以上七个句子都涉及到“价格低”这么一个概念,但若要译得贴切,却可能须用不同的词来表达。试译如下:
1) fine and inexpensive
2) We do not sell cheap quality goods.
3) We have made you an offer at a very competitive price.
4) You will find our prices for these goods very popular.
5) Please make us your lowest quotation for Clinical Thermometers.
6) If you feel interest in our business proposal, please send us the samples together with your best terms and conditions.
7) As we have quoted you our rock-bottom price, we can't give you any more discounts.
如果查阅一般的汉英词典,比如查“便宜的”这一词条,往往不可能给出所有的释义。即使倒过来去查英汉词典,也并非每一个词都能找到确切的对应汉语词义,如 best 一词,只是在特定的搭配中,才具有“优惠的”、“便宜的”等类含义。一谈到“便宜的”,很多人可能马上就联想到 cheap 一词,但这个词常常含有贬义,这点不能不知。
(二)词义的引申
在英汉互译中,有时会遇到某些词在词典上难以找到贴切具体上下文的词义,如生搬硬套,译文往往语意不清,甚至导致误解。在这种情况下,需要根据上下文和逻辑关系,从该词固有的基本含义出发,进一步加以引申。例如:
1) We have an interest for your athletic goods.
2) To cover our shipment, we would request you to establish a commercial letter of credit in our favor for the contracted amount through an American Bank.
3) We enclose a list showing our present availabilities.
4) The arrivals do not conform to the sample. You must have shipped the wrong parcel.
5) It is one of the most useful of the household conveniences.
6) We insist that international trade should not be a one-way street.
7) Oil prices came tumbling down, brightening the outlook for inflation and helping to touch off a rally on Wall Street.
以上七个句子中“interest”,“shipment”,“availabilities”,“arrivals”,“conveniences”,“one-way street”,和“Wall Street”,如查词典,它们的基本含义可分别是“兴趣”、“装运(的货)”、“可得到的东西”、“到达(的东西)”、“便利(设施)”、“单行道”和“华尔街”。如果将这些词义直接放入译文,显然不能充分表达原文的含义,故需进一步引申。
(来源:catti.net.cn)
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