在 SCI 论文的翻译实践中，许多科研人员习惯将中文原稿中 "首先... 其次..." 的机械性过渡直接对应翻译为 "Firstly...Secondly..." 或 "First...Second..."。这种直译方式虽能保证语法正确，却常导致英文表达生硬僵化，不符合国际学术期刊对语言流畅性和逻辑性的要求。今天我们将从学术英语的语篇特征出发，系统解析机械性过渡的常见问题，并提供具体可操作的优化策略，帮助各位实现从 "功能性翻译" 到 "学术化表达" 的提升。
机械性过渡的典型问题分析
语篇衔接的单调性
过度依赖 "Firstly...Secondly..." 类连接词，会造成三个层面的问题：
1.逻辑层级模糊：
在包含多层论证的段落中，简单的序数词无法区分 "主要论点 - 次要论据 - 具体例证" 的逻辑层次。例如：
机械表达：Firstly, we measured the enzyme activity. Secondly, we analyzed the reaction kinetics. Thirdly, we compared the data with previous studies.
问题：三个 "Firstly" 系列仅体现时间顺序，未能凸显 "实验操作 - 数据分析 - 结论对照" 的逻辑递进关系。
2.学术语气失衡
在摘要、讨论等需要客观严谨的部分，过于口语化的连接词（如 "Firstly"）会削弱论证的权威性。统计显示，在 Web of Science 收录的 TOP 50 期刊中，"Firstly" 的使用频率仅为 "First" 的 1/3，而 "Secondly" 的出现率不足 "Second" 的 15%，反映出学术写作对正式程度的偏好。
3.跨文化表达偏差
汉语重意合，英语重形合。中文的 "首先... 其次..." 更多是思维引导，而英文的 "Firstly" 类词汇具有明确的语篇标记功能，过度使用会让母语读者感到 "逻辑标注冗余"，就像中文里频繁出现 "因为... 所以..." 一样显得笨拙。
语境适配性不足
不同学科的学术话语体系对过渡语有不同偏好：
自然科学领域：更倾向 "To begin with""Next""Subsequently" 等体现研究步骤的连接词
社会科学领域：常用 "First and foremost""In the first place""Equally importantly" 等强调论证优先级
综述类论文：多使用 "Firstly, a number of studies have shown... Secondly, recent research has highlighted..." 的文献衔接模式
机械使用统一过渡词，会导致跨学科表达的语境错位。例如将医学论文中 "首先进行细胞培养，其次开展动物实验" 直译为 "Firstly, we performed cell culture. Secondly, animal experiments were conducted"，在生物学论文中尚可接受，但在材料科学论文中更合适的表达是 "First, cell culture was carried out. The animal experiments were then conducted"，通过 "then" 体现技术路线的承接关系。
过渡语优化的核心策略
连接词的立体化升级
建立三级过渡语体系，根据逻辑关系和论证层级选择恰当表达：
1. 基础逻辑连接（替代简单序数词）
中文逻辑
优化表达
（按正式程度排序）
例句对比
首先
First, To start with, In the first instance
机械：Firstly, we validated the model.优化：First, the model was validated through three independent experiments.
其次
Second, Next, Subsequently, In the second place
机械：Secondly, we analyzed the error rate.优化：Next, the error rate was analyzed using a bootstrap resampling method.
最后
Finally, Lastly, In conclusion
机械：Thirdly, we summarized the findings.优化：Lastly, the key findings were integrated into a theoretical framework.
2. 递进关系强化（凸显论证深度）
追加论据：Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, What is more
❌原句：Second, the data were normalized.
✅优化：Furthermore, the data were normalized using a z-score transformation to eliminate inter-sample variation.
重要性升级：More importantly, Above all, Primarily
❌原句：Third, we considered environmental factors.
✅优化：More importantly, environmental factors such as temperature and humidity were controlled in the experimental design.
逻辑延伸：Consequently, Therefore, As a result, Hence
❌原句：Lastly, the model was validated.
✅优化：Hence, the validated model provides a robust framework for predicting long-term climate change impacts.
3. 语境适配性表达（学科专属过渡）
方法学描述：Subsequently（后续步骤）, Concurrently（同步操作）, Prior to this（前置步骤）
"Subsequently, the sample was heated to 500°C for 2 hours to remove organic impurities."
结果分析：In contrast（对比结果）, Notably（显著发现）, Interestingly（意外发现）
"Notably, the mutant strain exhibited a 30% higher resistance to oxidative stress than the wild type."
理论推导：In this context（在此框架下）, From a theoretical perspective（从理论视角）, Based on these assumptions（基于假设）
"From a theoretical perspective, the proposed model integrates both thermodynamic and kinetic principles to explain the reaction mechanism."
段落衔接的结构化设计
1. 主题句引导法
通过 "主题句 + 支撑句" 的结构减少对连接词的依赖：
❌机械衔接：Firstly, we conducted a survey of 500 participants. Secondly, the data were analyzed using SPSS.
✅优化结构：A cross-sectional survey involving 500 participants was conducted to collect demographic information. The collected data were then analyzed using SPSS statistical software to identify significant correlations.
2. 关键词复现法
通过核心概念的重复形成隐性逻辑链：
❌原句：First, the experimental setup was described. Second, the results were presented.
✅优化：The experimental setup, including the measurement instruments and procedural steps, is detailed in Section 2.1. The corresponding results, obtained under three different experimental conditions, are presented and discussed in the following section.
3. 逻辑桥梁构建
在段落间建立 "问题 - 回答"" 现象 - 解释 " 等语义关联：
研究背景：Considerable research has focused on the antibacterial properties of metal nanoparticles. However, their potential cytotoxicity remains poorly understood.
研究内容：This study aims to investigate the dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles on human epithelial cells. A series of in vitro experiments were conducted to measure cell viability and oxidative stress levels.
通过 "However" 建立转折，通过 "this study" 实现主题承接，避免使用 "Firstly" 进行机械过渡。
句式结构的多样化处理
1. 复合句整合
将简单句合并为带有状语从句的复合句：
❌机械表达：First, the sample was prepared. Then, it was placed in the oven.
✅优化：After the sample was carefully prepared according to the standardized protocol, it was immediately placed in a preheated oven at 120°C for 24 hours.
2. 分词结构衔接
利用现在分词 / 过去分词体现动作先后：
❌原句：Second, we added the reagent. We mixed the solution for 5 minutes.
✅优化：Adding the reagent dropwise into the reaction flask, we continuously mixed the solution for 5 minutes to ensure complete dissolution.
3. 介词短语过渡
通过 "in light of""based on""in view of" 等介词结构建立逻辑关联：
❌原句：Third, we revised the model. We considered the reviewer's suggestions.
✅优化：In light of the constructive suggestions from the reviewers, the model was revised to include additional variables related to environmental fluctuations.
分场景应用指南
摘要部分的精准衔接
摘要需要在有限篇幅内展现研究逻辑，避免机械序数词：
❌机械：Firstly, this study aims to... Secondly, we adopted... Thirdly, the results showed...
✅优化：This study aims to develop a novel algorithm for protein structure prediction. By integrating machine learning techniques with evolutionary information, the proposed method achieves higher accuracy than existing models. Experimental results on benchmark datasets demonstrate its effectiveness in predicting complex protein conformations.
方法部分的流程化表达
采用 "操作 - 目的" 句式替代简单排序：
❌机械：First, cells were cultured... Second, RNA was extracted...
✅优化：Cells were first cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum to ensure exponential growth. Total RNA was then extracted using a commercial kit following the manufacturer's instructions, providing high-quality samples for subsequent cDNA synthesis.
讨论部分的论证推进
使用 "研究发现 - 理论关联 - 实践意义" 的递进结构：
❌机械：Firstly, our results showed... Secondly, this is consistent with... Thirdly, the implication is...
✅优化：The observed 20% increase in catalytic activity under high-pressure conditions highlights the critical role of mechanical stress in enhancing reaction kinetics. This finding is consistent with recent theoretical predictions by Smith et al. (2023), who proposed a stress-induced activation mechanism. From an applied perspective, these results provide a new direction for designing high-efficiency catalytic reactors in industrial synthesis.
结论部分的逻辑收束
通过 "研究贡献 - 局限性 - 未来方向" 的自然过渡替代机械排序：
❌机械：Firstly, we developed... Secondly, we found... Thirdly, future work will...
✅优化：In this study, a novel framework for multi-modal data fusion was developed, enabling more accurate disease diagnosis than single-modal approaches. The proposed method was validated in both simulated and real-world datasets, demonstrating its robustness and clinical utility. However, its performance in rare disease populations remains to be explored, which will be the focus of our future research.
SCI 论文的翻译不是语言符号的简单转换，而是学术思维的跨文化重构。过渡语的优化本质上是对研究逻辑的再梳理 —— 从 "用连接词告诉读者顺序" 到 "让论证结构自然呈现逻辑"。建议科研人员在翻译过程中，先梳理中文原稿的逻辑层级，再根据目标期刊的学科特点和表达惯例，选择恰当的过渡方式。通过建立 "连接词储备库 + 语境适配表 + 句式变换模板" 的系统化方法，逐步实现从机械翻译到学术化表达的跨越，让研究成果的呈现更加流畅自然、严谨有力。
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