汉译英之主语的选择

1、The Choice of Subjects主语的选择主语的选择分析下列句子的主谓结构 1. 钱你不用还了。 2.这锅饭能吃十个人。 3. 这匹马骑着两个人。 4.被人缠上是件讨厌的事。 5.老子打儿子，天经地义。 6.上面坐着主席团。 7.从她那儿能找到解决问题的办法。 8.说的是古代的一个老头，名叫愚公。主语的选择和确立英汉语比英汉语比 较较: 主语主语 比较比较 英语属于偏重形式的语言，一个句子要独立表达一个完整的意思，必须包含主语和谓语两个组成部分，英语中绝大部分句子都是按“主语谓语”形式构建而成的。主语与谓语的关系是施动者与动作的关系。根据美国语言学家所提出的语言类型学观点，英语属于

2、英语属于“主语突出主语突出”型（型（Subject-prominent）语言。）语言。汉语是重内容的语言，“形散神聚”是汉语句子的特点。因此汉语被称作是典型的“意合”语言。汉语中的主语不像英语的主语那样容易确定， “主语谓语”形式的句子在汉语里比例是不大的，因此在汉语语法中出现了主题（话题）(Topic)这一概念。我国著名学者赵元任（1968）说：“把主语、谓语当作话题和说明来看待,比较合适” 。汉汉 语属于语属于“主题突出主题突出”型（型（Topic-prominent）语言。）语言。英语的主语主要有七大类 1、施动主语（agentive subject) Susan is growing

3、flowers. 2、受动主语(affected subject) Her books translate well. 3、工具主语（instrumental subject） A stone broke the glass. 4、地点主语 (locative subject) The jar contains honey. 5、时间主语 (temporal subject) Yesterday was Monday. 6、事件主语 (eventive subject) The dispute over the problem lasted a decade. 7、it 作主语,表时间、气候或

4、距离：It is late./It is hot. it 作形式主语：It is impossible to finish the work. 1.汉语为主题语言；主题汉语为主题语言；主题+ +述题结构述题结构; ;主语句法功能弱主语句法功能弱 英语为主语语言英语为主语语言: : 主语主语+ +谓语结构谓语结构; ;主语句法功能强主语句法功能强例如例如: : 这件事这件事你不用操心你不用操心. . 主题主题 述题述题 译译:This you dont need to worry about. You dont need to worry about this. This is not some

5、thing you need to worry about. There is no need for you to worry about this. 1）论文我们已经写了一大半了。 We have finished a good part of the papers 3）这些材料我们只够盖一栋房子。 We could only build one house with these materials.1）热烈欢迎世界各地客商来此进一步加强合作，建立和）热烈欢迎世界各地客商来此进一步加强合作，建立和发展贸易关系。发展贸易关系。 Customers from various countries

6、 and regions are warmly welcome to establish and develop business contacts.2) 希望今后上海能够与更多的外国城市结为友好城市。希望今后上海能够与更多的外国城市结为友好城市。 It is hoped that Shanghai will establish friendly relations with more foreign cities in the future.3) 经常接触某人或某事往往会让人产生喜欢。经常接触某人或某事往往会让人产生喜欢。 Frequent exposure to something or

7、someone will cause liking.汉译英中，主语的汉译英中，主语的 确立是句子翻译的第一步。选择了一定的主确立是句子翻译的第一步。选择了一定的主语，基本决定了句子构造的走向。主语选择恰当，句子就便于语，基本决定了句子构造的走向。主语选择恰当，句子就便于构造了。常常选择不同成分作主语，决定了不同的组句方式。构造了。常常选择不同成分作主语，决定了不同的组句方式。例如：例如： 人人不可貌相，海水海水不可斗量。 A. A person can not be judged from his appearance just as an ocean can not be measured

8、by pints. B. It is impossible to judge people from their appearances, and impossible to measure the ocean by pints. C. We cant judge people from their appearance, just as we cant measure the ocean by pints. 主语选择合适主语选择合适, 便于构句便于构句 因为距离远，又缺乏交通工具，农村社会是与外界隔绝的。这种隔绝状态，由于通讯工具不足，就变得更加严重了。a. Due to Long dist

9、ances and lack of transport facilities, the rural areas are isolated from the outside world，which is made more serious by the lack of communication instruments. (基本保留了原文句法结构)b. Long distances and lack of transport facilities make the rural areas isolated from the outside world，which is made more ser

10、ious by the lack of communication instruments. （部分保留原文句法机构）c. The isolation of the rural world because of distance and the lack of transport facilities is compounded by the paucity of the information media. （完全摒弃了原文句法结构。其中，名词化结构名词化结构（nominalization）充当主语与句式构造方式密不可分） 1.增补主语 ）起大风了。 Its blowing hard. 下面

11、的句子有什么特点? 1活到老，学到老。 2不人虎穴，焉得虎子。 3留得青山在，不怕没柴烧。 4不努力便不会成功。 5能不能提前完成计划呢？ 6屋内悄无一人，只听见钟在滴答滴答地走。 7突然钻出一只狗，追着她咬，几乎把她吓糊涂了。 1活到老，学到老。 1. One should keep learning up to an old age. 2不人虎穴，焉得虎子。 2. you can not gain if you risk nothing. (no venture, no gain) 3留得青山在，不怕没柴烧。 3. One shall have a chance to succeed if

12、 one preserves his strength. 4不努力便不会成功。 4. you shall never succeed if you do not work hard. 5能不能提前完成计划呢？ 5Is it possible to carry out the plan ahead of time? 6屋内悄无一人，只听见钟在滴答滴答地走。 No one was in the room：only the ticking of a clock could be heard 7突然钻出一只狗，追着她咬，几乎把她吓糊涂了。 A dog rushed out to chase after

13、 her，scaring her almost out of her wits. 比较比较: She was petrified when a dog rushed out and chased her. (状态，没有突出动作状态，没有突出动作)2 2 汉语句子以人作主语汉语句子以人作主语-有灵主语有灵主语(天人合一天人合一;人与自然浑人与自然浑然一体然一体)英语句子以物作主语英语句子以物作主语-无灵主语无灵主语(强调客观及抽象概念强调客观及抽象概念) 1 1 首相随时会辞职。首相随时会辞职。 The resignation of the Prime Minister was hourly e

14、xpected. 2 2 我对她日益钦佩。我对她日益钦佩。 My admiration for her grew day by day. . 3 3 我在暖烘烘的炉火旁很快就睡着了。我在暖烘烘的炉火旁很快就睡着了。 The warmth of the stove soon brought sleep to me. 4 4 20082008年奥运会将在北京举行。年奥运会将在北京举行。 There will be the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. The 29th Olympic Games will be held in Beijing in

15、2008. Beijing will host the 29th Olympic Games in 2008. The year 2008 will witness the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing . The 29th Olympic Games is to be held in Beijing in 2008. We will have the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.英语用非人称作主语的句子大体可以分为两类： 1. 1. 用非人称代词用非人称代词“it”作主语作主语 2.2.“无灵主语无灵主语”“有灵动

16、词有灵动词”用非人称代词用非人称代词“it”作主语作主语 我从来也没有想到她这么吝啬。 It never occurred to me that she was so mean. 只要走半个钟头就可以到轮渡。 Its only half an hours walk to the ferry. 人总是在面临考验的关头，才发现自己的专长。 It is in the hour of trial that a man finds his true profession.英语的英语的无灵视角倾向无灵视角倾向 无灵句形式上让视角多变，内容上更显客观或活泼。表示时间、地点、状态、原因表示时间、地点、状态、原

17、因、受动、心理与感觉的语义成分受动、心理与感觉的语义成分都可以作为无灵主语。 世纪之交，中国中国外交空前活跃 At the turn of the century, China is very active in its diplomatic activities. The turn of the century finds China most active in the diplomatic arena. 1、主语是某种主语是某种心理感受心理感受，谓语选择，谓语选择creep, strike, seize, dawn, catch, worm into, grip, enter, regi

18、ster, overcome, take possesion of, surround, give way to, desert, pass, tear等词汇等词汇。1) 整个村庄笼罩在恐怖之中。Fear gripped the village.（ Fear gripped his heart.）2) 他失去了勇气。Courage deserted him.3) 一股淡淡的伤感涌上心头。A tinge of melanchony struck me.4) 他愤怒的说不出话。Anger choked my words.5)现在人们已经从乐观变为怀疑了。By now optimism had gi

19、ven way to doubt.2、主语选择主语选择心理动作心理动作，谓语选择，谓语选择fill, give, make等等“使使变化变化”的词汇的词汇1) 看到着孤寂的景象，我心中满是凄凉。The sight of the desolation filled me with forlornness.2) 只要一想起母亲，他就会充满勇气，把事情做完。Only the thought of his mother gave him the strength to go on doing it.3) 见丈人在眼前，恐怕又要挨骂。The sight of his father-in-law made

20、 Fanjin afraid that he was in for another cursing.4) 一想起这件事情，他就会觉得生活增添了许多滋味。The remembrance of this incident will add flavor to his life.3、主语的内容为心理对象心理对象，谓语选择slip, lend, elude, escape, stump, fail等词汇，宾语选择逻辑施事。）我想不起他的名字。His name escaped me at the moment.）这个句子把我给难住了。The sentence eludes me.）我理解不了这个词。Th

21、e word failed me. ）她长得不漂亮，又没有钱，还不太聪明。Like good looks and money, quick-mindedness passed her by.4、名词或名词化结构表示原因、目标名词或名词化结构表示原因、目标，谓语动词使用“使产生变化”的词汇。包括使失去(deprive, cost, rob, bereave, disarm, prevent, diminish)；使增加(add, enbolden, brighten, win)；使无能(disable, incapcitate, disqualify)；使赋能(enable, empower,

22、qualify,)；使免除(save, exonerate)；使保持状态(keep, make, )；状态变化类动词（throw, get, bring, temper）1）他因为有犯罪记录，所以不能进入斯坦福大学学习。His criminal record disqualified him from the addmission of Standford University.2）早点出发，中午你就会到达那里。An early start will get you there at noon.3）仔细比较一下，就会发现这两者在本质上是不同的。A careful comparison will

23、 show there is no resemblance between the two in nature.4）他非常气愤，话都说不出来。Indignation bereft him of speech.（bereft: deprived of or lacking something, especially non-material asset ）5）屠户被众人局不过，只得连斟两碗喝了，壮一壮胆，将平日的凶恶样子拿出来。Two bowls of wine bolstered up his courage, making him lose his scruples and start hi

24、s usual rampaging.5、将时间、处所作为主语将时间、处所作为主语1)十天以后，他的军队就会土崩瓦解，他也就只剩下1400人了。Ten days would disband his corps and leave him 1400 men.2)1840-80年的40年间共有1000万人移民到美国。The forty years, 1840-80, brought almost ten million migrants to America.3)东方破晓的时候，他早已经上路了。Dawn found him well along the road.4) 在准备奥运会期间，北京发生了巨

25、大的变化。Beijing witnesses great changes since the preparation of Olympic Games.6. 事件做主语，表示时间的先后。事件做主语，表示时间的先后。 事件名词化事件名词化1) 他母亲死后不久，他又失去了三岁的女儿。（她失去了三岁的女儿，不久母亲又离他而去。）The death of his mother was followed/preceded by the loss of his three-year-old daughter.2) 在总统到来之前，犯人就被执行死刑了。The execution of the prisone

26、r preceded the presidents arrival. 林则徐认为，要成功地禁止禁止鸦片买卖，就得首先把鸦片焚毁焚毁。 Lin Zexu believed that a successful ban of the trade in opium must be preceded by the destruction of the drug itself. (名词化的事件作主语) Lin Zexu thought that we must burn down the opium first if we want to stop this business successfully（a

27、lternative)(人做主语) 中国已成功地发射了第一颗实验通信卫星。这颗卫星是由三级火箭推动的，一直运转正常。它标志着我国在发展运载工具和电子技术方面进人了一个新阶段。 China has successfully launched first experimental telecommunication satellite. It was propelled by a three-stage rocket and has functioned normally. It indicates that our nation has stepped into a new stage of d

28、eveloping carrier rockets and electronics. The successful launching of Chinas first experimental communications satellite，which was propelled by a three-stage rocket and has been in operation ever since，indicates that our nation has entered a new stage in the development of carrier rockets and elect

29、ronics. 名词化nominalization 即用名词结构表达一个小句的意思。 它与主语的选择，与句子的合并密切相关。 所以在汉语长句的翻译 中还要继续复习。 用名词化结构与用小句在语体风格上有什么区别呢？ 一、原文形容词性成分译为主语一、原文形容词性成分译为主语1懒惰的人不会成功懒惰的人不会成功。 A lazy person will never succeed. Laziness makes it impossible for one to succeed. Laziness makes success impossible.2这位母亲很为有个聪明漂亮的女儿感到骄傲这位母亲很为有个聪

30、明漂亮的女儿感到骄傲. The mother is very proud of to have an intelligent and pretty daughter. The intelligence and beauty of the daughter makes her mother very proud.3这部小说主要采用的是意识流的写作手法这部小说主要采用的是意识流的写作手法。 Stream of consciousness is mainly employed in this novel.二、原文名词性成分译为主语原文名词性成分译为主语1一个星期前，我遇到了一件最不可思议的事情。一个

31、星期前，我遇到了一件最不可思议的事情。 I had the most incredible experience a week ago. The most unbelievable thing happened to me a week ago.2他突然发现地毯上有个污点。他突然发现地毯上有个污点。 He suddenly saw a dark stain on the carpet. Suddenly a dark stain was seen by him. A dark stain on the carpet suddenly caught his eye.3他两天就抽完一包烟。他两天就

32、抽完一包烟。 He finishes a pack of cigarettes in two days. It takes him on;y two days to finish a pack of cigarettes. A pack of cigarettes lasts him only two days.三、原文副词性成分译为主语原文副词性成分译为主语1 因为天气太糟，我们未能成行。因为天气太糟，我们未能成行。 Because of the bad weather, we didnt go for a trip. The awful weather caused us to cance

33、l our trip.2 已经有数千人在持续一年的内战中丧生。已经有数千人在持续一年的内战中丧生。 Thousands of people have died in the civil war, which broke out a year ago. The civil war,which has been going on for a year, has claimed thousands of lives. The death toll of the civil war,which broke out a year ago, has amounted to several thousand

34、.3去年该地区许多国家发生了严重的经济危机。去年该地区许多国家发生了严重的经济危机。 Last year witnessed a serious financial crisis in many countries of this region.4众所周知，中国在众所周知，中国在1980年成功地发射了第一颗洲际导弹。年成功地发射了第一颗洲际导弹。 As is well known, 1980 saw the successful launchiong of Chinas first intercontinental guided missile.5这个运动首先在北京兴起。这个运动首先在北京兴起

35、。 Beijing first saw the rise of the movement.61966年他在一家小工厂工作年他在一家小工厂工作. The year 1966 found him working in a small factory.7 这个地区有史以来总是多灾多难。这个地区有史以来总是多灾多难。 The history has never been kind to this area.四、原文动词性成分译为主语四、原文动词性成分译为主语1 人群渐渐地人群渐渐地安静安静下来。下来。 Silence gradually came over the crowds.2 我我建议建议他立刻

36、戒烟。他立刻戒烟。 My suggestion is that he quit smoking.3 我从来没有那么我从来没有那么想想过。过。 The idea has never crossed my mind.4 他们他们一想起一想起这些这些,便会觉得生活增添了许多乐趣。便会觉得生活增添了许多乐趣。 The rememberance of these will add much pleasure to their life.主语必须是句中应该突出的信息；主语必须是句中应该突出的信息；1）到去年年底，我部已同有关省市签定了）到去年年底，我部已同有关省市签定了100余艘中小船舶建造合同和协议。余

37、艘中小船舶建造合同和协议。 By the end of last year, contracts and agreements were signed with some provinces and cities concerned for the construction of more than 100 medium-and- small-sized vessels.2我给你打国际直拨就跟给楼下的李姐打电话差不多我给你打国际直拨就跟给楼下的李姐打电话差不多,一拨就通。一拨就通。 An international phone call to you is as easy as a call to Sister Li downstairs.3我还鲜明地记得和周总理第一次见面时的情景。我还鲜明地记得和周总理第一次见面时的情景。 My first meeting with Premier Zhou still lingers clea