日常英語對話翻譯
日常英語對話翻譯
看得多美國劇集,你會發現在日常英語對話中,有些很簡單的詞組或句子,表達的卻並非字面上的意思。如果理解不到位,往往會鬧出笑話。例如有這麼兩個看似簡單的說法:
1.Tell me about it! (字面意思:快告訴我是怎麼回事!)
2.What else is new? (字面意思:還有什麼新的嗎?)
其實,以上兩句如果放到對話中,所表達的含義會與字面意思有很大不同。那麼,這兩句到底是什麼意思呢?讓我們舉幾個例子:
Tell me about it!
A:Do you know under the newly reformed tax plan, the rich people actually pay less tax?
你知道嗎,如果實行改革後的新稅務計劃,富人交納的稅反而會更少?
B: Tell me about it! My neighbor is a millionaire, he told me that his tax rate would be reduced by fifty percent.
可不是嗎?我的鄰居是個百萬富翁。他告訴我,他的交稅比例將降低50%。
在這裡,“tell me about it”不是要求對方細說,而是表示一種附和,還帶有驚訝的成分。再比如:
A: Under such harsh economic downturns, working class can hardly make ends meet.
經濟下滑這麼厲害,工薪階層快要揭不開鍋了。
B: Tell me about it! In my family alone two people got laid off. I don't know how I can make the mortgage payment this month.
可不是嗎?光我們家被解僱的就有兩人,我還不知道這個月怎麼付房子的銀行貸款呢。
What else is new?
A:Hey, do you know the new governor is going to cut the funding for education?
嘿,你聽說了嗎?新州長要減少教育經費呢!
B: What else is new? We all know he represents big companies. Education is not what he concern about the most!.
那有什麼稀奇的?我們早就知道他一向代表大公司的利益,教育不是他最關心的事。
在這裡,What else is new表示,這種結局是預料之中的事,不算什麼新聞。所以,根據上下文,也可翻譯為“這算不上什麼新聞”。再比如:
A:Yesterday my daughter gave me a gift wish list for her 15th birthday. Among other things she asks for a lap-top computer!
昨天,我女兒給我開了一張單子,列舉了她15歲生日想要的禮物。其中竟然有一台手提電腦!
B: What else is new? At least she hasn't asked for a car. Wait till next year!
那有什麼稀奇的?她至少沒讓你送她一輛車。明年你等著瞧吧!
-可參閱更多翻譯技巧-
斯比翻譯
Spear Translation
http://www.spear.com.hk
留言
張貼留言