互信赤字

句子：习近平访美有望减少中美互信赤字。

误译：Xi Jinping's visit to the United States is expected to reduce the mutual trust red ink between China and the United States.

正译：Xi Jinping's visit to the United States is expected to reduce the mutual trust deficit between China and the United States.

解释：“互信赤字”译为mutual trust deficit。deficit 的第一个意思是an amount by which something is less than what is expected, due, needed, etc.，泛指“少于期望的、应有的或需要的数额”，即“差额”。也可以简单解释为 shortage，即“缺乏”。“互信赤字”就是“相互缺乏信任”。deficit 的第二个意思是 the amount by which money spent or owed is greater than money earned，特指“支出大于收入的数额”，即经济活动中的“赤字”。由于传统簿记中登记赤字时用红笔书写，red ink(红墨水)有a deficit or loss shown in the accounts of a bank, company, etc.的意思，即“赤字”。例如，to reduce the deficit 和to reduce the red ink都表示“减少(经济活动中的)赤字”。但是red ink没有“缺乏”的比喻意义。因此不能说 mutual trust red ink。

“赤字”的第一个意思是“经济活动中支出大于收入的差额数字”。英语可以译为 deficit, red ink。例如：1. 当进口超过出口时，可能导致贸易赤字。When imports exceed exports, this can result in a trade deficit.

2. 这个公司的总裁说他将建议新办法两年削减赤字20亿美元。The president of the company said he would recommend new ways to reduce the red ink by 2 billion over 2 years.

“赤字”的第二个意思是“缺乏”。可译为 deficit。如：3. 互信赤字阻碍了中美关系的发展。Mutual trust deficit has hampered the development of the Sino-U.S. relations. ▲ （本栏目供稿：王逢鑫教授）