參考譯文:如果我們真心實意而又滿腔熱情地希望整個人類能享有安全與幸福并且自由地發展其才干,我們就不會缺少去達到這一境界的方法。
*While we consider this to be the best form of democracy, it is not without difficulties and possible limitations, some of which may become apparent in this case.
結構分析:句子框架是While…,it is not without difficulties and possible limitations.“while引導讓步狀語從句。相當于though,修飾主句。指示代詞this指代前面提到的公眾投票來決策問題的做法。主句中又套嵌數量詞some of加關系代詞which引導的定語從句修飾difficulties and possible limitations.Not without為雙重否定的介詞短語,做表語,可以譯成肯定句。
參考譯文:雖然我們認為這是民主的最完美的形式,但它還有各種困難和潛在的缺陷;在這種情況下有些問題變得明顯了。
*But such a system would not only be the beginning of real freedom of contract between employers and employees; its principal advantage would be the improvement of freedom in interpersonal relationships in every sphere of daily life.
結構分析:句子的框架是But such a system would not only be……its principal advantage would be the improvement of。叫分號連接兩個并列分句。sphere意為“領域”。
參考譯文:但是,這樣一種制度將不只是雇主和雇員之間真正自由簽署合同的開始;它的主要優點是在日常生活的每一個領域中使人際關系吏為自由。
(2)譯文解釋法。這種“擴充詞義”的操作策略是:使用添加一定的解釋性、說明性的行文。由于中西文化和社會習俗的差異,英語的有些詞匯不能直譯出來,有必要對漢語的詞匯表達進行解釋性、說明性的翻譯。
1.In the age of information,we are open books.
*在信息時代,我們都是公開的書本。
在信息時代,我們每個人的一切情況都沒有什么秘密可言了。
2.This country's economy remains in intensive care.
*該國經濟仍處于重病特別護理中。
該國經濟依然處于岌岌可危的境地。
3.Those young people are heading for an early grave through smoking and lack of exercise.
*那些年輕人通過抽煙和缺少運動,正在向一個早期墳墓奔去。
那些年輕人由于抽煙加上缺少運動,實際上是在減短自己的壽命。
4.In that country several million of people have lived near or below the breadline for almost two decades.
在那個國家差不多二十年了,生活在貧困線以下,或溫飽問題還沒有完全解決的仍有幾百萬人。
*It is not so bad being ignorant if you are totally ignorant;the hard thing is knowing in some detail the reality of ignorance,the worst spots and here and there the not-so-bad spots,but no true light at the end of the tunnel nor even any tunnels that can yet be trusted.
結構分析:句子的框架是it is not so bad being ignorant if;the hard thing is knowing.……the reality…but no true light……nor even any tunnels……分號連接兩個并列分句。前面的分句句首it為形式主語,真正的主語為being ignorant;if引導條件狀語從句。后一分句的is knowing…和no true light…nor even any tunnels由but連接做系表謂語;句尾that引導的定語從句修飾tunnels.
此句的短語light at the end of the tunnel意為“困難(不快)的事情有結束的跡象”。
參考譯文:如果有人徹底無知的話,無知也就不那么糟了。困難的是人們詳細了解無知的實際情況——最差的方面以及這里或那里并不太差的方面,但并不了解困難的事情根本沒有結束的跡象,甚至還沒有可以信賴的任何解決問題的途徑。
He worked his way through the ranks,eventually becoming managing director responsible for the chain's operations in southern England.
他從基層干起,逐級向上升,最終當上了負責該連鎖大企業在南英格蘭事務的常務主任。
注釋:①responsible for形容詞短語作后置定語。②多義詞operations不是“手術”“運作”,而是“企業”的意思。
新的技術革命和頻繁中西文化交流使我們的英語熟詞有了新意或偏義。例如,skin一詞的意思是“人與人的實際接觸或交往”。
People who correspond with each other electronically often feel the need for skin and try to meet in what they call real life.
彼此之間用電子方式通信的人們經常覺得有面對面接觸的需要,他們也盡可能在他們稱之為現實的生活中交往。
The desire for skin can be seen in downtowns and shopping malls - people want human contact even when they could buy things via television or the telephone.
這種與人直接謀面接觸的愿望在鬧市區和商場是可以領略到的。即使人們可以通過電視或電話購物,他們還是想有人與人之間的直接交往。