以上的几个例句在英汉两种语言里的词序都是相同的;而除此以外,还存在着许多不同点。另一方面,两种语言又有许多不同点。下面就英汉两种语言的不同点进行比较:汉语比较重视事物开展的客观次序,先产生什么,后产生什么,成果怎样,最终才加上作者的谈论和观念,不管有多少动词都可以并排、排比运用,不会呈现词法、句法等的抵触 .主题明显,突出主题,而非单单的一个主语,重视语句的“意和”,这就要求咱们透过语句的表层结构,深化到语句的内在,先抓“全体”形象,充沛了解过今后再把原文的意思形象翻译出来。
而英语则不然,英语杰出主语,往往是谈论、观念在前,叙说、原因在后;外表形式上寻求语句的“形和”,对语句的结构要求十分谨慎,特别强调语句结构的平衡,往往借助于句法、词法(如主从句、分词、不定式等手法)来保持语句外表上的平衡、完整性,竭力防止语句的“虎头蛇尾”(因而,也就呈现了许多“it is said that …”等等无主句)。所以,英文则是把作者的观念、建议放在前面,今后再跟着原因、成果和意图等等从句。这些现象在新闻英语里特别显着,难怪有人说,“汉语的语句结构比如一根竹子,一节一节地连下去,而英语的语句结构比如一窜葡萄,主杆或许很短,累累的果实附着在上面。”具体情况如下:
II. 英汉互译时的时间次序比照:1.The old-fashioned general store is fast disappearing.This is, perhaps, a pity ,because shopping today seems to lack that personal element which existed when shop keeper knew all his regular customers personally. 旧时的百货店很快就消失了。曩昔,店东私下里都知道他的老主顾们,而在今日这种工作再也不复存在了,这实在是太惋惜了。
2.American education owes a great deal to Tomas Jefferson ……
托马斯。杰弗逊为美国的教育作出了很大的奉献。
下面的语句属倒装句型,是典型的英汉在翻译时的次序差异:
1.Under the dust was a color map of Paris.(巴黎地图上布满了尘埃。)
2.Written on the card was a message under the printed Happy Birthday. (卡片上“生日快乐”字样的下面写着一条音讯。)
正是因为以上的原因,才会呈现两种语言在思维习惯、逻辑推理上的不同:
III.英汉互译时逻辑思维次序上的差异:如上所述,假如一个语句里既有叙事的部分,又有表态的部分,在汉语里往往是叙事在前,表态在后,叙事部分能够很长,表态部分一般都很短。而在英语里则往往相反,表态在前,叙事在后。例如:1.表原因:a ……I am very happy and grateful to receive your message of greetings.接到你们的贺函,我非常愉快和感谢。
不过,处理这种句行时要注意英汉互译时的次序问题,例如:
My friend asked the question when I told him that I didn‘t want to be considered for an administrative position. He was puzzled that I did not want what was obviously a “step up” toward what all Americans are taught to want when they grow up: money and power. 一切美国人受的教育便是:长大成人后应该寻求金钱和权利,而我却偏偏不要分明是朝这个方针 “跨进” 的工作,他对此大或不解。
2.表意图The two sides agreed that it is desirable to broaden the understanding between the two peoples.双方同意,扩展两国人民之间的了解是可取的。
3.表条件和成果时的次序:a.One can never succeed without making great 1(成果) 2(条件)
efforts.译文:(不努力就不会成功。)
2 (条件) 1(成果)
4.在表明退让的语句里,一般也是原因在前,成果在后:Young as he is, he works hard.(虽然他很年青,可他工作很买力。)
别的:下面的这个语句也能够视为成果一类的语句,它的英汉两种语言的次序很能阐明问题:
c.在当今的教育界,现已出现出了大批的优秀人才。
Large numbers of talented persons have come to the fore in today‘s education circle.
d. Little is known about the effect of life-long drinking.人们关于毕生喝酒的作用却知道的很少
III.因语法手法而形成的英汉次第不一1.别的一些表明存在句的语句里也可见到很多的英汉次第不一的现象:There was rising in him a dreadful uneasiness ; something very precious that he wanted to hold seemed close to destruction.(他心里涌起一种难言的焦灼,由于他本来一向想保住的东西现在好象要消灭了。)
别的,英语里的有些方式主语也大都采用了倒装词序:2.无主句:It suddenly dawned on me that this express was not roaring down the line at ninety miles an hour , but barely chugging along at thirty.(后来,我才忽然理解,这次快车并非以90英里的时速疾弛而下,而只不过是以30英里的时速渐渐向前行驶。)
It is reported that …………
3.在某些表明“交融性”的定语从句中:a.There are many people who want to see the film.(许多人要看这部电影)
b.There is a man downstairs who wants to see you. (楼下有人要见你)
4.倒装句形a.Not a single word have we written down as yet.(否定)
(咱们连一个字都没有写。)
b.Little does he realize the danger he is in(否定)
(他一点都没有意识到危险性。)
IV. 因语句结构转化而形成的词序不一:Cold drinks will be available at the Sports Center.运动中心也供给冷饮。(状语转译成主语)
V.留意下面的一些特别的结构:
中国自从改革开放以来,发生了很大的改变。
有人居然翻译成:1.误:Since China ‘s policy of reform and opening, China has taken place a great many changes.
正:A great many changes have taken place in China since the policy of reform and opening to the outside world.
2.轮子是公元前六世纪创造的。
600 B.C. saw the invention of wheel.