委婉语外文翻译
英语对话中常用委婉表达句子
英语对话中常用委婉表达句子1. 英语中的委婉语优雅骂人： 1. Stop complaining！别发牢骚！2. You make me sick！你真让我恶心！3. What's wrong with you？你怎么回事？4. You shouldn't have done that！你真不应该那样做！5. You're a jerk！你是个废物/混球！6. Don't talk to me like that！别那样和我说话！7. Who do you think you are？你以为你是谁？8. What's your problem？你怎么回事啊？9. I hate you！我讨厌你！10. I don't want to see your face！我不愿再见到你！ 11. You're crazy！你疯了！12. Are you insane/crazy/out of your mind？你疯了吗？（美国人绝对常用！）13. Don't bother me. 别烦我。
14. Knock it off. 少来这一套。
15. Get out of my face. 从我面前消失！16. Leave me alone. 走开。
17. Get lost.滚开！18. Take a hike！哪儿凉快哪儿歇着去吧。
19. You piss me off. 你气死我了。
20. It's none of your business. 关你屁事！21. What's the meaning of this？这是什么意思？22. How dare you！你敢！23. Cut it out. 省省吧。
24. You stupid jerk！你这蠢猪！25. You have a lot of nerve. 脸皮真厚。
26. I'm fed up. 我厌倦了。
英语中的委婉语
语法词汇课程教育研究英语中的委婉语张国发（天津商务职业学院 天津 300170）当代英语中的委婉语除了称为euphemism外，有时还叫“soft words”（柔软词）、“comfortable words”（惬意词）、“gilded words”（镀金词）、“weasel words”（遁词），甚至有人称其为“language of deceit”（骗人话）或“distorting lenses”（变形镜头）。
顾名思义，可帮助我们进一步了解它的性质。
现分述如下：一、社会生活方面生、老、病、死、残、弱、葬、性、裸、拉、撒等禁忌事物，如果直接表达，给人的感觉是粗鄙、生硬、刺耳、无礼。
但是由于相互交流的需要，有时又不得不表达出此种意思，于是人们逐渐学会了用委婉语来表达，这样避讳禁忌便成了委婉语的第一功能。
比如，be born（出生）说成see the light of day，（看见阳光），忌讳直接说“死”字，创造了很多表达“死”的意思的委婉语。
像“去了”（to pass away），“离别了”（to depart），“离开了我们”（to leave us），“睡着了”（to go to sleep）等等。
在西方国家年龄是个敏感的问题。
old people一般不喜欢old这个词，对aged或aging更是反感。
这一方面表明西方人不服老，但另一方面西方社会随着年老带来一系列严重的问题，所以人们怕老，英语中称old people为the elderly就委婉得多，但elderly究竟比old好多少也很模糊。
于是又称the elderly senior citizens， golden agers venerable people不说old age，而说成venerable age或golden sunset age。
老年人退休后居住的公寓称为“retirement community for senior citizens”或干脆称为“Sun City”。
中英委婉语及其翻译方法
中英委婉语及其翻译方法On Chinese and English Euphemisms andTheir T ranslationI IntroductionThe word “euphemism”originates from Greek, “eu ”serves as prefix, with the meaning of “good, sounding good”, while the root “pheme” means “saying; speech”. So the whole word suggests “to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner”. According to Newman (1990.1), euphemism can be explained as “substituting an inoffensive or pleasant term for a more explicit, offensive one, thereby veneering the truth by using kind words”. For example, when talking about death, people would like to use “pass away, be no more; come to an end” rather than the blunt “death”. Based on this explanation, it will be not difficult for us to form the basic impression that euphemisms can avoid unpleasant word and create relatively positive atmosphere and glorifying sense.However, the reasonable use of euphemism is not an easy job. One has to understand something before using it correctly. And the euphemism device is more a cultural and psychological reflection in language than a more language use .In cultural field, the religion factor, legend factor, literature factor, custom factor and historical stories can all affect the precise understanding and using of euphemisms.Moreover, culture, as we all know, has its particular national features. That is to say, different countries have different culture tradition and heritage. And as language is the carrier of a nation’s culture, all the distinction in culture are reflected in thelanguage level. As the use of it has to be performed under the cultural instruction and consideration.At present, euphemism use, as one of the commonest phenomena in human language, has been deeply embedded in the language use. In the daily life and work, euphemism can lubricate and coordinate the interrelation among person to make the communication go on more smoothly. So it will not be exaggerated to emphasize euphemisms’import ance. Instead, as the improvement of social civilization, more and more euphemisms use will be adopted in language production. What’s more, the chance of communication between Chinese and foreigners is more frequent, during this process, it is quite important to know about the respective communication habits and cultural tradition in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding in both sides. So the authorwould like to say, it is of great value and practical instruction in cross-cultural communication to study this interesting language method-euphemism in terms of cultural intention between Chinese and English.II The Same Cultural Psychology of Euphemism Use in Chinese and English LanguageAlthough euphemism have an early origination, they hadn’t begun to appear in a wide range at a swift space until the modern times when the technology and productivity were improving constantly and the whole society and human kind were in a processing state. Just during this processing much taboo in social, psychological and language aspect has turned up constantly, which provided a good precondition for the booming of euphemism. Here, the article will further analyze the commoncultural elements in the use of euphemisms in Chinese and English from three different angles.2.1 Language T abooEither in highly civilized society or in the primitive tribes, there exist euphemisms. Either in widely used languages or in the languages of ethnic groups, there exist euphemisms. The earliest field of their uses is the addresses to the God or the ghost. Because at the early times, people’s knowledge about nature and science is lacking badly, then they had to own many mystic things to the influence of ghost or God. And they were so worshipping and horrified to this kind of super power that they began slowly to avoid mentioning then frankly and directly. Then taboo became the earliest euphemism.For example, in English-speaking countries, they are so devoted to the God that they use many other names for Jehovah, such as the Almighty, the Supreme being, Holy one the Eternal, the Maker, the Savior and the lord of lords and so on. In Chinese there are also many euphemisms due to taboo. Take the expression of death for example, the Chinese euphemisms for it includes:离去，不在了，走了，仙逝，骑鹤，涅磐，去西天，蝉蜕，崩，弃世，不戮，and so on.Of course there are many other fields where taboo is actively stimulating the use of various euphemisms. Generally speaking, both in Chinese and English, euphemisms in disease, sex, excretion, unemployment, poverty and old age are the most usual occasions to see them. Any language user should pay careful attention to the taboo culture, both home and abroad, either same or different or else, others may be badly offended while you still feel quite innocent. So it is better for language users to avoidunhappiness and go on more joyful conversation.2.2The Common Aesthetical ConceptAesthetical concept is a potential consciousness university owed by all the person in the society. Culturally speaking, it is cultivated gradually together with cult ure in people’s mind and in the wide environment of the whole society. So as long as one exists as a person in a social context, literate or illiterate, he is sure to hold some kind of most preliminary cultural concept in aesthetics.Due to communal aesthetics in the whole word, any kind of languages, Chinese or English, there must be similar euphemisms in such fields as birth, death, disease, sex, crime, professions, politics and so on. Especially on public occasions, words in terms of those fields are usually avoided to express in a frankly speaking way but in a veneering and encoring way, in order to lessen unpleasant factors and add joyful elements. Therefore, graceful and mild terms often appear in this content. Let’s read the following two groups of sentences.(a)He got venereal disease.他得过性病。
委婉语课文翻译
A euphemism is commonly defined as an auspicious or exalted term (like “sanitation engineer”) that is used in place of a more down-to-earth term (like “garbage man”). People who are partial to euphemisms stand accused of being “phony” or trying to bide what it is they are really talking about.And there is no doubt that in some situations the accusation is entirely proper. For example, one of the more detestable euphemisms I have come across in recent years is the term “Operation Sunshine,” which is the name the U. S. Government gave to some experiments it conducted with the hydrogen bomb in the South Pacific.It is obvious that the government, in choosing this name, was trying to expunge the hideous imagery that the bomb evokes and in so doing committed, as I see it, an immoral act. This sort of process — giving pretty names to essentially ugly realities — is what has given euphemizing such a bad name. And people like George Orwell have done valuable work for all of us in calling attention to how the process works. But there is another side to euphemizing that is worth mentioning, and a few words here in its defense will not be amiss.To begin with, we must keep in mind that things do not have “real” names, although many people believe that they do. A garbage man is not “really” a “garbage man,”more than he is a “sanitation engineer.” And a pig is not called a “pig” because it is so dirty, nor a shrimp a “shrimp” because it is so small. There are things, and then there are the names of things, and it is considered a fundamental error in all branches of semantics to assume that a name and a thing are one and the same. It is true, of course, that a name is usually so firmly associated with the thing it denotes that it is extremely difficult to separate one from the other. That is why, for example, advertising is so effective. Perfumes are not given names like “Bronx Odor,”and an automobile will never be called “The Lumbering Elephant.”Shakespeare was only half right in saying that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. What we call things affects how we will perceive them. It is not only harder to sell someone a “horse mackerel” sandwich than a “tuna fish” sandwich, but even though they are the “same” thing, we are likely to enjoy the taste of tuna more than that of the horse mackerel. It would appear that human beings almost naturally come to identify names with things, which is one of our more fascinating illusions. But there is some substance to this illusion. If you change the names of things, you change how people will regard them, and that is as good as changing the nature of the thing itself.Now, all sorts of scoundrels know this perfectly well and can make us love almost anything by getting us the charm of a name to whatever worthless thing they are promoting. But at the same time and in the same vein, euphemizing is a perfectly intelligent method of generating new and useful ways of perceiving things.The man who wants us to call him a “sanitation engineer” instead of a “gar-bageman” is hoping we will treat him with more respect than we presently do. He wants us to see that he is of some importance to our society. His euphemism is laughable only if we think that he is not deserving of such notice or respect. The teacher who prefers us to use the term “culturally different children” instead of “slum children”is euphemizing, all right, but is doing it to encourage us to see aspects of a situation that might otherwise not be attended to. The point I am making is that there is nothing in the process of euphemizing itself that is contemptible. Euphemizing is contemptible when a name makes us see something that is not true or diverts our attention from something that is. The hydrogen bomb kills. There is nothing else that it does. And when you experiment with it, you are trying to find out how widely and well it kills. Therefore, to call such an experiment “Operation Sunshine” is to suggest a purpose for the bomb that simply does not exist. But to call “slum children”“culturally different”‘is something else. It calls attention, for example, to legitimate reasons why such children might feel alienated from what goes on in school.I grant that sometimes such euphemizing does not have the intended effect. It is possible for a teacher to use the term “culturally different”but still be controlled by the term “slum children” (which the teacher may believe is their “real” name). “Old people”may be called “senior citizens,”and nothing might change. And “lunatic asylums” may still be filthy, primitive prisons though they are called “mental institutions.”Nonetheless, euphemizing may be regarded as one of our more important intellectual resources for creating new perspectives on a subject.The attempt to rename “old people”“senior citizens” was obviously motivated by a desire to give them a political identity; which they not only warrant but which may yet have important consequences。
英汉委婉语对比与翻译
英汉委婉语对比与翻译在日常生活中，为了避免直接表达某些事情而产生不必要的尴尬或者伤害，人们常常使用委婉语。
英语和汉语都有许多常见的委婉语，虽然表达方式不同，但背后的意思却大致相同。
一、拒绝邀请/请求英语中常用的委婉语有：1. Thank you for the invitation, but I won’t be able to make it.（谢谢你的邀请，但是我无法前往。
）2. I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline.（我感谢您的提议，但我必须婉言谢绝。
）3. I’m afraid I have other plans.（恐怕我有其他的安排。
）而汉语中则有：1. 不太方便。
（I am not convenient）2. 有点忙。
（I am a little busy）3. 后会有期。
（Catch up later）二、拒绝求助英语中的常用委婉语有：1. I’d love to help, but unfortunately I’m tied up at the moment.（我很想帮忙，但目前很忙。
）2. I’m sorry, I don’t think I can be of much help in this case.（抱歉，我觉得我对这个事情没有什么帮助。
）3. I appreciate your asking me, but I don’t think I’m the right person to help you.（感谢你向我求助，但我认为我不是合适的人选。
）而汉语中则有：1. 实在抱歉。
（I am really sorry）2. 我没有时间。
（I don't have the time）3. 非常抱歉，我不能帮您。
（I'm terribly sorry, I cannot help you.）三、让对方不要打扰英语中常用的委婉语有：1. I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well, so I need to rest.（抱歉，我不太舒服，需要休息。
日常英语表达委婉语（euphemism）
英语陷阱(1)He is a bicycle doctor.他是单车修理工.------------------------此句不能译作:"他是个骑单车的医生",因句中的doctor是委婉语(euphemism),是对某种职业的美称,故不作"医生"解,而是表示repair man的涵义.委婉语起源于远古,维多利来女王时代中期为其鼎盛时期,在现代英语中,其出现频率依然颇高,因为人们通过委婉语,可以用温顺悦耳的词语去谈论或叙述一些原来令人不快或逆耳之事物.为此,他们用domestic help,day help或live-in help代替mail或servant(佣人); 以custodian或superintendent替代doorkeeper,caretaker或janitor(看门人或管理人);用She has a tile loose或She has a cylinder missing去代替She is crazy或Sh is not right in the head(神经失常).委婉语多如恒河沙数,不胜枚举,在此略举数例,以见一斑:原称委婉语无线电修理工radio electrician radio doctor理发师barber cosmotologist妓女whore working girl/ street girl家庭妇女housewife household executive收垃圾工人garbage collector sanitary engineer老年old age second childhood老人old people senior citizens假牙false teeth dentures小解piss urinate/ number one最后请看几个委婉类例:Nowadays many weight-watchers would like to go to the gym.如今有不少胖人喜欢到健身房去锻炼.That luster has taken a fancy to Middle Eastern dancing.那个好色之徒现在开始喜欢肚皮舞.They are the culturally deprived.他们是没有学识的人.A libray of teaching materials for preventing teenage suicideswill open for educators in Hong Kong this year.今年香港将为教师开设一家图书馆以提供防止青少年自杀的教学资料.值得注意的是,委婉语虽然是"古已有之,于今为烈",但决不能用得过多过滥.使用时要考虑场合和对象,如用得不得体,反而会使你"欲礼而不达",甚至令人不知所云,一头雾水.英语陷阱(2)Y ou cannot be too careful.你要特别小心.----------------------------------------此句不能按字面译作:"你不能过分小心."因为cannot...too是个固定结构,其义为"无论如何...也不过分".如用英语阐述,上句相当于:Y ou should be as careful as possible. 我们在学习英语的时候,遇到这类实际意义与其字面意义大相径庭的句子,必须小心区别,正确地理解其涵义.下面请看几个类例:We cannot recommend this book too strongly.这本书很好,无论我们如何推荐也不过份.Y ou can't be too care ful in dong this experiment.在做这个实验时,你们愈仔细愈好.One cannot be too careful in matters like that.人们在处理这种事情时必须非常慎重.要注意的是,cannot...too有几个变体结构,我们可以用impossible,difficult等字去代替cannot;以enough,difficulty,sufficiently,exaggerate,to over-等字去替代too.下面的一些句子就是"cannot...too"结构的变体:I couldn't get home fast enough.我恨不得马上回到家里.Y ou cannot take sufficient care.你要特别小心.The importance of this session cannot be exaggerated.这次大会极为重要.No man can have too many friends.朋友愈多愈好.L.G.Alexander编著的"New Concept English"第二册其中一课"Do Y ou Call That a Hat?"中有这么一段风趣的夫妻对话,丈夫和妻子都用了这个句型的变体:"I find it beautiful," I said. "A man can never have too many ties.""And a woman can't have too many hats," she anwered."这条领带很漂亮,"我说道. "男人的领带愈多愈好.""女人的也是愈多愈好啊," 她答道.现在请读者将下面两个句子译成汉语:We cannot too strongly inculcate (or It would be impossible to over-estimate)the importance of more teacher training to deal with student problems andprevent teenage suicides in Hong Kong.The importance of the campaign against dogs in public housing estates inHong Kong cannot be exaggerated.英语陷阱(3)Do you know how to service this new-type machine?你知道怎樣維修這種新型的機器嗎?------------------------------------------------------------這一句不能譯作:"你知道怎樣使用這台新型的機器嗎?" 如要表達此義,應該說:Do you know how to seve this new-type machine?在現代英語里,出現了一種用名詞作動詞的傾向.例如:to paper one's room; to bottle the fruit; to bandage up a wound;to oil a machine; to position a factory near the town; to pressure him to do so等等. 然而, 某些名詞作動詞使用時, 與原有動詞的涵義有所不同,上面所述的to service和to serve的區別就是一個典型的例子.試對比下列各組詞的不同涵義:to power 為...提供動力to empower 為...授與權力to site 為...提供場所to situate 位于; 處于to package 給...打包裝箱(美語)to pack 給...包裝to loan 貸款to lend 出借;出租to decision 根據積分評定to decide 決定;判決應當在此指出, 把名詞作動詞使用時必須要符合一條准則,那就是在找不到適當的動詞表示涵義時,才能用名詞作動詞, 否則就是濫用.因此, 以to message代替to send a message to; 用to bill替代to charge to one's account; 以to signature 代替to sign或用to suspicion去替代to suspect老是不妥當的.然而,我們又應該注意到,在現代英語中, 把名詞作為動詞使用的現象是很普遍的,而且有日漸增多的傾向. 下面是一些從英美書刊中信手拈來的例子:Tom has his car serviced (=maintained) regularly.Mr. Smith has authored (=written) a book on AIDS.Y ou must pressure (=force) him to do it.Her dress is patterned upon (=made from) a Paris model.Dick is the man who used to partner Mary.Opposition to the war snowballed.We shall book through to Hong Kong.Don't fool away your time, my boy!Mr. Smith noons for half an hour every day.They have husbanded their farms very well.Students in Hong Kong can view a collection ofmore than 100 rare species of goldfish in the Ocean Park.讀者們不難從上面的例子看出,用名詞作動詞可以帶來一種新鮮感,能喚起人們的注意并給人們留下一個逼真生動的畫面.英语陷阱(4)I couldn't have got to Slough in time unless I'd had a helicopter.除非我有一架直升飛機, 否則我是不可能在那個時候趕到S地的.-----------------------------------------------------------一般的英語語法書和辭典都會談到, 連接詞unless的涵義和if...not相同,它們可以互換使用. 例如: I shan't go unless he asks me.等于I shan't go if he does not ask me. (Eckersley's A comprehensive English Grammar);Y ou will fail unless you work harder. 等于Y ou will fail if you do not work harder.(A.S. Hornby's The Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English).其實, 這樣的提法是不夠全面的, 因為存在著這么一個問題: unless和if...not是否在各種場合下都能互換使用呢? 現以上例--I couldn't have got to Sloughin time unless I'd had a helicopter. 為例來探討一下這個問題.此句引自國外報刊. 說話人被控犯了謀殺罪, 在法庭他自辯說:"發生此案時,我并不在S地, 而是在離S地几十里外的另一個小鎮上, 關于這點我可以提供人証......".接著他說道:"I couldn't have got to Slough in time unless I'd had a helicopter."如果遵照一般語法書所述的公式: unless=if...not, 將此句改作I couldn't have got toSlough in time if I'd not had a helicopter, 那會產生怎樣的后果呢? 若改作if...not,其涵義是: I did have a helicopter and I did get to Slough in time to commit the murder.顯而易見, 這并不是衽所想說的話. 國此, unless是在大多數場合下可與if...not互換使用, 但在某些場合里(例如在某些謂語動詞用虛擬語氣的句子里)卻不能相互置換,否則它們會產生截然相反的涵義.值得注意的是, unless用在虛擬語氣句中時, 存在著兩種可能性. 在某些句子中,它表示if...not的涵義, 可以和if...not互換使用. 例如:Unless you had lent me a hand, I should not have fulfilled my task.= If you had not lent me a hand, I should not have fulfilled my task.要不是你們來幫忙, 我是不可能完成任務的.然而, 在另一些場合里, unless并不是表示if...not的涵義, 而是表示近似于but...if的涵義.這時候, 可以改寫為but...if, 但決不能用if...not去替代. 例如, 衽在法庭上所說的那一句, 可以改寫為:I could not have got to Slough, but I could have got to Slough if I had had a helicopter.還有一點應當注意的是, unless句型和if...not句型具有沒的倏色彩和表達風格,前者是積極的說法, 態度明朗, 語氣有力; 后者是退一步的說法, 態度含糊, 語氣軟弱無力.現在, 你能否說出下列兩個句子的不同涵義?I should not expect their help unless they were my friends.I Should not expect their help if they were not my friends.英语陷阱(5)He is a good sailor.他不会晕船.----------------------------------------此句不能译作: "他是一个好水手." 如要表达此义,应该说: He is a skilled seaman.He is a good sailor. 的真正涵义是: He is not liable to seasickness.或He is seldom seasick in rough weather. 因此, a good sailor 的内涵是: "不会晕船".四十年代出版的一本《英汉四用辞典》把He is a good sailor.译作:"他是一个好水手,因为它没有把这个句子的真正涵义表达出来.下面是关于会晕船和不会晕船的两段对话:What kind of sailor are you?I'm a bad sailor.{或I'm not much of a sailor.}你晕不晕船?我会晕船的.Are you a good sailor?Y es, I'm a good sailor.你会晕船吗?我不会晕船.从上面的例句可看出, a bad sailor是a good sailor的相对语, 因此,它也不能照译作:"一个坏水手", 而应译作:"会晕船"或"容易晕船". 请再看下面几个例句: Lao Li is a bad teacher. (或Lao Li is not much of a teacher.)老李不善于教书.Hsiao Wang is a good learner.小王善于学习.John is a good thief.约翰的偷窃本领很高明.从上述例句可以看到, good和bad是表示"能力的大小"和"动作的特征",是用来指"航海", "教书", "学习", "偷窃"的动作特征, 而不是指人的道德品质而言,因此a good thief的内涵是someone who thieves well; a good learner的内涵是someone who learns well. 其余可以类推.英语有句名谚: A bad workman always blames his tools.(自己笨,怪刀钝)句中的bad也不是指workman的品德不好, 而是"笨手笨脚"的涵义.a bad workman是"能工巧匠"的反语, 可译作:"技艺差的工匠". 同理,a bad driver是"驾驶技术拙劣的司机"; a bad nurse是"不称职的护士".在其他场合里, "bad"还可能译为:"不胜任的", "令人不满意的", "差劲的".总之, bad和good的译法必须根据具体的场合和搭配词才能选定.[这个贴子最后由hicathy在2001/11/19 11:04pm 编辑]英语陷阱(6)Y ou are being insulting her!你是在故意侮辱她!---------------------------------这一句不能译作:"你现在在侮辱她!", 如要表达此意,应该说: Y ou are insulting her!为什么are being insulting会表示"故意侮辱"的涵义呢?在回答这个问题之前, 让我们先对比一下下列两句的不同涵义:1. She is kind.2. She is being kind.从表层的结构持, She is kind的语义是"她是和蔼的",从深层的结构看, is kind 是说明主语的特性的品质,其内在涵义是: "她平日待人一向和蔼可亲".She is being kind的表层语义是: "她现在是和蔼的",从深层结构看, being表示"目前"或"现在"的短暂涵义,它说明主体有意识进行的一个动作, 故其内在涵义为: "她平日待人并不和蔼,现在却故意装出一副和蔼可亲的模样". 在这种句型里,being的意义相当于"故意地"(purposely or intentionally)下面再举几个类例:They are being friendly.他们摆出一副友好的姿态.Tom is being polite.汤姆装出一副彬彬有礼的模样.Mary is being angry with me.玛丽对我装作发脾气的样子.Dick is being difficult.狄克故意在找别人的麻烦.They are being difficult.他们在故意作梗.HE is being naughty, isn't he?他是在故意捣蛋,是吗?"Mary, you're so pretty today""Y ou're just being polite.""玛丽,你今天真美.""你真会说话."最后一句的"Y ou're just being polite."是回答别人称赞的用语,相当于It's nice of you to say so, 故将其译作:"你真会说话."我們通過She is kind. 和She is being kind.的對比, 可以由此及彼, 舉一反三地想到:She is good (helpful, a fool, an angel, a nuisance...)不等于She is being good (helpful, a fool, an angel, a nuisance...)因為She is being good = She is behaving well.最后還需在此補充一句: 表示狀態的時候, "be"不能用于進行體. 例如, 我們不可以說: The Japanese sumo star Akebono is being fat.(只能說...is fat)英語陷阱(7)I don't know whether they are not here.我想他們可能會在這里.---------------------------------------乍然看來, 此句不難理解, 似乎是:"我不知道他們是否在這里",相當于I don't know wherther they are here or not. 實際上,這個句子并不是表示這個意思, 因為它是個特殊句型,故不能按照字面去理解和翻譯,其內涵相當于I think that they might be here. 正確的譯文如上.為什么我們說這是一個特殊的句型呢?在回答之前, 也讓我們先看兩個句子:They are here.他們在這里.(肯定形式的陳述句)Aren't they here?他們不在這里嗎?(近乎肯定的疑問句, 說話人的心目中認為他們在這里,這樣問, 只是想証實自己的想法無誤.)I don't know whether they are not here就是表示類似語義的一種句型.句中的I don't know并不是真正的不知道, 而是表示"沒有十足把握"或"未經証實"的意味, 其后的whether they are not here是近乎肯定的猜測內容, 故全句可譯作:"我想他們可能會在這里"."I don't know whether...not"和"I wonder whether ...not"都是同一種類型的特殊句型,老是用以表示說話人主觀看法或猜測的解釋句(a pattern ofinterpretation).現在請讀者將現在一段文章譯成漢語, 要注意whether...not所表達的內涵:Dr. Aline Wong, a Singapore Government minister, has made a new pitch forHong Kong people to migrate there after announcing that the number of Hongkongerswho have taken up permanent residence since July 1989 had reached about 4,700. Dr.Wong said Singapore and Hong Konghad much in common. Both had Dynamic economieswith modern infrastructures.Therefore, she wonders whether Hongkongers will not migrate to Singapore.英語陷阱(8)We should adopt an effective economy measure.我們應當采取一項有效的節約措施.-----------------------------------------------------此句不能譯作:"我們應當采取一項有效的經濟措施." 如要表達此義, 應該說:We should adopt an effective economic measure.在現在英語里, 用名詞代替形容詞或分詡作定語, 以修飾其后的名詞, 這種現象是很普遍的.例如用a luxury liner替代a luxurious liner(豪華的郵船)以a prestige scholar替代a prestigious scholar(有名望的學者)用race discrimination替代racial discrimination(種族歧視)以gold watch替代golden watch(金表)用lead ship替代leading ship(領艦)以launch pad替代launching pad(發射台)這種以名詞替代形容詞,分詞或動名詞的現象雖然已日趨普遍, 但決不能隨意濫用.因為在某些場合下, 用名詞作定語和用與其相應的形容詞作定語, 在涵義上是大不相同的, economy measure和economic measure就是一例, 前者是"節約措施"; 后者是"經濟措施".下面例句中的riot picket和riotous picket在涵義上也是大相徑庭. 請看:To put down the strike, the bosses have sent out a troop of riot pickets.為了鎮壓罷工, 老板們派出一隊防暴糾察.To put down the strike, the bosses have sent out a troop of riotous pickets.從例句可見, riot pickets和riotous pickets的涵義恰好相反. 請注意, riot的原義是"暴亂", "騷動", 但riot pickets 卻不譯作"暴動糾察", 而是譯為: "防暴糾察". 在英語里, 類似的例詞不少, 例如:gas mask 防毒面具(不譯作"毒氣面具")flu mask 衛生器皿(不譯作"流行性感冒口罩")fire engine 救火車(不譯作"點火機器")fire office 火災保險公司(不譯作"失火辦公室")fire wall 防火牆(不譯作"火牆")skid chain 防滑鏈(不譯作"滑鏈")lightning rod 避雷針(不譯作"閃電針")personnel mine 防步兵地雷(不譯作"人雷")mosquito bomb 滅蚊彈(不譯作"影子炸彈")順便在此指出, 在英語中還有另一種奇怪的現象, 即某些詞語同時兼有恰好相反的兩個意義. 例如:fireman既可表示"消防隊員"(fire fighter)的意思, 也可表示"伙夫"或"燒火工人"(a man who looks after the fire in a furnace or steam-engine). biweekly既可作"兩周一次"解,亦可作"一周兩次"解; occasionally既可表示"偶爾"之意, 亦可表示"時而"(now and then)之意.這時候, 我們只有根據上下文的情況去判定其義下面舉一個例子, 以說明英語中的"同詞反義"現象:It's terrific!這是美國人常說的口頭禪. 如用上海方言表達, 此語有"嚇壞人"和"瞎嗲"兩個截然相反的詞義.但在下列的對話中, 我們可以根據具體情景, 一望而知它是近乎上海話的"嗲"或北京話的"帥"和廣東話的"靚"."I'll see if my good suit fits me," said Ralph."Oh, I expect it will," said Martha. "I'll be terrific!"-----Writer's Review現在讓我們再回到本題所探討的economy和economic兩個詞.為了測試讀者是否已掌握這兩個字的區別和用法, 請在閱讀下列一段文章后,用一個正確的字眼(economy或economic)填入括弧中:In the past week, the US ( ) news could hardly have been better:brisk retail sales, a big jump in factory orders and even a significantdecline in the unemployment rate. With all these signs of an ( ) rebound,some might wonder why President Bill Clinton is gong ahead with a program togive the backsliding economy an extra shove -- a move that could add US $31 billion or so to a budget deficit already headed into the stratosphere.Y our little daughter was stood in the doorway.有人把你的小女儿放在门口。
英汉委婉语的对比与翻译
英汉委婉语的对比与翻译一、引言Euphemism一词源自希腊语，eu-是前缀，意思是“good”，词干-phemism 的意思是“saying ; speech”，合起来就是“good speech”（好听的话）。
Neaman 把euphemism定义为“substituting an inoffensive or pleasant term for a more e xplicit, offensive one, thereby veneering the truth by using kind words.”（用不冒犯人或令人愉快的词语去代替直率的、触怒人的词语，用好听的词语去掩饰事实）.牛津高阶英汉双解词典中对euphemism的定义是：“use of pleasant, mild or indirect words or phrases in place of more accurate or direct ones”（用愉快、温和、间接的词或词组替代直露、直接的词）.汉语中有与euphemism相对应的修辞格，一叫婉转或委婉语，即‘在说话时遇有伤感惹厌的地方，就不直说，只用委曲含蓄的话来烘托暗示’；二叫避讳格，即‘说话时遇有犯忌触讳的事物，便不直说该事物，却用旁及的话来回避掩盖或装饰美化。
’在实际使用中，无论是euphemism，还是婉曲、避讳都与各民族的民族心理、礼教规范、价值取向以及传统文化等因素密切相连。
了解委婉语产生的原因及其反映的不同文化,有利于加深我们对英汉语言与文化的认识,益于我们跨文化的顺利进行。
二、委婉语概述委婉语实际上是一种替代,即人们用比较婉转、文雅的话语来表达所忌讳的、不便直说的、粗俗的事物.英语和汉语中存在着大量的委婉语.通过对比分析这两种语言中有关年老、死亡、贫穷、职业等不同领域的委婉语可以看出,虽然委婉语是各种语言的普遍现象,但由于中西方的社会习俗、历史发展、文化传统、价值观念等诸多方面存在明显差异,反映到委婉语的使用及文化内涵也不尽相同,委婉语忠实地反映民族的文化特征.（一）委婉语的界定委婉语是指语言使用者考虑到社会变化、社会心理等冈素，为了避免对听者或读者造成伤害，避免听者或读者感到难听、可怕、痛苦、不吉利或失礼，而在言语行为中使用的一些温和的、令人感到愉快的、吉利的间接语言形式，以替代直接的、普通的甚至可能是粗俗的说法。
英语委婉语词典
英语委婉语词典收录了大量常用的英语委婉语，可以帮助读者了解英语语言中表达礼貌和避免冒犯他人的常用词汇和表达方式。
以下是一些常见的英语委婉语：
"deceased"：已故的，代替"dead"
"temporarily challenged"：有残疾的，代替"handicapped"
"differently abled"：有特殊能力的，代替"disabled"
"final resting place"：坟墓，代替"grave"
"ironing board"：铁板，代替"flat iron"
"weight-watcher"：减肥者，代替"obese person"
"WC"：洗手间，代替"toilet"
"charm offensive"：花言巧语，代替"lying"
"potting shed"：卫生间，代替"toilet"
"comfort station"：公共厕所，代替"public restroom"
以上仅是一些常见的英语委婉语示例，实际上英语委婉语的数量非常庞大，而且随着时代的变化和语境的不同，委婉语的用法也在不断变化。
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On the Translation of Euphemisms Between T wo Different CulturesEuphemism is an effective language expression that is created when people are intent to realize the expecting results in the social communication. It is widely used in all walks of life. The utility of euphemism not only meets the need of people in communication, but also plays an important role in coordinating human relationship with social relationship in the procedure of language communication. The functions of euphemism make people express idea more easily and make communication go more smoothly. This paper begins with the definition of euphemism, and points out that it has come in need of the life of social communication, and then uses substantial English language examples to analyze the five functions of English euphemism including functions of taboo, politeness, concealing, positive and praising. From the observation, it is understood that euphemism, especially English euphemism, can bring people to the successful process of social communication, and can beautify languages, which will ease people tense relationship with the indirect and concealing expressions. However, when it comes to its translation, there are several points that we should pay attention to.First, the English slang translation of euphemisms, slang euphemism in proportion is relatively large. The emergence of euphemism, often in life when people contacts, people appear awkward and hard to tell whether or easily hurt the feelings of the occasion, people consciously avoided a direct hit, but with more modest, yet elegant image of the word, twist express their views, opinions and emotions. This expression is frequently encountered in Chinese, and sometimes in English for the very same semantics with the same or similar expression. Thus making Translation, may be the same translationSecond, the English slang spell on gambling translation in English and Chinese languages, all with a swear, swear, swear to pray for the expression of stress, evil monks, dissatisfied with the hope that such emotional words. However, it is noteworthy that swear words have meaning, more often than not its literal meaning. Therefore, the translation should be used free translation approach. In the translation process, it is necessary to retain its original meaning, but also very different cultural backgrounds, according to foreign customs and language, translation adjustments; it can better meet their people's habits. From the following examples, you can glimpse the translation adjustment of the original slang.Third, the English language translation of vulgar slang phrase generally refers to the so-called vulgar insulting, rude words unbearablehuman ear, and its actual meaning is not expressed in its literal meaning. Its purpose is to use vulgar words to vent their discontent, worry, surprise and contempt, and so intense emotional protest. Therefore, the translation of such terms should be especially cautious and discreet.Euphemism is a kind of linguistic phenomena. Since different societies, different histories and cultures produce different euphemisms, euphemisms can reflect history, culture and customs of a nation from a unique angle. There are certain realistic meanings to the correct understanding the translation of euphemism and its usages. More figures of speech are used in English reports in order to enhance the literariness of sports games, like metaphor, euphemism, personification and exaggeration. Modern society, the original euphemism still in use, and because of new social problems continue to increase, the new euphemism is constantly generated. We should also notice the usage in them.关于两种文化委婉语中的翻译问题委婉语是人们在社会交际过程中,为了实现预期的交际效果而创造出的一种有效的言语表达方式。
委婉语的使用是一种普遍存在的现象,它广泛应用于社会各阶层以及各个领域,它不仅是人们在社交的需要,更是言语交际中协调人际关系和社会关系的重要手段。
它具有的社交功能使人们更能自如地表达思想,使交流轻松愉快的进行。
本文先从委婉语的定义出发,指出委婉语是适应社会交际生活需要而产生的,然后应用了大量的实例,结合特定的英语语境深入分析英语委婉语的五种社交功能,即:禁忌避讳功能,礼貌功能,掩饰功能,积极功能,褒扬功能。
通过分析, 我们进一步理解了委婉语, 尤其是英语委婉语,它用婉转含蓄的表达美化了语言,使人们的社交生活更为和谐。
但当谈到其翻译时，有几点我我们需要注意。
第一，英语俚语中关于委婉语的翻译，委婉语在俚语中所占的比重是比较大的。
委婉语的出现，往往是生活中人们交往时，出现使人难堪、令人难以启齿或易伤感情的场合，人们有意识回避直接触及，而是采用比较温和、文雅而又形象的语词，曲折地表达出自己的观点、看法和情感。
这种表达方式，在汉语中也是经常碰到的，而且有时中英文对于同一语义有着极相同或相似的表达方式。
因而在进行英汉互译时，可作同等的翻译第二，英语俚语中关于赌咒语的翻译在英汉两种语言中，都有用赌咒、发誓、祈誓来表达强调、僧恶、不满、希望等情绪的词语。
但是，值得注意的是，赌咒词语所表达的含义，往往不是其字面意思。
因此，在翻译时应采用意译的方式。
在翻译的过程中，既要保留其原来的意思，也要很据中外不同的文化背景和语言习惯，进行翻译上的调整，使其更符合本国人的习惯。
从以下实例中，可以窥其翻译中对原俚语的调整。
第三，英语俚语中粗俗语的翻译所谓粗俗语一般是指侮辱性的、不堪人耳的粗暴词语，它的实际意思并不是其字面所表达的意思。