这一句不宜译为:"为什么你应该去做它呢?" 因为这种问句和一般的疑问句不一样, 说话人提出这种问句, 并不是想得到对方的回答, 而是表示自己明确的看法. 在涵义上, 这种看法往往是否定的； 在语势上, 它是强烈的. 说话时, 提问人的心中已有了自己的看法和明显的答案. 这种问句称之为"修辞性问句"(rhetorical question). 这个问句如改用陈述句的形式表达, 可写作: I don’t think you should do it. 在翻译"修辞性问句"时, 我们最好改用陈述句的形式, 而不用原来疑问句的句型. 请看下面的译例: Why should you listen to him? 你没有必要听他的! What is this to you? 你甭管, 这事与你无关! Who knows? 天晓得! Who does not know? 此事尽人皆知! Was ever such nonsense written? 从来没见过写得那么无聊的东西! What is the use of doing it? 别去干这种事啦! How could you ask such questions? 亏你问得出口! Isn’t it a foolish idea? 多蠢的想法! What a merry time did we have lsat night? 昨晚我们玩得多高兴啊! Is it any wonder that electronic computers are sometimes called "thinking" machines? 难怪电脑有时候被称为"会思考"的机器! Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be pruchased at the price of chains and slavery? 难道生命如此可贵, 和平如此可爱, 须以枷锁和奴役的代价去换取吗? Who cares? 管它呢!
统一坊在线翻译网 
发表于 2013/2/4 21:37:00
