句 子:虛擬貨幣不能兌換成像美元或人民幣之類的現(xiàn)實(shí)貨幣。
誤譯:Subjunctive money cannot be exchanged into real money like US dollars or Renminbi.
正 譯:Virtual money cannot be exchanged into real money like US dollars or Renminbi.
解 釋:有的學(xué)生學(xué)了虛擬語(yǔ)氣( the subjunctive mood),就錯(cuò)誤地以為凡是“虛擬”,就一定譯成subjunctive。其實(shí),subjunctive是動(dòng)詞表達(dá)愿望、可能性或不確定性時(shí)的形式或語(yǔ)氣,一般僅用在英語(yǔ)語(yǔ)法中。
“虛擬”的第一個(gè)意思是“虛構(gòu)的或憑想像編造的”,英語(yǔ)可以譯為 invented, fabricated。例如:
1. 這部小說(shuō)里有些情節(jié)是虛擬的。In this novel, some plots are invented.
2. 這是作家創(chuàng)造的一個(gè)虛擬人物。This is a fictitious figure created by the writer.
“虛擬”的第二個(gè)意思是“假設(shè)的或不符合事實(shí)的”,英語(yǔ)可以譯為hypothetical, subjunctive。例如:3. 在虛擬條件下,這個(gè)計(jì)劃是可行的。Under hypothetical conditions, the plan is feasible.
4. 這個(gè)學(xué)生發(fā)現(xiàn)英語(yǔ)的虛擬語(yǔ)氣很難學(xué)。The student found it difficult to learn the subjunctive mood of English.
“虛擬”的第三個(gè)意思是“模擬”,是個(gè)動(dòng)詞,英語(yǔ)可以譯為 to imitate。例如:
5. 戲曲表演常以揚(yáng)鞭虛擬騎馬。In the performance of traditional Chinese opera, an actor often imitates riding a horse by swinging the whip.
“虛擬”的第四個(gè)意思是“與由高科技實(shí)現(xiàn)的仿實(shí)物或偽實(shí)物相關(guān)的”,英語(yǔ)可以譯為virtual。例如:
6. 虛擬世界不同于現(xiàn)實(shí)生活。The virtual world is different from real life.
7. 人們被禁止使用虛擬貨幣購(gòu)買(mǎi)實(shí)體商品。People are forbidden to use virtual currency to buy real goods.
8. 顧客可以直接從虛擬商店設(shè)計(jì)和定做服裝。Customers can design and order apparel directly from the virtual shop. ▲
(本欄目供稿:王逢鑫教授)