上海大学计算机学院科技英语翻译

Example of Poor Translation to be Improved 1

I both wished and feared to see Mr. Wang on the day which followed this sleepless night: I wanted to hear his voice again, yet feared to meet his eye.

Too literal translation as follows:

在无眠之夜的后一天，我又愿又怕见王先生，我想再听到他的声音，可是又怕见到他的眼。Improved translation as follows:

整夜未曾合眼，到了第二天，我又希望、又害怕见再见王先生，希望的是再听他的声音，害怕的是看到他的眼睛。

From English into Chinese：

Time and Tide wait for no man.时不我待。

Pride will have a fail.骄必败。

As was to be expected,……果然不出所料，……

From Chinese into English:

无的放矢。To shoot at random.

实事求是。Seeking truth from facts.

没有调查，没有发言权。No investigation, no say (no right to speak).

An Exercise for the Use of Expletive “IT” and “THERE”

1, 这道题不难，你怎么老是做错？

1*，How is it that you always make mistakes on this question which is not so difficult.

2, (你认为)三年之后有没有可能实现这个目标？

2*，Is it possible that the goal can be reached three years later?

2**, (Do you think) Is there any possibility to realize the goal three years later?

3, 很遗憾, 长期以来人们几乎没有注意到保存数字信息的重要性和艰巨性。

3*，It is so pity that people have paid little attention for a long time to the importance and difficulty of the preservation of digital information

4, 这个课题值得再讨论一下。

4*，It is worth while discussing the topic again.

4**, This topic needs discussing (to be discussed) again.

5, 因此，很自然可以得到 A = B

5*, It is, therefore, naturally to have A equal to B

6, 人们对此理论有很大的怀疑。

6*，There is a strong suspicion for people against the theory.

7, 一般认为，一个计算机系统应该具备四个主要部分：存储器，运算器，控制器和输入输出设备

7*，It is considered that there should be four main parts in a computer system: storage (memory), ALU, control unit, as well as I/O devices.

8, 在这个软件系统中不可能找到任何缺陷。

8*，It is impossible for there to be any defects in this application.

8**, There is no possibility to find any defects in this software system.

9, 在提高计算机可靠性方面，还有许多事要做, 我们必须努力地工作开发新技术，开创新局面。

9*，There being a lot of things to do in improving the reliability of computer systems, we must be working hard to develop new technologies and create a new dimension.

10, 当前，还说不出哪一种方法是解决“软件可靠性评估”的最好办法。

10*，For the time being, there is no saying which one could be the best way among all the methods of evaluating the software reliability.

11, 明天晚上有课吗？

11*，Is there going to be any class tomorrow night?

Translate the following sentences as briefly as possible, or inserting suitable words:

I. English into Chinese :

1, Wash your hands before you take your meals.