被動語態(tài)是英語語法中很重要的一項,在各種英語測試中被動語態(tài)是必考項目,這是因為英語中各種題材的書面文章中用被動語態(tài)的范圍很廣,凡是不知動作施動者,不需說出動作施動者及便于文章上下文銜接等情況下,英語中往往都用被動語態(tài)。這與漢語形成鮮明的對比,因為按照漢語的日常表達(dá)習(xí)慣,如能用主動語態(tài)表達(dá),則盡量避免用被動語態(tài)。所以在漢語文章中句子很多都是主動句,雖也有被動句,但使用的較少。英語中不論文體是說明文還是議論文,不論題材是政治經(jīng)濟(jì)還是文化科普的文章,被動語態(tài)的使用都很常見,在科普類議論文中尤為突出。而英漢兩種語言中被動語態(tài)的表達(dá)也不完全相同。這里通過為大家提供一些考題和實例簡要介紹一下英譯漢中被動語態(tài)的處理。
(1)英語被動句譯為漢語被動句。英語中有一些用被動形式表達(dá)的句子,在翻譯成漢語時可以將其被動語態(tài)的意義直接用漢語被動句的形式表達(dá),在很多情況下需要用以下幾個表示被動的標(biāo)志詞引導(dǎo):被……,給……,遭到……,受到……,為……所……,所……,把……,使……,由……,是……的,得以……,加以……,予以等。
例如:
2002年第63題:
The role of natural selection in evolution was formulated only a little more than a hundred years ago, and the selective role of the environment in shaping and maintaining the behavior of the individual is only beginning to be recognized and studied.
這個句子中出現(xiàn)兩處被動語態(tài),一個是第一個分句中的謂語部分was formulated,另一個是第二個分句中謂語后面的不定式中的to be recognized and studied。我們可以將這個句子譯成:
自然選擇在進(jìn)化中的作用僅僅在一百多年前才得以闡明,而環(huán)境在塑造和保持個體行為時的選擇作用則剛剛開始被認(rèn)識和研究。
2001年第72題:
Children will play with dolls equipped with personality chips, computers with in-built personalities will be regarded as workmates rather than tools, relaxation will be in front of smell television, and digital age will have arrived.
此句中第二個分句中出現(xiàn)了被動語態(tài)will be regarded as workmates,我們可以直接譯為漢語中的被動表達(dá)形式:
兒童將與裝有個性化芯片的玩具娃娃一起玩耍,具有內(nèi)置個性的計算機(jī)會被看做工作伙伴而不是工具,人們將在會散發(fā)出氣味的電視機(jī)前休閑娛樂,屆時數(shù)字化時代就來臨了。
1995年第72題:
How well the predictions will be validated by later performance depends upon the amount, reliability and appropriateness of the information used and on the skills and wisdom with which it is interpreted.
本句是一個主從復(fù)合句,主句的謂語部分是被動語態(tài)will be validated,賓語中wisdom with which it is interpreted也包含一個被動語態(tài)的表達(dá)法。因此,我們可以將本句譯為:
這些預(yù)測在多大程度上能被后來的表現(xiàn)所證實,要取決于被采用的信息的數(shù)量、可靠性和適宜性以及用以詮釋這些信息所需要的技能和才智。
1995年第74題:
In general, the tests work most effectively when the qualities to be measured can be most precisely defined and least effectively when what is to be measured or predicted can not be well defined.
對句子分析后,我們就會發(fā)現(xiàn),此句中包含四個被動語態(tài),to be measured,can be most precisely defined,to be measured or predicted,can not be well defined我們可以將此句按照被動的形式譯作:
一般而言,當(dāng)被測定的特征能夠被很準(zhǔn)確地界定時,測試最為有效;而當(dāng)被測定或被預(yù)測的東西不能被明確界定時,測試的效果最差。
(2)英語被動句譯為漢語主動句。因為漢語中主動句占很大的比例,所以一般情況下,變英語被動語態(tài)為漢語主動語態(tài),有時可以把動作的實施者譯出來。
例如:
2002年第62題:
The behavioral sciences have been slow to change partly because the explanatory items often seem to be directly observed and partly because other kinds of explanations have been hard to find.
本句是一個簡單復(fù)合句。句子中第一個原因狀語從句里的seem to be directly observed這個被動語態(tài)在翻譯時就可以處理成漢語里的主動語態(tài)。因此,此句可以譯為:
行為科學(xué)之所以發(fā)展緩慢,部分原因是用來解釋行為的依據(jù)似乎往往是直接觀察到的,部分原因是其他的解釋方式一直難以找到。
2002年第64題:
They are the possessions of the autonomous(self-governing) man of traditional theory, and they are essential to practices in which a person is held responsible for his conduct and given credit for his achievements.
這個句子中第二個分句中定語從句里面有兩處被動語態(tài):is held responsible for 和 given credit,我們在英譯漢時可以用主動語態(tài)和被動語態(tài)來處理,因此,本句可以譯為:
自由和尊嚴(yán)(它們)是傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的,是要求一個人對自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績而給予肯定的必不可少的前提。
2000年第73題:
Owing to the remarkable development in mass-communications, people everywhere are feeling new wants and are being exposed to new customs and ideas, while governments are often forced to introduce still further innovations for the reasons given above.
這個復(fù)合句中出現(xiàn)兩處被動語態(tài)are being exposed to和are often forced to,而我們在翻譯時都可以用主動句子來表達(dá)如下:
大眾通訊的顯著發(fā)展使各地的人們不斷感到有新的需求,不斷接觸到新的習(xí)俗和思想。由于上述原因,政府常常得推出更多的革新。
1998年第72題:
The existence of the giant clouds were virtually required for the Big Bang first put forward in the 1920s, to maintain its reign as the dominant explanation of the cosmos.
句中的謂語部分were virtually required 是被動語態(tài),但在進(jìn)行英譯漢時可以處理為主動句子,譯為:
為了保持20世紀(jì)20年代首創(chuàng)的大爆炸論對宇宙權(quán)威解釋的主導(dǎo)地位,對大爆炸論來說巨大宇宙云的存在確實是必要的。
或:巨大的宇宙云的存在,實際上是20世紀(jì)20年代首創(chuàng)的大爆炸論得以保持其對宇宙權(quán)威解釋的主導(dǎo)地位所不可或缺的。
1997年第73題:
It leads the discussion to extremes at the outset; it invites you to think that animals should be treated either with the consideration humans extend to other humans, or with no consideration at all.
此句中的英語被動語態(tài)should be treated可以譯為下面的漢語主動句子:
這種說法從一開始就將討論引向兩個極端,它使人們認(rèn)為應(yīng)該這樣對待動物:要么像對待人類自身一樣關(guān)切體貼,要么完全冷漠無情。
1992年第74題:
The first two must be equal for all who are being compared if any comparison in terms of intelligence is to be made.
這個簡單復(fù)合句中出現(xiàn)兩處被動語態(tài):are being compared和is to be made,在翻譯時,我們可以將前者譯成被動語態(tài),而后者則可以譯成主動語態(tài)。本句可以譯為:
如果要在智力方面進(jìn)行任何比較的話,那么對所有被比較的人來說,兩個因素必須是相同的。
1992年第75題:
On the whole such a conclusion can be drawn with a certain degree of confidence, but only if the child can be assumed to have had the same attitude towards the test as the other with whom he is being compared, and only if he was not punished by lack of relevant information which they possessed.
這個句子中,包括省略部分在內(nèi),共出現(xiàn)了六處被動語態(tài):can be drawn、but (can) only (be drawn)、can be assumed、is being compared、and (can) only (be drawn)、was not punished。在這六個被動語態(tài)中,只有最后一個被翻譯成了被動語態(tài),其他五個都按照漢語的表達(dá)習(xí)慣譯成了主動語態(tài)。參考的譯文如下:
總的來說,得出這種結(jié)論是有一定把握的,但是必須具備兩個條件:能夠假定這個孩子對測試的態(tài)度和與他相比較的其他孩子的態(tài)度相同;他也沒有因為缺乏別的孩子已經(jīng)掌握的有關(guān)知識而被扣分。
再如:
1990年第66題:
Behaviorists suggest that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.
這個句子中的被動語態(tài)is raised就可以用漢語的主動句子來翻譯如下:
行為主義者認(rèn)為:孩子在有多種刺激物的環(huán)境里成長,而這些刺激物能發(fā)展其做出適當(dāng)反應(yīng)的能力,那么這個孩子就將會有更高的智力發(fā)展。
(3)英語中幾種被動語態(tài)句型的漢譯法。在英語中有一些句型不明確主語即動作的施動者,另一些句型常用在新聞報道、科普文章及說明文、議論文中表示推測、表達(dá)意見想法或總結(jié)歸納,這些英語被動語態(tài)的句型常以it作為形式主語,在譯成漢語時常用以下幾種譯法:
如:
(1)It is hoped that…… 希望……
It is said that…… 據(jù)說……
It is reported that…… 據(jù)報道……
It is supposed that…… 據(jù)推測……
It is suggested (implied) that…… 據(jù)暗示……
(2)It must be admitted that 必須承認(rèn)
It must be pointed out that 必須指出
It can be seen from this that 由此可見
It may be said without fear of exaggeration that 可以毫不夸張地說
(3)It is well known that/ As is known to all 眾所周知
It is generally thought that 大家/人們普遍認(rèn)為
It is asserted that 有人/人們主張
It is believed that 有人/人們相信
It will be said that 有人/人們會說
It was told that 有人/人們曾說過
It is expected (estimated) that 有人/人們預(yù)測、預(yù)計
例如:
1993年第74題:
And it is imagined by many that the operations of the common mind can be by no means compared with these processes, and that they have to be acquired by a sort of special training.
此句是一個由it做形式主語、由that引導(dǎo)的兩個主語從句是真正的主語的主從復(fù)合句。句中出現(xiàn)三處被動語態(tài):it is imagined by many、can be by no means compared、have to be acquired,而我們可以把本句譯成:
許多人認(rèn)為,普通人的思維活動根本無法與科學(xué)家的思維活動相比,他們認(rèn)為這些思維活動必須經(jīng)過某種專門訓(xùn)練才能掌握。
再如:
As is known to all, productive thought requires not just the rules of logic but a wealth of experience and background information, plus the ability to generalize and interpret new experiences using that information.
眾所周知,富有成效的思想不僅要求有邏輯規(guī)律,還要求有豐富的經(jīng)驗和背景知識,并能利用這些知識來概括、解釋新的經(jīng)驗的能力。
從下面的例句中我們可以看到幾種英語被動句的不同的漢語譯法。
Three-fourth of the earth is covered with water. But only about three percent of this water is fresh. All the rest is salt water and fills the oceans. Now fresh water is becoming scarce, but it is estimated that more and more will be needed because of the increasing world population.
地球的四分之三面積被水覆蓋,但其中大約只有百分之三是淡水,其余都是咸水,遍布各大洋?,F(xiàn)在淡水越來越不足,而由于世界人口日益增長,據(jù)估計淡水的需要量會越來越大。
(1)英語被動句譯為漢語被動句。英語中有一些用被動形式表達(dá)的句子,在翻譯成漢語時可以將其被動語態(tài)的意義直接用漢語被動句的形式表達(dá),在很多情況下需要用以下幾個表示被動的標(biāo)志詞引導(dǎo):被……,給……,遭到……,受到……,為……所……,所……,把……,使……,由……,是……的,得以……,加以……,予以等。
例如:
2002年第63題:
The role of natural selection in evolution was formulated only a little more than a hundred years ago, and the selective role of the environment in shaping and maintaining the behavior of the individual is only beginning to be recognized and studied.
這個句子中出現(xiàn)兩處被動語態(tài),一個是第一個分句中的謂語部分was formulated,另一個是第二個分句中謂語后面的不定式中的to be recognized and studied。我們可以將這個句子譯成:
自然選擇在進(jìn)化中的作用僅僅在一百多年前才得以闡明,而環(huán)境在塑造和保持個體行為時的選擇作用則剛剛開始被認(rèn)識和研究。
2001年第72題:
Children will play with dolls equipped with personality chips, computers with in-built personalities will be regarded as workmates rather than tools, relaxation will be in front of smell television, and digital age will have arrived.
此句中第二個分句中出現(xiàn)了被動語態(tài)will be regarded as workmates,我們可以直接譯為漢語中的被動表達(dá)形式:
兒童將與裝有個性化芯片的玩具娃娃一起玩耍,具有內(nèi)置個性的計算機(jī)會被看做工作伙伴而不是工具,人們將在會散發(fā)出氣味的電視機(jī)前休閑娛樂,屆時數(shù)字化時代就來臨了。
1995年第72題:
How well the predictions will be validated by later performance depends upon the amount, reliability and appropriateness of the information used and on the skills and wisdom with which it is interpreted.
本句是一個主從復(fù)合句,主句的謂語部分是被動語態(tài)will be validated,賓語中wisdom with which it is interpreted也包含一個被動語態(tài)的表達(dá)法。因此,我們可以將本句譯為:
這些預(yù)測在多大程度上能被后來的表現(xiàn)所證實,要取決于被采用的信息的數(shù)量、可靠性和適宜性以及用以詮釋這些信息所需要的技能和才智。
1995年第74題:
In general, the tests work most effectively when the qualities to be measured can be most precisely defined and least effectively when what is to be measured or predicted can not be well defined.
對句子分析后,我們就會發(fā)現(xiàn),此句中包含四個被動語態(tài),to be measured,can be most precisely defined,to be measured or predicted,can not be well defined我們可以將此句按照被動的形式譯作:
一般而言,當(dāng)被測定的特征能夠被很準(zhǔn)確地界定時,測試最為有效;而當(dāng)被測定或被預(yù)測的東西不能被明確界定時,測試的效果最差。
(2)英語被動句譯為漢語主動句。因為漢語中主動句占很大的比例,所以一般情況下,變英語被動語態(tài)為漢語主動語態(tài),有時可以把動作的實施者譯出來。
例如:
2002年第62題:
The behavioral sciences have been slow to change partly because the explanatory items often seem to be directly observed and partly because other kinds of explanations have been hard to find.
本句是一個簡單復(fù)合句。句子中第一個原因狀語從句里的seem to be directly observed這個被動語態(tài)在翻譯時就可以處理成漢語里的主動語態(tài)。因此,此句可以譯為:
行為科學(xué)之所以發(fā)展緩慢,部分原因是用來解釋行為的依據(jù)似乎往往是直接觀察到的,部分原因是其他的解釋方式一直難以找到。
2002年第64題:
They are the possessions of the autonomous(self-governing) man of traditional theory, and they are essential to practices in which a person is held responsible for his conduct and given credit for his achievements.
這個句子中第二個分句中定語從句里面有兩處被動語態(tài):is held responsible for 和 given credit,我們在英譯漢時可以用主動語態(tài)和被動語態(tài)來處理,因此,本句可以譯為:
自由和尊嚴(yán)(它們)是傳統(tǒng)理論定義的自主人所擁有的,是要求一個人對自己的行為負(fù)責(zé)并因其業(yè)績而給予肯定的必不可少的前提。
2000年第73題:
Owing to the remarkable development in mass-communications, people everywhere are feeling new wants and are being exposed to new customs and ideas, while governments are often forced to introduce still further innovations for the reasons given above.
這個復(fù)合句中出現(xiàn)兩處被動語態(tài)are being exposed to和are often forced to,而我們在翻譯時都可以用主動句子來表達(dá)如下:
大眾通訊的顯著發(fā)展使各地的人們不斷感到有新的需求,不斷接觸到新的習(xí)俗和思想。由于上述原因,政府常常得推出更多的革新。
1998年第72題:
The existence of the giant clouds were virtually required for the Big Bang first put forward in the 1920s, to maintain its reign as the dominant explanation of the cosmos.
句中的謂語部分were virtually required 是被動語態(tài),但在進(jìn)行英譯漢時可以處理為主動句子,譯為:
為了保持20世紀(jì)20年代首創(chuàng)的大爆炸論對宇宙權(quán)威解釋的主導(dǎo)地位,對大爆炸論來說巨大宇宙云的存在確實是必要的。
或:巨大的宇宙云的存在,實際上是20世紀(jì)20年代首創(chuàng)的大爆炸論得以保持其對宇宙權(quán)威解釋的主導(dǎo)地位所不可或缺的。
1997年第73題:
It leads the discussion to extremes at the outset; it invites you to think that animals should be treated either with the consideration humans extend to other humans, or with no consideration at all.
此句中的英語被動語態(tài)should be treated可以譯為下面的漢語主動句子:
這種說法從一開始就將討論引向兩個極端,它使人們認(rèn)為應(yīng)該這樣對待動物:要么像對待人類自身一樣關(guān)切體貼,要么完全冷漠無情。
1992年第74題:
The first two must be equal for all who are being compared if any comparison in terms of intelligence is to be made.
這個簡單復(fù)合句中出現(xiàn)兩處被動語態(tài):are being compared和is to be made,在翻譯時,我們可以將前者譯成被動語態(tài),而后者則可以譯成主動語態(tài)。本句可以譯為:
如果要在智力方面進(jìn)行任何比較的話,那么對所有被比較的人來說,兩個因素必須是相同的。
1992年第75題:
On the whole such a conclusion can be drawn with a certain degree of confidence, but only if the child can be assumed to have had the same attitude towards the test as the other with whom he is being compared, and only if he was not punished by lack of relevant information which they possessed.
這個句子中,包括省略部分在內(nèi),共出現(xiàn)了六處被動語態(tài):can be drawn、but (can) only (be drawn)、can be assumed、is being compared、and (can) only (be drawn)、was not punished。在這六個被動語態(tài)中,只有最后一個被翻譯成了被動語態(tài),其他五個都按照漢語的表達(dá)習(xí)慣譯成了主動語態(tài)。參考的譯文如下:
總的來說,得出這種結(jié)論是有一定把握的,但是必須具備兩個條件:能夠假定這個孩子對測試的態(tài)度和與他相比較的其他孩子的態(tài)度相同;他也沒有因為缺乏別的孩子已經(jīng)掌握的有關(guān)知識而被扣分。
再如:
1990年第66題:
Behaviorists suggest that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.
這個句子中的被動語態(tài)is raised就可以用漢語的主動句子來翻譯如下:
行為主義者認(rèn)為:孩子在有多種刺激物的環(huán)境里成長,而這些刺激物能發(fā)展其做出適當(dāng)反應(yīng)的能力,那么這個孩子就將會有更高的智力發(fā)展。
(3)英語中幾種被動語態(tài)句型的漢譯法。在英語中有一些句型不明確主語即動作的施動者,另一些句型常用在新聞報道、科普文章及說明文、議論文中表示推測、表達(dá)意見想法或總結(jié)歸納,這些英語被動語態(tài)的句型常以it作為形式主語,在譯成漢語時常用以下幾種譯法:
如:
(1)It is hoped that…… 希望……
It is said that…… 據(jù)說……
It is reported that…… 據(jù)報道……
It is supposed that…… 據(jù)推測……
It is suggested (implied) that…… 據(jù)暗示……
(2)It must be admitted that 必須承認(rèn)
It must be pointed out that 必須指出
It can be seen from this that 由此可見
It may be said without fear of exaggeration that 可以毫不夸張地說
(3)It is well known that/ As is known to all 眾所周知
It is generally thought that 大家/人們普遍認(rèn)為
It is asserted that 有人/人們主張
It is believed that 有人/人們相信
It will be said that 有人/人們會說
It was told that 有人/人們曾說過
It is expected (estimated) that 有人/人們預(yù)測、預(yù)計
例如:
1993年第74題:
And it is imagined by many that the operations of the common mind can be by no means compared with these processes, and that they have to be acquired by a sort of special training.
此句是一個由it做形式主語、由that引導(dǎo)的兩個主語從句是真正的主語的主從復(fù)合句。句中出現(xiàn)三處被動語態(tài):it is imagined by many、can be by no means compared、have to be acquired,而我們可以把本句譯成:
許多人認(rèn)為,普通人的思維活動根本無法與科學(xué)家的思維活動相比,他們認(rèn)為這些思維活動必須經(jīng)過某種專門訓(xùn)練才能掌握。
再如:
As is known to all, productive thought requires not just the rules of logic but a wealth of experience and background information, plus the ability to generalize and interpret new experiences using that information.
眾所周知,富有成效的思想不僅要求有邏輯規(guī)律,還要求有豐富的經(jīng)驗和背景知識,并能利用這些知識來概括、解釋新的經(jīng)驗的能力。
從下面的例句中我們可以看到幾種英語被動句的不同的漢語譯法。
Three-fourth of the earth is covered with water. But only about three percent of this water is fresh. All the rest is salt water and fills the oceans. Now fresh water is becoming scarce, but it is estimated that more and more will be needed because of the increasing world population.
地球的四分之三面積被水覆蓋,但其中大約只有百分之三是淡水,其余都是咸水,遍布各大洋?,F(xiàn)在淡水越來越不足,而由于世界人口日益增長,據(jù)估計淡水的需要量會越來越大。