2. 英语中有些词在特定的上下文中,其含义是清楚的,但译成汉语时还必须作具体化的引申,否则就不够清楚。
1) The car in front of me stalled and I missed the green.
我前头的那辆车停住了,我错过了绿灯。
2) Jewish-owned shops were shut down. Swastikas replaced six-pointed stars. The walls of anti-Semitism were closing in.
犹太人的铺子关闭了。卐字旗取代了六角星旗。反犹太主义的包围圈一天紧似一天。
三、词义的褒贬
语言本身虽没有阶级性,但在具体使用时不可能不为一定的阶级服务。为了忠
实于原文的思想内容,翻译时必须正确理解原作者的基本政治立场和观点,然后选
用适当的语言手段来加以表达。原文中有些词本身就表示褒贬意义,就应该把褒贬
意义相应地表达出来;但也有些词语孤立起来看似乎是中性的,译成汉语时就要根
据上下文恰如其分地把它们的褒义或贬义表达出来。
(一)英语中有些词本身就有褒贬意义,汉译时就应相应地表达出来,如:
1)He was a man of high renown (fame).
他是位有名望的人。(褒)
2)His notoriety as a rake did not come until his death .
他作为流氓的恶名是他死后才传开的。(贬)
3)The tasks carried out by them are praiseworthy.
他们进行的事业是值得赞扬的。(褒)
4)Henry keeps boasting that he has talked to the President.
亨利总是吹嘘说他曾同总统谈过话。(贬)
5)"He was polite and always gave advice willingly," she recalled.
她回忆说,“他彬彬有礼,总是诲人不倦。”(褒)
6)We were shocked by his coarse manners.
我们对他的粗暴态度感到震惊。(贬)