英语论文网

ever too late to learn.
[21] It has always been believed that you are the best.
诚然,英语句子的主语也有省略的时候,但这种情况只出现在祈使句及口语、私人信件、便条、日记等非正式文体中。这时省去的部分非常清楚,谓语动词仍与之保持一致关系。例如:
[22] ( I ) Haven’t the slightest idea.
[23] ( You ) Had a good time, did you?
[24] ( It ) Looks like rain.
汉语句子的主语对谓语动词的形式没有决定作用,句法地位并不十分重要,因而省略的情况远比英语普遍。如以下汉语句子的主语基本上都可以省略,而译成英语时则无一例外都要补出主语。例如:
[25]“(你)不认识了么?我还抱过你咧!”
“You don’t recognize me, do you? But I once even carried you in my arms!.”
[26](他)走就走吧,随他的便。
He can go if he insists. I don’t care.
[27](我)看一眼路旁的绿叶,再看一眼海,真的。(我)这才明白了什么叫做“春深似海。”
I cast a look first at the green leaves along the road and then at the sea. To tell the truth, only then did I fully understand the real meaning of“spring being as deep as the sea.”
[28](你/我们)要想进入一扇门,(你/我们)就必须让自己的头比门框更低;[你/我们]要想登上成功的顶峰,[你/我们]就必须低头弯腰做好攀登的准备。
If you want to pass a door, you must bow your head so that it is lower than the doorframe. If you want to climb to the top of success, you must bow your head and bend your body to get ready for the climbing.
当然汉语句子的省略也并非随心所欲,它的省略须以不影响语义表达为前提。一般来说,只有在语境(包括上下文、交际场合、常识与背景知识等)中为人们所共知的主语才能省略。它们或是不很确定,没有实际的信息价值;或是众所周知,无需提及。读过贺龙元帅传记的人,都知道“一把菜刀闹革命”的真正含义,所以主语省略不影响语义表达。但若对这段历史一无所知,不管是外国人还是中国人,不说出句子的主语,恐怕都不能很好地理解这个句子。于是这个句子也就失去了它的交际价值。但不管怎样,汉语句子主语的省略不受主谓一致关系的制约,则是不争的事实。
另外,英语句子主谓之间在句法上的一致关系,是通过谓语动词的人称形式和数形式等语法形式得以体现的,因此谓语动词的语法形式就是一条连接主语和谓语、标记非常鲜明的纽带,无论主语位在何处,通过这条纽带就可以轻而易举地找到它。这种句法特点为英语句子中一定范围的主谓倒装创造了条件,使英语句子主谓间的句法性倒装和修辞性倒装非常普遍。例如:
[29] Is the man still alive? (疑问句)
[30] Do they see but a corner of her dress, they will go away
happy. (条件句)
[31]“He doesn’t like fish.”“Nor does she.”(附和句)
[32] There comes the bus.(存现句)
以上属句法性倒装,这种倒装是强制性的。下面的例子属修辞性倒装,是非强制性倒装:
[33] Never have I found him in such a good mood.(强调句)
[34] Up goes the curtain and in comes a small lady.(描写句)
[35] Happy indeed are those who receive marvelous news after
a long silence.(平衡句)
[36]“Ok, I’m coming,”was the answer.(衔接句)
[37] Their cat understands more words than does a dog.(对比句)
汉语句子主谓之间不存在句法上的一致关系,更无这种标记鲜明的纽带,一旦主语和谓语