1、定语从句根据统计，从 1994 年开始到 2006 年 13 年的 65 道翻译题中总共出现了 36 处定语从句，占到了 55.3%的比例，因此定语从句的翻译的好坏直接影响到考研翻译的分数。 能够作定语的不仅是单词、词组和短语，还有从句也可以作定语，那么这种从句我们称之为定语从句。 英语中的定语从句起到了一个修饰的作用，作用相当于形容词， 定语从句我们也称之为形容词性从句。 定语从句分为两类，一是限制性定语从句，一类是非限定性定语从句。限定性定语从句，简单来讲就是对所修饰的先行词的意思加以限制，表示“.的人或是物”，举个例子来说：He is a man whom you should marr
2、y. 在这个句子中，如果去掉定语从句 whom you should marry. 这个句子意思就不完整，甚至可以说是不成立了。而非限定性定语从句，顾名思义，这类定语从句对于所修饰的事物没有限制意义的作用，而起到一种补充说明和解释的作用，与主句的关系并不密切，拿掉非限定性定语从句，主句意思照样成立。举个例子来说：He is my father, who love me deeply. 在这个句子中，如果去掉这个“who love me deeply.”非限定性定语从句，He is my father，这个主句照样成立，意思也不会受到太大影响。而定语从句种类的不同，我们在翻译的时候采用的翻译方法
3、也不 相同。2一 、前置法当一个限定性定语从句结构和意义较为简单，或是较为简短时，我们把英语原文的定语从句翻译成带“的” 的定语词组, 放置于被修饰的词之前, 将英语原文的复合句翻译成汉语的简单句。我们看一个 2003 年的一个句子。Furthermore, humans have the ability to modify the environment in which they live, thus subjecting all other life forms to their own peculiar ideas and fancies.本句中 the environment 后面又
4、跟了一个定语从句，是限定性定语从句。只有三个词，意义和结构都较为简单，在翻译的时候就要把它放在他所修饰的先行词的前面。译文：而且，人类还有能力改变自己的生存环境，从而使所有其它形态的生命服从人类自己独特的想法和想像。再比如：98 年 71) But even more important, it was the farthest that scientists had been able to look into the past, for what they were seeing were the patterns and structures that existed 15 billio
5、n years ago.这个句子中 That existed 15 billion years ago.是一个定语从句，其先行词是 the patterns and structures.这个定语从句比较简单，我们可以直接将其翻译他所修饰的先行词的前面。3译文： 但更为重要的是，这是科学家们所能观察到的最遥远的过去的景象，因为他们看到的是 150 亿年前宇宙云的形状和结构。二、单独成句当一个限定性定语从句的结构较为复杂，意义较为繁杂的时候，如果把它翻译在其修饰的先行词的后面的话，会显得定语太过于臃肿和复杂，而无法清清楚楚，明明白白表达其意义。所以这个时候我们要把定语从句单独翻译出来, 放置于原
6、来它所修饰的词的后面当定语。当定语从句是一个非限定性定语从句的时候，往往也要单独成句。比如：03 年 64) Tylor defined culture as “. that complex whole which includes belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.“在这个句子中，whole 后面是一个很长的定语从句，无论从结构和意义上看都较为复杂，所以翻译时可以和先行词拆开。译文：泰勒把文化定义为“一个复
7、合体” ，它包括人作为社会成员所获得的信仰、艺术、道德、法律、风俗以及其它能力和习惯。再比如：2004 年 61 题：The Greeks assumed that the structure of language had some connection with the process of thought, which took root in Europe 4long before people realized how diverse languages could be.（非限定性定语从句）“which took root in Europe long before people
8、realized how diverse languages could be.”是非限定性定语从句，修饰前面整个句子；在定语从句中 long before 引导时间状语从句修饰动词短语 Take Root，在状语从句中又包含了一个由 how 引导的宾语从句，作 realized 的宾语。句中 Take root in 作“ 扎根“讲。因此这个非限定性定语从句是较为复杂的，所以我们采用单独成句的翻译方法。译文：“希腊人认为语言结构与思维过程有着某种关系，这种观点在人们认识到语言的千差万别之前就在欧洲扎了根。”三、融合法把主句和定语从句融合成一个简单句，定语从句译成谓语。这种方法一般用于限制性定
9、语从句，尤其是“there be” 句型中。There is a girl downstairs who wants to see you.楼下有人要见你。There are many people who are interested in the new invention.很多人对这项发明感兴趣。四、状译法5英语中有些定语从句, 不仅仅起到一个定语修饰的作用，而且在逻辑上(即意义上)与主句有状语关系, 表示原因、让步、转折等等关系。所以广大考生在翻译的时候，应尽量从英语句子的意义上发现这些逻辑上的关系, 然后翻译成汉语中相对应的逻辑关系来。比如：97 年 71) Actually,it
10、isnt, because it assumes that there is an agreed account of human rights, which is something the world does not have.在这个句子中 which 引导非限制性定语从句修饰名词 an agreed account，而 the world does not have 是省略了从句引导词 that 的定语从句，修饰 something。这个定语从句在这里有一个转折的逻辑关系在里边，所以要翻译出来！译文：事实并非如此，因为这种问法是以人们对人的权利有共同认识为基础的，而这种共同认识并不存在
11、。英语和汉语中的定语有很大的不同。汉语中定语只能前置,而英语中定语既可前置也可后置。两者的不同,不仅表现在结构上,也表现在意义上。英语中的定语从句有时从原因、结果、目的或条件等方面对中心词加以限定。因此,在对语法结构、上下文逻辑关系深刻理解的前提下,为了更明确地表明这种逻辑关系,可以将定语从句翻译成相应的状语从句。同时值得注意的是,定语从句与中心词之间常有分割成分,而该分割成分中与定语从句紧挨着的名词,常常会被误认为定语从句的中心词。 因此,遇到这种结构,一定要根6据上下文和常识进行判断。翻译定语从句时可采用提前译、顺序译、分译或转译等多种方法。1. As far as the third f
12、actor is concerned, the history of science shows many instances in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful resistance to further investigation; in some cases centuries elapsed before this resistance was eventually broken down, as happened in
13、cosmology, for example.第一层： As far as the third factor is concerned , 状语从句 1 the history 主 of science 定 shows 谓 many 定 instances 宾 in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful 定语从句 resistance to further investigation ; in some cases 状 centuries
14、 主 elapsed 谓 before this resistance was eventually broken down, as 状语从句 2 happened in cosmology, for example.第二层： (状语从句 1) As far as 引 the third factor 主语 is 系 concerned 表语(定语从句) in which 引 the force 主 of authority 定 has operated 谓 in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful resistance t
15、o further investigation 状(状语从句 2) before 引 this resistance 主 was 系 eventually 状 broken down, 表 as happened in cosmology, for example 定语从句7第三层： (定语从句) as 引 happened 谓 in cosmology, 状 for example. 插入语要点 本句由两个分句构成,以分号连接。第一个分句的主干为“the history of science shows many instances“, “in which“引导的定语从句修饰“instanc
16、es“, “such .as .“ 表结果,后接不定式；在第二个分句中,before 引出时间状语从句：“before this resistance was eventually broken down“;代词“as“在此是关系代词,引出定语从句：“as happened in cosmology“。resistance: 抵抗(力) ；阻力。cosmology:宇宙论,宇宙哲学。译文 至于第三个因素,科学史中有许多事例表明,权威的力量起到这样一种作用：它给进一步的研究设置了一道极其牢固的障碍；在许多情况下,要花上几个世纪的时间才能最终打破这道障碍。例如,在宇宙学中就发生过这样的事。2. B
17、ehaviorists suggest that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.第一层： Behaviorists 主 suggest 谓 that the child who is raised in an environment where there are ma
18、ny stimuli which develop his 宾语从句 or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.第二层： (宾语从句) that 引 the child 主 who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity 定语从句8for appropriate responses will experience 谓
19、greater intellectual 定 development. 宾第三层： (定语从句) who 引 is raised 谓 in an environment 状 where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses 定语从句第四层： (定语从句) where 引 there 引 are 系 many 定 stimuli 主 which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses 定语从句第五层：
20、(定语从句) which 引 develop 谓 his or her 定 capacity 宾 for appropriate 定 responses要点 根据上下文的逻辑关系可以看出,本句中 suggest 的词义不是 propose,而是 bring an idea into the mind, 所以翻译为“的看法是 “。who 引导的定语从句修饰 child,根据上下文的语义关系,翻译成条件句；where 引导的定语从句修饰 environment,用合译法译出；which引导的从句修饰 stimuli,用分译法进行翻译。appropriate:适合的,相称的。 译文 行为主义者的看法
21、是,如果一个儿童在有许多刺激因素的环境里长大,而这些刺激因素能够开发其相应的反映能力,那么这个儿童将会有更好的智力发展。3. I suggest transforming our social system from a bureaucratically managed industrialism in which maximal production and consumption are ends in themselves into a humanist industrialism in which man and full 9development of his potentialit
22、ies - those of love and of reason - are the aims of all social arrangements.要点 本句为含有两个定语从句的主从复合句。主句的谓语动词suggest 可接动名词作宾语。而宾语中的 transform 一词常用在“transform sth. from . into.“结构中,译为“把从转变为“ 。句中两个 in which 分别修饰其先行词 industrialism,翻译时宜采用前置法。两个破折号之间的 those of love and of reason 为 potentialities 一词的同位语。译文 我建议
23、把我们的社会制度从以最大限度的生产和最大限度的消费为目的的官僚主义管理下的产业体制转变为一个充分发挥人的潜能-即爱和理智的潜能- 为其全部社会工作之目的的人道主义产业体制。4. President Kennedy wanted people who raised questions, who criticized, on whose judgment he could rely, who presented an intelligent point of view, regardless of their rank or viewpoint.要点 本句中“who.“,“who.“,“on wh
24、ose.“,“who.“四个定语从句并列,共同修饰中心词“people“。译文 肯尼迪总统需要提问题的人、能提批评意见的人、做出可靠判断的人以及能提出明智看法的人,而不问他们的级别和观点。5. In the “soap war“ between Proctor and Gamble and Unilever, tremendous use is made of statistics to measure the dynamic difference in 10market resulting from the proportional allocation to advertising, wh
25、ich constitutes such a large part of their production costs before selling, so that they regard their production costs as production plus advertising costs.要点 此句结构比较复杂,但主句很简单,主语为 use,谓语为 is made。主句正常语序为 tremendous use of statistics is made to., to measure.作目的状语,resulting from.为现在分词短语作 difference 的后置
26、定语。which 引导一个非限制性定语从句,修饰 allocation to advertising。so that 引导一个结果状语从句。plus 为介词,意为“加上“。soap war 为“肥皂广告大战 “。译文 在 Proctor and Gamble 和 Unilever 两家企业之间的“肥皂大战“中,双方就大量使用了统计学知识来测量由相应的广告投入所引起的市场上的动态差异,这一项在售前的生产成本中占较大部分,所以他们把生产成本看作是生产费用与广告费用之和。6. Smart cards, which can carry as much as 80 times more informat
27、ion on them than conventional cards with a magnetic stripe, are already widely used in European countries where centralized banks can roll out new services on a nationwide basis.要点 本句为简单复合句。句架为 Smart cards, which ., are already widely used in European countries where.。which 为关系代词,引导非限制性定语从句,修饰 smart
28、 cards；where 为关系副词,引导定语从11句,修饰 countries。nationwide:全国范围内的。 roll out:本意为“展开( 卷起之物)“, 此处为引申义 ,指展开工作。译文 智能卡载有的信息量是普通磁卡信息载量的 80 多倍,已经在欧洲各国广泛使用,因而使欧洲各国中央银行得以在全国范围展开新型的服务。7. How well the prediction will be validated by later performance depends upon the amount, reliability, and appropriateness of the inf
29、ormation used and on the skill and wisdom with which it is interpreted.要点 本句含有一个主语从句 How well the prediction will be validated by later performance 和一个定语从句 with which it is interpreted。定语从句中 it 指代 prediction,该定语从句修饰 the skill and wisdom。在翻译时主语从句用分译法,定语从句用合译法。validate:使有效；使有充分根据。译文 预测在多大程度上为后来的表现所证实,
30、这取决于所采用信息的数量、可靠性和适宜性,还取决于用来解释预测的技巧和智慧。8. Thus, to rectify the positions taken previously, where we contented ourselves with condemnations, in my delegations opinion, we must find an overall solution which would come to grips with both the substance as well as the superficial aspects which, after all
31、, serve only to compel us to keep this problem constantly on the Security Councils agendas.12要点 本句含有三个定语从句“where.condemnations“,“which would come to grips .“和“which, after all, serve only to compel.“。第二个定语从句译成同位结构；第三个定语从句同上下文有明显的因果关系,译成“因为“。overall:从头到尾；总的,全面的。译文 因此,我们代表团认为,要纠正我们过去采取的只是满足于进行谴责的那种立场,
32、我们必须寻求一个全面的解决方法,既能解决本质方面的问题,又能解决应对表面的问题,因为仅解决表面问题毕竟只能迫使我们一次又一次地把这个问题列入安理会的议程。9. We may define chemistry as the science in which we deal with the chemical change in matter as a result of which it is possible to form a new substance.要点 本句中有两个由 which 引导的定语从句：第一个定语从句的先行词是 science,而不是 chemistry; 第二个定语从句的
33、先行词是 chemical change,而不是 result 或 matter。译文 我们可以说,化学是论述物质化学变化的科学,通过化学变化可能获得新的物质。10. Time goes fast for one who has a sense of beauty, when there are pretty children in a pool and a young Diana on the edge, to receive with wonder anything you can catch!要点 本句由一个主句(Time goes fast)、两个定语从句(who.和 you can
34、catch)和一个状语从句(when.)组成。you can catch 前省略了 th13at。按照先发生的事情先叙述以及条件在先结果在后的汉语习惯,翻译时应采用逆序法。译文 对一个有美感,能以好奇心接收你所能抓到的任何东西的人来说,时间总是过得很快,比如当戏水池里有几个可爱的孩子,池边还有一位如黛安娜似的年轻女子时。倒装句英语句子通常有两种语序,一种是自然语序(Natural Order),又称正装语序,另一种便是本章要介绍的倒装语序(Inverted Order)。 从形式上分,倒装有两种：全部倒装(Full Inversion)和部分倒装(Partial Inversion)。谓语动词
35、全部位于主语之前的称作全部倒装,例如：In front of me stood a boy. (我面前站着一个男孩。)只将谓语动词的一部分(通常是助动词或情态动词)放在主语之前的称作部分倒装,例如：Only in this way can we do it better. (只有这样,我们才能做得更好一些。)从使用目的区分,倒装也有两种情况 ,即语法倒装(Grammatical Inversion)和修辞倒装(Rhetorical Inversion)。语法倒装是由于语法规则的要求而必须进行的倒装,例如：Who called me just now?(刚才谁打电话给我?)修辞倒装是出于修辞的需
36、要而把正常语序转为倒装语序,例如： Out rushed the children.(孩子们冲了出去。)HFowler 归纳倒装的原因有九种,即疑问、命令、惊叹、假设、平衡、衔接、点题(signpost)、否定和韵律(metrical) 。这并不完全,还应加上强调和为使描写更加生动两种。在英语中,倒装句俯拾即是,用得非常普遍,但汉语却很少用,所以在翻译倒装句时,仍应按原文词序翻译,并照顾汉语的习惯,以保持译14文句子结构流畅、匀称。 1. Jack London poured into his writings all the pain of his life, the fierce hatr
37、ed of the bourgeoisie that it had produced in him, and the conviction it had brought to him that the world could be made a better place to live in if the exploited would rise up and take the management of society out of the hands of the exploiters.第一层： Jack London 主 poured 谓 into his writings 状 all
38、the pain 宾 of his life, 定 the fierce hatred 宾 of the bourgeoisie 定 that it had produced in him , 定语从句 1 and 连 the conviction 宾 it had brought to him 定语从句 2 that the world could be made a better place to live in if the exploited would rise 同位语从句 up and take the management of society out of the hands
39、of the exploiters .第二层： (定语从句 1) that 引 it 主 had produced 谓 in him 状(定语从句 2) it 主 had brought to 谓 him 间宾(同位语从句) that 引 the world 主 could be made 谓 a better place 宾 to live in 定 if the exploited would rise up and take the man- 状语从句 agement of society out of the hands of the exploiters.第三层： (状语从句) if
40、 引 the exploited 主 would rise up 谓 and 连 take 谓 the management 宾 of society 定 out of the hands of the exploiters 状15要点 本句为倒装句。如果宾语较长或宾语结构比较复杂,往往将宾语后置,采用倒装语序,以使句子保持平衡。本句的宾语由三个并列的名词构成,且第二和第三个名词后又带有限定性定语从句,故采用倒装语序,将动词“poured“的宾语放在状语 “into his writings“之后。“all the pain.“,“the fierce hatred.“和“the convic
41、tion.“ 是“poured“的三个并列的宾语；其中,第一个 that 引导的定语从句修饰“hatred“, “it had brought to him“修饰 “conviction“,在该定语从句中其关系代词作宾语而被省略；第二个 that 从句则是“conviction“的同位语从句。译文 杰克伦敦在作品中倾注了他一生中所遭受过的一切痛苦,倾诉了这种痛苦在他心中产生的对资产阶级的刻骨仇恨以及由此产生的这样的信念：如果被剥削者起来反抗,从剥削者手中夺回社会管理权,那么世界就会变成一个人人有好日子过的地方。2. Along with them goes social mobility, a
42、mbition to rise in the urban world, a main factor in bringing down the births in Europe in the nineteenth century.分 析： Along with them 状 goes 谓 social 定 mobility, 主 ambition 主 to rise in the 定 urban world, a main factor 同位语 in bringing down the births in Europe in the nineteenth century. 定要点 这是一个完全倒
43、装句,主语是 social mobility.century,谓语动词是 goes。ambition to rise in the urban world 是对 social mobility16的进一步说明。a main factor 在意思上相当于 which is a main factor in.century,修饰 ambition to .world。本句可按原文顺序翻译。译文 伴随他们而来的是社会的流动性, 人们强烈地希望在城市里发展,这是 19 世纪欧洲出生率下降的主要因素。3. For example, they do not compensate for gross soc
44、ial inequality, and thus do not tell how able an underprivileged youngster might have been had he grown up under more favorable circumstances.要点 句中 had he grown up . 是虚拟条件中省略 if 的倒装结构。翻译时,要把 if 的含义译出。主句为并列谓语“. compensate . , and . tell“结构。句中 how 引导宾语从句。虚拟条件句为宾语从句的状语。根据汉语的表达习惯,条件状语常前置。译文 例如,它们并不弥补明显的
45、社会不公； 因此,它们说明不了一个物质条件差的年轻人,如果在较好的环境下成长,会有多大的才干。4. So involved with their computers do the children become that leaders at summer computer camps often have to force them to break for sports and games.要点 本句的基本结构是 the children become so involved with their computers that.。因为把 so involved with their com
46、puters 放在了句首,所以句子必须倒装。因为该句的动词是 become,所以用 do 来帮助倒装。翻译时宜用正装语序。17译文 参加计算机夏令营的孩子们对计算机如此着迷,以至夏令营的负责人常常不得不强迫他们停下来参加体育运动或做游戏。5. As the Internet becomes more and more commercialized, it is in the interest of business to universalize access - after all, the more people online, the more potential customers t
47、here are.要点 破折号后面的部分是用来解释句子主句的,在结构上是部分倒装句,属“（从句） the比较级.,（主句） the 比较级“句型,这样的句子一般主谓不倒装。翻译时可用正装。universalize:使普遍化；使通用化。译文 随着国际互联网越来越商业化,普及上网会对商家有利, 因为上网的人越多,潜在的顾客数量就越多。6. Only after studies provided evidence of the harmful effects of such programs has it been possible to modify TV programming policies
48、.要点 only 是加强语气的词语,位于句首时,主谓语要倒装。这样的句子一般可按原文顺序翻译。has it been .是主句,正装应是 it has been.。译文 只有大量调研提供出证据表明此类节目产生不良影响后,电视节目审查政策才有可能改变。7. Unpopular as red has been in the past at the moment it is a favorite hair style.18要点 这是一个主从复合句,主句是 at the moment it is a favorite hair style。在让步状语从句中,作为表语的 unpopular 放在 as
49、前面位于句首,构成部分倒装。形容词as 从句在意思上等于 although.,一般翻译成“虽然“。注意这个形容词不能放在动词后面 ,否则整个句子意思不同。译文 虽然过去红色不受欢迎,眼下红色染发剂却备受青睐。8. Lonely was seeing his daughter only twice a week since the divorce.要点 这是一个完全倒装句,主语是 seeing his daughter.divorce。翻译时可正装。译文 他只是觉得离婚后每周只能看女儿两次让他感到孤独。9. So perilous was this one that he was the only security officer on the site.要点 该句的原结构是 this one was so perilous that.,因为把 so perilous 放在句首,所以句子要主谓倒装。翻译时可正装。译文 做现场惟一的保安官员,这差使还真有点危险。10. In front of me stood the essential tools of the intelligence officers trade - a desk, two telephones, one scrambled（改变频率使不被窃听） for outside cal
