[背景]由于英汉两种语言有着不同的表达习惯,我们在翻译一些常见的短语(联合式)时,要注意一个搭配的顺序问题。例如英语的track and field,track是“跑道,径赛”,“field”是“场地,田赛”,而汉语的习惯表达与之相反,通说为“田径”。
[目标]掌握一些更符合英文表达习惯的用法,在翻译和写作的时候力求准确而达意。
[攻略]I 顺序相同
1)up and down:上上下下,起伏地
The boat bobbed up and down in the water
那只小船在水中颠簸。
2)more or less:或多或少,有点儿
He more or less thought it was his duty to tell me.
他或多或少认为告诉我是他的责任。
3)rock and roll:摇滚乐
4)deaf and dumb:又聋又哑
5)heart and soul:全心全意地,满腔热情地
He devoted himself heart and soul to his work.
他全心全意地致力于工作。
6)day and night:日日夜夜,夜以继日
7)husband and wife:夫妻,夫妇
They have lived together as husband and wife for years.
他们结为夫妇共同生活了很多年。
8)black and white:(指电影、电视、照片等)黑白
I changed my black and white television for a color set.
我把黑白电视机换成了一台彩色的。
9)black and blue:青一块、紫一块的
10)wax and wane:(力量或重要性)兴衰,盛衰
Throughout history em pires have waxed and waned.
历史上各个王朝均有兴衰。
11)home and abroad:国内外,海内外
Mount Tai attracts many tourists from home and abroad.
泰山吸引了许多海内外游客。
12)Ladies and gentlemen:女士们、先生们(用在发言的开始,虽然有时汉语也会说:“先生们,女士们”,但英语习惯始终是“ladies”在前面。)
13)from head to foot/toe:从头到脚,全身
The children were covered in mud from head to toe.
孩子们满身沾满了泥。
14)the First/Second World War:
第一次/第二次世界大战(也可以表示为World War I和World War II)
15)from first to last:自始至终,一贯
16)science and technology:科学技术,科技
Science and technology can reproduce productivity.
科学技术是第一生产力。
Qinghua Science and Technology Park 清华科技园
17)总书记:general secretary(不过“总领事”是“consul general”,“总司令”是“commander in chief”,另外“secretary general”为“秘书长”。)
II 顺序不同
1)东南西北:north,south,east and west(注:这类顺序一定要注意区别,尽管汉语有时也说“东西南北”。此外东北、东南、西北、西南的英语表达为northeast, southeast,northwest和southwest。注意单词里前后方位的英汉顺序不同。)
2)左右:right and left
3)身心健康:be sound in m ind and body
4)衣食住行:food,clothing,shelter,and transportation
5)你我他:you,he and I
6)救死扶伤:heal the wounded and rescue the dying
7)back and forth:前前后后,来来回回地
He paced back and forth in his room.他在房间里来回踱步。
8)(in)black and white:白纸黑字(书写的或印刷的)
I want the contract in black and white.我要这项合同见诸文字。
9)sweet-and-sour pork chop:酸甜排骨(不过有时也说糖醋排骨);酸辣汤:hot and sour soup
10)by/in twos and threes:三三两两地