翻譯技巧:誤譯-詞義理解不當(dāng)

字號(hào):

詞義理解不當(dāng)
    英語(yǔ)詞匯中一詞多義的情況是相當(dāng)多的,如“只知其一,不知其二”,就會(huì)造成錯(cuò)誤理解。
    勤查和細(xì)查詞典(包括用英語(yǔ)解釋英語(yǔ)的英英詞典)才能避免;所謂勤查是多查幾本詞典,所謂細(xì)查是從頭到尾地查閱,不厭其煩,才能擴(kuò)大視野,并找到合適的詞義。
    1. For the balance of the section, let's speak in straightforward and elementary terms to describe the function and form of the electronic computer.
    [誤譯]為使這一節(jié)平衡起見(jiàn),我們將用簡(jiǎn)單明了的術(shù)語(yǔ)來(lái)描述這種電子計(jì)算機(jī)的功能和形式
    [分析]在《朗曼當(dāng)代英語(yǔ)詞典》balance詞條下可查到money or something else which remains or is left over,又見(jiàn)例句:May I take the balance of my holidays before the end of September ?
    [正譯]在本節(jié)的其余部分,我們將用簡(jiǎn)單明了的術(shù)語(yǔ)來(lái)描述這種電子計(jì)算機(jī)的功能和形式。
    2. We have a sales force at present of twenty-four salesmen of the road, each with his own territory.
    [誤譯]目前我們有一支由20名外勤推銷(xiāo)員組成的推銷(xiāo)隊(duì)正在途中,每人有他自己的推銷(xiāo)領(lǐng)域。
    [分析]在商業(yè)英語(yǔ)中on the road =away from home use,in regular travel on business esp. as a traveling salesman (Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language) ,故salesmen on the road 作“外勤推銷(xiāo)員”解。
    [正譯]目前我們有一支由24名外勤推銷(xiāo)員組成的推銷(xiāo)隊(duì)伍,每人有自己的推銷(xiāo)地盤(pán)。
    3. Sleeping late on weekends can also disrupt your circadian rhythm.
    [誤譯]周未遲睡也會(huì)打亂人體的日夜周期。
    [分析]此句 sleeping late誤譯為“遲睡”即“睡得晚”,“晚睡”),實(shí)際上它表示“起得晚”或“睡懶覺(jué)”。《從中式英語(yǔ)到英語(yǔ)》的作者Janet Adams 寫(xiě)道:“Remember that sleep late means to get up late and not go to bed late.
    [正譯]周末睡懶覺(jué)也會(huì)打亂人體的日夜周期。