在英语实际运用中,时常会用到省略句,省略句也是英语的一种习惯用法。按照语法的分析,句子应该具备的成分,有时出于修辞上的需要,在句中并不出现,这种句子叫做省略句(elliptical sentences)这种语法现象称为“省略”(ellipsis or leaving words out)。其特点是:虽然省去句子语法构造所需要的组成部分,但仍能表达其完整的意义。省略形式多样,从单词、短语到分句,都可以省略,而且各有一定的衔接关系,不容臆断。
英语句子中的某些成分因上下文已提供了充分明确的信息而不必出现,或前面已出现的某些成分,为了避免不必要的重复,可以不再出现而不致引起误解或歧义,这种语言现象就叫作省略。如:Glad to see you.这是个简单句,主语I和谓语am可以省略。再如:London is on the Themes,and Paris on the Seine.这是一个并列复合句,后半句省略了谓语动词is,因为前面已经出现过,后面不必重复。
一、英译汉的语法角度
(1)省略的代词
I had many wonderful ideas, but I only put a few into practice.我有很多美妙的想法,但是只把少数付诸实践了。
(2)英语中泛指人称代词作主语时,即使是作第一个主语,在汉语译文中往往也可以省略。
We live and learn.活到老,学到老。
The significance of a man is not in what he attained but rather in what he longs to attain.人生的意义不在于已经获取的,而在于渴望得到什么样的东西。
(2)省略作宾语的代词
The more he tried to hide his mistakes, the more he revealed them.他越是想要掩盖他的错误,就越是容易暴露。
Please take off the old picture and throw it away.请把那张旧画取下来扔掉。
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3.省略的英语物主代词
I put my hand into my pocket.我把手放进口袋。
She listened to me with her rounded eyes.她睁大双眼,听我说话。
二、省略的作为形式主语的it
Outside it was pitch dark and it was raining cats and dogs.外面一团漆黑,大雨倾盆。
He glanced at his watch; it was 7:15.他一看表,是七点一刻了。
三、省略掉的英语中的连词
He looked gloomy and troubled.他看上去有些忧愁不安。(省略并列连接词)
As it is late, you had better go home.时间不早了,你最好回家去吧。(省略表示原因的连接词)
John rose gloomily as the train stopped, for he was thinking of his ailing mother.火车停了,约翰郁郁地站了起来,因为他想起了病中的母亲。(省略表示时间的连接词)
四、省略的冠词
1.英语有冠词,汉语没有冠词;因此,英译汉时往往可将冠词省略。
A teacher should have patience in his work.当教员的应当有耐心。(省略不定冠词A)
The moon was slowly rising above the sea.月亮慢慢从海上升起。(省略定冠词The)
2.英译汉时,省略原文中的冠词是一般情况。但在某些场合,冠词却不能省略,可以翻译为"一个,每一,这个,那个"等。例如:
He left without saying a word.他一句话不说就走了。
Egbert said he was getting a dollar a mile.埃格伯特说,他(开车)每天一英里就赚一块钱。
五、从修辞角度看
(1)语句子中有些短语重复出现,或者具有相同意义的词重复出现,英译汉时可按情况作适当省略。
University applicants who had worked at a job would receive preference over those who had not报考大学的人,有工作经验的优先录取。
Neither party shall cancel the contract without sufficient cause or reason.双方均不得无故解除合同。
(2)根据汉语习惯,译文中可以省略一些可有可无的词。
There was no snow, the leaves were gone from the trees, the grass was dead.没有下雪,但叶落草枯。
If a needle is thrown at random on a sheet of paper ruled with lines whose distance apart is exactly equal to the length of the needle, how often can it be expected to fall on a line and how often into a blank space?在if引导的状语从句中,ruled with lines是过去分词,作paper的定语,whose……needle是lines的定语从句,whose distance apart的意思是“它们之间的间隔”。主句中and后面是省略句,省去了can it be expected to fall.翻译时可将英文的被动语态译成汉语的主动语态。length:长度。rule paper with lines:在纸上划平行线。
正确释义:如果把一根针随机地投到一张纸上,纸上画了许多平行线,它们之间的间隔等于针的长度,那么针落在线上的几率是多少?落在空白处的几率又是多少?
The transcription needs a certain amount of editing,as even if the computer can tell the difference between words of similar sounds such as write and right,it is still not yet able to do the work as well as an intelligent secretary.
本句中as引导原因状语从句,其中该句还带有一个由even if引导的让步状语从句;介词短语between words of similar sounds修饰difference,such as write and right修饰words,as well as……为同等比较状语从句,其中省略了与主句相同的部分。intelligent:有才智的;理解力强的。
正确释义:译稿需要一定量的编辑工作,因为,即使计算机能够区别同音异义词,如write和right,它仍不可能把这项工作做得像有思维能力的秘书那样好。
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