被动句式的翻译.doc

第四节 被动句式的翻译 英汉两种语言中都有被动语态，而被动语态使用广泛程度的差异是英语区别于汉语的显著特点之一英语中，被动语态的出现是相当普遍的，在科技、政论文章和新闻报导中使用尤为频繁 因为英语被动结构能给读者以间接、客观、不带个人感情色彩的感觉一般被动语态出现多为以下四种情况∶1无从说出、无需提及主动者When will the new bridge be built?什么时候建新桥?2出于某种考虑，无意说出主动者Generally it is considered not polite to do so．一般认为这样做是不礼貌的强调动作的承受者The room was cleaned by a little girl．房间是一个小女孩打扫的为了上下文的衔接和句子连贯 Students asked a lot of questions． Most of them have been settled satisfactorily．学生们问了好多问题大部分问题已经圆满解决了相比之下，被动语态在汉语中的使用范围要小得多因而，用中文被动结构来翻译英文被动结构的情形并不很多许多时候用中文的被动句有意保留英文的被动结构并非恰到好处，反倒应当译成主动句式。

例如，Attention has been paid to the new measures to prevent corrosion．(已经注意到采取防腐新措施)英文句子按语法要求必须得有主语，而汉语不一定要有主语究竟谁“注意到”没有必要说出这样，英文的被动结构换成中文的主动句式更通俗、自然但是， A lot of houses were damaged in the earthquake．(许多房屋在地震中遭到破坏) 这句英文的被动结构在中文里保留了下来，按照中文的理解，这里使用被动结构更突出了“地震”造成的危害 因此，翻译时换成主动，还是保留被动结构，要做实际选择，不能一概而论，或许两种方法都可以下面介绍几种常见的翻译方法∶一． 译成中文的主动句1． 保留原文主语翻译某些被动句时，如无需指出动作的发出者，动词的动作不带有受动色彩，通常可以按照原文语序顺译，原文的主语仍旧充当译文的主语2) Visitors are requested not to touch the exhibits. 观众请勿触摸展品3) Water can be changed from a liquid into a solid. 水能从液体变成固体。

4) The whole country was armed in a few days. 几天之内全国武装起来了5) He was assassinated in a theater last night. 他昨晚在一家剧院遇刺身亡 2． 将原文主语译成宾语 有时可将原文的主语译成宾语如果原文中没有施动者，必要时可在译文中添加不确定的主语，如∶“大家”，“人们”，“有人”等1) If you are asked personal questions, you need not answer them.如果有人问你的私事，你可以不回答2) Salt is known to have a very strong corroding effect on metals.大家知道，盐对金属有很强的腐蚀作用3) English is considered very important for Chinese students.人们认为英语对中国学生来说是很重要的4） I am afraid I shall be laughed at. 我怕大家笑话我３．把原文句中的一部分转译成主语 英语中还有一些被动句译成中文时，需要将句子中某个适当的成分转译成主语。

既要做到不违背英文原义，又符合中文规范表示方位的地点状语转译成主语的情况较多1) The compass was invented in China four thousand years ago.中国在四千年前发明了指南针 （状语作主语）2) The answers are provided in the next chapter.下一章提供答案 （状语作主语） 有时原句中的宾语也可转译成主语3) My daughter was given a present by Mr. Green.我女儿的一份礼物是格林先生给的 （宾语作主语）4) I was told the story by my mother when I was young.这个故事是小时候妈妈讲给我的 （宾语作主语）４．把施动者译成主语1) We are kept strong and well by fresh air.清新的空气使我们身体健康2) Those towering peaks are only to be scaled by the most daring.只有最勇敢的人才能攀登那些高耸的山峰3) The magnificent hotel had been completely destroyed by the big fire.大火把这座富丽堂皇的宾馆完全烧毁了。

5. 译成无主句 英文原句中没有提到施动者时，有时可将被动句译成无主句1) The unpleasant noise must be immediately put an end to必须立即终止这种讨厌的噪音2) Very often, introductions are made using both first and last names.介绍的时候，往往是连名带姓3） The use of the satellite makes it possible to observe the universe much better. 利用卫星，能够更好地观察宇宙 6．译成带表语的主动句1) The element of helium was first found in the sun.氦元素最初是在太阳里发现的2) The credit system in America was first adopted by Harvard University in 1872.美国的学分制是1872年在哈佛大学首先实施的3) But the march could not be stopped with bullets now.但这时候游行已经不是枪弹所能阻止得了的。

4） The first explosive in the world was made and used in China. 世界上最早的炸药是在中国制造和使用的 7．以it作形式主语的被动语态句型的习惯译法 以it作形式主语，被动语态的动词作谓语，再接that引导的主语从句的结构是英语中常见的一种句型在科技文章中随处可见在翻译中文时常要改变成主动句有时不加主语，有时则要加一些泛指不确定的主语，如∶“大家”，“人们”，“有人”等1) 不加主语It is said that…… 据说……It is supposed that ….. 据推测…..It has been calculated that…… 据计算……It was estimated that…… 据估计……It must be stressed that…. 必须强调…….It will be seen from this that….. 由此可见…….It should be noted that…. 应当指出…….It can be clearly seen that…. 可以清楚地看到……It was so decided that….. 就此决定…….It has been proved that…… 业已证明…..2) 可加主语It is admitted that…. 大家承认…….It is asserted that….. 有人主张…… It is believed that…. 有人认为……..It is found out that….. 人们发现…….It is known that….. 众所周知……It is noted that…… 人们注意到…….It is thought that…. 有人认为……..It is taken that…. 人们认为……It is generally considered that…… 大家普遍认为………It is understood that….. 人们明白………二． 译成中文的被动句 被动句式在英语中使用范围很广，但也极为容易识别，因为主要是“be+动词的过去分词”结构。

而汉语中的被动句式虽然使用范围很窄被动符号却比英语复杂表达被动意义的语言主要有“被”、“受”、“遭”、“让”、“给”、“由”、“把”、“用”、“为．．．．所”、“加以”等等有些英语被动结构不宜转译成汉语主动句式的，就可带着这些被动标记译成被动句式1) He had been fired for refusing to obey orders.他因拒绝接受命令而被解雇了2) He was set upon by two masked men. 他遭到两个蒙面人的袭击3) Our foreign policy is supported by the people all over the world.我们的外交政策受到全世界人民的支持4) The science fiction has been translated into Chinese by a friend of mine.那部科幻小说是由我的一个朋友译成中文的 5) The old man was knocked down by a speeding truck.那个老人让一辆超速的卡车撞倒的 6） Those books have been affected with damp.那些书受潮了。

三． 其他 在现代汉语中，有些主动表达句式同样具有被动意义如：1) Problems should be resolved in good time.问题应及时加以解决 2）This must be done immediately.这是必须马上办 3）This proposal is better, but can still be improved.这个。