Humor是容易见到的英文单词,毕竟每一个人的日常都必不可少幽默。在西方,无论男女,十有八九的择偶条件是He/She must has a sense of humor。可能大伙对humor的这种意思太熟知了,不少人想当然地把它与幽默划上等号,这集中体目前英语非母语者对humor someone的错误理解上。
在不借用字典的状况下,你怎么样翻译humor someone呢?假如你的答案是逗乐某人,幽某人一默,那你就有想当然的错误。的确,英语中有很多名词和动词同形的例子,比如model作名词是模特,作动词是当模特;eye作名词是双眼,作动词则是注视、看。
按此逻辑,humor作名词是幽默,那样作动词自然应该表示逗乐,但恰恰humor不是这类的单词,它的动词概念是to agree with somebodys wishes, even if they seem unreasonable1, in order to keep the person happy(迁就,顺从)。从概念看,humor someone与indulge someone意思差不多,都表示即便某人提出无理的意愿也要尽力满足。
《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》给出的例句是She thought it best to humor him rather than get into an argument.(她想最好是顺他的意,不和他争吵。)在实质运用中,humor someone常以humor me的形式出现。每当要表达你就顺了我的意吧或你就满足我吧的时候,大家就能说humor me,有时为加大语气,还可以在前面加上just。
比如: Earl: Ive written a new song. Its my best work yet. You must hear it now! (嘿,我刚写了首新歌。这是我最得意的作品,你得立刻听听。)
Lisa: Im very busy at the moment. Not really in the mood for this. Some other time, maybe? (我目前非常忙,没心情听歌,要不将来再说吧?)
Earl: Oh, come on, humor me, OK? (拜托,你就顺我的意嘛,怎么样?)
Humor me这种使用方法也常出目前影视作品里。2007年4 月在国内公映的电影《龙骑士》(Eragon)里就有一例。片中人物Eragon迫不及待地要显示我们的剑术,但又感觉Brom是老人,跟他比试不太公平。Brom说没问题,尽管放马过来。
两人对话如下:
Eragon: I have skills! I can fight. My cousin Roran and I, weve trained, with swords!(我有技术!我能打斗。我表哥罗伦和我都练过剑。)
Brom: Well then, perhaps Ive underestimated2 you. Right then, lets see these skills of yours. (好吧,可能我低估你了。那大家切磋一下吧。)
Eragon: This wont be fair to you, old man.(这对你可能不太公平,老人家。)
Brom: Humor me.(就照我说的来吧。)
Brom: [Brom hits Eragon down immediately] Oh, dear, I see the effect of your training. [布罗姆一下子就把埃拉贡打倒在地](噢,亲爱的,原来你的练习就这点成效。)