研英翻译演练(18)

Sometimes you can tell who is going to win a big office like President or Governor by watching how many other politicians come running to jump on his bandwagon and get credit for supporting him.

要点：本句的翻译要在了解美国文化的基础之上，作翻译。bandwagon(马戏团等吹打过市的)乐队的彩车，(常指得势一方的)宣传车。竞选公职的美国人为了争取选票，常雇佣一个乐队在马车上演奏，马车上贴满了标语，鼓励人们投他的票。一些见风使舵的政客，估计哪个候选人可能取胜，就登上谁的马车，来表示拥护这位候选人，以求将来会得到重用。jump on his bandwagon意思指“支持有获胜把握的候选人”，而不能直译为“跳上马车”。by watching...supporting him作主句you can tell who is going to win a big office的方式方法状语从句。like President or Governor修饰a big office。

译文：有时，只要看看有多少政客急急忙忙表态站在某位候选人一边，想以支持他换取好处，你就可以知道谁会当选像总统或州长那样的重要官职了。