用英語介紹地點(diǎn)是英語翻譯中常見的題材。想要讓介紹既有條理又生動,除了掌握地點(diǎn)先后位置的表述邏輯和技巧外,熟練運(yùn)用位置表達(dá)和地方特色介紹的實(shí)用句型也至關(guān)重要。以下結(jié)合實(shí)例,拆解這些核心要點(diǎn)與實(shí)用技巧。
在描述地點(diǎn)時,梳理地點(diǎn)先后位置是邏輯基礎(chǔ)。我們需要特別注意的是英文地名表達(dá)的核心原則:小地名在前,大地名在后,這與中文表達(dá)習(xí)慣恰好相反。英文地點(diǎn)書寫順序依次為門牌號、街道、城市、州/省、國家,用逗號分隔,如“中國陜西省西安市陳北路1號”譯為“No. 1 ChenbeiRoad, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China”。街道名可縮寫(Rd./Ave./St.),專屬地名首字母大寫(Yellow River)。同名地點(diǎn)需通過所屬區(qū)域或核心特征明確區(qū)分,避免混淆。常見方式有兩種:一是補(bǔ)充所屬國家、州或省份,如“Portland in Oregon”(美國俄勒岡州波特蘭市)與“Portland in Maine”(美國緬因州波特蘭市);二是結(jié)合地點(diǎn)獨(dú)特標(biāo)簽,如“The Venice in Italy is famous for its canals, while the Venice of the North refers to Amsterdam”,用特色稱謂強(qiáng)化區(qū)分度。而中國的“陜西”和“山西”兩省拼音相同,寫成英語則難以區(qū)分,因此,這里英譯中結(jié)合陜西人口音特色,在英語中多加了一個字母“a”來區(qū)分開兩地,因此大家需要記住陜西的英文譯名為“Shaanxi”。
在介紹地名時需善用方位介詞與連接詞,同時掌握多樣的位置表達(dá)句型。比如表達(dá)“位于”可常用:① be located/situated in/on/at(in接大區(qū)域,on接相鄰位置,at接具體點(diǎn));② lie in/to/on(to表示不接壤);③ be surrounded by(被……環(huán)繞);④ be adjacent to(與……相鄰)。介紹城市可先點(diǎn)明整體方位再聚焦局部,如“Beijing is located in northern China. To its north lies Jundu Mountains, while the Forbidden City at the old town center is surrounded by Tiananmen Square. It is adjacent to Tianjin in the east.” 介紹室內(nèi)可按“入口-主要區(qū)域”順序,如“Entering the library, the front desk is on your left; straight ahead is the reading area with literature bookshelves in the corner. The reading area is situated next to the self-service borrowing machine.”
此外,介紹一個地方少不了介紹其地方特色。我們可以儲備以下常用句型,比如:① be renowned/famous for(因……聞名);② be well-known as(作為……而知名);③ boast/feature sth. unique(擁有獨(dú)特的……);④ What makes it special is that…(使其特別的是……);⑤ One of its most distinctive features is…(其最顯著的特色之一是……)。這些句型能讓地點(diǎn)介紹更生動精準(zhǔn)。例如:Located on the Guanzhong Plain, Xi’an boasts world-famous sites that reflect its profound history. One of its mostdistinctive features is the Terracotta Army in the eastern suburbs, a stunning relic of the Qin Dynasty that surprises every visitor. (西安地處關(guān)中平原,坐擁多處享譽(yù)世界的名勝古跡,彰顯著自身深厚的歷史底蘊(yùn)。東郊的秦始皇兵馬俑是其最具代表性的標(biāo)志之一,這一氣勢恢宏的秦代遺跡,總能令每一位到訪者嘆為觀止。)
最后,給大家提供一篇介紹西安的英文文章,同學(xué)們可以從中更深地體會到英語介紹地名的技巧和方法。
Xi'an, a historic city in central Shaanxi Province, is renowned as one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals. Located on the Guanzhong Plain, it boasts world-famous sites that reflect its profound history. One of its most distinctive features is the Terracotta Army in the eastern suburbs, a stunning relic of the Qin Dynasty that surprises every visitor. In the city center, the ancient City Wall stands intact, surrounding attractions like the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. What makes it special is the blend of ancient heritage and modern vitality—you can taste local snacks like Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) on the ancient streets while enjoying modern urban scenery nearby. Serving as a window to China's long history, Xi'an attracts countless visitors worldwide every year.(西安,這座坐落于陜西省中部的歷史文化名城,被譽(yù)為中國四大古都之一。它地處關(guān)中平原,坐擁多處享譽(yù)世界的名勝古跡,彰顯著自身深厚的歷史底蘊(yùn)。東郊的秦始皇兵馬俑是其最具代表性的標(biāo)志之一,這一氣勢恢宏的秦代遺跡,總能令每一位到訪者嘆為觀止。市中心的明城墻保存完好,將鐘樓、鼓樓等一眾景點(diǎn)環(huán)抱其中。而西安的獨(dú)特魅力,更在于其古韻與現(xiàn)代活力的交融共生—— 你既可以在古色古香的街巷中品嘗肉夾饃這類地道小吃,又能飽覽咫尺之遙的現(xiàn)代都市風(fēng)光。作為展示中國悠久歷史的一扇窗口,西安每年都會吸引來自全球各地的無數(shù)游客慕名而來。) |