①在作表語的介詞短語中,介詞常轉譯為動詞,而連系動詞則省略不譯。如:This machine is out of repair。這臺機器失修了。
②在作目的或原因狀語的介詞短語中,介詞有時轉譯成動詞。
如:The plane crushed out of control. 這架飛機失去控制而墜毀。
The letter E is commonly used for electromotive force。通常用E這個字母表示電動勢。
③在作條件、方式或方法狀語的介詞短語中,介詞有時轉譯成動詞。如:But even the larger molecules with several hundred atoms are too small to be seen with the best optical microscope。但是,即使有幾百個原子的分子也是太小了,用最好的光學顯微鏡也看不見它們。
④介詞短語作補足語時,其中介詞常轉譯成動詞。如:
Heat sets these particles in random motion。熱量使這些粒子作隨機運動。
如:That’s all there is to it。那就是與此有關的全部內容。(原句中to=related to)The engineer was taken ill with consumption. It was flour on the lungs, the doctor told him at the time。這個工程師得了肺病、那是由于面粉對肺部的影響,當時醫生這樣對他說的。(on=effect)
The porous wall acts as a kind of seine for separating molecules。多孔壁的作用就像一把篩子,它把不同質量的分子分開。
②譯成讓步分句。
With all its disadvantages this design is considered to be one of the best。這個設計盡管有種種缺點,仍被認為最佳設計之一。
③譯成真實或虛擬條件分句。Mans warm blood makes it difficult for him to live long in the sea without some kind warmth。人的血液是熱的,如果得不到一定的熱量,人就難以長期在海水中生活。
④譯成原因分句。
We cannot see it clearly for the fog。由于有霧,我們看不清它。
The machine is working none the worse for its long service. 這部機器并不因使用的時間長而性能變差了。
⑤譯成目的分句。This body of knowledge is customarily divided for convenience of study into the classifications: mechanics, heat, light, electricity and sound。.為了便于研究起見,通常將這門學科分為力學、熱學、光學、電學和聲學。
①表示時間或地點的英語介詞,譯成漢語如出現在句首,大都不譯。如:There are four seasons in a year. 一年有四季。
Many water power stations have been built in the country。我國已建成許多水電站。
②有些介詞如for(為了),from(從……),to(對……),on(在……時)等,可以不譯。如:
The barometer is a good instrument for measuring air pressure。氣壓計是測量氣壓的好儀器。
The air was removed from between the two pipes。兩根管子之間的空氣已經抽出。
Answers to questions 2 and 3 may be obtained in the laboratory。問題2和3的答案可以在實驗室里得到。
Most substances expand on heating and contract on cooling。大多數物質熱脹冷縮。
③表示與主語有關的某一方面、范圍或內容的介詞有時不譯,可把介詞的賓語譯成漢語主語。如:
Something has gone wrong with the engine。這臺發動機出了毛病。
Gold is similar in color to brass金子的顏色和黃銅相似。
Its never occurred to me that bats are really guided by their ears。我從未想到蝙蝠居然是靠耳朵引路的。
④不少of介詞短語在句中作定語。其中of(……的)往往不譯。如:
The change of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done in motors。電能變為機械能是通過電動機實現的。(of短語和change在邏輯上有主謂關系。)
Some of the properties of cathode rays listed below,F將陰極射線的一些特性開列如下。(第一個of短語和some在邏輯上有部分關系,Of不譯出。)
(5)反譯:在不少情況下,有的介詞短語如不從反面著筆,譯文就不通,這時必須反譯。如:
①beyond, past,against等表示超過某限度的能力或反對……時,其短語有時用反譯法。如:It is post repair。這東西無法修補了。
There are some arguments against the possibility of life on this planet。有些論據不同意這行星上可能有生物。Radio telescopes have been able to probe space beyond the range of ordinary optical telescopes。射電望遠鏡已能探測普通光學望遠鏡達不到的宇宙空間。
②off, from等表示地點,距離時,有時有反譯法。如:
The boat sank off the coast。這只船在離海岸不遠處沉沒了。
③but,except,besides等表示除去、除外時,有時用反譯法。
Copper is the best conductor but silver。銅是僅次于銀的最優導體。The molecular formula, C6H14, does not show anything except the total number of carbon and hydrogen atoms。分子式C6H14只用來表示碳原子和氫原子的總數。
④from,in等介詞短語作補足語時,有時用反譯法。如:
An iron case will keep the Earths magnetic field away from the compass。鐵箱能使地球磁場影響不了指南針。
The signal was shown about the machine being order。信號表明機器設有毛病。