Unit 5
Techniques of Lexical Translation
词汇翻译技巧（下）
Section 1
Affirmative or Negative Expression 否定句翻译
Warming-up：
As some linguists have pointed out，every language has its peculiarities in negation．And there is indeed an important，though often neglected，difference between English and Chinese in negation．It is a difference in the way of thinking and in the mode of speaking．A close study of them may shed light on this discrepancy.
A：Are you not going tomorrow?
B：No，I’m not going．
我认为他不对
我想他不会来了
Please observe the opposite approaches to the same concept in the following examples:
affirmative -----Negative
We may safely say so.
我们这样说万无一失。
Negative---- affirmative
Don’t lose time in posting the letter.
赶快把这封信寄出去。
In Chinese，however，the above “no” should be rendered as“是的”，otherwise，it would cause confusion．Similarly，it is idiomatic to say“我认为他不对”，“我想他不会来了”in Chinese．In English，however，these ideas would be expressed as “I don’t think he is correct”，“I don’t think he will come”，with the negative put immediately after the subject of the main clause “I”．
Ⅰ，Negative Forms
From the above illustrations we may see clearly that what is affirmative in form in one language may often mean something negative in another. The Eastern and Western people think and speak quite differently. Some English words, phrases or sentences of affirmative expression may be transformed into Chinese ones of negative expression, or vice versa
It is very important for all of us to deal with the negative sentences in translating.
Therefore negation can be generally divided into complete negation, connotative negation， partial negation, double negation, , transferred negation, etc.
Complete Negation 完全否定.
Complete negation can be realized by negative words like no, not, none, never, nothing, nobody, nowhere, neither, nor; etc. Generally speaking, the scope of negation normally extends from the negative word to the end of the sentence.
i.e.
He is not a teacher.
他不是老师。
I'll never do so again.
我再也不这样做了。
2. Connotative Negation 内涵否定的翻译.
In English, although there are a lot of words, phrases and structures which have no negative words like no or not, they are still negative in meaning. There are also some English words or phrases, remaining negative, though they have no negative affixations or words, such as hardly, scarcely, seldom, barely, few, little, fail, without, beyond, until, unless, lest, ignorant, refrain, refuse, neglect, absence, instead of, other than, except, rather than. etc. This kind of construction or situation is called connotative negation. It is very important for us to be familiar with connotative negation while we translate them
i.e. I am short of
money
3. Partial Negation部分否定.
In general, some English indefinite pronouns and adverbs are partially negative in meaning, including some, somebody, something, somewhere, somewhat, sometimes, etc. Here is one example: Some teachers are not experienced. Its translation "部分教师缺乏经验"shows us that the sentence is partially negative because some of the teachers are not experienced, not the whole although there is a negative word not. When we touch upon these words in translation, we should really know the deep meaning. Besides, we should pay attention to some special constructions.
4. Double Negation双重否定的翻译
Double negation refers to the form in which there are two negative words,
i.e. He did it not without reason.
他这样做不无理由.
5 Transferred Negation否定转移
In English, transferred negation refers to a kind of grammatical phenomenon that negative particles may be transferred from one place to another.
As you know, affirmative and negative sentences exit in both English and Chinese. In translating, very often the affirmative and the negative can be converted into each other because of expressive and smooth needs. We translators sometimes have to consider conversion between the affirmative and negative on account of the different ways of thinking in both English and Chinese. It is also an important technique in translating.
When translated into Chinese, these negative words should be readjusted according to different context. And the following are various cases of negation in English-Chinese translation.
Ⅱ，Negation in English-Chinese Translation
1. Affirmative in English, but Negative in Chinese
2．Negative in English，but Affirmative in Chinese。
3.Same English Word, with Either Affirmative or Negative Equivalents in Chinese
4.Double Negative For Emphasis
5. Roundabout Affirmative
6.Transferred Negation否定转移
1. Affirmative in English, but Negative in Chinese
Such cases are found in a wide range of expressions: words of different parts of speech, various phrases, or sentences structures.
i.e.
Such a chance was denied to me
我没有得到这样一个机会。
Time is what we want most, but what, alas, many use worst.
时间是我们最缺少的，但可叹之至，偏偏许多人最不善于利用。
·I have read your article．I expect to meet an older man． (adj．)
拜读了你的大作，没想到你这样年轻。
·It was beyond his power to sign such a contract．(prep．)
他无权签订这种合同。
The guerrillas would rather fight to death before they surrendered．(conj．)
They feel great anxiety about his sickness．(n．)
The lecturer spoke above the heads of his audience．(preposition)
I‘m at my wit’s end to keep this child quiet．(phrase)
The mother said she would let off her son washing the dishes if he could finish his assignment before supper．(phrase)
If it worked once，it c
an work twice．(sentence)
In-class Exercise
It escapes your notice that she has changed so much.
Her name escapes me
At the news of his father’s death, he remained quiet for several days
Despite the danger, she remained calm
2．Negative in English，but Affirmative in Chinese。
This is just opposite to the previous case．
i.e.
The doubt was still unsolved after his repeated explanation． (v.)
虽经他—再解释，疑团仍然存在。
He carelessly glanced through the note and got away．(adv．)
他马马虎虎地看了看那张便条就走了。
All the articles are untouchable in the museum．(adj．)
博物馆内一切展品禁止触摸。
Some people can eat what they like and get no fatter． (adj．)
He manifested a strong dislike for his father’s business．(n．)
·Such flight couldn’t long escape notice．(sentence)
In-class Exercise
Nothing escapes your attention.
3.Same English Word, with Either Affirmative or Negative Equivalents in Chinese
i.e.
I’m new to the work．
这工作我是生手。(这工作我不熟悉。)
He is free with his money．
他花钱大手大脚。(他花钱从不吝啬。)
He realized that he was in trouble．
他意识到遇到麻烦了。(他感到自己的处境不妙。)
The station is no distance at all．
车站近在咫尺。(车站一点儿也不远。)
The works of art were left intact，the money gone．
艺术品还在，钱却不翼而飞。(艺术品原封未动，钱却不翼而飞。)
The criminal is still at large．
罪犯还未捉拿归案。(罪犯仍旧逍遥法外。
4.Double Negative For Emphasis
Double negative in English，as in Chinese，is used for emphasis．In this case we may either drop both the negative words or keep to the original，depending on which version is more idiomatic in Chinese．
i.e.
There is no rule that has no exception．
任何规则都有例外。
There is not any advantage without disadvantage．
有一利必有一弊。
It never rains but it pours．
不雨则已，雨必倾盆。
·It is impossible but that man will make some mistakes．
人不会不犯错误。
·I am not reluctant to accept your proposal．
你的建议我愿意接受。
Its significance and importance can never be overemphasized．
它的意义和重要性，不管怎样强调，也不算过分。
5. Roundabout Affirmative
This is an indirect way of expressing a strong affirmative, and when translated into Chinese, the emotion of the original should be properly kept.
i.e.
He didn’t half like the girl.
他非常喜欢那姑娘。
I couldn’t feel better.
我觉得身体好极了。
I couldn’t agree with you more.
我太赞成你的看法了。
He can’t see you quick enough.
我很想尽快和你见面。
6.Transferred Negation否定转移
In English, transferred negation refers to a kind of grammatical phenomenon that negative particles may be transferred from one place to another. W
e should notice that the negative word is generally put in the main clause in English, but in translation, we, in fact, transfer the negative word in the subordinate clause in Chinese.
An Example for Transferred Negation
Why do you teach? My friend asked the question when I told him that I didn't want to be considered for an administrative position. He was puzzled that I did not want what was obviously a "step up" toward what all Americans are taught to want when they grow up: money and power.
我告诉一位朋友我不想谋求行政职务时，他向我提出这样一个问题：你为什么要教书呢?美国人受的教育是长大成人后应该去追求金钱和权力，而我却偏偏不朝这个方向“发展”，这使他大惑不解。
Certainly (1)I don't teach because teaching is easy for me. Teaching is the most difficult of the various ways I have attempted to earn my living: mechanic, carpenter, writer. For me, teaching is a red-eye, sweaty- palm, sinking-stomach profession. Red-eye, because I never feel ready to teach no matter how late I stay up preparing. Sweaty-palm, because I'm always nervous before I enter the classroom, sure that I will be found out for the fool that I am. Sinking-stomach, because I leave the classroom an hour later convinced that I was even more boring than usual.
当然，①我之所以教书并不是因为做教师轻松。为了谋生，我做过各种各样的工作：机修工、木工、作家，可教书是最难的行业。就我而言，教书是个令人熬红眼睛、手掌出汗、精神沮丧的职业。说它是熬红眼睛的职业，是因为我晚上无论备课到多晚，总觉得准备得不够充分；说它是令人手掌出汗的职业，是因为我进教室前总是紧张不已，认为学生会发现我原来是个笨蛋；说它是令人精神沮丧的职业，是因为我走出教室1小时后，仍觉得这堂课上得比平常还要平淡无味。
(2)Nor do I teach because I think I know answers, or because I have knowledge I feel compelled to share. Sometimes I am amazed that my students actually take notes on what I say in class!
②我之所以教书，不是因为我认为自己能够解答问题，也不是因为我满腹经纶，非得与他人分享不可。有时，学生竟把我课上讲的东西做了笔记，这令我感到很惊异!
注：选自《大学英语》V．3．p46，上海外语教育出版社，1997。
Notes: In the short passage, there are two places where transferred negation is used. In sentence (1), "don't" does not negate the main clause, rather it negates the subordinate clause "because teaching is easy for me". In sentence (2), instead of negating the main clause "do I teach", "nor" actually negates because-clause.
Ⅲ.Negation in Chinese-English-Translation
Negation as an effective technique is also adopted in Chinese-English translation. The conversion between the negative and
the affirmative in Chinese-English translation is generally based on the following three consideration.
1. Negation According to Usage
2. Negation for Emphasis or Rhetorical Effect
3. Negation to Convey Exactly the Original Meaning
4.Double Negative For Emphasis
1. Negation According to Usage
i.e.
在他还没来得及阻拦我之前，我已经跑出教室。
Before he could stop me, I had rushed out of the classroom.
俗话说你，“男儿有泪不轻弹，皆因未到伤心处”嘛。
As the saying goes, “Men only weep when deeply hurt.”
白茫茫的大地，除了呼呼的北风外，没有一点儿声响。
Except for the howl of the north wind, all was still in the snow-mantled ground.
2. Negation for Emphasis or Rhetorical Effect
i.e.
这个惨痛的历史教训，我们全党同志一定要永远记取，引以为鉴。
No comrade in the party must ever forget this biter lesson and we must all take warning from it.
我们讨论问题时，不能忘记这些基本观点。
These basic concepts must be kept in mind in our discussion.
党的十六大充分表明我们党兴旺发达，后继有人。
The 16th party congress fully demonstrates that our party is flourishing and has no lack of successors.
3. Negation to Convey Exactly the Original Meaning
i.e.
到目前为止，该组织辜负了世界人民所寄予的希望。
This organization has not, so far, justified the hopes which the people of the world in it.
正如没经历过大事的人一样，他是经不起成功也经不起失败的。
Like those of little experience, he was easily elated by success and deflated by failure.
我找老王说句话，马上就回来”
“Just to have a word with Wang . I won’t be long!”
4.Double Negative For Emphasis
i.e.
子曰：“不患人之不己知，患不知人也。”
The Master said, (the good man) does not grieve that other people do not recognize his merits. His only anxiety is lest he should fail to recognize theirs.
名不正则言不顺，言不顺则事不成，
If language is incorrect, then what is said does not concord with what was meant; and if what is said does not concord with what was meant, what is to be done cannot be effected.
我想：希望本无所谓有，无所谓无。
I thought: hope cannot be said to exist, nor can it be said not to exist.
In-class Exercise
讨论以下句子的两种译法。它们各有什么特点?你选择哪一种?为什么?
1．无论何处铝在自然界总是以化合的形式存在着。
a．Aluminum is always found combined in nature．
b，Aluminum is nowhere to be found uncombined in nature
2．自然界中的作用力，必定要牵涉到两个或两个以上的物体。
a． There it never a force acting in nature unless two or more bodies are involved．
b．Every force acting in nature must involve at least two bodies
3．所有机器在运转时都要损失能量。
a，There is no machine but will lose energy w
hen in motion．
b All machines will lose energy when in motion．
Conclusion
Ι .Negative forms
1) Complete Negation(完全否定). : no, not, none, never, nothing, nobody, nowhere, neither, nor;
2) Connotative Negation (内涵否定的翻译 ):
hardly, scarcely, seldom, barely, few, little, fail, without, beyond, until, unless, lest, ignorant, refrain, refuse, neglect, absence, instead of, other than, except, rather than.
3) Partial Negation(部分否定 ): not every, not all, not both, not much, not many, not always.
4) Double Negation(双重否定的翻译 ),
5) Transferred Negation (否定转移 )
Ⅱ，Negation in English-Chinese Translation
1. Affirmative in English, but Negative in Chinese
Such cases are found in a wide range of expressions: words of different parts of speech, various phrases, or sentences structures.
2．Negative in English，but Affirmative in Chinese。
3.Same English Word, with Either Affirmative or Negative Equivalents in Chinese
4.Double Negative For Emphasis
5. Roundabout Affirmative
Ⅲ.Negation in Chinese-English-Translation
1. Negation According to Usage
2. Negation for Emphasis or Rhetorical Effect
3. Negation to Convey Exactly the Original Meaning
4.Double Negative For Emphasis
Assignment:
1．他穷得养不起老婆。
2。他无官一身轻
3．巧妇难为无米之炊。
4．他决不会做这样的事。
5. 他的 作文真是无以伦比。
1. He is too poor to keep a wife.
2. Happy is the man who is relieved of his official duties.
3. One can’t make bricks without straw.
4. He is the last man to do such things.
5. His composition is beyond compare