英語動詞的時態(tài)靠動詞詞形變化(如write,wrote)或加助動詞(如will write, have written)來表達的。漢語動詞沒有詞形變化,表達時態(tài)要靠增加漢語特有的時態(tài)助詞或一般表示時間的詞。因此,翻譯完成時往往用“曾”、“已經(jīng)”、“過”、“了”;翻譯進行時往往用“在”、“正在”、“著”;翻譯將來時間概念或強調(diào)時間上的對比,往往需要加一些其它的詞。
1.對某種時間概念作強調(diào)時,往往要加一些詞。
(1)I had known two great social systems.
那時以前,我就經(jīng)歷過兩大社會制度。
這里除了用“過”字外,還增加了“那時以前”,強調(diào)過去完成的動作。
(2)The old man had taught the boy to fish and the boy loved him.
原來是老頭兒已教會了孩子捕魚,所以孩子很愛他。
(3)I had never thought I'd be happy to find myself considered unimportant. But this time I was.
以往我從未想過,當我發(fā)覺人們認為我是無足輕重時,我會感到高興。但這次情況確是如此。
(4)Whereas Kissinger had once needed Nixon as a channel to power, Nixon now needed Kissinger to help him remain in power.
當年,基辛格曾需要尼克松的援引而獲得權勢;如今,尼克松需要基辛格幫他繼續(xù)掌權。