例4 人们采用各种措施来防止腐蚀。
译文:All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion.
简评:这句话可以按原文译成主动态,即:People have taken all kinds of measures to prevent corrosion。也可以用被动语态来翻译--All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion。两者比较而言,被动态译文更突出表明所有、种种措施已经付诸实施,all kinds of measures得到强调,而主动态译法只是平铺直叙,重点不突出。
此外,汉语句子中有"据说"、"据了解"、"据报道"、"据估计"、"据传言"等词语时,可以酌情译成相应的英语被动句,如:It is supposed that(据推测......),It is said that(据说......),It is estimated that(据估计......),It is calculated that(预计......),It is reported that(据报道......),It is suggested that(有人建议),It is stressed that(有人强调......),It is thought that(有人认为......),It is considered that(有人认为......),It is expected that(据期望......),It is well known that(众所周知......),It must be admitted that(必须承认......),It must be pointed out that(必须指出......),It is understood that(谁都知道......),It may be safety said that(可以有把握地说......)等。
例5 据了解,这个地区有丰富的自然资源。
译文:The area is known to be rich in natural resources.