望文生义、似是而非,貌合神离的现象可概括为“想当然”(英语中称之为take it for granted ),是翻译者的大忌。其产生的原因大致归纳如下六个方面,即:一、语法结构理解不当;二、词义理解不当;三、缺乏背景知识;四、缺乏专业知识;五、习惯势力影响;六、疏忽大意。
一、语法结构理解不当
译者对语法结构理解不当,如分不清词性、指代关系以及句型等,就会直接造成误译。
Now Jeffreys points out that, if a number of observations have been found to conform to a law, it is highly probable that next one will do so whether the law is true or not.
Sleeping late on weekends can also disrupt your circadian rhythm.
[误译] 周未迟睡也会打乱人体的日夜周期。
[分析] 此句 sleeping late误译为“迟睡”即“睡得晚”,“晚睡”),实际上它表示“起得晚”或“睡懒觉”。《从中式英语到英语》的作者Janet Adams 写道:“Remember that sleep late means to get up late and not go to bed late.