三大从句的译法

4.4　三大从句的译法

【译技自测】

在学习本节之前，请判断下列各句的翻译得失，并在必要的地方进行修改。

1.He's a rough diamond.Although he seems to be careless，he does everything tip- top．

［原译］他是个优秀的人。尽管他大大咧咧，但是做起事来总是顶呱呱。

2.Tom soon became the “pet”of the teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same．

［原译］汤姆很快就成了那个以前曾经承诺过她会爱所有的学生，对每个学生都会一视同仁的老师最宠爱的学生。

3.I have no idea what genius is;but so far as I can form any conception of it，I should say it was a stupid world which cannot be too soon abandoned to scientific and literary claqueurs．

(Samuel Butler)

［原译］我对于什么是天才莫名其妙。如果要我谈谈这个词的概念，我可以说，这是一个无聊的，把它抛弃得越早越好，扔给科学界和文学界那些善于捧场的人去使用的词。

4.On October 15，2003，China surprised the world as her first astronaut flew into space aboard the Shenzhou Ⅴ spacecraft.Now，China is focusing on more ambitious space program，including lunar explorations and the establishment of space stations．

［原译］2003年10月15日，当中国的第一名宇航员乘坐神舟五号宇宙飞船飞上了太空时，中国震惊了全世界。现在，中国正集中精力从事更富有雄心的宇宙项目，包括探索月球以及建立太空站。

【译技探讨】

英语的三大从句是:

(1)名词性从句，常用来作主语、宾语、表语、介词宾语或同位语。

(2)形容词性从句，或称定语从句。

(3)副词性从句，或称状语从句。

从实质上来说，这三种从句的语法功能分别等于名词、形容词和副词的语法功能，但由于它们本身是句子，放到大的句子中去时就使句法变得复杂多了，从而也增加了翻译的信息载量和难度。现分述如下:

4.4.1　名词性从句的译法

1.名词性从句，特别是由“that”、“where”、“when”等引起的名词性从句一般情况下都译为叙述性的信息(这里不多加示例)。但是由“what”、“how”、“whether”等引起的名词性从句，翻译就比较困难一些。这些从句往往表达的是一种具体概念，如“how things stand”，实际上是表达“情况”这个概念，如照译“事情是如何站着的”就不明确，同时也违背了原意。所以翻译这类从句时多采用概略法，也就是使从句陈述的内容明确化。这样，许多情况下都需要进行概括或引申。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】That's where we differ．

［译文］这是我们的分歧所在。

【例2】My brother is not what he used to be．

［译文］我弟弟不是他从前的那个样子了。(或:“我弟弟变了。”)

【例3】What was once regarded as impossible has now become a reality．

［译文］过去认为不可能的事(办不到的事)现已变成了现实。

【例4】It is necessary that those machines should be lubricated regularly．

［译文］那些机器必须经常上润滑油。

【例5】It isn't much how he works:the question is whether he works at all．

［译文］他怎么干并不重要，问题是他到底有没有干。

【例6】It is common sense that a liquid has no definite shape，but it has a definite volume．

［译文］液体没有一定的形状，但有一定的体积，这是常识。

【例7】That substances expand when heated and contract when cooled is a common physical phenomenon．

［译文］物质热胀冷缩是一个普遍的物理现象。

【例8】I wonder not whether we shall be in time for the last bus but whether we'll be able to get front seats．

［译文］我知道我们赶上最后一班公共汽车是没有问题的，但不知能否有靠前的座位。

【例9】What someone chooses to observe and the way one observes it must，after all，in part be a reflection of experience and of ideas as to what is significant．

［译文］某个人选择观察的事物及其观察的方式在某种程度上必定反映这个人的经历和他关于重大事件的想法。

【例10】What happened on September 11，2001 will be forever etched in our memory．

［译文］2001年的“9·11”事件将会永远铭刻在我们的脑海里。

［分析］“What happened on September 11...”译为“9·11”事件，译得非常具体、明确。如译为“9月11日所发生的事”也是明确的，但是不够简约和概括。

2.“that”从句译为感叹句，用来表示一种强烈的愿望或者惊讶、愤怒等。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】Oh，that she were there!

［译文］她要是在那里该有多好!

【例2】That he should do such a thing!

［译文］他竟会干出这种事来!

【例3】That a brother should be so perfidious!

［译文］一个做兄弟的人居然如此不义!

【例4】That nobody was killed or even slightly injured in such a serious accident was incredible．

［译文］如此严重的事故竟然无一人伤亡，(这)真叫人难以置信!

［分析］“that”从句如果信息载量过重，译时应在后半句加“这”。

4.4.2　形容词性从句(定语从句)的翻译

形容词性从句在英语中非常活跃，而且在许多情况下它的语法功能不仅仅是修饰它前面的名词，而且还表达原因、转折、结果等含义，所以翻译时往往需要变通处理。首先在位置上，可以放在作为其先行词的名词之前的就放在前面，如放在名词之前造成语流不畅的则应放在后面或独立成句。其次是把它所包含的意思(如原因、转折等)传达出来。翻译定语从句具有相当大的难度，其根本原因是汉语的定语结构具有局限性，载荷能力较小，其后必须有“的”和中心词，从而限制它不能像英语从句那样随意安排，更不能像英语从句那样自身还可携带状语、定语、名词性从句以及非谓语动词结构等语法成分。和汉语的并列分句、状语从句、谓语结构、宾语结构相比较，汉语的定语从句是汉语形式上最拘谨、语气上最短促的结构。所以，在翻译英语的定语从句特别是复杂的定语从句时，最基本的出路是把它从整个句子结构中解放出来，不是译成汉语的对等结构，而是译成独立的语言单位。换言之，就是把原文的定语从句从其修饰地位分离出来，使其相对独立地叙述所要表达的信息。

翻译定语从句时，有时可以用顺译法，或把主句取消，或把主句压缩成一个主语词组，或把宾语下放到定语从句中作定语从句的主语、宾语或状语，目的是把定语从句译成一个具有叙述能力的句子或结构，以便带动原文定语从句中所包括的其他复杂结构。有时可以用倒译法，或从原句中间开始，或从原句句末开始翻译，必要时可增添连词、副词甚至实词，从而把定语从句译为一个能相对自由地叙事的结构，以便连带译出它本身所携带的其他结构，并以外位语的修饰形式，使之与主句搭配起来。

汉语的语法是弹性语法，变化余地大，所以翻译英语的定语从句特别是复杂的、冗长的定语从句时，应根据原文上下文的需要，适应原文的意旨及风格，调动更多、更好的汉语表达法，使英语从句的翻译更加灵活和妥帖。

从结构上来分，英语定语从句可以译为下列语言形式。

4.4.2.1　译成前置定语

【译例欣赏】

【例1】This is the reason why I am not in favour of revising the plan．

［译文］这就是我不赞成修改计划的原因。

【例2】When deeply absorbed in work，which he often was，he would forget all about eating and sleeping．

［译文］他常常聚精会神地工作，这时他会废寝忘食。

【例3】Every man is rich or poor according to the degree in which he can afford to enjoy the necessaries，conveniences，and amusements of human life．

［译文］一个人是富是贫，要看他能获得生活必需品、舒适品和娱乐品的程度如何。

【例4】Any corporation that has improved its business performance could easily suffer a decline if its top management makes misguided business decisions．

［译文］任何提高了业务绩效的公司，一旦其最高管理层作出了错误的业务决定，就很容易遭受业务绩效下滑的重创。

【例5】The countries and regions in which the company carried out its daily business face many complex economic and social issues—employment，education and environmental concerns．

［译文］那家公司经营日常业务所在的那些国家和地区面临着许多复杂的经济和社会问题，比如就业、教育、环保等。

【例6】“How could a great paper like the Washington Post，full of brilliant editors，get so involved in its own conceit and arrogance as to pursue a story which its own staff was saying was fabricated from the beginning?”

［译文］“像《华盛顿邮报》这样一家拥有许多出色编辑的大报，为何自以为是和高傲自大到如此地步，竟然追求一篇连自己编辑部的人员从一开始也认为是虚构的报道?”

4.4.2.2　译成并列分句

【译例欣赏】

【例1】He is a professor，as is clear from his manner．

［译文］他是个教授，这可以从他的举止上明显地看出来。

【例2】The director blamed me for everything，which I thought very unfair．

［译文］主任把一切错误都归罪于我，我认为这很不公平。

【例3】We will put off the outing until next week，when we won't be so busy．

［译文］我们把郊游推迟到下星期，到那时我们不会这么忙了。

【例4】Our war against terror is a contest of will in which perseverance is power．

［译文］我们的反恐战争是意志的较量。在这场较量中，不屈不挠的努力就是力量。

【例5】Thinking that you know when in fact you don't is a fatal mistake to which we are all prone．

［译文］自认为知道而实际上并不知道，这是一个致命的弱点，我们都容易犯这种错误。

【例6】The president gave in his resignation after the sex scandal was publicized，which was the best thing he could do under the circumstance．

［译文］总统在性丑闻公开后，提出了辞职，这在当时的情况下是最好的办法。

【例7】Nearly everyone knows the story of“the dog that worried the cat that caught the rat that ate the grain that lay in the house that Jack built”．

［译文］几乎人人都知道这个故事:“杰克盖了房，房里堆了粮，耗子把粮食吃光，猫把耗子抓伤，狗又把猫逼上房。”

【例8】Happiness is a butterfly，which，when pursued，is always just beyond your grasp，but which，if you will sit down quietly，may alight upon you．

［译文］幸福就像一只蝴蝶，你要去追逐它，它总是在你前面不远的地方让你抓不到，但是如果你悄悄坐下来，也许它会落到你的身上。

【例9】John is a clean- cut，great looking guy who likes his father and mother，who frowns on drugs，who takes his profession seriously，who likes to have a good time，who enjoys the company of the opposite sex，and who has his own goals and values.He is a boy with no surprise up in his sleeves．

［译文］约翰是一个干净利落、相貌伟岸的人。他热爱父母，厌恶毒品，工作认真，爱好生活，喜欢有女性为伴，有自己的理想和价值观。他是一个不会做出惊天动地的事情的男孩。

【例10】John Nash is a mathematical genius who was a legend by age thirty when he slipped into madness，and who—thanks to the selflessness of his wife and the loyalty of the mathematics community—emerged after decades of ghostlike existence to win a Nobel Prize and world acclaim．

［译文］约翰·纳什是一位数学天才，30岁时即成为传奇式人物，但同时也患上了精神错乱症。妻子的爱心呵护和数学界同仁无私的帮助，使他从几十年非人非鬼般的生活中崛起，并走上诺贝尔奖宝座，赢得了全世界的赞扬。

4.4.2.3　倒译法。倒译法就是把定语从句放在主句的前面，这也是译为并列句的一种方式，不过是把从句放在主句之前

【译例欣赏】

【例1】She tiptoed to the bed where the child lay asleep．

［译文］孩子睡着了，她踮着脚尖走到他床前。

【例2】You've given Feldstyn，who dislikes me anyhow，the chance he was waiting for．

［译文］费尔德斯丁反正就是不喜欢我，你给他的机会正是他求之不得的。

【例3】Yet he failed somehow，in spite of a mediocrity which ought to have insured any man a success．

［译文］按理说，他这样的庸才，正该发迹才是，可不知怎么，就是不得意。

【例4】You compare her with your English women who wolf down from three to five meat meals a day;and naturally you find her a sylph．

［译文］你们英国女人每天狼吞虎咽地吃上三餐到五餐肉食，你们拿她来比她们，当然觉得她是个窈窕仙女了。

【例5】I was all the more delighted with the occasion when，as a result of the initiative of your government it proved possible to reinstate the visit so quickly．

［译文］由于贵国的建议，才得以这样快地重新实现这次访问，这使我感到非常高兴。

把定语从句译为并列分句时，有三点应注意:

(1)定语从句译成的并列分句位置是顺着原文次序放在句首或句末的。凡所限制的先行词是主语或与主语相关联的介词宾语，一般都放在句首，在其他情况下放在句末。但本应放在句末的分句，如果太长了，或者为了从修辞角度加强语气，也常常放在句首。这种主次句地位颠倒的翻译方式，在处理复杂的定语从句时很普遍。

(2)并列分句的主、宾语常有变动。

(3)并列分句常采取意合法，不用连接词。有时也可带连词，如“就”、“便”、“却”、“可是”等。用不用连接词，取决于对译文流畅性的要求。

4.4.2.4　译成状语从句

有些定语从句除了起限定修饰作用外，有时还与主句之间在逻辑上有着明显的状语关系，说明时间、原因、条件、目的、结果或让步等。翻译时，就应根据它们在意义上所起的语法作用来进行表达。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】He likes Miss Nancy，who despises him．

［译文］尽管南希小姐讨厌他，他却很喜欢她。(译为让步状语从句)

【例2】He finally accepted the proposal that went against his own will．

［译文］尽管与自己的意愿不符，他最终还是接受了该项提案。(译为让步状语从句)

【例3】The thief，who was about to escape，was caught by the policemen．

［译文］小偷正要逃跑时，被警察抓住了。

(当从句的动作与主句的动作几乎同时发生时可以译为表示时间的状语)

【例4】Nothing is difficult in the world for anyone who dares to scale the height．

［译文］世上无难事，只要肯登攀。(译为条件状语从句)

【例5】Electrical energy that is supplied to a lamp can be turned into light energy．

［译文］当把电供给电灯时，它就会变成光能。(译为时间状语从句)

【例6】He tries to seek happiness in selfish enjoyment，where it can never be found．

［译文］他想在自私的享受中寻找幸福，那是永远不可能找到的。(译为结果状语从句)

【例7】We support the open trading system which is to the ultimate advantage of all．

［译文］我们支持开放的贸易制度，因为它最终对各方都有益。(译为原因状语从句)

【例8】Any student who tries to cheat while the examiner are watching is playing fire．

［译文］一个学生若在监考人员的监督下作弊，那是在冒险。(译为结果状语从句)

【例9】They set up a state of their own，where they would be free to keep negroes as slaves．

［译文］他们建立起自己的国家，在那里他们可以随心所欲地把黑人当作奴隶。

(译为目的状语从句)

【例10】If I have seen farther than other men，it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants．

［译文］就算我比别人看得更远一些，那也是因为我站在巨人的肩上。

(译为让步状语从句)

【例11】He wishes to write an article，which will attract public attention to the air pollution in this city．

［译文］他想写一篇文章，以此来引起公众对这座城市空气污染的关注。

(译为目的状语从句)

【例12】There was something original，independent，and heroic about the plan that pleased all of them．

［译文］这个方案有创见、有特色，而且有魄力，因而博得了他们所有人的欢心。

(译为原因状语从句)

【例13】How can anyone hope to be a qualified teacher，who doesn't know what the students are thinking and demanding?

［译文］一个教师如果不知道他的学生在想什么，需要什么，怎能指望他成为一个合格的教师呢?(译为条件状语从句)

【例14】You，who are in the prime of your life，come forth with greater contributions for the benefit of the people and the motherland．

［译文］趁你年富力强时，为祖国和人民作出更大的贡献吧。(译为时间状语从句)

4.4.2.5　译成独立的句子(包括融合式独立句与分离式独立句)

【译例欣赏】

【例1】Is it history you are reading?

［译文］你们在念历史吗?(融合式)

【例2】There is a man downstairs who wants to see you．

［译文］楼下有人要见你。(融合式)

【例3】There is nothing that does not contain contradiction．

［译文］没什么事物不包含矛盾。(融合式)

【例4】Yonder are the Misses Leery，who are looking out for the young officers of the Heavies．

［译文］那边是正在望眼欲穿地等待着重炮队里年轻军官的李瑞家的小姐们。(融合式)

【例5】My first experience of bottling a lamb came towards the end of the season，when one ewe lambed a double out in the field one afternoon．

［译文］我第一次用奶瓶喂羊羔是在产羔季节临近结束的时候。有一天下午，一只母羊在野地里下了一对羊羔。(分离式)

4.4.2.6　译成谓语结构、宾语结构等

【译例欣赏】

【例1】She knew the sequestered spots where the hens laid their eggs．

［译文］她知道母鸡在什么隐蔽的角落里下蛋。(译为宾语结构)

【例2】She had a balance at her bank's which would have made her beloved anywhere．

［译文］她在银行里的存款足够使她在各个地方都受到欢迎。(谓语结构)

【例3】...for he no sooner perceived that preference which Mrs.Blifil gave to Tom，than that poor youth began to sink in his affections...

［译文］……因为他一看见布力非太太偏向着汤姆，他就对那可怜的孩子产生了慈爱之心。(译为宾语结构)

【例4】In recent years an interesting fact has been brought to public attention:as educational levels，salaries，and the cost of living have increased，more and more people are now having fewer and fewer children to the point where schools in many cities have to close down．

［译文］最近几年一个有趣的情况引起人们的注意:随着教育水平、工资和生活消费的提高，越来越多的人不想多生孩子，已经到了许多城市的学校不得不关门的地步。(谓语结构)

【例5】Often and often in after life I have come across people doing jobs that I had never dreamed of before，and which would have thrilled me had I been told about them at school．

［译文］我毕业以后一再遇到有人从事的职业是我以前连做梦都没想到过的。如果在上学的时候就有人告诉我有这么一些职业，那将会使我激动不已的。

［分析］前一个定语从句译成了谓语结构，后一个定语从句译成了独立的句子。一般来说，如从句的主语与其主句的主语一致，就可译为谓语结构。

4.4.2.7　译成解释性或注释性分句(一般使用破折号或用括号括起来)

【译例欣赏】

【例】No oil spill ever caused suffering on a bar(in parallel)with today's civil war in Yugoslavia，which is a minor episode in human misery．

［译文］任何石油溢出造成的灾难也无法同今天的南斯拉夫内战(它不过是人类苦难中的一段小插曲)相比拟。

4.4.3　副词性从句(状语从句)的译法

英语的副词性从句(状语从句)分为10种类型:

(1)时间状语从句，由when(ever)，while，as，before，after，(un)till，since，during，once，so soon as，every time(when)，the moment(when)，instantly(when)，directly等词引起。

(2)地点状语从句，由where(ver)引起。

(3)原因状语从句，由as，because，since，for，seeing(that)，considering(that)，not that...but that，now that等词引起。

(4)目的状语从句，由that，so that，in order that，lest，for fear that，in case等词引起。

(5)结果状语从句，由that，so that，so(such)...that...等词引起。

(6)条件状语从句，由if，unless，suppose，supposing(用于问句之中)，in case，so(as)long as，so far as，on condition(that)，provided(that)等词引起。

(7)让步状语从句，由(al)though，no matter(+wh- clause)，even if，even though，however，whatever，granted that，whether等词引起。

(8)转折状语从句，由while，when，whereas等词引起。

(9)比较状语从句，由than或as等词引起。

(10)方式状语从句，由as，as if(though)，rather than，according as，the way等词引起。

由于英语的副词性从句无论在结构外形上和内涵表意上都与汉语的状语从句大致对等，所以一般说来翻译时不存在什么困难。这里只强调几个应注意的问题。

1.如果条件状语从句或让步状语从句在整个句子中的语气较弱，可以把主句译到前面，把从句译到后面，这种欧式句型经借用以后，已经成了汉语的一种组句方式，并为中国读者所接受。例如:

(1)他非坚持把活干完不可，尽管(虽然)他已连续工作了十多个小时了。

(2)明天我们一定去长城游览，如果(要是)天不下雨的话。

但是译成这样的句式要根据上下文语境，千万不可刻意为之。使用得当与否，其表达效果截然相反。

2.翻译中对于连词的使用能省略就省略，以便发挥汉语的“意合”优势。尤其是在“虽然……但是……”，“当……”，“因为……所以……”，“如此……以至于……”这样的句型中，多数情况下连词都可省略或部分省略。能把意思说清楚，则尽量不使用或不完全使用这些连词。使用的连词越少，汉语译文就越符合汉语的表达习惯。像“如此……以至于……”这样的译文句型，在许多情况下都被认为是幼稚的“学生腔”。这里我们并不是说绝对不能使用它，而是说应该尽量少用，让它只“存意”而不“留形”，用汉语与之有对等信息的自然表达句式取而代之。

【译例分析】

【例1】He must be ill，for he is absent．

［译文1］他肯定是病了，因为他没有来。

［译文2］他没有来，肯定(是)病了。

［分析］［译文1］很“忠实”于原文，照译连词的形式，但不符合汉语表达习惯。［译文2］不仅调整了语序，还省译了连词“for”，意思却更加明确。

【例2】As the desert is like a sea，so is the camel like a ship．

［译文1］正如沙漠像海，因此骆驼就像一只船。

［译文2］如果说沙漠像大海，那么骆驼就像航行在大海上的一只船。

［译文3］沙漠似海，骆驼似舟。

［分析］［译文1］中的“正如……因此”显然是硬译英语中“As...so...”的结果，因词害义，译文生硬;［译文2］将上述连接成分改成了“如果说……那么……”，使译文通顺了很多，因此亦不失为一种可取的译文;［译文3］完全省略了连接成分，文字简练，意义仍很清楚，比喻的形象相同，在书面语中可以说比［译文2］更好一些。

【例3】Most comets are so dim that they cannot be seen by the naked eye．

［译文1］大多数彗星是如此之暗，以至于不能为肉眼所见。

［译文2］大多数彗星都很暗，肉眼是看不见的。

［分析］［译文2］省略了连词，更符合汉语的表达习惯，而且意思也明确。

【例4】When we were about to get away，police car came to the front door．

［译文1］当我们正要离开的时候，一辆警车来到了前门。

［译文2］我们正准备离开，一辆警车来到前门。

［分析］［译文2］要比［译文1］通顺一些。许多初涉翻译的人在翻译“when...”从句时总离不开“当”字，破坏了汉语的自然流畅。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】I won't go when it rains．

［译文］下雨(的时候)我就不去。(或译为:(如果)下雨，我就不去。)

【例2】Everybody loves him because he is a good comrade．

［译文］(因为)他是个好同志，(所以)大家都喜欢他。

【例3】They have it but you don't so，they are very haughty．

［译文］他们有(而)你们没有，(所以)他们神气得很。

【例4】John rose gloomily as the train stopped，for he was thinking of his ailing mother．

［译文］(由于)火车停了，约翰忧郁地站了起来，(因为)他想起了病中的母亲。

例句1至例句4中凡是用括号括起来的连接词都可以省掉，省掉后反而使译文更加通俗易懂。

【例5】The liquid water is heated so that it becomes steam．

［译文］液态水受热而变成蒸汽。

【例6】The minister of education will visit our university in September，when he will make a speech at the opening ceremony．

［译文］教育部长将于九月考察我校并在开学典礼上致辞。

3.英语的状语从句译成汉语时，其在汉语中的位置可以灵活处理。也就是说，状语从句在译文中可放在主句前，可放在主句后，可以插在句子中间，有时还可以译为主句，而把原文的主句变成从句，它的位置没有定式。至于放在什么位置，也没有一定的规律可循，主要是看能不能使译文读起来比较流畅。

4.某些特殊状语从句的译法。

(1)由“that”引导的某些状语从句。

【译例分析】

【例1】The act was the bolder that he stood utterly alone．

［译文］(因为)这完全是他一个人干的，所以这一行为更堪称大胆。

［分析］“the+形容词或副词比较级+that clause”引导状语从句，表示原因。

【例2】It is not that I am unwilling to go with you，but that I'm busy now．

［译文］不是因为我不愿意跟你一起去，而是因为我现在很忙。

［分析］“not that...but(that)...”引导状语从句，表示原因。

【例3】I could understand his point of view，in that I'd been in a similar position．

［译文］我能理解他的观点，因为我自己也有过类似的处境。

［分析］“in that...”引导状语从句，表示原因。

【例4】For all that he seems so bad- tempered，I still think he has a very kind nature．

［译文］尽管他好像脾气很坏，但我仍然认为他心地善良。

［分析］“For all that”引导让步状语从句。

【例5】Ships were built，and kept thoroughly efficient，so much so that the country remained safe for very many years．

［译文］兵舰造出来了，而且发挥了充分的效能，国家从此得以多年太平无事。

［分析］“so much so that...”相当于“to that extent so that...”，一般译为“甚至”、“以至于……”、“因此”，等等。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】But that he helps，I should fail．

［译文］如果不是他帮忙的话，我就失败了。

【例2】I'll not go now，the rather that it's too late．

［译文］(因为)太迟了，(所以)我现在更不想去了。

【例3】A bad book is the worse that cannot repent．

［译文］一本坏书因为无法消除其影响，所以更加有害。

【例4】Not that I dislike the work，but I have no time for it．

［译文］不是因为我不喜欢这个工作，而是因为我现在很忙。

【例5】He is very ignorant so much so that he cannot read his own name．

［译文］他目不识丁，甚至连自己的名字都不认识。

【例6】The veins are different from the arteries in that the former bring blood back to the heart．

［译文］静脉与动脉的区别在于前者将血液导回心脏。

(2)由“before”引导的状语从句。

连词“before”词义单一，只表示“在……之前”，但是由于英汉表达习惯不同，译成汉语时却是多种多样。

【译例分析】

【例1】Study hard before it is too late．

［译文］趁早努力学习。

［分析］在由“before”从句构成的句子中，如其主句是否定的，则全句译为“刚……就……”，从而强调主、从句中的动作一前一后或几乎同时发生。

【例2】Be a pupil before you become a teacher．

［译文］先做学生，再做先生。或译为:在你做先生之前，先做学生。

［分析］“before...”可译为“……才”、“……再”等。汉语的“才”、“再”表示动作发生得较晚，同时也表达了英语“before...”从句的含义。

【例3】The boy fell down from the ladder before he knew it．

［译文］那个男孩不知怎么就从梯子上摔了下来。或译为:

那个男孩一不小心就从梯子上摔了下来。

［分析］这两种译法都可称为逆向译法，即从肯定的角度译不通时，便从否定的角度来译。反之亦然。

【例4】The day began to break before we got to the hilltop．

［译文］我们到了山顶天就开始亮了。也可译为:

我们到了山顶天才开始亮。

［分析］两种译法的强调点或渲染重心不同。如原文目的在于强调从句动作发生之前，主句的动作就已发生，可译为“未……就……”或“还没有(来得及)……就……”。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】Think well before you decide．

［译文］想好再做决定。或译为:

你决定之前，宜慎重考虑。

【例2】He will starve before he will steal．

［译文］他宁可饿死也决不偷东西。

【例3】Before he came here，he was in America．

［译文］他来此之前是在美国。

【例4】It seemed a long time before my turn came．

［译文］似乎过了好大一会儿才轮到了我。

【例5】The train had left before he got to the station．

［译文］火车开了他才到达车站。

【例6】Before I could say a single word，he ran away．

［译文］我连一句话也没来得及说他就跑了。(强调主句动词)

【例7】They had not been married a month before they quarrelled．

［译文］结婚未满月，夫妻已反目。

(3)由“though”引导的状语从句。

一般情况下“though”作主从连词引导让步状语从句，译为汉语是“虽然……”、“尽管……”等，位置可放在主句之前或之后。

【译例分析】

【例1】He was old and poor，though he was happy．

［译文］他又老又穷，但过得快活。

［分析］这句英文如译为“尽管他过得快活，但他又老又穷”，或“他又老又穷，尽管他过得很快活”，那就与原文意思差距很大，因为“though”从句置于主句之后有时表达转折的意思。这句译为转折，和原文的意思取得了一致。

【例2】Though I were starving，I would not ask a favor of him．

［译文］我纵然饿死，也不去向他求助。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】He will come back for supper，though you never know．

［译文］他要回来吃晚饭的，可是谁也说不定。

［分析］当“though”从句用于主句之后，用以引接补充说明或补充情况时，要译为“可是”、“不过”、“然而”等。

【例2】Though the task was difficult(or:Difficult though the task was)，they managed to accomplish it in time．

［译文］虽然任务艰巨，但他们还是设法及时完成。

【例3】Though he was defeated in the political campaign，he became famous for his speech against high price of housing．

［译文］虽然他竞选失败，却以反对高房价的演说而出名。

(4)由“because”引导的状语从句。

连词“because”引导的状语从句，如其主句是肯定的，翻译时十分容易;但如其主句是否定的，有时则容易产生歧义现象，到底译为哪一个意思或者只译一种意思，要根据上下文及其内含的逻辑关系而定。

【译例分析】

【例1】He cannot go to school because he is sick．

［译文］他因生病不能上学。

［分析］这句只能译为一种意思。

【例2】The mountain is not valued because it is high．

［译文1］山因为高而无价值。

［译文2］山的价值并不因为它高。

［分析］从歧义的角度来看，两种情况都有可能，但从逻辑性角度来看，［译文2］能站得住脚。

【例3】Don't be vain because you are good looking．

［译文］不要因为你长得漂亮就虚荣起来。或:虽然你长得漂亮也不要虚荣。

［分析］两句译文的表达角度不同，表达的意思一样。

【例4】You should not despise a man because he is poor．

［译文1］不要因为一个人穷就轻视他。

［译文2］一个人虽然穷，你也不应该轻视他。

［分析］这两句译文表达的角度不同，表达的意思一样。

(5)由“until”引导的状语从句。

“until(till)”引导的时间状语从句在翻译时应注意，当带有这类从句的主句为肯定句时，也就是主句谓语为持续性动词(如“wait”、“stand”、“sit”、“continue”等动词时)，译为“直到(从句动作发生)为止”、“一直到(从句动作发生)……以前都……”。主句为否定句时，也就是主语谓语为瞬时动词(如“stop”、“move”、“melt”等动词时)，译为“(从句动作发生)之前，还没(不)……”，“直到(从句动作发生)之后才”等。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】Until you told me I had no idea of it．

［译文］在你告诉我之前，我对此一无所知。

【例2】The value of health is not esteemed until it is lost．

［译文］人要到失去了健康，才知道健康的可贵。

【例3】He had never been able to relax until he took up fishing．

［译文］直到钓上鱼来为止，他从未松懈过。

【例4】It was not until yesterday that I got the news．

［译文］直到昨天我才听到那个消息。

［分析］就翻译实践来看，把“not...until...”的结构译为“直到……才……”的情况比较多。原则是要在上下文中读起来通畅。

5.翻译状语从句时有较大的灵活性。有些状语从句，在不违背原文意思的前提下，也可以译成其他成分乃至独立的句子。

【译例分析】

【例1】She will never accept any dictates，no matter where they come from．

［译文］她绝不会接受无论来自哪一方面的任何霸道行径。

［分析］“no matter where...”引导的状语从句被译成了定语，修饰“dictates”。

【例2】A writer needs to be a Walt Whitman if his faults of technique are to be rated unimportant beside the vigor of his personality．

［译文］一个作家必须有沃尔特·惠特曼那样的天才，才能以其磅礴的气魄，使人感到他在技巧方面的缺陷是无关紧要的。

［分析］“if...”从句没有译成条件状语从句，而译成了表示推论的主句。

【例3】Although you undoubtedly know it，the Chinese，principally workers，have played a very considerable role in the history of the Western part of the United States．

［译文］中国人，主要是中国工人，在美国西部地区的发展史中曾经发挥过很大的作用。关于这一点，有必要再重温一下您所熟知的事实。

［分析］“although”引起的状语从句被引申译为一个独立的句子。

【译例欣赏】

【例1】If your father wronged you，you shouldn't hate him．

［译文］即便是你父亲错怪了你，你也不应该恨他．

【例2】When someone violates the rule，please let me know．

［译文］如果有人违反了规定，请告诉我。

【译文改进】

1.You are posted in what had preceded all this，but I was not．

［原译］你现在是知道了这以前的事情的，可是我当时并不知道。

2.I haunted all the meetings in London where debates followed lectures．

［原译］我参加所有在伦敦的集会，在那里，讲演以后接着就是辩论。

3.A cat，whose eyes can take in more rays of light than our eyes，can see things clearly in the night．

［原译］一只猫，它的眼睛能比我们的眼睛吸收更多的光线，在夜间能把东西看得很清楚。

4.If you would know the value of money，go and try to borrow some;for he that goes a borrowing goes a suffering．

［原译］要想知道钱的价值，就得体会一下借钱的滋味。因为那个去借钱的人会吃苦头。

5.Men spoke highly of Khakassia's soil，which was rich，and slightingly of its climate，which was unsettled and dry．

［原译］人们都推崇哈卡斯土壤好，它肥沃;不恭维它的气候，因为变化多端而干燥。

6.As to the precise value of this initial fund of knowledge，this depends to a great degree on how it has been acquired and on who has been imparting it．

［原译］至于这种最初积累起来的知识有什么确切的价值，这在很大程度上取决于它是怎么获得的和什么人一直在传授。

7.The danger of a recession in world trade that could hit all countries cannot be ignored，but it would bear most heavily on the weakest partners in the world economy．

［原译］损害所有国家的世界贸易衰退的危险是不能忽视的，但受害最深的是在世界经济中最弱的那些伙伴。

8.If you learn to read the signs，you can tell whether what a person says is what he really means，or whether，like the man whose stomach does not move when he laughs，he is trying to deceive you．

［原译］如果你学会理解这些姿势，你就分辨出一个人说的是否是他真正的意思，或者他是否像那种大笑时肚子却不动的人在试图蒙蔽你。

9.The “actions”of the conscious mind，like choosing，whose existence as genuine operations many would deny，still give scientists nightmares，philosophers headaches，and theologians eternal joy．

［原译］人的意识“活动”，比如许多人可能都会否认的具有真正功能的选择，仍然使科学家感到困惑，使哲学家感到头疼，使神学家感到无限的喜悦。

10.They saw many honest faces go by that were not intelligent enough;many that were intelligent，but not honest enough;many that were both，but the possessors were not poor enough，or if poor enough，were not strangers．

［原译］他们看见许多诚实的不聪明的面孔经过;还看见许多聪明但又不够诚实的面孔;许多面孔既聪明又诚实，但面孔的主人不够穷，或者很穷，但不是外方人。

【译技提高】

(一)参照提示翻译下列各句。

1.He who knows he knows little knows much．

［提示］“He who...”中的定语从句译时一般应和“he”粘连在一起，不译为“凡是……的人”，也可译为动词词组，不带人称主语。

2.We must not pretend to know something when we do not know at all．

［提示］“when...”从句的译法很灵活，不一定要译作“当……的时候”。

3.Time is of no account with great thoughts，which are as fresh today as when they first passed though their author's minds ages ago．

［提示］“which...”分开来译;“when...”可译为“……时”，不宜再加上“当”字。

4.“It benefits both Iraq and the Gulf monarchies，for all of which the U.S.menace is a major source of anxiety，”an Arab League diplomat said privately．

［提示］“all of which”是前面“Iraq and the Gulf monarchies”的替代词，可重复译出。

5.The two sides were edging toward an improvement of relation that in time could be capped by a high level American visit to Moscow，perhaps even a presidential visit．

［提示］这里的“that”定语从句可译为目标状语，也可译成独立的句子。

6.Until such time as mankind has the sense to lower its population to the point where the planet can provide a comfortable support for all，people will have to accept more“unnatural food”．

［提示］“Until...”在此句中不宜译为“直到……的时候”，应该灵活地变通处理。“where”引导的定语从句可译为条件状语。

7.She has played a role in fighting for the cancellation of African government's foreign debts and campaigned against land grabbing，in which members of Africa's elite claim public land as their own．

［提示］“in which...”定语从句在此句中内含原因，应译出来。

8.Efforts to bring industrial development to what was a backward agricultural area caused a population boom and a shortage of housing，which local builders tried to meet with cheap，jerry built homes，or by adding extra floors to existing houses．

［提示］这里的“what...”从句可译为陈述句，如“原本落后的这个农业区域”;“which...”定语从句根据上下文的信息关系可译为“因此/所以……”。

9.David Hume argued that morals are founded on a basic sympathy for our fellow creatures，by which we can appreciate that they too have plans，projects and experiences of the world，ones that may not involve having to listen to the fascinating details of where we are now.Confucius say，“What you do not want done to yourself，do not to others.”

［提示］“by which...”可译为“由此，我们……”;“ones that...”可译为“他们不一定……”

(二)翻译以下篇章。

It is perfectly possible to organize the life of our colleges in such a way that students and teachers alike will take part in it;in such a way that a perfectly natural daily intercourse will be established between them;and it is only by such an organization that they can be given real vitality as places of serious training，be made communities in which youngsters will come fully to realize how interesting intellectual work is，how vital，how important，how closely associated with all modern achievement—only by such an organization that study can be made to seem part of life itself.Lectures often seem very formal and empty things;recitations generally prove very dull and unrewarding.It is in conversation and natural intercourse with scholars chiefly that you find how lively knowledge is，how it ties into everything that is interesting and important，how intimate a part it is of everything that is interesting and important，how intimate a part it is of everything that is“practical”and connected with the world.Men are not always made thoughtful by books;but they are generally made thoughtful by association with men who think．