[误] Some prefers radish but others prefer cabbage.
[正] Tastes differ.
注:其实,本句还可译为“no one can suit all tastes”. 这种现象在翻译中是经常会遇到的,那在做翻译时我们涉及到两个问题,即抽象的问题可以具体化,如“劳逸结合”译为 All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. 第二种即是具体的问题抽象化,如“她就是一个备选新娘。”可译为“She is a possibility.”这两种情况经常是需要意译的,希望在以后的学习中大家可以自觉积累此类用法并适时应用。比如老师再给大家举个例子,先翻一下,再看下面的答案:
练习句1:人都是这山望着那山高,对自己的现状没有最满意的时候。
[错] Almost all people think that the other mountain is higher than the mountain he is standing on. They never feel satisfied with what they have already got.
[正] Almost all people think that the grass is greener on the other hill. They never feel satisfied with what they have already got.
练习句2:他嘴很硬,从不认错。
[错] He has already got a hard mouth and never admits fault.
[正] He never says uncle.
3. 赫洛德挥金如土,没有一点积蓄。
[误] Harold spends money like dirt, and has no savings.
[正] Harold spends money like water, and has no savings.
注:英国是一个岛国,所以处处离不开水;而我国属于内陆国,大部分土地都是土,所以我们的话语中和土比较亲近。英语中有很多和水相关的短语,如 keep one’s head above water(奋力图存)。