在翻译中如何区别historic与historical
英文中有些同根词不仅“长得”有些像,意思也相似,在翻译中尤其需要仔细辨析,以确保用词精准。如下面的这个例子:
【原文】党的十八大提出的基本要求,进一步回答了在新的历史征程上怎样才能夺取中国特色社会主义新胜利的基本问题。(《习近平谈治国理政》第一卷第13页)
【译文】The basic requirements set forth at the 18th National Congress answer the question of how to achieve new victories for Chinese socialism on the new historic journey. (Xi JinPing The Governance of China,P13)
【原文】党的十八大强调指出,发展中国特色社会主义是一项长期的艰巨的历史任务,必须准备进行具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争。(《习近平谈治国理政》第一卷第16页)
【译文】The 18th National Congress pointed out that developing Chinese socialism is a long-term arduous task of historic importance, and we must be prepared for a great struggle with many new historic features.(Xi JinPing The Governance of China,P18)
【原文】我们要珍惜人民给予的权力,用好人民给予的权力,自觉让人民监督权力,紧紧依靠人民创造历史伟业,使我们党的根基永远坚如磐石。(《习近平谈治国理政》第一卷第27页)
【译文】We should cherish the power conferred on us by the people and exercise it discreetly, and welcome their supervision. We should rely closely on them to create historic achievements, so as to make the foundation of our Party rock-solid.(Xi JinPing The Governance of China,P29)
【原文】一个国家实行什么样的主义,关键要看这个主义能否解决这个国家面临的历史性课题。(《习近平谈治国理政》第一卷第22页)
【译文】What doctrine a country may choose is based on whether it can resolve the historical problems that confront that country.(Xi JinPing The Governance of China,P24)
【原文】历史和现实都告诉我们,只有社会主义才能救中国,只有中国特色社会主义才能发展中国,这是历史的结论、人民的选择。(《习近平谈治国理政》第一卷第22页)
【译文】Both history and reality have shown us that only socialism can save China and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can bring development to China. This conclusion is the result of historical exploration, and the choice of the people. (Xi JinPing The Governance of China,P24)
【原文】历史反复证明,人民群众是历史发展和社会进步的主体力量。(《习近平谈治国理政》第一卷第27页)
【译文】History has time and again proved that the people are the major force behind historical development and social progress.(Xi JinPing The Governance of China,P29)
如译例所示,“history”的形容词有两个,分别是“historic”和“historical”,其用法区别结合例句可有所体会。根据《牛津词典》,这两个词的词义解释和用法辨析如下:
Historic: [usually before noun]
1. important in history; likely to be thought of as important at some time in the future 历史上著名(或重要)的;可名垂青史的
2. of a period during which history was recorded 有历史记录以来的,有史可考的
Historical:[usually before noun]
1. connected with the past (有关)历史的
2. connected with the study of history 有关历史研究的;历史学的
3. (of a book, film/movie, etc. 书籍、电影等) about people and events in the past 历史题材的
Historic is usually used to describe something that is so important that it is likely to be remembered. historic 通常用以表示具有重要历史意义:
Today is a historic occasion for our country. 今天是我国具有历史意义的日子。
Historical usually describes something that is connected with the past or with the study of history, or something that really happened in the past. historical通常涉及历史、史学、过去的事实:
I have been doing some historical research. 我一直在进行史学研究。
Was Robin Hood a historical figure? 罗宾汉是历史人物吗?
(上述内容摘自《牛津词典》)
因此,即使在两个词均可使用的情况下(如形容某重要历史事件,既可以用 historic 也可以用 historical ),表达含义仍有所不同,所以不能任意使用或替换。
再次返回译例,其中译例1-3使用 historic 侧重表述“伟大的,有重要历史意义的”等含义;译例4-6使用 historical 侧重表达“关于历史的,历史上的”等含义。
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