浅谈英汉翻译中词性的转换

论文总字数：25696字

摘 要

由于英语中的很多词在汉语中找不到完全相同词性的对等语，因此在英译汉的过程中，有时必须改变某些词语的词性才能更有效地翻译出原文的准确意思。鉴于英汉两种语言在语法、词汇、句法和表达习惯上的差异，英译汉过程中，过于追求形式对等，可能会使译文翻译腔十足。词类转换法作为一种有效的翻译技巧，能使译文既符合汉语习惯，又通顺自然，有利于读者接受和理解。本文讨论了英汉翻译过程中，四种基本的词性转换方法，及可能遇到的问题，并给出相应的解决方法。

关键词：形式对等；词性转换；翻译技巧

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

3. Translation and Conversion of Parts of Speech 2

3.1 The definition of conversion of parts of speech 2

3.2 Principles or criteria of translation 3

3.3 The relationship between translation and conversion of parts of speech 4

4. Methods of Conversion of Parts of Speech 4

4.1 Conversion into Verbs 4

4.2 Conversion into Nouns 6

4.3 Conversion into Adjectives 8

4.4 Conversion into Adverbs 9

5. Mistakes and Countermeasures in Conversion of Parts of Speech.......10

5.1 Common mistakes..... 10

5.2 Countermeasures 11

6. Conclusion 12

Works Cited 13

1. Introduction

Translation is the expression in one language of what has been expressed in another language. In this process, faithfulness and smoothness are very important. In order to achieve faithfulness and smoothness, translators have to make use of many translation techniques. Long before the appearance of the conversion of parts of speech, many translators were frustrated and trapped by the syntax and grammar rules of English sentences. Later, Eugene A Nida put forward the famous functional equivalence theory, which frees many translators, giving them much more room in E-C translation. As one of the effective translation techniques or translation methods, the conversion of parts of speech has been attached great importance and been very popular among translators. Deeper understanding of this method will bring more benefits to translators, thus this thesis aims to discuss the basic ways of the conversion of parts of speech in E-C translation. Generally speaking, there are four kinds of conversion in E-C translation: conversion into nouns, conversion into verbs, conversion into adjectives, conversion into adverbs. This thesis will study the importance of the conversion of parts of speech in E-C translation and problems concerned with using this method and some countermeasures.

2. Literature Review

There are many theories concerned with the conversion of parts of speech in foreign countries. The most famous one is Eugene A Nida’s functional equivalence theory. By equivalence, Nida means functional equivalence, or dynamic equivalence, not the form equivalence. He thought that many translators were trapped by the form or syntax of source language. There is no need to do that. And in order to avoid translationese，we need to pay more attention to the equivalence of readers’ reaction( psychological reflection) between source language and target language , instead of the form equivalence of language (Li, 239). What’s more, Nida abandoned the traditional concept of parts of speech and figured out a new method to clarify words. He clarified words with “object”、“even”、“abstract” and “relation” . For example, “talk” has two different status in English according to traditional grammar rules, one a noun, the other a verb. However, in the new method of clarification, “talk” belongs to “event”, so there are no real differences between translating it into a verb or a noun in Chinese. This method gives translators much room in translation, frees them from syntax or grammar rules, providing theory basis for the conversion of parts of speech. In addition, the famous linguist and translator J C Catford mentioned in his book A Linguistic Theory of Translation that the conversion of parts of speech shows up when the equivalent parts of target language differ from source language (Catford 78). In this book, he also holds the view that structural shifts will keep company with conversion of parts of speech.

The famous Chinese translator Zhang Peiji holds the view that some simple English sentences can be translated without the change of parts of speech, like: “I love you”. However, some long and complex sentences can’t be translated well without conversion of parts of speech (Zhang 44). His views had a direct guiding influence on latter translators. What’s more, many translators in China added the method of conversion of parts of speech into their translation books, such as Ye Zinan, Liu Miqin, Feng Qinhua, Xu Yulong, Liu Jichun. They also provided many examples about conversion of parts of speech in their books with explicit explanations.

3. Translation and Conversion of Parts of Speech

“Translation consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message, first in terms of meaning, and secondly in terms of style.”(Nida 83). The famous American translator Eugene A Nida’s definition of translation provides the theoretic basis for conversion of parts of speech in E-C translation.

3.1 The definition of conversion of parts of speech

Conversion, one of the commonly adopted translation techniques, means the change of parts of speech in translation. Due to the syntactical differences between English and Chinese, it is usually very difficult or even impossible for a translator to keep to the original part of speech in the process of translation. Therefore, it is necessary for us to resort to the technique of conversion (Xu 34). For example:

Original English: This watch never varies more than a second in a month.

Chinese Version: 这块表一个月的误差不超过一秒钟。

The English verb “vary” can hardly be translated into Chinese by the same part of speech without spoiling the original meaning. In fact, a word belonging to a certain part of speech in one language sometimes has to be converted into a different part of speech in another language during translation so as to bring forth a readable and coherent sentence. And here are more examples:

1. The varied achievements of such individuals beg the question: what defines a genius?

他们的成就千差万别，这就引出了这样一个问题：天才的定义是什么？

1. The failure to develop the talents of our children deprives all of us of a stable of future innovators.

我们未能及时开发孩子们的天分，这使我们所有人都失去了一大批未来的发明家。

1. Such exceptional output depends on a combination of genetics, opportunity and effort.

只有把遗传、机遇、努力等因素结合起来，才能产生如此超常的结果。

3.2 Principles or criteria of translation

First, famous translator Yan Fu’s triple principle for translation, namely, faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance. Faithfulness means that the translated text should be faithful to the original text, which is to say the version should keep the content or ideas of the original. Expressiveness demands that the translated text should be expressive and coherent without anything awkward. The first two words as translation criteria are universally accepted, while elegance is controversial.

Second, Chinese translator Xu Yuanchong’s “Three Beautities Theory”: beauty in meaning, beauty in sound, beauty in form. Professor Xu put much importance on beauties than on forms. That means he attaches great importance to creativity, especially when it comes to poetry translation. Form in translation is the least important to him.

Third, Fu Lei’s “Spirit likeness”. He thinks that spirit likeness is more important than form likeness, which means spirit is more important than form. In E-C translation, he emphasizes fluency of Chinese and advocates to make full use of authentic Chinese words.

Fourth, Qian Zhongshu’s “Delivering”. This theory is similar to Fu lei’s “spirit likeness”. They all attach greater importance to spirit instead of the form of source language.

Fifth, Gu Zhengkun’s “multiple complementarism”. This theory points out that one article could have several versions of translation because of the differences in aesthetic standards of readers.

3.3 The relationship between translation and conversion of parts of speech

From above translation principles, it seems that famous translators pay more attention to beauty or spirit than forms. They were all eager to free from syntax of source language, which means a mechanical correspondence of elements in source and target language often causes failed translation. In E-C translation, difficulties are easy to find when there are no equivalent parts of speech. In this case, conversion of parts of speech as one of the most effective translation skills is definitely unavoidable. However, the change of parts of speech doesn’t mean any causally transformation of the meaning of source language. Instead, the conversion of parts of speech must correspond with basic principles of translation.

4. Methods of Conversion of Parts of Speech

Theoretically speaking, different parts of speech in English can be converted into different parts of speech in Chinese. For example, nouns in English can be converted into verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc; verbs can be converted into nouns, adjectives, adverbs, etc; adjectives and adverbs can be converted into nouns and verbs, etc. Different people have different methods of clarification. Today, four kinds of conversion are mainly discussed: English words converted into Chinese verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

4.1 Conversion into Verbs

It is not uncommon for us to come across verbs in Chinese sentences, and it is very often for us to see more than one verb in a Chinese sentence. However, there can be only one predicate verb in an English sentence. For example:

Original English: Families upstairs have to carry pails to the hydrant downstairs for water. (Xu 35)

Chinese Version: 住在楼上的人家得提着水桶去楼下的水龙头打水。

4.1.1 Nouns converted into verbs

(1) His insistence on his innocence arouses some reporters’ attention.

他坚持说自己无罪，这引起了一些记者的注意。

1. Adherence to the One-China Principle is the basis and prerequisite for peaceful reunification of our motherland.

坚持一个中国原则，是实现和平统一的基础和前提。

1. His treatment of her was beyond endurance.

他这样对待她是无法忍受的。

1. Film stars are objects of admiration for most girls.

电影明星是大多数少女崇拜的对象。

4.1.2 Prepositions converted into verbs

(1) Are most people against the proposal?

是多数人反对这项提议吗？

1. The first speaker was for abandoning the project.

第一个发言人赞成放弃这项计划。

1. The postman left a letter with a American stamp for him.

邮递员给他送来了一封贴有美国邮票的信件。

1. What are these people after? They are after fame and position.

这种人闹什么东西呢？闹名誉，闹地位。

4.1.3 Adjectives converted into verbs

Many English adjectives indicates one’s feeling, emotions, desires,etc.These words may always be converted into Chinese verbs. These words includes “confident, cautious, angry, grateful, afraid, doubtful, sure, delighted, sorry, anxious, able, ashamed...”

1. She is afraid of going out alone at night.

她害怕夜晚独自出去。

1. Both of the substances are soluble in water.

这两种物质都溶于水。

1. We are deeply grateful to you for your great help.

非常感谢你对我们的帮助。

1. This dictionary is not in stock at the moment, but you can place an order here. We will inform you as soon as it is available.

这种字典目前没货，你可以预定。一旦有货，我们会立即通知你。

4.1.4 Adverbs converted into verbs

Some adverbs indicates direction or state can be translated into verbs. Such as “on, off, in, over...”

1. The war would be soon over.

战争很快就要结束。

1. The film was on when we got to the cinema.

我们到电影院时，电影已经开始了。

1. He called on his tutor but was told that he was not in and that he could dial later.

他给导师打电话，导师不在，接电话的人告诉他晚些时候再打过来。

1. As he ran out, he forgot to have his shoes on.

他跑出去时，忘记了穿鞋子。

4.2 Conversion into Nouns

Some verbs derived from nouns may be translated into Chinese nouns, for the reason that it is hard to express with the corresponding verbs in Chinese. In addition, adjectives with the definite articles to indicate categories of people, things, or adjectives used as predictive to indicate the nature of things may also be converted into nouns in E-C translation.

4.2.1 Verbs converted into nouns

Some English words with inflectional affixes like “-ed” and “-ing” are also converted into nouns when translated into Chinese. Here are more examples:

1. To them, he personified absolute power.

在他们看来，他就是绝对权力的化身。

1. The electric current is defined as a stream of electrons flowing through a conductor.

电流的定义是流经一个导体的电子流。

1. Round-the-clock service features this store.

24小时服务是这家商店的特色。

1. The camel is characterized by the ability to go for long periods without water.

骆驼的特点是能够长期行走而不喝水。

4.2.2 Adjectives converted into nouns

1. He is courageous, ambitious, but not intelligent.

他有勇气，有雄心，但不怎么聪明。

1. He was blind from birth.

他生下来就是瞎子。

1. Under the capitalist system of exploitation, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

在资本主义剥削制度下，富人越富，穷人越穷。

1. In the fission process the fission fragments are very radioactive.

在裂变过程中，裂变碎片具有强烈的放射性。

4.2.3 Adverbs converted into nouns

1. He is physically weak but mentally sound.

他身体虽弱，但心智健全。

1. Oxygen is one of the important elements in the physical world. It is active chemically.

痒是物质世界的重要元素之一，它的化学性质很活泼。

1. Certainly people in enterprises must be mathematically informed if they are to make wise decisions.

当然，企业管理人员要想做出明智的决策，就必须懂得数学。

1. Nothing that the industry spends more than $6 billion annually on advertising and promotion although some in the advertising industry claim that the number is inflated. FDA’s rules rely heavily on ad restrictions.

他们说烟草行业每年要花60亿美元在广告促销上（尽管烟草行业说这个数字扩大了),所以他们法规的重点是针对广告限制。

4.2.4 Pronouns converted into nouns

Pronouns are more frequently used in English than in Chinese. Sometimes we have to convert them into nouns to avoid confusion.

1. The specific resistance of iron is not so mall as that of copper.

铁的电阻系数不如铜的电阻系数那样小。

1. The result of this experiment is much better than those of previous ones.

这次实验结果比前几次的实验结果都好得多。

1. Radio waves are similar to light waves except that their wavelength is much greater.

无线电波与光波相似，但无限电波的波长要长得多。

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