Version由于石油深埋地下.pptVIP

Chapter 12 The Passive Voice The wide use of passive voice is considered to be one of the outstanding features of the English language, especially in its scientific works. And the following is a typical example: 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 rocks in a certain area contain oil, a “drilling rig” is assembled. The most obvious part of a drilling rig is called “a derrick”.It is used to lift sections of pipe, which are lowered into the hole made by the drill. 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. Chinese Version: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”。钻机中最显眼的部件叫“井架”。井架用来吊升分节油管，把油管放入钻头打出的孔中。当孔钻成时，放入钢管防止孔壁坍塌。 如发现石油，则在油管顶部加盖，使石油通过一系列阀门流出。 In this short section of 14 predicate verbs, the passive accounts for 13. Generally speaking, English passive voice is preferable in the following cases: 1. When the active subject is unknown or cannot be readily stated, e.g. Rome was not built in a day. 2. When the actor (or doer of the action) is known but need not be mentioned, e.g. Visitors are requested not to touch the exhibits. 3. When the actor is emphasized for some special purpose, e.g. The three machines can be controlled by a single operator. 4.When the passive structure is used as a stylistic device to avoid the incoherence of structure shifting, e.g. John was a lawyer’s son and was destined to the bar. The passive voice in Chinese is less commonly used in comparison with the English on account of the flexible syntax of the Chinese language. Therefore, in dealing with E-C translation, we should avoid sticking to the original pattern and try to convert the passive voice into various Chinese