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虛擬語氣(Subjunctive Mood)用來表示說話人的主觀愿望或假想,而不表示客觀存在的事實(shí),所說的是一個條件,不一定是事實(shí),或與事實(shí)相反。中國學(xué)生在寫作或翻譯的時候,有濫用虛擬語氣的傾向。比如:
1) The Chinese economy could benefit greatly from the car market. Thus restricting purchase of cars would limit our economic growth.
2) Students would have studied for two years in a T program in China before they can apply for our AE.
3) I don't think they would want to change for a different degree if they decide to come to Monterey for one more year.
以上例子中的 could/would 都屬于錯誤的用法。要用虛擬語氣,必須有一個表示條件的從句,如:If only she were here, then she would speak up. 否則就用陳述語氣。當(dāng)問及學(xué)生為何這樣用時,他們表示這樣做是為了表達(dá)一種“弱的假定”,也有說是為了表示一種“委婉的語氣”。無論原因如何,這樣的用法都是錯誤的。本篇翻譯中也有類似的情況。例如:
原文:
自然,在熱帶的地方,日光是永遠(yuǎn)那么毒,響亮的天氣,反有點(diǎn)叫人害怕。
原譯:
...where bright sunny weather would sound a bit alarming to people like me
改譯:
I well know that in the tropics, the blazing sun and the perpetual harsh glare can be intimidating.
原文:
就是這點(diǎn)幻想不能一時實(shí)現(xiàn),他們也并不著急。
原譯:
Even if the little fancy fails for the moment, it would not quite bother them.
改譯:
And even if this is just wishful thinking, they don't really mind, because with this kindly winter why ask for more?
說明:
在本例中,我相信原譯用would 是為了表示虛擬語氣。虛擬語氣表示一種不切實(shí)際的假定?!凹偃邕@點(diǎn)幻想不能實(shí)現(xiàn)”是一個一般的條件,后面無需用虛擬語氣。
原文:
設(shè)若單單是有陽光,那也算不了出奇。
原譯:
Sunlight alone might not sufficiently make a wonder.
改譯:
But there is more than just sunshine.
說明:
我相信原譯者用might 也是為了表示虛擬語氣,因?yàn)樵某霈F(xiàn)了“設(shè)若”。如果要用 might 就需要一個表示條件的if。例如:Sunshine alone might not be enough IF it were not also for the heat.沒有if條件句,這個句子讀起來是不完整的。
原文:
請閉上眼睛想:一個老城,有山有水,全在天底下曬著陽光,暖和安適地睡著,只等春風(fēng)來把它們喚醒。
原譯:
Close your eyes and just picture: an old town in the midst of hills and waters is sleeping cozily in the sunshine and would not wake up until the call of a spring breeze.
改譯:
Close your eyes and picture to yourself: an ancient town, with hills and lakes, dozing in the sunlight, warm and comfortable, waiting for the spring breezes to blow it awake.
說明:
這里原譯者也許不是想用虛擬語氣,而是想用 would的另一種用法,即表達(dá)過去的習(xí)慣。但既然是把過去的事情當(dāng)作現(xiàn)在來描述(“歷史現(xiàn)在時”),便沒有必要用 would; will 即可。
原文:
就憑這些綠的精神,水也不忍得凍上。
原譯:
The striving-for-greener vitality alone could have touched the soul of the waters to stop freezing.
改譯:
That alone must prevent the water from freezing over.
說明:
Could have done sth. 意思是“本能夠做某事”,改譯為must prevent用以傳遞“就憑.....也不......”的意思,有些詼諧幽默。如用 will prevent,則顯得直白無味。
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