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标题: 饭堂英语(6):行动起来的man, husband和wife [打印本页]

作者: 尚能饭     时间: 2006-8-16 11:26     标题: 饭堂英语(6):行动起来的man, husband和wife

饭堂英语(6):行动起来的man, husband和wife

我有一个哥们,现在是哈佛中文教学项目的主任,是著名的语言学家, 也是 Noam Chomsky的忠实信徒。因为他在北师大时师从陆宗达,而陆是黄侃的学生,黄又是章太炎的弟子,所以我戏称他是章疯子的三传弟子。有一次,我们在一起侃大山,扯到中英文的差别时,他指出:汉语是以“动词为中心”的,这一语法特征,吕叔湘先生在《中国文法要略》中曾予论述。他还说,北京口语有些句法的变化,如:“排电影票”、“搓肥皂”、“买头个儿”、“歇礼拜”等等,都是由于中国人“动词为中心”的语言心理造成的。 因此,汉语比英语更顽固地保留了动词结构和抗拒名词化,是有其深层原因的。

经他这么一提,可不是么,英语中动词的名词化的例子,比比皆是。不特此也,许多中文的动词结构,翻成英语,就得变成了动词的名词化的结构。譬如那劳什子的“三个代表”,译成英文就是 Three Represents; 而 “三要三不要”就成了three dos and three don’ts. 英语中说贫富,则说haves and have-nots.

另一方面,英语中名词的动词化,也比汉语里常见。例如,man这个词就可以当动词用,是服务、操作或当班的意思:

The captain decided to man the boat with a replacement crew.

The Japanese warship was manned by experienced officers.

当动词用时,而且无性别之分:

Barbara will man the telephone switchboard till we get back.

在中古英语里,husband 和 wife 都可以当动词用的,而且这种用法,最近有复活的苗头。在中古英语里,husband 原是指管家或酒厂的小老板。由于这些人通常比较抠门儿,所以husband作动词用时,就成了抠门和节省的意思。例如:

The company has downsized its payroll to husband its resources.

我在北京有个哥们,这几年发大发了,整日不沾家,即便回家,也不碰他的老婆。对这种“老婆基本不用”的主儿,你可以说:

He tries to husband his energy and strength for his 小蜜!

Wife 当动词用,在中古英语里是娶妻或为人之妻的意思。下面这个例句是美国著名专栏作家Ellen Goodman写的:

“Liddy Dole’s closest aides and supporters were afraid that this ambitious and visible woman would be WIFED, a mysterious process by which candidates’ wives are often turned into adoring Nancys.”

而动名词wifing的用法,则与 parenting 和mothering 类似。例如:

As our institutions begin to ease the pressure, perhaps husbands will be less wearied and be able to do some extra WIFING.

在伊甸园里,至少有两个哥们儿,是在家中干这种extra WIFING活儿的光辉典范:斋主的下厨掌勺以及廖康的带儿子。老尚要向你们学习,向你们致敬!!!


作者: 独善斋主     时间: 2006-8-16 11:37
〉〉我在北京有个哥们,这几年发大发了,整日不沾家,即便回家,也不碰他的老婆。对这种“老婆基本不用”的主儿,你可以说:

〉〉He tries to husband his energy and strength for his 小蜜!

罗嗦!既然“husband作动词用时,就成了抠门和节省的意思”
那么:“to husband his wife” 不就是 “老婆基本不用”了吗?
作者: 诗鸿     时间: 2006-8-16 12:31


引用:
Originally posted by 独善斋主 at 2006-8-16 04:37 PM:
既然“husband作动词用时,就成了抠门和节省的意思”
那么:“to husband his wife” 不就是 “老婆基本不用”了吗?

斋主绝了!
作者: 杜欣欣     时间: 2006-8-16 17:39
to husband his wife,wifing his 小蜜.
作者: 诗鸿     时间: 2006-8-16 21:45


引用:
Originally posted by 杜欣欣 at 2006-8-16 10:39 PM:
to husband his wife,wifing his 小蜜.

Or:

He husbands his wife, wifing his 小蜜,who mans his business.

斋主,欣欣,咱们一块儿活学活用老尚同志的伟大思想,立竿见影。
作者: 杜欣欣     时间: 2006-8-16 23:45


引用:
Originally posted by 诗鸿 at 2006-8-17 02:45 AM:

Or:

He husbands his wife, wifing his 小蜜,who mans his business.

斋主,欣欣,咱们一块儿活学活用老尚同志的伟大思想,立竿见影。

no no no, you are wrong,诗鸿兄.应该是学习老尚同志的三个代表"man(s), husband(s), wifing" to build up a "和谐社会".




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