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句子:人類正在遭受氣候變化帶來的危害。
誤譯:Humankind is suffering from the harm caused by weather change.
正譯:Humankind is suffering from the harm caused by climate change.
解釋:weather 的意思是“天氣”,指在一個特定地點和時間的大氣狀況,天氣是一個時刻(point of time)概念。而氣候是一個時段(period of time)概念?!皻夂颉钡牡谝粋€意思是“一定地區(qū)里經(jīng)過觀察所得到的概括性的氣象狀況”??勺g為climate(名詞),climatic(形容詞)。如:1. 9月22日,胡錦濤在紐約出席聯(lián)合國氣候變化峰會開幕式并發(fā)表重要講話。On September 22, Hu Jintao attended the opening session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in New York and issued an important speech.
“氣候”的第二個意思比喻“社會動向”或“社會環(huán)境”??勺g為climate。如:2. 這個亞洲國家的政治氣候正在發(fā)生重大轉(zhuǎn)變。A great change is taking place in the political climate in this Asian country.
“成氣候”的第一個意思是比喻人“有成就”或“有發(fā)展前途”??勺g為to make achievements, to get somewhere?!安怀蓺夂颉被颉俺刹涣藲夂颉钡囊馑际潜扔魅恕皼]有成就”或“沒有發(fā)展前途”??勺g為 to make no achievements, wont get anywhere, will get nowhere。如: 3. 人們普遍承認中國足球隊在短期內(nèi)是難成氣候的。It is generally acknowledged that Chinese football teams can hardly get anywhere in a short period of time.
“成氣候”還比喻事物“流行”??勺g為to become prevalent, to become well received, to become popular。如:4. 我國網(wǎng)上書店已成氣候。In our country, online bookshops have become prevalent.▲
(本欄目供稿:王逢鑫教授)