1. Actually, it isn't, because it assumes that there is an agreed account of human rights, which is something the world does not have.
【译文】 事实并非如此,因为这种问法是以人们对人的权利有共同认识为基础的,而这种共同认识并不存在。
【析句】这是一个主从复合句,主语是it isn't,省略了表语,完整的说法是it isn't a useful, ground-clearing way to start. because it assumes that there is an agreed account of human rights是一个表示原因的状语从句,其表语an agreed account of human rights跟了一个定语从句which is something the world doesn't have。注意状语从句中的主语it指代上文的the question,it assumes意思是“这种问题(问法)是假定的”。
【讲词】 account一词的正确理解是翻译的关键。an agreed account of human rights意思是“an agreed understanding of human rights”。
agreed意为“一致的”。This is the agreed price at which the stock will be traded.(这是股票交易的约定价格。)They met at the agreed time.(他们按约定时间见面。)
2. Some philosophers argue that rights exist only within a social contract, as part of an exchange of duties and entitlements.
【译文】 有些哲学家论证说,权利只存在在于社会契约中,是责任与权益相交换的一部分。
【析句】 Some philosophers argue是句子的主干,宾语是一个从句,介词短语as part of an exchange of duties and entitlements是rights的后置定语。
【讲词】 social contract意为“社会契约”,也可译为“民约论”或“社会契约论”,指社会成员之间或政府与人民之间确定和限制各自权利和义务的协议。
duty意为“义务,职责”,与obligation和responsibility同义。obligation通常指特定原因而产生的具体限制,responsibility强调履行义务,duty指出于道德或伦理的考虑而受到的限制。
entitle的基本意思是“给……题名,给……称号;给予……权利; 使……有资格(做某事)”。
I think she is entitled to praise.(我看她值得赞扬。)
The book is entitled Natural Cancer Treatments.(这本书的名称是《癌症自然疗法》。)
The civil servants in our country are entitled to free medical care.(我们国家的公务员享受免费医疗。)而entitlements意为“权利”。