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[摘 要] 科技英语作为一种特殊的语言变体已引起广泛关注。许多学者曾对其进行探讨并取得成果,但都缺乏必要的数理依据。介绍科技英语的数量统计措施,即先对科技文献进行随机抽样,进而采用二元属性略论法进行数理统计,再附之以归纳与演绎法综合运用从而过滤出数据,找出型式,这样即可检验现有假设,又可为科技英语的翻译及教学提供一个科学范式,以规范此领域的工作。 Key words: English for science and technology (EST); statistical data; binary feature analysis;hypothesis; paradigm Abstract: As a unique language variant, English for science and technology (EST) has drawnwide attention in the academic circle. Despite the achievements made by some students in this field,necessary statistical data forming the foundation of EST research is obviously lacked. The treatiseattempts to introduce a statistical method to study EST, by means of which random sampling is madeamong EST literatures, and then binary feature analysis is adopted to obtain the statistics needed,followed by the discovery and description of patterns with the comprehensive combination of inductionand deduction. By applying such method, not only are current hypotheses examined, but a scientificparadigm to standardize the work in the field is provided for EST teaching and translation. 一、科技英语探讨近况科技英语是人们从事科学技术活动时所使用的语言,它作为人们进行科学技术活动时交流的工具,已成为一种专门用于理、工、农、医等领域的语言变体。虽然科技英语作为语言的一部分,与其它语言变体(如文学文体,报刊文体)一样具有许多共通性,但由于其题材内容,使用方式的特殊性而形成了自己独有的特点。正因为如此,加之当代科学技术突飞猛进,科技英语便成为了一种备受关注的特殊文体。但科技英语是一门年轻的学科,迄今只有二三十年的历史。不少探讨者也曾对科技英语做过一些探讨,对科技英语的语法特点做出过如下假设: 1、广泛使用名词化结构。著名的语法律家夸克(Randolph Quirk)等人在其编著的《当代英语语法》(A Grammar ofContemporary English)〔1〕中多次提到了科技英语的名词化结构。我国语言学者侯维瑞在其编著的《英语语体》中也曾提到此观点。〔2〕在他们看来,科技英语的名词化结构主要有三种类型。① 2、被动语态的频繁使用。一些探讨者认为,科技英语多用被动语态,以使读者注意力集中到所述的事物、过程等客体上。②例:(1)Besides voltage, resistance and capacitance,an alternating currentisalsoinfluencedbyinductance.交流电除了受电压、电阻、电容的作用外,还受电感的作用。 (2)The diode charred because the polarityhadbeen reversed.因为极性接反,二极管烧坏了。(3)A large proportion of the heatis absorbedbythe water.大部分热量被水吸收。 3、介词词组出现频率高。以侯维瑞为首的许多探讨者都提出了这个假设,认为此乃科技英语的又一语法特点,其功能在于准确而简洁地反映了事物之间的时间、空间、依附、隶属、因果等逻辑联系。例:(1)Ball bearing are usedinalmost every kindofmachines and deviceswithrotating parts.几乎每种有旋转部件的机器或装置都用到滚珠轴承。(2)The questionofwhy radio stations can sendout energyinthe formofelectromagnetic waveswas finally answeredinthis century.为什么无线电台能以电磁波形式发出能量,这个问题终于在本世纪有了答案。(3 ) Rocketswithmeninsidethem havereached the moon.载人火箭已达到月球。 4、从句频繁出现。凌宗项和陈新先生均认为,科技英语中常出现较长的句子来表达事物之间逻辑联系。〔3,4〕而这些长句中又往往包含着不同的从句。而侯维瑞先生则认为科技英语从句交错重叠,联系复杂,这是用复杂的语法联系来表达复杂思维的需要,因为单个的简单句和并列的简单句难以胜任这样的任务。例:(1)The apparatus were packed properly for fearthatthey might break in shipping.为了避免这些仪器在运输时遭损坏,所以装箱工作做得很仔细。(2) Alcohol evaporated quicklythat therewasn t any left in the bottle when it was needed.酒精蒸发得很快,所以当需要时瓶里一滴不剩了。(3)All matter,whether it be solid, liquid orgas, is made up of extremely tiny particles calledmolecules.所有物质,不论是固体、液体还是气体,都由称作分子的极小的微粒组成。当然,探讨者们还提到了对于科技英语语法特点的其它假设,在此不一一赘述了,可以看出,探讨者们在科技英语这个文体上还是做了大量的探讨工作,取得了一定的成果。③但通过略论,不难发现以往的探讨主要是定性的探讨,他们对科技英语语法特点的假设主要靠的是个人的主观印象,缺乏有力的数理依据,不足以说明科技英语总的语法规律。下面是从北美照明工程协会发表的一篇科技专著中节选的一部分。〔5〕The spectral responsivity of an integratingsphere photometer is a combination of the relativespectral throughput of the sphere and the detectorspectral responsivity. Methods for determining thenecessary corrections are described inannex B.Thedetector shall have a wide field of view so as to“see”as much of the sphere wall as possible. Anapproximate cosine response is ideal in this respect.The surface of the dif，英语论文，英语论文题目 |
