不管是在日常交談中,還是在文件往來中,甚至在各類試卷中,表示"與……有關(無關)"這一意義的短語的使用率都是相當高的。那麼,能與這一意義形成等值對應關係的英語表達法又有哪些呢?在整理平日讀書筆記的基礎上,筆者對此歸類如下:
(一)譯為have something(或nothing,anything,much,not much,a lot,a great deal etc.)to do with somebody or something。例如:
1.那件事與我無關。It has nothing to do withme.
2.風和大氣有著密切的關係。Winds have much to do with the atmosphere.
(二)譯為connection或與其同根詞有關的短語
就詞的內涵意義而論,relation和connection(或connexion)都是漢語名詞"關係"的最直接的等值對應詞,故而,與這兩個詞有關的表達法也就順理成章地成為首選對象了。例如:
1.我們同那家公司無業務關係。We have no business connection with that company.
2.下一次我將給你們舉一些與英語學習有關的例子。Next time I'll give you some examples in connection with English study.
(三)譯為:1)have a bearing on...與……有關;2)have no bearing on...與……無關;3) have some bearing on...與……有某些關係。例如:
1.他講的話與本議題無關。What he said has no bearing on the subject.
這句話還可譯為:What he said is not connected with the subject.
2.他講的話與本議題有關係。What he said has some bearing on this subject.
(四)譯為下列表達法之一:1.relative to...; 2.relating to...;3.have relation to...;have no relation to...;4.relate to...
視語境之不同,上述表達法都能同漢語"與……有關(無關)"形成概念意義上的等值對應關係,並多見於書面語體中。同connection一樣,relation也是一個在內涵意義上最接近"關係"的英語對應詞。例如:
1.我們必須研究與此問題有關的全部事實。We must study all the facts relative to this problem.
2.那同中國的風俗無關。That has no relation to Chinese custom.
3.這份報告與農業有關。The report has relation to agriculture.
(五)譯為慣用短語 be allied to...
與本文列舉的種種表達法相比,be allied to在深層含義上有自己的特色,即多指"與事物起源相關或在性質上有因果聯繫的關係"。例如:
1.暴力案件的增加與失業的增加有關。The increase in violent crimes is allied to the rise in unemployment.(註:暴力案件的增加與失業人數的增加有明顯的因果關係。)
2.重工業與輕工業有著密切關係。Heavy industry is closely allied to light industry.(註:重工業和輕工業在事物起源上是相通的。)
練習:翻譯下列句子。
1.他在家裡所做的一切與老師無關。
2.他正是那個與人所共知的罪犯有關係的人。
3.此人也許掌握著與本案有關的一些情況。
4.與此事有關的信昨天不翼而飛了。
5.下周我們將討論與考試有關的全部細節。
參考答案:
1.What he does at home has nothing to do with his teacher.
2.He is just the man connected with the known criminal.
3.The man might have some information that has a bearing on the case.
4.The letter relative to this matter was lost yesterday.
5.Next week we are going to discuss all the details relating to the examination.
(責任編輯:郭英傑)