否定的轉(zhuǎn)移是指英語否定句在句中某一部分(常在謂語部分),但在語義上卻是否定另一部分的現(xiàn)象。翻譯這類句子時(shí)不要單純依賴語法分析,而應(yīng)從語義上分析,根據(jù)上下文理解句意。例:
He doesn’t teach because teaching is easy for him.他之所以教書,并不是因?yàn)樗X得教書輕松。
John didn’t attend the meeting because he was ill.約翰沒有出席會(huì)議, 因?yàn)樗×恕?/strong>
以上句子是否采用“否定轉(zhuǎn)移”以譯文意思合乎邏輯為準(zhǔn)則。
一、在表示“看法”的謂語動(dòng)詞上的否定形式,語義上卻是否定后面的賓語從句。
此類動(dòng)詞有:
think, believe, suppose, imagine,
expect, anticipate, fancy, consider, find
(感到), guess,be supposed to, calculate,
figure, reckon。
I don’t believe I’ve met you before. 我認(rèn)為我沒有見過你。
I don’t think you will be late.我認(rèn)為你不會(huì)遲到。
I don’t suppose he cares, does he?我看他不在乎,對(duì)吧?
He doesn’t expect we need worry.他認(rèn)為我們不必著急。
I don’t recon she is old enough to go to school.我認(rèn)為她還沒到上學(xué)的年紀(jì)。
注:上述表示“看法”或“判斷”的動(dòng)詞出現(xiàn)以下情況時(shí),其否定不發(fā)生轉(zhuǎn)移:
(1)用作插入語時(shí):
Li Lei, I think, won’t be angry with you.我想李蕾不會(huì)生你的氣。
Tom, I suppose, won’t be againstit.我猜想湯姆不會(huì)反對(duì)。
(2)這些動(dòng)詞跟其他另一個(gè)動(dòng)詞一起做并列謂語時(shí):
I believe and hope he won’t do that.我相信并且也希望他將不會(huì)那樣做。
(3)用于疑問句時(shí):
Do you think it is not going to rain?你認(rèn)為天不會(huì)下雨嗎?
(4)主句中添加情態(tài)動(dòng)詞can’t, mustn’t, wouldn’t時(shí):
You mustn’t think he’s stupid. 你不應(yīng)該認(rèn)為他愚蠢。
I wouldn’t have imagined that you would be here.我不曾想到你會(huì)在這兒。
I can’t imagine how he could survive that car accident.我想象不出在那次車禍中他是怎樣活命的。