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: ''t\J^+&
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(一) A is n times as great(long,much,…)as B.(①) yvIeK6
A is n times greater (longer, more,…)than B.(②) $('"0 @fg
A is n times the size (length, amount,…)of B.(③) Dj?84y
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]. !wbO:py[8>
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Eg. This book is three times as long as (three times longer than,three times the length of )that one. 4S%s=vw
这本书的篇幅是那本书的3倍(即长两倍)。 qQ&=Z`p!
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注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than(as,of)B常被省去。 p{@j M
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(二)increase to n times(④) rY?]p Mp
increase n times/n-fold(⑤) k|hy_? *
increase by n times(⑥) 6Qc
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increase by a factor of n(⑦)
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以上四式均应译为:增加到n倍(或:增加n-1倍)。 Ew<
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Eg. The production of integrated circuits has been increased to three times as compared with last year. uSsP'qd
The output of chemical fertilizer has been raised five times as against l986. *x!j:/S`n
化肥产量比1986年增加了4倍。 L`2(u!i J
That can increase metabolic rates by two or three times. vRhI:E)So#
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)。 D6I-:{ws
The drain voltage has been increased by a factor of four. FOyANN'
漏电压增加了3借(即增加到原来的4倍)。 ;
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注:在这类句型中increase常被raise,grow,go/step up,multiply等词所替代。 MZrLLnl6\
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(三)There is a n-fold increase/growth…(⑧) ?]%ZJd
应译为:增加n-倍(或增至n倍)。这个句型还有其它一些形式: xe4`D>LUo
Eg. A record high increase in value of four times was reported. ZGw6Bd_I
据报道,价值破记录地增长了3倍。 X :#}E7]j
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(四)double (增加1倍),treble(增加2倍),quadruple(增加3倍)。(⑨) >6KwZr BB
Eg. The efficiency of the machines has been more than trebled or quadrupled. Mdw"^x$7
这些机器的效率已提高了2倍或3倍多。 SgWLs
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(五)此外,英语中还有一种用again而不用倍数词来比较倍数的方法,如: Y1wH_!%b
A is as much (large,long,…)again as B.(= A is twice as much (large,long,…)as B.(⑩) )%JjV(:
应译为:A比B多(大,长,……)1倍。
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A is half as much (large, 1ong,…)again as B. 'F%h]4|1
【= A is one and a half times as much (large, 1ong,…)as B.】(11) XZ=%XB:?
应译为:A比B多(大,长……)一半(即A是B的一倍半)。 n v
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(一)A is n times as small (light,slow,…)as B.(12) V
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A is n times smaller (lighter, slower,…) than B.(13) vX?C9Fr 2
以上两句均应译为:A的大小(重量,速度,……)是B的1/n[或A比B小(轻,慢,……)(n-1)/n]。 *`40B6dEr
Eg. The hydrogen atom is near1y l6 times as light as the oxygen atom. lMmP]{.>$
氢原子的重量约为氧原子的1/16(即比氧原子约轻15/16)。 2c'<rkA
Eg. This sort of membrane is twice thinner than ordinary paper. 7*kTu0m
这种薄膜比普通纸张要薄一半(即是普通纸厚度的1/2)。 N(kSE^skOa
注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than/as B常被省去。 Y%!k'\n[2
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(二)decrease n times/n--fold (14) o?d`o$
decrease by n times(15) <Zo{D |hW
decrease by a factor of n(16) [1l OGck[
以上三式均译为:减少到1/n[或:减少(n-1)/n]。 ,*sKr)9)
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decrease常被reduce, shorten, go/slow down等词替代。 _ mgu
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Eg. Switching time of the new-type transistor is shortened 3 times. *Oq&g\K)
新型晶体管的开关时间缩短了1/3(即缩短到2/3)。 OGcW]i
Eg. When the voltage is stepped up by ten times, the strength of the current is stepped down by ten times. ezA&cZ5
电压升高9倍,电流强度便降低9/10(即90%)。 mYqLqezAA
Eg. The equipment reduced the error probability by a factor of 5. h^YUu`P
该设备误差概率降低了4/5。 F9>"1
(三)There is a n-fold decrease/reduction… '(zP;
应译为:减至1/n [或:减少(n一1)/n]。(17) O[$XgPM
这个句型还有其它一些形式, Zul@aS
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Eg. A rapid decrease by a factor of 7 was observed. {*"\68e
发现迅速减少到1/7。 Q]]M;(
Eg. The principal advantage of the products is a two-fold reduction in weight. E;YD5^B
这些产品的主要优点是重量减轻了1/2。 `*xSn+wL`_
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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”。