英汉对比研究第8章抽象与具体.docVIP

第八章 抽象与具体 (Abstract vs．Concrete) 英语的名词化往往导致表达的抽象化。G．M．Young曾指出，“an excessive reliance on the noun at the expense of the verb will，in the end，detach the mind of the writer from the realities of here and now, from when and how and in what mood the thing was done．and insensibly induce a habit of abstraction, generalization and vagueness．” 英语的抽象表达法(method of abstract diction)主要见于大量使用抽象名词。这类名词涵义概括，指称笼统，覆盖面广，往往有一种“虚”、“泛”、“暗”、“曲”、“隐”的“魅力”，因而便于用来表达复杂的思想和微妙的情绪。如： 1)The signs of the times point to the necessity of the modification of the system of administration．(“Times”)( =It is becoming clear that the administrative system must be， modified) 管理体制需要改革，这已越来越清楚了。 2)No year passes now without evidence of the truth of the statement that the work of government is becoming increasingly difficult．(“Spectator”)(=Every year shows again how true it is that…) 行政管理工作已变得越来越困难了，每年都证明确实如此。 3)There seems to have been an absence of attempt at conciliation between rival sects．(“Daily Telegraph”)( =The sects seem never even to have tried mutual conciliation) 对立的派别似乎从来就没有试图去谋求和解。 抽象表达法在英语里使用得相当普遍，尤其常用于社会科学论著、官方文章、报刊评论、法律文书、商业信件等文体。这种表达法得以流行，还有以下几个主要原因： 一、抽象思维被认为是一种高级思维(superior mind)，是文明人的一种象征(mark of civilized man)．随着科学技术的发达和文明社会的进步，原有的感性表达方式已不足以表达复杂的理性概念，因而需要借助于抽象、概括的方法。这正如H．Jacobi所说的：‘‘abstract methods of diction were more and more needed as the sphere of ideas to be expressed became narrower and narrower．” 此外，许多作者为了显耀其思想深奥而故弄玄虚、追随时尚，也嗜好抽象表达法。例如： 1)The absence of intelligence is an indication of satisfactory developments．(=No news is good news) 没有消息即表明有令人满意的进展。 2)Was this the realization of an anticipated liability?(=Did you expect you would have to do this?) 你有没有预料到你必需做这件事? 3)The actual date of the completion of the purchase should coincide with the availability of the new facilities．(=The purchase should not be completed until the new facilities are available) 必须等到有了这些新设备，才能购买这批货。 4)A high degree of carelessness, pre-operative and post-operati