英漢翻譯的八條戒律

1、英漢翻譯的八條戒律英語學(xué)習(xí)者一般愿做英譯漢題目，怵做漢譯英題目。由于歷史和文化上的差異，漢英詞語之間存在著或顯或隱的翻譯上的陷阱，導(dǎo)致漢譯英(CE)遠比英譯漢(EC)易于出錯。用魯迅的話說，就是“詞典不離手，冷汗不離身?！边@提醒譯者必須對這些差異心中有數(shù)，然后再調(diào)和這些差異，“擺平”這些差異。為此，要邁好下面八道坎兒，時刻要留心這八條“戒律”只想為你擦亮滿天星光，以免在熟路上“迷失方向”。一、戒“從一而終” 漢語言簡意賅，句子靈活，往往是一個漢語詞匯對應(yīng)N個英語詞匯，具體到在本句中應(yīng)該采用那個意項，務(wù)必抓住精神實質(zhì)，不可以不變應(yīng)萬變。至于怎么應(yīng)變，這就是顯示譯者功力的地方了。比如：都是“問題”

2、，下面的翻譯各不相同，幾乎是打一槍換一個地方。共同關(guān)心的問題 questions of common interest解決問題 solve a problem問題的關(guān)鍵 the heart of the matter關(guān)鍵問題 a key problem原則問題 a question/ matter of principle懸而未決的問題 an outstanding issue沒有什么問題。 Without any mishap摩托車有點問題。 Something is wrong with the motorcycle.問題不在這里。 That is not the point.最近揭發(fā)出相

3、當(dāng)嚴(yán)重的貪污、受賄和官僚主義問題。 Serious cases of embezzlement, bribery, and bureaucracy have been brought to light recently.譯者要掌握這種漢英翻譯中的“游擊戰(zhàn)術(shù)”，翻譯家應(yīng)是不同“文化王國”邊境線上的“游擊戰(zhàn)略家”。沙博里將水滸傳譯為：Outlaws of the Marsh(沼澤地上的亡命之徒)。楊憲益譯將屈原的國殤譯為：For Those Fallen for Their Country，北外出版社將儒林外史譯為：The Scholars。這些都是譯者吃透了原文的原意而譯出的佳作。二、戒望文生義

4、，機械直譯 這多半是初學(xué)者犯的毛病，他們易于被表面現(xiàn)象所迷惑，做出令人啼笑皆非的事情。下文中的以色列，可不是中東的那個猶太人國家，而是以顏色來排列。文中的顏色，統(tǒng)統(tǒng)譯錯。望文生義想當(dāng)然，都是直譯惹的禍。黃牛（yellow cowox前誤后正，下同）與黃鸝（yellow bird oriole）從小青梅竹馬(green plum bamboo horsegrew up together)，黃牛喜歡青稞(green seedling highland barley)、黃瓜( yellow meloncucumber、紫菜（purple vegetable laver）、白菜( white vege

5、table Chinese cabbage)，黃鸝喜歡紫薇(purple rose crape myrtle)、紅木(red woodpad auk)、紅豆杉(red firChinese yew)。黑社會(black society sinister gang)的黑猩猩(black orangutan chimpanzee)用黑話(black wordargot)給他們作了紅娘(red mothermatchmaker)。二者選了個猴年馬月的黃道吉日(yellow waylucky day)，在長滿蘭花(blue flowerorchid)、紫丁香(purple cloverlilac)紫茉

6、莉(purple jasmine four-oclock)的綠洲( green continent oasis)上，舉行了別開生面的婚禮。雙雙當(dāng)場交換了禮物，黃牛給黃鸝的禮物是藍寶石(blue gem sapphire)、紅寶石(red gemruby)；黃鸝給黃牛的是白話(white word vernacular)水滸、白蘭地(white blue land brandy)。他們從此紅運(red fortune good luck)當(dāng)頭，青云直上(blue cloud soar higher and higher)。 （選自艾臨每天幽它一默）三、戒“水土不符”，習(xí)慣搭配失當(dāng) 這的確是難度系

7、數(shù)較大的問題，它要求譯者既有較高的中文修養(yǎng)，又要有較高的英文造詣，一知半解的人常常在此“翻車”，甚至大家也難免有閃失。如：寫罷，擲筆在桌上。又歌了一回，再飲數(shù)杯酒，不覺沉醉，力不勝酒，便呼酒保計算了，取些銀子算還，多的都賞了酒保。 And tossed the pen on the table. He intoned the verses to himself, then downed a few more cups of wine. He was very dunk. Song-Jiang asked for the bill, paid, and told the waiter to ke

8、ep the change. （沙博里譯水滸傳·潯陽樓宋江吟反詩）目前，水滸傳最好的英譯本要數(shù)沙博里先生的本子了。沙博里出生在美國，青年時來到中國，一住就是半個多世紀(jì)。為了譯好水滸傳，據(jù)說他潛心研究了山東的地方志和舊時方言，可謂精誠所致，譯著既“達”又“雅”。然歷史告訴我們，中國古人沒有用過鋼筆，宋時用的還是毛筆，故“the pen ”應(yīng)改為“the writing-brush ”。白洋淀的導(dǎo)游牌上，“紅菱”被硬硬地翻譯成Red Ling。菱角有對應(yīng)詞的，應(yīng)改為Red Water Chestnut。這里常常有外國人參觀，如此翻譯，令人汗顏！ 下面的幾段譯文就較好地照顧到了西方人的思維

9、和理解習(xí)慣。老者道：“西方卻去不得。那山離此有六十里遠，正是西方必由之路。卻有八百里火焰，周圍寸草不生，若過此山，就是銅腦蓋，鐵身軀，也要化成汁哩?！?“Its impossible to get to the west,” the old man replied, “The mountains are about twenty miles from here. You have to cross them to get to the west, but theyre over 250 miles of flame. Not a blade of grass can grow anywhere

10、 around. Even if you had a skull of bronze and a body of iron, you would melt trying to cross them.” （詹納爾譯西游記·孫悟空一調(diào)芭蕉扇）美國把貿(mào)易和人權(quán)扯在一起，只會損害兩國的經(jīng)濟利益。 The US policy of linking trade with human rights can only bring harm to the economic interests of the two countries.關(guān)起門來搞建設(shè)是不成的，中國的發(fā)展離不開世界。 China cant

11、 develop in isolation from the rest of the world.四、戒主語暗淡 主語是句子的靈魂，定住譯文的主語的是關(guān)鍵性一步棋。主語定偏了，整個句子將顯得松散乏力，甚至誤導(dǎo)讀者。如果這個問題不解決，勢必影響兩國的利益。 Failure to settle this issue is bound impair the relations between the two countries seriously.If the problem is not solved , it is sure to affect the interests between the

12、 two countries在上面的兩種譯文中，顯然第一種譯文主語選得好，句子流暢。共同的利益把我們兩個偉大的國家連接在一起。 What holds our two great nations together is the cement of common interests.此句主語部分處理得頗為干練。操吳戈兮披犀甲，車錯轂兮短兵接 we grasp huge shields, clad in Rhinoceros Hide; the Chariots clash, the Daggers gashing wide. （楊憲益譯屈原·國殤）屈原一開篇就“操吳戈兮披犀甲，車錯轂兮短

13、兵接”，顯然需要補充應(yīng)有的主語。在國殤詩中，后面還有“身既死兮神以靈，子魂魄兮為鬼雄”的句子，可見屈原是以“局外人”的視角來寫為國捐軀的將士的，而非把自己混為軍中一員。譯文中的主語應(yīng)改為“They”較妥。廚房里少了一條魚，主人發(fā)誓要一查到底，揪出偷魚的賊。 Finding a fish in kitchen was lost, the host swore find out the thief who stole the fish. 盡管漢語中似乎有“廚房”“主人”兩個主語，譯者果斷地選定了“the host”作主語。打點清晰，增強了句子的內(nèi)聚力。夏威夷的沙灘上，椰影婆娑，海風(fēng)習(xí)習(xí)，一妙齡女郎

14、正躺在白色的塑料椅上養(yǎng)神。 On the Hawaiian sandy beach, the coconut palms are whirling, the congenial sea breeze is blowing, and a young lady is lying in the white plastics chair resting to restore energy. 因為是輕松讀本，又是描述性的文字，使用了三個主語“the coconut palms”“the congenial sea breeze”“a young lady”仍是可取的。五、戒結(jié)構(gòu)單調(diào)，組合生硬 “拉郎配”

15、 由于漢英結(jié)構(gòu)不同，表達方式迥異，“硬性翻譯”不僅讀起來別扭，而且會鬧出笑話。這就譯者在翻譯時靈活使用整合的技巧，將句子整合，凸顯漢語中所隱含的層次，補充所缺失的成分。有時將簡單句譯成并列句，有時將并列句譯成主從句。在紀(jì)念大學(xué)畢業(yè)20周年聚會時，我忽然問起原來的班主任：“我個子又不矮，怎么把我安排在了第一排呢？” At the reunion party for 20 anniversary of graduation from university, I suddenly asked my former teacher in charge of our class then:" S

16、ince I am not of short stature, how did you arrange me at the first row?" 一個高度近視的女博士去擦鞋店擦高統(tǒng)靴，禿頭老板親自蹲下來給她效勞。 When woman doctor who suffers a severe myopic went to shoes-polishing shop for her buskins , the bald boss squatted down to serve her personally. 黑體字部分，正是契合了英語的表達習(xí)慣。六、戒“愚忠”，不諳增減之道 我們耳熟能詳?shù)?/p>

17、東西外國人可能會感到一頭霧水，譯者需要增加必要的說明和補充或者減譯。否則，外國人會不知所云。畢竟，漢譯英最終是給外國人看的。例如：風(fēng)水 fengshuithe location of a house or tomb, supposed to have an influence on the fortune of a family. 例如：（美國對臺）“三不政策” Washingtons “three nos” policy toward Taiwanon support for Taiwan independence, no support for a two-China policy, an

18、d on support for Taiwan membership in international organizations on the basis of statehood. 忽聞有人在牡丹亭畔長吁短嘆。允潛步窺立，乃府中歌姬貂禪也。 In the silence he heard moans and sighs near the Peony Pavilion. Stealing over, he discovered the singing girl, Diaochan. （羅慕士譯三國演義·王司徒巧施連環(huán)計）會當(dāng)凌絕頂，一覽眾山小。 One day I shall cl

19、imb Clear to the summit, See how small surrounding Mountain tops appear as they lie below me （新西蘭人路易·艾黎譯杜甫·望岳）I can't open my eyes to watch your jumping into the fiery pit, for I will shut my eyes at the time.我不會眼睜睜看著你往火坑里跳，到時候我會閉上的。不要嫌我黑，兩眼放光輝；不要嫌我瘦，一身好精肉。Do not Cold-shoulder me for m

20、y swarthy(黝黑的) face, but I have a pair of bright piercing(敏銳的) eyes;Do not Cold-shoulder me for my slight figure, but Im lean and healthy.文中“the location of a house or tomb, supposed to have an influence on the fortune of a family.” “on support for Taiwan independence, no support for a two-China pol

21、icy, and on support for Taiwan membership in international organizations on the basis of statehood.”“In the silence”“One day I” “for” “but ”為增譯，“府中”為減譯，實并入后句。減譯手法在“七戒語句重復(fù)”中還會提及。七、戒語句重復(fù) 漢語多重復(fù)，以強化語氣；英語則要盡量避免重復(fù)。先生曰：“狼負我，狼負我！”狼曰：“吾非固欲負汝。天生汝輩，固需吾輩食也?！?“ You are an ungrateful beast,” complained the man. “

22、Not at all,” retorted the wolf, “it is not that Im ungrateful, but you men were created for us to devour.” （顏惠慶譯馬中錫·中山狼傳）王曰：“此鳥不飛則已，一飛沖天；不鳴則已，一鳴驚人?！?“ The bird may not have flown yet”, replied the King,“Once it does, it will soar to the sky. I may not have cried out yet, but once it does, it wi

23、ll startle everyone.” （楊憲益譯史記·滑稽列傳阿凡提借了財主一錠金子，還他時給了他兩錠。 Afanty borrowed a small ingot of gold from a moneybags, but repaid him two ones. （選自艾臨幽默新大陸）以上粗體字都是為了避免重復(fù)，下面兩句中的粗體字屬于省譯，當(dāng)然也是為了避免重復(fù)。又斗爭，又團結(jié)，以斗爭的手段，達團結(jié)之目的。 Unity, struggle, unity through struggle.中國人也好，外國人也好，死人也好，活人也好，對的就是對的，不對的就是不對的。 What i

24、s right is right and what is wrong is wrong, no matter what it concerns, the Chinese or foreigners, the dead or the living.為了避免重復(fù)，還可將相同的漢字故意譯成不同的英文，如在78歲高齡的人的眼里，大多數(shù)人都顯得有點年輕。倘若美利堅對44歲以下的人抱有不信任態(tài)度的話，它必將阻止杰佛遜起草獨立宣言，阻止華盛頓領(lǐng)導(dǎo)獨立戰(zhàn)爭，阻止麥迪遜制訂憲法，甚至阻止哥倫布發(fā)現(xiàn)新大陸！ In the eyes of a 78-year old person, most people seem

25、 to be little young. If the USA embraces mistrustful attitude to those who are under 44, it would clog necessarily Jefferson from drafting the Declaration of Independence, obstruct Washington from leading Independent War, prevent Madison from formulating the Constitution, and even keep Columbus from

26、 discovering the New Continent!從渲染藝術(shù)效果來講，重復(fù)并非絕對不允許的，如：行路難，行路難。 多歧路，今安在？長風(fēng)破浪會有時，直掛云帆濟滄海！ Hard is the way, hard is the way. Dont go astray! Whither today. A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves, Ill set my cloudlike sail to cross the sea which raves. （許淵沖譯李白·行路難）八、戒另起爐灶，走失精氣神，淪為法國

27、作家梅納日所批評的 “不忠的美人”即語言優(yōu)美但不忠于原文。（參見2005年08月26日濟南日報： 艾臨文章不忠的美人與忠實的美人寫在每天幽它一默出版后）嚴(yán)復(fù)在翻譯天演論時偶 有為“雅”而不“信” （見陳廷佑英文漢譯技巧）。譯文要力求其“信”，盡可能契合漢語原來句子的氣勢、情緒和結(jié)構(gòu)。例如，元朝人王實甫寫下了西廂記，張雪靜改編后并作了翻譯掏出張生那封信，回頭環(huán)視見梳妝臺上的梳妝盒，眼睛一轉(zhuǎn)，心里說有了，將信放了進去，合上蓋時故意壓了一角露在外面。 Rose took out Zhangs letter, she thought, “It would be better to put it in

28、her make-up case, and letter find it herself.” So she put the letter in the case, leaving a corner of it sticking out, so that it would be quickly noticed.不難看出，譯文與原文相去甚遠，互不吻合，成了“兩張皮”。我們不希望這件事影響中美關(guān)系。 China hates to see Sino-US relations damaged by this incident. 用China hates to比“We dont hope”貼切。吾十五有志于學(xué)，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳順，七十而從心所欲不愈矩。 At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning truth; at thirty, my words deeds were appropriate; at forty, I perceived truth and doubts ceased; at fifty, I understood what heaven had mandated for mankind;