句子:在蘇丹被劫持的29名中國工人最終獲釋。
誤譯:The 29 Chinese workers who had been kidnapped in Sudan finally released.
正譯:The 29 Chinese workers who had been kidnapped in Sudan were finally released.
解釋:“獲釋”就是“被釋放”,英語應(yīng)該用被動語態(tài)表達(dá)。to release 是個(gè)及物動詞,應(yīng)該用 to be released 表達(dá)“獲釋”的被動含義。
“釋放”的第一個(gè)意思是“恢復(fù)被拘押者或服刑者的人身自由 ”。英語動詞可以譯為 to release, to free, to set free。名詞可以譯為 release。如:1. 這名拒絕釋放人質(zhì)的恐怖分子被警方擊斃。The terrorist who had refused to set free the hostage was killed by the police.
2. 這位村民多年冤獄后終于被發(fā)現(xiàn)是無辜的而無罪釋放。The villager who had been imprisoned on a false charge for years was finally found innocent and released without any charge.
3. 中國政府一直在努力爭取使人質(zhì)獲得釋放。The Chinese government has been working hard to secure the release of the hostages.
“釋放”的第二個(gè)意思是“把所含的物質(zhì)或能量放出來 ”。英語動詞可以譯為 to release, to give off, to emit, to liberate。如:4. 這位政府官員在談話中釋放出改革的信號。In his talk, the government official released a signal of reform.
5. 政府部門應(yīng)該及時(shí)釋放積極的、透明的信息。Government departments should release active, transparent information in time.
6. 一塊木頭燃燒時(shí)釋放出大量的熱。A chunk of wood liberates considerable heat during combustion.
“釋放”的第三個(gè)意思是“把壓抑的情感宣泄出來”。英語可以譯為 to release。例如: 7. 你應(yīng)該放松自己,以釋放心理壓力。You should relax yourself to release your psychological pressure.
8. 她號啕大哭,釋放出全部積郁的情感。She burst into tears, releasing all her pent-up emotions.▲
(本欄目供稿:王逢鑫教授)