●漢語關鍵詞
領養、認養、收養、代養
●英語關鍵詞
foster, adopt, adoption, take in and bring up, take in and provide for
●句 子
這對中年夫婦決定從地震災區領養一個孤兒。
●誤 譯
The middle-aged couple decided to foster an orphan from the earthquake-hit area.
●正 譯
The middle-aged couple decided to adopt an orphan from the earthquake-hit area.
●解 釋
英語to foster的意思是to take sb else's child into your home for a period of time, without becoming his or her legal parent(s)，即「幫助撫養別人寄養的孩子，但不成為其法定父母」，實際上是「代養一段時間」，不是「領養」。to adopt的意思是to take sb else's child into your family and become its legal parent(s)，即「收養別人的孩子，成為其法定父母」，才是「領養」。
「領養」、「認養」和「收養」的第一個意思是「通過法定手續認領別人的孩子，當作自己的子女撫養」。英語可以譯為to adopt, adoption, to take in and bring up。例如：
1．這對無子女夫婦從孤兒院認養了一個女兒。
This childless couple adopted a daughter from the orphanage.
2．根據法律，一名收養人只能收養一個孩子，或男或女。
According to the law, an adopter may adopt one child only, male or female.
3．這個小女孩被收養成為我家的一員。
The little girl was adopted into our family.
4．由於這對已婚夫婦無法生育，他們領養了一個私生子。
As the married couple couldn't have children, they adopted a child born out of wedlock.
5. 20多年來，這個收破爛兒的老漢收養了幾十個棄嬰。
Over the past twenty years or more, the old rag-and-bone man has taken in and brought up dozens of foundlings.
6．許多不能生育的美國夫婦來亞洲領養嬰孩。
Many American couples that can't have a baby come to Asia to adopt babies.
7．在很多地方，同性的伴侶不能領養小孩。
In many places, same-sex partners can't adopt children.
8．這個窮苦的婦女被迫把嬰兒給別人領養。
The poor woman was forced to have her baby adopted.
9．我不是湯姆的親生父親。他是我的養子。
I'm not Tom's real father. He is my adopted son.
10．他不是我們的親生兒子。他三歲時我們領養了他。
He's not our natural son. We adopted him when he was three.
11．她太窮了，養不起她的嬰兒，就不得不提出讓別人領養。
She was too poor to keep her baby alive and had to put it up for adoption.
12．如果你自己不能生孩子，為什麼不考慮領養呢？
If you can't have children of your own, why not consider adoption?
「領養」、「認養」和「收養」的第二個意思是「通過法定手續認領別的老人，當作自己的親人贍養」。英語可以譯為to adopt, to take in and provide for。例如：
13．這個教師認養了一位孤寡老頭。
1) This teacher adopted a wifeless and childless old man.
2) This teacher took in and provided for a wifeless and childless old man.
「領養」或「認養」的第三個意思是「經有關部門確認負責養護動物、綠地、樹木、公共設施等」。英語可以譯為to adopt。例如：
14．這對老夫婦在動物園領養了一隻大熊貓。
This old couple adopted a giant panda in the zoo.
15．她從一個動物福利組織認養了一隻無家可歸的寵物貓。
She adopted a homeless pet cat from an animal welfare organization.
16．黑貓比起其他種類的貓不容易被領養。
Black cats tend to be adopted less often than other felines.
17．最近，本市開展了認養綠地的活動。
We have recently launched a campaign for the adoption of greenbelt in our city.
18．我在我們住宅小區的花園裡認養了一棵樹。
I adopted a tree in the garden of our residential area.
19．據報載，舊金山市政府計劃認養中國地震災區2至3個城鎮，以幫助重建。
According to the newspaper, San Francisco Municipal Government planned to adopt two to three towns in China's earthquake-stricken areas, so as to aid their reconstruction.
「收養」的第三個意思是「收容被遺棄的動物，負責餵養」。英語可以譯為to take in and provide for abandoned animals。例如：
20．這位老太太在家裡收養了十幾隻流浪狗。
This old lady took in and provided for a dozen of stray dogs in her house.