转类法是英语的一种构词方式,是不加任何词缀将一个词从一种词性转换为另一种词性。转类法同其它构词方式(如词缀法、合成法、拼缀法等)一样,是一种扩大英语、丰富英语词义的重要方法。英语中有数种转类(名词与动词的相互转换,副词转作名词等),本文讨论的是形容词转换为名词的种种情况。
形容词转化为名词可分为两种:一种叫作部分转类(partial conversion),另一种叫作完全转类(complete conversion)。
一、部分转类
由形容词转化而成的名词未完全名词化,与名词尚有一定的区别,并受一定的语法结构的制约(如前面不能用
不定冠词、指示代词、
物主代词等),这种词性转换叫作部分转类。如the rich,the dead,the unem ployed,the ridiculous等。这一类转换词都用定冠词,且不具有单复数形式。由于被转换的形容词种类不同,由此而来的名词也分为不同种类。大致如下:
1.表示抽象概念,指具有某种特点的东西。例如:
It is highly important to distinguish between the false and the true.
In his choice of diction he has a taste for the quaint and the picturesque.
Mary has a strong dislike for the sentim ental.
In those days my father had to take the rough with the smooth.
2.表示类的概念,指具有某种特点的一类人,有集合意义。这种情况下,形容词前通常有the,而且没有复数结尾。例如:
This is a school for the deaf and the blind.
The poor were oppressed by the rich during preliberation days.
He had great sympathy for the oppressed and the exploited.
(注意:我们不能说I saw a poor;These poors are good people或Those poors’houses need repairing.)
3.以s,se,sh,ch结尾,表示民族概念的形容词转化为名词,与定冠词连用,指整个民族。例如:
The Danish are a seafaring nation.
The Chinese are an industrious people.
4.最高级形容词转化为名词,其中有一些用在固定词组或习语词组中。例如:
I will give you a definite answer on Tuesday at the latest.
He is at his best in his description of college life.
5.由
过去分词构成的形容词转化为名词。这类词如果前面加定冠词,则不指一般人,而指特定的人,如 the accused,the deceased,the departed,the deserted,the condemned等。(这些名词有时也用来指一群人或一类人。)
上述名词化形容词前均加上定冠词,但也有例外的情况。在表示两个相对概念的词并列时,定冠词可以省略。例如:
Both old and young took part in the run.
We’ll stand by you through thick and thin.
有些名词化形容词出现在固定词组中,也不用定冠词。例如:
He hoped thatthe repairs would stop the leak for good.
The International Olympic Committee is called IOC.
二、完全转类
形容词完全转化为名词,并带有名词的一切特性,这种词性转换叫做完全转类。以形容词native为例,我们可以说a native,two natives,the native’s language and a returned native。