通譯園地

英語中關(guān)于數(shù)字的書寫規(guī)則

 2013/2/20    

英語中關(guān)于數(shù)字的書寫規(guī)則

在漢英筆譯和英語寫作中,經(jīng)常會遇到數(shù)字;哪些場合用單詞表示,哪些場合用阿拉伯數(shù)字表示,往往讓人難以確定,現(xiàn)行語法書中也極少涉及此類問題。

實際上,以英語為母語的國家,在書寫數(shù)字時已形成幾條約定俗成的規(guī)則,現(xiàn)總結(jié)如下供讀者參考。

一. 英美等國的出版社在排版時遵循一條原則,即1至10用單詞表示,10以上的數(shù)目用阿拉伯數(shù)字(也有的以100為界限),這條原則值得我們借鑒。

That table measures ten feet by five.

那個工作臺長10英尺,寬5英尺。

The traditional pattern of classroom experience at the college level brings the professor and a group of 20 to 30 students together for a 45-to-50-minute class session two or three times a week.

大學課堂的傳統(tǒng)的教學方式是,一個教授和二三十名學生每周見面兩三次,每次授課時間45到50分鐘。

二. 人數(shù)用阿拉伯數(shù)字表示顯得更簡潔明了,但不定數(shù)量、近似值用單詞表示較恰當。

There are 203817 voters on the electoral rolls.

選舉名單上有203817個投票人。

Nearly thirty thousand voters took part in this election.

近3萬個投票人參加了這次選舉。

三. 遇到日期、百分比、帶單位的特殊數(shù)字,通常用阿拉伯數(shù)字。

Maximum swivel of table is l20.

工作臺的最大旋轉(zhuǎn)角度是120度。

3rd March 1991或3 March 1991;

a discount of 5 percent(5%的折扣);

eg. purchased 7 yards of carpet(買7碼地毯);

eg. ordered 2 pounds of minced steak(訂購2磅肉餡)

如果涉及的數(shù)目和單位是不定數(shù),可用單詞表示。

eg. about five miles per hour(每小時大約5英里)

eg. at least ten yards away(至少有10碼遠)

eg. hesitated for a moment or two(猶豫了片刻)

eg. I have warned you a hundred times(我已經(jīng)警告你多少遍了。)

四. 在科技文章中,數(shù)字頻繁出現(xiàn),用阿拉伯數(shù)字比用單詞陳述更有利。

The new engine has a capacity of 4.3 litres and a power output of 153 kilowatts at 4400 revolutions per minute.

這臺新發(fā)動機的容積為4.3升,轉(zhuǎn)速為每分鐘4400轉(zhuǎn),時輸出功率是153千瓦。

We know that the weight of a cubic foot of air at 0?C and 76cm,pressure is 0.08l pound, or 12 cubic feet of air weigh a pound.

我們知道,1立方英尺的空氣在0攝氏度和760毫米汞柱壓力下,重量是0.81磅,也就是說12立方英尺空氣的重量是1磅。

五. 句首不用阿拉伯數(shù)字,句末要盡量避免用阿拉伯數(shù)字。

1. 4th July is an important date in American history.

7月4日是美國歷史很重要的日子。

應該寫成The fourth of July...

2. 19 couples took part in the ballroom dancing competition.

19對選手參加了交際舞比賽。

應改寫成:Nineteen couples took...

3. 60% profit was a reported.

據(jù)報道有60%的利潤。

應改寫成:Sixty per cent profit…

4. 1345 kilograms force was applied at the center point of the bar.

試驗時,在桿的中點加了1345公斤力。

可改成When tested, a force of l345 kg was applied...

六. 遇到分數(shù),可用帶連字符的單詞表示。

At 1east two-thirds of the class have had colds.

這個班至少有三分之二的學生患重感冒。

Nitrogen forms about four-fifths of the atmosphere.

氮約占大氣的五分之四。