怎樣正確翻譯"空頭支票"
我們常說的“空頭支票”是表示說話不算數、隨口許諾而不兌現的意思,那麼翻譯成英語要怎麼說呢?blank cheque?
在英文中,“Blank cheque” 其實是“空白支票”,而不是“空頭支票”,這個詞組意爲 “a cheque that has been signed but on which the amount payable has not been specified , so that it can be exchanged for whatever amount is entered.”即未填金額的簽名支票,可支取任何數目的支票。
“Blank cheque” 轉意爲:自由處理權,全權。如:
“To seek a blank cheque to back the present policy.”
爲支持現有政策謀求行事的全權。
“Bestow virtual blank cheque on the school authorities.”
授學校當局以實際上的全權。
因此,“空白支票”(blank cheque) 的意思與我們所說的“空頭支票”正好相反。“空頭支票”在英文中是“an empty or a rubber or dud cheque”,即虛假的、不能兌現的支票。轉意爲:Empty promise or lip service,空洞的許諾,如:
Don't just pay lip service. We need some solid action!
別總開空頭支票/玩嘴皮子功夫,我們需要實際行動。