3.1双字语义即语义上是平衡的两个对立词
例l:其实,大多数动物也有奖惩制度,只是不为人所知。
In fact,most animals also have the system of rewards and penalties,which is unknown to man.
“奖”,“惩”语义平衡,没有偏重,英译(rewards and penalties)也对仗工整。
例2:人类要考虑自身的长远得失,与动物和平相处。
Man should consider his long-term gain and loss and coexist with animals peacefully.
本句中的“得(gain)”与“失(1oss)”之语义也是半斤八两,没有厚此薄彼。
3.2单一语义即语义偏重某一词素或整个词组语义单一
例3:厚薄不一的砖块不宜砌墙。
Bricks of different thickness are not right for a wal1.
“厚”与“薄”尽管语义相反,但组成词组后,基本上构成单一的意思,即“厚度”,英文中thickness在语义上正好与“厚度”相吻合。
例4:这块钢板做水坝闸门宽窄正合适。
This steel plate is just the right size for the sluice gate of the dam.
这里的“宽窄”实际上也是单一的语义,即“宽度”或“尺寸(size)”,英译时不能照字面译成the right width and narrowness,又如“开关”(switch),“凹凸”(uneven),“疏密”(density)等也只有单一语义。
对没有字外语义的双字语义和单一语义,翻译时一般可采用汉英偶合法,即汉文和英文在语义上相同或相似,双字语义两个都相同或相似,单一语义侧重在一个语素上相同或相似。
例5:据报道,劳逸结合使人不但精力充沛且更长寿,在某种意义上说,机器也一样。
It is reported that striking a proper balance between work and rest Call make you not only remain full of go but also live a longer life,and it is the same with machines in a way.
“劳逸”就是“劳动”与“休息”,属双字语义型,正好与英文work and rest语义偶合,又如“是非(right and wrong)”,“男女(men and women)”等无论从语义还是从词序结构都非常偶合。但是由于英汉语的语法结构不同,有的虽然在语义上偶合,但在词序上不同。如“迟早”英译应为sooner or later,“敌友”应为friends and enemies,“异同”应为similarities and differences等。
3.3字面语义加字外语义
有些词(组)经过长期运用与发展,不但保留