三、英译汉部分试题的解题技巧
透彻的理解是做好翻译题的前提。透彻的理解是指对作者的观点态度了解清楚。考生要把题目中的各个部分句子的相互关系搞清楚。对于较长的句子可以首先划出句子的主干，然后再看剩下的部分在句中对于主干是什么关系。
在动手翻译之前，考生应当首先把这篇四百字左右的短文当作泛读题看一遍，主要是对全文的大意、段落之间的关系有所了解。在不影响对文章主旨的理解的情况下，若有不懂的句子大可不必在意。下一步考生可以逐句地对五个划线部分的句子精读一番，争取对各个句子有准确的理解，这样才可能进行准确的翻译。
之所以强调对全文的阅读，是因为许多考生在不通读全文的情况下光读几个考题而出现理解的偏差。这样做得不到高分，因为许多句子牵涉到对上下文的整体理解，如果不通读全文就无法做到正确地理解，更谈不上正确地翻译。在理解之后再动手翻译，争取一次到位，而不要译完一半时发现理解错误后，全部推翻已译内容并重新开始翻译，这样反而耽误时间。
以下就翻译文章的具体特点，谈谈考生需要掌握的翻译技巧：
1.被动语态的翻译
在命制试题过程中，选用的文章大多是正式的文体。这类文章的特点之一是被动句很多，因为这类文章客观性很强，而被动语态是使文章客观化的手段之一。不但如此，在英语正式文体中还有其他表示被动的方法，如在名词后加-ee表示动作的承受者（如trainee, employee, addressee, payee 分别表示受训者，受雇者，收件人，收款人）；形容词以 -able、-ible结尾和由过去分词转换的形容词，大多含有被动意义，如：visible stars(看得见的星星)，navigable rivers(可通航的海湾)等等。介词短语，过去分词短语有时也能表示被动意义。
汉语中的被动句不占优势。英文中大部分的被动句都可以译为汉语的主动句，只有在强调被动意义时才使用被动句。但是在汉语的主动句中，有的在逻辑上是被动句，如：“文章写完了”。在这样的句子中，主语不是谓语的动作施行者，而是承受者。汉译时应该灵活采取相应的形式。此外，汉语本身特有一些表示被动的语言手段可以加以利用。为了使译文符合汉语习惯，翻译被动句时，常常可以用以下几种方法：
(1)被动句的主语仍译为主动句的主语。
The car was severely damaged beyond any means of repair while the driver was safe and sound.
译文：汽车损坏严重，已无法修理，而驾车者却安然无恙。
The discovery is highly appreciated in the circle of science.
译文：此项发现得到科学界的高度评价。（或：科学界对此项发现给予高度评价。）
(2)将被动句译成主动句，有时外加泛指人称代词“人们”，“有人”，“大家”，“我们”做主语。
Rubber is found to be a good isolating material.
译文：人们发现，橡胶是一种良好的绝缘材料。
The area has been marked out for building more hotels.
译文：人们划出这块地区用于建造更多的旅店。
(3)把by 后动作的执行者做主语，英文原句中的主语做宾语。
The result of the invention of the steam engine was that human power was replaced by mechanical power.
译文：蒸汽机发明的结果是机械力代替了人力。
What measures have been or are being adopted by the government to reduce air pollution?
译文：政府已经采取或正在采取哪些措施去降低空气的污染程度呢？
(4)译成汉语中的无主句。
若根据上下文或特定情景，对行为主体一目了然，或者出于礼貌和婉转起见，可以采用这种译法。
The amount of carbon monoxide that an engine gives off can be reduced by special devices designed to make the engine burn the fuel more efficiently.
译文：使发动机更有效地燃烧燃料而设计的特殊装置可以降低发动机一氧化碳的排放量。
Additional International Standards may be added to the series in the future.
译文：将来还可能对本系列标准增加若干项国际标准。
(5)改译成汉语的判断句，即带表语的主动句。
如“是由…”、“是因…”、“是在…”等等。被动语态是表示一种状态时可以译成汉语的判断句型。
My first forty years were spent in Southern Europe.
译文：我的前四十年在南欧度过。
These machines are operated by a worker only.
译文：这些机器只由一名工人操纵。
(6)译成正常的被动句，以突出被动意义。
这不仅包括被字句，还包括汉语特有的表示被动的手段，如“受、被、叫、挨、让、给、遭、由、为、为…所…、把、加以、使”等等都可以表示被动意义。
In industry, natural materials difficult to get are often replaced by plastics.
译文：在工业中，不易获得的天然材料常常被塑料代替。
Over the years, tools and technology themselves as a source of fundamental innovation have largely been ignored by historians and philosophers of science.
译文：工具和技术本身作为根本性创新的源泉，多年来在很大程度上被历史学家和科学的思想家忽视了。
Problems should be resolved in good time.
译文：问题应该及时加以解决。
The Apollo Ⅻ crew reported that their spaceship was being followed by two UFOs.
译文：阿波罗十二号的宇航员曾报告说，它们的宇宙飞船正遭到两个不明飞行物的跟踪。（用“遭到”）
For separating iron from the impurities the iron ore must be melted.
译文：为了使铁跟杂质分离，铁矿石必须经过冶炼。
常见的被动式句型译法：
It cannot be denied that...不可否认
It has been illustrated that...据说明；据图示；图中表示
It has been proved that...已经证明
It is（usually） considered that...据（通常）估计；人们（通常）认为
It is assumed that...假定
It is believed that...大家相信
It is alleged that...据称
It is demonstrated that...已经证明，文中(图中)表明
It is estimated that...据估计
It is expected that...人们希望
It is found that...据发现；人们认为
It is generally agreed/recognized that...人们通常认为/承认
It is hoped/still to be hoped that...（我们）希望/仍希望
It is mentioned that...据说
It is noticed /noted that...人们注意到/前面已经指出
It is proposed that...有人提议（指出）
It is recommended that...有人推荐
It is regarded that...人们认为
It is reported that...据报道
It is said that...据说
It is stressed that...人们强调说
It is supposed that...据推测；假定
It is thought that...有人认为
It is universally accepted that...普遍认为
It is well known that...众所周知
It must be admitted that...必须承认
It should be pointed out that...必须指出
It will be seen from it that...由此可见
2.定语从句的翻译
在语法上，定语从句是对先行词的修饰语，但是从定语从句的作用来看，它还可以用作补充或说明先行词的附加语、同位语和描述语。此外，在有些英语的定语从句和主句之间还存在状语关系。一般而言，对限制性定语从句采取前置法或后置法或融合法，而对先行词加以进一步地描写、解释或叙述的非限制性定语从句采取的是前置法或后置法。较长的定语从句采取后置法，而较短的采取前置法。事实上，翻译没有定规，它需要根据汉语习惯去灵活处理。
(1)前置法
译成“…的”。一般针对比较短的限制性定语从句。
The method of scientific investigation is nothing but the expression of the necessary mode of working of the human mind; it is simply the mode by which all phenomena are reasoned about and given precise and exact explanation.
译文：科学研究的方法不过是人类思维活动的必要表达方式，也就是对一切现象进行思索并且给以精确而严谨的解释的表达方式。
(2)后置法
用“这个”、“这”或重复先行词的办法去引导另起一个句子；有时省略先行词另起一句；有时灵活处理成并列分句。这种方法适合比较长的限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句的翻译。
They would have had to live the rest of their lives under the stigma that he had recklessly precipitated an action which wrecked the Summit Conference and conceivably could have launched a nuclear war.
译文：他们可能不得不背着一种臭名而终其余生，这个臭名就是：他曾冒然采取一项行动，这项行动破坏了首脑会晤，并且可以设想，还可能已经触发一场核战争。(较长的限制性定语从句，重复“这个臭名”)
It is he who received the letter that announced the death of his uncle.
译文：是他接到了那封信，说他的叔叔去世了。（限制性定语从句，后置省略先行词）
I told the story to John,who told it to his brother.
译文：我把这件事情告诉了约翰，约翰又告诉了他的弟弟。（非限制性定语从句后置处理成并列分句,重复先行词“约翰”）
Christmas carols are loved by all who hear and sing it every year.
译文：圣诞颂歌为大家喜爱，人们每年都欣赏和演唱。（非限制性定语从句后置处理成并列分句,重复先行词“人们”）
World War II was, however, more complex than World War Ⅰ, which was a collision among the imperialist powers over the spoils of markets, resources and territories.
译文：第一次世界大战是帝国主义列强之间争夺市场、资源和领土的冲突，而第二次世界大战却比第一次复杂。（非限制性定语从句前置）
In such an experiment the insects can be taught to fly to the ultra-violet,which for us is just darkness.
译文：在这样的实验中，能够训练昆虫飞向紫外线，而紫外线对我们来说只是一片黑暗。（非限制性定语从句后置，重复先行词）
(3)融合法
融合法就是把限制性定语从句与主句融合成一句话。
There are many people who want to read the book.
译文：许多人想读这本书。（融合成一句话，一般适用于There be句型）
Home workers are people who have made decisions regarding their careers and life-styles.
译文：在家工作的人是按照自己的职业和生活方式做出这种决定的。
3.抽象名词的译法
科技英语中有名词化的倾向。这其中包括一些由动词变过来的动作名词和动名词，如examination，examing。这样的抽象名词本身就含有很强的动词意味，故在翻译的时候经常转译成动词。此外，还有一些是形容词加后缀 -ity,- ness, -ability构成的名词，翻译的时候可以灵活译成相应的动词、状语（从句）、分句、意合句等等。
We were caught up in a discussion about the situation in Afghanistan when the professor walked into the classroom.
译文：当教授走进教室时，我们正在兴致勃勃地讨论阿富汗局势。
It would be wise to handle this delicate problem with calmness and patience.
译文：冷静耐心地处理这个微妙的问题是明智的。
Even an elementary knowledge of statistics is sufficient to enable the journalist to avoid misleading his readers.
译文：即使只懂得一点统计学的初步知识，也足以使记者避免报道失真。（名词词组译成状语从句）
4.正义反译和反义正译
正义反译和反义正译要求译者对一些无法直接用汉语的相同结构进行表达的语言结构和表达方式从相反的角度进行转换。英汉两种语言习惯不同，要加强修辞效果，或要更确切地表达原文的含义，翻译时如果用正面表达原文出现困难，那么不妨试着用反面表达，或将原文的反面表达改用正面表达，使译文更流畅。
There is more agreement on the kinds of behavior referred to by the term than there is on how to interpret or classify them.
译文：人们对智力这个词所指的不同表现意见比较一致，而对这些表现如何解释或分类则有不同的看法。(more A than B 实质上是对B的否定，因此我们可以把B 部分用否定法译出，正义反译the term根据上下文译为“智力这个词”)
And the cycle continues.
译文：如此循环，永不止息。（正义反译）
It cannot be too much emphasized that listening is the most important in learning English.
译文：应当特别强调，听力在英语学习中是最重要的问题。（反义正译）
类似的结构还有：cannot...enough；cannot...more；cannot...sufficient；cannot sufficiently；cannot...overcharged(以及其他由over-构成的复合词)，这些结构可以译为“无论怎么…也不过分”。
The target is wrong, for in attacking the tests, critics divert attention from the fault that lies with ill-informed or incompetent users.
译文：把标准化测试作为抨击目标是错误的，因为在抨击这类测试时，批评者不考虑其弊病来自人们对测试不甚了解或使用不当。 (divert attention from译成“不考虑”。正义反译)
The method of scientific investigation is nothing but the expression of the necessary mode of working of the human mind; it is simply the mode by which all phenomena are reasoned about and given precise and exact explanation.
译文：科学研究的方法不过是人类思维活动的必要表达方式，也就是对一切现象进行思索并给予准确而严谨解释的表达方式。(nothing but 译成“只不过”，反义正译)
The United Nations has not, so far, justified the hopes which the people of the world set on it.
译文：迄今为止，联合国辜负了世界人民寄予的希望。（反义正译）
I thus appeared to them to be quite familiar with this sort of situation, and it confirmed them in their belief that I was a thoroughly disreputable character.
译文：这样一来，在他们眼里，我就像是非常熟悉这一套的了，也使他们更加确信我是一个地地道道的坏蛋。（正义反译）
To criticize it for such failure is roughly comparable to criticizing a thermometer for not measuring wind velocity.
译文：批评智力测试不反映上述情况，犹如批评温度计不能够测风速一样。
such failure是正面表达，但是从上下文看，是指An intelligence test does not measure character, social adjustments...，所以译成“不反映上述情况”。
Galileo’s greatest glory was that in 1609 he was the first person to turn the newly invented telescope on the heavens to prove that the planets revolve around the sun rather than around the Earth.
译文：伽利略的最光辉的业绩在于他在1609年第一个把新发明的望远镜对准天空，以求证实行星是围绕太阳旋转，而不是围绕地球旋转。（rather than是正面表达，但是它含否定意思，应该译成“而不是”）
有如下词语经常用正反、反正译法：
动词：fail, miss, lack, live up to, ignore, refuse, withhold, neglect, refrain, deny, overlook, exclude
名词：absence, failure, refusal, ignorance, neglect, exclusion
形容词：few, little, free from, far from, short of, safe from, thin, worthy of, ignorant...
副词：little, less, otherwise, too...to..., vainly
连词：more...than, unless, before, until, rather than, or
介词：without, about, except, beyond, instead of, in place of, out of
