，决不在得他可以安乐无为。We need to understand that the present is precious not because it can allow us to idle about in the midst of comfort and pleasure, but because it offers us an opportunity to strive to create the future. 余下部分在加入主语We后，由not because 和but because
48、 所引导的结构将它们结构在一起，一道并入由that构成的宾语从句之后做状语，而使剩余部分的汉语句子成为独立的英语复合句。 12）热心复古的人，开口闭口都是说“现在”的境象若何黑暗，若何卑污，罪恶若何深重，祸患若何剧烈。要晓得“现在”的境象倘若真是这样黑暗，这样卑污，罪恶这样深重，祸患这样剧烈，也都是“过去”所遗留的宿孽，断断不是“现在”造的。全归咎于“现在”，是断断不能受的。要想改变他，但当努力以创造将来，不当努力以回复“过去”。 Those keen on returning to the past keep telling us how dark and vile the status q
49、uo is and what serious wickedness and heavy misfortune it brings. They should understand, however, that what they speak of, if true, is a long-standing inheritance from the past, definitely not a product of today. It is utterly wrong to attribute it all to the present. The only way to change the status quo is to stri
