英語閲讀基本功之難句過關大全－省略

　　文章要做到簡潔,省略法是必用的。

英語句子中的某些成分因上下文已提供了充分明確的信息而不必出現,或前面已出現的某些成分,為了避免不必要的重複,可以不再出現而不致引起誤解或歧義,這種語言現象就叫作省略。例如：Glad to see you. 這是個簡單句,主語I和謂語am可以省略。再如：London is on the Themes, and Paris on the Seine. 這是一個並列複合句,後半句省略了謂語動詞is,因為前面已經出現過,後面不必重複。英譯漢時,為了使譯文明確達意,符合漢語習慣,要在正確理解原文的基礎上,對原文中省略的部分或保留或補全,或對其進行靈活處理。

有人將英語句子中的省略現象歸納為21種,本章只涉及在英語閲讀中常遇到的比較複雜的省略現象。

1. The transcription needs a certain amount of editing, as even if the computer can tell the difference between words of similar sounds such as write and right, it is still not yet able to do the work as well as an intelligent secretary.

第一層： The transcription 主 needs 謂 a certain amount of 定 editing, 賓 as even if the computer can tell the difference between words of similar 狀語從句

sounds such as write and right, it is still not yet able to do the work as well as an intelligent secretary.

第二層： as 引 even if the computer can tell the difference between words of similar sounds such as write and right , 狀語從句1 it 主 is 系 still not yet 狀 able 表 to do the work 賓 as well as an inte- lligent secretary . 狀語從句2

第三層： even if 引 the computer 主 can tell 謂 the difference 賓 between words of similar sounds 定 such as write and right 同位語

as well as 引 an intelligent secretary 主

要點 本句中as引導原因狀語從句,其中該句還帶有一個由 even if 引導的讓步狀語從句;介詞短語 between words of similar sounds 修飾 difference , such as write and right 修飾 words , as well as... 為同等比較狀語從句,其中省略了與主句相同的部分。intelligent:有才智的;理解力強的。

譯文 譯稿需要一定量的編輯工作,因為,即使計算機能夠區別同音異義詞,如 write和right,它仍不可能把這項工作做得像有思維能力的祕書那樣好。

2. If a needle is thrown at random on a sheet of paper ruled with lines whose distance apart is exactly equal to the length of the needle, how often can it be expected to fall on a line and how often into a blank space?

第一層： If a needle is thrown at random on a sheet of paper ruled with lines whose distance apart is exactly equal to the len- 狀語從句 gth of the needle , how often 狀 can 謂 it 主 be expected 謂 to fall on a line 賓 and 連 how often 狀 into a blank space? 狀

第二層： If 引 a needle 主 is 系 thrown 表 at random 狀 on a sheet of paper 狀 ruled with lines 定 whose distance apart is exactly equal to the length of the needle 定語從句

第三層： whose 引 distance apart 主 is 系 exactly 狀 equal 表 to the length of the needle 賓

要點 這是複合句。在if引導的狀語從句中,ruled with lines 是過去分詞,作paper 的定語,le 是 lines 的定語從句,whose distance apart 的意思是 它們之間的間隔 。主句中and 後面是個省略句,省去了 can it be expected to fall。翻譯時可將英文的被動語態譯成漢語的主動語態。length:長度。rule paper with lines:在紙上劃平行線。

譯文 如果把一根針隨機地投到一張紙上,紙上畫了許多平行線,它們之間的間隔等於針的長度,那麼針落在線上的機率是多少?落在空白處的機率又是多少?

3. All that a man has to say or do that can possibly concern mankind, is in some shape or other to tell the story of his love - to sing, and if he is fortunate and keeps alive, he will be forever in love.

要點 本句是由and連接在一起的並列句。前一個分句的主幹是 tell the story... - to sing. all後面有兩個that引導的定語從句,第一個that從句修飾all,第二個that指代其前的that從句,翻譯時可表條件。to sing放在破折號之後,用以加強語氣,其後可視為省略了賓語the story of his love, to tell和to sing是並列關係。

譯文 一個人應該説的或做的,只要關係到人類,那麼都是以這樣或那樣的.形式來講述乃至謳歌自己的愛的故事;而且,如果他是幸運的、有活力的,他將永遠是充滿愛的。

4. As families move away from their stable community,their friends of many years, their extended family relationships, the informal flow of information is cut off, and with it the confidence that information will be available when needed and will be trustworthy and reliable.

要點 本句位並列句,前一個分句帶一個As引導的狀語從句, 狀語從句中 move away from 後為並列平行結構their ...,their..., their... 在and後的分句中, the confidence 省略了 is cut off , it指的是信息被切斷的情況。

譯文 隨着家庭成員與他們穩定的社區、多年的老友和大家庭的親屬關係相分離,非正式的信息渠道被切斷了,而那種在需要時就能得到真實可靠信息的信心也丟失了。

5. And by the help of further reasoning, which if drawn out would have been exhibited in two or three other syllogism, you arrive at your final determination, I will not have that apple.

要點 這是複合句。主句是you arrive at your final determination。by the help of ... 是介詞短語作狀語,which引導的定語從句修飾reasoning。if drawn out 是省略句,用作表示條件的狀語從句,完整的句子是if the reasoning can be drawn out。翻譯時採用順序法,定語從句採用分句法。syllogism:三段論;演繹推理。