lecture02增译法_stud.doc

Lecture #2Amplification in Translation（增译法）Lecture #2Amplification in Translation（增译法）I. IntroductionBefore we come to the first technique of translation, lets have a study of the following examples of translation and try to find out the necessity of adding words in translation. 1) A book，tight shut，is but a block of paper译文一：一本书，紧紧合上，只是一叠纸。译文二：一本书，如果紧紧合上不读，只是一叠纸。译文三：一本书，如果紧紧合上不读，只是一叠废纸。译文四：闲置之书只是一叠废纸。Four levels of translation are presented in the four versions of the same sentence. The first version makes an almost word-for-word correspondence to the original, however, the Chinese doesnt seem to make any sense. The second sentence with an addition of “如不读” makes sense to some extent, however, the implied meaning seems to need further manifestation. With a wonderful addition of the word “废” in the third version, the Chinese can be said “smooth”. Whats more, the added “废” doesnt go against the principle of “faithfulness” in translation. The addition makes no alteration of the original meaning, but makes the implied meaning clear and the sentence more sound in logic. The only flaw is its being too redundant. The fourth version helps to make a completion. (上面同一个句子的四个译文，可以体现翻译的不同层次。译文一，与原文似乎丝丝入扣，但却显得支离破碎、关系不清、语意不足；译文二，增加了“如不读”，意思明白无误，只是觉得“言犹未尽”；译文三，又增加了一个“废”字，这可是点睛之举。能否译出这个“废”字，是翻译这个句子的关键，也是判断这个译文优劣的一个重要标准。不读的书，不仅是叠纸，而且是叠废纸。因为如果是叠白纸，还可画出最新最美的图画，只有废纸才是无价值的东西。一个“废”字，说话者的语意才得以充分表达。译文三的不足之处，就是行文拖沓累赘；而译文四则简明扼要，笔酣墨浓了。)2) Success is often just an idea away译文一：成功往往只是一个念头的距离。译文二：成功往往只是一念之差。译文三：成功与否往往只是念之差。It is very clear that the first version makes no sense. The meaning of the second Chinese seems rather elusive to the audience. The addition of“与否”in the third version not only makes the intended meaning in the original fully expressed, but also makes really idiomatic Chinese. (译文一让人看后莫名其妙；译文二改变说法，但仍让人似懂非懂，而译文三只是简简单单增加了一个“与否”，但却使人豁然开朗!原句的意思表达得淋漓尽致。)3) Nothing happened in the night译文一：夜间什么事也没发生。译文二：夜间倒是风平浪静，什么事也没发生。The original English is not difficult to understand, but a good translation demands more than mere understanding of the literal meaning. The translator has to situate himself in the original context, inferring the implied meaning and making it clear to the audience. In the first version, the plain Chinese doesnt impress the audience at all. The amount of new information conveyed is almost zero. A close study of the original English shows that the audience is expecting something unusual happened that night and the speaker negated the presupposition. So the addition of “倒是”in the second version makes it clear the implied shared background information between the speaker and the audience. (上面这个句子，如果要译得传神，需要凭借一定的想象力。译文一给人的感觉是“孤孤零零”，似乎与周围环境毫无关系。试想，若是平常，人们见面时会对你说上这么一句话吗?显然，说这话时是处于一个“非常时期”，换言之，说话者和听话者本来预料是要发生什么“异乎寻常”的事情的。译文二增加了一个“倒是”和“风平浪静”，一下就使译文氛围毕现，让人领略到话语的弦外之音。)4) Away flies the arrow!译文一：箭飞走了!译文二：箭嗖的一声飞走了!或：嗖，箭飞走了!The first Chinese doesnt make a bad version. If we try translating the Chinese back into English, we may get the sentence: The arrow flies away! Compared with the original sentence, the version is just a plain statement of the action of the arrow, without any emphasis on its fast speed. Why the difference? In the second version, with the addition of the onomatopoeia “嗖” , the fast speed of the arrow is clear to the audience. Although there is no such an onomatopoeia in the English sentence, its addition is not a new information in the translation, but a necessary part to bring to the audience a likewise vivid picture of how the arrow flies. (这是摘自某本翻译专著里的一个英语句子，其译文是“箭飞走了!”，但试想下，假如将“箭飞走了!”这个汉语句子回译成英语，不就是：“The arrow flies away!”吗?但你再深入想想，高明的作家，往往造句运字都十分讲究，作家在这里为什么不使用陈述句而选用倒装句呢?想必是有原因的。我们试用增词法，将原句改译如译文二：译文二中一个象声词，再衬以句末的感叹号，让人感到突如其来，如闻其声，如临其境。应该说这样的译文才贴近作者的原意。) II. Definition of AmplificationAmplification, also called addition, means supplying necessary words in the TL text on the basis of accurate understanding of the SL text. Words thus supplied must be indispensable syntactically, semantically, rhetorically or idiomatically to the TL text. Amplification does not mean adding extra meaning to the SL text. Nor does it mean that the TL text is not faithful to the SL text. On the contrary, it is the further explanation of the unspoken words left in the original to the understanding of the original. The words supplied are in harmony with the original in essence and in agreement with the TL in syntax, or in rhetorical aspects. It is just for the purpose of following the translation criteria of “faithful representation of the SL message” and “smooth expression in the TL text”. In terms of translation from English into Chinese, the motivation of employing the translation technique of amplification derives from the fact that these two languages are entirely two different languages and either language has its unique way of expression and enjoys its typical historical and cultural background. Therefore, many ideas, concepts, cultural words, idiomatic expressions, implications that are very well understood in the country of their SL background can hardly make any sense to the people of another culture or nation. It can be said that it is hardly imaginable for a translator to stick rigidly to the original expression pattern of the SL text without any alteration or adaptation. As a consequence, amplification is often adopted to deal with these occasions. In translation from one language to another, we also often employ the translation technique of omission. Just opposite to the translation technique of omission, amplification, however, goes to another direction and yet, it is not contradictory to it. On the contrary, amplification is supplementary to omission. In other words, in translation from one language to another, some parts should be omitted while the meanings implied or contained in the SL text should be amplified or supplied in the TL text so as to make the translation as accurate, as clear and as idiomatic as possible. In discussing the translation technique of omission, it will be said that sentences in translation should be made as concise and forcible as possible by cutting off all unnecessary words in them. But that does not mean to make our translations brief at the cost of accuracy, clearness and idiomaticity. While omission is to make the translation brief and impressive, amplification is to make it more accurate, clearer and more idiomatic and therefore more expressive. Without words supplied in translation, sentences may be incorrect in construction, as with the lack of subject, copula, or articles in English. Or they may be obscure or vague in meaning, as with many abstract nouns in English and idioms, cultural words and proverbs in both Chinese and English if they are merely literally translated. Accuracy, clearness and idiomaticity are of vital importance in translation. In view of the increasing number of readers who enjoy reading translation works and decreasing leisure time for reading, our translation must be accurate, clear and idiomatic so that what was expressed by the SL text author can be conveyed to them immediately and unmistakably. Few people have either time or inclination to get acquainted with the so-called translation style or to guess at the meanings of certain parts of the translated text. It is, therefore, advisable to apply the translation technique of amplification in translation if need be. Lack of accuracy, clearness and idiomaticity can often be remedied by supplying words necessary to both the faithful representation and the smooth and idiomatic expression of the ideas of the SL text. （作为翻译的一个普遍原则，译者不应该对原文的内容随意增减。不过，由于英汉两种语言文字之间所存在的巨大差异，在实际翻译过程中我们很难做到字词句上完全对应。因此，为了准确地传达出原文的信息，往往需要对译文作一些增减。所谓增译法，就是在原文的基础上添加必要的单词、词组、分句或完整句，从而使译文在语法、语言形式上符合汉语的习惯并使译文在文化背景、词语联想方面与原文保持一致，以达到译文与原文在内容、形式和精神方面对等起来的目的。这里的增加不是无中生有地随意增加，而是增加原文中虽无其词却有其意的一些部分。从理论上说可以根据具体的上下文增加任何词, 但在什么时候增加什么样的词，才能恰到好处，而不超出一定的界限，则需要悉心体会。）III. Classification of Amplification1. Lexical Amplification（从词汇上考虑的增词）This kind of amplification includes: amplification by supplying such kinds of words as verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, numerals, category words, generalization words, and the plural forms of nouns. These kinds of words are amplified so that they can express the intended or implied lexical or contextual meanings of the SL text clearly and exactly, or in other words, they are amplified so as to make the implied lexical meanings in the SL text concrete, clear, and idiomatic.（根据意义上的需要，有时可以在名词后增加动词，使意思更明确，读起来也较通顺自然，符合现代汉语的习惯。有些动词根据原文的上下文可以增加适当的副词，以确切表达愿意）1) 增加动词(1) Tom Canty, born in rags and dirt and misery, what sight is this! (Mark Twain: The Prince and the Pauper)Literal Translation: 啊，汤姆康第，生在破烂、肮脏和苦难中，现在这番景象却是多么显赫啊！Here 生在苦难中 is understandable, but 生在破烂、肮脏中 is hardly understandable. Therefore, the meaning of the translation is unclear and inexact. Here if amplification is employed, the implied meaning can be made concrete, and then not only is the intended meaning of the author conveyed, but also the intended meaning can be conveyed clearly and exactly:Translation with amplification: 汤姆康第原来(who was born)生在可怜巴巴的人家(in misery)，穿得破破烂烂(in rags)，一身邋里邋遢(in dirt)，现在(what sight is this)换了这身装束，啊，是何等气派！(making meaning concrete)(2) She felt the flowers were in her fingers, on her lips, growing in her breast. 她觉得手里和唇上都是花儿，胸中也生长着花儿。Here an image was created in the original text because it is not possible for flowers to grow in ones breast. But anyway, since it is an image, we can still get some hint of the meaning conveyed here. Then, 唇上都是花儿 is not clear in meaning. Therefore, amplification is necessary so as to make the meaning clear and understandable:她觉得她好像手里拿着花，嘴里吻着花，连胸中也生出了花。(specifying prepositions by supplying verbs, thus making meaning clear)(3) Asias strength of economic management, however, has not been its perfection, but its pragmatism and flexibility. (4) Bedell lay down in an old box filled with hay, his rifle and crutches beside him.比德尔躺在一个装满干草的旧箱子里，他的步枪和拐杖就放在身边。(5) Our praises are our wages. 对我们的称赞就是给予我们的报酬。(6) I remembered the fear and anger in the gunmens voices because Jeremy was being slow.我记得由于杰罗米当时慢慢腾腾，歹徒的声音中流露出了恐惧和愤懑。(7) In the evening, after the banquets, the concerts and the table tennis exhibitions, he would work on the drafting of the final communiqu.(8) The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.(9) An American officer slipped on a banana skin.一个美国军官踩在香蕉皮上滑倒了。2) 增加名词A.在抽象名词后面增加名词某些有动词或形容词派生出来的抽象名词，在翻译时可根据上下文在后面增加适当的名词，译出其范畴词(category word), 使译文更合乎汉语规范。(1) Not to educate him (the Child) is to condemn him to repetitious ignorance.(2) The arrogance of the aristocracy helped to lead to the French Revolution.(3) We have made some achievements, and we must guard against complacency.我们取得了一些成就，但还要防止自满情绪。(4) From the evaporation of water people know that liquids can turn into gases under certain condition.Other nouns that may be translated into Chinese by employing the technique of amplification include: evaporation fault-finding fatuityfavoritism loftiness necessityreadabilitylithonephrotomycorrosivedrippingallergyassimilation alienationmodernizationsegregationrelativityindifferencefoolhardiness transformationlightheartednessprecaution muddlednessgayety 蒸发作用吹毛求疵的作法顽愚状态徇私作风崇高气质必要性可读性肾结石切除术腐蚀剂滴注法过敏反应同化作用异化现象现代化隔离政策/隔离措施相对论冷漠态度蛮干作风转化过程轻松愉快的心境预防措施混沌状态欢乐气氛jealousydejection irregularitiesderangement transition development processing preparation tension backwardness oxidation correctness dependence commercializationabstraction hostility loftiness togetherness complexity infiltration madness remedy notoriety嫉妒心理沮丧情绪越轨行为; 脱出常规的事物紊扰现象演变过程开发工程 加工方法准备工作 紧张局势落后状态氧化作用正确性 依赖性商业化抽象化敌对情绪崇高气质集体感复杂局面渗透作用 疯狂行为补救方法声名狼藉的境地B. 在具体名词后面增加名词 (两种情形)a)当具体名词表达某种抽象概念时，在译文中也常常需要根据上下文增加一些适当的名词。(1) Heallowedthefather to be overruled by the judge，and declared his own son guilty。(2) Kissinger felt that Rogers was quibbling，but the lawyer in Nixon supported the quibble of a fellow lawyer. (3) The molecules of hydrogen get closer and closer with the pressure. 随着压力的增加，氢分子越来越密集。(4) “According to Dr Johnson,” he said, “the patients life is still in danger. The first aid must be rendered as soon as possible.” “根据约翰逊大夫的诊断，”他说，“这位患者的生命仍然处于危险之中，必须尽快采取急救措施。”(5) I still remember the night when I came to the village.b)在具体名词后面增加名词，避免译文含混，使译文符合汉语习惯。(1) In this way she brings the ends of her life together with a terrifying rush: she is a girl, a wife, a mother, widow, all at once. (2) Many great writers were not appreciated fully while they were alive.(3) In the future, automation may enable human beings to enjoy far more leisure than they do today. C.在形容词前面增加名词(1) This new type of computer is indeed cheap and fine. (2) He is a complicated man - moody, mercurial, with a melancholy streak.(3) Cowboys had to be skilful and strong. They had to be skilled horsemen and good gunmen.(4) Their skin may be any shade of brown or black. Some are very small, others tall. 他们的肤色黑褐程度不同，有的身材矮小，有的身材高大。D.在不及物动词后面增加名词英语中的某些动词在用作不及物动词的时候，虽然后面并没有带宾语，但宾语实际上是隐含在动词后面的。所以在翻译成汉语时，往往要把隐含的宾语翻译出来。(1) Wash before meal.(2) Shopping-bag ladies do not drink.携带购物袋流浪的女士们不饮酒。(3) Day after day he came to his work - sweeping, scrubbing, cleaning. (4) Mary washed for a living after her husband died of acute pneumonia. (5) Steel and iron products are often coated lest they should rust. 3) 增加概括词概括词是英汉两种语言所共有的，但有时英语句子中并没有出现概括词，而翻译的时候却往往可以加入“两人”、“双方”、“等”、“等等”、“凡此种种”等概括词，同时省略掉英语中的连接词。如：(1) It is influenced by such considerations as the duration of his relationship with the patient, the age of the person dying，and the nature of the final disease。这种反应受到下述诸种考虑因素的影响：他和患者之间相识时间的长短，垂死者的年龄，导致患者死亡的疾病，等等。(2) Like most wildlife，deer reproduce，grow，and store fat in the summer and fall when there is plenty of nutritious food available.(3) In the 1960s, the Soviets posed a serious challenge to Americas hegemonic (霸权的) position militarily, politically and economically. (4) Todays liberated woman may take the initiative in suggesting an evening together by inviting a man she likes to a party, to a home-cooked meal, or to an evening at the theater. If she does the inviting, she pays for at least part of the evenings expenses今天，思想解放了的女性会主动提议共度良宵邀请她爱慕的男士或参加派对，或带他回家享受一份自制大餐，或者去戏院参加一个晚会，不一而足。如果是她主动邀请的，她至少会负责当晚的一部分开销。(5) The advantages of the hall are bright, spacious, fashionable and without echo. 4) 增加副词为了确切地表达原意，有些动词在一定场合可根据原文的上下文增加适当的副词。(1) To make sure that my parents understood, I declared that I wanted nothing else. (2) observing the deer as their behavior changed from more activity is summer and fall to less as winter progressed, followed by an increase again in the spring as the snow melted.观察鹿是如何随着冬季来临从夏秋的活动频繁状态而变得少动的，而到冰雪逐渐融化的春季时，他们的活动又是如何增多起来的。(3) Instead, we are embarrassed and shrug off the words we are really so glad to hear. (4) Time drops in decay, like a candle burnt out. (5) Tremaine sank down with his face in his hands. 屈里曼两手蒙着脸，一屁股坐了下去。5) 增加量词英语中数词与可数名词往往可以直接连用，不用加量词。而汉语往往要加量词。(1) Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you are aboard, theres nothing you can do. (2) A red sun rose slowly from the calm sea.一轮红日从平静的海面冉冉升起。(3) The first electronic computers went into operation in 1945. (4) Repeat the experiment using a wooden ruler, a piece of glass, a coin, a piece of paper, and a pin. 用一把木尺、一块玻璃、一枚硬币、一张纸和一个大头针，重做这项实验。 另外，英语中的某些动词或动名词，在翻译成汉语时往往需要增加一些表示行为、动作量的动量词。(1) He had a rest after walking ten miles.走了10英里之后，他休息了一下。(2) Nathan Hale took a last look at his beautiful country and said that he only regretted he had but one life to lose for his country.纳森赫尔看了最后一眼美丽的祖国，他说道他唯一遗憾的是他只有一次生命可以贡献给自己的祖国。(3) Wait for me. I will be right back. (4) Yesterday they had a big quarrel. 6) 增加表达复数的词汉语中的名词没有复数繁荣概念，也没有词形上的变化，很多情况下不必表达出来；而英语中的名词有词形的变化，却没有量词，所以在翻译成汉语的时候，可根据情况增加重叠词、数词或其他一些词来表达复数的概念，以达到修辞效果。A增加重叠词表示复数(1) All roads lead to Rome. 条条大道通罗马。(plural expressed)(2) They drove in a black limousine, past groves of birch trees and endless rows of identical new buildings.(3) Flowers bloom all over the yard. B.增加数词或其他词表示复数(1) Mr. Hobbs didnt talk over my suggestions with his brother until yesterday afternoon.直到昨天下午霍布斯先生才跟他兄弟讨论了我的各项建议。(2) The judge let him off with warnings not to cause trouble again. (3) The lion is the king of animals.狮子是百兽之王。(4) The mountains began to throw their long blue shadows over the valley. 7) Amplifying words in the TL text that can indicate the verb tenses in the SL text. (增加表达时态的词)As the Chinese language is the one whose verbs cannot manifest tenses while the English language is the one whose verbs themselves can well indicate tenses, in English-Chinese translation, adverbs are often supplied or amplified to indicate the tenses that are manifested by the verbs in the English text: （英语时态是靠动词的词形变化或助词来体现的。汉语中的动词没有时态的变化，要表达时态就必须靠时态助词和一些表示时间的词。所以，在表达过去的概念时往往加上“曾”“已经”“过”“了”等字眼在表达进行时态时往往用“在”“正在”“着”等字眼在表达将来时态时往往用“将”“就”“要”“会”“便”等字眼。此外，为了强调时间概念或强调时间上的对比，往往增加一些其他的词。）A.强调某种时间概念(1) I had never thought Id be happy to find myself considered unimportant. But this time I was.以前我从未想过，当我发觉人们认为我无足轻重时，我会感到高兴。但这次情况的确如此。(2) Christmas was coming. I wanted a pony.(3) He is the son of a wealthy family，but he seems to have come down in the world.(4) Conditions are changing all the time, and to adapt ones thinking to the new conditions, one must study. 情况是在不断变化，要使自己的思想适应新的情况，就得学习。(tense)(5) I had imagined it to be merely a gesture of affection, but it seems it is