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
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
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
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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