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翻译技巧:汉译英最易翻错的100句(4)

16.都十点钟了。起床了,懒虫!

[误] it's ten o'clock. get up, lazy worm!
[正] it's ten o'clock. get up, lazy bones!

注:“懒虫”并非真是一条虫,只不过被用来形容人很懒惰罢了。英语里与之对应的说法是 lazy bones(懒骨头)。注意,这里的 bone 应以复数形式出现,也许是因为不会只有一根骨头懒吧!

17.我唯一的资本就是勤奋。

[误] my only capital is diligence.
[正] my only means to success is diligence.

注:原文的“资本”是借喻,实际指“可以依靠并取得成功的手段”。而英语的 capital 指 money used to produce more wealth or for starting a business,并没有中文那样的引申意思。所以,这里的“资本”不能与 capital 画等号。也有人用 advantage 来翻译“资本”,虽然不尽意,但至少可以让读者理解。

18.这家商店开辟了休息处,受到顾客的称赞。

[误] this department store has set up a resting-place, much to the customers' appreciation.
[正] this department store has set up a lounge, much to the customers' appreciation.

注:英语的 resting-place 虽然有“休息处”的意思,但更经常的是用来指“坟墓”,即“最后安息之处”。因此,把公共场所的“休息处”译为 resting-place 不很合适。也有人将它译为 rest-room,但那更不妥当,因为英语中的 rest-room 是“厕所”的委婉说法,而“休息处”不是这个意思。

19.大家都怀疑汤姆是个间谍。

[误] everyone doubts that tom is a spy.
[正] everyone suspects that tom is a spy.

注:doubt 作“怀疑”讲,是“不相信”的意思;而 suspect 作“怀疑”讲,是指“对...有所察觉”。第一句译文犯了两个错误:首先,doubt 不能接 that 从句,只有not doubt that 和 doubt if/whether;其次,它所表达的意思是“大家对汤姆是间谍这件事表示怀疑”,即“大家不相信汤姆是间谍”,与原文的意思恰好相反。

20. 我们俩关系最好,他经常来我这儿蹲饭吃。

[误] we are best friends. he always comes here to have meals for free.
[正] we are best friends. he always comes here to bum meals off me.

注:第一句只表明“他常到我这儿来白吃白喝”,但朋友这间那种亲密关系没有体现出来。而 bum sth. off sb. 指向非常熟的朋友要一些不起眼的小东西,而朋友也不会介意还不还。