一、无主句的译法
汉语中,只有谓语部分而没有主语部分的句子叫作无主句。由于汉语的无主句使用很频繁。而英语是主语显著的语系,所以在翻译汉语的无主句时,我们往往需要采取一定的措施,使译后的英语句子规范、地道。
1 根据上下文补充适当的主语
吃一堑,长一智。(对外经济贸易大学2007年真题)
Losses make us more cautious./You live and learn.
因此,要做好充分准备,好好利用人口红利期来解决严重的老龄化问题。(浙江大学2011年真题)
So we should make sufficient preparation and take advantage of the population bonus to deal with the problem for ageing of population.
宁可志高而达不到目标,也不要志低而达到。(北京理工大学2007年真题)
We would rather have high ambition even not be able to obtain our aims than have low ambition in order to obtain them.
2 采用祈使句式
汉语中表示请求、命令、号召及口号等的无主句,可仿照英语中的同类句式来译。
那就每天早上固定时间锻炼,而不要随意找时间,这样会使大脑最终接受这个新习惯。(华中科技大学2011年真题)
Do exercise at the same time of the morning,rather than fit it in haphazardly,to make the brain recognize the habit so eventually.
莫贪意外之财,莫饮过量之酒。(四川大学2010年真题)
Do not run after windfall;do not drink too much wine.
3 采用倒装语序
有些表示事物存在、出现或消失的无主句,其结构形式与英语的倒装句相似,因此,在汉译英时采用倒装句十分得体。
只有通过艰苦的劳动才能将这些自然资源转变成物质财富和舒适的生活。(哈尔滨工业大学2007年真题)
Only by working hard can we turn these natural resources into material wealth and comfortable life.
这片区域的地下曾埋藏着一座古城。
Under the ground in this area was buried an ancient city.(https://www.daowen.com)
4 采用被动语态
(1)表示要求和规定的无主句往往翻译成英语的被动句。
在基因治疗普及之前,仍然需要作大量研究。(中国人民大学2008年真题)
A lot of research still should be made before the gene therapy is popularized.
在促进人权的轻重缓急上,强调生存权、发展权的首要地位,同时兼顾公民的政治、经济、社会、文化权利和个人、集体权利的全面发展:在促进和保障人权的方式上强调稳定是前提,发展是关键,改革是动力,法制是保障。(武汉大学2010年真题)
As for the order of importance and urgency to develop human rights,the rights of existence and development should be emphasized and in the mean time,civil rights in political,economic,social and cultural areas as well as individual and collective rights should be taken into consideration.As for the way of promoting and guaranteeing human rights,it should be emphasized that stability is a prerequisite,development a crux,reform a drive and law a guarantee.
必须将国际关系民主化。(武汉大学2012年真题)
Democracy in international relations must be guaranteed.
(2)有些表示事物存在、出现的无主句,可以翻译成被动句。
虽然实验室里能够培育出膀胱和皮肤,但形成更加错综复杂的器官和血管网络则非常棘手,例如心脏、肾、肝、肺、胰腺、胆脏和肌肉组织。(西安交通大学2010年真题)
Bladder and skin can be cultivated in the lab;however,it's tricky to take shape more complicated organs and blood vessel network,such as heart,kidney,liver,lung,pancreas,gallbladder as well as muscular tissue.
在中美两国政府的共同支持下,美国的学校开始在语言教学大纲中增设汉语——这个世界上使用人数众多但同时也是最难学的语言之一。(中国人民大学模拟试题)
Under the mutual support of the American and Chinese governments,Chinese language—most commonly used as well as one of the most difficult languages to learn in the world—is added in the language teaching programme at schools in America.
5 采用“There be...”,“It+be...+to...”等结构
汉语中某些格言、经验或带有哲理的无主句往往翻译成这类结构。
然而,正是科学的这些进步使人类获得了自我毁灭的能力,导致了消灭人类自身的工具的发展。(复旦大学2008年真题)
However,it is exactly those progresses in science that make mankind acquire the ability of self-destruction,leading to the development of tools killing mankind.
通过艰苦工作和坚持不懈,把自己的目标、梦想、决心和远大期望变成现实真不是容易的事情。(湖北省博士生入学考试(非英语专业)2013年真题)
It is not easy to realize your goals,dreams,determination and great expectationsthrough your hard work and perseverance.