句子：学者们在探讨20年前苏联解体的原因。

误译：The scholars are exploring the reason why the Soviet Union dismissed twenty years ago.

正译：The scholars are exploring the reason why the Soviet Union collapsed twenty years ago.

解释：to dismiss 的意思是 to send sb away or allow them to leave，其字面意思是“打发人走开或允许人离开”，即“解散”，常用作口令。“解散”的对象是人。而“解体”的意思是“崩溃”，其主体是团体或机构，可以译为 to collapse。

“解体”的第一个意思是“整体结构分解”。英语可以译为 to disintegrate。例如：1. 这架飞机掉入大海时解体了。The plane disintegrated as it fell into the sea.

“解体”的第二个意思是“崩溃”、“垮台”或“瓦解”。英语动词可以译为 to disintegrate, to collapse, to break up, to fall apart, to crumble。名词可以译为 break-up。例如：2. 20年前，苏联解体，它的15个加盟共和国获得独立。Twenty years ago the Soviet Union broke up and its 15 republics gained independence.

“解散”的第一个意思是“聚集的人群散开”。译为 to dismiss, to fall out。例如：3. 士兵们在军事检阅以后就解散了。The soldiers were dismissed after the military parade.

“解散”的第二个意思是“机构或团体取消或自动离散”。英语动词可以译为 to dissolve, to disband, to break up, to close down, to fall apart；名词可以译为 collapse, break-up。例如：4. 董事会决定解散这个不赚钱的公司。The board of directors decided to disband the unprofitable company.▲

(本栏目供稿：王逢鑫教授）