汉语中“点”的各种英语表达

孙 丽

汉语里“点”字,无论是在书面语还是在口语中,可谓随处可见。它不仅多词性,而且多词义。它可以是名词,如:“点钟”、“小数点”;还可以是动词,如“点名”、“点头”、“点菜”;还可以用来表示较少的量,如:“喝点水”、“加点油”;此外,还可用来表示轻微的程度,如“有点累”。正是它在语义和语用上的复杂性,才往往给英语学习者带来一定学习上的困难。下面就从上述这四个方面对“点”的语义和语用概述一下。

一、作名词的“点”

常令学生困惑的是汉语中作为名词的“点”的英语对应词,如:drop,spot,dot,stain,point等。这些词意义相近,令学生使用时难以选择,所以经常出现滥用和错用现象。

drop:指重量足够以滴的形式落下的最小量液体。如:A few drops of rain had fallen on my head before I could run into the pub.(在我还没来得及跑进那个酒馆之前,几滴雨点已经落到我的头上);另外,a drop of后面接液体以外的名词,强调少量,意思是“一点点”。如:When the man went bankrupt,his wife did not show a drop of pity.(当男人破产的时候,他的妻子没有表现出丝毫的怜悯)。

spot:常强调斑点。如:When she was ill,some red spots appeared on her face.(当她生病的时候,她脸上出现了一些红斑点);spot还用来指室内或室外的有一定限度的特殊的地点或场所。如:This is the spot where he was murdered ten years ago.(这就是十年前他被谋杀的地点)。

stain:强调因其它的东西而弄脏的污迹或污点。如:Some coffee stains were found on the white cloth after the breakfast.(早饭后发现在洁白的桌布上有一些咖啡渍);stain也用来指名誉上的污点,甚至耻辱。如:He regarded his retreat from the war as a stain on his honor.(他认为退出战争是他名誉上的一个污点)。

dot:往往用来指小圆点。如:Do you like that tie with white dots.(你喜欢带白点点儿的那个领带吗?);My E-mail address is peter at 163 dot com.(我的电子信箱地址是peter@163.com.)。

point:指不论所占空间的形状或大小的特定的地点,它可指一个固定的、可以以此计算位置和距离的地点。如:I travelled from one point to another and I was finding the trip very exciting.(我从一个地方游到另一个地方,越发发现这次旅游真开心);point也常用来指小数点。如:The room is four point five meters wide.(这个房间宽四点五米);point也用来表示时间点,尤其指特定的时刻或转折点。如:It was a turning point in his career.(这是他事业上的转折点),At this point he ran out of the house.(就在此时他跑出了房子);point还可以指要点或主要观点。如:Well study all the language points in details before coming to the text.(在学习课文之前,我们要详细地学一下语言点),Now I can understand your point.(现在我明白你的观点了);point还可用来表示价格涨落的点。如:Prices on the stock exchange advanced two points.(股票市场价格涨了两点);point还可用来表示熔点或沸点等。如:Do you know the melting point of gold?(你知道黄金的熔点吗?)。

二、作动词的“点”

作动词的“点”,在不同的语境中,具有不同的意义。应认真分析,明确意义,找出英语中地道、适切的对应表达方法。请体会下面常用的“点”动词的英语表达:

你可以点任何你喜欢吃的菜。You can order whatever dishes you like.

这个问题他需要点拨。He needs to be instructed on this problem.

你本来不必点穿这一秘密的。You neednt have pointed out the secret.

我们每次上英语课老师都点名。Our teacher will call the roll whenever we have English classes.

当我回答这个问题的时候,老师脸上带着微笑,不住地点头。When I answered the question,my teacher,with a smile on her face,kept nodding her head.

他点燃了那所房子然后跑掉了。He set fire to the house and ran away.

三、表示较少的量的“点”

表示较少的量的“点”,有的可以作代词单独使用,有的可以修饰可数名词的复数或不可数名词。一定要根据语境意义选用准确、适当的英语表达语。如:

杯子里有点水。There is a little water in the glass.

杯子里没多点水了。There is little water in the glass.

你想来点咖啡吗?Would you like some coffee?

你想来点喝的吗?Would you like something to drink?

我有点问题想问。I have some questions to ask.

这事我一点都不知道。I know nothing about it.

他样样事情都懂一点儿。He knows a little of everything.

你要多少?给我一点就行。How much do you want?Give me just a little.

从这你可以看到一点蓝天。From here you can see a bit of blue sky.

只剩一点点儿时间了。Theres a little bit of time left.

对于那件事他拿不出一点证据。He couldnt produce a scrap of evidence against it.

这懒女人一点事都不愿做。The lazy woman wouldnt do a stitch of work.

如果他稍有一点理智,决不会做出这样的蠢事来。If he had a modicum of sense,he wouldnt do such a foolish thing.

四、表示轻微的程度的“点”

充当副词作用的“点”,在句子里可以修饰形容词、副词或动词,表示轻微的程度。

我现在感觉好一点了。I feel a little better now.

他们一点也没料到会有那么丰盛的礼物。Little did they expect such a generous gift.

他一点一点地挖园子。He dug the garden bit by bit.

我有点累了。让我们休息一会儿吧。Im a little bit tired.Lets take a break.

就慷慨大方这一点来说,汤姆一点也不像他爸爸。Tom is not a bit like his father as far as generosity is concerned.

我有点生气了。I was somewhat annoyed.

她有点儿希望被邀请。She kind of hoped to be invited.

我总有点觉得这事会发生。I sort of thought this would happen.

通过以上分析可以看出,“点”无论作为名词、动词、代词、形容词还是副词,在不同的语言环境里,语义和语用虽然有相近甚至重合的时候,但常常存在微妙的差别。认真揣摩就会有此“点”非彼“点”的感觉。所以英语学习不可死记硬背,要用心体会,活学活用。