英語和漢語中的定語有很大的不同。漢語中定語只能前置,而英語中定語既可前置也可后置。兩者的不同,不僅表現在結構上,也表現在意義上。英語中的定語從句有時從原因、結果、目的或條件等方面對中心詞加以限定。因此,在對語法結構、上下文邏輯關系深刻理解的前提下,為了更明確地表明這種邏輯關系,可以將定語從句翻譯成相應的狀語從句。同時值得注意的是,定語從句與中心詞之間常有分割成分,而該分割成分中與定語從句緊挨著的名詞,常常會被誤認為定語從句的中心詞。

　　因此,遇到這種結構,一定要根據上下文和常識進行判斷。翻譯定語從句時可采用提前譯、順序譯、分譯或轉譯等多種方法。

　　1. As far as the third factor 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 cosmology, for example.

　　第一層： As far as the third factor is concerned , 狀語從句1 the history 主 of science 定 shows 謂 many 定 instances 賓 in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly power- 定語從句 ful resistance to further investigation ; in some cases 狀 centuries 主 elapsed 謂 before this resistance was eventually broken down, as 狀語從句2 happened in cosmology, for example.

　　第二層： As far as 引 the third factor 主語 is 系 concerned 表語

　　in which 引 the force 主 of authority 定 has operated 謂 in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful re- 狀 sistance to further investigation

　　before 引 this resistance 主 was 系 eventually 狀 broken down, 表 as happened in cosmology,for example 定語從句

　　第三層： as 引 happened 謂 in cosmology, 狀 for example. 插入語

　　要點 本句由兩個分句構成,以分號連接。第一個分句的主干為 the history of science shows many instances , in which 引導的定語從句修飾 instances , such ...as ... 表結果,后接不定式;在第二個分句中,before 引出時間狀語從句： before this resistance was eventually broken down 代詞 as 在此是關系代詞,引出定語從句： as happened in cosmology 。resistance:抵抗;阻力。cosmology:宇宙論,宇宙哲學。

　　譯文 至于第三個因素,科學史中有許多事例表明,權威的力量起到這樣一種作用：它給進一步的研究設置了一道極其牢固的障礙;在許多情況下,要花上幾個世紀的時間才能最終打破這道障礙。例如,在宇宙學中就發生過這樣的事。

　　2. Behaviorists 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.

　　第一層： Behaviorists 主 suggest 謂 that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his 賓語從句 or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.

　　第二層： that 引 the child 主 who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity 定語從句

　　for appropriate responses will experience 謂 greater intellectual 定 development. 賓

　　第三層： who 引 is raised 謂 in an environment 狀 where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for ap- 定語從句

　　propriate responses

　　第四層： where 引 there 引 are 系 many 定 stimuli 主 which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses 定語從句

　　第五層： which 引 develop 謂 his or her 定 capacity 賓 for appropriate 定 responses

　　要點 根據上下文的邏輯關系可以看出,本句中suggest的詞義不是propose,而是bring an idea into the mind, 所以翻譯為 的看法是 。who引導的定語從句修飾child,根據上下文的語義關系,翻譯成條件句;where引導的定語從句修飾environment,用合譯法譯出;which引導的從句修飾stimuli,用分譯法進行翻譯。appropriate:適合的,相稱的。 譯文 行為主義者的看法是,如果一個兒童在有許多刺激因素的環境里長大,而這些刺激因素能夠開發其相應的反映能力,那么這個兒童將會有更好的智力發展。

　　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 development of his potentialities - those of love and of reason - are the aims of all social arrangements.

　　要點 本句為含有兩個定語從句的主從復合句。主句的謂語動詞suggest可接動名詞作賓語。而賓語中的transform一詞常用在 transform sth. from ... into... 結構中,譯為 把從轉變為 。句中兩個in which分別修飾其先行詞industrialism,翻譯時宜采用前置法。兩個破折號之間的those of love and of reason為potentialities一詞的同位語。

　　譯文 我建議把我們的社會制度從以最大限度的生產和最大限度的消費為目的的官僚主義管理下的產業體制轉變為一個充分發揮人的潛能--即愛和理智的潛能--為其全部社會工作之目的的人道主義產業體制。

　　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.

　　要點 本句中 who... , who... , on whose... , who... 四個定語從句并列,共同修飾中心詞 people 。

　　譯文 肯尼迪總統需要提問題的人、能提批評意見的人、做出可靠判斷的人以及能提出明智看法的人,而不問他們的級別和觀點。

　　5. In the soap war between Proctor and Gamble and Unilever, tremendous use is made of statistics to measure the dynamic difference in market resulting from the proportional allocation to advertising, which constitutes such a large part of their production costs before selling, so that they regard their production costs as production plus advertising costs.

　　要點 此句結構比較復雜,但主句很簡單,主語為use,謂語為is made。主句正常語序為tremendous use of statistics is made to..., to measure...作目的狀語,resulting from...為現在分詞短語作difference的后置定語。which引導一個非限制性定語從句,修飾allocation to advertising。so that引導一個結果狀語從句。plus為介詞,意為 加上 。soap war 為 肥皂廣告大戰 。

　　譯文 在Proctor and Gamble和 Unilever兩家企業之間的 肥皂大戰 中,雙方就大量使用了統計學知識來測量由相應的廣告投入所引起的市場上的動態差異,這一項在售前的生產成本中占較大部分,所以他們把生產成本看作是生產費用與廣告費用之和。

　　6. Smart cards, which can carry as much as 80 times more information 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.

　　要點 本句為簡單復合句。句架為Smart cards, which ..., are already widely used in European countries where...。which為關系代詞,引導非限制性定語從句,修飾smart cards;where 為關系副詞,引導定語從句,修飾countries。nationwide:全國范圍內的。roll out:本意為 展開 ,此處為引申義,指展開工作。

　　譯文 智能卡載有的信息量是普通磁卡信息載量的80多倍,已經在歐洲各國廣泛使用,因而使歐洲各國中央銀行得以在全國范圍展開新型的服務。

　　7. How well the prediction will be validated by later performance depends upon the amount, reliability, and appropriateness of the information used and on the skill and wisdom with which it is interpreted.

　　要點 本句含有一個主語從句How well the prediction will be validated by later performance和一個定語從句with which it is interpreted。定語從句中it 指代prediction,該定語從句修飾the skill and wisdom。在翻譯時主語從句用分譯法,定語從句用合譯法。validate:使有效;使有充分根據。

　　譯文 預測在多大程度上為后來的表現所證實,這取決于所采用信息的數量、可靠性和適宜性,還取決于用來解釋預測的技巧和智慧。

　　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, serve only to compel us to keep this problem constantly on the Security Councils agendas.

　　要點 本句含有三個定語從句 where...condemnations , which would come to grips ... 和 which, after all, serve only to compel... 。第二個定語從句譯成同位結構;第三個定語從句同上下文有明顯的因果關系,譯成 因為 。overall:從頭到尾;總的,全面的。

　　譯文 因此,我們代表團認為,要糾正我們過去采取的只是滿足于進行譴責的那種立場,我們必須尋求一個全面的解決方法,既能解決本質方面的問題,又能解決應對表面的問題,因為僅解決表面問題畢竟只能迫使我們一次又一次地把這個問題列入安理會的議程。

　　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.

　　要點 本句中有兩個由which引導的定語從句：第一個定語從句的先行詞是science,而不是chemistry; 第二個定語從句的先行詞是chemical change,而不是result或matter。

　　譯文 我們可以說,化學是論述物質化學變化的科學,通過化學變化可能獲得新的物質。

　　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!

　　要點 本句由一個主句、兩個定語從句和一個狀語從句組成。you can catch前省略了that。按照先發生的事情先敘述以及條件在先結果在后的漢語習慣,翻譯時應采用逆序法。

　　譯文 對一個有美感,能以好奇心接收你所能抓到的任何東西的人來說,時間總是過得很快,比如當戲水池里有幾個可愛的孩子,池邊還有一位如黛安娜似的年輕女子時。

　　英語和漢語中的定語有很大的不同。漢語中定語只能前置,而英語中定語既可前置也可后置。兩者的不同,不僅表現在結構上,也表現在意義上。英語中的定語從句有時從原因、結果、目的或條件等方面對中心詞加以限定。因此,在對語法結構、上下文邏輯關系深刻理解的前提下,為了更明確地表明這種邏輯關系,可以將定語從句翻譯成相應的狀語從句。同時值得注意的是,定語從句與中心詞之間常有分割成分,而該分割成分中與定語從句緊挨著的名詞,常常會被誤認為定語從句的中心詞。

　　因此,遇到這種結構,一定要根據上下文和常識進行判斷。翻譯定語從句時可采用提前譯、順序譯、分譯或轉譯等多種方法。

　　1. As far as the third factor 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 cosmology, for example.

　　第一層： As far as the third factor is concerned , 狀語從句1 the history 主 of science 定 shows 謂 many 定 instances 賓 in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly power- 定語從句 ful resistance to further investigation ; in some cases 狀 centuries 主 elapsed 謂 before this resistance was eventually broken down, as 狀語從句2 happened in cosmology, for example.

　　第二層： As far as 引 the third factor 主語 is 系 concerned 表語

　　in which 引 the force 主 of authority 定 has operated 謂 in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful re- 狀 sistance to further investigation

　　before 引 this resistance 主 was 系 eventually 狀 broken down, 表 as happened in cosmology,for example 定語從句

　　第三層： as 引 happened 謂 in cosmology, 狀 for example. 插入語

　　要點 本句由兩個分句構成,以分號連接。第一個分句的主干為 the history of science shows many instances , in which 引導的定語從句修飾 instances , such ...as ... 表結果,后接不定式;在第二個分句中,before 引出時間狀語從句： before this resistance was eventually broken down 代詞 as 在此是關系代詞,引出定語從句： as happened in cosmology 。resistance:抵抗;阻力。cosmology:宇宙論,宇宙哲學。

　　譯文 至于第三個因素,科學史中有許多事例表明,權威的力量起到這樣一種作用：它給進一步的研究設置了一道極其牢固的障礙;在許多情況下,要花上幾個世紀的時間才能最終打破這道障礙。例如,在宇宙學中就發生過這樣的事。

　　2. Behaviorists 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.

　　第一層： Behaviorists 主 suggest 謂 that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his 賓語從句 or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.

　　第二層： that 引 the child 主 who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity 定語從句

　　for appropriate responses will experience 謂 greater intellectual 定 development. 賓

　　第三層： who 引 is raised 謂 in an environment 狀 where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for ap- 定語從句

　　propriate responses

　　第四層： where 引 there 引 are 系 many 定 stimuli 主 which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses 定語從句

　　第五層： which 引 develop 謂 his or her 定 capacity 賓 for appropriate 定 responses

　　要點 根據上下文的邏輯關系可以看出,本句中suggest的詞義不是propose,而是bring an idea into the mind, 所以翻譯為 的看法是 。who引導的定語從句修飾child,根據上下文的語義關系,翻譯成條件句;where引導的定語從句修飾environment,用合譯法譯出;which引導的從句修飾stimuli,用分譯法進行翻譯。appropriate:適合的,相稱的。 譯文 行為主義者的看法是,如果一個兒童在有許多刺激因素的環境里長大,而這些刺激因素能夠開發其相應的反映能力,那么這個兒童將會有更好的智力發展。

　　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 development of his potentialities - those of love and of reason - are the aims of all social arrangements.

　　要點 本句為含有兩個定語從句的主從復合句。主句的謂語動詞suggest可接動名詞作賓語。而賓語中的transform一詞常用在 transform sth. from ... into... 結構中,譯為 把從轉變為 。句中兩個in which分別修飾其先行詞industrialism,翻譯時宜采用前置法。兩個破折號之間的those of love and of reason為potentialities一詞的同位語。

　　譯文 我建議把我們的社會制度從以最大限度的生產和最大限度的消費為目的的官僚主義管理下的產業體制轉變為一個充分發揮人的潛能--即愛和理智的潛能--為其全部社會工作之目的的人道主義產業體制。

　　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.

　　要點 本句中 who... , who... , on whose... , who... 四個定語從句并列,共同修飾中心詞 people 。

　　譯文 肯尼迪總統需要提問題的人、能提批評意見的人、做出可靠判斷的人以及能提出明智看法的人,而不問他們的級別和觀點。

　　5. In the soap war between Proctor and Gamble and Unilever, tremendous use is made of statistics to measure the dynamic difference in market resulting from the proportional allocation to advertising, which constitutes such a large part of their production costs before selling, so that they regard their production costs as production plus advertising costs.

　　要點 此句結構比較復雜,但主句很簡單,主語為use,謂語為is made。主句正常語序為tremendous use of statistics is made to..., to measure...作目的狀語,resulting from...為現在分詞短語作difference的后置定語。which引導一個非限制性定語從句,修飾allocation to advertising。so that引導一個結果狀語從句。plus為介詞,意為 加上 。soap war 為 肥皂廣告大戰 。

　　譯文 在Proctor and Gamble和 Unilever兩家企業之間的 肥皂大戰 中,雙方就大量使用了統計學知識來測量由相應的廣告投入所引起的市場上的動態差異,這一項在售前的生產成本中占較大部分,所以他們把生產成本看作是生產費用與廣告費用之和。

　　6. Smart cards, which can carry as much as 80 times more information 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.

　　要點 本句為簡單復合句。句架為Smart cards, which ..., are already widely used in European countries where...。which為關系代詞,引導非限制性定語從句,修飾smart cards;where 為關系副詞,引導定語從句,修飾countries。nationwide:全國范圍內的。roll out:本意為 展開 ,此處為引申義,指展開工作。

　　譯文 智能卡載有的信息量是普通磁卡信息載量的80多倍,已經在歐洲各國廣泛使用,因而使歐洲各國中央銀行得以在全國范圍展開新型的服務。

　　7. How well the prediction will be validated by later performance depends upon the amount, reliability, and appropriateness of the information used and on the skill and wisdom with which it is interpreted.

　　要點 本句含有一個主語從句How well the prediction will be validated by later performance和一個定語從句with which it is interpreted。定語從句中it 指代prediction,該定語從句修飾the skill and wisdom。在翻譯時主語從句用分譯法,定語從句用合譯法。validate:使有效;使有充分根據。

　　譯文 預測在多大程度上為后來的表現所證實,這取決于所采用信息的數量、可靠性和適宜性,還取決于用來解釋預測的技巧和智慧。

　　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, serve only to compel us to keep this problem constantly on the Security Councils agendas.

　　要點 本句含有三個定語從句 where...condemnations , which would come to grips ... 和 which, after all, serve only to compel... 。第二個定語從句譯成同位結構;第三個定語從句同上下文有明顯的因果關系,譯成 因為 。overall:從頭到尾;總的,全面的。

　　譯文 因此,我們代表團認為,要糾正我們過去采取的只是滿足于進行譴責的那種立場,我們必須尋求一個全面的解決方法,既能解決本質方面的問題,又能解決應對表面的問題,因為僅解決表面問題畢竟只能迫使我們一次又一次地把這個問題列入安理會的議程。

　　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.

　　要點 本句中有兩個由which引導的定語從句：第一個定語從句的先行詞是science,而不是chemistry; 第二個定語從句的先行詞是chemical change,而不是result或matter。

　　譯文 我們可以說,化學是論述物質化學變化的科學,通過化學變化可能獲得新的物質。

　　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!

　　要點 本句由一個主句、兩個定語從句和一個狀語從句組成。you can catch前省略了that。按照先發生的事情先敘述以及條件在先結果在后的漢語習慣,翻譯時應采用逆序法。

　　譯文 對一個有美感,能以好奇心接收你所能抓到的任何東西的人來說,時間總是過得很快,比如當戲水池里有幾個可愛的孩子,池邊還有一位如黛安娜似的年輕女子時。