again 用法1
問：The pollution question as well as several other issues is going to be discussed when the Congress in s in _______ again next spring.
A. assembly
B. session
C. conference
D. convention
(研究所考試英語試題, 96 A)
[原譯] 明春代表大會開會期間將再次對污染及其他幾個問題進行討論。(《大學英語》96 年第3 期, p. 8)
again 用法是修飾介係詞片語in session, 還是修飾主要子句動詞is going to be discussed 呢?
答：從again 的位置上看(它位於when 子句之中), 它以及next spring 只能是修飾介係詞片語in session 的。請與下面的句子進行比較:
Parliament will not be in session again until after Christmas.
議會要等到耶誕節後才再開會。
因此, 上面有關again 用法的譯文是不符合原意的, 譯文的意思是: 本次大會已對污染以及其他幾個問題進行了討論, 下次會議將再次進行討論。而原文的意思卻是:
待明春再次召開代表大會時, 將對污染問題以及其他幾個問題進行討論。
again 用法2
問：My new house is half large again as my old one.
[原譯] 我的新房子是我的舊房的一半大。(《最新高級英漢詞典》, 商務印書館, 1995 年, p. 18)
如果A is half as large again as B 真是指“A 是B 的一半大”, 那麼A is half as large as B 又是什麼意思呢? 難道它們是同義表達手段嗎?
答：看來, 上面的誤譯不是因疏忽造成的, 而是因誤解造成的。A is n times as large (much, many, long, tall) as B 意為A 是B 的n 倍大(多、長、高), 因此, A is half as large (much, many, long, tall) 意為A 是B 的一半大(多、長、高) 。A is n times (half) as large (much, many, long, tall) again 則是A 比B 大(多、長、高) n 倍(一半), 可見, 有無again, 意思截然不同, 請看下面的實例:
- These shoes cost me as much again as the last pair I bought.
買這雙鞋比上次買的那雙鞋多花了一倍的錢。 - We have turned out half as much coal again as they.
我們出產的煤比他們多一半。