鮑川運
一詞多義在中文和英文中都是常見的現象,也是造成翻譯問題的根源之一。主要的問題是,中文與英文可能在一個層面意思相同,但在其他層面意義或用法則有區別。如果使用一個對應詞翻譯各個層面的意思,則會造成搭配和意思表達的問題。這一期我們繼續討論常用詞的翻譯。
1. 部署
《現代漢語詞典》(第7版)對“部署”的釋義是:安排,布置。與“部署”對應的英文是deploy、deployment,因此在翻譯“部署”這個詞的時候,deploy這個詞好像總是繞不過去。當然,在一定的語境下,deploy是非常適當的選擇,先看看“部署”與 deploy比較對應的層面:
為推動5G基建設施的全面部署,歐盟提出了《千兆基礎設施法案》。
The EU has proposed the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, in order to promote the full deployment of 5G infrastructure.
鑒于邊境地區緊張局勢升溫的情況,部隊將增加部署。
Given increased tensions along the borders, more troops will be deployed.
這項技術剛剛開發出來,但要實現產業全面部署還需要至少一年的時間。
It is a recently developed technology, and it may take at least another year before it is deployed across the industry.
但是在下面一些情況下,“部署”一詞的翻譯經常遇到困難,例如:
近日將出現大風降溫天氣,各單位提前部署, 積極做好防寒工作。
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.
根據縣產業政策的安排部署,我們將發展中藥材種植項目。
Based on the countys strategy for business development, we will launch a project to grow Chinese medicinal herbs.
昨日, 省政府召開視頻會議,部署本年度防汛重點任務。
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,要一個標準執行到底。
Policies and work plans by the municipal government must be implemented effectively across the board.
地震剛剛發生,他就趕往災區,在現場部署救災工作。
Immediately after the earthquake took place, he rushed to the disaster area and began to coordinate rescue activities.
看看這幾句話的語境,也許能夠發現一個規律:對未來的工作做“部署”,往往是“安排”“布置”,而應對現場發生的情況進行“部署”,則有“指揮”“組織”的意思。最后一句“在現場部署救災工作”,意思是在現場就要及時采取行動,“部署”就沒有譯為plan,而是coordinate,或者是 oversee。
另外,“部署”作為動詞與名詞搭配使用,不同的搭配側重點不一樣。有些情況下側重于結果的表述,例如“部署部隊”“部署一項新技術”等,“部署”了,動作即完成,這種搭配與deploy完全對應。有的情況下表示一個過程,如“部署工作”“部署任務”,“工作”和“任務”都不是結果,是一個過程,部署之后事情還是要繼續的,有個有動作的延續,工作要做,任務要完成,有“使動”結構的意思,“安排……做某事”,因此不宜說deploy work、deploy tasks。表面上是詞匯搭配問題,但在深層層次上有語義結構的區別。
通過下面幾個英文例句,可以進一步發現deploy的搭配特點:
Medical personnel and resources will be deployed to assist in disaster relief efforts.
將調配醫務人員和物資協助救災工作。
Three teams of engineers were deployed on this important project.
這個重要的項目安排了三組工程師合作。
The approach you have proposed sounds very nice, but it could be difficult to deploy.
你提的方法聽起來很不錯,但實施起來可能不容易。
The company will deploy protection measures to safeguard consumer information.
公司將采取措施保護消費者信息。
A skilled lawyer may strategically deploy legal terminology during court hearings.
一位業務精湛的律師在庭審中會有策略地使用法律術語。
這幾個英文例句顯示,deploy與名詞的搭配,范圍似乎比較廣泛,有的表示“安排”“布置”的意思,有的表示“實施”“運用”的意思,但都表示一個已經完整的意思,是一個結果。由此可見,中文的“部署”和deploy在有些搭配方面是一致的,但在很多其他方面則不一樣。
2. 布局
《現代漢語詞典》(第7版)對“布局”的釋義是:全面安排。顯然這是對“布局”作為動詞使用的釋義。“布局”作為動詞,表示一個過程,而作為名詞,則表示一個結果或者狀態。“布局”作為動詞,在英文中倒沒有一個比較明顯的對應詞,因此需要根據語境具體判斷選詞。先看看“布局”作為動詞的用法。
關于西北市場,我們先布局,待條件成熟后,再大舉推進。
Lets first build a presence in the Northwest market and start to expand our operations when we have a strong foothold there.
公司在贊比亞和南非建了分公司,為將來在非洲的發展布局。
The company has set up offices in Zambia and South Africa, to set the stage for its future growth in Africa.
接下來市場可能會出現一次較大的回調,我們要抓住時機,逢低布局。
A major market correction is likely to happen soon, and lets seize the opportunity to build up our positions.
公司這兩年布局歐洲市場的新產品表現很是搶眼。
The new products the company has launched in the European market in the last two years have proven to be exceptionally successful.
在這幾個例句中,“布局”都是動詞,譯文都采用了不同的方式,基本上還是要看語境。根據語境選擇適當的表述,而不是采用一個固定的對應方式翻譯。
再看看“布局”作為名詞的用法和翻譯。
新興產業越來越多,工業布局理論必將發揮越來越重要的作用。
The principles of industrial location theory become increasingly relevant as more and more new industries emerge.
過去,中國的工業布局由于受歷史與政策因素的影響,形成“南輕北重、東輕西重”的特點。
Due to policy decisions and historical circumstances, Chinas 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.
文化產業逐漸成為國家發展的重要支柱之一,因此,制訂科學合理的文化產業發展規劃和布局至關重要。
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.
新開發區的建設是百年大計,應優化產業布局及產業結構。
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.
商業性公共設施布局要結合中心區和臨近區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,先要檢查消防安全布局是否合理、建筑耐火等級是否達標。
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.
“布局”作為名詞使用的時候,雖然是名詞形式,但其內涵有時候也有動作的意思,需要根據語境判斷,適當處理。例如上面的例句中,后三句里的“布局”,都采用了動詞結構處理,力求把原文的意思說得更清楚一些。
3. 安排
“安排”是一個及其高頻的詞匯,不同語境下表現力非常豐富。《現代漢語詞典》(第7版)的釋義是:有條理、分先后地處理(事物);安置(人員)。英文與之對應的詞是arrange。先看看下面幾個例句。
新生報道日,我們安排了十位學生到車站接站。
On the freshmen registration day, we arranged for ten students to pick up the new arrivals at the railway station.
非常感謝你們為我們的訪問所做的周到安排。
We are grateful for the thoughtful arrangements you have made for our visit.
二級市場上量化交易應突出公平性,有效進行監管,規范發展,這是需要進一步完善的制度安排。
Robust institutional arrangements need to be put in place for quantitative trading, to ensure fairness, effective regulation and orderly growth.
這幾句的“安排”都采用了對應詞arrange, arrangement。再看看下面的例句:
周末有什么安排嗎?
What are your plans for the weekend?
請同學們按照老師的安排完成作業。
Please follow the teachers instructions/plans and complete your homework.
學校昨天晚上的聯歡會的節目安排得很好,大家都很高興。
Programs at the school party last night were well-organized, and everyone was happy.
這件事情很重要,董事會將專門安排時間研究。
Given the importance of the matter, the Board will set aside another time to have a focused discussion.
處長每次出差,都要把處里的工作安排好才放心。
Each time he has to travel, the director would make sure that things at the office are properly organized before he leaves.
學院將根據課程設置安排崗位, 實施全員聘用制。
The college will implement a fixed-contract system across the board, and all positions will be staffed based on listed courses in the curriculum.
這張訂單特急,請幫忙盡快安排并告之你們的交期情況。
This is an urgent order, and I would appreciate it if you could give it your immediate attention and let me know an estimated timeframe for delivery.
疫情期間, 公司總裁安排為每名員工發口罩、消毒水以及中藥等物資。
During the pandemic, the president of the company had supplies prepared for each employee, including masks, disinfectant and traditional Chinese medicine.
這幾個例句中,對“安排”一詞,無論是名詞還是動詞,都根據不同的語境進行了靈活處理,通過這些方法說明對原文的理解角度,在理解的基礎上確定英文的適當表達方法,而不是盯住arrange或者 arrangement進行對應式的翻譯。“安排”的第二個釋義是“規劃”,因此在這個層面上,與英文的plan比較一致,這個詞在英文中的使用也非常靈活,很多情況下確實表示“安排”的意思,例如:
I want to play basketball on Sunday, but my girlfriend has already made other plans for me.
我想星期天打打籃球,可是我女朋友已經給我安排其他事情了。
I wont be graduating until two years later, and my parents are already trying to plan a career path for me.
我還有兩年才畢業,可是父母現在已經開始給我安排/規劃將來的職業發展方向了。
They planned a surprise party for their friends birthday.
他們為朋友的生日安排了一個驚喜派對。
Dont let others plan your future for you.
你的未來不要讓別人來安排。
詞匯的表意對應是中譯英過程中經常出現的問題。對中文的詞經常查查詞典,做一點分析,了解一個詞各個層面的意思,能夠幫助確定詞在具體語境下的準確含義,有助于找到更多的表述方法,從而使翻譯更為準確和適當。
* 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。