翻译理论与实践Lecture5Chapter4

English-Chinese Translation

Lecture Five：Chapter Four Conversion(转换法)

【Teaching Aims】

1. To let Ss know about the theoretical basis for the translation technique: conversion

2. To direct Ss into using conversion in translation

【Teaching Contents】

1. Part 1: Specimen Reading for Comments

2. Part 2: Conversion of Word Classes

3. Part 3: Conversion of Sentence Members

4. Part 4: Conversion of Impersonal Subjects

5. Part 5: Conversion of Perspective

6. Part 6: Assignments

Specimen Reading for Comments: How to Grow Old (Excerpts)(P117)

【Teaching Emphasis and Difficulty】Conversion of Impersonal Subjects and perspective 【Teaching steps】

Part 1 Specimen Reading for Comments

Bertrand Russell

The best way to overcome the fear of death—so at least it seems to me—is to make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life. An individual human existence should be like a river—small at first, narrowly contained within its banks, and rushing passionately past rocks and over waterfalls.

克服怕死念头的最好办法．至少在我看来，就是逐步扩大你的兴趣，并使更加脱离个人所关心的事情，直到禁锢自我的壁垒退渐步步隐退．直到你的生命越来越同大千世界的生命融合在一起。个人的存在应当像一条河---起初狭小，局限在自已的河岸之间，然后激越地流过巨砺，冲下悬崖。

怎样才能活到老（节录）

罗素

Gradually the river grows wider, the banks recede, the waters flow more quietly, and in the end, without any visible break, they become merged in the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being. The man who, in old age, can see his life in this way, will not suffer from the fear of death, since the things he cares for will continue. (From Portraits from Memory and Other Essays)

河逐渐越流越宽广，河岸越来越后退，水流也越来越平静，最后和大海融为一体，分不出任何界线，毫无痛苦地失去了自我的存在。如果一个老年人能以这样的态度来看待生命，他就是不会怕死，因为他所关心的一切将会继续下去。《译自《记忆中的肖像及其他》）

Part 2 Conversion of Word Classes

4.1.1 English Nouns and Adjectives into Chinese Verbs and Adverbs

In English: Abstract nouns (denoting actions, manners, qualities, feelings, etc.) or gerunds are often used for verbs.

The nominal style（名词化表达法)

In Chinese: Two or more verbs instead of abstract nouns are usually used together or separately

in one sentence.

The verbal style（动词化表达法)

Translation: English nouns into Chinese verbs

English adjectives into Chinese adverbs

Examples：English Nouns and Adjectives into Chinese Verbs and Adverbs

1. All peace-loving people demand the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons.

一切爱好和平的人民都要求全面禁止核武器，彻底销毁核武器。（cf.核武器的全面的禁止和彻底的销毁）

2. Ford's first pledge was, "Mr. President, you have my support and my loyalty．”

福特一开始就保证说，“总统先生，我支持你，并效忠于你。”（cf.你有我的支持和我的效忠）3. Speakers called for the liberation of the oppressed of the world.

发言人表示要解放世界上的被压迫者。

4. They took a final look at Iron Mike, still intact in the darkness.

他们最后看了铁麦克一眼--它依旧安然无恙地耸立在黑暗中。

5. He was a clever man; a pleasant companion; a careless student; with a great propensity for running into debt, and a partiality for the tavern. (Vanity Fair)

他是个聪明人，谈吐非常风趣，可是学习又不肯用苦功，他老是东挪西借，又喜欢上酒店喝酒。

6. Talking with his son, the old man was the forgiver of the young man's past wrong doings.

在和儿子谈话时，老人宽恕了年轻人过去所干的坏事。

Examples：English Nouns & Adjectives into Chinese Verbs & Adverbs

4.1.2 Conversion from English Adjective into Chinese Verbs

English adjectives derived from verbs，adjectives denoting feelings, wishes, physical or mental perceptions, etc,, when used with linking verbs, are often converted into Chinese verbs. Examples:

1. You are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying.

你完全不懂你在婚姻方面应承担的责任。

2. I am out fifty dollars.

我亏了/损失五十美元。

3.The following plan may become available during the next decade.

下列计划在10年间可能实现。

4.1.3 Conversion from English Prepositions into Chinese Verbs

English ：There are about 286 prepositions and prepositional phrases

Chinese ：30 prepositions, which are mostly borrowed from their corresponding verbs. Examples:

1. Party officials worked long hours on meager food, in cold caves, by dim lamps.

党的干部每天长时间工作，吃的是粗茶淡饭，住的是冰冷的窑洞，点的是黯淡的油灯。2. If a man couldn’t walk into a room and tell who was for him and who was against him, then he wasn’t much of a politician.

要是一个人不能在一上任就看出谁支持他．谁反对他．那么他能不配搞政治。

4.1.4 Conversion from English Nouns into Chinese Adjectives

1. O. Henry is the creator of a new short story genre in literature.

欧·亨利在文学上创造了短篇小说的一种新体裁。