不知道什么時候,收到一張補習介紹所中英對照的傳單,定睛一看,問題多多。在這一小段英文里,就發(fā)現(xiàn)了五個錯誤。
第一個錯誤,很久以前談過了。看看這個句子,便知道了:
“As our children’s education is one of our greatest concern, ……”(更正:one of……concerns)。
再看下來的句子并指出其他的四個錯誤:
“We conduct screening for all tutors and most willing to produce photostated copies of their qualification.”
首先,qualification應為復數(shù),即:qualifications.其次, photostat的形容詞形態(tài)不變,或用photostatic也可,但不是 photostated.第三,第二個并列句中的動詞不見了;應該是:“ ……and are most willing……”。最后一個錯誤較嚴重,就是句子結構不當,以致語義走樣。
原文的“We conduct screening for all tutors”的意思是: “我們代替所有的補習教師進行審查工作”,但是原意應該是:“我們審查過所有的補習教師(看看他們是否……)”。如果是這樣的話,那么英文就要改一改:
“We conduct screening of all tutors(for their suitability, teaching ability……)”。然而,這樣的寫法,稍嫌羅唆,不夠簡潔,不如改為:
“We screen all tutors (for……)”
可能的話,也可以同時把第二個并列句“are most willing to produce photostat copies of their qualifications”也改為:
“will produce photostat copies……”
這樣一來,兩個并列句就等立了,平衡了,意思也一目了然了:
“We screen all tutors and will produce photostat copies of their qualifications.”
結束本文之前,讓我再回到“忽略動詞”這問題來。
忽略動詞這種錯誤是不該有的,但卻避免不了,被動句中更是如此。例如:
① Traffic police helped the country to prevent many problems that caused by motor cars. (改正:……that were caused by motor cars. / ……caused by motor cars.)
② A reward offered to her.(改正:A reward was offered to her.)
③ Can the illness cured by this type of medicine?( 改正:Can the illness be cured by this type of medicine?)
④ Building contractors will now find it easier to apply for work permits for foreign workers from non-traditional sources. The Ministry of Manpower is understood to prepare to consider applications in the service sector, too.(改正: ……The Ministry of Manpower is understood to be prepared to consider applications in the service sector, too.)