“請”的翻譯種種

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漢語中“請”字的用法十分靈活,既可做敬語用,以緩和語氣、增強感情色彩,又可作表意動詞,在不同的上下文中有“請求”、“邀請”、“聘請”、“請客”、“請便”、“請假”、“申請”等含義。這這些含義在英譯中,選詞各不相同,現(xiàn)介紹如下:
    1)“請”字用在表達祈使語氣的句子里,做敬語用,譯為please.如:
    請來兩杯咖啡。
    Two coffees, please.
    請進來。
    Please come in.或Come in, please.
    請把鉛筆遞給我好嗎?
    Will you please pass me the pencil?
    贊成這個建議的人請簽名。
    Those in favor of the suggestion please sign your names.
    2) 當(dāng)“請”字含有“請求/懇求某人做某事”的意義時,常譯作ask或request.前者為通用詞,多用在一般場合;后者為書面語,多用在較為正式的場合并表示有禮貌的請求。當(dāng)表示“強烈的懇求”時,又譯作beg.如:
    能不能請你幫我一個忙?
    May I ask a favor of you?
    觀眾請勿撫摸展品。
    Visitors are requested not to touch the exhibits.
    孩子們懇求要與我們同來。
    The children begged to come with us.
    3) 當(dāng)“請”字與“允許”連用時,作為較正式場合使用的客套話,用于征求對方同意,常譯作allow,有時也譯作please allow.如:
    請允許我介紹一下張教授.
    Allow me to introduce Professor Zhang.
    請讓我?guī)湍隳媚愕奶岚?BR>    Please allow me to carry your bag.
    4)當(dāng)“請”字表示“正式的請求”時,在書面語體中,譯為pray,相當(dāng)于I pray you或please,常置于謂語動詞之前或問句之后。如:
    請不要如此大聲說話。
    Pray don't speak so loud.
    請問那有什么用處呢?
    What is the use of that, pray?
    5)當(dāng)“請”字有邀約的含義時,常譯作invite或ask,若被邀約者是長者或者不熟悉的人,邀請又較正式,多用invite;反之,多用ask.如:
    咱們?nèi)フ埶麄冞^來喝一杯。
    Let's invite them over for a drink.
    王先生在門口,我可以請他進來嗎?
    Mr. Wang is at the door, shall I ask him in?
    6)“請”字作“聘請”時,可譯為engage.如:
    我們想請一位保姆。
    We'd like to engage a nurse.
    7) “請”字用于招待客人自用食物或其它東西時,可譯為help yourself/yourselves, please yourself/yourselves, do as you wish.如:
    請抽煙!
    Help yourself to the cigarettes.
    如果你感到不舒服,就請自便吧。
    If you feel out of sorts, you may please yourself.
    甲:我可以抽煙嗎?
    乙:請自便。
    A: May I smoke?
    B: Just as you wish.
    8)“請”字有“請客”、“做東”的意思時,可譯作動詞短語;stand treat或stand one's hand, stand somebody a dinner/a drink, etc;也可譯作動詞treat, entertain, regale.其中treat指一般請客吃飯、看戲、看電影和球賽等;entertain用于在自己家中宴請客人;regale著重強調(diào)盛情款待。如:
    咱們?nèi)タ磻虬?,我請客?BR>    We'll go to the theatre, and I'll stand treat.
    我請你吃飯。
    Let me stand you a dinner.
    她經(jīng)常請客。
    She entertains a great deal.
    主人宴請賓客。
    The host regaled the honored guests with a feast.
    9)“請”字在“請假”、“請求”、“申請”等詞中表示“請準(zhǔn)或希望得到”的含義,譯為ask for(用于一般場合)或apply for(用于正式場合)。如:
    她請了兩天病假。
    She asked for two day's sick leave.
    他申請了出(入)境簽證。
    He applied for an exit/entry visa.
    10)“請”字表示“叫、喚”的意思時,可譯為動詞短語;send for, call in, go for.如:
    他請了一位調(diào)停人來調(diào)解這次爭執(zhí)。
    He called in a mediator to settle the dispute.
    要我去請醫(yī)生嗎?
    Shall I go for a doctor?
    他們立刻派人去請了醫(yī)生,但醫(yī)生還沒有到。They sent for a doctor at once, but he hasn't arrived yet.