任何作品均有特定的文體，原文的文體不同，翻譯方法也隨之而異。試觀察下列幾個片斷的原文及其譯文It appears that youve got the offer of a very good job.
A wonderful job.
Are you going to take it ?
I dont think so.
Why not?
I dont want to.
聽說有個很好的工作要你去幹。
挺好的工作。
打算幹嗎?
不。
爲什麼不幹?
不想幹。
摘自《刀鋒》(The Razors Edge )
這是小說中的一段對說，屬於口語文體。其特點是：用詞自由，句法結構簡單，短句與省略句多，自然樸素，生活氣息濃厚。在譯文中進一步體現漢語口語的'特點，省去主語你、我;將英語的一個句子I dont think so.乾脆譯成一個字不，顯得簡潔有力。
She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner. Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.
那婦人生着一副綿軟多肉的體格，一張坦率開誠的面容，一種天真羞怯的神氣。一雙大落落的柔順眼睛，裏邊隱藏着無窮的心事，只有那些對於悽惶無告的窮苦人面目作過同情觀察的人才看得出來。
