摆脱中式英语--Common Mistakes持续更新中

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01.有他这颗扫帚星,什么事情都办不成.
[误] With a comet like him, nothing can be accomplished.
[正] With a jinx like him, nothing can be accomplished.
注:"扫帚星"是中国人对"慧星"(comet)的俗称,因其后面象拖着的一条像扫帚一样的长尾巴而得名.在中国古代,"扫帚 星"被认为是灾难的预兆,并被用来比喻不吉利的人或事;祸根person or thing that is thought to bring)bad luck (to sb/sth);curse.英语的 comet 虽然没有这层含义,但却有一个对应的说法,即 jinx. 例:There's a jinx on/ Someone's put a jinx on this car: it's always giving me trouble. "这辆汽车上有什么妨人的东西,总给我找麻烦".

02.萝卜青菜,各有所爱.
[误] Some prefer radish but others prefer cabbage.
[正] Tastes differ. 注:Tastes differ/vary 是句英语谚语,除此以外,
原句还可翻译成:No dish suits all tastes. / You can never make everyone happy. / 等.《新概念英语》第三册第23课的标题是no man's meat is another man's poison.

03.他一向嘴硬,从不认错.
[误] He has always got a hard mouth and never admit a fault.
[正] He never says uncle.
注:say (cry) uncle: to give up or in; to surrender; to admit defeat. Mainly used by boys, as when fighting.主 要是男孩们打架时的用语,当一方想制服另一方时,就用命令的口气说:"Say uncle!"这时,有的孩子为了表示不服输,就是不 说.后来,say uncle 就成了"服输"的代名词,而 not say uncle 就相当于"嘴硬"了.

 

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04.老师很喜欢这个嘴甜的小姑娘.
[误] The teacher likes this sweet-mouthed little girl very much.
[正] The teacher likes this honey-lipped little girl very much.
注:中国人喜欢说"嘴甜",但 honey-lipped 更符合英美人的语言习惯.

05.同学们都很讨厌他,因为他经常拍老师的马屁.
[误] The student all dislike him because he often pats the teacher's ass.
[正] The students all dislike him because he often licks the teacher's boots.
注:以前在欧洲,臣民见到国王与王后往往要葡匐到在,亲吻他们的靴子.后来,人们将 lick the boots 引申为"为了某种目的 而讨好某人",它与汉语的"拍马屁"含义一样.在美国英语中,"拍马屁"还有另一种说法,即 polish the apple,它典出以前的 学生用擦亮的苹果来讨好老师.

06.你听说了吗迈克把他的女朋友给甩了.
[误] Have you ever heard that Mike broke up with his girlfriend.
[正] Have you ever heard that Mike dumped his girlfriend. 注:break up with sb. 虽然表示"与某人分手了",但并没说明是谁先提出来的.而 dump 的原意指"倾倒垃圾",用在这里则 表示像倒垃圾一样地甩掉.

 

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07.我们要把祖国建设成为社会主义的现代化强国.
[误] We will build our motherland into a socialist modern powerful country. [正] We will build our motherland into a modern powerful socialist country. 注:形容词作为修饰语在汉语和英语中都很常用,但使用的先后次序却有所不同.在英语中我们一般遵循"靠近原则",即越能说明本质属性的修饰词越靠近它所修饰的名词,当从这一点看不出区别时,就靠词的长短来决定,短的在前,长的在后.原文中最 能说明"国家"本质的定语是"社会主义的",所以 socialist 要最靠近它所修饰的中心词.

08.我想要一点白酒.
[误] I'd like a little bit of white wine.
[正] I'd like a little bit of liquor. 注:汉语的"酒"可指任何酒,包括白酒,葡萄酒,啤酒,甚至米酒;但英语中则要分别用 liquor,wine,beer及 rice wine表示. 所以要注意,英语的wine与汉语的"酒"是有区别的,它仅指点葡萄酒.而且 red wine 是红葡萄酒,white wine 是白葡萄酒.

09.中华人民共和国主席
[误] Chairman of the People's Republic of China
[正] President of the People's Republic of China 注:以前,我们一直将"主席"翻译为 chairman,例如:great leader Chairman Mao(伟大领袖毛主席).其实"主席"与 chairman 并不等义,chairman 在英语中通常指会议或某一具体组织的负责人,它的权力和重要性不及中文的"主席".这就是 为什么1983年,在我国《宪法》的英译单行本中开始使用 President一词,并沿用至今.另外,国内仍有不少词典把"班/级长 (学校的)"译为"class monitor",这是"四人帮"时代的产物,那时的"班长"是专司监管学生的,所以译作"monitor".而"班 长"的正确译文应该是"class president".

 

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10.转战南北
[误] fight south and north
[正] fight north and south
注:在地理方位的表达习惯上,中英文有一定的区别.中国人习惯于先"东西"后"南北",而且在涉及"南北"时,习惯于先 说"南",再说"北",如:"南征北战","南来北往"等.而英美人与此正好相反,如"江苏在中国的东南部"英文是 Jiangsu is in the south-east of China, 而"新疆在中国的西北部"应译为 Xinjiang is in the north-west of China.

11.人都是这山望着那山高,对自己的现状没有满意的时候.
[误] Almost all people think that the other mountain is higher than the one he's standing on. They never feel saisfied with what they've already got.
[正] Almost all people think that the grass is greener on the other hill. They never feel satisfied with what they've already got.
注:"这山望着那山高"是指人不满足于现状的心理,它在英语中已经有了现成的说法,即 the grass is greener on the other hill(他山的草更绿),因此我们借用即可,这样既方便又更有利于与西方人沟通.

12.北京申奥成功的消息令我们热血沸腾.
[误] Beijing's winning the bid for the Olympics makes our blood boil.
[正] Beijing's winning the bid for the Olympics makes us excited.
注:make one's blood boil 是指"激怒某人",而非"使人激动".英语中"使人激动"的说法除了 make one excited,还有较为 口语化的 make one's spine tingle.

 

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13.别听他们胡说八道,根本就没那回事.
[误] Don't listen to their babbling. Nothing of the sort.
[正] Don't be fooled by their babbling. Nothing of the sort. 注:原文中的"听"不能用 listen to 来表示,因为 listen to 指"听"的动作,而原文中的"别听"不是不让他"听",而是劝告他"不 要听信",因此,用 not be fooled by 才更达意.
14.我们这儿的人都觉得他有婚外恋.
[误] Pepple around here all feel that he has affairs outside his own marriage.
[正] Pepple around here all feel that he is leading a double life.
注:affair 本身就指"私通"或"暧昧关系",当然是"婚外"的事,所以 outside one's own marriage 无疑是多此一举了.英语中"有婚外恋"的地道说法应该是 lead a double life.

15.别看别人不把她当回事,在家里她可是父亲的掌上明珠.
[误] Although other people never take her seriousy, she is the pearl on her father's hand at home.
[正] Although other people never take her seriousy, she is the apple of her father's eye at home. 注:中英文常用不同的喻体表明相同的喻义,"掌上明珠"与 the apple of one's eye 就是一个很好的例子.这种情况我们一般 应尊重各国文化和习俗,翻译时取目的语的固定说法,而不必直译,这有助于将意思更有效地传达给读者.the apple of one's eye 源自圣经《旧约》,当时人们用 apple 指人的瞳孔.尽管瞳孔现在已经用 pupil 来表示,不再是 apple 了,但这一用法却 延续了下来.

 

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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.

 

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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.
21. 这个教授教得很烂.
[误] The professor teaches badly.
[正] The professor is so terrible.
注:有人认为第二句的意思是"这个教授很可怕",其实不然.英语中 terible 意思很灵活,例如:feel terrible 指身体"不舒 服"; The food is terrible 则是说食物"难吃极了".而第一句纯属中文式的表达.

 

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22. 我希望你不要拖我的后腿.
[误] I hope that you won't pull my leg.
[正] I hope that you won't hold me back.
注pull one's leg 是"愚弄某人,开某人的玩笑"的意思,相当于 make fun of sb..英语中与"拖后腿"相对应的表达是 hold sb. back 或 be a drag on sb. 等.
23. 学校里,那些长得人高马大的家伙常来找我的麻烦.
[误] At school, those big and strong guys always come to find my trouble.
[正] At school, those big and strong guys always come to pick on me.
注:find my trouble 是"发现我的难处"的意思,而英语中"找某人的麻烦"用短语 pick on sb. 它不仅表示"挑剔某人,找某人 的碴",而且还包含 tease(取笑,戏弄)或 bully(威胁,欺侮)的意思.
24. 原来如此.一经你解释我就明白了.
[误] So it is. I understand soon after your explanation.
[正] So that's how it is. I understand soon after your explanation.
注:So it is 的意思是"的确如此",它是用来表示对对方观点的赞同的.例如: A: It is a fine day today! B: So it is. 而在表达恍然大悟时,英文要用 So that's how it is 或 So that explains it, 或更简单地道的说法 Oh, I see.

 

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25. 先生,您是不是迷路了
[误] Hello, monsieur, get lost
[正] Hello, monsieur, got lost
注:这两句译文表面上看只是时态上存在差异,其实它们的含义也截然不同.get lost 是俚语:"走开,别捣乱"的意思,got lost才是"迷路".难怪当你友好地问外宾 "Get lost "时,他并不领情呢! Please see:

26. 我没料到这个无耻的女人居然同她好友的丈夫调情.
[误] I had not expected that this shameful woman should flirt with her best friend's husband.
[正] I had not expected that this shameless woman should flirt with her best friend's husband.
注:shameful 通常指某事物是"可耻的,丢脸的",而 shameless 表示 having or showing no feeling of shame; immodest or impudent,它一般用来指人"不知羞耻的,不要脸的"或"伤风败俗的".原文也可译为:It's shameful that the woman should flirt with her best friend's husband.

27. 东施效颦.
[误] Doingshi imitates Xishi.
[正] The ugly imitates the beautiful in such a distorted way that the ugliness of the ugly becomes worse.
注:把原文按照字面意思直译过来,恐怕只有中国人能够理解.要想让外国人明白这个中国成语,就要对译文进行解释性加工 了.同样,"情人眼里出西施"不是 Xishi is in the eye of the beholder,而是 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

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28. 你不好好学习,还想去牛津上大学.这可真是个不切实际的幻想哟!
[误] You don't study hard, yet you want to go to Oxford. What an impractical illusion!
[正] You don't study hard, yet you want to go to Oxford. What an illusion!
注:汉语中的修饰语往往用的很多,目的在于加强语气,但这种表达习惯在翻译时必须进行处理.illusion 本身就有 impractical 的含义,而英语中在表意已经很明确的情况下是无需重复的.
29. 想让他答应这样的要求恐怕不大可能.
[误] I'm afraid it is impossible for him to agree to such a request.
[正] I'm afreaid it is unlikely for him to agree to such a request.
注:impossible 表示"完全不可能",所以与原文有出入.在英语中,probable 表示的可能性最大,其次是 possible,再次是 likely.而常用的句式为 it is probable/possible/likely for sb. to do sth.,或 sb. be likely to do sth..
30. 一群蚂蚁
[误] a group of ants
[正] a colony of ants
注:表示群体时,group 通常指人或物,而 colony 才指生物群体.

 

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31. 最近的人口统计显示中国人口已超过12亿.
[误] The latest census shows that China's population has surpassed 1.2 billion. [正] The latest census shows that China's population exceeds 1.2 billion. 注:surpass 和 exceed 译成中文虽然都是"超过,胜过"的意思,但出现具体数字时要用后者.
32. 我每天都要在网吧里呆上10个小时,是个不折不扣的网虫.
[误] I spend 10 hours in the net bar every day, and I am indeed a net bug. [正] I spend 10 hours in the net bar every day, and I am indeed a netter. 注:"网虫"要是直译成 net bug,很容易使人联想到计算机病毒,如:the millennium bug("千年虫"病毒).所以,英语中 与之相应的说法是 netter/nettle.在《剑桥国际英语词典》里,对 netter/nettle 的解释是:regular user of Internet, perhaps one who spends too much time in this occupation.nethead 和"网虫"的意思差不多,它表示"网痴,网迷"; 而 netizen 则可以用来指所有的网民,尤其是互联网的用户,它是由 net(网络)和 citizen(公民)组合而成的.还有一个时 髦的词是 netsurfer,即"网上冲浪者".

33. 每次考试来临的时候,约翰就变成了一只夜猫子,但这并不是一个好的学习方法.
[误] John becomes a night cat every time the examination is coming. However, this is not a good way to learn.
[正] John becomes a night owl every time the examination is coming. However, this is not a good way to learn. 注wl 是"猫头鹰"的意思,即一种深夜不睡,睁一只眼,闭一只眼,准备随时捕捉田鼠的动物.英语中用 night owl 来比喻经 常熬夜的人,就像我们习惯用"夜猫子"一样.不论叫你"夜猫子"还是 a night owl,"开夜车"(burn the midnight oil)总是免 不了的.

 

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34. 现如今,由于出国深造的人越来越多,"海龟(归)派"也不像原来那样吃香了.
[误] Nowadays as more and more people study abroad, the overseas students are not so popular as before.
[正] Nowadays as more and more people study abroad, the returnees are not so popular as before.
注:"海龟(归)派"是指那些在国外留学以后又回来的人,是个非常形象的新名词.但 overseas student 是指正在国外学习 的"留学生",意思正好相反,所以要换成 returnee.这个词本身就包含在海外学习过的意思.
35. 在皎洁的月光下,那个花花公子在我耳边悄悄说着情话.
[误] The playboy whispered love words to my ear with a bright moon in the sky. [正] The playboy whispered sweet nothings to my ear with a bright moon in the sky.
注: 因为"情书"是 love letter,"情歌"是 love song,所以不少人以为"情话"就应该是 love words,其实并非如此.英语 中"情话"常用 lovers'prattle 或 sweet nothings 来表达.prattle 有"孩子话,废话"的意思,所以 lovers' prattle 指"恋人之 间孩子气的废话";sweet nothings 更是一目了然,有"甜蜜而不中用"的意思.
36. 比尔.盖茨平均每天工作15个小时,他简直就是一个工作狂.
[误] Bill Gates works 15 hours a day on average, and he is crazy about his work. [正] Bill Gates works 15 hours a day on average, and he is a workaholic.
注: crazy 虽然可以作"疯狂的,狂热的"讲,但 be crazy about/on sth. 的意思却是"热衷于...,对...着迷";be crazy for 也不行,因为它表示"渴望(某物);迷恋(某人)".可见,它们都与"工作狂"有一定区别.而 workaholic 是从 alcoholic (嗜酒成癖者)派生出来的,表示像酗酒者离不开酒精一样地离不开工作.现在人们将 -holic 作为一个后缀,表示"对...上瘾, 嗜好...成癖",并构成了许多新词.例如:movie-holic(嗜好电影成癖的人),telehokic(看电视成癖的人)等.

 

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37. 给这们女士来杯威士忌,记在我的账上.
[误] Whisky for this lady, and put it on my bill.
[正] Whisky for this lady, and put it on my tab.
注: 我们可以说 Could we have the bill, please (请给我们账单好吗 )或 pay the bill(埋单),但"记在某某的账 上"却不用 bill,而要用 put...on one's tab 表示.tab 是"小纸片"的意思,因为过去小店的生意都是靠住在附近的老主顾,赊 账时有发生,于是老板们通常把每个人的赊账情况记在各自的小纸片上,也就是 put...on one's tab,以防遗忘.渐渐地,该词 组就成了一种习惯用法.

38. 哈罗得挥金如土,没有一点积蓄.
[误] Harold spends money like dirt, and has no savings.
[正] Harold spends money like water, and has no savings.
注: 英国是一个岛国,离不开水;而我们中国的许多地区深处内陆,人们的生活离不开土地.所以,英语中有许多习语与"水"有 关,而汉语却常常拿"土"作比.这就是为什么同样是比喻花钱浪费,大手大脚,英语是 spend money like water,而汉语却 是"挥金如土".此外,英语中还有很多有关船和水的习语,例如:rest on one's oars(暂时歇一歇),keep one's head above water(奋力图存),be all at sea(不知所措)等等.

39. 这只表的价钱很贵.
[误] The price of the watch is dear.
[正] The watch is dear. /The price of the watch is high.
注: 以物品为主语时用 dear 或 cheap,以定价为主语时就说 high 或 low.

 

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40. 昨天晚上我们玩得很愉快.
[误] We played very pleasantly last night.
[正] We enjoyed ourselves very much last night./ We had a good time last night.
注: 玩牌,打球,演戏之类就用 play,汉语这儿说的玩是指度过一个愉快的时候,最好译成 enjoy oneself 或 have a good time.

41. 她和男朋友吵了一架,冒着大雨跑了出去.
[误] She quarreled with his boyfriedn and ran out in the big rain.
[正] She quarreled with his boyfriedn and ran out in the heavy rain. 注: 汉语中的"大"可以修饰很多名词,如"大风","大浪","湿气大"等,但在英语里却不能一一对应.例如,"大雨"就不能译成 big rain,因为那会被人误以为是雨点大,而不是雨大.英美人形容雨大习惯用"重"(heavy),heary rain(大雨),heavy clouds(云雾大),heavy moisture(潮气大)等,这也许是因为他们认为有些事物用重量来衡量比用体积更好吧.

42. 歌迷们冲进演员休息室,抢着同凯莉.米纳合影.
[误] The fans rushed into the rest room trying to take photos with Kylie Minogue.
[正] The fans rushed into the greenroom trying to take photos with Kylie Minogue.
注: 伦敦西区的特鲁街剧院是英国最古老的剧院,据说为了让演员们长时间处于舞台强烈灯光照射下的眼睛得到休息,那里的演 员休息室被漆成了绿色.后来,greenroom 就逐渐成了"(剧场)演员休息室"的代名词.而 rest room 可不是这个意义上 的"休息室",它其实是"厕所"的一种委婉说法.

 

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43. 我感到很痛.
[误] I am painful.
[正] I feel great pain.
注:"我感到高兴"是 I am happy,"我感到累了"是 I'm tired,但"我感到很痛"却不是 I am painful.因为 painful 表示"使 人痛苦的,让人疼痛或讨厌的",它的主语往往不是人,而是事物或人体的某个部位,如:The foot is painful(脚痛),The lessons are painful(教训是惨痛的)等.所以没有 I am painful 这个说法,如果你非要这样说,别人会以为你全身带电或浑 身长刺,别人碰了你就会疼,是你让别人痛苦,而不是你自己痛苦.

44. 亚洲四小龙.
[误] the Four Little Dragons of Asia
[正] the Four Little Tigers of Asia
注: 在我国古代传说中,龙是降雨和惩治妖魔鬼怪的神奇动物,是吉祥和力挽狂澜的象征.很多汉语成语与"龙"有关,如"龙飞 凤舞","龙凤呈祥","藏龙卧虎"等,而且多为褒义词.但如果把"四小龙"直译成英文却不行,因为西方人对"龙"的联想和看法与 中国人完全不同."龙"(dragon)在西方是贬义词,是邪恶的免征,西方人不会理解为什么要把亚洲经济的四个强国说成"四个小 魔鬼",所以要用 tiger 进行替换.在西方人眼里,tiger "是朝气蓬勃,坚忍不拔,努力奋斗,充满希望"的免征,所以用 tiger 才能准确表达原文的意思.

45. 百里挑一.
[误] one in a hundred
[正] one in a thousand
注: "百里挑一"常被用来形容"很特别,很出众"或"与众不同",one in a thousand 也有相同的含义.但值得注意的是,汉语 用"百",而英语则以十倍于百的 thousand 来夸张.同样,汉语的"十分感谢"或"万分感谢",英语则说 a thousand thanks (千分感谢)或 thanks a million times(百万次的感谢).可见,英语比汉语要夸张.这也许反映了两个民族不同的思维方 式:中国人崇尚中庸之道,凡事避免走极端,即使夸大其词也不太过火;而英美人追求标新立异和充分考虑表现自我,这在语言 中自然也有体现.

 

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46. 周末许多人睡得很晚.
[误] Many people sleep late at weekends.
[正] Many people go to bed very late at weekends.
注: 第一句译文错在没弄懂 sleep 的真正含义.英语动词有短暂动词和持续动词之分,它们分别表示短暂动作和持续的动作或 状态.sleep 是典型的持续动词,表示"在睡觉".而汉语的"睡"既可表示"上床睡觉"的短暂动作,如:我昨天11点才睡;也可以 表示"在睡觉"的持续动作和状态,如:他睡了整整10个小时.原文属于前一种情况,即表示"上床睡觉"的短暂动作,故应该使 用 go to bed.

47. 干杯!要一饮而尽.
[误] ---Cheers! Bottom up.
[正] ---Cheers! Bottoms up.
注: bottoms up 虽然只比 bottom up 多一个 s,但是两个词组的意思却相差十万八千里.bottoms up 里的 bottom 是 指"(酒杯的)底部",那么杯朝天就是"一饮而尽"的意思,而且因为干杯时肯定不止一人一饮而尽,所以要用复数;而 bottom up 表示"屁股朝天".

48. 这个任务很危险,但总得有人去冒险.
[误] The task is really dangerous. But someone has to take the adventure.
[正] The task is really dangerous. But someone has to bell the cat.
注: adventure 指军事历险,探险旅行等惊险活动或投机活动.而 bell the cat 源自一个故事:一窝老鼠想在猫脖子上套一个铃铛,这样猫一来他们就会听到,并及时逃命.但主意虽好,却苦于没人去套这个铃铛(bell the cat).后来,bell the cat 被人们反复引用,表示"为大家的事去承担风险",并成了表示原文意思最贴切的英语习语.

 

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49. 一辆白色轿车前来接新郎新娘去教堂.
[误] A white car turned up to take the groom and the bride to the church.
[正] A white car turned up to take the bride and the groom to the church.
注: 汉英两种语言均有各自固定的词序,因此,在翻译时要根据各自的语言习惯进行适当的调整,此处就是一个很好的例子.之 所以将新娘放在前面,也许是西方文化中"女士优先"的又一体现吧!又如:"衣食住行"译成英语是 food, clothing, shelter and transportation; 同样,"左顾右盼"翻译成 look right and left.

50. 你去弄些水来.
[误] Go and bring some water.
[正] Go and fetch some water.
注: bring 虽然表示"带来",但它是让某人在来的时候将某物带来(但说话时人还没来);而 fetch 则是让身边的某人"去取某 物",它包括往返的两段路程.

51. 嘿,小伙子,千万别灰心.
[误] Hey, lad, don't lose your heart.
[正] Hey, lad, don't lose heart.
注: lose one's heart (to sb.) 是"心被...俘虏去,爱上..."的意思,而 lose heart 才表示"灰心丧气,丧失勇气或信心".

 

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52. IBM公司一直处在电脑行业的前沿.
[误] IBM is always in the front line of computer industry.
[正] IBM is always at the cuttting edge of computer insustry.
注: front line 是"前线,第一线"的意思,常指最危险或最艰苦的地方.例如:Many doctors are in the front line of the fighting against SARS(许多医生战斗在抗击"非典"的第一线).at the cutting edge 最早出现在20世纪50年代,它最初 指"锐器的锋利部位",现在常隐喻"处在(高科技的)最前沿.

53. 一位有经验的教师曾经说,上课之前他觉得如临大敌,上课时他是如履薄冰,只有上完课后他才会如释重负.
[误] An experienced teacher once said that before class he felt as if faced with a formidable enemy, in class he felt like walking on ice, and only after class would he feel relieved.
[正] An experienced teacher once said that before class he felt as if faced with a formidable enemy, in class he felt like walking on eggs, and only after class would he feel relieved.
注: 中文的"如履薄冰"是比喻一个人"做事十分小心谨慎或战战兢兢",而英语的类似说法却是 walk on eggs 或 tread on eggs,要注意中英文喻体的不同.

54. 我有一个舒适的家.
[误] I have a cozy family.
[正] I have a cozy home.
注: family 和 home 虽然翻译成汉语时都是"家",但它们在英语中却不是同义词.family 主要指家庭成员;而 home 主要指 居住地,即"住宅".原文中用"舒适的"来修饰"家",显然是指"舒适的房子".如果原文是"我有一个和睦的家",就应该翻译成 I have a harmonious family 了.

 

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55. 每节课老是都会点名.
[误] The teacher will call our names in every period of class.
[正] The teacher will call the roll in every period of class.
注: 英语的"点名"是 call the roll,而 call one's name(s)的意思是"谩骂某人".rool 有"名册"的意思,又如:remove sb.'s name from the rool(把某人除名).

56. 我的学习很忙.
[误] My study is very busy.
[正] I am very busy with my study.
注:第一句译文完全套用汉语的结构和语序,却犯了英文的句法错误.因为在英语中,study(学习)是一个行为,并不懂得忙 不忙,感到忙的应是进行这一行为的人.所以,be busy with sth. 或 be busy (in) doing sth. 才是地道的英语表达.

57. 给他当二把手我看也值得.他太能干了.
[误] I feel it worth being a second hand to him. He is so capable.
[正] I feel it worth playing second fiddle to him. He is so capable.
注:英语的 second hand 作名词指"中间人","旧货"或"助手工人",而汉语的"二把手"是"副手",即"第二负责人"的意思,所 以二者不是一回事.play second fiddle 则源于管弦乐队中第一提琴手(first violin)不在的时候由第二提琴手负责,并被人 们引申为"当主要领导人的副手",也就是我们所说的"当第二把手".由此,不难猜出"当一把手"译成英语应该是 paly first fiddle了.

 

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58. 电车上十分拥挤,几乎没有立足之地. [误] The tram was so crowded that there was hardly sufficient room for you. [正] The tram was so crowded that there was scarcely sufficient room for you. 注:副词 hardly 和 scarcely 虽然都含有"几乎不"等否定含义,有些时候也可以互换,如:I could hardly/scarcely recognize her(我几乎认不出她来了),但仍有细微的差异.如在强调数量"不足"时只能用 scarcely,这时它常与 enough, sufficient等词连用.

59. 他被戴上了绿帽子. [误] He is made to wear a green hat. [正] He is a cuckold. 注:中文的"戴绿帽子"是指某人之妻与他人私通,但直译成英文西方人只会按字面意思理解为"某人头上被戴了顶绿色的帽子", 无论如何也不会理解汉语的喻义.而英语的 cuckold 是指"奸妇的丈夫"(a man whose wife deceives him by having a sexual relationship with another man),所以用 be a cuckold 才能正确表达原文的意思.

60. 我在新闻片里看到你站在总裁的身旁. [误] I saw you stand by the president in the newsreel. [正] I saw you stand beside the president in the newsreel. 注:stand by someone 的意思是"支持某人"(to support someone);to stand beside someone 才是"立于某人旁 边"(to stand by the side of someone).但是,如果 stand by 后面的宾语不是人,那倒是可以与 stand beside 互换, 表示"在...之旁",例如:Their house stands by a forest(他们的房子在森林旁边).除此之外,stand by 还有"袖手旁 观"之意,例如:How can you stand by and watch while your allies are attacked (当你们的盟友受到攻击时,你们怎 能袖手旁观呢 )