鮑川運
這一期我們討論幾個常用動詞。這幾個動詞與其英文對應詞有較高的契合度,但在用法上又有具體的差別,翻譯的時候比較容易出錯。
1. 組織
《現代漢語詞典》第7版的釋義是:1.安排分散的人或事物使具有一定系統性或整體性;2.系統; 配合關系。所以,與“組織”最為對應的英文動詞是organize。
地震發生之后,協會積極組織開展抗震救災活動。Immediately after the earthquake took place, the association took action to organize and deliver rescue and relief activities.
他的文章我看了三遍,組織得很好。Ive read his article three times. It is very well organized/structured.
我要感謝學校組織這個活動,讓我和多年不見的校友能再次相聚。I want to express my gratitude to the school for organizing this event so that I will get a chance to meet my schoolmates that I havent seen for years.
這幾句話里面的“組織”基本都符合詞典的第1個釋義“安排分散的人或事物使具有一定系統性或整體性”,因此使用organize翻譯還是比較合適的。再看幾個對“組織”靈活處理的例句:
我們要專門組織一次會議討論這個問題。Well hold a meeting specifically to discuss this issue.
凡是學校組織法律相關講座, 都愿意請他來講。He is one of the first speakers to invite whenever there is a lecture or talk on legal issues at the university.
教師要組織好課堂教學,嚴格要求學生,鼓勵學生好學上進。It is important that teachers teach in a more effective and structured manner, be strict with the students and inspire them to be enthusiastic learners who strive for progress.
市里決定組織一個由工商界人士組成的代表團出席會議。The municipal government decided to form a delegation of business leaders for the meeting.
這幾句譯文如果使用organize也說得過去,譯文采取了其他的方式靈活處理。但在有些情況下,使用organize需要特別注意。例如:
我們將組織更多的企業參加明年在法國舉行的博覽會。We will reach out and get more companies to participate in the trade fair in Paris next year.
這句話的基本結構是一個使動形式,“組織……做”,在翻譯時很容易直接使用organize sb to do sth這樣的結構,例如:organize more businesses to participate in the trade fair next year。首先,這個結構在英文中很少見;其次,鑒于“組織”在這個句子里的內涵,使用這樣的動賓搭配不太合適。這句話里的“組織”基本意思應該是“安排”或“協調”,而且其過程特征非常明顯,是通過“組織”或“安排”達到一個目的。而organize的內涵與“組織”的第一個釋義比較契合,即“安排分散的人或事物使具有一定系統性或整體性”,換句話說,organize的賓語往往是經過“組織”后達成的一個結果或一種形式,例如:organize a team,organize a tour,organize a delegation。如果要用organize表述這個具有過程特點的結構,按照中文的結構順序,要使用organize sb to do sth,這個結構好像是對應了,但用法不當。如果一定要用organize這個動詞,可以先完成organize的搭配結構,然后在后面加內容,例如“Well organize a delegation with wider business representation for the trade fair in Paris next year.”,而不是直接用 organize people to do sth這樣的對應結構。
“組織……做”這樣的結構在中文里是常見的,如:
節前,縣交通部門組織人員到縣汽車客運站開展安全大檢查,排查安全隱患,嚴防各類事故的發生。Shortly before the holiday season began, inspectors had been dispatched by the county transportation department to carry out safety checks at bus terminals, to eliminate safety hazards and therefore prevent the occurrence of any accidents.
這里的“組織人員……開展節前安全大檢查”用法與上句相同,不能說organize inspectors to do sth,而是可以采取不同的方法表示相同的意思。
把下崗職工組織起來,自我創業,共同致富。Support programs will be provided to displaced workers to help them start their own businesses, and build a better life for themselves and their families.
這句話里的“組織”,應該是系統地、全面地、有組織地提供幫助,而非一定是將下崗工人納入一個具體的組織機構。譯文采用了比較含糊的support programs,既然是一種program,那么就是一種比較正規和系統的支持。如果這里的內涵是下崗職工應該通過某種形式一起合作,則可以處理為:Displaced workers should be encouraged to work together to start their own businesses and build a better life for themselves and their families.亦即,應該根據具體的語境確定可行的譯文,而不是機械地采用organize sb to do sth 這樣的對應結構。
下面看幾個英文例句:
I am already 18 and I dont want anyone to organize my life. 我都18歲了,不需要任何人安排我的生活。
We are running a little tight on the budget, so consider organizing the purchase of supplies in a supermarket to save on costs, instead of the connoisseur store.我們的預算不太充裕,所以請您購買日用品的時候安排去超市,不要去精品店。
They will organize opportunities for your dance team and get you on track for a great season.他們會給你們舞蹈團安排演出機會,讓你們走向大獲成功的演出季。
The crowd gradually started to organize into lines.人群慢慢排成了隊形。
His thoughts began to organize around a new idea.他的思緒開始圍繞著一個新的想法組織起來。
The emotions within her finally organized into understanding.她內心的情緒終于理清,變成了理解。
2. 協調
“協調”一詞使用頻率很高,《現代漢語詞典》第7版的釋義是:1. 配合得適當;2. 使配合得適當。“協調”在各個語境下的意思還是比較豐富的。看看下面幾個例句:
剛上大學學習會很緊張,但是我們也應該協調好學習與休息的關系。Courses can be overwhelming as we start college, but it is important to find a balance between studying and resting.
經過老師的多方協調,這幾位同學終于得到了這家公司的實習機會。Thanks to the teachers relentless effort to communicate and negotiate, these students were finally offered opportunities to intern at this company.
雙方談了三次,但是立場仍然南轅北轍,無法協調。After three meetings, the two parties still couldnt agree on anything, with their positions being too far apart.
這件事情很棘手,還是得請王先生出面協調。This is a tricky issue, and well need Mr. Wang to step in and coordinate / help find a solution.
隨著城市化進程的不斷推進,社區建設中常常會出現社區各組織之間的利益不協調、管理不到位、機制不順暢等問題。As urbanization continues to advance, community construction often faces challenges in different areas, including misalignment of interests among community organizations, inadequate management, and less than functional mechanisms.
以上幾個句子里面的“協調”在不同的語境下都有稍微不同的意思,因此采用了比較靈活的方式翻譯。再看看下面幾個例句:
各部門人員缺乏協調和相互聯系,將影響公司總體效益目標的實現。The companys profit target would be difficult to achieve if there is a lack of coordination and interaction between different departments.
每次發生全球性的公共衛生危機時,世衛組織都需要積極協調國際衛生應對行動。Whenever a global public health crisis occurs, the World Health Organization must act quickly to coordinate international health response actions.
協調反貪工作,切實打擊不當行為與貪污舞弊。Anti-corruption efforts must be carried out in a coordinated manner in order to effectively crack down on misconduct and corruption.
本地區經濟必須遵循“人口、資源、環境”協調發展的原則。Economic development in this region must be guided by the principle of balanced development across population, resources, and environment.
這幾句中,“協調”的內涵與coordinate都比較對應,沒有什么疑問。但是最后一句將“協調發展”譯為balanced development,主要考慮的是coordinate的內涵涉及到很多具體的協調工作,從發展的實際情況來看,人口、資源、環境三個方面之間并不一定有很多具體的協調工作。所謂的“協調發展”更多指的是一種發展方式或目標,三個方面都要有發展,不可忽視任何一方。從這個角度理解,balanced development更為合適。
3. 統籌
“統籌”也是一個常見動詞,意思是通盤籌劃,比較常見的翻譯是overall planning、coordinate等,基本上說明了這個詞的兩個方面:一是做整體規劃,但不一定涉及執行;二則是對具體事項進行規劃協調,涉及一定程度的行動。例如:
城市規劃中需要統籌考慮交通、住房和環境保護。Transportation, housing, and environmental protection need to be considered in a holistic manner in urban planning.
接下來兩年,我們要統籌推進農用地整治、村莊整治、生態保護修復。For the next two years, well pursue the objectives outlined in our master plan to promote more efficient use of land, improve village infrastructure and conserve the environment.
圍繞建成世界一流強港,統籌推進港航設施建設。The construction of port and shipping facilities will proceed simultaneously, as part of our plan for a world-class port.
統籌做好疫情防控工作,最大限度降低疫情對經濟社會發展的影響。Epidemic prevention and control efforts must be effectively coordinated to minimize the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development.
統籌推進重大基礎設施項目建設,聚焦交通、能源、城市建設、農業農村等領域。A number of major infrastructure projects will be implemented concurrently, mostly in transportation, energy, urban construction, and agriculture and rural areas.
項目管理中團隊領導必須能夠統籌資源,確保項目的順利進行。In project management, team leaders must be able to coordinate resources to ensure the smooth progress of the project.
他在公司擔任副總,負責統籌公司財務、營銷部門的工作。He is a vice president at the company who oversees the finance and marketing departments.
統籌城鄉公共服務,讓農民真正享受到優質的公共服務是鄉村振興的重要內容。As part of the efforts to achieve rural revitalization, farmers must be able to have access to quality public services on par with urban residents.
通過這些譯文,也許能夠看到對“統籌”一詞的理解角度。可以從三個方面看。第一,“統籌”用來表示對幾項工作或者事情制訂整體規劃,整體推進。第二,“統籌”的意思側重于幾個方面的行動同時推進,同時取得進展,行動大于計劃。第三,特別體現在最后一個例句上,說到“統籌城鄉發展”和“統籌城鄉公共服務”的時候,雖說是“統籌”,但重點不是城市和鄉村同時取得發展,而主要是農村如何實現發展趕上城市。這里的“統籌城鄉公共服務”,其功能通常相當于一個題目或目標,在句子里不是主句成分,內容的重點應該是在后半句,因此處理的方式是以后半句內容為主,即農民享受高質量公共服務后,便達到統籌城鄉公共服務的目標。這樣處理可以明確表示目的,結構上也簡潔一些。當然,不同的譯者有不同的理解角度,只要能將原文的意思表達清楚,方式可以是靈活的。
* 美國明德大學蒙特雷國際研究學院高級翻譯學院教授,本刊顧問。