汉译英：汉语和英语的不同语序与结构重组

The third module: sentence translation 分译（长句）合译

语态变换

无主句的翻译

不同语序

句子结构重组

无主句译法

Chinese and English have different systems of subjects and predicates. Subjects in English are usually assumed by nouns, noun phrases or structures that have similar functions like nominal clauses, but in Chinese by a lot of other elements. The following is

a list of the elements that act as subjects in Chinese.

(1) nouns or noun phrases as subjects

(2) verbs or verb phrases as subjects

(3) adjectives or adjective phrases as subjects

(1) nouns or noun phrases as subjects

春天过去了。\ 一本五毛钱。\工业和农业得到了大发展。\长江一带是水稻产区。

(2) verbs or verb phrases as subjects

说比做容易.\ 坚持下去就是顺利。\ 专心地听才能听懂.\ 吃苦，他不怕。

(3) Adjectives or adjective phrases as subjects

勤俭是一种美德.\ 甜滋滋的，挺好吃。

A. Adding subjects

Since an English sentence usually requires a subject, the translator can add the subject that is omitted in the Chinese original when he translates a Chinese subjectless sentence. For instance,

你一旦开始，就必须继续下去。Once you begin, you must continue. (amplification) 活到老，学到老。One is never too old to learn.

只准州官放火，不准百姓点灯。

One man may steal a horse，while another may not look over the hedge．

B. Using the empty subject “it”

“It” in English is always used for weather, time, and some other natural phenomena. Some of the Chinese subjectless sentences describing natural phenomena or time can be translated into English sentences with “it” being the subject.

十点钟了，他还没有回来。It's ten o'clock now. He didn't return home yet.

下雨了，我们快走吧。It's raining now; let's hurry up.

要解决问题，还须做系统而周密的调查工作和研究工作。

In order to solve the problem it is necessary to make a systematic and thorough investigation and study．

C. Translating into English passive sentences

必须保重产品质量。The quality of product must be guaranteed.

去年发现了一种稀有元素。 A rare element was found last year.

封面上印着一个猎人的像。The figure of a hunter was printed on the cover.

没有爱心，就无法了解人生。Life cannot be understood without much charity．

D. Translating into English “There be” or “It + be…+to…” structure

现在很难说谁对谁错。At the moment it is difficult to tell who is right and who is wrong.

除了枪声，再没有其他声音了。There was no sound but that of gunfire.

要发展就要变，不变就不会发展。Development means change；without change，there can be no development．

在经济建设的实践中，已经涌现了大批的优秀人才。

There have emerged a large number of talented persons in economic construction.

不努力就不会成功。There is no success without effort.

E. Translating into English imperative sentences

此处不准抽烟！No smoking!

请大声点！Louder, please.

中华人民共和国万岁Long live the People's Republic of China!

忠诚党的教育事业。Be loyal to the Party's educational cause.

对什么人说什么话。Speak different words to different people.

量体裁衣，看菜吃饭。Fit the dress to the figure and fit the appetite to the dishes．

F. Translating into English inversion

远处传来悲壮的笳声。In the distance sounded a solemn，stirring reed flute．

如果以上方法都不妥，就要具体问题具体对待。例如：

聪明一世，糊涂一时。Smart as a rule，but this time a fool．

中美两国的社会制度和对外政策有着本质的区别。但是，双方同意，各国不论社会制度如何，都应根据尊重各国的主权和领土完整、不侵犯别国、不干涉别国内政、平等互利、和平共处的原则来处理国与国之间的关系。国际争端应在此基础上与以解决，而不诉诸武力和武力威胁。

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