句子:每天,我国许多电视台都在播放关于如何养生的节目。
误译:Every day, many TV stations in our country broadcast programmes about how to keep health.
正译:Every day, many TV stations in our country broadcast programmes about how to keep healthy.
解释: 如果 to keep 做及物动词用,后面要跟名词,它的意思是 to continue to have sth and not give it back or throw it away,即“保留”或“保存”,其宾语一般是具体事物。英语没有 to keep health 这样的搭配,但是可以说 to keep one's health。如果to keep 做系动词用,后面要跟形容词,它的意思是 to stay in a particular condition,即“保持特定状态”。to keep healthy 的字面意思是“保持健康”,可以表达“养生”的含义。
“养生”的第一个意思是“保养生命,维持生计”。英语动词可以译为 to keep alive。例如:1. 这个无家可归的老人没有谋生手段,只好靠挨门挨户乞讨养生。As the homeless old man has no means to make his living, he can only keep himself alive by begging from door to door.
“养生”的第二个意思是“保养身体”。英语动词可以译为 to preserve/keep one's health, to keep/stay healthy。例如:2. 越来越多的中老年人开始重视如何养生。More and more middle-aged and old people have begun to pay attention to how to preserve their health.
“养生学”,英语可以译为science of health preservation;study of health maintenance。例如:3. 这位老中医一生研究养生学,造诣颇深。This old doctor of traditional Chinese medicine has studied the science of health preservation all his life, with high academic attainments.
“养生之道”,英语可以译为way to preserve ones health, way to stay healthy, way to keep in good health。例如:4. 这位老人有养生之道,看上去不到自己年纪的一半。This old man has his own way to keep in good health, and he doesnt look half his age. ▲
(本栏目供稿:王逢鑫教授)