八 主从：用介词短语
《译海一粟：汉英翻译九百例》八 主从：用介词短语,页面无弹窗的全文阅读!
听人说，觉得英语比其他外语难学，因为它太灵活。我想它之所以灵活，大概就活在这个介词上。
英语的介词，个头不大，能量不小。与动词连用，可将不及物动词变为及物动词，与名词连用，可将名词变成修饰语。它是连词的铁哥们儿，那细枝末节、连词到不了的地方，便由它去联络。总之，它神通广大，武艺高强，往往弄得那外国学子不知如何是好。今天咱们只窥其一端——介词短语，看看有些什么名堂。先看它在句中的位置如何。
例1
我们搞建设有三十九年，有成功的经验，也有失败的教训。（DⅢ266）
During the past 39 years of economic development, we have learned from both our successes and our failures. (261)
例2
我在东北三省到处说，要一心一意搞建设。国家这么大，这么穷，不努力发展生产，日子怎么过？我们人民的生活如此困难，怎么体现出社会主义的优越性？（DⅢ10）
Wherever I went in the three northeastern provinces, I stressed the need to concentrate on economic development. In a country as big and as poor as ours, if we don't try to increase production, how can we survive? How is socialism superior when our people have so many difficulties in their lives? (21)
例3
我们搞四个现代化和改革、开放，以后还会遇到风险、困难，包括我们自己还会犯错误。中国是这么大的国家，我们做的事是前人没有做过的。中国有自己的特点……（DⅢ229）
In our efforts to modernize, to introduce reform and to open to the outside world, we may encounter dangers and difficulties. And we may make fresh mistakes, because China is such a big country and what we are doing is something that has never been done here before. Since China has its own characteristics…. (227)
例4
现在世界上问题很多，有两个比较突出。一是和平问题。……二是南北问题。（DⅢ56）
Among a host of problems in the present-day world, two especially stand out. One is the problem of peace…. The other is the North-South problem. (66)
例5
其实，许多经营形式，都属于发展社会生产力的手段、方法，既可为资本主义所用，也可为社会主义所用，谁用得好，就为谁服务。（DⅢ192）
Actually, as means of developing the productive forces, different managerial forms can serve either capitalism or socialism. Whichever system uses them better will benefit most. (192)
例6
瑞珏：你住了这几天，连海儿都舍不得离开你了。（家200）
Jade: After your stay here, even Hai'er doesn't want you to go.
梅芬：嗯，我真喜欢海儿。
Plum: Oh, I love him.
这六个例子，原文句子开头都有一个分句，它不是这句话要说的主要内容，但是话必须从这里说起。既然如此，译文都没有把这一部分作为主句，而是用了介词短语，仍然放在句首。
例7
植树造林，绿化祖国，造福后代。（DⅢ21）
Plant trees everywhere and make our country green in the interest of future generations. (31)
例8
又比如上海，目前完全有条件搞得更快一点。（DⅢ376）
Shanghai is another example. It has all the necessary conditions for faster progress. (363)
此二例，原文句末的动词词组，体现了做事情所要达到的目的和要求，和前面的动词不在一个层次上。译文用了介词短语，仍然置于句末。
例9
发达国家应该清楚地看到，第三世界国家经济不发展，发达国家的经济也不可能得到较大的发展。（DⅢ56）
The developed countries should appreciate that greater development of their economies is impossible without growth in the economies of Third World countries. (66)
例10
中国人是很聪明的，虽然科学家研究条件差，生活待遇不高，但他们还是取得了很大成绩。（DⅢ358）
The Chinese are very intelligent. Chinese scientists have scored great achievements despite poor research conditions and poor living conditions. (345)
例11
欧美国家和日本是发达国家，继续发展下去，面临的是什么问题？（DⅢ105）
What problems will the developed countries, such as Japan and the countries in Europe and North America, be faced with in their continued development? (111)
此三例原文都是在中间部位有分句或动词词组适合于译成介词短语，但也放在了句末。另外，上面这个例子，原文开头有一个分句，但它并不是要说的主要内容，译者作了相应的处理，值得注意。译者将Japan提前，这是因为英语习惯把短的放在前边。
例12
那五年的加速发展功劳不小，这是我的评价。（DⅢ377）
In my opinion, the accelerated development of that period was no small contribution. (364)
例13
新加坡的社会秩序算是好的，他们管得严，我们应当借鉴他们的经验，而且比他们管得更好。（DⅢ378-379）
Thanks to a strict administration, Singapore has good public order. We should learn from its experience and surpass it in this respect. (366)
例14
你们在技术上帮助我们，我们的经济发展了，对外贸易也能随着发展。（DⅢ119）
When our economy expands thanks to your technological assistance, our foreign trade will expand accordingly. (125)
这三个例子，译文中介词短语的位置和原文中相应词语的位置都不一样。看来介词短语的位置要随行文的需要而定。
例15
脱贫也好，致富也好，发展也好，繁荣也好，如果不把基础教育抓好，不提高劳动者素质，就是一句空话。（L236）
Ending poverty, raising the standard of living, developing the economy — these things will never happen in the absence of a sound basic education system and quality human resources.(239)
例16
由于“望子成龙”心切，家长和教师过早地用灌输的方式让孩子读、写、算，扼杀了孩子们的创造力、想像力、求知情趣和探索欲望。（L286）
In their ardent hope for their children to succeed in life, parents and teachers start cramming them with reading, writing and calculating skills too early, at the cost of their creativity, imagination, interest in learning, and explorative spirit. (292)
以上二例译文用了in the absence of 和at the cost of，这是两个常见的比较固定的介词短语。
下面看一看with和without引导的介词短语情况如何。
例17
人才不断涌出，我们的事业才有希望。（DⅢ18）
With increasing numbers of skilled personnel, we can have high hopes for our cause. (28)
例18
但是，发达国家技术领先，高档的东西多，怕什么！（DⅢ106）
But with all their advanced technology and first-rate products, what do the developed countries have to fear? (112)
例19
听人家背地里谈论，孔乙己原来也读过书，但终于没有进学，又不会营生；于是愈过愈穷，弄到将要讨饭了。幸而写得一笔好字，便替人家钞钞书，换一碗饭吃。（孔乙己）
From gossip I heard, Kung I-chi had studied the classics but had never passed the official examination. With no way of making a living, he grew poorer and poorer, until he was practically reduced to beggary. Happily, he was a good calligrapher, and could get enough copying work to support himself.
此三例，原文有的是并列分句，有的是并列谓语，句子的重点在后半句。因此，译文将前半句说明情况的话用with引导的短语来表述，放在句首。另外，最后一例中的最后一句有“写得一笔好字，”译为he was a good calligrapher，这是英语中常见的一种表达方式，以人称表示动作。例如a good singer不是歌唱家，而是唱歌唱得好，a good driver不是好司机，而是开车开得好。这一点值得注意。
例20
现在中国还很穷，国民生产总值人均只有三百美元。我们的目标是，到本世纪末人均达到八百美元。（DⅢ57）
China is still poor, with a per capita GNP of only US $300. We aim to increase this to $800 by the end of the century, which is a lofty goal. (67)
例21
过去搞平均主义，吃“大锅饭”，实际上是共同落后，共同贫穷，我们就是吃了这个亏。（DⅢ155）
We used to practise egalitarianism, with everyone "eating from the same big pot". In fact, that practice meant common backwardness and poverty, which caused us much suffering.(158)
例22
贸易总是一来一往的，中国买欧洲产品，欧洲也要买中国产品。（DⅢ119）
Trade is always a two-way matter, in this case with China importing European products and European countries purchasing Chinese products. (125)
例23
我的一贯主张是，让一部分人、一部分地区先富起来，大原则是共同富裕。（DⅢ166）
I have consistently maintained that some people and some regions should be allowed to prosper before others, always with the goal of common prosperity. (169)
此四例，原文有两种情况，前三例为先概括后具体，后一例为先具体后概括。译文都把后半句话用介词短语表述，放在后面。看来介词短语既可用来表述具体内容，也可用来表达概括的提示。另外，第三例加了in this case，否则就意味着此外没有别的贸易了。这一点值得注意。
例24
克明：觉新哪！你是长房长孙，以后比你小的弟妹们要拿你做榜样。而且你的父亲在病，日后我们这样大的家庭，固然要你这个做长孙的来撑持，现在的责任又何尝不该由你来担负呢？（家12）
Keming: Juexin, you are the eldest grandson from the senior branch of the family. Naturally, your younger brothers and sisters will take you as an example to be emulated. With your father now bedridden, every member of this vast family looks to you for support, not only in the future, but also for the present, right now.
例25
觉新：你绣的？（家94）
Juexin: You embroidered these?
瑞珏：嗯。
Jade: Yes.
觉新： 好，吹了灯？（灯熄了，窗外月光如水，屋里只有低弱的烛光）
Juexin: Very fine. Shall I blow out the lamps? (He does so. With only the candles flickering, light from the moon is enhanced.)
瑞珏：嗯，吹了灯好看月亮。
Jade: Yes, without the lamps, the moon looks better.
例26
克明：他们这些学生动不动就请愿，写文章，开口乱说话，这真太不知死活了。（家102）
Keming: But these students, with their demonstrations, speeches and written articles, they're asking for trouble, big trouble!
例27
梅芬：有了这么一个孩子，才真快活呢。（家200）
Plum: With a baby like this, you must be really happy.
瑞珏：是啊，有了孩子，就不再寂寞了。（微顿）真的，有时我真想把海儿送给你呢。
Jade: Yes, with a baby, one is not lonesome anymore.(pause) To tell the truth, more than once I wanted to give Hai'er to you.
例28
觉新：珏，你会老么？（家180）
Juexin: Jade, will you one day grow old?
瑞珏：怎么不会？
Jade: Why not?
觉新：老到七十八十的，头发白了，嘴瘪了，变成个没有牙的小老太太。
Juexin: And become a shrivelled old lady, with grey hair and no teeth.
以上五例，前四例都是先用介词短语说明一点情况，放在前头，接着发表一点简短的议论。第五例用介词短语作一点补充说明放在后头。
例29
没有稳定的环境，什么都搞不成，已经取得的成果也会失掉。（DⅢ284）
Without a stable environment, we can accomplish nothing and may even lose what we have gained. (277)
例30
我们的“一国两制”能不能够真正成功，要体现在香港特别行政区基本法里面。这个基本法还要为澳门、台湾作出一个范例。所以，这个基本法很重要。世界历史上还没有这样一个法，这是一个新的事物。起草工作还有三年时间，要把它搞得非常妥当。（DⅢ215）
The success of our "one country, two systems" formula should be guaranteed by the basic law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This law will serve as a model for Macao and Taiwan. It is therefore very important. It is something new, without precedent in world history. You still have three years in which to draft the best possible document.(214)
例31
当时我脑子里在考虑，这样的问题是不是可以不涉及两国的主权争议，共同开发。共同开发的无非是那个岛屿附近的海底石油之类，可以合资经营嘛，共同得利嘛。不用打仗，也不要好多轮谈判。（DⅢ87）
At the time, I was wondering whether it would be possible for the two countries to develop the area jointly, without getting involved in the controversy over sovereignty. This would only mean joint exploitation of the offshore oil resources. We could have a joint venture that would profit both sides. It would not be necessary to fight a war or to hold many rounds of talks. (94)
以上三例都用了without引导的介词短语。如果原文是否定句，句中出现了“没有”或“不如何如何”，便可考虑用without引导的介词短语，用起来很方便，也很灵活，放在句子前面或后面都可以，视情况而定。
下面看一下介词加-ing形式的使用情况。你也许会问，怎么忽然提出这么一个题目？什么意思？Practical English Usage一书有这样一段话：
Participle clauses can be used after many conjunctions and prepositions, such as after, before, since, when, while, whenever, once, until, on, without, instead of, in spite of and as. Note that -ing forms after prepositions can often be considered as either participles or gerunds — the dividing line is not clear.
它还指出：
Some grammarians prefer to avoid the terms "participle" and "gerund."
并建议参看A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language.
既然英国的语言学家都觉得和连词、介词连用时，participle（ 分词）和gerund（动名词）都难以区分清楚，并为此而创造了一个新词ing-form，我们又何必较真，而不利用一下呢？
例32
过去很长一个时期，我们忽视了社会主义阶段要发展生产力。我们总结了经验，就是要对外开放，打破闭关自守，对内搞活，调动全国人民的积极性。（DⅢ157）
For a very long time we neglected the need to develop the productive forces during the stage of socialism. Now, after analysing our experience, we have decided to abandon the closed-door policy and open to the outside world, and to invigorate the domestic economy, so as to stimulate the initiative of the whole nation (160)
例33
孔乙己喝过半碗酒，涨红的脸色渐渐复了原，旁人便又问道，“孔乙己，你当真认识字么？”孔乙己看着问他的人，显出不屑置辩的神气。他们便接着说道，“你怎的连半个秀才也捞不到呢？”（孔乙己）
After drinking half a bowl of wine, Kung would regain his composure. But then someone would ask:
"Kung I-chi, do you really know how to read?"
When Kung looked as if such a question were beneath contempt, they would continue: "How is it you never passed even the lowest official examination?”
例34
孔乙己等了许久，很恳切地说道，“不能写罢？……我教给你，记着！这些字应该记着。将来做掌柜的时候，写账要用。”（孔乙己）
After waiting for some time, he said very earnestly:
"You can't write it? I'll show you how. Mind you remember! You ought to remember such characters, because later when you have a shop of your own, you'll need them to make up your accounts."
此三例都表示先做一件事，再做一件事，译文用了after加-ing 形式这种结构，放在前面。
例35
我们和好多国家解决了边界问题，解决的办法无非是双方相互让步。（DⅢ19）
We have settled border questions with many other countries simply by having both parties make concessions. (29)
例36
要利用外国智力，请一些外国人来参加我们的重点建设以及各方面的建设。（DⅢ32）
We should make use of the intellectual resources of other countries by inviting foreigners to participate in key development projects and other construction projects in various fields. (43)
例37
那时的改革，用的名称是整顿，强调把经济搞上去，首先是恢复生产秩序。凡是这样做的地方都见效。（DⅢ255）
In those days, the reform was called consolidation, and we emphasized the need to develop the economy, first of all by bringing order to production. In every place where this was carried out, it was successful. (251)
例38
农民没有文化，要搞农业现代化是根本不可能的，脱贫奔小康也是不可能的。（L259）
We will never modernize agriculture and eradicate poverty by depending on unschooled farmers. (262)
以上四例说明，如果句子的内容是做一件事，采用什么手段或依靠什么力量，便可以用by加-ing形式这种结构，放在后面。
例39
中国要谋求发展，摆脱贫穷和落后，就必须开放。开放不仅是发展国际间的交往，而且要吸收国际的经验。（DⅢ266）
To develop it's economy and shake off poverty and backwardness, China must open to the outside world. By opening up, we mean not only making more contacts with other countries but also drawing on their experience. (261)
此例与前四例不同，by与mean连用，其所引导的介词短语一般只能放在前面。
例40
实施西部大开发战略，也必须把教育放在优先发展的地位，不断提高各级各类教育的质量和水平，为西部地区的大发展提供有力的人才和智力支持。（L123）
In implementing the strategy of developing the west, we must make education development a top priority, keep upgrading the quality of education at all levels, and provide forceful personnel and intellectual support for the strategy. (118)
例41
要落实知识分子政策，第一位的就是科技队伍的管理使用问题。（DⅢ17）
In implementing the policy towards intellectuals, the first priority is to ensure better administration of the work of scientists and technicians. (27)
例42
我们建立经济特区，实行开放政策，有个指导思想要明确，就是不是收，而是放。（DⅢ51）
In establishing special economic zones and implementing an open policy, we must make it clear that our guideline is just that—to open and not to close. (61)
以上三例说明，原文以做某事为话题，引出下文加以发挥，译文便可用in加-ing 形式这种结构，放在句首。
例43
农民不往城市跑，而是建设大批小型新型乡镇。（DⅢ238）
Instead of flocking into the cities, the peasants have been building villages and townships of a new type. (236)
例44
高校图书馆不应当花大量资金去进行不必要的重复购书、藏书，而是要充分利用馆藏图书资源，扩大读书、用书的功能。（L138）
Instead of spending lots of money on unnecessary and overlapping purchases and book storage, university libraries must make full use of their book resources and expand their book-reading and book-using functions. (135)
例45
掌柜仍然同平常一样，笑着对他说，“孔乙己，你又偷了东西了！”但他这回却不十分分辩，只说了一句“不要取笑！”（孔乙己）
The tavern keeper, just as in the past, chuckled and said: "Kung I-chi, you've been stealing again!"
But instead of protesting vigorously, the other simply said: "You like your joke."
例46
看了这个学校，我深深感到，他们的成功主要不是盲目地搞“大而全”，关键是抓住了强项，办出了特色，办出了水平。（L102）
My impression of this institute was that their success lay in their efforts to push what they do best in a distinctive way and at a high level instead of going all out for expansion and comprehensiveness. (95)
以上四例说明，原文表示“不……而……”一反一正的意思，译文就可以用instead of加-ing形式这种结构，放在前后均可，视情况而定。
例47
巡警走近我说，“你自己雇车罢，他不能拉你了。”
我没有思索的从外套袋里抓出一大把铜元，交给巡警，说，“请你给他……"（一件小事）
The policeman came up to me, and said, "Get another rickshaw. He can't pull you any more."
Without thinking, I pulled a handful of coppers from my coat pocket and handed them to the policeman. "Please give him these," I said.
此例表明，原文说做了某事，未做某事，说不上是一正一反，译文便可用without 加-ing 形式这种结构。
例48
主要靠自己，同时不要闭关自守，可以多方面找朋友。（DⅢ282）
However, while relying on our own efforts, we should not close our doors but seek friends everywhere. (275)
这个例子很特别。原文用了三个并列的无主句，用“同时”相连。据《现代汉语词典》，“同时”是连词，表示并列关系，常含有进一层的意味。while在这里相当于although,前半句译作while加-ing形式，以后半句作主句，这就突出了后半句的内容，强调的重点和原文是吻合的。然而while不是介词，而是连词，此例不应放在这里讨论。但是英国的语言学家在讨论-ing形式的用法时都将介词和连词相提并论了，我们也就一并处理了吧。
下面我们再看一下选自《故乡》一文的一组例子。
例49
夜间，我们又谈些闲天，都是无关紧要的话；第二天早晨，他就领了水生回去了。
That night we talked again, but not of anything serious; and the next morning he went away with Shui-sheng.
例50
我吃了一吓，赶忙抬起头，却见一个凸颧骨，薄嘴唇，五十岁上下的女人站在我面前，两手搭在髀间，没有系裙，张着两脚，正像一个画图仪器里细脚伶仃的圆规。
I looked up with a start, and saw a woman of about fifty with prominent cheekbones and thin lips. With her hands on her hips, not wearing a skirt but with her trousered legs apart, she stood in front of me just like the compass in a box of geometrical instruments.
例51
母亲问他，知道他的家里事务忙，明天便得回去；又没有吃过午饭，便叫他自己到厨下炒饭吃去。
From her chat with him, mother learned that he was busy at home and had to go back the next day; and since he had had no lunch, she told him to go to the kitchen and fry some rice for himself.
例52
他只是摇头；脸上虽然刻着许多皱纹，却全然不动，仿佛石像一般。他大约只是觉得苦，却又形容不出，沉默了片时，便拿起烟管来默默的吸烟了。
He kept shaking his head; yet, although his face was lined with wrinkles, not one of them moved, just as if he were a stone statue. No doubt he felt intensely bitter, but could not express himself. After a pause he took up his pipe and began to smoke in silence.
例53
“回来？你怎么还没有走就想回来了。”
“可是，水生约我到他家玩去咧……”他睁着大的黑眼睛，痴痴的想。
"Go back? Do you mean that before you've left you want to go back?"
"Well, Shui-sheng has invited me to his home…" He opened wide his black eyes in anxious thought.
例54
宏儿听得这话，便来招水生，水生却松松爽爽同他一路出去了，母亲叫闰土坐，他迟疑了一回，终于就了坐，将长烟管靠在桌旁，递过纸包来，说：
“冬天没有什么东西了。这一点干青豆倒是自家晒在那里的，请老爷……”
我问问他的景况。他只是摇头。
When Hung-erh heard this he went over to Shui-sheng, and Shui-sheng went out with him, entirely at his ease. Mother asked Jun-tu to sit down, and after a little hesitation he did so; then leaning his long pipe against the table he handed over the paper package, saying:
"In winter there is nothing worth bringing; but these few beans we dried ourselves, if you will excuse the liberty, sir."
When I asked him how things were with him, he just shook his head.
这里一共有六个例子。有些原文用动词的地方，译文以介词短语取而代之。第一例介词加名词，第二例介词加名词加修饰语。第三至五例介词后面加的chat, pause和thought，虽然表达动作的意思，却都是纯正的名词。
最后一例，花样最多。这里有and连接的并列分句，有复合句里的主句和从句，有分词短语，还有介词短语，纵横交错，各得其所。看看这个例子，也算是一次简短的复习吧。
关于主从关系，我们讨论了三次，暂时告一段落。
我曾说过，“汉语的句子结构好比一根竹子，一节一节地连下去，而英语的句子结构好比一串葡萄，主干可能很短，累累的果实附着在上面。”我认为这是汉英两种语言在句子结构方面最大的区别。
通过三次讨论，我们是不是可以看到以下两点：
第一，汉语多用并列结构。一句之内包含几个并列分句，或一个主语带领几个并列谓语。即便句子成分之间存在层次上的差异或各种关系，但汉语重意合，不一定需要用词语清楚地表现出来，各成分的顺序起一定作用，各种关系尽含其中。
第二，英语多用主从结构。一句之内主句可能很短，其他内容通过使用从句、分词短语、介词短语等手段加以表达。英语重形合，需要联系的地方都有具体词语各司其职，句子显得重点突出，层次分明。
我们在实践中是不是可以注意以下两点：
第一，强烈地意识到自己是在使用英语，时时想到英语句子结构的特点，而不要过分受汉语句子结构的限制。
第二，继续研究译例，看别人怎样将并列为主的汉语句子结构转变成主从为主的英语句子结构，借助别人的经验，提高自己的翻译能力。
最后，我们要重温前面用过的一个例子。
基本路线要管一百年，动摇不得。
We should adhere to the basic line for a hundred years, with no vacillation.
这句话里，“基本路线”和“一百年”译法相对固定，其他部分是可以灵活处理的。译文无法保持原文的主谓关系，就找一个合适的主语，配一个合适的谓语，建立起新的主谓关系，主句的问题就解决了。后半句以抽象名词表现动作，加介词，形成介词短语，作状语。一个并列结构就这样变成了主从结构。这个译例体现了两种语言在句子结构方面的重大差异，也显示出译者高超的能力。多么好的译例啊！它曾使我激动不已，许多年过去了，它仍时时出现在我的脑海里。