英语表示倍数增减或倍数对比的句型多种多样,其中有 一些(如下文中的句型②、⑤、⑥、⑧、(12) 等, 见圈码)很容易译错——其主要原因在于:英汉两语在 表述或对比倍数方面存在着语言与思维差异。现将常 用的英语倍数句型及其正确译法归纳如下: Cy6%f? j
倍数增加 \: R Akf<
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(一) A is n times as great(long,much,…)as B.(①) bzh:
A is n times greater (longer, more,…)than B.(②) {Rq5=/b
A is n times the size (length, amount,…)of B.(③) >dnDN3x
以上三句都应译为;A的大小(长度,数量,……)是B的n倍[或A比B大(长,多,……)n-1倍]. P98g2ak
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Eg. This book is three times as long as (three times longer than,three times the length of )that one. o\X|\nUk
这本书的篇幅是那本书的3倍(即长两倍)。 p. KT=dZT
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注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than(as,of)B常被省去。 x!fgZr{
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(二)increase to n times(④) W!JEl|]
increase n times/n-fold(⑤) gnlU
increase by n times(⑥) DJ`xCs!R
increase by a factor of n(⑦) 's$/-AV
以上四式均应译为:增加到n倍(或:增加n-1倍)。 ZUS06#t}
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Eg. The production of integrated circuits has been increased to three times as compared with last year. S}6xkX
The output of chemical fertilizer has been raised five times as against l986. 9JO1O:W
化肥产量比1986年增加了4倍。 fa!8+kfi
That can increase metabolic rates by two or three times. cXK.^@du
那可使代谢率提高到原来的2倍或3倍(即提高1倍或2倍)。 YwZ]J
The drain voltage has been increased by a factor of four. IGo+O*dMw
漏电压增加了3借(即增加到原来的4倍)。 5Q,j+
注:在这类句型中increase常被raise,grow,go/step up,multiply等词所替代。 K+`deH_d
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(三)There is a n-fold increase/growth…(⑧) W&7(
应译为:增加n-倍(或增至n倍)。这个句型还有其它一些形式: fvj
Eg. A record high increase in value of four times was reported. AsR}qqG
据报道,价值破记录地增长了3倍。
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(四)double (增加1倍),treble(增加2倍),quadruple(增加3倍)。(⑨) o90[,
Eg. The efficiency of the machines has been more than trebled or quadrupled. 1z_1Hl
这些机器的效率已提高了2倍或3倍多。 9r
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(五)此外,英语中还有一种用again而不用倍数词来比较倍数的方法,如: ps33&
A is as much (large,long,…)again as B.(= A is twice as much (large,long,…)as B.(⑩) 0@&/W-VXg
应译为:A比B多(大,长,……)1倍。 ,m M7g
A is half as much (large, 1ong,…)again as B. {Rn*)D9
【= A is one and a half times as much (large, 1ong,…)as B.】(11) izLB4pk$
应译为:A比B多(大,长……)一半(即A是B的一倍半)。 B?ipo,2~{
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倍数减少 B5[As
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(一)A is n times as small (light,slow,…)as B.(12) S";}gw?r6
A is n times smaller (lighter, slower,…) than B.(13) ? 3oUkGfn
以上两句均应译为:A的大小(重量,速度,……)是B的1/n[或A比B小(轻,慢,……)(n-1)/n]。 79B+8= K
Eg. The hydrogen atom is near1y l6 times as light as the oxygen atom. c_Iq
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氢原子的重量约为氧原子的1/16(即比氧原子约轻15/16)。 /*Gbl
Eg. This sort of membrane is twice thinner than ordinary paper. yF
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这种薄膜比普通纸张要薄一半(即是普通纸厚度的1/2)。 rd,!-w5
注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than/as B常被省去。 {x~r$")c?
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(二)decrease n times/n--fold (14) Ct$\!|aR
decrease by n times(15) <2wC)l3j*
decrease by a factor of n(16) 10tTV3`IM
以上三式均译为:减少到1/n[或:减少(n-1)/n]。 Wr8}=\/
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decrease常被reduce, shorten, go/slow down等词替代。 cDz^jC
Eg. Switching time of the new-type transistor is shortened 3 times. 67U6`9d
新型晶体管的开关时间缩短了1/3(即缩短到2/3)。 me90|GOx+
Eg. When the voltage is stepped up by ten times, the strength of the current is stepped down by ten times. iKv"200h(
电压升高9倍,电流强度便降低9/10(即90%)。 gCbS$Pw
Eg. The equipment reduced the error probability by a factor of 5. vZPBjloT!.
该设备误差概率降低了4/5。 W)L*zVj~
(三)There is a n-fold decrease/reduction… hb1eEn
应译为:减至1/n [或:减少(n一1)/n]。(17) I(b]V!mj:
这个句型还有其它一些形式, k{bC3)'$#R
Eg. A rapid decrease by a factor of 7 was observed. W9S6
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发现迅速减少到1/7。 v=DC3oh-
Eg. The principal advantage of the products is a two-fold reduction in weight.
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这些产品的主要优点是重量减轻了1/2。 E0.o/3Gw6
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从上列倍数增减句型及其译法中不难看出:与汉语不 同的是,英语在表述或比较倍数时,无论使用什么句 型(除了不含倍数词的again句型外)都包括基础倍 数在内,因此都不是净增或净减n倍,而是净增或 净减n-1倍。所以句型⑤、③表示的倍数增量=句型④; 句型(13)表示的倍数比差=句型12,且decrease(by) 3 times应译为“减少2/3”,而不是“减少3/4”。