首页 -> 2007年第9期
被动形式表示主动意义的语法特征初探
作者：李 凌
He interested himself became interested in local voluntary work.他开始关注地方志愿工作了｡
The children amused themselves bywere amused at drawing in class.孩子们上课以画画为乐｡
He acquainted himselfis acquainted with history.他熟悉历史｡
He devoted himselfis devoted to a noble cause.他献身于一项崇高事业｡
上述结构中,最明显的特征有:其一,其中的分词已经形容词化了,具有形容词的性质,用来表示人或事物的状态｡因此,如果不是特别强调动作,人们更倾向于使用“be+ed分词”,而不用“动词+反身代词”这种结构｡如:
be absorbed in专注于
She is absorbed in her book.她埋头读书｡
be engrossed in全神贯注于
Engrossed in his book,he forgot the time.他全神贯注地读书忘记了时间｡
be devoted to忠实于
Entirely devoted to the Party,he works very hard.出于对党的无限忠诚,他工作格外努力｡
其二,如果该动词本身又兼作形容词,那么,“动词+反身代词”这一结构则相当于“be+形容词”结构｡如:
busy onseclf in=be busy in忙于
absent onself from=be absent from缺席
pride onself on=be proud of 为……感到骄傲
content oneself with=be content with对……满意
2.过去分词的词性转换｡过去分词除了上述的形容词化的情况外,有些过去分词已经转化为连词或介词,因而完全丧失了被动意义｡如: given;granted ;provided ;supposed等｡
I will come provided I’m well enough.(连词)如果我身体好了的话,我就来｡
Granted this is true,you are still in the wrong.(连词)即使这是真的,你还是错｡
Given the general state of his health,it may take a while for him to recover from the operation.(介词)考虑到他的身体状况,要从手术中恢复过来还需要一段时间｡
三､无被动意义的“be+ed分词”
主要指的是一些不及物动词,当这些不及物动词的过去分词与“ be”连用时,已无被动意义,仅表示动作的完成,在句中作状语､定语或补语｡如:
Mr.Brown,now become a lawyer,used to live here.布郎先生,现在已成为律师,以前就住在这儿｡
He is become a scientist.(He is a scientist now.) 他已经成为一个科学家｡
The girl is grown into a beautiful young lady.那个女孩已经长成一个漂亮的淑女了｡
Now you are come,all my grief is removed.你来了,我伤感顿消｡
When I came back,I found my bike was gone.我回来后,发现自行车丢了｡
I won’t be finished for another hour.我还要一个小时才能完事｡
再如:an escaped prisoner一个逃犯;a retired general退伍的将军;vanished cilization 消失的文明;a well-read person一个博览群书的人;a faded rose褪色的玫瑰; a much-travelled person一个到处旅游的人;the risen sun升起的太阳｡
四､被动形式表示主动意义的情形
1.有些英语被动式,汉译时用主动式或被动式均可,不影响其意义的表达及语言的流畅｡下面的英语被动结构在汉语中都有主动和被动两种表达｡
be caught up in sth 被卷入;陷入;be stuck in被卡住;陷入;be trapped in被困;陷入;be stranded被困;搁浅;be involved in被牵涉;卷入;be taken twith被……吸引;对……感兴趣;be coated with被涂上;涂着;be made of由……做成;用……做成;be shaped like被做成……形状;状如;be covered with被覆盖;覆盖着;be dotted with被点缀;点缀着;be marked with被标记;标有;be crowded with被……挤满;挤满;be informed of被告知;获悉;be exposed to被暴露于;暴露于｡如:
The whale is stranded on the shore.这条鲸鱼在岸边搁浅这条鲸鱼被困在岸边｡
I think he is rather taken with the idea.我认为他对那想法很感兴趣我认为他被那想法吸引了｡
Shaped like a bell,this kind of trousers is popular among teenagers.这种裤子形状如钟这种裤子被做成钟状,很受孩子欢迎｡
The mountain is covered with snow.山上覆盖着雪山上被雪覆盖着｡
The room is crowded with people.这间房子挤满了人这间房子被人挤满了｡
通过观察以上例句可知,被动形式表示主动意义的主要原因是,汉语中被动句的数量少,用法窄｡在英汉翻译中,如果出现主动､被动均可的情况,根据表达习惯,人们常常译成主动句｡
2.英语中,有些词组具有明显的词形变化标记和被动语态的句法特征,但在汉译时必须译成主动式,若刻意加上“被”､“叫”等这类动词而译成被动式则显得很别扭,有的根本说不通,从而影响表达效果｡试比较:
He is felt at a little stiff.
人们认为他有点儿拘谨｡
他被认为有点儿拘谨｡
Compared with last year,our production has been quadrupled this year.较之于去年,我们今年的产量翻两番｡
被与去年比,我们今年的产量翻两番｡
The book was intended for the children.
这本书是写给孩子看的｡
这本书是被写给孩子看的｡
The peace talks were being held in Paris.