翻译中文文题时还应注意修饰词组和被修饰词的顺序,一般来说,修饰词组要紧跟在被修饰词的后面,使意思表达得清楚明白。稍不留意,有时会闹出笑话来。例如[3]:
(1)原 句 Mechanism of Suppression of Nontransmissible Pneumonia in Mice Induced by Newcastle Disease Virus
(被修饰词) (修饰词组)
修改句 Mechanism of Suppression of Nontransmissible Pneumonia Induced by Newcastle Disease Virus in Mice
原句给人的错觉是“Newcastle Disease Virus可以诱导出老鼠来”,其实这种病毒诱导的是肺炎而不是老鼠。
(2)原 句 Isolation of Antigens from Monkeys Using Complement-Fixation Techniques
(被修饰词) (修饰词组)
修改句 Isolation of Antigens Using Complement-Fixation Techniques from Monkeys
原句给人的错觉是“猴子居然也会应用Complement-Fixation技术”。
(3)原 句 Multiple Infections among Newborns Resulting from Implantation with Staphylococcus aureus 502A
(被修饰词) (修饰词组)
修改句 Multiple Infections Resulting from Implantation with Staphylococcus aureus 502A among Newborns
原句给人的错觉是“金葡球菌的植入可导致新生儿的降临”。www.med126.com
以上讨论的是医学论文文题汉译英时常见的一些问题。希望能引起医学论文译、作者和杂志编辑的注意。
(本文编辑:黄志强)
[作者简介] 孙晓玲,女,1959年出生,大学本科,副教授,英语培训中心主任。
[作者单位]
孙晓玲(410078 长沙,卫生部湖南医科大学英语培训中心)www.med126.com
周静(410078 长沙,卫生部湖南医科大学英语培训中心)
[参 考 文 献]
[1] Mimi Z. Essentials of Writing Biomedical Research Papers. McGraw-Hill, Inc. Health Professions Division[M], 1991, 124~126.
[2] Day RA. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper: Appendix 4: Words and Expressions to Avoid[M]. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: ISI Press, 1983, 166~169.
[3] Day RA. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper: How to Prepare the Title[M]. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: ISI Press, 1983, 17~18.