Luận văn unreal conditionals and ways to translate them into vietnamese

Vanations of sccond conditional sentences 2.2.2 Unreal conditionals in the past 2.6 Other conditional words and structures other than "if" 2.6.1.. Translation of Implied conditionals VI

_ BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO |

TRUONG DAI HOC DAN LAP HAI PHONG

ISO 9001 : 2008

KHOA LUAN TOT NGHIEP

NGÀNH: NGOẠI NGỮ

HAI PHONG - 2010

IIAIPIIONG PRIVATE UNIVESITY FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

GRADUATION PAPER

A STUDY ON UNREAL CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

AND WAYS TO TRASLATE THEM INTO

_ BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐẢO TẠO“

TRUONG ĐẠI HỌC DAN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG

Nhiệm vụ đề tài

1 Nội dung va các yêu câu cần giải quyết trong nhiệm vụ để tải tốt nghiệp

( về lý luận, thực tiễn, các số liệu cần linh toán và áo bản vỡ)

2 Các số liệu cẦn thiết để thiết kế, tính toán

3 Địn diểm thực tập tốt nghiệp

CÁN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN ĐẺ TÀI Người hướng dẫn thứ nhất:

Hoe ham, hoe vi:

Cơ quan công tác:

Nội dung hướng đẫn:

Hoc ham, hoe vi:

Nội dung hướng đẫn

Dề tài tốt nghiệp được giao ngảy 12 tháng 04 năm 2010

Yêu cầu phãi hoàn thành xong krước ngày 10 tháng 07 năm 2010

Dã nhận nhiệm vụ DTTN Dã giao nhiệm vụ DTTN

Hải Phòng, ngày thủng năm 2010

HIỆU TRƯỞNG

GS.TS.NGUYT Trần Hữa Nghị

PIIAN NIIAN XET TOM TAT CUA CAN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN

1 Tỉnh thân thái độ của sinh viên trong quá trình làm đề tài tắt nghiệp:

2 Đánh giá chất lượng của khóa luận (so với nội dung y yêu cầu đã để ra trong

luận, thực tiễn, tính toán số

NHẬN XÉT ĐÁNHI GIÁ

CUA NGUOI CHAM PHAN BIEN DE TAI TOT NGHIEP

1 Đánh giá chất lượng dé tài tốt nghiệp về các mặt thu thập và phân tích tải liệu,

số liệu ban đầu, giá trị lí luận vả thực tiễn của để tài

2 Cho điểm của người chấm phản biện :

(Điền ghỉ bằng số và chữ)

Ngày thang, nam 2010

Người chấm phản biện

Second, my special thanks would be sent to all lecturers of Foreign language Department

of Lat phong Privats University for their valuable comments and assistance

Last, but not least, I am deoply grateftl to my family and fiicnds for their spiritual and matcrial assistance during the time this shidy was eamried out

Target Text

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 The aims of the study

3 ‘The scopes of the study

4, Methods of the study

5 Tho design of the study

24 Compound complex sentence

Tl Conditionals sentences 0.0.0.0 00 ec eee erences

1, Definition of conditional sentences

d Vanations of sccond conditional sentences

2.2.2 Unreal conditionals in the past

2.6 Other conditional words and structures other than "if"

2.6.1 Using other conditional conjunctions

2.6.2 Using different structure

CILAPTER II: BACKGROUND ON TRANSLATION

I Definition of translation

IL Methods of translation

III Comments in two methods: Semantic and Communicative translation

CHAPTER 3: WAYS TO TRANSLATE UNREAL CONDITIONALS

INTO VIETNAMESE

I Translation of unreal conditionals in the present

i ‘Translation of unreal conditionals in the past

IIL Translation of Conditional inversions

IV Translation of Mixed conditionals

V Translauion of Implied conditionals

VI Translation of Implied conditionals

VIL Translation of other conditional words and structures other than “if”

1 Translation of other conditional words

2 Translation of other structures

REFERENCE

PARTI

INTRODUCTION

1 Rationale

To many Vietnamese learners who have been learning English for a long

time, Fnglish grammar still scoms te be a puzzle Among a number of complex

problems, conditional sentences are really a challenge They are difficult because

of their complicated structures with two clauses: subordinate clause or if-clause

and main clause In addition, there are many variations which may cause

confusion The meanings of conditional sentences are subtle; therefore in order to

undorsiand thơm, wo necd to be sonsitive oncugh Morcover, any conditional

sentence is a combination of tense and a range of auxiliaries which require leamers

to grasp before being able to understand and use iL

Furthermore, condiuonal sentences represent an cbslacle to Vielnamese

learners in the Hnglish-Viemamese translation process ‘There are a large number of

problems they may have while translating these conditional sentences, especially

unreal conditional ones into Vietnamese They may produce worse or even wrong

version to the original one, as many students do not really have full understanding

of unreal condibonals In order to correctly and satisfactorily translate them into

Victnamose, il is worlh studying their definitions, lypes and charactorislics Also,

students should look into techniques of translation by examining unreal conditional

sonlences translated by famous practilioners Since they are such high barners to leamers, I find it necessary to discuss the topic “Unreal canditionals and ways to

translate them into Vietnamese" in my paper

2 The aims of the study

The aims of this study arc

- Categonzing English conditionals to help the readers have an insight into

English conditionals especially unreal conditionals which may cause confusion to

many learners of Fnghsh

- Introducing some common translating methods which may be helpful in

translating unreal conditionals

- Suggosting somo practial ways to translate English unreal conditionals into 'Victnamesc cquivalents

3 The scopes of the study

Due to the time limitation, it doesn't have the ambition to cover all details telalcd to the condilicnals This study, therefore, mainly [ocuses on the features

and uses of the most striking cases of conditional structures in English And the study also concentrates on ways of translating unreal conditional structures and

sentences, which olien cause Woubles or mistakes lo both Viclnamese translators

and interpreters

4 Methods of the study

- Analyzing available translation materials in published books and novels

- Consulling experienced people such as my supervisur, my leachers and

friends on the matter conecmed

- Relying on my observation and experience during my learning, process

5 The design of the study

‘this study is divided into 3 chapters:

Chapter 1 presents the definitions, elements and types of sentences It also

gives the readers a gencralization about conditionals, especially unreal

conditionals

Chapter 2 attempts to present an overview of basic theoretical translation as well as the two methods which are helpful in translating unreal conditionals

Chapicr 3 gives sume ways to translate unreal conditionals and scntences

with other words and structures other than “if” into Vietnamese.

PARTH

DEVELOPMENT

CIIAPTER 1: GENERALIZATION ABOUT CONDITONALS

IN ENGLISH

To have an insight into conditionals, I would like to present the basic

knowledge of sentences including definition and types of sentences as well as

unreal condilivnals

I Sentences

1 Definitiuns of sentences

‘There are a number of sentence definitions given by different grammarians

According to L.G Alexander (1988:2}, a sentence is defined as “a complete unit of

meaning When we speak, our senlence may be extremely invelved or even

unfinished, yet we can still convey our meaning through intonation gesture, facial

expression, etc When we write, these devices are not available, so sentences have

to be carefully structured and punctuated A writicn sentence must begin with a

capital letter and end with a full stop (.), a question mark (?) or an explanation

mark (!y"

Roloff and Brosscit in the book “Sentences” (1979.13) wriles "sentence 13 4

group of related words that expresses a complete and meaningful thought, either a

stalement, a question, a command or an exclamation"

In addition, the "New Wobstcr's expanded dictionary" slates, "Scntonce is an

opinion, a maxim, a judgment, a number of words containing complete sense"

Jn short, a sentence is a group of words that you use to communicate ideas in

wriling or in speaking Every sentence is composed of one or more clauses and

expresses a complete thought

According to Randolph Quirk and Sidney Greenbaum (1987:12), a sentence may alternatively be seen as comprising five units called elements of structure:

subject, verb, complement, object, adverbial abbreviated respectively as 8, V, C,O,

A

2, Classification of sentences

2.1 Simple sentence

A simple sentence is the onc thal consists of onc clause We have seven

clause types, or in other words, seven pattems of simple sentences (Quirk,

1987.165)

+*+8§V The child laughed

¥*SVA Mary is in the house

*SVC Mary is kind’ a nurse

FSVO Somebody caught the ball

*SVOA [put the bag on the table

*SVOC We have proved him wrong; a lool

*SVOO She gives me expensive presents

2.2 Compound sentence

A compound sentence is the one that contains two or more independent

clauses, usually liked together by a coordinating conjunction

* Mary sang and John danced

Indep Cl Conj Indep C1 2.3 Complex sentence

A complex sentence is the one that contains an independent clause and one

or more dependent clauses

After he had finished his homework, he went out with his girlfriend

Dependent clauses may be classified by structural type, Le in terms of the element, or by fiction, ie the part they play in the subordinate clause

* Analyzing by structural type, we have

- Finite clause: A clause whose verb clement is a finite verb phrase.

Tom is very tired because he has worked for w long time

- Non - finite clause: A clause whose verb clement is a non Limite verb

phrase

Tlaving seen the pictures, he

- Verbless clause: A clause containing no verb element

Al though always busy, he comes to see me once a day

* Functional classification of dependent clauses: Dependent clauses may

function as subject, abject, complement or adverbial in the superordinate clause

- Nominal clauses:

+ Subject: That we need more equipment is obvious

+ Direct object: J know that she is preity

| Indirect object: J gave whoever it was a cup of coffee

+ Object complement: L imagined kim overcome with grief

In general, subordination is marked by some indications Such a signal may

be of the following different kinds

- Subordinators:

Simple subordinators: afler, (al) though, as, becouse, before, if once, since,

that, until, when, where, while

Compound subordinators:

Ending with “thai”: 1n that, so thai, such that, except that

Ending with optional “that”: now (thai) provided (that), supposing (thái),

considering (that)

Ending with “as”: as far as, as Jong as, as soon as, so long as

Ending with “than”: sooner than (+ infinitive clause), rather thun {+ non

finite or verb less clause)

Other: as though, as if, in case

Correlative subordinators: [f then, Al (though) yet/ nevertheless, as 50,

such as, no suoner than, whether or, the the, such that

This is such a good film that | have watched it several times

-Other indicators of subordination

Wh-elements: Who, whom, whose, which, where, when, whether, how,

what, why, whoever, whatever, wherever, whenever

Subject-operator inversion: It is a marker of subordination in some

conditional clauses, where the operator is kad, were, or should

Had | known before, | would have helped him

Other unusual syntactic orderings also play a role in distinguishing a subordinate clause: e.g Sad though I was

The relative pronoun hal (ta be distinguished [rom the subordinating

conjunction fhaf) is a subordination marker in relative clauses:

Eg The bus that took me there was late

The absence of a finite verb fonn is effectively an indication of subordinate

slatus, since non — finite and verbless clauses occur only in independent clauses

E.g The match will take place tomorrow, weather permitting

‘There are only two types of subordinate clause that contain no marker within

themselves of subordinate status: these are

(Nominal clause which may or may not have that

L suppose you ‘re right (1 suppose that you’re right)

(1) Comment clauses of a kind relatable to the main clause in the previous

example

You're right, J suppose

In short, lrom the theory above, we can recognise that conditional sentences are

under the group of complex sentences because conditionals include one “if clause” (subordinate or dependent clause) and one main clause (independent clause)

3.4 Compound complex sentence

A compound complex sentence is a combinalion of two or morc independent

clauses and one or more dependent clauses

itis like a family of two adults and one or more children

1 Definition of conditional sentences

Much effort has been devoted to finding a clear definition of English

conditional sentences In fact, conditional sentences are defined in many different

ways by different linguists One of them is "ihe dependenee of one set of

circumstance (i.e the result clause) on another (Le the if-clause)" (Quirk and Greenbaum, 1987:323} In other words, the conditionals present "a grammatical

relationship" in which one situation is said to be dependent on another (Tom

McArthur, 1972)

Collins Cobuild - English grammar (1992) looks into conditional sentences

m terms of the structure as it claims that a conditional sentence includes two

components The subordinate clause, usually beginning with "if", gives a condition

that must be fulfilled before what the main clause says can be true, possible, or

done.

By the same token, ils structure is also cxamined as [ollows: the 1Í— clause or

"the protasis" expressing a condition and the main clause or "the apodosis" stating the

reason (Oxford English Dictionary Volume II C, 1979)

Briefly, conditional sentences, in terms of structure, are made up of two clauses: the “if” clausc also “subordinates", "dependent clause" or “protasis" and

by “the main clause” or "apodosis" In normal, the dependent clause is followed by

“lhe main clause”, but sometimes the “if clause” slands before “the main clause”

For examples

Eg: 1 would buy this car, if 1 were you

Tf it rains, I will stay at home

There is a close interrelationship between the two elements The if- clause

often refers to a condilion which must take place first so thal something clsc can

happen in the main clause

2 Classification of conditional sentences

2.1 Real conditionals

2.1.1 Zero conditionals

Zero conditionals are [or situations thal are always true They are ofien used

in scientific writing

Present tense Present tense

If the temperature drops below O°C, water freezes

2.1.2 First conditionals

Kirst conditional sentences make predictions about what will happen in

future It “implies the action in the if-clause is quite probable” (Thomas and

Marlinet, 1985:197).

If clause, Main clause

Present tense Future tense

This type is also called scvond condilionals It oxprosses "the aclion as a

theoretical possibility, something more distant from reality” (Kastwood, 1994:336)

if i had enough money, 1 would lend him,

This type of conditionals talks about "unreal situations - things that will

probably not happen, situations thal are untrue or imaginary" (Swan, 1997:260) In

other words, we are discussing a hypothetical situation which is unlikely or

impossible to become true later or true now

b Form

1Ế— clause main clause

Past tense Would + bare infinitive

If Phil lived near his mother, he would visit here more aften

I would iell you the answer if T knew what it was

c, Use

* We use this structure to make a statement about something that is not real

at present but it is possible (hypothetical conditions),

If won a lol of money, I would take a long holiday (I do not win now but might in the future)

Second conditionals pertaim to a present condition that is not being fulfilled

or not real now and never could be real (hypothetical conditions)

Ifyou were eight and a half feet tall, you would be a great basketball player (But you are noi eight feet ball, so you are not a great basketball player)

If t were you, 1 would give up smoking

(But J could never be you)

* We use second conditionals to refer to both the present and the future

If tt were snowing (at this moment), I would drive you home

Ifyou didn't pass the exam (in the future), would you take it again?

* When we are tentative or less direct, we use second conditionals to be

mare polite

Would it be OK if T brought a friend?

if we went through the town center, it would probably be quiet

d Variations of second conditional sentences

Variations in the if - clause

*Sometimes the continuous form is used in the if —clause to discuss

imaginary situations which would not be happening at this very moment

If the sun were shining, 1 would go to the beach

(Unfortunately, it is raining so I can't go)

* "Should", "should happen" "Ilappened to" used in if- clause may weaken

the possibility of the condition

If should have money, I would buy a house

(it is not likely that I will have money)

Ifyou happened to pass a supermarket, perhaps you could yel some eggs.

If he should happen lo finish early, he would be at home

*"Would" may be used but it is very informal and is common in spoken AE

It would be better if they would tell enybody in advance

* "Were to" is used in if - clause to make the event more hypothetical on the

statement more tentative and therefore more polite

Ifyou were to have a few minutes free, I'd really appreciate the opportunity

to pick your brains

We'd he in real trouble if the bass were ta come in now

* It is noticeable that this structure is not used with stative verb

If I knew her name, I would teil you

(Not if I were to know her name )

From many examples above, we can see that in the if- clause of a second

conditional, "were" is used with all subjects and pronouns

In fact, "were" is not really the past tense but the subjunctive to voice a

hypothetical situation

If i were at home, I'd be able to find the information

When we use "were" im the if - clause, we can invert "were" and the subject

of the clause, and leave out "#” altogether

Were he really ill, 1 might feel more sympathetic

“VY

ns in the main clausc

Like in the first conditional sentence where "will" can be substituted by

other modal verbs, "would" in the second conditional alsa has many substitutions

If won lots of money, T might stop working (possibility)

If | were rich, | could help more people (ability)

We shouldn't get to sleep at ail if | lived next to that noise

"Should" is used instead of "would" after "We" with the same meaning as

"would"

* Continuous form is sometimes used im the main clause

I would be rafling down the Colorado River right now if my leg weren't

broken (But my leg is broken so I'm not there),

* The main clause may be in the simple past tense if we want to express

habitual reactions in the past The past tense hore has a past meaning,

If anyone interrupted him, he got angry

2.2.2 Unreal cundilionats in the past

a Definition

‘This type is also called third conditional Swan (1997-61) claims that "third

conditionals talk about past situations which are no longer possible because of the

way things have tuned out” In other words, in third conditional, the hypothetical

situation is in the past and we are talking about something that did not happen

The chance of the condition becoming true is zero because everyone knows

that it did not happen There is no doubt and ne disagreement about the Lact

If he had obeyed his mother, he would not have been punished (But in tact,

he disobeyed his mother, as a result, he was punished.)

b Form

If — clause Main clause

Past perfect tense would have past participle

We wouldn't have missed the train if we hadn’t wasted a time

‹ Use

- * 3" conditionals are usually used to talk about unreal past situations

If i had studied hard, I would have passed the exam

(But I didn't study hard)

- This kind of sentence expresses reproach and regret

I would not have lef! my job if T had known how difficult it was

( regret that I had left the job)

d Variations

% Variations in the if clause

if clauses referring to the past are sometimes constructed with "'d have"

This is not normally written but happens quite often in educated people's speech

(Swan, 1997)

if 'd have known, | would have told you

We can leave out "if" and put "had" at the beginning of the if- clause

Had you not driven so carefully, the accident would have been much worse

The continuous can be used in the if- clause:

If I had been talking to him when he said that, I would have punched him in

the face

% Variations in the main clause

In the main clause sometimes appears the continuous form ‘lhis is used to discuss imaginary situations happening at a very specific time or over a period of

time in the past

if you had gone to his house last night, he would have been sitting on his couch in front of the TV

In addition to "would" some other modal verbs like "could" and "might" can

be used in the main clause

Ifyou had heen here earlier, you would could! might have seen the Queen 2.2.3 Mixed conditionals

a Definition

When we talk about mixed conditionals, we are referring to conditionals that

combine two different types of conditional patterns

Mixed conditionals relur to both the present and the past We choose the tense of the main vorb in cach clause accordingly One clausc may be m

conditional type 2 (second conditional) and the other may be conditional type 3

If - clause (type 3} Main clause (type 2)

Past perfect tense Would+ bare inlinitive

“% Mixed third - second conditionals

With this combination, we are contrasting an imagined or real event in the

past with its present result

If he had not run after the car thief and suffered a heart attach, he would

probably be alive today

“ Mixed second - third conditionals

We are describing ongoing circumstances in relation to a previous past event

1ƒyou werenlt such a poor dưmcer, you would have gọi a job in the chorus

line in that musical

(Present fact: you are a poor dancer)

Past sequence: you didn't get a job in the chorus line)

Besides research on unreal conditionals, I would like to study some special

siluations of condilionals such as: Implied condiiionals, short conditionals,

conditionals inversion, and other conditionals words and structures other than

‘af’, And T also would like to present some practical ways lo translate them into

Victnamose in Chapter 3

2.3 Implied canditionals

In such sentences, ever though there is not if- clause as the pattem of

conditionals, ils meaning is also understood and they are ollen regarded as

condiionals

Kg / would have gone with you, but f had to study

(implied conditional: {ff had not had to study, 1 would )

i never would have succeeded without your help

(Implied conditional: if you had not helped me, I never would )

But for your help, I don’t know what I'd have done

(Implicd conditional: [/'it were not for your help,

If it hadn’t been for your help )

Often when the if - clause is implicd, not slated, condilional verbs are still

used in the result clause

2.4 Short conditional

If a conditional clause contains the verb "be", the subject and some form of

"he" may be omitted and we can use a phase of “#* followed by

- A predicate noun: If (it is) a failure, it may be an unforgettable experience

to lead us to success.

- A prodioativo ađjoctivo: 717 come to the meeling if (it is) necessary

- A propositional clause: If (you are) in danger, please ring this number

- A participle

+ Present participle: /f (you are) facing such a difficulty, you can come to

ask him advice

' Past participle: If (is) well - equipped, working condition will be parily

improved

2.5 Conditipnal inversiuns

“If often appears in a conditional clause to intraduce a hypathetical

condition In formal and literary styles, "#/" can be dropped and an auxiliary verb is

put in front of the subject This happens with "were", "had" and “sheuld' but rarely

with other auxiliary verbs

Were she may daughter, I would buy her many fashionable clothes

Cf she were may daughter )

Had I realized what you intended, I would have accepted your pian

Off had realized whut you intended )

Should you change your mind, she will be very disappointed

Ufyou should change your mind )

Swan (1997) also notes that in these inversion structures, negatives are not

contracted

Had we not changed our reservations, we should all have been hilled in the

crash

(Not "Hadn't we changed )

2.6, Other conditional words and structurcs other than "if"

2.6.1 Using other conditional conjunctions

"Unless, even if, only that, in case, even though, whether for not), on

condition that, on the understanding that, provided that, providing that, in case of,

but for, with" are some common conditional conjunctions thal can replace "7" These conjunctions, however, have their awn meanings and usage

a) Unless

Most of the time “unless" is used instead of "7.27" in the sense of "except

if” IL refers to exceptional circumstances which would change a siluation

Come tomorrow unless I phone

(Come tomorrow if! do not phone)

"Unless", in fact, can express a strong degree of reservation than "

won't come unless you phone" is closer in meaning to "I’7! only come round ifyou

phone" (han “I won't come round if'you don't phone”

According to Swan (1997-601) im certain circumstances we do not use

"unless" to tefer to something negative that would be the main cause of the

siluation that we are talking about

My wife will be very upset if don't get back tomorrow

(Not "My wife will be upset unless I get back tomorrow)

Because if the speaker (1) does not get back, this will be the main cause of

his wife's unhappiness In this sentence, "#f/nor" doesn't mean "except"

"She would look nice if she didn't wear so much make-up"

(not "she would look nice unle

she wore sa much make-up")

That "if she didn't wear so much make-up" will be the reason why "she would look nice", therefore, "if not' 1s used instead of "unless"

h) Even if, even though

We use "even if and “even though” when there is no possibility of

confusion:

Even if I become a millionaire, I shall always be a socialist

(not "even | become a millionaire )

Aven though | didn't know any body at the party, | had a nice time.

"T do AifB happens’ means "I do A if has already happened’ Bis fire

Let's buy a bottle of wine in case Roger comes

(Let's buy a bottle of wine now because Roger might come later)

‘The action of buying a bottle of wine happens first and it is taken whether

Roger comes or not But "Let's by a bottle of wine if Rager comes” is equivalent to

“We will wait and see If Roger comes, then we'll buy the wine If he doesn't, we

wont"

d) Conjunctions ending with optional "that"

Pretend {that), imagine (that), considering {that}, suppose (that), supposing

(that), assuming (that), are used to talk about what might happen

Other conjunctions “providing (that), provided (that), on condition (that)"

can be used to make conditions We can leave out "tha?" in there expressions in informal usc

All these cxpressions can be used with a similar meaning to "jf" and often

with the same structure, too

Pretend’ Imagine that we could fly, wouldn't that be fun!

Supposing/ suppose that you fell in love with your girl friend's darling, what

would you do?

Provided! providing that you bring it back, you can horrow my bike

Pll give you a day off on condition that you work on Sunday morning

e) Whether or {not}

"Whether or may replace “if or even if”