1、Session 23,Translation of English Adverbial Clauses Into Chinese 英语状语从句的翻译,英语状语从句，包括表示时间、条件、目的等 各种从句，是一个比较复杂的语言现象。尽管引导 英语状语从句的从属连词，基本上可以在汉语中找 到相对应的关联词，但有时不必翻译，因为引导汉 语状语分句的关联词时常省略，有近50%的汉语复 句中并不使用关联词语（李忠初，1998：273-274）， 而且省略关联词的汉语句子更为精练。英语状语从 句的位置颇为灵活，置于主句之前或主句之后均可。 汉语状语分句一般位于主句之前，只有偶尔才位于 主句之后。关于其具体译
2、法，我们还需仔细推敲。 现就一些比较常见的处理方法说明如下。一、时间状语从句的翻译 11译成与汉语完全对应的表示时间的状语,When they approached Trenton, lights were still burning in many of the houses and Christ-mas parties were still going on. 当他们逼近屈兰敦时, 许多房子里仍然灯火通明，圣诞晚会还未结束。 (2) We shall discuss the problem fully before we make the decision. 我们在作出决定之前要充分讨论这
3、个问题 (3) The iron should be stricken while it is hot. 趁热打铁 (4) If winter comes, can spring be far behind? 冬天来了，春天还会远吗? (5) 我们第二次见面时，我发现她比实际年龄显得,老一些了。When we met each other for the second time, I found that she looked older than she was.(6) 直到黄昏降临，他的小孩才回家。His child did not come back home until dusk se
4、t in.由于英汉语言表达的习惯差异，通常汉语的 状语从句位于句首，而英语的状语从句可前可后, 以后为多，因此，在上述（2）和（3）的译文中， 状语前置，位于句首了，例（6）的句首时间状语 分句，在译文中给后置了，例(1) 、例(4)和例（5） 的译文顺序与原文保持一致。汉语是一种意合的 语言，汉语句子较少使用关联词。根据汉语表达 习惯, 上面的例(3)和例(4)的从属连词在译文中给 省略了。,12 转译为其他状语从句英语状语从句通常可按其从属连词、连接副词 或所用的引导词的含义来翻译，但有时它们的深层 意义互相渗透，可以互相替换，需要转译。有些英 语状语从句虽然形式上是由表示时间的引导词（如
5、 when, before, until 等）引导，但根据句子逻辑意义 来判断，应灵活翻译成表因果关系的从句，或者翻 译为表条件的状语从句或表目的的状语从句。例如：(7) When winds blow particles against a large rock for a long time, the softer layers of the rock areslowly worn away. 由于风把砂粒刮起来, 碰撞大岩石，久而久之，较松软的岩石层就被慢慢地磨损。（译成汉语复句的表原因的偏句） (8) One must sow before one can reap. 只有播种，,才能
6、有收获。(译成汉语的必要条件复句的正句。) 也可根据汉语表达习惯, 译为：一份耕耘，一份收获。 (9) Before manned spacecraft could be sent to space, the problem of getting the spacecraft safely back to earth had to be solved. 为了把载人的宇宙飞船送到太空上去，就必须解决使飞船安全返回地面的问题。(译成汉语单句的目的状语) (10) Not until we have detailed studies of the pre-sent movement of traff
7、ic and have a clearer idea of how many people wish to travel, where they want to go, at what time of day and how quickly not until then can we begin to plan,a proper transportation system for the future.只有详细地研究当前的交通流量，比较清楚地了解有多少人想去旅行，要到哪里去，在一天中的什么时候上路, 希望以多快的速度旅行，只有到那时, 我们才能开始对未来的运输系统进行合理的规划。(译成汉语复句
8、的条件偏句)1. 3 翻译成固定句型由 hardly (scarcely). when （before） no sooner than as soon as the moment（the instant ） just as等短语连词引导的时间状语 从句翻译成汉语时, 主句与从句通常要互换, 常常译 成包含“刚(一)就”这种结构的句子。同样， 包含该结构的汉语句子亦应翻译成英语中相对应的 固定句式。例如：,(11) 我们刚到车站, 火车就开了。Scarcely had we got to the station before the train left. (12) 计算机刚一启动，就发现有病毒
9、。Hardly had the computer started working when viruses were found. (13) As soon as she heard the news, she fainted. 她刚一听到这个消息, 就昏过去了。 (14) They fell in love the moment they saw each other for the first time. 他们一见钟情。1. 4译成并列分句 (15) The earth turns round its axis as it travels about the sun. 地球一面绕太阳运行,
10、 一面绕地轴自转。 (17) I read a newspaper while I was waiting /. 我边,等边看报。 (18) I was going home when I met Mary. 我正要回家, 就在这个时候，我碰到了玛丽。二、原因状语从句的翻译英语原因状语从句通常由从属连词 as, because,since 引导。由because引出的原因状语从句一般 置于句末，也可位于句首，通常用来表示直接原因， 不说出来，对方就不知道；回答why引出的问题必须 采用because 引导的原因状语从句。由as引导的原因 状语从句通常位于句首；若置于句末，前面有逗号分 开。由a
11、s引导的原因状语从句表示的原因或理由为说 话的对方所知道，as通常翻译为“由于”。since引出的 原因状语从句通常位于句首，把已知的事实作为推理,的依据，说明的原因或理由是说话的双方所明知 的事实，因此，since往往翻译为“既然”。所有的 英语原因状语从句在汉语译文中通常位于句首， 偶尔亦置于句末。汉语的原因状语从句翻译成英 语时可位于译句句首，也可置于译句句末。21译成表示原因的分句 (19) They are informal, most likely because they are always in a great hurry. 他们之所以不拘小节, 很可能是因为他们总是处于匆忙
12、之中。 (20) Because his parents had paved a good way for him, he didnt worry about it at all.他之所以一点不急，是因为父母已为他铺好了道路。 (21) It is frequently said that computers solve pro-blems only because they are “programmed”,to do so.人们常说,电脑之所以能解决问题, 只是因为电脑给输入了解决问题的 “程序”。 (22) 既然发言人不能来，我们不得不取消这次会议。Since the speaker c
13、ant come, well have to cancel the meeting. (23) 因为他为这次考试做好了充分准备，所以成功通过了。He successfully passed the exam because he made full preparations for it.2. 2 译为不带关联词、因果关系内含的并列分句 (24) As families move away from their stable com-munity, their friends of many years, and their extended family relationships, the
14、 informal flow of information is cut off. 众多家庭搬出安定的,社区，离开交往多年的朋友，远离大家庭的其他成员, 日常信息来源就此切断。 (25) Since the electrical inventions which Edison had given us were very impor-tant, we could not live without themnot for one minute. 爱迪生为我们发明的各种电器太重要了，我们的生活离不开它们一刻也离不开。 (26) He was not nervous at all, because
15、he was ready. 他胸有成竹，一点不紧张。三、条件状语从句的翻译31 译成相对应的表条件的分句,(27) If the epidemic cannot be controlled effec-tively, the whole country will come into chaos.如果这种流行传染病得不到有效控制, 整个国家将会陷入一片混乱之中。 (28) We wont be able to go there on foot in case it rains. 要是下雨，咱们就不能打赤脚上那儿去。 (29) If I could relive my life, I would
16、lead quite a different life, leaving less regrets.如果我可以重新过日子, 我会生活得截然不同，不会留下这么多遗憾。 (30) 只有忠实于事实，才能忠实于真理。Only if weare true to facts, can we be loyal to the truth. (31) 只要我们努力工作，就能实现人生目标。We can rea-lize the goal of our life, if only we work hard.,32译成不含关联词、内含条件关系的句子 (32) If the temperature drops to z
17、ero degree centi-grade, water freezes. 水在零摄氏度结冰。 (33) If you work hard, you will succeed. 努力工作，就会成功。 (34) If you melt two or more metals together, you can get a new metal. 将两种以上的金属熔化在一起就可产生一种新金属。以上(32)、 (33)、 (34)这三个例句的引导条件 状语从句的从属连词在其相应的译文中都给省略了。 这些译句没有关联词言简意赅，既符合汉语表达习 惯，又忠实于原文。33 译成补充说明情况的分句 (35)
18、“Youll have some money by then, that is ,if you last the week out, you fool.” “到那时你该有点钱了就是说,如果你能度过这星期的话，你这傻瓜。” (36) Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any,also to strangers, and sometimes to others.要尊重你的上司，如果你有上司的话。对待陌生人,有时还有别人,也要尊重。3. 4 译成特定的条件分句 (37) They might be prepared to trim produc
19、tionbut only if they are convinced it will firm prices它们可能准备削减产量但条件是必须先使这些产油国确信, 石油价格将保持稳定。 (38) Certainly you can pass the test, but only if you study very hard. 你肯定能通过考试，但前提是你学习非常刻苦。,四、让步状语分句的翻译41 译成表示 “让步”的分句 (39) Although there are these cultural differences,the main engine propelling the separa
20、tist causeis economic. 尽管有文化差异，但是推动分裂主义进程的主要动力是经济因素。 (40) Old as he is, he would rather work than sit idle.他虽已年迈，但他宁愿工作也不愿闲着。 (41) Although we were very close, the time came when Jeff needed a door between us, a spaceof his own to grow in. 虽然我们之间亲密无间, 但还是有一天, 杰夫需要一扇门把我们分开, 需要一个他自己成长的空间。 (42) Even if
21、 man has built the most complicated,computer, it cannot compare in intricacy with the brain. 即使人类研制出了最复杂的电脑，其复杂程序也无法与人脑相比。 (43) 哪怕成功的希望渺茫，我们也还要试一试。Even though our hope for success is pretty slim, we still want to have a try. (44) 即使我们的科学技术赶上了世界先进水平，也还要学习人家的长处。We must continue to learn the strong poi
22、nts of other nations, even if we have caught up with the world advanced level in the field of science and technology.,4. 2译成表 “无条件”的条件分句汉语里有一种复句，前一分句排除某一方面的 一切条件，后一分句说出在任何条件下都会产生同 样的结果，也就是说结果的产生没有什么条件限制。 这样的复句里的前一分句，称之为 “无条件”的条件 分句，通常以whatever, wherever, whoever, when- ever, no matter wh-为引导词, 通常翻译为
23、以 “不论” “无论” “不管” 等关联词。 (45) Yet whenever I stopped by his hospital bed-side, he was surrounded by visitors from hischurch, singing and praying. 然而，无论我何时来到他的病床边，他总是被来自他奉职教堂的人所包围，他们又唱又祷告。 (46) Ill be right here waiting for you, wherever you,go, and whatever you do. 无论你到哪里去，无论你做什么，我都会在这儿等你。 (47) No mat
24、ter what happens, he will go on withan indomitable will without turning back.不管发生什么事，他都将一无反顾, 勇往直前。 (48) We are all, whatever part of the world we come from, persuaded that our own nation is superior to all others. 不论我们来自世界上的哪个国家，我们大家全都相信，我们自己的民族优于所有别的民族。Questions for Discussion: 1. Explain how to translate English adverbial clau-ses of time, reason, condition, and concession.,2. Illustrate translation of English adverbial clauses of the above-mentioned types.,
