考研英语主观题40分攻略(11)
来源:北航出版社
2008-10-03 00:25
二、冠词的翻译
英语中有定冠词和不定冠词两种,在语法上它们虽属小词,但不可轻视。在研究生英语入学考试中,考生对冠词的误译是屡见不鲜的。原因就在于冠词用法复杂多变,习惯用语多,很难用一两条语法规则对其加以概括。通过对多年来考研试题的分析,我们总结出以下几点,并以具体实例分析:
1.有无定冠词的差异
(1)out of question没问题,毫无疑问;out of the question不可能
(2)in front of在……前面(指在某一范围外);in the front of在……前面(前头,前排)(指在某一范围内)
(3)go to hospital/school/church/college去医院(看病)/去上学/去教堂祷告/上大学;go to the hospital/school/church/college去这个(那个)医院,学校,教堂,大学
(4)in charge of负责,照料;in the charge of由……负责,由……照料,受照料
(5)in possession of拥有;in the possession of归……所有;被……所拥有
(6)by day在白天;by the day按日(计酬等)
(7)at table在吃饭;at the table在桌旁
(8)by the way顺便问一下;by way of经由……,通过……的方式
(9)four of us我们中四人(不只四人);the four of us我们四人(只有四人)
(10)the manager and engineer经理兼工程师;the manager and the engineer经理和工程师
(11)matter物质;the matter事情
(12)in case of以防;in the case of就某人或某事而言
下面举几个这方面的例子:
【例1】The fugitives traveled by night and rested by day.
译文:逃亡者夜行昼伏。
He has a part-time job which is paid by the day.
译文:他有一份按日计酬的兼职工作。
【例2】Four of us will fly to New York.
译文:我们中间有四人将飞往纽约。
The four of us will stay here.
译文:我们四人将留在这儿。
【例3】This supermarket is in the charge of Mr.Jones.
译文:该超市由琼斯先生负责。
Mr.Jones is in charge of this supermarket.
译文:琼斯先生负责管理这个超市。
2.有无不定冠词的差异
(1)have a word with sb.和某人谈话;have word of sb.有某人的消息
(2)a beauty美人;beauty美,美丽
(3)a master一位专家;master专家,大师
(4)a woman with a child带着一个小孩的妇女;a woman with child怀孕的妇女
【例1】He was so obstinate that no one would like to have a word with him.
译文:他这人太犟了,大家都不愿意跟他说话。
Do you have word of him?
译文:你有他的消息吗?
【例2】He was master of the situation.
译文:他把局势控制住了。
He is a master of painting.
译文:他是个油画专家。
【例3】Take an umbrella in case of rain.
译文:带把伞去,以防下雨。
Poverty depresses most people;in the case of my father,it was otherwise.
译文:贫穷使大多数人沮丧,但就父亲来说,情况却不一样。
3.定冠词与不定冠词的用法差异
(1) at the end最后;at an end结束,终结
(2)at the time当时,当……的时候;at a time每次
(3)in a way在一定程度上;in the way挡住,碍事
(4)for a moment片刻;for the moment目前,暂时
【例1】Were happy living in a flat for the moment,but we may want to move to a house soon.
译文:目前我们住单元房很满足,不过不久我们也许想住个独门独院的房子。
The old man rested for a moment and then labored along against the wind.
译文:老人休息了一会儿,又迎着风艰难地向远方走去。
【例2】He is always in the way whether I am busy or not.
译文:不管我是忙是闲,他总是碍我的事。
The changes are an improvement in a way.
译文:这些变化从某种意义上说是一种进步。