翻译辨析:被动语态的句子就译成“被”字句?

英语作文    发布时间:2024-02-29  
划词翻译

原文:

Strange voices were heard whispering stranger names.

原译:

一些奇怪的声音被听到呼唤着更古怪的名字。


辨 析:

不少人一见到英语被动语态的句子就译成“被”字句,翻译作品中大有“被”字泛滥成灾的趋势,不少人对此有反感。当然,话不能绝对,有时译文确实需要用“被”字句(包括“遭”、“受”、“挨”、“让”等意思类似的词),如:

  • He was called names gratuitously.他无端受 到辱骂。

  • I don't like to be bossed by a fellow like him.我不喜欢受 他那种人差遣。

  • He was instructed to participate in the talks.他奉 命参加谈判。

但是“被”字往往带有贬义,说“他被批评了”没有问题,说“他被表扬了”,“他被选为班长”等,听上去总有点别扭。

除了“被字句”外,还有许多方法翻译英语的被动句,如可以译为主动句,有时候还可以将介词by引导的动作执行者作为句子的主语,如:

  • Planet wide changes in climate have been predicted by scientists but the cause have not been fully explained .科学家们已经预见到全球气候变化,但对其原因尚未作出全面的解释。

有时候可以保留原来的主语,如:

  • The matter was never brought to the agenda again.这件事再也没有提到议事日程上来。

汉语还有两个句型可以用以翻译英语的被动句,一是“使动句”,如:

  • The educational reform must be carried through to the end.必须把 教育改革进行到底。

  • Principles mean very little unless they are acted upon.如果不加以 实现,原则也就没有什么意义了。

二是“是”字句,如:

  • These sentences were copied from that book.这些句子是 从那本书上抄的。

  • History is made by the people.历史是 人民创造的。

很多时候也可以译为无主句(zero-subject sentence),如:

  • Mention should also be made of the role played by the full back, especially the left one.也应该提一下后卫,尤其是左后卫起的作用。


如果将原文译成无主句,可能要好得多:(能)听得见一些奇怪的声音低声呼唤一些更奇怪的名字 。