4.3　根據(jù)上下文確定詞義

思果認(rèn)為:一個(gè)字理想的解釋是“在這樣一句里是什么意思”。英國(guó)倫敦語(yǔ)言學(xué)派創(chuàng)始人Firth更是明確指出:Each word when used in a new context is a new word．至于上下文在翻譯中的重要性，Newmark的一句話可謂切中要害，他說(shuō):Context is the overriding factor in all translation，and has primacy over any rule，theory or primary meaning．下面不妨以英文單詞wet為例，看看其在不同的上下文中都有著怎樣不同的含義。

原文:Wet paint！

譯文:油漆未干！

原文:He was wet to the skin．

譯文:他全身濕透了。

原文:She had a wet nurse for the infant．

譯文:她給嬰兒雇了個(gè)奶娘。

原文:If you think I am for him，you are all wet．

譯文:如果你認(rèn)為我支持他，那你就大錯(cuò)特錯(cuò)了。

原文:At that time he was still wet behind the ears．

譯文:那時(shí)他還是個(gè)乳臭未干的孩子。

原文:Some kids usually had wet pants in the kindergarten．

譯文:一些小孩在幼兒園里常常尿褲子。

原文:It was rather wet of you to say nothing when you had the chance．

譯文:你本來(lái)有機(jī)會(huì)表達(dá)意見(jiàn)卻沒(méi)有那樣做，真笨！

原文:But Smith showed unexpected strength，especially in the wet districts．

譯文:但史密斯表現(xiàn)出不俗的實(shí)力，特別是在那些非禁酒地區(qū)。

原文:He was such a wet blanket at the party that they never invited him again．

譯文:他在聚會(huì)上令人掃興，那之后，大家不再邀請(qǐng)他了。

原文:The driver chose the track which seemed least dangerous，and rejoiced if in wet seasons he reached Washington without miring or upsetting his wagon．

譯文:馬車(chē)夫總是盡量走危險(xiǎn)性小的路，如果在下雨天也能安全抵達(dá)華盛頓而沒(méi)有陷入泥坑或翻車(chē)，他們便會(huì)喜出望外。