cement译名琐谈

Discussion on the Translation of "Cement"

cement一词曾有多种译名,除水泥、红毛泥、洋灰等少数几个意译名外,其他均为音译名。这些音译名中,"士敏土""水门汀"曾流传较广。"水泥"一词在与其他译名经历了较长时间的共同竞争后逐渐得到了全民的认可,成为通用的译名。究其原因,与当年国家重工业部的影响和词典推广有关,与"水泥"一词构词合理、理据性强也有关。

The word “ cement” has been translated into many names. In addition to “ shuini” “ hongmaoni” and “ yanghui” , which are semantic translation, and most of the translation are transliteration. The transliteration names, “ shimintu” and “ shuimenting” had a wider spread. “ Shuini” has been gradually recognized by the people, and become a common translation. It is not only related to the influence of the State Ministry of Heavy Industry and dictionary promotion, but also related to reasonable formation, and strong moti-vation.