十一 加词与减词
《译海一粟：汉英翻译九百例》十一 加词与减词,页面无弹窗的全文阅读!
今天讨论加词和减词，前面讨论主语和避免重复等问题时都曾涉及，因此可以说不是个新问题了。现在看一看其他需要增词或减词的情况。
（一）加词
（1）因行文的需要而加词。
例1
要全心全意为人民服务，深入群众倾听他们的呼声；要敢说真话，反对说假话，不务虚名，多做实事；要公私分明，不拿原则换人情；要任人唯贤，反对任人唯亲。（DⅢ146）
I hope you will serve the people wholeheartedly, go among the masses and listen to their opinions, dare to speak the truth and oppose falsehood, not seek undeserved credit but perform real services, make a clear distinction between public and private interests, refrain from seeking personal favour at the expense of principle and appoint people on their merits rather than by favouritism. (149)
例2
永远不要过分突出我个人。（DⅢ151）
I hope they will never give me too much prominence. (153)
此二例都表示愿望，希望别人怎样做，或不要怎样做，译文加了I hope，语气显得比较婉转。
例3
回想战争年代，我们二野在每一个阶段都完成了自己的任务，而且完成得比较好。这是对二野的评价。（DⅢ336）
Looking back to the war years, I should say that our Second Field Army accomplished its tasks fairly well at every stage. That is my overall appraisal. (325)
译文加了I should say that，以I作主语，既可与前面的分词短语looking back保持一致，又可与第二句的my overall appraisal相呼应。
例4
当前在经济改革中出现了一些歪门邪道。“你有政策，我有对策。”违反法纪和政策的种种“对策”，可多了。共产党员一定要严格遵守党的纪律。（DⅢ112）
During the current economic reform some tricky practices have appeared. There are people who say, "You have your policies, and I have my ways of getting around them." Indeed, they have plenty of ways of violating the law and discipline. Party members must strictly observe Party discipline. (117)
例5
杀一儆百。杀一些可以挽救一大批干部。（DⅢ153）
Executing some of them can help save many cadres. As the saying goes, execute one as a warning to a hundred. (155)
汉语中有些成语和常讲的话，中国人不需任何铺垫，一听就明白。此二例，译文加了as the saying goes之类的话，引出下文，对外国读者有帮助。
（2）向外国读者提供相关的信息。
有些词语需向读者作较详细的解释，可以用加注的方式来解决。有些词语不必详加解释，但稍微多提供一点信息，可能对读者有帮助。下面我们就看一下，遇到后面一种情况，可以怎样处理。
例6
中国从鸦片战争起沦为半殖民地半封建社会，中国人成了世界著名的“东亚病夫”。（DⅢ205）
After the Opium War of 1840 China was reduced to the status of a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society, and the Chinese nation was known as "the sick man of Asia". (205)
例7
那五年的加速发展，也可以称作一种飞跃，但与“大跃进”不同，没有伤害整个发展的机体、机制。（DⅢ376-377）
We might call it a leap, but unlike the Great Leap Forward of 1958, it did not damage the structure and mechanisms of economic development as a whole. (364)
例8
从中华人民共和国成立到毛泽东主席逝世这段时间，我们做了大量的工作。（DⅢ136）
We did a great deal of work between 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded, and 1976, when Chairman Mao Zedong passed away. (140)
例9
我认识伯承，是一九三一年在中央苏区。初次见面，他就给我留下忠厚、诚挚、和蔼的深刻印象。（DⅢ185）
I became acquainted with Bocheng in 1931 in the Central Soviet Area in Jiangxi Province. When I saw him for the first time, I was impressed by his honesty, sincerity and amiability.(185)
以上四例，译者在行文中加了时间或地点。这个办法最简单，读者甚至不一定意识到译者在这里加了东西，但这增加的一点信息又确实能帮助读者了解原文的内容。第三个例子尤其巧妙，用了两个when引导的从句，把所加的两个年代融入句中，可以说是天衣无缝。第四例译文加了in Jiangxi Province，否则读者读到这里也许会纳闷儿，不知这究竟是什么地方。
例10
解放战争时期，毛泽东同志主张第二野战军和第三野战军联合起来作战。（DⅢ25）
During the War of Liberation [1946-1949] Comrade Mao Zedong held that the Second Field Army and the Third Field Army should be combined in military operations. (35)
例11
特别是从新民主主义革命转变到社会主义革命，搞了土改，搞了第一个五年计划的大规模工业化建设，搞了对农业、手工业和资本主义工商业的社会主义改造，事情做得非常好。（DⅢ136）
We were particularly successful during the period of transition from new-democratic revolution to socialist revolution, in which we carried out agrarian reform and then, in the period of the First Five-Year Plan [1953-1957], engaged in large-scale industrialization and completed the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts and capitalist industry and commerce. (140)
例12
我们党的十三大和全国人大七届一次会议，精神都是进一步解放思想，进一步解放生产力。（DⅢ262）
The central theme of both the Thirteenth National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and the First Plenary Session of the Seventh National People's Congress[March 25-April 13,1988] was that we must further emancipate our minds and liberate the productive forces. (257)
例13
我们建国的时候不存在这个问题，那时领导人都比较年轻。从党的十一大开始出现这个问题。（DⅢ241）
There was no such problem when the People's Republic of China was founded. At that time the leaders were young. The problem of aging didn't manifest itself until the Eleventh National Party Congress [held in August 1977]. (239)
例14
召开这次党代表会议是一九八二年十二大就决定的，因为当时党的领导机构的成员年龄偏高，所以决定在两次代表大会之间开一次党代表会议，中心目的是实现年轻化。（DⅢ150）
It was the Twelfth National Party Congress in 1982 that decided to convene the recent Party Conference. As the average age of members of the Party's leading bodies was too high, it was decided that before the next congress [in 1987] a Party conference would be held at which that age could be lowered. (153)
例15
领导层干部年轻化的目标，并不是三五年就能够实现的，十五年内实现就很好了。明年党的十三大要前进一步，但还不能完成，设想十四大再前进一步，十五大完成这个任务。（DⅢ179）
The objective of having younger leading cadres is not something that can be achieved within three years or five. We shall be doing well if we achieve it in fifteen. By the time of the Party's Thirteenth National Congress next year, we shall have taken a first step towards our goal, but that's all. By the Fourteenth National Congress [1992], we expect to have taken another step, and by the Fifteenth to have reached our objective. (180)
例16
我们正在进行改革。我们改革的内容为什么那么广泛深刻呢？因为我们有“文化大革命”的教训。（DⅢ264）
We are carrying out a thorough and extensive reform. Why? Because we have learned from the "cultural revolution" [1966-1976]. (259)
例17
卡特在位的时候，承诺从台湾撤军，同时又通过了一个《与台湾关系法》，这个《与台湾关系法》就是干涉中国内政。（DⅢ86）
The Carter Administration [1977-1981] committed itself to the withdrawal of American troops from Taiwan, but at the same time it adopted the Taiwan Relations Act, which constituted interference in China's internal affairs. (93)
从以上诸例可以看出，历史时期、事件、会议、计划、任期等均可加注年代，放在方括号内。方括号表示里面的内容是译者所加，原文是没有的。
例18
有些老同志，彭真、邓大姐、徐帅、聂帅，已经全退了。（DⅢ325）
Some veteran comrades, such as Peng Zhen, our older sister Deng [Yingchao], Marshal Xu [Xiangqian] and Marshal Nie[Rongzhen], have retired completely. (315)
例19
就是我一个，先念一个，李达一个，带着几百人不到一千人的前方指挥所留在大别山，指挥其他几个纵队，方针就是避战，一切为了站稳脚。（DⅢ341）
[Li] Xiannian, Li Da and I kept a frontline command post in the mountains, which consisted of perhaps several hundred men—anyway, less than a thousand. We commanded some other columns too. Our principle was to avoid battle and do everything possible to gain a firm foothold. (330)
称呼熟人用昵称，中外莫不如此。但若将中国人的昵称直译成英语，外国读者恐难以识别，因此以上二例译文用了全名。第二例把I放在最后，这是英语的习惯，值得注意。
例20
我们党的十三大报告是集体创作，集中了几千人的智慧，有许多内容并不是我提出来的。（DⅢ258）
The report [of the Twelfth Central Committee] to the Thirteenth National Congress of our Party represents a collective effort, concentrating the wisdom of thousands of people; it is not my work alone. (253)
例21
工业和农业年产量到本世纪末实现翻两番，要有全盘的更具体的规划，各个省、自治区、直辖市也都要有自己的具体规划，做到心中有数。落后的地区，如宁夏、青海、甘肃如何搞法，也要做到心中有数。（DⅢ24）
There should be more detailed overall planning for quadrupling gross annual industrial and agricultural output by the end of the century. Every province and autonomous region and every municipality directly under the Central Government should have a specific plan, so that it knows exactly what to do. This includes backward regions such as Ningxia[Hui Autonomous Region], Qinghai [Province] and Gansu[Province]. (34)
例22
四个现代化，其中就有一个国防现代化。如果不搞国防现代化，那岂不是只有三个现代化了？但是，四化总得有先有后。（DⅢ128）
The four modernizations include the modernization of defence. Without that modernization there would be only three[agriculture, industry, and science and technology]. But the four modernizations should be achieved in order of priority. (133)
例23
多搞点“三资”企业，不要怕。（DⅢ372-373）
We should have more of the three kinds of foreign-invested ventures [joint, cooperative and foreign-owned]. There is no reason to be afraid of them. (361)
例24
中国古代有四大发明，世界各国后来不是也利用了嘛！现在世界上的先进技术、先进成果我们为什么就不能利用呢？（DⅡ111）
Ancient China had four great inventions [paper, printing, gunpowder and the compass-Tr.], which later found their way to countries around the world. Why then should we be hesitant about making use of advanced technologies and achievements from around the world? (122)
例25
中国不是有一个“过五关斩六将”的关公的故事吗？我们可能比关公还要过更多的“关”，斩更多的“将”。过一关很不容易，要担很大风险。（DⅢ262）
In ancient China there was a story about Guangong [a famous third-century warrior of the Shu Han Kingdom], who fought his way through five passes and killed six enemy generals. We may have more "passes" to go through and more "enemy generals" to behead. It is hard for us to break through each pass, because it involves great risks. (257)
例26
后来，孙中山觉得资本主义西方不行了，提出“以俄为师”，学习十月革命后的俄国，开始了国共合作，导致北伐战争的胜利。（DⅢ205-206）
But later, when he found that what he learned from the capitalist West did not work in China, he put forward the idea of learning from Russia, which had been through the October Revolution. He initiated cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, which brought about the success of the Northern Expedition [in 1926 against the northern warlords]. (205)
例27
他很欣赏苏联著名话剧《前线》，多次强调不要做戈尔洛夫式的保守人物，而要像欧格涅夫那样勇于接受新鲜事物。（DⅢ187）
He very much enjoyed the well-known Soviet play The Front [by A. E. Korneichak, 1942] and declared on many occasions that we should emulate Ognev, who boldly accepted new things, rather than Gorlov, who was a conservative. (187)
以上各例，译者估计读者读到这里可能产生疑问，如“只有三个现代化了”、“四大发明”，指哪些具体内容呢？外国读者不见得清楚。因此，简单地加以说明，是十分必要的。
（二）减词
（1）哪些词语可以不译？
例28
中国的问题， 压倒一切的是需要稳定。（DⅢ284）
In China the overriding need is for stability. (277)
例29
经过将近九年的努力，百分之九十的农村人口解决了温饱问题。（DⅢ256）
Thanks to nine years of hard work, 90 per cent of the rural population now has enough food and clothing. (251)
例30
我国几年来的发展情况表明，凡是实行改革、开放政策的地方都搞得好。（DⅢ248）
Developments in China over the last few years have shown that whenever an area carries out reform and opens to the outside world, it prospers. (244)
汉语里，“问题”、“情况”之类的词用得很多。英语里的对应词，虽然也用，却不如汉语用得那样多。译文往往略去不译，直接用具体的词语来表达就行了。
例31
十亿人的中国坚持社会主义，十亿人的中国坚持和平政策，做到这两条， 我们的路就走对了，就可能对人类有比较大的贡献。（DⅢ158）
If China, with its one billion people, keeps to socialism and adheres to the policy of peace, it will be following the right course and will be able to make greater contributions to humanity. (161)
例32
我们现在搞两个文明建设，一是物质文明，一是精神文明。（DⅢ156）
We are working for both material and ethical progress. (159)
例33
我们一九八一年见面时谈过“四个坚持”，就是坚持社会主义道路，坚持人民民主专政，坚持共产党的领导，坚持马克思主义、毛泽东思想。这是四项基本原则。（DⅢ137）
When we met in 1981, I talked about keeping to the socialist road, upholding the people's democratic dictatorship, upholding leadership by the Communist Party and upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. Now we call these the Four Cardinal Principles. (141)
例34
我们真正干起来是一九八○年。一九八一、一九八二、一九八三这三年，改革主要在农村进行。一九八四年重点转入城市改革。（DⅢ376）
We actually started the reform in 1980. In 1981, 1982 and 1983 it was carried out primarily in the countryside. In 1984 the focus shifted to urban areas. (364)
汉语行文，喜欢有具体有概括。可以先说具体的，然后加以概括，也可以先概括说一下，再说具体的。这里所谓“概括”，也无非是用数字总提一下，如以上几个例子中的“做到这两条”、“这三年”，等等。英语行文的习惯则不同，有了具体内容就够了，若再像汉语那样总提一下，就显得多余了。
例35
在对社会主义作这样的理解下面，我们寻找自己应该走的道路。这涉及政治领域、经济领域、文化领域等所有方面的问题。（DⅢ255）
On the basis of this understanding of socialism, we are seeking the course we should follow. This involves every domain—political, economic, cultural and so on. (251)
例36
钢材、水泥等生产资料也大幅度增长。（DⅢ376）
There was also substantial growth in the production of capital goods such as rolled steel and cement. (364)
例37
比如江苏等发展比较好的地区，就应该比全国平均速度快。（DⅢ375-376）
In relatively developed areas such as Jiangsu Province, growth should be faster than the national average. (363)
例38
开放以后，一些腐朽的东西也跟着进来了，中国的一些地方也出现了丑恶的现象，如吸毒、嫖娼、经济犯罪等。要注意很好地抓，坚决取缔和打击，决不能任其发展。（DⅢ379）
Since China opened its doors to the outside world, decadent things have come in along with the others, and evils such as drug abuse, prostitution and economic crimes have emerged in some areas. Special attention must be paid to these evils, and resolute measures must be taken to stamp them out and prevent them from spreading. (366)
以上四例，说明“等”字的译法。在以上几个例子中，“等”字都有实义，也就是说还有尚未提到的内容。但有的译了，有的没有译，这是为什么？第一例译文用了and so on，后面三例译文用了such as，就不再用and so on 之类的字眼了。这是英语的习惯，值得注意。前面用“比如”，后面用“等”，这是汉语的句式，译文不可套用。
此外，“等”字有时并无实义。汉语可以在列举四个名字之后还说“等四人”，这个“等”字显然是虚的，就不要译了。
例39
但有一件小事，却于我有意义，将我从坏脾气里拖开，使我至今忘记不得。（一件小事）
One small incident, however, which struck me as significant and jolted me out of my irritability, remains fixed even now in my memory. (1956版)
One incident, however, struck me as significant, and aroused me from my ill temper, so that even now I cannot forget it. (1960版)
例40
我们反对旧社会、旧制度，就是因为它是压迫人民的，是束缚社会生产力发展的。这个问题现在是比较清楚了。过去“四人帮”提出宁要贫穷的社会主义，也不要富裕的资本主义，那是荒谬的。（DⅡ231）
We oppose the old society and the old system because they oppressed the people and fettered the productive forces. We are clear about this problem now. The Gang of Four said it was better to be poor under socialism than to be rich under capitalism. This is absurd. (235)
例41
总之，就全国范围来说，我们一定能够逐步顺利解决沿海同内地贫富差距的问题。（DⅢ374）
In short, taking the country as a whole, I am confident that we can gradually bridge the gap between coastal and inland areas. (362)
例42
我们的根本问题就是要坚持社会主义的信念和原则，发展生产力，改善人民生活，为此就必须开放。否则，不可能很好地坚持社会主义。（DⅢ274）
For us, the basic task is to maintain socialist convictions and principles, expand the productive forces and raise the people's living standards. To accomplish this task, we must open our country to the outside world. Otherwise, we shall not be able to stick to socialism. (269)
从以上四例可以看出，用名词、或动词、或形容词就够了，不一定需要再用别的词语来修饰。这样给人的印象最深，加了修饰语，效果可能适得其反。
第一例有两个译文。初次发表时，“一件小事”译作one small incident。隔了几年再次发表时，还是原来的译者，却把它改为one incident。不但文中这样改了，连题目也由A small incident改为An incident了。是不是很值得玩味？
（2）简洁
例43
中印两国对人类有一个共同的责任，就是要利用现在有利的和平国际环境来发展自己。为什么这样说呢？因为中印两国共有十八亿人口，占世界总人口三分之一以上。（DⅢ281）
Under the present favourable and peaceful international circumstances, China and India have a common responsibility to mankind—to develop. Why so? Because together our two countries have a population of 1.8 billion, or more than one third of the world's total. (274)
例44
鸣凤：我真怕您会忘记了。（家144-146）
Phoenix: I was afraid you may one day forget me.
觉慧：我不会忘记你，永远不会！你相信么？
Juehui: Never! I'll never forget. Do you believe me?
鸣凤：相信。
Phoenix: Yes.
觉慧：你呢？
Juehui: And you?
鸣凤：我会想着你，想着，一直到我死。就是死后，我还是会想着您的。
Phoenix: I will think of you, all the time, till I die. Even after I die.
例45
觉慧：你快活么？（家134）
Juehui: Are you happy?
鸣凤：快活。
Phoenix: Yes.
觉慧：真快活？
Juehui: Truly?
鸣凤：真快活呀！
Phoenix: Truly.
例46
觉新：这是不可能的——（家26）
Juexin: No, it's impossible—
觉慧：世上没有不可能的事!
Juehui: Nothing's impossible!
觉新：现在太晚了。
Juexin: Too late now.
觉慧：不，还不晚。
Juehui: No, it's not.
英语喜欢简洁，有许多省略的说法。汉语也自有其省略的说法，只是两种语言不见得吻合罢了。因此，能省则省，尽量使用省略的说法，便成了译者的首选。第一例译文Why so? 那个Why是副词，表示疑问，so是代词，指上文说的话。就是这样两个词构成了一个疑问句，何等简洁！第二例译文Even after I die 只是半句话，前面说过的I will think of you就不必像汉语那样重复了，但其含义自在其中。第三例原文“快活”一词出现四次，译文happy只出现一次。第四例译文也在多处使用了省略的说法。在舞台上说话，简洁恐怕是一个不可忽略的因素。
例47
既然我们鼓励“走出去”出国留学，为什么不能“引进来”，让国外的人到我们这儿来合作办学呢？（L190）
Now that we encourage Chinese students to go study abroad, why can't we bring foreign personnel to join us in running universities? (191)
例48
阎锡山进攻上党区有三万八千多人，我们比他们还少一点，也就是三万出头，从编制上讲，一个完整的、编制充实的团都没有，而且装备很差，弹药很少，可以说是一群游击队的集合。（DⅢ336-337）
Yan Xishan had more than 38,000 troops with which to attack the Shangdang area, while we had only a little over 30,000. Organizationally, we did not even have a complete, fully staffed regiment, and our soldiers were poorly equipped and had only a small amount of ammunition. You might say that they were only a formation of guerrilla forces. (325)
例49
还要说远一点，在抗日战争时，我们就处在一个大门的地位。那时不叫二野，是二野的前身。（DⅢ336）
Earlier, during the War of Resistance Against Japan, we had also stood at the gateway. At that time our forces were the predecessors of the Second Field Army. (325)
以上三例，原文都用不同的词语表达相同或相近的意思。第一例中，“走出去”和“引进来”都是形象的说法。“走出去”在这里的意思就是后头说的“出国留学”。“引进来”在这里的意思就是后头说的“让外国人到我们这儿来合作办学”。第二例说敌人三万八千多人，我们三万出头，“比他们还少一点”的意思自然包含其中，只是一种说法比较具体，另一说法比较笼统。第三例既然说是二野的前身，“不叫二野”是不言而喻的。译文保留了具体的详细的说法，略去了形象的、笼统的或已涵盖的说法。原文是很好的，合乎中文的行文习惯，听起来很自然，略有重复，无妨。照原文译也是可以的，只是略显重复，而英语恰恰是最不喜欢重复的，这大概也正好体现了汉英两种语言的差异吧。
例50
我曾形象地描绘当时高等教育资源被分割的局面，就好像一块蛋糕，先被横切，再被竖切，左切右切，最后被切成蛋糕屑了。（L81）
I once likened this fragmentation of higher education resources to a cake being reduced to a pile of crumbs after being repeatedly sliced this way and that. (70)
例51
我为什么讲这个历史？因为我们现在的路线、方针、政策是在总结了成功时期的经验、失败时期的经验和遭受挫折时期的经验后制定的。历史上成功的经验是宝贵财富，错误的经验、失败的经验也是宝贵财富。（DⅢ234-235）
Why am I telling you about this history? Because our present line, principles and policies were formulated after we reviewed our successes and our failures and reverses. The experience of successes is valuable, and so is the experience of mistakes and defeats. (232)
例52
我们的农林院校重点是培养农林科技人才，在这方面作出了重大贡献。它们不但培养了大批科技人才，而且也研究出和推广了大批科技成果。袁隆平院士等就是科技人才的杰出代表。但是我想强调的是，农林院校在培养农林科技人才的同时，还要特别注意农村经济、农业经营管理等方面人才的培养。（L175）
These universities have trained many scientists and technicians in agriculture and forestry. In addition, they have made a wealth of scientific and technological achievements. Yuan Longping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is an outstanding example. But what I want to stress here is that these universities must also pay special attention to training personnel in rural economy and agricultural management. (174)
例53
梅芬：不要这样苦自己，不要想起那么怪的念头。（家206）
Plum: Don't torture yourself so. Don't get such strange ideas in your head.
瑞珏：怪么？
Jade: Are they strange?
梅芬：你能说不怪么？人世间的事情，复杂起来，真复杂；简单起来，也是真简单的。你什么都对我说了，我也要告诉你，我这次来了，看见了你们，我真是替他高兴哪！
Plum: Well, aren't they? Life can be so complex, and yet so simple. Jade, I am glad you told me everything. I must tell you something too, to have come and seen you together has made me very happy, for him.
例54
克明：五爸呢？（家270）
Keming: And your Fifth Uncle?
觉新：这一天没见着。
Juexin: I haven't seen him all day.
克明：这个混账东西，大概又不晓得跑到什么地方找他那个礼拜几去了。我真不明白父母要养儿女干什么？
Keming: The rascal! Probably with his Miss Monday or Tuesday again. What's the point of having children?
例55
鸣凤：这脸只有小时候母亲亲过，现在您挨过，再有——（家148）
Phoenix: As a baby, my cheeks have been kissed by my mother. Since then, they have been touched only by you and, —
觉慧：再有——
Juehui: And?
鸣凤：再有就是太阳晒过，月亮照过，风吹过了。
Phoenix: —the sun, the moon and the wind.
觉慧：我的好鸣凤！
Juehui: My own Phoenix!
以上六例，译文都把细节加以简化或合并。如第一例原文描写怎样切蛋糕，惟妙惟肖，生动有趣。译文是repeatedly sliced this way and that，恰到好处。第三例提到“重大贡献”，而且三次提到“培养（农林）科技人才”。译文用many, in addition, also等字眼加以衬托，简练而不失原意。第四例，“复杂起来，真复杂；简单起来，也是真简单的”，若译作what is complex can be so complex, whereas what is simple can be so simple，如何？是不是还是精练一点好？最后一例，细读译文，可以看出the sun, the moon and the wind是和前面的by you and相连的一句话，原文里的三个动词都省略了，何等简洁。
例56
觉慧：不提这个。他们恐吓我，说我扰乱治安，要枪毙我。前天夜晚，他们已经把我推出去了，一排枪都对准了我的头——（家304）
Juehui: Let's not go into that now. They tried to intimidate me, you know, accused me of subversive activities and sentenced me to be shot. Night before last, they actually put me against the wall,—
例57
觉慧：你为什么欺负她？（家244）
Juehui: Why are you torturing her?
冯乐山：谁，谁欺负她？
Feng: Who? Who is torturing her?
觉慧：不要脸，你还赖什么？你看你叫她苦成什么样子？你这个假善人，伪君子。你装的什么道学面孔？
Juehui: You shameless old fake! Are you trying to deny it? See what you have done to her! You hypocrite, you cheat, you and your moralizing.
以上二例，译文突出了所要表达之内容的特征，既简洁，又传神。第一例译文用了put me against the wall。原文比这具体得多，但我们从文学作品中得知，被处决的人往往要站在墙根。这就意味着马上就要行刑了。巴黎至今还保留着一面墙，叫做“公社墙”，是当年处死巴黎公社起义战士的地方。第二例提到“道学面孔”，这哪里是三言两语能说清楚的。但moralizing一词恰好能说明其特征，用在这里实在是再恰当不过了。
译文中增加词语，有时是为了把话说得周全一点，免得读者感到突然，有时是为了怕读者产生疑问而提供一些补充信息。总之都是考虑到读者的需要而采取的措施。
译文减词，为了使词句简洁。我们随后还要讨论具体化和再细一点等题目。这也都是考虑到读者的需要，便于读者看明白译文，抓住原文所要表达的意思。
过去做翻译，强调忠实于原文，译者只对原文负责就行了，很少想到读者的反应。现在的做法可以说是一大进步。译者心中装着读者——义不容辞。