孫 麗

漢語里“點(diǎn)”字,無論是在書面語還是在口語中,可謂隨處可見。它不僅多詞性,而且多詞義。它可以是名詞,如:“點(diǎn)鐘”、“小數(shù)點(diǎn)”;還可以是動詞,如“點(diǎn)名”、“點(diǎn)頭”、“點(diǎn)菜”;還可以用來表示較少的量,如:“喝點(diǎn)水”、“加點(diǎn)油”;此外,還可用來表示輕微的程度,如“有點(diǎn)累”。正是它在語義和語用上的復(fù)雜性,才往往給英語學(xué)習(xí)者帶來一定學(xué)習(xí)上的困難。下面就從上述這四個方面對“點(diǎn)”的語義和語用概述一下。

一、作名詞的“點(diǎn)”

常令學(xué)生困惑的是漢語中作為名詞的“點(diǎn)”的英語對應(yīng)詞,如:drop,spot,dot,stain,point等。這些詞意義相近,令學(xué)生使用時難以選擇,所以經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)濫用和錯用現(xiàn)象。

drop:指重量足夠以滴的形式落下的最小量液體。如:A few drops of rain had fallen on my head before I could run into the pub.(在我還沒來得及跑進(jìn)那個酒館之前,幾滴雨點(diǎn)已經(jīng)落到我的頭上);另外,a drop of后面接液體以外的名詞,強(qiáng)調(diào)少量,意思是“一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)”。如:When the man went bankrupt,his wife did not show a drop of pity.(當(dāng)男人破產(chǎn)的時候,他的妻子沒有表現(xiàn)出絲毫的憐憫)。

spot:常強(qiáng)調(diào)斑點(diǎn)。如:When she was ill,some red spots appeared on her face.(當(dāng)她生病的時候,她臉上出現(xiàn)了一些紅斑點(diǎn));spot還用來指室內(nèi)或室外的有一定限度的特殊的地點(diǎn)或場所。如:This is the spot where he was murdered ten years ago.(這就是十年前他被謀殺的地點(diǎn))。

stain:強(qiáng)調(diào)因其它的東西而弄臟的污跡或污點(diǎn)。如:Some coffee stains were found on the white cloth after the breakfast.(早飯后發(fā)現(xiàn)在潔白的桌布上有一些咖啡漬);stain也用來指名譽(yù)上的污點(diǎn),甚至恥辱。如:He regarded his retreat from the war as a stain on his honor.(他認(rèn)為退出戰(zhàn)爭是他名譽(yù)上的一個污點(diǎn))。

dot:往往用來指小圓點(diǎn)。如:Do you like that tie with white dots.(你喜歡帶白點(diǎn)點(diǎn)兒的那個領(lǐng)帶嗎?);My E-mail address is peter at 163 dot com.(我的電子信箱地址是peter@163.com.)。

point:指不論所占空間的形狀或大小的特定的地點(diǎn),它可指一個固定的、可以以此計算位置和距離的地點(diǎn)。如:I travelled from one point to another and I was finding the trip very exciting.(我從一個地方游到另一個地方,越發(fā)發(fā)現(xiàn)這次旅游真開心);point也常用來指小數(shù)點(diǎn)。如:The room is four point five meters wide.(這個房間寬四點(diǎn)五米);point也用來表示時間點(diǎn),尤其指特定的時刻或轉(zhuǎn)折點(diǎn)。如:It was a turning point in his career.(這是他事業(yè)上的轉(zhuǎn)折點(diǎn)),At this point he ran out of the house.(就在此時他跑出了房子);point還可以指要點(diǎn)或主要觀點(diǎn)。如:Well study all the language points in details before coming to the text.(在學(xué)習(xí)課文之前,我們要詳細(xì)地學(xué)一下語言點(diǎn)),Now I can understand your point.(現(xiàn)在我明白你的觀點(diǎn)了);point還可用來表示價格漲落的點(diǎn)。如:Prices on the stock exchange advanced two points.(股票市場價格漲了兩點(diǎn));point還可用來表示熔點(diǎn)或沸點(diǎn)等。如:Do you know the melting point of gold?(你知道黃金的熔點(diǎn)嗎?)。

二、作動詞的“點(diǎn)”

作動詞的“點(diǎn)”,在不同的語境中,具有不同的意義。應(yīng)認(rèn)真分析,明確意義,找出英語中地道、適切的對應(yīng)表達(dá)方法。請體會下面常用的“點(diǎn)”動詞的英語表達(dá):

你可以點(diǎn)任何你喜歡吃的菜。You can order whatever dishes you like.

這個問題他需要點(diǎn)撥。He needs to be instructed on this problem.

你本來不必點(diǎn)穿這一秘密的。You neednt have pointed out the secret.

我們每次上英語課老師都點(diǎn)名。Our teacher will call the roll whenever we have English classes.

當(dāng)我回答這個問題的時候,老師臉上帶著微笑,不住地點(diǎn)頭。When I answered the question,my teacher,with a smile on her face,kept nodding her head.

他點(diǎn)燃了那所房子然后跑掉了。He set fire to the house and ran away.

三、表示較少的量的“點(diǎn)”

表示較少的量的“點(diǎn)”,有的可以作代詞單獨(dú)使用,有的可以修飾可數(shù)名詞的復(fù)數(shù)或不可數(shù)名詞。一定要根據(jù)語境意義選用準(zhǔn)確、適當(dāng)?shù)挠⒄Z表達(dá)語。如:

杯子里有點(diǎn)水。There is a little water in the glass.

杯子里沒多點(diǎn)水了。There is little water in the glass.

你想來點(diǎn)咖啡嗎?Would you like some coffee?

你想來點(diǎn)喝的嗎?Would you like something to drink?

我有點(diǎn)問題想問。I have some questions to ask.

這事我一點(diǎn)都不知道。I know nothing about it.

他樣樣事情都懂一點(diǎn)兒。He knows a little of everything.

你要多少?給我一點(diǎn)就行。How much do you want?Give me just a little.

從這你可以看到一點(diǎn)藍(lán)天。From here you can see a bit of blue sky.

只剩一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)兒時間了。Theres a little bit of time left.

對于那件事他拿不出一點(diǎn)證據(jù)。He couldnt produce a scrap of evidence against it.

這懶女人一點(diǎn)事都不愿做。The lazy woman wouldnt do a stitch of work.

如果他稍有一點(diǎn)理智,決不會做出這樣的蠢事來。If he had a modicum of sense,he wouldnt do such a foolish thing.

四、表示輕微的程度的“點(diǎn)”

充當(dāng)副詞作用的“點(diǎn)”,在句子里可以修飾形容詞、副詞或動詞,表示輕微的程度。

我現(xiàn)在感覺好一點(diǎn)了。I feel a little better now.

他們一點(diǎn)也沒料到會有那么豐盛的禮物。Little did they expect such a generous gift.

他一點(diǎn)一點(diǎn)地挖園子。He dug the garden bit by bit.

我有點(diǎn)累了。讓我們休息一會兒吧。Im a little bit tired.Lets take a break.

就慷慨大方這一點(diǎn)來說,湯姆一點(diǎn)也不像他爸爸。Tom is not a bit like his father as far as generosity is concerned.

我有點(diǎn)生氣了。I was somewhat annoyed.

她有點(diǎn)兒希望被邀請。She kind of hoped to be invited.

我總有點(diǎn)覺得這事會發(fā)生。I sort of thought this would happen.

通過以上分析可以看出,“點(diǎn)”無論作為名詞、動詞、代詞、形容詞還是副詞,在不同的語言環(huán)境里,語義和語用雖然有相近甚至重合的時候,但常常存在微妙的差別。認(rèn)真揣摩就會有此“點(diǎn)”非彼“點(diǎn)”的感覺。所以英語學(xué)習(xí)不可死記硬背,要用心體會,活學(xué)活用。