英语长句翻译实用技巧

英语长句翻译实用技巧
十翻译技巧10 长句翻译嵌切拆插
（一）英译汉长句翻译的基本步骤
英译汉长句翻译的关键在于两点：一是对原文的准确理解，二是恰如其分的表达。

对原文的理解一般包括这样几个方面：①原作者的意旨；②作者的论点及它们之间的逻辑关系；
③句与句之间的语法关系；④各个修饰成分之间的关系。

除了准确理解原文之外，译文的成功与否很大程度上取决于译者对母语的驾驭能力以及对翻译技巧的灵活运用。

英译汉的长句处理一般可分为理解和表达两个阶段及5个具体的处理步骤。

理解阶段可分为3个步骤：①扼要拟出全句的主要轮廓；
②辨清该句的主从结构，并根据上下文领会全句的要旨；③将长句按表达的需要划分成若干部分，把握每部分的要点。

表达阶段可分为两个步骤进行：①逐一翻译划开的每一部分；②对译文进行调整、组合，然后检查、修改、润色。

我们看看下面一例长句的处理过程：英语原文：It is nothing else than impurities prenatally inherent in ore that seriously affect the quality of the latter，which is formed as a result of geological vicissitudes including diastrophic movement，eruption of volcano，sedimentation，glaciation and weathering etc.，under the action of which pyrogenic rocks，volcanic complex，aqueous rocks，sedimentary rocks etc.，come into being，some of which exist in a stage of symiosis，the main cause of the absence of pure rocks in nature，wherein lies the reason for the need of separation technology and apparatus，namely，ore-dressing devices and equipment，（which has been）so far impotent to meet the requirements of metallurgical industry the scientists make every endeavor to elevate to a new high by laser separation.
第一、理解阶段
第一步，扼要拟出全句的轮廓框架，其主体结构为两个并列复合句：
It is nothing else than impurities... that seriously affect the quality of the latter，（不是别的，正是杂质严重影响了后者的质量……）wherein lies the reason for the need of separation technology and apparatus（因此存在需要分离技术与器械的理由）第二步，辨清该长句的主从结构，并根据上下文和全句内容领会其要旨：
It is nothing else than impurities... that seriously affect the quality of...，which is formed as...，under the action of which... rocks... etc．，come into being...，some of which exist in...，wherein lies the reason for the need of...，（which have been）so far impotent to meet the requirements of...
第三步，将长句按表达的需要划分成若干部分，把握每部分的要点：
1）Impurities prenatally inherent in ore seriously affect its quality.（矿石中的天然杂质影响了矿石的质量。

）
2）Ore is formed as a result of geological vicissitudes.（矿石的形成是各种地质运动的结果。

）3）Separation technology and apparatus are needed.（选矿技术设备很需要。

）
4）The scientists endeavor to elevate it to a new high by laser separation.（科学家努力用激光分离机把冶金工业提高到新的水平。

）第二、表达阶段
第一步，逐一翻译划开的每一部分：
1)影响矿石质量的不是别的东西而是矿石中天然固有的杂质。

2）这些矿石的形成是由于地壳变迁运动、火山爆发、沉积作用、冰川作用和风化作用等造成的结果。

3)在上述地质变化的作用下，生成了火成岩，火山杂岩、水成岩和沉积岩等。

4）上述岩石中有些处于共生状态，这是自然界没有纯净矿石的主
要原因。

5）因此人们需要分离技术与器械—即选矿装置与设备，其原因就在于此。

6)迄今为止，分离技术和器械尚不足以适应冶金工业的需要，科学家们力图利用激光分离机把冶金工业提高到一个新水平。

第二步，对译文进行调整、组合，然后检查、修改、润色，便得出以下译文：
矿石是由地质变化形成的，这些地质变化包括地壳变迁运动、火山爆发、沉积作用、冰川作用和风化作用等。

在上述地质变化的作用下，形成了火成岩、火山杂岩、水成岩和沉积岩等。

正是岩石中的天然固有杂质严重地影响了矿石的质量。

上述这些岩石中，有些处于共生状态，这也是自然界没有天然纯矿石的主要原因。

人们之所以需要矿石分离技术与器械，即选矿装置与设备，其原因盖出于此。

迄今为止，分离技术和器械尚远不能满足冶金工业的需要，科学家们正全力以赴，利用激光分离机把冶金工业提高到一个新水平。

英译汉长句翻译的方法主要有以下几种：
1、内嵌法
这种方法主要用于翻译英语的定语结构（包括用作定语的短语和从句），偶尔也可用于翻
译某些状语成分，其主要特点是将英语的修饰成分译为汉语的“……的……”结构。

1）A molecule may be considered as the smallest particleof matter that can exist without changing tis nature.
可以认为，分子是在不改变物质性质的情况下能够存在的物质的最小微粒。

2）This is no class war, but a war in which the whole British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations is engaged, without distinction of race, creed, or party.
这不是一场阶级之间的战争，而是一场不分种族、不分信仰、不分党派，整个大英帝国及英联邦全体成员国无不参加的战争。

3）Congress has made laws requiring most pressure groups to give information about how much they spend and how they spend it, the amount and sources of funds membership, and names and salaries of their representatives.
国会已制定法律，要求大部分压力集团呈报他们花费了多少钱、怎样花的，以及款额的总额和来源、成员人数、代表的姓名和薪金等情况。

2、切分法
七火认隽澳急播埃语长句中最常见的方法，将英语长句按意群切分为若干小句再逐句翻译。

1）Human beings have distinguished themselves from other animals，and in doing so ensured their survival，by the ability to observe and understand their environment and then either to adapt to that environment or to control and adapt it to their own needs.
人类把自己和其他动物区别开来。

人类这样做的结果是保证了自身的生存。

人类首先具有观察和了解周围环境的能力，然后再适应或控制环境，或根据自身的需要改造环境。

2）Plastics is made from water which is a natural resource inexhaustible and available everywhere，coal which can be mined through automatic and mechanical processes at less cost and lime which can be obtained from the calcination of limestone widely present in nature.
塑料是由水、煤和石灰制成的。

水是取之不尽的、到处可以获得的天然资源；煤是用自动化和机械化的方法开采的，成本较低；石灰是由锻烧自然界中广泛存在的石灰石得来的。

3）Steel is usually made where the iron ore is smelted，so that the modern steelworks forms a
complete unity，taking in raw materials and producing all types of cast iron and steel，both for sending to other works for
further treatment，and as finished products such as joists and other consumers.
通常炼铁的地方也炼钢。

因此，现代炼钢厂是一个配套的整体，运进原料，生产各种类型的铸铁与钢材；有的送往其他工厂进一步加工处理，有的就地制成成品，如工字钢及其他一些成材。

3、拆解法
这种方法是指将原文中的某一部分（如单词、短语或从句）提取出来单独处理，或放在译文句首，或放在译文句末，它既不同于倒置法，又有别于切分法，可用于保持原文的语气。

（1）将单词拆解出来翻译
1）An outsider's success could even curiously help two parties to get the agreement they want.
说来奇怪，一个局外人取得的成功竟然能够促使双方达成一项他们希望取得的协议。

2）The number of the young people in the United States who cannot read is incredible-about one in four.
大约有四分之一的美国青年人没有阅读能力，这简直令人难以置信！
3）In recent years，it has ominously outfitted its divisions along its western border for a lightning lunge westward.
近几年，这个国家重新装备了沿西部边境部署的陆军师，以便向西发动闪击战，这实在是个不祥之兆。

（2）将短涪拆解出来翻译
1）The foreign visitors watched in a fascinated manner the tournament held in Beijing，which exhibited a superb performance in smash service，twist service，steady service，high drop and killing and ended in a draw.
外宾观看了在北京举行的这场锦标赛。

这场比赛在发扣球、旋转球、保险球、吊球和扣杀方面技术都十分精湛，最后打成平局。

他们看得简直人迷了。

2）Strolling unescorted at midday past a major concentration of the huts just a block from the
city's Central Avenue I none the less saw many signs of occupation.
中午，我在没有导游陪伴的时候独自漫步街头，经过一个很大的棚户区，发现很多茅棚里仍然住着人。

这个栩户区离该市的中央大道很近。

3）My mother，Jane Lampton Clements，died in her 88th year，a mighty age for one who at 40 was so delicate of body as to be accounted a confirmed invalid destined to pass soon away.
我的母亲简·兰普顿·克莱门斯是在她八十八岁那年去世的。

这对于一位四十岁时就身体纤弱、被公认有痛疾缠身、注定不久于人世的人来说，是难得的高龄。

（3）将从句拆解出来翻译
1）This land，which once barred the way of weary travelers，now has become a land for winter and summer vacations，a land of magic and wonder.
这个地方现在已经成了冬夏两季的休假胜地，风光景物，蔚为奇观；而从前精疲力竭的旅游者只能到此止步。

2）Subject to the condition that the number of judges available to constitute the Court is not thereby reduced below eleven，the rules of the Court may provide for allowing one or more judges，according to circumstances and in rotation，to be dispensed from sitting.
法院规则得按情形并以轮流方法，规定准许法官一人或数人免于出席，但出席之法官人数不得因此减至少于11人。

3）The very important oil industry，which has done much to rejuvenate the economy of the South since the end of World War 11，made considerable headway especially in the five states of Arkansas，Louisiana，Mississippi，Oklahoma and Texas.
第二次世界大战以后，石油工业对振兴南部经济起了很大的作用。

这个十分重要的工业部门特别是在以下五个州中取得了很大的进展：阿肯色、路易斯安那、密西西比、俄克拉荷马和德克萨斯。

4、插入标点法
种方法是指插人原文中所没有的标点符号，如破折号、括号、冒号等。

用这种方法可保持原文的连贯性。

1）The snow falls on every wood and field，and no crevice is forgotten；by the river and
pond，on the hill and in the valley.
雪，在四处飘落着。

雪花撒在树上，撒在田野里，撒在河边、湖畔、山上、谷底—没有一条岩缝墙隙里不飘满雪花。

（插入破折号）2）The second aspect is the application by all members of society from the government official to the ordinary citizen，of the special methods of thought and action that scientists use in their work.
第二个方面是全体社会成员（从政府官员到普通公民）都使用科学家们在他们工作中所采用的那种特殊的思考方法和行为方法。

（插人括号）
3）If you go to visit Nobel's old residence，the house in which the great chemist remained a bachelor throughout his life，you will catch sight of a shelf laden with experimental records.
如果你参观诺贝尔的故居—在那座房子里，这位伟大的化学家过了一辈子的独身生活—你将会看到一个堆满实验记录的书架。

（插人双破折号）
4）As far as sight could reach，I feasted my eyes on a vastness of infinite charm，which presents itself in a profusion of color，in verdant luxuriance，in dulcet warbling，in pervading perfume，in rippling undulation，in cataract sprays，in hilly waves，in field crisscross and verily in vitality and variety.
纵目眺望，我饱览了一片无限娇艳的风光：万紫千红，郁郁葱葱，
鸟语悦耳，花香袭人，涟漪荡漾，瀑布飞流，层峦起伏，吁陌纵横，真是生机勃勃，气象万千。

（插入冒号）
（二）汉译英长句的处理方法
1、声二整为零分散熟星决
汉译英对长句的处理方法一般是化整为零，分散解决。

对于译者来说，最重要的问题是怎样把握好译文的要点，安排好译文的框架结构，形成准确、通顺的译文。

1)中国目前的教育制度可以分为四个阶段：学前教育，也就是托儿所和幼儿园阶段，
然后从六岁开始，六年小学，六年中学和四年大学。

At present，Chinese educational system can be divided into four stages. Preschool education refers to the period of going to nurseries and kindergartens. School age begins at six. Primary education lasts for six years，so does the secondary education. And it takes four years for students to finish tertiary education.
2) 20世纪上半叶的上海曾经是中国工业、贸易、金融和商业的中心，有着远东大都会浪漫而传奇的历史，吸引过不少外来资本，因而一度成为“冒险家的乐园”。

In the first half of last century Shanghai served as the Industrial，trade，financial and commercial center of the country. It attracted many foreign investors as mysterious Oriental metropolis and an adventurers' paradise.
3)历来只有真正老实的劳动者，才懂得劳动生产财富的道理，才能排除一切想人非非的发财思想，而踏踏实实地用自己的辛劳劳动，为社会也为自己创造财富和积累财富。

Throughout the ages only honest laboring people see the truth that wealth is created through labor. Only they can free their minds of any fantastic ideas of getting rich. And only they create and accumulate wealth for both society and themselves through
practical work.
2、适当变通，简什省略
有时候，汉语的遣词造句太注重细节，如汉语特有的四字结构类，译者可视情况作变通处理。

在必要的时候，可将汉语的复杂结构简化为英语单句，将需要突出的方面翻译成主谓结构。

1)这种床垫工艺先进，结构新颖，造型美观，款式多样，舒适大方，携带方便。

The technological design of this bed cushion is advanced with novel structure，beautiful shape and various patterns. They are comfortable and convenient to carry.
（突出“工艺先进”）
2）由于这台仪器性能稳定、操作可靠、维修方便，因此受到用户的好评。

This instrument has been welcomed by the customers because of its stability in service，reliability in operation and simplicity in maintenance.（突出“受到好评”）
3)二百公里航道上，遍布着无数险滩。

险滩上，江流汹涌，回旋激荡，水击礁石，浪花飞溅，声如雷鸣。

Numerous shoals scattered over the 200 km course give rise to many eddies. Pounding on the midstream rocks, the river roars thunderously.（简化四字结构，突出“声如雷鸣”）。