英语翻译中12个典型的中国式错误(上)
日期:2009-07-24 14:02

(单词翻译:单击)

1. 这个价格对我挺合适的。

误:The price is very suitable for me.

正:The price is right.

提示:suitable(合适的、相配的)最常见的用法是以否定的形式出现在告示或通知上,如:下列节目儿童不宜。The following programme is not suitable for children.

2. 你是做什么工作的呢?

误:What's your job?

正:Are you working at the moment?

提示:what's your job这种说法难道也有毛病吗?是的。因为如果谈话对象刚刚失业,如此直接的问法会让对方有失面子,所以要问:Are you working at the moment?(目前您是在上班吗?)接下来才问:Where are you working these days?(目前您在哪儿工作呢?)或者What line of work are you in?(您从事哪个行业呢?)

3. 用英语怎么说?

误:How to say?

正:How do you say this in English?

提示:How to say是在中国最为泛滥成灾的中国式英语之一,这绝不是地道的英语说法。同样的句子有:How do you spell that please?(请问这个词如何拼写?)How do you pronounce this word?(请问这个单词怎么读?)

4. 明天我有事情要做。

误:I have something to do tomorrow.

正:I am tied up all day tomorrow.

提示:用I have something to do来表示很忙,这也完全是中国式的说法。因为每时每刻我们都有事情要做,躺在那里睡大觉也是事情。所以可以说我很忙,脱不开身:I'm tied up。还有其它的说法:I can't make it at that time. I'd love to, but I can't, I have to stay at home.

5. 我没有英文名。

误:I haven't English name.

正:I don't have an English name.

提示:许多人讲英语犯这样的错误,从语法角度来分析,可能是语法功底欠缺,因为have在这里是实义动词,而并不是助动词。所以,这句话由肯定句变成否定句要加助动词。例如:我没有钱;I don't have any money.

6. 我想我不行。

误:I think I can't.

正:I don't think I can.

提示:汉语里说“我想我不会”的时候,英语里面总是说“我不认为我会”。以后在说类似的英语句子的时候,只要留心,也会习惯英语的表达习惯的。

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