6.2.2 激发课堂感知教学
激发学生的课外广泛感知,对于学生长远的、整体的译写能力的提高有着重要的意义;在帮助学生出色地完成当下的翻译任务方面,训练他们进行目的性阅读,进行课堂感知则显得尤为重要。
在每进行一个翻译专题教学之前,教师首先要选取数篇该文体的目标语同类语篇。比如进行“商务书信的专题”翻译课之前,教师可以选取询盘、回盘、致歉、催货、索赔等各类商务书信。以下是笔者在“商务书信汉译英翻译专题”课上给学生选取的几封信:
例文1 (回盘信)(转自李明,2003):
Dear Sirs,
We are very glad to have your letter of July 23 and to hear that you are interested in our building nails.
In reply,we regret that we are not in a position to meet your requirements at present because heavy orders have nearly cleared our stocks.However,we are now working at replenishment,which is expected to arrive in a month or two.
We assure you that we will keep your inquiry in mind and will make you an offer as new supplies are available.
Yours faithfully,
Harry Smith
例文2 (催货信)(转自车丽娟、贾秀波,2007)
Dear Sirs,
In our last letter,we asked you about the shipment of the goods we ordered but regret that we have,so far,received no news from you.
As we have pointed out in our first inquiry,we are in urgent need of these goods.You will well remember it was your promise of early shipment that brought us to book this order with you.As we have already extended the L/C,we are afraid we cannot do it again.You will note that the L/C expires on May 31.
We hope that you will give this matter your immediate attention and that we'll have your shipping advice without further delay.
Yours faithfully,
John Clark
例文3 (致歉信)(转自彭萍,2008)
Dear Sirs,
We have your letter of December 14 and note with regret that the case we sent you did not contain the pens you ordered.
On investigation,we find that mistakes were indeed made in the packing,through the confusion of numbers.We have arranged for the right goods to be dispatched to you at once and shall be obliged if you will send back the wrong case.We will pay all charges for this purpose.
We apologize for the trouble caused to you by the error,and will make every effort not to let such mistakes happen again.
Yours faithfully,
Jim Richardson
例文4(索赔) (转自彭萍,2008)
Dear Sirs,
The New York Port Authority stipulates that barium carbonate should be packed in fiber drums instead of in bags.The leakage was attributed to your failure to effect shipment according to the packing terms as stipulated in the contrast.
We find difficulty in entertaining your claim.
In the absence of a settlement through negotiation,the case under dispute can be submitted to arbitration.
Yours sincerely,
Harry Smith
例文5(询盘信) (转自张彦、李师君,2005)
Dear Sirs,
We visited your stand at the International Technology Exhibition held in Beijing in June,and we were very interested in your display of your IBM-CPU80586 PCs.The computers you showed would be most suitable for our market.We are wholesaler of electronic products in our country.Would you please send us details of your computers including the functions and the necessary software?
Please quote us your lowest price,CIF Yantai,stating terms of payment and discount you would allow on purchase of quantities not less than 500 sets.
Should your price be found competitive and delivery date acceptable,we intend to place a large order with you and open L/C in your favor in time.As for our financial standing,business capacity and character please refer to our banker,the Bank of China.
We are looking forward to receiving your favorable reply.
Yours faithfully,
Mary Smith
在挑选同类语篇时有两点需要注意:
首先,挑选的文章必须为地道的英文,是英语国家正常使用的语言。虽然不可否认,某些汉译英的文章也很优秀,但数量毕竟小,一来这种材料不好找,二来优秀的译文中难免也有失之偏颇的情况。所以,使用英美国家正常使用的英文既利于搜集又比较地道。
其次,选择的范围尽量宽广些,比如商务书信虽然是一种体裁,但是毕竟也会涉及各个不同的方面,可以在每个方面各选择一篇文章,如上面的例文就包括了询盘、还盘、致歉、索赔、催货等五个方面,能够较为完整地涵盖商务信函的主要常见内容。因为大部分学生以后会走向企业,这种选择方式能够对他们今后的职业有所帮助,同时因为这些语篇的实用性,学生也会比较感兴趣。