英语翻译与写作-Omission

英语翻译与写作

Omission

A translator has no right to subtract any meaning from the original work. But it does not follow that he

should refrain from omitting any word at all in translation.

What is regarded as a natural or indispensable element in one language may be regarded as

superfluous or even a stumbling block in the other.

Omission in EC translation:

Generally speaking, omission in EC translation is used to achieve the effect of succinctness, especially in the cases of English pronouns and functional words such as the article, the preposition, the conjunction, etc.

1. Omitting the pronoun

1) He is not well today, but he still comes to class.

2) 3) 4) 5) 6) He put his hands into his pockets and then shrugged his shoulders. One can never get real rest without a peaceful mind.

7) It’8) That dishonest boy is not at all ill. He is alive and kicking in the swimming pool. We all saw him.

2. Omitting the article

The article is the hallmark of English nouns. When translated into Chinese, it is usually omitted

except when the indefinite article is intended to indicate the numeral “one” , or “a certain”.

1) The moon was slowly rising above the sea.

2) 3) 4) The sun is setting down beyond the western hill.

5) .

6) 7) 8) .

☆

1) 2) , please.

3) 4) 5) A Mr Johnson came to see you last night.

6) 7)

3. Omitting the preposition

1)

英语翻译与写作

2) 3) She soon fell asleep with the light still burning.

4) 5)

4. Omitting the conjunction

Conjunctions are not frequently used in Chinese. The connection between sentences are more often

implied than directly conveyed through conjunctions. English is just the opposite in this respect.

1) 2) As he had been up since 4 a.m. he was no doubt now very tired.

3) country to which he moves.

4) If winter comes, can spring be far behind?

5) You can describe this policy as rigid and inflexible, in fact, it has been extremely

flexible.

6) Because it was getting dark, I had to say good-bye.

5. Omitting the verb

1) 2) 3) Startled as he was, he did not lose his balance.

6. Omitting the impersonal pronoun “it”

This often occurs when “it” stands for time, weather, distance, or formal subject / object of a

sentence.

1) Outside it was pitch dark and it was raining cats and dogs.

2) 3) 4) It was with some difficulty that he found the way to his house.

5) 只有浅薄的人才会以貌取人。

6) 7) 8) Computers made it possible to run the complicated experiment automatically.

☆

1) “Don’t think,” I said. “”

2) 3) ’t let him get ahead of you.

4)

Omission in CE translation

Omission in CE translation is usually used to avoid unnecessary repetition. It is generally employed in three circumstances:

1. Omitting redundant words

1)

英语翻译与写作

A proton has a positive charge and an electron a negative charge, but a neutron has neither.

2) 我已经提前完成了交给我的任务，他也提前完成了交给他的工作。

I have fulfilled my assigned work ahead of schedule, so has he.

3)

The Long March is the first of its kind in the annals of history. It is a manifesto, a

propaganda force and a seeding-machine.

4)

Where the bandit troops went, they massacred and raped, burned and looted, and stopped at

nothing.

5)

We must adhere to the principle of plain living and hard struggle.

6) Rid him of his wrong ideas.

7) 狠抓管理，安全生产。Improving management and ensuring safe production.

8)

We must carry forward and promote the spirit of practicality, truth-seeking and courage in

innovation.

2. Omitting words of conceptual category

任务、工作、情况、问题、事业、局面、现象、态度、制度、行为、状态、方法、途径、领域 说服工作 (persuasion) 准备工作 (preparation) 自满情绪 （arrogance） 敌对行为 （antagonism） 测量方法 （measurement） 落后状态 （backwardness） 紧张局势 （tension） 疯狂行为 （madness） 科研活动 （scientific research） 腐败现象 （corruption） 发展状况 (development) 矛盾问题 (contradictions)

1) 讨论的范围涉及中美关系、中俄关系。

2) 他要讲经济问题，国际形势问题。

3) 中国足球的落后状态必须改变。

4) 我们党结束了那个时期的社会动荡和纷扰不安的局面。

5) 这些都是人民内部矛盾问题。

6) 她的朋友听到他家中的困难情况后，都主动伸出援助之手。

3. Omitting meticulous descriptions

1) 200公里航道上遍布着无数险滩。险滩上江流汹涌，回旋激荡，水击礁石，浪花飞溅，

声如雷鸣。

Numerous shoals scattered over the 200 km course give rise to many eddies. Pounding on

the midstream rocks, the river roars thunderously.

2) 花园里面是人间乐园。有的是吃不了的大米白面，穿不完的绫罗绸缎，花不完的金银

财宝。

The garden was a paradise on earth, with more food and clothes than could be consumed and

more money than could be spent.

英语翻译与写作

Translation practice:

1. Put the following sentences into Chinese, using the technique of omission.

1) A square has four sides.

2) We have seven days in a week.

3) You can never tell!

4) Is it a he or a she?

5) As it is, we got there at 10.

6) The higher the tree, the stronger the wind.

7) If you give him an inch, he will take a mile.

8) Never trouble yourself with trouble till trouble troubles you.

9) The true joy of joys is the joy that joys in the joy of others.

10) Patients with influenza must be separated from the well lest the disease should spread from

person to person.

11) These developing countries cover vast territories, encompass a large population and abound in

natural resources.

12) In order to survive, to feed, clothe and shelter himself and his children, man is engaged in a

constant struggle with nature.

2. Put the following sentences into English, using the technique of omission.

1) 每条河流都有上游、中游、下游。

2) 他把事情一五一十地都给父母讲了。

3) 人们利用科学去了解自然，改造自然。

4) 这些新型汽车速度快，效率高，行动灵活。

5) 多年来那个国家一直存在严重的失业现象。

6) 独立自主，自力更生，无论过去、现在和将来，都是我们的立足点。

Answer to 《机智的“教授”》：

The Quick-witted “Professor”

A famous professor was often invited to lecture at various colleges, most of the time in company with his driver. One day, before he went to a college to make a speech on invitation, his driver said to him, “Professor, I’ve been working for you for over ten years and have heard your speeches for at least hundreds of times. Would you let me take your place this time to give a speech?” Although a little worried about him, the professor thought it very interesting and agreed.

As expected, the false professor was humorous and eloquent, and made a wonderful speech full of witty remarks. When he finished he won prolonged applause. Suddenly, an audience put up his hand and asked him to explain an abstruse academic question. All was quiet, waiting for his answer. The “professor” thought for three seconds, smiled and said, “It’s a very easy question and I will ask my driver to explain it to you.”

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