在英语中,当动名词、不定式或主语从句做主语时,常常用 it 替代做形式主语,而真正的主语则放在谓语之后,it 在这样的句型中无实际意义,翻译时往往省译,下面简介几种译法:

1. 顺译

即:按照英文句子的语序进行翻译,译为无主句
With the more complex shapes, it is necessary to do many steps before the final shape can be produced.
对于较复杂的形状,必须经过许多步骤才能做出最终的形状。
It should be noted that many primary mistakes can be avoided if we check the task after translation.
应该注意到,如果我们在翻译完后检查,那么可以避免许多初级错误。

2. 倒译

先将真正的主语(如不定式、动名词或主语从句)翻译出来做主语。
It is important to know if he loves you.
知道他是否爱你是很重要的。
It is possible for him to win the election。
他赢得选举是有可能的。

3. 分译

和倒译法相同的一点是,先翻译真正的主语。分译法中,将 it 翻译成“这”、“这一点”等。

It is possible that my output reaches 60000 words in this month according to my current achievement.

根据目前的业绩,我本月产量达到 6 万字,这是有可能的。
It is important that client’s requirements are read carefully before beginning

translation.
在开始翻译之前仔细阅读客户的要求,这是很重要的。

4. 增译

使用泛指代词“人们”、“有人”等

It has been found that he has a ladylove and a son out of his family.

人们发现他在外面有一名情妇和一个儿子。

It has been proposed that death penalty is abolished in China.

有人建议在中国废除死刑。

5. 约定俗称

一些习惯表达与翻译

It goes without saying that…… 不言而喻

It is at once apparent that…… 一目了然

It follows that…… 由此可见

It follows that he loves his wife more than himself.

由此可见,他爱妻子胜过爱自己。

Practice:

It is known that computer plays an important part in our daily life.
It must be remembered that we should work carefully.
It is likely that most translation companies deal with their tasks according to this flow — translation, editor, proofreading or QA.