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1、精品文档，仅供学习与交流，如有侵权请联系网站删除科技英语的特点(1)什么是科技英语文体?比较下面两个英语句子：aThe factory turns out 100,000 cars every yearbThe annual output Of the factory is 100,000 cars这两句话的意思是一样的，但是用词和语法上有一些不一样。第一个句子用了日常口语中常用的动词短语(phrasal verb)作谓语，用的词汇是初中生都认识的。第二个句子用了系词，构成对事实的客观表达。句子里用的词汇有两个(annual和output)都是日常口语中少用的文语词。如果把这两个句子译成汉语，
2、应该分别翻译成：a这家工厂每年生产十万辆汽车。b该工厂的汽车年产量为十万。上述两个a句和b句之间的不同表明了a句和b句属于不同的文体。什么是文体呢?文体就是一部分具有共同职业或兴趣的人为了实现一定的交际目的而使用的语言变体。科技文体就是自然科学家和社会技术人员从事专业活动时使用的一种文体。大家所见到的科学著作、学术论文、实验报告、产品说明书等都属于科技文体。科技文体不以语言的艺术美为追求目标，而是讲求逻辑的条理清楚和叙述的准确严密。因此它有自己的语言、词汇和语法特点。当然，科技文体也不是“铁板一块”。粗略来说，可以分成正式科技文体和科普文体，两种都有书面和口语形式。以下将向大家介绍书面的正式英
3、语科技文体(俗称科技英语)的词汇和语法特点。第一讲英语科技文体的词汇特点一、大量使用专业术语。科技文章要求概念清楚，避免含糊不清和一词多义，因此使用较多的科技词汇。科技词汇来源分三类：A第一类科技词来自英语中的普通词，但赋予了它们新的词义。例如：Work is the transfer of energy expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which its point of application moves in the direction of the force在这句话中，work、energy、p
4、roduct、force都是从普通词汇中借来的物理学术语。work的意思不是工作，而是功；energy的意思不是活力，而是能；product的意思不是产品，而是乘积；force的意思不是力量，而是力。B第二类科技词是从希腊或拉丁语中吸收的。例如：therm 热(希腊语) thesis 论文(希腊语)parameter 参数(拉丁语) radius 半径(拉丁语)这些希腊语和拉丁语来源的词的复数形式有些仍按原来的形式，如thesis的复数是theses，stratus的复数是strati。但是不少词由于在英语里用得久了，除了保留原来的复数形式，有的也有符合英语习惯的复数形式。例如formula(
5、公式，拉丁语)可以是formulae，也可以是formulas；stratum(层，拉丁语)可以是strata，也可以是stratums。特别有意思的是datum(数据，拉丁语)，它的复数形式是data，但是由于这个字常用复数，所以有些外国人甚至误把它当成单数，又造出了一个所谓的复数形式datas。C第三类是新造的词。每当出现新的科学技术现象时，人们都要通过词汇把它表示出来。这就需要构造新的词汇。构成新词主要有以下几种方法：a转化：通过词类转化构成新词。英语中名词、形容词、副词、介词可以转化成动词，而动词、形容词、副词、介词可以转化成名词。但是最活跃的是名词、转化成动词和动词转化成名词。例如，
6、名词island(岛屿)转化成动词island(隔离)，动词coordinate(协调)转化成名词coordinate(坐标)。b合成：由两个独立的词合成为一个词。例如：air+craftaircraft 飞机metal+workmetalwork 金属制品power+plantpowerplant 发电站有的合成词的两个成分之间要有连字符。例如：cast-iron 铸铁conveyer-belt 传送带machine-made 机制的英语中有很多专业术语有两个或更多的词组成，叫做复合术语。它们的构成成分虽然看起来是独立的，但实际上合起来构成一个完整的概念，因此应该把它们看成是一个术语。例如：
7、liquid crystal 液晶water jacket 水套computer language 计算机语言machine building 机器制造linear measure 长度单位c派生：这种方法也叫缀合。派生词是由词根加上前缀或后缀构成的。加前缀构成新词只改变词义，不改变词类。例如：decontrol(取消控制)vde+control(control是动词)ultrasonic(超声的)aultra+sonic(sonic是形容词)subsystem(分系统)nsub+system(system是名词)有些加前缀的派生词在前缀和词根之间有连字符。例如：hydro-electric(
8、水力的)non-metal(非金属)英语的前缀是有固定意义的，记住其中一些常用前缀对于记忆生词和猜测词义很有帮助。这里只举些表示否定的前缀。anti 表示“反对” antibody 抗体counter- 表示“反对，相反” counterbalance 平衡contra- 表示“反对，相反” contradiction 矛盾de 表示“减少，降低，否定” decrease 减少devalue 贬值decompose 分解dis一 表示“否定，除去”discharge 放电disassemble 拆卸in-，il-(在字母l前)，im-(在字母m、b、p前)，表示“不”inaccurate 不准
9、确的imbalance 不平衡的impure 不纯的mis- 表示“错误” mislead 误导non- 表示“不，非” non-ferrous 有色金属的un- 表示“不，未，丧失”unaccountable 说明不了的unknown 未知的unbar 清除障碍加后缀构成新词可能改变也可能不改变词义，但一定改变词类。例如：electricity nelectric+ity(electric是形容词)liquidize(液化)vliquid+ize(1iquid是名词)conductor nconduct+or(conduct是动词)invention n invent+ion(invent是
10、动词)有些派生词加后缀后，语音或拼写可能发生变化。例如：simplicity(单纯)-simple+icitymaintenance(维修)-maintain+ancepropeller(推进器)-propel+1+er英语后缀的作用和前缀有所不同，它们主要用来词类。从一个词的后缀可以判别它的词类，这是它的语法意义。它们的词汇意义往往并不明显。下面举一些常见的形容词后缀。-able，-ible，-uble 表示“可” avoidable 可以避免的audible 听得见的soluble 可溶的-a1 表示“(性质)的” fundamental 基本的-ant，-ent 表示“(性质)的” ab
11、undant 富饶的apparent 显然的-ed 表示“有的” cultured 有文化的ful 表示“充满的，有倾向的”useful 有用的-ic，-ical 表示“的” basic 基本的economical 经济的-less 表示“没有” useless 无用的-ous 表示“有的，多的” numerous 众多的d缩略：把词省略或简化，然后组合成新词。现在的趋势是缩略词的数目不断增大，使用面不断扩大。例如：laboratory缩略成lab(实验室) unidentified flying object缩合成UFO(不明飞行物)radio detection and ranging缩减
12、并拼读成radar(雷达)transistor和receiver各取一部分，组合成transceiver(收发机)二、英语科技文体中有很多词汇并不是专业术语，但在日常口语中很少用，它们多只见于书面语中，叫做文语词。俗话称它们为“大词”。掌握这类词对阅读科技文章或写科技论文十分重要。这类词用得很广，不仅出现在科技文体的各个专业中，也出现在政治、经济、法律、语言等社会科学的文体中。本书的半科技词汇学习部分就列举了部分常用的文语词。Semi-Scientific Word Study：1Negligbie，Considerable，SubstantialA negligible mount of s
13、omething表明很小的数量概念，小到甚至于可以忽略不计。而a considerable，an appreciable，a substantial，a material amount of something则表明数量相当大。An appreciable amount is large enough to be worth appreciable or noticingA considerable amount is large enough to be worth considering or noticingA substantial amount is large enough to
14、be noticed，like a substanceA material amount is large enough to be noticed，like a material2Melt，Molten，Smelt At a certain temperature，metals meltThey become moltenThe molten iron passes out of the furnace into mouldsWe smelt iron ore by heat，and change the ore into its metal stateWhen the ore is sme
15、lted，it becomes pig iron3Property Here are some of the properties which metals may have： The metal is fluid It has fluidityplastic plasticityelastic elasticityductile ductility malleable malleability4Bring about，Produce，Cause，Give rise toThe high temperature may bring about cracks in the furnace wal
16、lsThese experiments will produce new methods of constructionA drop in pressure can give rise to cylinder condensationcause a 1ot of unemployment5Criticaldecisive and therefore important or seriousThe critical temperature Of steel：above Or below this temperature the molecular structure changesThe cri
17、tical pressure：the pressure at which a gas can be liquefied6ConduciveRegular maintenance is better performance Of the machineGood 1abor relations are conducive to improved productionTurbulence in the cylinder is (helpful to) more efficient burning of the gases IVPractical Usage 0f S0me Patterns：1Max
18、imum and Minimum(1)The maximum temperatureThe upper temperature limit 35(2)The minimum temperature m this country 0The lower temperature limit is about 17l2(3)The average temperatureThe mean temperature(4)The temperature in this country ranges from 35to 0varies(5)The maximum pressure in the boiler i
19、s 500lbm2(6)The maximum fuel consumption of the engine is 30 mpg(miles per gallon)2Contents(1)The gas contains about 5l2of carbon monoxide(2)The alloy 5 nickel and 5iron(3)The carbon monoxide content was about 5(4)The moisture content of the cylinder increased(5)The class consists of 24 students(6)T
20、he atmosphere comprises a number of gases (7)The machine is composed of several different parts(8)The gas in me atmosphere includes oxygen and nitrogen第二讲 动词的时态和语态特点第一讲曾经提到，英语科技文章中动词常用的时态种类较少和经常使用被动语态。现在分别介绍如下：一、时态英语动词有十六个时态，其中最常用的有五个。它们是一般现在时、现在进行时、一般过去时、一般将来时和现在完成时，在科技文章中一般现在时、一般将来时和现在完成时要比另外两种更常用
21、些，此外，他们的用法也不如普通英语那样丰富多样。1一般现在时一般现在时是科技文章中最常见的时态，主要有三种用法。a一般叙述过程A scientist observes carefully，applies logical thought to his observations and tries t0 find relationships in data,etcb叙述客观事实或科学定理Sound travels through the air in wavesA complete rotation Of the Earth in relation to the pole star takes f
22、our minutes short of twenty-four hoursWork is equal to the product Of force and the distance through which the force movesc通常或习惯发生的行为Alternating current is usually supplied to peoples houses at 50 cycles per second2一般将来时表示将来发生的行为或情况。In timemany things now unknown will become known3现在完成时现在完成时表示到现在为止发
23、生的行为或者已经发生但对现在有影响的行为。During the past few yearsseveral countries have pooled their resources in order to carry out certain types of scientific investigation moil efficientlyCast iron is moil brittle than iron which has been heated but not melted，but it is easier to shape， as it can be poured into mou
24、lds二、被动语态被动语态在科技文章中用得十分频繁，这主要有两个原因：第一个原因是科技文章重在描写行为或状态本身，所以由谁或由什么行为或状态的主体就显得不那么重要。行为或状态的主体或者没有必要指出，或者根本指不出来。虽然我们在科技文章中看到带有by短语的句子，但数量不多，大家在被动句中见到的by短语常常不是被动行为的主体，而是行为的方式或工具。All the insulating substances were damaged by sea waterThe raw materials with which engineers work seldom are found in useful f
25、ormsThe phenomenon was recognized many years ago and put to use in various applications although it was then poorly understood下面两个句子中的短语表示工具或行为方式。The spectrum of the substance could be determined by testing its effectiveness against various types Of bacteriaMost of the drugs in current use were disc
26、overed by accident or trial and error被动语态使用频繁的第二个原因是便于向后扩展句子，而不至于把句子弄得头重脚轻。例如：In the digital computer the numbers to be manipulated are represented by sequences of digitswhich ale first recorded in suitable code，then convened into positive and negative electrical impulses， and stored m electrical or
27、 magnetic registers在上面这个句子里，sequences of digits是被动行为的主体，which连接的定语从句做它的定语。如果把这个被动句变成主动句，把sequences of digits改成句子的主语，which连接的定语从句紧跟其后，整个句子就会显得非常笨拙和不平衡，违反了英美人的造句原则。IIISemi-Scientific W0rd Study：1Contact(=touch)aThe two moving surfaces ale i11 contact with each other as little as possiblebThe piston do
28、es not come in contact with the cylinder covercThe water which is in close contact with the steam will evaporate first2House，AccommodateaThe university houses most of its student in hostelsaccommodatesbAn aluminum bush houses the bearingcThe air cannothold accommodate any more steam without a rise i
29、n temperature3ResistWithstandahigh-speed aircraft need metals which canresist very high temperature. withstandbCurved rails offer resistance to the movement of the traincSilicones are resistant to moisture and heat4AdvantageaThe advantage Of rolling bearing is that they cause less frictionhasbThis t
30、ype of bearingoffers several advantages over me sliding bearingpossesses IVPractical Usage of Some Patterns：1The use of will，can and may下面是这三个字的最重要的一些用法(1)Futurity(will)在科技英语的书面语和口头语中一般不用be going to这个形式来表示将来。aProduction of the new machine will commence next yearbThe new aircraft will fly for the fir
31、st time on Monday(2)Capability(Will，Can，capable，Are able t0)性能，才能will flycan flyaThese planes be capable of fly at 800 miles per hourare able to fly(3)What always happens(will)第三讲 名词化和动词非限定形式一、名词化名词化是英语科技文体中一个非常常见的现象。所谓名词化就是把动词变成有动作含义的名词。如果是动词短语或者是句子，则把这个动词短语或句子变成名词短语。例如：air moves可以转换成the motion of
32、air(air是motion的行为主体)to apply force可以转换成the application of force(force是application的宾语)analytical chemists develop the equipment可以转换成the development 0f the equipment by aria1yrical chemists(by analytical chemists是the development的行为主体)to translate Chinese into English可以转换成the translation of Chinese int
33、o English f into English原为translate的状语，在名词短语中它变成translation的定语)名词化把大量原来的动词短语或句子变成了名词短语，原来的动作被转化成了事物。这样做的结果可以使句子变得比较简练。但是变成名词短语以后，一个句子可以容纳较多的名词短语，表示更为复杂的思想，因此又有可能造出更复杂的句子。所以说，名词化既是句子的简化手段，又是句子的复杂化手段。Engineering is required to conceive，design and achieve the conversion of the energy of turbulent mount
34、ain stream into the powerful torque of an electric motor a hundred miles awayThe ancients regarded natural processes as manifestations of power by irresponsible gods；today we think of them as manifestations of energy acting on or through matterThe General-Secretary has prepared a five-year survey pr
35、ogram which is designed to contribute to the development of natural resources by indicating economic and technologically advanced approaches to the exploration and assessment of these resources二、动词非限定形式动词非限定形式包括动词不定式、分词和动名词。他们在科技文体中使用都很频繁，一个句子使用了动词非限定形式，结构就会变得比较复杂。1动词不定式动词不定式在句中可以作主语、表语、宾语、定语和状语。它们多
36、以短语的形式出现，即以动词不定式为中心，再加上它的状语、宾语，有时还有它的行为主体。例如：(1)Although it is difficult(for scientists to know)(where to begin)(to deal with such a large subject)，the first step is perhaps to consider the main economic difficulties a11 underdeveloped or emerging region has to face(2)The refusal to be disturbed or
37、disorganized by unexpected or apparently adverse occurrences，but，on the contrary，肋抛stimulated缈them，has iIl fact been a marked characteristic of sue cessful investigators(3)Industry everywhere faced rising labor costs and more complex processed，both arising from the determination of human beings幻achi
38、eve口better standard D，living动词不定式作主语时，句中往往用形式主语，而把动词不定式短语放在谓语的后面，这种布局便于向后扩展句子。例如： ，(1)This largely arises from the shortage of the knowledge required幻carry out operational圮 search and operate the necessary computer equ勿ment(2)It would perhaps be unwise幻，0recast undue restrictions D，l the nature D，th
39、e ultimate achievement(在这个不定式短语中，of the ultimate achievement从属于nature，nature从属于re strictions，restrictions从属于t0 forecast)2分词分词在句中可作定语、状语和补足语。它们除了单独使用外，还经常以短语的形式出现，即以分词为中心词，和它的宾语状语一起构成分词短语。分词短语起着定语从句或状语从句的作用，并且和它们交替使用，这样句子在结构上不致于显得单调。例如：(1)Thus we may be faced with a society having two basic groups f，
40、l industrial organization： one consng矿those who understand the complicated techniques necessary to control the complex in dustrial and organizational environment that has developed；the other consisting D，those who carry out the decisions of this organizing group(2)Beng口precise quantitative theory，it does not use phrases such as those just given，but cal culates for any question under study the numericM probabilit)，that it is true【精品文档】第 8 页