例3 如果原子失去一个或多个电子,我们就说这个原子带正电荷。
译文:If one or more electrons are removed,the atom is said/believed/thought to be positively charged.
简评:这句话是一个条件从句。即:在原子失去一个或多个电子的情况下,这个电子带正电荷。我们就说这个原子带正电荷可理解为这个原子被认为/ 被确信/ 被说成是带正电荷。那么根据前面所说的原则,我们在翻译时可以将泛指性主语我们省略不译,并使用被动语态。
从这个例子里我们还可以看出,在科技文章中,根据英语表达习惯我们应当多采用被动语态,以强调事物的客观性。
例4 人们采用各种措施来防止腐蚀。
译文:All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion.
简评:这句话可以按原文译成主动态,即:People have taken all kinds of measures to prevent corrosion。也可以用被动语态来翻译All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion。两者比较而言,被动态译文更突出表明所有、种种措施已经付诸实施,all kinds of measures得到强调,而主动态译法只是平铺直叙,重点不突出。
此外,汉语句子中有据说、据了解、据报道、据估计、据传言等词语时,可以酌情译成相应的英语被动句,如:It is supposed that,It is said that,It is estimated that,It is calculated that,It is reported that,It is suggested that,It is stressed that,It is thought that,It is considered that,It is expected that,It is well known that,It must be admitted that,It must be pointed out that,It is understood that,It may be safety said that等。
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