Topic 16 the Passive and Active Voice in Translation.doc

Topic 16 the Passive and Active Voice in Translation 教学目的：掌握主、被动语态的译法教学重难点：英汉主、被动语态的相互转换教学方法：技巧讲解与翻译实例及实践相结合教学参考书：郭著章，《英汉互译实用教程》，武汉大学出版社，2003修订 版；常玉田，《经贸汉译英教程》，对外经济贸易出版社，2002；吕瑞昌，《汉英翻译教程》，陕西人民出版社，2001，等教学安排：2节课 1. The passive and active voice in English and Chinese The wide use of the passive is considered to be one of the outstanding features of the English language, especially in scientific works. Some linguists studied the passive sentences in English literary works and found that the doer of the action was not mentioned in 70-90% of them. While the Chinese are accustomed to not mentioning the doer. 例：As oil is found deep in the ground its presence cannot be determined by a study of the surface. Consequently, a geological survey of the underground rock structure must be carried out. If it is thought that the structure in a certain area contain oil, a drilling rig is assembled. … As the hole is being drilled, a steel pipe is pushed down to prevent the sides from falling in. If oil is struck a cover is firmly fixed to the top of the pipe and the oil is allowed to escape through a series of valves. 译：由于石油深埋地下，靠研究地面不能确定石油的有无。因此对地下岩层结构必须进行地质探测。如果认为某地区的岩层含石油，则在该处安装钻机。……当孔钻成时，放入钢管防止孔壁坍塌。如果发现石油，则在油管顶部紧固地加盖，使石油通过一系列阀门流出。 英语中，使用被动语态“大概”有下列几种理由：1. When the active subject is unknown or cannot be readily stated, 着重被动的动作； Theory must be combined with practice. 2. When the doer of the action is known but need not be mentioned, 不知道或无须说出动作的执行者； Visitors are requested not to touch the exhibits. 观众请勿触摸展品。 3. When the actor is emphasized for some special purpose, 突出动作的承受者（人或物） The three machines can be controlled by a single man. 这三台机器可以由一人单独操作。 4. When the passive structure is used as a stylistic device to avoid the incoherence of the structure shifting, 便于上下文的连贯。 John was a lawyer’s son and was destined to the bar. 约翰是律师的儿子，注定要当律师。 Examples: 1. Communications satellites are used for international living transmission throughout the world. 全世界都将通信