1、Translation of EST (English for Science and Technology ),Formation of English Technical Terms,In terms of form, English technical terms may be classified into three categories, namely, single words (e.g. robot 机器人，Internet 因特网)，compound forms (e.g. feedback 反馈，splashdown 溅落，etc.)，and phrases (e.g. o
2、n-and-off-the road 路面越野两用的，anti-armored-fight-vehicle-missile 反装甲车导弹).,1. Proper Nouns有的纯属专业词汇，特点是含义精确明晰，概念单一狭窄，有统一的标准译法，翻译时译者不可任意自取他法。hypophysis 脑下垂体diatom 硅藻chloride 氯化物electrode 电极psychopathology 精神病理学cosine 余弦cosmogonist 宇宙净化论者,有的英语专业词汇属于通用型词汇，广泛应用于不同的专业，在不同专业中往往有不同的意义。Matrix生物学： 子宫、母体、基质、牙床地质学：
3、 基质、班晶、脉石数学： 矩阵、命题函数印刷业：字模、纸型医学： 型片、基片摄影学： 浮雕片语言学： 主句、独立句Mouse: 日常生活：老鼠 计算机： 鼠标,The queen has wings for a time, and one day she flies away with a winged male. The male dies soon afterwards, but the queen, without her wings, finds a good place for her new nest and begins to lag eggs there. Worker ant
4、s will feed her and protect the eggs, and they will built as big and as safe a home as they can.雌蚁在一段时间内是有翅膀的，并且会在某一天和一只长有翅膀的雄蚁飞走。这只雄蚁不久以后死去，而这只已没有翅膀的雌蚁则找一个好地方作为她的新窝，并在那里产卵。工蚁会去喂养她，并对那些卵加以保护，而且尽其所能来建立一个又一个大而安全的家。原文中的the queen不是指“女王”，而指“蚁后”或“雌蚁”，同样male不能译成“男性”，须依照上下文译为“雄蚁”， to lag eggs 不译成“生蛋”，而得译成“产
5、卵”。可见科技翻译中不能见字就译，须在理解原文基础上，根据文字的行业特点，进行准确的传译。,The proper nouns also include names of people, places, firms, trade marks, organizations, etc. , normally beginning with a capital letter. Transliteration is the usual way in translating these proper nouns. Sometimes, a label to the corresponding transla
6、tion is necessary to indicate the nature of the given words.Xerox 静电复印（derived from a trademark施乐复印机）IBM system IBM系统 （derived from a US corporation）,2. Conversion 转化法词性转化ferment：n. “酵素”，转化为v.“发酵”coralline: adj. “珊瑚的，珊瑚色的，珊瑚状的”转化为n. “珊瑚虫（类植物）”、“珊瑚藻科植物”,3. Affixation 派生法/缀合法Affixation is an important
7、 means of coining new English words and technical terms, with prefix and suffix as inseparable elements of the words being coined.通过加前缀或后缀构成另一个词e.g.bio- 生命、生物 thermo- 热electro- 电 carbo- 碳hydro- 水 aero- 空气-aholics 热、狂 shopaholics 即购物狂 -ite 矿物,前缀：micro- “微小的”microcomputer microelectronics microfilm微型计
8、算机 微电子学 微缩胶卷microbiology microchip microcosm微生物学 微晶片 微观世界前缀 astro- “关于（星球、天体、宇宙、太空的）”astrology astronaut astrophysics占星术 宇航员 天体物理学后缀 -craft “运载器”spacecraft hovercraft aircraft航天飞机 气垫船 飞机后缀 -ics “学、技艺、性质”linguistics physics electronics acrobatics语言学 物理学 电子学 杂技,miniultrasonicprober =mini + ultra + son
9、ic + prober 微型超声波金属探测器macrospacetransship =macro + space + trans + ship巨型空间转运飞船teletypesetter = tele + type + setter电传排字机bathythermograph = bathy + thermo + graph海水测温仪,4. Compounding 复合法Two or more words combined to form a new word is called compounding.English technical terms formed by compounding
10、generally take three forms: Combining with a hyphenDew-point pulse-scaler露珠 脉冲定标器 Combining without a hyphenfallout hovercraft waterlock thunderstorm放射性尘埃 气垫船 水闸 雷暴, two or more separate words forming a word combinationStem cell optical drive 干细胞 光驱satellite antimissile observation system卫星反导弹观察系统,5
11、. Blending 缩合法This is a variant of compounding, omitting the latter part of the first word and clipping off the first part of the second word. Sometimes, however, either the first part or the second part of the overlapped word may be clipped to form a new word. This blending of words generally posse
12、sses the combined meaning of both; therefore, literal translation is used in translating such terms, with one element modifying the other.通过合成与缩略的手法，将几个被截短的词合并成一个新词。,telecom=telephone + conference 电话会议firex= fore + extinguishing equipment 灭火设备info-port= information + port 信息港blog= web + log博客brunch=
13、 breakfast + lunch早午餐,gravisphere = gravity + sphere引力范围medicare = medical + care医疗保健 netizen = net + citizen网民 smog = smoke + fog 烟雾 telex = teleprinter + exchange 电传,6. Acronyms 首字母缩略法An acronym is a word formed from the initials or other parts of several words. Acronyms are widely accepted to coi
14、n English technical terms. With the rapid development of science and technology, more and more acronyms are being extensively used in various fields. Simple and brief, acronyms sometimes tend to cause ambiguity in meaning. Therefore, it is up to the translator to discern their actual meaning in diff
15、erent contexts.,AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome艾滋病（获得性免疫缺陷综合症 ）DINK: double income, no kids双收入无子女家庭 / 丁克家庭GSV: guided space vehicle制导宇宙飞船GPRS: General Packet Radio Service 通用分组无线业务,GPS： global positioning system全球定位系统SARS: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome严重急性呼吸道综合ATM: Automatic Teller Mac
16、hine 自动取款机UFO: Unidentified flying object不明飞行物LASER ：light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation激光 / 镭射,BBS: Bulletin board service电子公告牌服务 CPU: central processing unit 中央处理器 CPA: Certified public accountant注册会计师 SCI：science citation index科学引文索引 SOHO：Small office, home office 居家办公DVD：digi
17、tal video disc 数字激光视盘,Sometimes, an acronym happens to be an actual English word, or it may possess more than one meaning. In this case, special attention should be paid to pick out the right equivalent in Chinese.SALT：Strategic Arms Limitation Talks限制战略武器会谈MOUSE: minimum orbital unmanned satellite
18、of the earth不载人的最小人造地球卫星AS: air speed 空速，气流速度 air station 航空站 American Standard 美国标准 atmosphere and space 大气层与宇宙空间 automatic sprinkler 自动洒水车,Of course, there are some other forms of technical terms in English. To name a few,Clippinglab comes from laboratoryBack-formationto lase (发出激光) comes from las
19、erBorrowing“gene” is borrowed from German,The Characteristic Syntax of EST,1. more long and complicated sentencesEST as a formal style of writing usually consists of more long and complicated sentences. When translated into Chinese, a long sentence may be cut into several parts. 科技文章要求叙述准确，推理谨严，因此一句
20、话里包含三四个甚至五六个分句的，并非少见。译成汉语时，必须按照汉语习惯破成适当数目的分句，才能条理清楚，避免洋腔洋调。,Factories will not buy machines unless they believe that the machine will produce goods that they are able to sell to consumers at a price that will cover all cost.这是由一个主句和四个从句组成的复杂长句，只有进行必要的语法分析，才能正确理解和翻译。初稿：除非相信那些机器造出的产品卖给消费者的价格足够支付所有成本，否
21、则厂家是不会买那些机器的。节译：要不相信那些机器造出的产品售价够本，厂家是不会买的。后一句只用了24个字，比前句40个字节约用字40%，而对原句的基本内容无损。,One of the most important things which the economic theories can contribute to management science is building analytical models which help in recognizing the structure of managerial problems, eliminating the minor detai
22、ls which might obstruct decision making, and in concentrating on the main issues.经济理论对于管理科学的最重要贡献之一，就是建立分析模型。这种模型有助于认识管理问题的构成，排除可能妨碍决策的次要因素，从而有助于集中精力去解决主要的问题。,2. More Normalization （名词化结构多）Compared with general English, noun phrases are more frequently used in EST. this is because scientific literat
23、ure contains more abstract concepts such as definitions, principles, laws, conclusions, etc., and manifold(多种多样的) modification and restriction are required to elaborate these concepts or ideas. As the semantic meaning of a noun phrase that consists of several words is usually complicated, the transl
24、ation should go beyond the surface structure.科技英语句法喜好广泛使用名词化结构，以达到客观、明了、简洁、传递信息量大的目的。,a. 单纯的名词化结构,指一个或多个名词修饰一个中心名词构成的名词化结构。理解这类名词化结构的重点是确定中心名词，然后确定其他的修饰名词与中心名词的关系。Water purification system中心名词是system，purification修饰water，因此该结构相当于a system for the purification of water。laser noise amplitude modulation激
25、光噪声振幅调制器中心名词是modulation, laser作为方式修饰 noise amplitude, 该结构相当于modulation of noise by means of a laser,b. 复合名词化结构,由一个中心名词和形容词、名词、副词、分词及介词短语等多个前置或后置短语构成，acute bacterial peritonitis急性细菌性腹膜炎,c. 由动词派生的名词化结构,由实义动词派生的名词搭配介词短语构成。 Archimeds(阿基米德) first discovered the principle of displacement of water by solid
26、 bodies.阿基米德最先发现了固体排水的原理。Dr Almaraz had assisted in the removal of lymph（淋巴） node from a patient infected with AIDS.句中用名词removal来代替动词remove，从而使得文章更为正式，而且表达客观发生的事实。阿尔玛拉兹医生曾协助为一位艾滋病人切除淋巴结的手术。,All substances will permit the passage of some electric current, provided the potential difference is high eno
27、ugh.Poor translation: 只要有足够的电位差，所有的物体都允许一些电流通过。Proper translation: 只要有足够的电位差，电流便可通过任何物体。The heat loss can be considerably reduced by the use of firebricks round the walls of the boiler.Poor translation: 通过在炉壁周围使用耐火砖，热损失可以被大大降低。Proper translation: 炉壁采用耐火砖可大大降低热耗。,Television is the transmission and re
28、ception of images of moving objects by radio waves.Poor translation: 电视是通过无线电波的活动物体的图像的传播和接受。Proper translation: 电视通过无线电波来发射和接收各种活动物体的图像。Try it:This situation was completely reversed by Habers invention of the utilization of nitrogen (氮) from the air. 由于哈勃发明了利用空气中的氮气的方法，这种局面就完全改观了。,There is a univer
29、sal tendency of every body to move towards every other body.每个物体都要向其他任何一个物体移动，这是一个普遍存在的倾向。They said the deep water under the layer of ice apparently is kept from freezing by the radioactive decay in the planets rocky interior, plus heat from the tidal forces of Jupiters gravity as well as sunlight.他
30、们说，冰层下的深水不至于冻结，看来是由于行星岩层内部的放射性衰变，加上木星重力引起的潮汐力和太阳光照产生的热量。,3. Extensive use of the passive voiceIn order to achieve objectivity, passive voice is extensively used in EST, as shown in the following illustrations.,People get natural rubber from trees as a white, milky liquid, which is called latex(橡胶).
31、They mix it with acid, and dry it, and then they send it to countries all over the world.人们从橡胶树中获得天然橡胶。这是一种叫做“乳胶”的白色乳状液体。人们先将橡胶与酸混合在一起，将其烘干，然后再运往世界各国。No convincing signs of plant or animal life have been detected by instruments soft landed on Mars.在火星上软着陆的仪器目前还没有探测到任何令人信服的动植物生命迹象。,No work can be don
32、e without energy.没有能量绝不能做功。All business decisions must now be made in the light of the market.所有企业现在必须根据市场来作出决策。,4. More non-finite forms of the verb动词的非谓语形式None-finite forms(非限定形式) of the verb, namely, the infinitive(不定式词), the gerund(动名词), the present and the past participles are frequently used i
33、n EST. Today the electronic computer is widely used in solving mathematical problems having to do with weather forecasting and putting satellites into orbit.今天，电子计算机广泛地运用于解决一些数学问题，这些问题与天气预报和把卫星送入轨道有关。,5. Different uses of the tensesIn general English, the past tense is used to indicate things of the
34、 past that no longer exist now. But in scientific English, the past tense may just indicate time sequences.,When steam is condensed again to water, the same amount of heat is given out as was taken in when the steam was formed.当蒸汽机重新冷却为水时，所释放出的热量与其原来形成蒸汽时所吸收的热量相等。 If we invert the sequence, there is
35、 no need for the past tense.When water is evaporated into steam, heat is taken in. When it is condensed again to water, the same amount of heat is given out.当水蒸发为蒸汽时，吸收热量。当蒸汽重新冷却为水时，释放出相等的热量。,6. The post-position of the attributiveIt is very common in EST to have the post-position of the attributive
36、. But in Chinese the attributive is usually placed before the noun it modifies.In radiation, thermal energy is transformed into radiant energy, similar in nature to light.热能是在辐射时转换成性质与光相似的辐射能。The force upward equals the force downward so that the balloon stays at the same height.向上的力与向下的力相等，所以气球就保持在
37、这一高度。,Methods of Translating EST,1. Expanding the noun phrases into a separate clauseThe slightly porous nature(多孔性) of the surface of the oxide(氧化物) film allows it to be colored with either organic or inorganic dyes.氧化膜表面具有轻微的渗透性，因此可以用有机或无机染料着色。,2. Conversing the noun phrase into a verb-object stru
38、ctureThe building of these giant iron and steel works will greatly accelerate the development of the iron and steel industry of our country.建立这些大型钢铁厂会大大加速我国钢铁工业的发展。Two-eyed, present-day man has no need of such microscopic delicacy in his vision.普通的现代人看物体时不需要达到这种显微镜般的精密程度。,3. Converting attributive e
39、lements into independent sentences, adverbial clauses, etc.This is an electrical method, which is most promising when the water is brackish(含盐的).这是一种电气方法。当水含盐时，它最有希望。Nowadays it is understood that a diet which contains nothing harmful may result in serious disease if certain important elements are m
40、issing.现在人们已经懂得，如果饮食中缺少了某些重要成分，即使食物不含有任何有害物质，也会引起严重疾病。,4. Converting the passive into the active客观、严谨的科技英语中大量使用被动结构，而汉语中被动句的应用没有英语那么广泛，在译成汉语时可以考虑使用主动结构。In the 16 months since the first graft, the ersatz(代用的，人造的) skin has not yet been rejected by any of the patients.第一次植皮后的16个月，人造皮肤在每个病人身上都还没有排异现象。Pl
41、ants and trees are provided by nature with four means of dispersing their seeds.大自然赋予草木4种传播种子的方法。,5. Supplementing necessary words to indicate different tensesIt was understood that atoms were the smallest elements. It is known now that atoms are further divided into nuclei (nucleus 的复数形) and electr
42、ons, neutrons and protons. 以前人们认为，原子是最小的结构单元，现在才知道原子还可以分为原子核与电子、中子与质子。,Exercise:How can biotech help? Biotechnologists have developed genetically modified rice that is fortified with beta-carotene - which the body converts into vitamin A - and additional iron, and they are working on other kinds of
43、nutritionally improved crops. Biotech can also improve farming productivity in places where food shortages are caused by crop damage attribution to pests, drought, poor soil and crop viruses, bacteria or fungi.,How can biotech help? Biotechnologists have developed genetically modified rice that is f
44、ortified with beta-carotene - which the body converts into vitamin A - and additional iron, and they are working on other kinds of nutritionally improved crops. Biotech can also improve farming productivity in places where food shortages are caused by crop damage attribution to pests, drought, poor
45、soil and crop viruses, bacteria or fungi.生物技术对此能做些什么呢?生物技术专家已经培育出了含有胡萝卜素(身体可将之转化为维生素A)和更多铁元素的转基因水稻，目前正在研究培育其他一些增进营养成分的农作物。生物技术还可以帮助提高因虫害、干旱、土壤贫瘠和作物病毒、细菌或真菌导致作物减产而出现食物匮乏的地区的农业生产率。,Translation of Laws,1. 矫饰夸张，文体庄重；类语重叠，要言重复 Discussion:A. Weve gotten the criminal at last. (酒吧)B. The criminal was arrest
46、ed at last. (警察局)C. The criminal was apprehended at last. (法庭)同样是“抓获”的意思，在酒吧里，口语性强；在警察局里，就比较正式；在法庭上，措辞非常正式。,2. 句子冗长，晦涩难懂A.Article I of the GATT is the celebrated most favored nation (MFN) clause under which each member nation must give treatment to other member nations imports and exports that is at
47、 least as favorable as that applied to the most favored nation.关贸总协定的第一条是著名的最惠国(MFN)条款，按照该条款，每一个成员国给予其它成员国进出口货物的待遇至少应和给予最惠国的待遇一样优惠。,Where an application has passed the test, if 情形he pays the fee, the Minister shall grant him a 条件 法律主体 法律行为license.英国律师 George Coode 曾提出法律中典型的条件句所具有的四种成分，即情形、条件、法律主体和法律行为 (case, condition, legal subject, legal action), 前两个成分为事实情况 (factual situation), 后两种成分为法律陈述 (statement).,
