二、词的增补

更新于 2026年10月13日 版权声明
二、词的增补

汉英两种语言由于用词造句的规律不同,因而在表达同一个思想时常需在译文中增补一些原文中没有的词语。通常增补词语是出于以下两方面的需要。

(一)为了保证译文语法结构的完整

在汉译英时,为了保证译文语法结构完整而需要增补词语的现象大致可分以下四类:

1.增补代词(或名词)

(1)增补做主语的代词(或名词)

汉语里无主语的句子相当多,英语则不同,句子一般都需要有主语。所以在翻译这类无主语句子时有时要采用被动式或“there be...”结构等办法。此外,还可根据下文的意思选择适当的代词(或名词)来补出主语。例如:

由小学到中学,所修习的无非是一些普通的基础知识。(复旦大学2012年真题)

From elementary school to middle school,what we have learned is nothing but some common basic knowledge.

要完成这一点需重新仔细估量导致这种关系在较近时期内发生剧烈变化的所有各种因素。(哈尔滨工业大学2001年真题)

To realize this,we need to re-evaluate all the factors causing the recent radical changes to the relation.

(2)增补物主代词

物主代词在汉语里远不如英语里用得多,在英语里凡说到一个人的器官和归他所有的或与他有关的事物时,总要在前面加上物主代词。例如:

有人背负行囊,翻山越岭;有人骑自行车环游天下。(复旦大学2011年真题)

Somebody travels on the feet,luggage climbing over mounts with their luggage on their back.Somebody travels around the world by bicycle.

学无止境,一生的时间都嫌太短,所以古人皓首穷经,头发白了还是在继续研究,不过在这样的研究中确是有浓厚的趣味。(复旦大学2012年真题)

There is no satiety in study,and one's whole life is still not enough for learning.That's why ancient people continued with study even when their hair had turned hoary.However,indeed there was strong interest in this process.

以上各例的译文中所增加的物主代词their,one’s,从汉语的角度来看,都是多余的,可是就英语来说,则是不可缺少的。

(3)增补做宾语的代词

汉语句子中,只要从上下文里能够看得清楚,则做宾语的代词常常可以省略,可是英语就不行,凡及物动词都得有宾语。因此汉译英时,经常要增补做宾语的代词。例如:

我的太太比我更爱旅行,所以夫妻两人正好互作旅伴,这一点只怕徐霞客也要羡慕。(复旦大学2011年真题)

My wife loves traveling more than I do,so she is the best companion I have ever found,which will make Xu Xiake envy us as he travels all alone.

2.增补连词

汉语中的词、词组、分句或句子之间的关系往往通过上下文及语序来表示,较少用连词。英语通常需要用连词来表明词与词、词组与词组以及句与句之间的逻辑关系。因此在汉译英时,需要增补连词的情况会很多,有时需增补并列连词,有时需增补从属连词。例如:

某些民众团体已经降低了中国百姓维护合法权利的门槛,某些中国官员认为这些团体会导致社会的不安定。(华中科技大学2012年真题)

Some civic groups have helped people on the lower rungs of Chinese society defend their legal rights,and some Chinese officials contend that the groups have contributed to a surge in social unrest.

3.增补介词

介词是英语中最活跃的词类之一,英语句子大多都有介词。汉语中不需用介词,在英语中却常用。因此在汉译英时,经常需要增补介词。例如:

中国已经发展成为一个全球极富吸引力的、现实的大市场。(中国人民大学2004年真题)

China has developed into a big,extremely attractive and realistic market in the global context.

4.增补冠词

汉译英时往往还需要增补必要的冠词。

改革开放,是中华民族自强不息和变革创新精神在当代的集中体现和创造性发展。(对外经济贸易大学2008年真题)

The reform and opening-up endeavor is an embodiment and a creative development of the Chinese spirit of constantly striving to strengthen oneself and of change and innovation in modern times.

(二)为了保证译文意思的明确

为了这个目的而增补的词语大致可分为以下两类。

1.增补原文中暗含而无须明言的词语

汉语和英语的习惯用法不同。汉语中某一说法本来是很清楚的,谁也不会误解,可是如果生搬硬套,逐字译成英语,就很可能不达原意,甚至还会引起误解或铸成大错。为了避免出现这种情况,就必须在译文中增补适当的词,把原文中暗含的意思明确表示出来。例如:

1)螳螂捕蝉,黄雀在后。

误译:The mantis stalks the cicada;the oriole is behind itself.

改译:The mantis stalks the cicada,unaware of the oriole lurking behind itself.

这句话的中文意思大家都懂,但如果直接按字翻译的话,可能很多线语为英语的人都看不懂什么意思。这时就要加入unaware of和lurking这两个动词,使意思明确。

2)风声鹤唳,草木皆兵。

这句成语中,“风声”、“鹤唳”都是名词,而“草木皆兵”直接翻译成“草木都是兵”也会让母语为英语的人看得一头雾水。所以,在翻译这句话时,同样要加入未表露出来的动词意思,使句子明确。

译文:Be scared by the sight of the wind or the cry of the cranes,fearing ambush at every tree and tuft of grass.

3)虽然中国妇女在平等方面取得了巨大的进步,但还未完全实现平等的就业机会。

汉语可以说“实现……机会”,但英语不可以说“realize the opportunity of...”,而要说“realize/accomplish the goal/aim of...”。

译文:It is true that Chinese women have made enormous strides toward equality.But the goals of equal opportunity of employment for women have not been fully realized.

2.增补注释性词语

汉语中的典故、谚语和在一定历史、政治条件下形成的某些名词、术语和简化说法,汉语读者熟悉,一看就明白,但是英语读者就不见得能懂。因此翻译时就得适当地添加一些注释性词语。例如:

有人旅行时乘豪华游轮,谢灵运再世大概也会如此。(复旦大学2011年真题)(https://www.daowen.com)

Somebody travels by the luxury cruise ship.If Xie Lingyun,the Duke of Kangle,were still alive,he would do the same.

例句中,如果不在译文中加上the Duke of Kangle,直接译为Xie Lingyun,则大多数英语读者恐怕都不知道谢灵运是何许人,因而也就无法理解本句的内在含义。

每日训练

1.翻译下列各句,注意词的选择和搭配。

1)那个小孩闯到马路中间,一个警察赶紧抓住他的手,把他拉到安全的地方。

2)那个受惊的小孩紧紧地抓住他母亲的手。

3)他因犯伪造罪而被拘捕了。

4)他把自己的一生献给为人民服务的事业。

5)有什么事,告诉我一声。

6)不许他给我们集体脸上抹黑。

7)新生儿需要细心护理。

8)空气是由多种气体混合组成的。

9)他醉心于医学研究。

10)那个人醉心于名利。

2.翻译下列各句,根据需要增补适当的词语。

1)海外侨胞常说:“我们的心永远向着祖国。”

2)有人来电话,你就说我12点回来。

3)他扯着嗓门向我们呼喊。

4)比他技术高明一点的人,他叫人家老师傅。

5)所有公民在法律面前一律平等。

6)他虽是初次登台演出,却演得很自然。

7)这真是俗话说的,“旁观者清。”

8)他们一听说有新任务,就坐不住了。

9)在全面开创新局面的各项任务中,首要的任务是把现代化经济建设推向前进。

10)只要中国人民积极奋斗,这个宏伟的战略目标是能够达到的。

参考译文

1.1)The child ran into the street,but a policeman hurried up to seize him by the arm and pulled him back to safety.

2)The frightened child gripped his mother's hand.

3)He was apprehended on a charge of forgery.

4)He dedicated his whole life to serving the people.

5)Let me know if anything happens.

6)We're not going to let him bring shame on our collective.

7)Newborn babies need careful nursing.

8)Air is made up of a mixture of gases.

9)He is deeply engrossed in medical research.

10)That chap is infatuated with fame and gain.

2.1)The overseas Chinese often say,“Our hearts are always towards our motherland.”

2)Whoever telephones,tell them I shall be back by 12 o'clock.

3)He shouted to us at the top of his voice.

4)Those whose technical level was higher than his own was addressed by him as“Masters”.

5)All citizens are equal before the law.

6)His acting was very natural though it was the first time he had appeared on the stage.

7)It is just as the proverb goes,“The onlooker sees most of the game.”(Or The

spectator is in a better position to judge.)

8)When they learnt that they'd been given a new task,they just couldn't sit still any longer.

9)Of the various tasks in bringing about an all-round new situation,the most important

one is to push forward the modernization of China's economy.

10)If the Chinese people work hard,they can definitely attain this grand strategic objective.

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