英语中大多数介词含义灵活,一词多义多用。除了一些常用短语已有译法外,大量介词需要从其基本意义出发,联系上下文加以灵活处理。下面简明地介绍几种基本译法。
(4)不译:不译或省略翻译是在确切表达原文内容的前提下使译文简练,合乎汉语规范,决不是任意省略某些介词。
①表示时间或地点的英语介词,译成汉语如出现在句首,大都不译。如:
There are four seasons in a year. 一年有四季。
Many water power stations have been built in the country.我国已建成许多水电站。
②有些介词如for(为了),from(从……),to(对……),on(在……时)等,可以不译。如:
The barometer is a good instrument for measuring air pressure.气压计是测量气压的好仪器。
The air was removed from between the two pipes.两根管子之间的空气已经抽出。
Answers to questions 2 and 3 may be obtained in the laboratory.问题2和3的答案可以在实验室里得到。
Most substances expand on heating and contract on cooling.
大多数物质热胀冷缩。
③表示与主语有关的某一方面、范围或内容的介词有时不译,可把介词的宾语译成汉语主语。如:
Something has gone wrong with the engine.这台发动机出了毛病。
Gold is similar in color to brass金子的颜色和黄铜相似。
Its never occurred to me that bats are really guided by their ears.我从未想到蝙蝠居然是靠耳朵引路的。
④不少of介词短语在句中作定语。其中of(……的)往往不译。如: