Darwin was convinced that the loss of these tastes was not only a loss of happiness, but might possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral character.
[核心词汇]
convince(v.)说服;使确信 // taste(n.)味道;品味 // injurious(a.)有害的 be injurious to对……有害// moral character 品德,道德品质
[结构分析]
本句的主干为Darwin was convinced that…(达尔文确信……),that引导宾语从句。宾语从句的主干为the loss of these tastes was not only a loss of happiness, but might possibly be injurious to…(丧失这些爱好不仅仅是失去了快乐,而且可能会伤害……)。not only…but…连接两个谓语,介词短语to the intellect(对智力)和to the moral character(对道德品质)由and连接。
[翻译技巧]
本句的翻译难点是宾语从句。宾语从句的主语是the loss of these tastes,其中loss具有动词意味,可转译为动词,tastes在此语境下意为“爱好”,因此宾语从句的主语可译为:丧失这些爱好。宾语从句的谓语由not only…but…连接,表述为:不仅仅是失去了……,而且可能会伤害……。and连接两个介词短语to…,与injurious构成固定搭配,则but后面的部分可以表述为:可能会伤害智力,更有可能损坏道德品质。整个宾语从句就可译为:丧失这些爱好不仅仅是失去了快乐,而且可能会伤害智力,更有可能损坏道德品质。
[参考译文]
达尔文确信,丧失这些爱好不仅仅是失去了快乐,而且可能会伤害智力,更有可能损坏道德品质。