Unit 7 Passive Voice Course:English-Chinese Translation Lecturer:Li Jianhua
Unit 7 Passive Voice Course: English-Chinese Translation Lecturer: Li Jianhua
7.1 High Frequency of English Passives English passive prevalence English passive structures used in various forms In various tenses ▣In non-finite forms ▣Impersonal passive Double passive Passive and impersonal expressions promoting each other According to R.Altick,the passive voice allows one to express ideas without attributing them to a specific individual source widely used in government communications and news items legitimate use can easily turn into abuse avoid personal responsibility for statements issued by an organization or based on hearsay
7.1 High Frequency of English Passives English passive prevalence ◼ English passive structures used in various forms ◼ In various tenses ◼ In non-finite forms ◼ Impersonal passive ◼ Double passive Passive and impersonal expressions promoting each other According to R. Altick, the passive voice ◼ allows one to express ideas without attributing them to a specific individual source ◼ widely used in government communications and news items ◼ legitimate use can easily turn into abuse ◼ avoid personal responsibility for statements issued by an organization or based on hearsay
S.Baker:"Our massed,scientific,and bureaucratic society is so addicted to the passive voice that you must constantly alert yourself against its drowsy, impersonal pomp."(The Practical Stylist)
S. Baker: “Our massed, scientific, and bureaucratic society is so addicted to the passive voice that you must constantly alert yourself against its drowsy, impersonal pomp.” (The Practical Stylist)
An example illustrating the high and low frequency of passive use in English and Chinese: As oil is found deep in the ground its presence cannot be determined by a study of the surface.Consequently,a geological survey of the underground rock structure must be carried out.If it is thought that the rocks in a certain area contain oil,a "drilling rig"is assembled.The most obvious part of a drilling rig is called "a derrick".It is used to lift sections of pipe,which are lowered into the hole made by the drill.As the hole is being drilled,a steel pipe is pushed down to prevent the sides from falling in.If oil is struck a cover is firmly fixed to the top of the pipe and the oil is allowed to escape through a series of valves. (13 passive voice structures)
An example illustrating the high and low frequency of passive use in English and Chinese: As oil is found deep in the ground its presence cannot be determined by a study of the surface. Consequently, a geological survey of the underground rock structure must be carried out. If it is thought that the rocks in a certain area contain oil, a "drilling rig" is assembled. The most obvious part of a drilling rig is called "a derrick". It is used to lift sections of pipe, which are lowered into the hole made by the drill. As the hole is being drilled, a steel pipe is pushed down to prevent the sides from falling in. If oil is struck a cover is firmly fixed to the top of the pipe and the oil is allowed to escape through a series of valves. (13 passive voice structures)
由于石油深埋地下，靠研究地面，不能 确定石油的有无. (接下的部分，同学们先行试译，然后看看 英汉语各自有多少被动语态和主动语态的 句子。)
由于石油深埋地下，靠研究地面，不能 确定石油的有无. (接下的部分，同学们先行试译，然后看看 英汉语各自有多少被动语态和主动语态的 句子。)
7.11 Informative style:widely used in science,news reports and business writing. All objects are made to expand by heat. 热使所有物体膨胀。 On their domestic stations events in the Middle East were dismissed briefly. You are requested to register for the conference before March 7
7.11 Informative style: widely used in science, news reports and business writing. All objects are made to expand by heat. 热使所有物体膨胀。 On their domestic stations events in the Middle East were dismissed briefly. You are requested to register for the conference before March 7
7.2 Functions of English Passives 7.21 Agent omitted for various reasons No need to mention the subject SARS is said (by whom?)to be caused by a member of the coronvirus. No way to determine the subject Many voices have been raised demanding the setting up of an Arab common market. 许多人要求建立一个阿拉伯共同市场
7.2 Functions of English Passives 7.21 Agent omitted for various reasons ◼ No need to mention the subject SARS is said (by whom?) to be caused by a member of the coronvirus. ◼ No way to determine the subject Many voices have been raised demanding the setting up of an Arab common market. 许多人要求建立一个阿拉伯共同市场
Object more important than the subject Only tea and care were served (by them) at the party. Unwilling to mention the subject But real influence is not built up by (whose?)striking attitudes or by throwing insults
◼ Object more important than the subject Only tea and care were served (by them) at the party. ◼ Unwilling to mention the subject But real influence is not built up by (whose?) striking attitudes or by throwing insults
7.22 For Syntactic Needs For coherence Some kinds of plastics can be forced through machines which separate them into long,thin strings,called "fibers",and these fibers can be made into cloth. 有几种塑料可以压入机器并分离成细长的纤维， 这种纤维可以用来织布。 John was a lawyer's son and was destined to the bar.(same perspective)
7.22 For Syntactic Needs ◼ For coherence Some kinds of plastics can be forced through machines which separate them into long, thin strings, called “fibers”, and these fibers can be made into cloth. 有几种塑料可以压入机器并分离成细长的纤维， 这种纤维可以用来织布。 John was a lawyer's son and was destined to the bar. (same perspective)
For balance I was astounded that he was prepared to give me a job ▣For emphasis The three machines can be controlled by a single operator
◼ For balance I was astounded that he was prepared to give me a job. ◼ For emphasis The three machines can be controlled by a single operator