8.翻译策略与态度问题:
On the false portrayal of his qualifications, including a supposed medicaldegree obtained in Canada alluded to by more than one witness, Justice Lamsaid: "I believe [ Chan] connived in such false pretence despite his protestationto the contrary. This illustrates he had a propensity to enhance his image by somenon-existent qualification. "
人们对陈的资历普遍存在误传,多位证人指陈曾在加拿大修读医科。对此,林法官表示:“陈表面上反对,实际上默许人们如此宣传他。这说明他有本事利用一些根本不存在的事迹来为自己添光”。
“在加拿大修读医科”并不等于“从加拿大获得医学学位”——美加的大学,宽进严出,读某类大学、修过一些专业课程,与拿到学位是两个完全不同的概念,所以以上翻译是典型的“欠额翻译”;再说,原文中supposed也是一个meaningful word,以翻译成“所谓的”为佳。而在上段下半句的译文中,“表面上”和“实际上”都是无中生有的添加物一没有必要,少了这些虚词,并不会降低译文的可读性。再说,he had a propensity不等于“他有本事”,propensity意思是他已经“习惯了”、 “常有某种倾向”。此外,qualification也不等于“事迹”, “事迹”最突出的人物未必会有某种“资格”;在中国长大的人都知道,雷锋、王杰“事迹”彪炳,但跟教育有关的“资格”几乎一无所有;相反,那些“资格”最老、最高的人也未必会有什么“事迹”,它们无论如何不能等同,所以不可以互相取代。
9.误译与研究:
On the mysterious holes that were dug around various Chinachem groupsites, Justice Lam said: "When [ Chan] was cross-examined about [ the hole-digging activities, he had to resort to his lame excuse of maintain [ ing ] a facadefor their intimate relationship. "
将本段的第一部分翻译成: “关于华懋集团附近挖出的神秘的风水洞……”完全是误译。主要是译者缺乏背景知识以及没有做较深入的研究。