13个常见汉译英问题.doc

第一种情况：望文生义，不符合英语表达习惯的翻译，即“中式英语”。这方面的例子很多，例如：把“胶水” 译成glue water（应为glue）；把“不准拍照”译成Don’t take picture（应为：No photographs）；把“当心碰头” 译成Be careful, head（应为：Mind your head / Lower your head）；把 “拳头产品” 译成fist product，但fist这个词只是握住拳头，并没有打出去的动作和力量，（参考：“knockout” product /“hard-punch” product / core product / product with a  HYPERLINK /w/competitive \t _blank competitive edge / market-penetrating product）；把“科技旅游”译成technological tours，这给人的印象似乎是，旅游本身是技术性的 (参考：science-theme tours)；把“黄金地段”译作golden area，这是说“金色地区”？（试比较：prime /central/ideal location）把电视屏幕上的栏目名称“看世界”译作 Look the World，（试比较：Around the World / Window onto the World / Across the World 等）；把 “经济改革取得了巨大成就并且不断深化”译成The  HYPERLINK /w/economic \t _blank economic reform has made great  HYPERLINK /w/achievement \t _blank achievements and is deepening.（似应译为：Great achievements have been made in the economic reform, which is developing in depth）;等等。 第二种情况：不符合国际上通用惯例的翻译，这主要是指一些常用的专门术语。这方面的例子也不胜枚举，例如：把“外向型产业”译成external directed industries (比较：export-oriented? manufacturing ) ;把“保税区”译为tax-protected zone (比较：bonded zone 或 free-trade zone) ；把“追求卓越管理”译为working for brilliant management (参考：in search of excellence in management / commitment to managerial excellence ) ;把“小商品博览会”译为small goods / commodities fair (参考：general merchandise show / expo) ;把“入境登记卡、年月日、入境事由、观光休闲、返回常住地、定居”分别翻译成entry card, year/month/day, Your main reason for coming to China (only one), outing/in leisure, return home, settle down。按照英语习惯，这些应该分别译为landing card或 HYPERLINK /w/disembarkation \t _blank disembarkation form, day/month/year 或month/day/year, purpose of visit, pleasure或travel, returning home, settling in。 第三种情况：对汉语中某些地道的简略语 (short-hand phrases) 的翻译常常令人难以看懂。这方面的例子也是俯拾即是，例如：把“五讲四美” 译成five stresses and four points of beauty （对照：five merits to advocate-civilized behavior, common courtesy, hygienic conditions, proper discipline and public morality; and four virtues to promote-lofty sentiments, refined language, good manners and environmental awaren