非人称构式在科技英语中的语用功能及其翻译

On the Pragmatic Function and the Translation of Impersonal Constructions in Scientific English

非人称构式是科技英语中常见的语言现象,是体现科技语篇客观性最重要的文体手段之一。通过压制和弱化主语或施事的显著性,非人称构式得以传递科技英语特有的客观和公正的语用含义。对非人称构式在英汉两种语言中的使用进行对比可以给科技翻译带来重要的启发意义。在英汉科技翻译中,译者应重视两种语言中使用非人称构式的普遍特点,同时分析各自在具体表现形式上的变化,探索不同变体之间的内在联系和语用价值,根据具体语境要求进行句式选择,从而实现非人称构式在科技语篇中重要的语用功能。

Impersonal constructions as a common linguistic phenomenon in scientific English are one of important stylistic means to embody objectivity in scientific texts. By means of suppressing and weakening the prominence of subject or agent, impersonal constructions can convey a particular pragmatic implication of objectivity and impersonality characteristic of scientific English. A comparison of impersonal constructions used both in English and Chinese languages gives birth to a significant enlightenment for scientific translation. In E-C scientific translation, the translator should pay sufficient attention to the universal features of impersonal constructions in both languages, analyze differences of their representations, delve into the internal relations and pragmatic value of impersonal variants, and make syntactic choices in accordance with specific contextual requirement, so as to serve the important pragmatic function of impersonal constructions in scientific texts.