曲線回家

句子：春運(yùn)期間，這位農(nóng)民工買不到火車票，就曲線回家。

誤譯：As the rural migrant worker failed to get a train ticket during the Spring Festival travel rush, he went back home in a curve.

正譯：As the rural migrant worker failed to get a train ticket during the Spring Festival travel rush, he went back home in a round-about way.

解釋：curve 的意思是a line that bends gradually，指與幾何學(xué)相關(guān)的“曲線”。而“曲線回家”，卻是“繞道回家”， 應(yīng)譯為 to go back home in a round-about way。

“曲線”的第一個(gè)意思是“在平面或空間上的點(diǎn)按一定條件運(yùn)動(dòng)的軌跡 ”。英語(yǔ)可以譯為 curve。例如：1. 只有當(dāng)一個(gè)外力起作用時(shí)，物體才能做曲線運(yùn)動(dòng)。An object can move in a curve only when a force acts.

“曲線”的第二個(gè)意思是“在平面上表示的物理、化學(xué)、統(tǒng)計(jì)學(xué)過(guò)程等隨參數(shù)變化的線”。英語(yǔ)可以譯為 curve 。例如：2. 陡峭的收益率曲線為銀行創(chuàng)造了盈利機(jī)會(huì)。A steep yield curve creates profitable opportunities for banks.“曲線”的第三個(gè)意思是“波形線條”。英語(yǔ)可以譯為 wave line。例如：3. 這個(gè)學(xué)生在所有重點(diǎn)詞語(yǔ)下面都畫(huà)上了曲線。The student underlined all the key words and expressions with wave lines. “曲線”的第四個(gè)意思指“人體的線條”。英語(yǔ)可以譯為 curve 。例如：4. 她照試衣鏡，欣賞自己腰部的優(yōu)美曲線。 She looked into the dressing mirror and admired the delicate curve of her own waist.

“曲線”的第五個(gè)意思是“繞道”、“迂回”。英語(yǔ)可以譯為 in a round-about/circuitous way。例如：5. 由于春節(jié)前一票難求，“曲線回家”是一個(gè)不錯(cuò)的選擇。As people had difficulties in buying train tickets before the Spring Festival, going back home in a circuitous way might well be a worthy choice.▲

（本欄目供稿：王逢鑫教授）