1、Conversion 词性的转换Conversion 词性的转换Aims: how to use the technique of conversion in the process of translation Key points: definition of conversion, application of conversionDifficulties: application of conversion in the process of translationTeaching procedures:Generally speaking, a translator is not s
2、upposed to change the parts of speech词性 of the original work at will. However, because English and Chinese are two entirely different languages, a translator should not follow the parts of speech of the original mechanically. As a matter of fact, a word in one language belonging to a certain part of
3、 speech has often to be converted into a different part of speech to conform to the usage of the language to be translated into. And this is what “conversion” means.So by “conversion” we mean that in translation a word in the source language belonging to a certain part of speech is not necessarily t
4、o be turned into the same part of speech in the target language. Conversion is one of the important techniques and is needed primarily by the difference in syntactic syntactic adj.依据造句法的 structure and idiomatic ways in the two languages. Thats to say English and Chinese differ greatly in manner of e
5、xpression. Chinese: more verbs and fewer nouns and prepositions are used than in English.English: more nouns and prepositions and fewer verbs are used than in Chinese.This phenomenon appears to be just a difference in the use of different parts of speech, but in fact it shows the special features of
6、 either language in diction, syntax, conventional ways of expression, etc.Secondly, as in the case of English , some words in nouns or adjective forms are often used to express the idea of action, thus serving as verbs.*1. English nouns into Chinese verbs or vice versa(1) English into ChineseThe Chi
7、nese language has a sentence construction with consecutiv连续的, 联贯的 predicates 谓语by which verbs can be used freely, so it often occurs that several verbs appear in a row in a Chinese sentence. For example: happiness of having such a sister was their first effusion, and the fair ladies mingled in embra
8、ces and tears of joy.她们首先倾吐了要做姑嫂的喜悦,两位小姐高兴地一次次拥抱,洒下了欣喜的泪花. Thought of the terrible scene made his flesh creep.一想到那可怕的景象他就毛骨悚然.3. The application of computers makes for a tremendous rise in labor productivity.使用计算机可以大大提高劳动生产率. has no such natural protection from a flood of Hollywood products.英国没有这种天然
9、的保护来阻挡好来坞影片长驱直入. 5. It is my conviction n.深信, 确信, 定罪, 宣告有罪that though men may be no more wicked than they always have been, they seem less likely to be ashamed. 1， conviction n.深信, 确信, 定罪, 宣告有罪2，wicked adj.坏的, 邪恶的, 缺德的, 不道德的, 恶劣的, 刻毒的, 淘气的我相信,人们虽然未必比以前还要不讲道德,但似乎要比以前更加不知羞耻.(2) Chinese into English 据商
10、业部最近预测,今年全国市场需要家用电冰箱一百万台,十年内将持续增长.National demand for home refrigerators, estimated at one million this year, will keep rising within the next ten years, according to a recent forecast by the ministry of Commerce.我未必会教你游泳,我想我的小弟弟比我教得好.I am afraid I cant teach you swimming. I think my little brother
11、is a better teacher than I.2. English prepositions into Chinese verbs or vice versaIn many cases, prepositions in English can be used to replace Chinese verbs. This method can make our English translation terse and comply with English usage. For example:1. I saw that his face was pale. I followed hi
12、s eyes and looked across the room to a woman who was setting a tray of drinks before some customers.我见他脸色煞白. 我循着他的目光,看见餐厅那边有个女人端着托盘给几位客人上饮料.So the following examples will reveal the importance of conversion from English prepositions into Chinese verbs and vice versa. !” Away she skimmed over the law
13、n, up the path, up the steps, across the veranda,.阳台, 走廊and into the porch.2. The computer is of high sensibility. Sensibility n.敏感性3. Machine parts of irregular shape can be washed very clean by ultrasonics. ultrasonics n.超音波学4 The shaft 转动轴turns about its axis.3. Conversion of English adjectives t
14、o Chinese verbs(1) English into ChineseSome Adjectives In English that form Complete predicates with link verbs should be converted to verbs in Chinese. They denote vt.指示, 表示such Psychological states as perception感觉, sentiment sentiment n.情操, 情感, 情绪, 观点, 多愁善感, 感情, conception, desire, consciousness e
15、tc. For example:1. With the unemployment high , the dollar low, and the stock market in distress, the economy became the Presidents sternest严峻的 trial.随着失业人数的增长,美圆的贬值,股票市场的不景气,经济问题成了总统最严峻的考验.2. This student is not content with his progress.这个学生不满足于自己所取得的进步. fact that she was able to send a message wa
16、s a hint . But I had to be cautious.她能够给我带信这件事是个暗示.但我还得小心谨慎才是. have said that they are not sure they can save his life.医生们说他们不敢肯定能否救得了他的命.Such adjectives in common use include:convinced 相信 certain 确定 glad 高兴 afraid 害怕anxious渴望 doubtful 怀疑 aware 觉察ashamed 惭愧 careful 当心 delighted sorry 可惜 ignorant 不知道
17、 thankful 感谢 confident 深信 content 满足(2)Chinese to English 1. 他非常热爱科学研究,但对晋级提升毫无兴趣.He is keen on scientific research but indifferent to promotion.2. 她宽宏大量,富于同情心, 并且顺从听话.She is tolerant, sympathetic and obedient.(4)Conversion of nouns in Chinese to verbs In English and Vice versaIn translation it ofte
18、n happens that Chinese Verbs are converted to English nouns. In other cases however, the opposite is true , that is , Chinese nouns are converted to English verbs. For example: (1) Chinese to English 1.在张家界时我们看到一个高耸的岩石, 它的形状像是一根金鞭.When we were at Zhangjiajie , we saw a towering towering .高耸的, 杰出的, 激
19、烈的rock which was shaped like a golden whip. 2. 气体和固体的区别,在于前者比后者有更大的压缩性.Gases differ from solids in that the former have greater compressibility than the latter.3我本不敢开口提这事, 可是他信里的口气十分严厉.I didnt really want to mention it , but he sounded very serious in his letter.4. 这类计算机的发明是他们在科学中所取得的伟大成就的象征.The inv
20、ention of this kind of computers symbolizes the great achievements they have made in science.(2)English to Chinese1. The products of this small factory are characterized by their fine workmanship and durability.这个小厂产品的主要特点是工艺精湛,经久耐用. operation of a machine needs some knowledge of its performance.操作机
21、器需要懂得机器的一些性能.3. The volume of trade has increased tremendously, the advantage of both countries.贸易额有了很大的增长,这给两国都带来了好处.5 When nouns in English are translated into verbs in Chinese , the adjectives modifying the former are usually changed to adverbs in the other language . Occasionally a drizzle came
22、down , and the intermittent flashes of lightening made us turn apprehensive glances toward Zero.偶尔下一点毛毛雨，断断续续 的闪电使得我们不时忧虑地朝着零区方向望去。Meanwhile , in translation , owing to the different ways of expression in the two languages , English adjectives may be turned into Chinese adverbs and vice versa. For e
23、xample:He spoke to them in hesitant French.他结结巴巴地用法语向他们说。This is sheer nonsense . 这完全是胡说。Buckley was in a clear minority.巴克利显然属于少数。6. Conversion of English object to Chinese subject and vice versa. An automobile must have a brake with high efficiency.汽车的煞车必须高度有效.The mechanical energy can be changed
24、back into electrical energy by means of a generator. 利用发电机可以把机械能再转变成电能.Translate the following into Chinese and pay attention to the conversion is a stranger to the operation of the electronic computer.2. The maiden voyage of the newly-built steamship was a success.3. The electronic computer is chie
25、fly characterized by accuracy and quick computation.4. We have made a careful study of the properties of these chemical elements.Addition ate and drank, for he was exhausted.他吃点东西,喝点酒,因为他疲惫不堪了.2. Oxidation will make metals rusty.氧化作用会使金属生锈.3. Very acute problems exist among them.他们之间存在着非常尖锐的种种问题.The
26、y drove in a black limousine, past groves of birch trees and endless rows of identical new building.他们乘坐一辆黑色轿车,经过一丛丛的白桦树和看不到尽头的一排排式样相同的新住宅.Inflation has now reached unprecedented level.通货膨胀现在已经发展到空前严重的地步.Ellipsis1. ellipsis of pronounsAs I lay awake, I realized that I was in trouble.我醒来,躺在地上,明白自己的处境
27、不妙.I am 78 years old, I have been confined to my room with a paralytic stoke for the past 14 months.我78岁了,由于患了瘫痪性中风,14个月来一直出不了门.Ellipsis of conjunctionsI can do it, and so can you.我能做,你也能做.He studied in the college for two years, and then he went to join the army.他在大学念了两年书,后来就去参军了.When the board was
28、 spinning slowly, you could see all the different colors.纸板慢慢旋转,你就能看出各种不同的颜色.Ellipsis of articlesA soldier should be loyal to his country.士兵应该效忠祖国.The crocodile is a dangerous animal.鳄鱼是危险的动物.Ellipsis of prepositionsOn August 16, 1983, they started for the South to seek their fortune.1983年8月16日,他们动身
29、去南方寻求生路.Ellipsis from the perspective of rhetoricHe was arrested, convicted and sentences to prison.他已被捕判刑,监禁在狱.William Sidney Porter, who is known under his pen name, , is one of the best known writer of America.威廉.悉尼.波特尔, 笔名欧.亨利,为美国最知名的作家之一.Translate the sentences1 The human brain weighs three pou
30、nds, but in that three pounds are ten billion neurons and a hundred billion smaller cells.2. The difference between me and these daughters was that they saw me, because of my sex, as destined from birth to become like their fathers, and therefore as an enemy to their desires. had beautiful eyes, others a beautiful nose, others a beautiful mouth and figure: few, if any, had all.4. I fell madly in love with her, and she with me.5 In a moment she reappeared to hurl my change and the ticket on the counter with such force most of it fell on the floor at my feet.
