原 文:
Sure I can't begin to count the number of theTV sets in the town.
原 译:
我当然不能开始数全镇电视机的数目。
表达习惯:
原译中的「数……电视机的数目」是硬译,不符合汉语表达习惯。可以改为「数数……有多少电视机」。
动词解析:
关键错误在于“begin”一词。在此句中,"begin"并非指“开始”,而是用来强调否定,通常与情态动词“can”连用。例如:
His statement does not begin to be comprehensive.
(他的说法一点也不全面。)
I can't begin to understand him.
(我一点也/根本/完全不懂他的话。)
He couldn't begin to compete with that large firm.
(他根本无法同那家大公司竞争。)
Your offer can't begin to meet our demand.
(贵方的提议/开价和我们的要求差得太远。)
修正翻译:
原句可译为:我当然无法数清镇上有多少电视机。
也可意译为:镇上电视机那么多,我怎么数得过来呢?
英语中除了“begin”以外,还有其他方法强调否定,最常用的是“least”一词。例如:
He is not in the least interested.
(他一点儿也不感兴趣。)
在口语中,可以使用各种形象的表达来表示最小量,例如:
I don't care a farthing.
(我根本不在乎。)
It's awfully oppressive today; there is not a breath of wind.
(今天真闷,一丝儿风都没有。)
There is not a word of news.
(一丁点儿消息也没有。)
People didn't see a dime's worth of difference between the two candidates.
(人们看不出这两个候选人之间有任何哪怕细小的差别。)
He didn't seem to like the toy by a jugful.
(看来他一点也不喜欢那个新玩具。)
I'll answer for it; he never cared three straws about her.
(我敢发誓,他一点儿也没有把她放在心上。)
There was not a single person in front of the gate.
(大门口连一个人也没有。)
“single”一词还有其他意思,英语中有个双关语利用了这种用法:
—Why is a room full of married people very empty?
—Because there is not a single person in it.
(为什么一间充满已婚人士的房间显得很空?因为里面一个单身的人都没有。)