句子:這個(gè)礦主給記者們發(fā)封口費(fèi),使他們對這次礦難封口。
誤譯:The mine owner paid the journalists hush money, so as to close/ shut their mouth about the mine accident.
正譯:The mine owner paid the journalists hush money, so as to seal their mouth about the mine accident.
解釋:to close/shut ones mouth 的意思是“閉嘴”;而to seal ones mouth的意思是“當(dāng)事人封別人的口”。在這句話里,礦主是當(dāng)事人。他發(fā)封口費(fèi)的目的是封別人的口。
“封口”的第一個(gè)意思是“封閉信封或容器開口的地方”。英語譯為 to seal。例如:我們寄信時(shí)要用膠水給信封封口。We must seal the envelope with glue before posting the letter.
“封口”的第二個(gè)意思是“傷口愈合”。英語可以譯為 to heal。例如:
我腿上的傷已經(jīng)封口了。The wound in my leg has healed over.
“封口”的第三個(gè)意思是“堵住別人的嘴,不讓呼吸或說話”,也可以說“封嘴”。英語譯為to seal sb s mouth。例如:
綁匪用破布給不停叫喊的人質(zhì)封住口。With rug, the kidnapper sealed the mouth of the hostage who had been crying.
“封口費(fèi)”,英語譯為 hush money。例如:
他因?yàn)榻衣读艘粋€(gè)貪官給記者“封口費(fèi)”的事實(shí),而出了名。Because he exposed a corrupt official's offer of “hush money” to journalists, he became well known.
“封口”的第四個(gè)意思是“閉嘴不說,保持緘默”。英語譯為to close/ shut one s mouth about, to keep silent/quiet about。例如:
關(guān)于這個(gè)政治丑聞,他決定封口。He decided to close his mouth about this political scandal.
“封口”的第五個(gè)意思是“把話說死,不再改口”。也可以說“封嘴”或“封門”。英語譯為 to close/shut one s door to further compromise/negotiation。例如:
他沒有封口,還有商量的余地。As he hasnt shut the door to further compromise, there is still room for discussion.
“封口”的第六個(gè)意思是比喻“使規(guī)定的限度不突破”。英語譯為 to set it as the maximum limit。例如:
銀行給我們的貸款就是這20萬,已經(jīng)封口了。The bank has made a loan of only two hundred thousand yuan to us and set it as the maximum limit.▲
(本欄目供稿:王逢鑫教授)