英汉两种语言在句法、词汇、修辞等方面均存在着很大的差异,因此在进行英汉互译时必然会遇到很多困难,需要有一定的翻译技巧作指导。常用的翻译技巧有增译法、省译法、转换法、拆句法、合并法、正译法、反译法、倒置法、包孕法、插入法、重组法和综合法等。这些技巧不但可以运用于笔译之中,也可以运用于口译过程中,而且应该用得更加熟练,因为口译工作的特点决定了译员没有的时间进行思考。
1. 增译法:指根据英汉两种语言不同的思维方式、语言习惯和表达方式,在翻译时增添一些词、短句或句子,以便更准确地表达出原文所包含的意义。这种方式多半用在汉译英里。汉语无主句较多,而英语句子一般都要有主语,所以在翻译汉语无主句的时候,除了少数可用英语无主句、被动语态或There be…结构来翻译以外,一般都要根据语境补出主语,使句子完整。英汉两种语言在名词、代词、连词、介词和冠词的使用方法上也存在很大差别。英语中代词使用频率较高,凡说到人的器官和归某人所有的或与某人有关的事物时,必须在前面加上物主代词。因此,在汉译英时需要增补物主代词,而在英译汉时又需要根据情况适当地删减。英语词与词、词组与词组以及句子与句子的逻辑关系一般用连词来表示,而汉语则往往通过上下文和语序来表示这种关系。因此,在汉译英时常常需要增补连词。英语句子离不开介词和冠词。
另外,在汉译英时还要注意增补一些原文中暗含而没有明言的词语和一些概括性、注释性的词语,以确保译文意思的完整。总之,通过增译,一是保证译文语法结构的完整,二是保证译文意思的明确。如:
(1)What about calling him right away?
马上给他打个电话,你觉得如何?(增译主语和谓语)
(2)If only I could see the realization of the four modernizations.
要是我能看到四个现代化实现该有多好啊!(增译主句)
(3)Indeed, the reverse is true
实际情况恰好相反。(增译名词)
(4)就是法西斯国家本国的人民也被剥夺了****。
Even the people in the fascist countries were stripped of their human rights.(增译物主代词)
(5)只许州官放火,不许百姓点灯。
While the magistrates were free to burn down house, the common people were forbidden to light lamps. (增译连词)
(6)这是我们两国人民的又一个共同点。
This is yet another common point between the people of our two countries.(增译介词)
(7)在****领域,中国反对以大欺小、以强凌弱。
In the field of human rights, China opposes the practice of the big oppressing the small and the strong bullying the weak.(增译暗含词语)
(8)三个臭皮匠,合成一个诸葛亮。
Three cobblers with their wits combined equal Zhuge Liang the mastermind.(增译注释性词语)
2. 省译法:这是与增译法相对应的一种翻译方法,即删去不符合目标语思维习惯、语言习惯和表达方式的词,以避免译文累赘。增译法的例句反之即可。又如:
(1)You will be staying in this hotel during your visit in Beijing.
你在北京期间就住在这家饭店里。(省译物主代词)
(2)I hope you will enjoy your stay here.
希望您在这儿过得愉快。(省译物主代词)
(3)中国政府历来重视环境保护工作。
The Chinese government has always attached great importance to environmental protection. (省译名词)
3. 转换法:指翻译过程中为了使译文符合目标语的表述方式、方法和习惯而对原句中的词类、句型和语态等进行转换。具体的说,就是在词性方面,把名词转换为代词、形容词、动词;把动词转换成名词、形容词、副词、介词;把形容词转换成副词和短语。在句子成分方面,把主语变成状语、定语、宾语、表语;把谓语变成主语、定语、表语;把定语变成状语、主语;把宾语变成主语。在句型方面,把并列句变成复合句,把复合句变成并列句,把状语从句变成定语从句。在语态方面,可以把主动语态变为被动语态。如:
(1)我们学院受教委和市政府的双重领导。
Our institute is co-administrated by the States Education Commission and the municipal government. (名词转动词)
(2)Too much exposure to TV programs will do great harm to the eyesight of children.
孩子们看电视过多会大大地损坏视力。(名词转动词)
(3)由于我们实行了改革开放政策,我国的综合国力有了明显的增强。
Thanks to the introduction of our reform and opening policy, our comprehensive national strength has greatly improved. (动词转名词)
(4)I'm all for you opinion.
我完全赞成你的意见。(介词转动词)
(5)The reform and opening policy is supported by the whole Chinese people.
改革开放政策受到了全中国人民的拥护。(动词转名词)
(6)In his article the author is critical of man‘s negligence toward his environment.
在文章中,对人类疏忽自身环境作了批评。(形容词转名词)
(7)In some of the European countries, the people are given the biggest social benefits such as medical insurance.
在有些欧洲国家里,人民享受最广泛的社会福利,如医疗保险等。(被动语态转主动语态)
(8)时间不早了,我们回去吧!
We don't have much time left. Let‘s go back. (句型转换)
(9)学生们都应该德、智、体全面发展。
All the students should develop morally, intellectually and physically. (名词转副词)