中译英策略与方法(二十六)

作者: 鲍川运

一词多义在中文和英文中都是常见的现象,也是造成翻译问题的根源之一。主要的问题是,中文与英文可能在一个层面意思相同,但在其他层面意义或用法则有区别。如果使用一个对应词翻译各个层面的意思,则会造成搭配和意思表达的问题。这一期我们继续讨论常用词的翻译。

1. 部署

《现代汉语词典》(第7版)对“部署”的释义是:安排,布置。与“部署”对应的英文是deploy、deployment,因此在翻译“部署”这个词的时候,deploy这个词好像总是绕不过去。当然,在一定的语境下,deploy是非常适当的选择,先看看“部署”与 deploy比较对应的层面:

为推动5G基建设施的全面部署,欧盟提出了《千兆基础设施法案》。

The EU has proposed the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, in order to promote the full deployment of 5G infrastructure.

鉴于边境地区紧张局势升温的情况,部队将增加部署。

Given increased tensions along the borders, more troops will be deployed.

这项技术刚刚开发出来,但要实现产业全面部署还需要至少一年的时间。

It is a recently developed technology, and it may take at least another year before it is deployed across the industry.

但是在下面一些情况下,“部署”一词的翻译经常遇到困难,例如:

近日将出现大风降温天气,各单位提前部署, 积极做好防寒工作。

A strong wind chill is expected in the next few days. Businesses and organizations need to take precautions and get prepared for the change of weather.

根据县产业政策的安排部署,我们将发展中药材种植项目。

Based on the county’s strategy for business development, we will launch a project to grow Chinese medicinal herbs.

昨日, 省政府召开视频会议,部署本年度防汛重点任务。

Yesterday, the provincial government convened a video conference at which plans and priorities were set for flood prevention this year.

市政府制定的政策和部署的工作,要一个标准执行到底。

Policies and work plans by the municipal government must be implemented effectively across the board.

地震刚刚发生,他就赶往灾区,在现场部署救灾工作。

Immediately after the earthquake took place, he rushed to the disaster area and began to coordinate rescue activities.

看看这几句话的语境,也许能够发现一个规律:对未来的工作做“部署”,往往是“安排”“布置”,而应对现场发生的情况进行“部署”,则有“指挥”“组织”的意思。最后一句“在现场部署救灾工作”,意思是在现场就要及时采取行动,“部署”就没有译为plan,而是coordinate,或者是 oversee。

另外,“部署”作为动词与名词搭配使用,不同的搭配侧重点不一样。有些情况下侧重于结果的表述,例如“部署部队”“部署一项新技术”等,“部署”了,动作即完成,这种搭配与deploy完全对应。有的情况下表示一个过程,如“部署工作”“部署任务”,“工作”和“任务”都不是结果,是一个过程,部署之后事情还是要继续的,有个有动作的延续,工作要做,任务要完成,有“使动”结构的意思,“安排……做某事”,因此不宜说deploy work、deploy tasks。表面上是词汇搭配问题,但在深层层次上有语义结构的区别。

通过下面几个英文例句,可以进一步发现deploy的搭配特点:

Medical personnel and resources will be deployed to assist in disaster relief efforts.

将调配医务人员和物资协助救灾工作。

Three teams of engineers were deployed on this important project.

这个重要的项目安排了三组工程师合作。

The approach you have proposed sounds very nice, but it could be difficult to deploy.

你提的方法听起来很不错,但实施起来可能不容易。

The company will deploy protection measures to safeguard consumer information.

公司将采取措施保护消费者信息。

A skilled lawyer may strategically deploy legal terminology during court hearings.

一位业务精湛的律师在庭审中会有策略地使用法律术语。

这几个英文例句显示,deploy与名词的搭配,范围似乎比较广泛,有的表示“安排”“布置”的意思,有的表示“实施”“运用”的意思,但都表示一个已经完整的意思,是一个结果。由此可见,中文的“部署”和deploy在有些搭配方面是一致的,但在很多其他方面则不一样。

2. 布局

《现代汉语词典》(第7版)对“布局”的释义是:全面安排。显然这是对“布局”作为动词使用的释义。“布局”作为动词,表示一个过程,而作为名词,则表示一个结果或者状态。“布局”作为动词,在英文中倒没有一个比较明显的对应词,因此需要根据语境具体判断选词。先看看“布局”作为动词的用法。

关于西北市场,我们先布局,待条件成熟后,再大举推进。

Let’s first build a presence in the Northwest market and start to expand our operations when we have a strong foothold there.

公司在赞比亚和南非建了分公司,为将来在非洲的发展布局。

The company has set up offices in Zambia and South Africa, to set the stage for its future growth in Africa.

接下来市场可能会出现一次较大的回调,我们要抓住时机,逢低布局。

A major market correction is likely to happen soon, and let’s seize the opportunity to build up our positions.

公司这两年布局欧洲市场的新产品表现很是抢眼。

The new products the company has launched in the European market in the last two years have proven to be exceptionally successful.

在这几个例句中,“布局”都是动词,译文都采用了不同的方式,基本上还是要看语境。根据语境选择适当的表述,而不是采用一个固定的对应方式翻译。

再看看“布局”作为名词的用法和翻译。

新兴产业越来越多,工业布局理论必将发挥越来越重要的作用。

The principles of industrial location theory become increasingly relevant as more and more new industries emerge.

过去,中国的工业布局由于受历史与政策因素的影响,形成“南轻北重、东轻西重”的特点。

Due to policy decisions and historical circumstances, China’s industrial layout, for a long time in the past, had been such that light industries were mostly found in the south and east while heavy industries concentrated in the northern and western regions of the country.

文化产业逐渐成为国家发展的重要支柱之一,因此,制订科学合理的文化产业发展规划和布局至关重要。

As the cultural industry has become one of the pillars for national development, it is important to develop sound and well-considered plans for its growth and deployment.

新开发区的建设是百年大计,应优化产业布局及产业结构。

In order to ensure its long-term growth, the new development zone needs to host a proper mix of industries with the right line of businesses.

商业性公共设施布局要结合中心区和临近区域人口流量合理配置。

Commercial facilities will be properly planned and positioned in connection with the foot traffic in the city center and adjacent areas.

新建筑投入使用之前,先要检查消防安全布局是否合理、建筑耐火等级是否达标。

Before a building is put into use, it is important to conduct a fire safety inspection to make sure that fire safety equipment is properly positioned, and the building meets the required fire resistance rating.

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