通常折射一定生命内涵或生命意义的动词被“挪用”于不具生命的主语(inanimate subject),其搭配不可谓不奇巧,其表意不可谓不新颖,折射生命内涵和生命意义的动词的使用,就自然而然地给全句染上了拟人(personification)的修辞色彩,让读者耳目一新。这点拟人色彩,使本来显得有些单调乏味的科技文章着上了些许亮色,增添了一点生机。如:
食品工业也引进了新技术,用于食品的贮藏,加工,保鲜和分配,减少了收获后的损失。
译为:
The food industry has also introduced new technologies for food storage, processing, preservation, and distribution that have reduced post-harvest losses. (比较:They have also introduced new technologies for food storage, processing, preservation, and distribution, which has reduced post-harvest losses.)
采用非人称主语的句子显得更为流畅。
另如:
尤其是推广了高产水稻,扩大了灌溉面积,大大增加了(氮)化肥和杀虫剂的用量,使得农作物产量大幅度提高。
In particular, the introduction of high-yield rice in combination with expanded irrigation and a massive increase in the use of (nitrogen) fertilizers and pesticides has significantly improved crop yields.
上面的译文中,将原文中三个状语性质的并列结构浓缩为由一复合介词in combination with串连的非人称主语,给人留下深刻印象。