English and Chinese Passive Constructions

English and Chinese Passive Constructions By Cheng Wai Yin, Venus Hon Yuk Yee, Sindy

Covering areas : 1. Expressions of English and Chinese passives 2. Functions of English and Chinese passives 3.Translation between English passive and Chinese passive

The expressions of English passives 1.Be + Past participle(p.p) a) Patient+ be+ p.p.+ by+ Agent e.g. The book was written by Peter. b) Patient+ be+ p.p e.g. The tower was built in 1993.

The expressions of English passives (cont’) 2. Get+ Past participle e.g. It is about these people who got left behind in Vietnam. e.g. She got married at her 20.

The expressions of Chinese passives 1. Expressed by particles like 被, 叫, 讓, 受, 給, 由 etc before the main verb. a) Long passive Agent+ particle+ Patient+ main verb e.g. 他被媽媽罵了一頓 e.g. 他給我說服了

The expressions of Chinese passives (cont’) b) Short passive Patient+ particle+ main verb e.g. 小明被騙了 e.g. 他常常受氣挨打

The expressions of Chinese passives (cont’) 2. Simplified passives: Characteristics: a) NO particles are needed b) NO Agent c) Patients are objects in most time d) Express in active ways but carrying passive meaning.

The expressions of Chinese passives (cont’) e.g. 票售完了 e.g. 他就葬在這兒 e.g. 文章寫好了

The expressions of Chinese passives (cont’) 3. “是……的” structure a) Patient+ “是”+ main verb+ “的” e.g. 這些文章是去年寫的 b) Patient+ “是”+ clause+ “的” e.g. 這個洋娃娃是我做的

Functions of Chinese and English passives In English: 1) Emphasizing the Patient, Agent are usually expressed at the same time e.g. He has been spoiled by his mother. 2) Not-emphasizing the Agent, applied when we do not know or the Agent is not important. e.g. The matter will be discussed tomorrow.

Functions of English passives 3. Expressing politeness, with the help of word ‘it’ e.g. It is expected that she would return very soon. e.g. It is hoped that you will have chance to visit Australia again.

Functions of English passives (cont’) 4.Emphasizing the patient e.g. He appeared on the stage and was warmly applauded by the audience. e.g. If you do that again, you will be criticized.

Functions of Chinese passives 1. Emphasizing the Patient, Agent are also involved. e.g. 那件工作由他負責 2. Not-emphasizing the Agent, same as in English. e.g. 問題解決了

Translation between English passive and Chinese passive English passive  a) Chinese long passive b) Chinese short passive c) Chinese sentence structure “是 . . . 的” d) Chinese sentence without subject e) Chinese active voice f) Chinese special phrase : 插說

a) Chinese long passive (i.e. with the agent) - to emphasize passive meaning or express dissatisfied feelings e.g. The glass was broken by my sister. 茶杯讓我妹妹打破了。 b) Chinese short passive (i.e. without the agent) - not to emphasize passive meaning e.g. The meeting has been postponed till Friday. 會議延到星期五舉行。

c) Chinese sentence structure “是 . . . 的” -to clarify who does the thing or gives rise to the event, when or where e.g. The Great Hall of the People was built in 1959. 人民大會堂是1959年修建的。 d) Chinese sentence without subject -to be used when the patient is an object and doesn’t go along with an agent e.g. The lights are usually turned on at 6.30. 通常六點半開燈。

e) Chinese active voice we add 他們 or 有人 when the subject has a sense of indirect object. e.g. He was given a ticket. 他們給他一張票。 f) Chinese special phrase : 插說 to be used when the subject starts with “it” e.g. It is said that the delegation has left Hong Kong. 據說，代表團已離開香港。

Conclusion English passive voice : 1) its structure is simple and commonly used 2) it’s formed with the effect of subject, numbers and tense Chinese passive voice: 1) its structures are a lot and quite complicated 2) it’s formed without the effect of subject, numbers and tense

English and Chinese Passive Constructions