从句的译法

第二节　从句的译法

从句也称为复合句，在英语中主要包括名词性从句、定语从句和状语从句。这三中从句的语法功能分别相当于名词、形容词和副词，但由于其本身又是句子，造成了句法结构的复杂化，同时也增加了翻译的信息量和难度。在进行这类句子的翻译时，首先要对其语法结构进行准确分析，弄清各成分之间的语法、逻辑关系，尤其要分辨出主句以及主句中的主干成分如主语、谓语、宾语，并判断从句性质，然后按照汉语习惯恰当地将原文意表达出来。常见的翻译方法有调整原文语序和原文长度，如一味地忠实原文，那么译文轻则出现“翻译腔”，生硬难解;重则文理不通，结构混乱，表达错误。当然，译者不应为翻译而翻译;一切翻译都应把准确达意放在首位，能简则简，能直译就直译;其次，灵活多变地运用各种翻译技巧，帮助再现原文的内容和风貌。下面主要介绍英语中三大从句的翻译技巧:

一、名词性从句的译法

名词性从句是指从句在一个复合句中起名词作用的句子，名词在句子中所充当的成分主要是主语、表语、宾语和同位语，因此名词性从句则主要包括主语从句、表语从句、宾语从句、同位语从句。在翻译时，大多数语序可以不变，即可按原文的顺序译成相应的汉语。但有时也需要一些其他处理方法。其主要方法有顺译法、换序法、分译法、合译法、转换法和穿插法。

(一)顺译法

以what，who，whether，that，where，why，how，when等引导的主语从句，表语从句、宾语从句和部分同位语从句可以采用此种方法，即译文基本上与原文同序。

1．When the plan is to take off hasn’t been announced．

什么时候开始这个计划还没有宣布。(主语从句)

2．It is hoped that you would seriously take this matter into consideration and let us have your reply soon．

希望你方能认真考虑这件事，并尽快答复我们。(主语从句)

3．I give you my word that the payment will be made not later than the end of July．

我保证货款不会迟于7月底支付。(同位语从句)

4．You may already get to know that our products have met with a favorable reception in many overseas markets，owing to their high quality and reasonable prices．

您可能已经了解到我们的产品由于其高品质和合理的价格，在海外市场非常畅销。(宾语从句)

5．It is reported that China’s foreign trade proceed smoothly with obvious increase in export in the first two months of this year．

据报道，今年头两个月，中国外贸发展顺利，出口明显增长。(主语从句)

6．Scientists have long predicted that computers one day will help speed up the arduous task of translating texts．科学家早有预言总有一天计算机会帮助我们加快艰巨的文字翻译工作。(宾语从句)

7．We very much regret to state that our end users here find your price too high and out of line with the prevailing market level．

我方很遗憾地告知贵方，我方最终客户认为你方报价太高，偏离了现行市场水平。(宾语从句)

8．“Sustainable development”is a question that we can continue developing the world without damaging the environment．

可持续发展就是，在不破坏环境的情况下我们能继续发展。(同位语从句)

9．The idea that you can do this job well without thinking is quite wrong．

你认为不动脑筋就能做好这件工作的想法是完全错误的。(同位语从句)

10．We used to believe that some groups of people———because of circumstances———couldn’t help what they did．Now I think everyone must take responsibility for what they do．There is no excuse for them．

我过去一向认为，有些人为生活所迫，不得已而干出那样的事。现在我觉得每个人都必须对自己的所作所为负责，不能有任何借口。(宾语从句)

11．英语和法语有许多不同之处，其中有一点就是，法语可以做到既合乎语法又完全自然，而英语就不一定能做到。

One of the differences between French and English is that in French you can be grammatical with complete naturalness，but in English not invariably．(表语从句)

12．理论必须密切联系实际是我们应当永远记住的一条原则。

That theory must go hand in hand with practice is a principle we should always keep in mind．(主语从句)

(二)换序法

换序法的采用主要是由于中西方人思维方式的差异造成的英汉两种语言句式结构方面的差异，在翻译此类句子时，只要相应的调整主句与从句的语序即可。例如:

1．It is a matter of common experience that bodies are lighter in water than

they are in air．(同位语从句)

物体在水中比在空气中轻，这是一种大家共有的经验。

2．It is no longer a question whether man can fly to the moon．(同位语从句)

人类能否飞上月球，现在已不再是什么问题了。

3．It does not alter the fact that he is the man responsible for the delay．(同位语从句)

延迟应由他负责，这个事实是改变不了的。

4．It is not clear which procedure is most effective．(主语从句)

哪种方法最有效还不清楚。

5．It is common sense that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west．(同位语从句)

太阳从东方升起从西方落下，这是普通常识。

6．I regard it as an honor that I am chosen to attend the meeting．(宾语从句)

我被选参加会议，感到光荣。

7．That is why practice is the criterion of truth and why the standard of practice should be first and fundamental in the theory of knowledge．(表语从句)

所谓实践是真理的标准，所谓实践的标准，应该是认识论的首先的和基本的观点，理由就在这个地方。

8．Experts are debating whether we should burden young children with mental computation，or encourage the use of calculators to relieve children of hard work and free their minds to understand math concepts．(宾语从句)

我们应该用心算来增加孩子们的负担，还是应该鼓励他们使用计算器来减轻其繁重的学习任务，使他们不再费神去理解(抽象的)数学概念，专家们对此尚未达成一致。

9．We consider it absolutely necessary that we should open our door to the outside world．(宾语从句)

打开国门，实行开放，我们以为这是绝对必要的。

10．I doesn’t make much difference to me whether you quit the job or not．(主语从句)

你辞职与否，我不在乎。

11．他能否来还很难说。

It is doubtful whether she will be able to come．(主语从句)

12．事情这样安排并不是我们的本意。

We didn’t intend that things should be arranged like that．(宾语从句)

13．但我知道不能轻信他。他是政治骗子这种可能性总是存在的。

But I knew I couldn’t trust him．There was always the possibility that he was a political swindler．(同位语从句)

(三)分译法

所谓分译就是将一个句子分译成两个或两个以上的句子。分译法的采用，是因为英语中的一些词的词义搭配能力很强，或者在句中的位置灵活多变。再者，英文的词和句各部分要用连词连接，如果照英文结构翻译，一来易使词义不清，二来使译文句子显得滞重，带有明显的翻译腔，因此宜把它切断，译成两个或两个以上的句子。例如:

1．It is recommended that the project will not be started until all the preparations have been made．(主语从句)

有人建议，做好了所有的准备工作再开始这个计划。

2．Your presumption that I would want to share a computer with you is false．(同位语从句)

你认为我会和你同用一台电脑，那就错了。

3．What can easily be seen in his poems are his imagery and originality，power and range．(主语从句)

他的诗富有想象，独具一格，而且气势磅礴，题材广泛，这是显而易见的。

4．Nowadays consumers become more and more practical and buy only what they need．(宾语从句)

现在消费者越来越实际，他们只去购买他们需要的东西。

5．He manages“the development of presidential diplomacy，”it wrote，“while creating the illusion that he is a fulltime permanent floating cocktail party guest of honor．”(宾语从句)

它(纽约时报)写道:“他明里装得好像成天只知泡在鸡尾酒会上的贵宾中，暗里却在开展总统外交。”

6．At the end of last century，an important discovery was made that everything was built partly of electrons．(同位语从句)

上世纪末有一个重要的发现，即一切东西都有一部分是由电子构成的。

7．Whether the Government should increase the financing of pure science at the expense of technology or vice versa often depends on the issue of which is seen as the driving force．(主语从句)

政府究竟是以减少对技术的经费投入来增加对纯理论科学的经费投入还是相反，这往往取决于把哪一方看做是驱动的力量。

8．It is scarcely surprising，then，that education systems have for several decades past been severely criticized，partly on the ground that education prepares people to live in an already outdated society．(宾语从句)

那么教育体制在过去几十年中受到严厉的批评，就不那么令人感到惊讶了，批评者的部分根据是，这种教育培养人们在一种已过时的社会中生存。

9．Former Vice President Gore’s announcement that he will not run for the White House in2004 transforms the Democratic nomination contest from a referendum on the last nominee into a wide-open fight for the right to challenge President George W．Bush．(宾语从句)

前副总统戈尔宣布他不参加2004年的白宫竞选之后，民主党的提名竞选从对最终提名者的民意调查转向了一场大争斗，各方人士纷纷争夺挑战布什总统的竞选权。

10．Our practice proves that what is perceived cannot at once be comprehended and that only what is comprehended can be more deeply perceived．(宾语从句)

我们的实践证明:感觉到了东西，我们不能立刻理解它，只有理解了的东西才能更深刻地感觉它。

11．据报道，这个会议将在12月举行。

It is reported that the conference will be held in December．(主语从句)

12．这是我的错，我让他去做这笔生意的。

It was my fault that I had him deal with the business．(主语从句)

13．延迟应由他负责，这个事实是改变不了的。

It doesn’t alter the fact that he is the man responsible for the delay．(同位语从句)

(四)合译法

合译法与分译法相对应，是将从句和主句组合在一起，形成简单句的形式，使其更符合汉语的表达方法。

1．That is why heat can melt ice，vaporize water and cause bodies to expand．(表语从句)

这就是为什么热能使冰融化，使水蒸发，使物体膨胀的原因。

2．That’s why the company needs to continuously change and launch new products．(表语从句)

这就是该公司需要不断的改变并且开始生产新产品的原因。

3．They had a strong desire that they would have a new house to live in soon．(同位语从句)

他们热切希望能尽快住上新房。

4．His trouble seems endless．That’s why he never feels happy in life．(表语从句)

他的烦恼好像没完没了，所以从来没有感受到快活。

5．It seems that a lot of people here enjoy our new product．(表语从句)

看来这里许多人喜欢我们的产品。

6．What happened on September 11，2001 will be forever etched in our memory．(主语从句)

2001年的9．11事件将会永远铭刻在我们的脑海里。

7．It doesn’t make much difference whether he attends the meeting or not．(主语从句)

他参加不参加会议没有多大关系。

8．We regret that the business has fallen through．(宾语从句)

很遗憾生意没做成。

9．Then came the news that the sports meet will be put off until next Monday．(同位语从句)

接着传来消息说运动会推迟到下周一召开。

10．What he told me was only half-truth．(主语从句)

他告诉我的只是些半真半假的东西而已。

11．她从不满足于已取得的成就。

She was never satisfied with what she had achieved．(宾语从句)

12．我们有必要去公司与经理谈谈。

It is necessary that we should go to the company to talk with the manager．(主语从句)

13．这就是他渴望做的。

This is what he is eager to do．(表语从句)

(五)转换法

为了使表达更符合汉语的表达方式，有时需要在翻译的过程中将某些结构进行必要的转换。例如:

1．When imaginative scientists first suggested the possibility that one person could speak directly to another over a long distance，few people took them seriously．(同位语从句)

当富有想象力的科学家最初提出某人可能与相隔遥远的另一个人直接通话时，极少有人认真对待他们。

2．I regard it as an honor that I am chosen to attend the meeting．(宾语从句)

我被选参加会议，感到光荣。

3．The house is what he needs．(表语从句)

他最需要的东西正是这房子。

4．There is a possibility that he is a spy．(同位语从句)

他是一名间谍的可能性是有的。

5．The most important part of any therapy is not what you understand or what you talk about，but what you do．(表语从句)

任何一种疗法的关键不在于你领悟到什么或谈论了什么，而在于你做了什么。

6．Have you any idea where he has gone?(同位语从句)

你知道他到哪儿去了吗?

7．We all thought it a pity that the conference should have been cancelled．(宾语从句)

会议取消了，我们都感到遗憾。

8．My concern is how we can explore the new market in the north of China．(表语从句)

如何在中国北方开发新的市场是我关心的问题。

9．I am arguing that books，too，must be absorbed in your bloodstream to do you any good．(宾语从句)

我的论点是，书的营养也只有在被吸收进你的血液中时，才能对你有所裨益。

10．We have the pleasure of introducing ourselves to you with the hope that we have an opportunity of cooperating with you in your business extensions．(同位语从句)

我们很高兴自我介绍，希望有机会在您的业务拓展中与您合作。

11．她去参加会议，心里认为人们是不会向她提出许多问题的。

She went to the meeting on the supposition that people would not assail her with questions．(同位语从句)

12．还没有明确宣布新路什么时候通车。

It has not been made clear when the new road is to be opened to traffic．(宾语从句)

13．我们急需的是原料。

Raw material is what we are badly in need of．(表语从句)

(六)穿插法

此法是指在翻译过程中将主句和从句结合起来进行翻译达到理解的目的。

1．It happened that I wasn’t there that day．(主语从句)

我那天恰好不在那里。

2．It is impossible that any other suppliers can underquote us if their goods are as good as ours in quality．(主语从句)

在同等质量的情况下，任何其他供应商的报价不可能比我们更低。

3．I take it for granted that you have read this book．(宾语从句)

我认为你一定读过这本书。

4．It’s likely that she’ll ring me tonight．(主语从句)

她很可能晚上给我打电话。

5．That is why he didn’t come to the meeting．(表语从句)

那就是他为什么不到会的原因。

6．It remains unknown when they are going to get married．(主语从句)

他们何时结婚依然不明。

7．The thought came to him that Mary had probably fallen ill．(同位语从句)

他想到可能玛丽生病了。

8．These children like to hear the story that a kind mother wolf has taken care of a human baby for several years．(同位语从句)

这些孩子喜欢听一只善良的母狼照顾一个小孩好几年的故事。

9．She will give whoever needs help a warm support．(宾语从句)

凡需要帮助的人，她都会给予热情的支持。

10．I am sure that，without modern weapons，I would make a very poor show of disputing the ownership of a cave with a bear，and in this I do not think that I stand alone．(宾语从句)

我敢肯定，要是没有现代武器和一头熊争夺一个山洞的所有权，我会窘态毕现，而且我相信，在这方面决非我一个人如此。

11．她好像要用分期付款的方式购买汽车。

It seems that she is going to buy a car on installment．(主语从句)

12．我想他们保准不会来了。

I took it for granted that they were not coming．(宾语从句)

13．他们就是因为这个原因才决定把儿子送到英国去的。

This is why they decided to send their son to England．(表语从句)

二、定语从句的译法

定语从句，也称之为形容词性从句，因为形容词在句子中的主要作用是作为定语来修饰和限定名词，而定语从句是作为一个句子来起着同样的功能。定语从句就其与先行词的关系分为限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句。两类从句的翻译方式基本类似，主要的方法包括合译法、分译法和转换法。

(一)合译法

合译法就是将复合句的形式转化为简单句的形式，可以将英语中原来的定语从句翻译成定语、谓语或兼语的形式。

1．Is it history you are reading?

你在读历史吗?

2．Fortunately there are some US congressmen who are supportive of extending MFN treatment to China．

幸好有些美国国会议员支持延长对话最惠国待遇。

3．For example，one function of friendship seems to fulfill is that it supports the image we have of ourselves，and confirm the value of the attitude we hold．

例如，友谊的一个作用似乎是支持我们在我们自己心目中的形象，并使我们持有的价值更加坚定。

4．There is a man downstairs who wants to see you．

楼下有人要见你。

5．She was awarded a gold medal，which the whole family considered a great honor．

她被授予一枚金质奖章，全家人都认为这是极大的光荣。

6．A person who is a Jack of all trades has many skills．

一个被称为“万金油”的人是指一个掌握了许多技能的人。

7．A youngster who has no playmates of his age living nearby may benefit greatly from attending nursery school．

附近没有同龄伙伴和自己玩的儿童上托儿所可以得到很多的益处。

8．When deeply absorbed in work，which he often was，he would forget all about eating and sleeping．

他常常会聚精会神地工作，这时他会废寝忘食。

9．At a large terminal railway station，the work of the station master is largely administrative because of the extent of the operations and the staff of which he is in command．

在大的铁路终点站，站长的工作主要是行政管理性的，这是由于车站运营范围广、工作人员多。

10．Yonder are the Misses Leery，who are looking out for the young officers of the Heavies．

那边是李瑞家的小姐们正在望眼欲穿地等待着重炮队里的年轻军官。

11．院长在报告中强调的几点的确很重要。

The few points which the presidents stressed in his report are very important indeed．

12．这个班的许多学生来自大城市。

There are many students in this class who come from big cities．

13．我需要一个人来指导我学英语。

I need someone who can instruct me in my English study．

14．演戏这件事很受文艺复兴时期教育理论的推崇。

The action of plays was something to which the educational theory of the renaissance attached high importance．

15．声音传播的速度取决于传播媒介的温度。

The speed of sound depends on the temperature of the substance through which it is passing．

(二)分译法

如果限制性定语从句结构较为复杂。译成前置的定语短语显得太长而不符合汉语表达习惯时，从句一般与主句分译，往往可以译成后置的并列分句，也可以依据上下文译成前置的并列分句。在翻译此类句子时，句中的关系词可以根据具体情况译出或不译出。

1．Some people assume Ames is a stooge for the chemical industry，which he is not．

有些人想当然地认为爱慕兹是化学工业的代言人，他却不是。

2．The man，who，in old age，can see his life in this way，will not suffer from the fear of death．

如果一个人到了老年能够这样看待自己的一生，他就不会怕死了。

3．Perhaps light is some sort of elective wave，whose nature we do not yet understand．

也许，光是某种电波，其性质我们尚不清楚。

4．He bought an AUTO by installment，which fulfilled his dream of having a car for years．

他用分期付款的方式买了一辆奥托车(AUTO)，圆了他多年的汽车梦。

5．A lot of international transactions are paid for by means of the draft that is an unconditional order to a bank or a customer．

许多国际贸易是通过汇票支付的，汇票是对银行或顾客的支付命令。

6．ABC Company is one of the largest software companies in China，which develops computer software．Its headquarters is situated in Dalian，the North of China．

ABC公司是中国最大的软件公司之一，主要从事计算机软件开发业务，总部设在地处中国北方的大连市。

7．To kill weed which may sprawl rampantly among crops in the first several years，effective weed-killer is needed to play the same role as plowing fields does to eliminate weed．

在最初的几年里，杂草可能在农作物之间繁茂地蔓生，为了消灭这些杂草，需要有效的除草剂，发挥与耕地同样的消灭杂草的作用。

8．The importer can sell the goods to a new buyer while they are being carried by means of negotiable shipping documents which are very convenient for use．

进口商可以通过可转让支票在交易所将货物在运输途中卖给新的买方，这类可转让单据用起来非常方便。

9．They are striving for the ideal which is close to the heart of every Chinese and for which，in the past，many Chinese have laid down their lives．

他们正在为实现一个理想而努力，这个理想是每个中国人所珍爱的，在过去，许多中国人曾为了这个理想而牺牲了自己的生命。

10．Although he got generally good grades and was outstanding in mathematics，Einstein hated the academic high school he was sent to in Munich，where success depended on memorization and obedience to arbitrary authority．

虽然爱因斯坦门门功课都很优异，数学尤为突出，但他很讨厌上这所慕尼黑的中学，在这所学校里成功取决于死记硬背和对专制权威的服从。

11．这些苹果树是我三年前栽的，还没有结过果实。

I planted these apples three years ago，which have not born any fruit．

12．他看见前面那个憔悴的白发老人，眼睛里愤怒地闪着红光。

He saw in front that haggard white-haired old man，whose eyes flashed red with fury．

13．这张条子是王先生留的，他刚才来过。

The note was left by Mrs．Wang，who was here a moment ago．

14．就在这期间，爱因斯坦开始一项研究。经过这项研究，他创立了著名的相对论。

This was this period when Einstein began the research which resulted his famous Theory of Relativity．

15．他的科学培养来自于一位叔叔来访期间，他是一名科学家。

His scientific training came during the visit of an uncle who was a scientist．

(三)转换法

定语从句在语义上有时起状语分句的作用，表示原因、目的、结果、条件、让步等意义，翻译时可以根据他们在意义上所起的语法作用来进行表达。

1．The thief，who was about to escape，was caught by the policeman．

小偷正要逃跑时，被警察抓住了。

2．Einstein，who worked out the famous Theory of Relativity，won the Nobel Prize．

爱因斯坦由于提出著名的相对论，于1921年获得了诺贝尔奖。

3．Chinese trade delegation has been sent to African countries who will negotiate trade agreement with respective government．

中国向非洲各国派出了贸易代表团，以便与非洲各国政府商谈贸易协定。

4．We did not place an order with that company whose offer was not what we had expected．

我们没有与那家公司签订购买订单，因为他们的报价超出我们的预料。

5．Rockets perform best in space，where there is no atmosphere to impede their motion．

火箭在太空中运行最佳，因为在那儿不存在阻碍他们运动的大气。

6．The fact that these early entrepreneur built great industries out of very little made them seem to millions of Americans like the heroes of the early frontier days who went into the vast wilderness of the United States and turned the forest into farms，villages，and small cities．

这些早期的企业家几乎白手起家建立了宏大的产业，在千百万美国人看来，他们恰如早期拓荒时代的英雄，走进美国一望无际的荒野，将森林变成了农场、村庄和小城镇。

7．This trend began during the Second World War，when several governments came to the conclusion that the specific demands that a government wants to make of its scientific establishment cannot generally be foreseen in detail．

这种趋势始于第二次世界大战期间，当时一些国家的政府得出结论:政府要向科研机构提出的具体要求通常是无法详尽预见的。

8．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．

行为主义者指出，如果一个孩子在有许多刺激物的环境中长大，那么这个儿童将会有更高的智力发展。

9．That man became desired for work，any work，which would help him to keep his family alive．

他极其迫切地要求工作，任何工作，只要它能维持一家人生活就行。

10．This happens when a fact is discovered which seems to contradict what the“law”would lead one to expect．

每当发现一个事实使人感到与该定律应得出的预期结论相矛盾的时候，就发生这种情况。

11．他坚持要再造一座房子，尽管他并无此需要。

He insisted on building another house，which he had no use for．

12．大使只宴请了几个人，因为他特地想和这些人谈谈，听听他们的意见。

The ambassador was giving a dinner for a few people whom he wished especially to talk to or to hear from．

13．李博士1995年回来看望父母时，我曾在大街上遇到他。

I once met with Dr．Li in the street，who came back to see his parents in 1995．

14．敌人决定派遣一个使者，前来求和。

The enemy decided to send a envoy，who was to sue for peace．

15．尽管计算机有许多优点，但是不能做创造性的工作来取代人类。

Computers，which have many advantages，cannot do creative work and replace man．

三、状语从句的译法

状语从句，也称为副词性从句。副词通常在句子中充当状语来表示时间、地点、原因、目的、结果、条件、让步、比较、方式等。由此可知状语从句通常来说是复合句中用来表达时间、地点、原因、目的、结果、条件、让步、比较、方式等句子。由于这类从句在结构外形和内涵表上与汉语有较多相似之处，因此在翻译中的困难较其他从句少，但也要根据实际情况采用不同的方法来翻译。翻译这一类句子主要的方法有顺译法、换序法、分译法、合译法和转译法。

(一)顺译法

如果英语中的句子结构的顺序与汉语一致，就可以采用此法进行翻译。例如:

1．Although the current market price is a little bit higher，we accept the order in the same terms as before with a view to encouraging business．(让步状语从句)

虽然现在市场价格有点高，我们以和从前相同的条款接受这笔订单是为了鼓励以后的业务。

2．Unless otherwise stipulated in the credit，the expression“Shipment”used in stipulating an earliest and/or a latest shipment date will be understood to include the expressions“loading on board”，“dispatch”and“taking in charge”．(条件状语从句)

除信用证另有规定外，用于规定最早及/或最迟装运期的“装运”一词应理解为包括“装船”、“发运”和“接受监管”。

3．If the credit is not confirmed by another bank，it is an unconfirmed letter of credit．(条件状语从句)

如果信用证未经另外一家银行保兑，它便是不保兑信用证。

4．When a company seeks to explore its market，it often resorts to the help of agents，who will be employed to represent the company and sell its products in an area too distant to be effectively covered by the company itself．(时间状语从句)

某家公司想开发市场时，通常会寻求代理商的帮助，公司会雇其作为代理人迅速在某个区域内销售自己的产品。

5．Although television was developed for broadcasting，many important uses have been found that have nothing to do with it．(让步状语从句)

虽然电视是为了广播而发明的，但是电视还有许多与电视无关的重要用途。

6．Therefore，although technical advances in food production and processing will perhaps be needed to ensure food availability，meeting food needs will depend much more on equalizing economic power among the various segments of populations within the developing countries themselves．(让步状语从句)

因此，尽管也许需要粮食生产和加工方面的技术进步来确保粮食的来源，满足粮食需求更多地取决于使发展中国家内部的人口各阶层具有同等的经济实力。

7．We are able to work as your sole agent because we have local knowledge and wide connections．(原因状语从句)

我方可以做你们的独家代理，因为我方对当地市场很了解并有广泛的销售网络。

8．If the quality of the first lot turns out to the satisfaction，we will place a repeat order with you in large quantities．(条件状语从句)

如果你方第一批货物的质量能令我们的客户满意，我们将向你大量续订。

9．As the electronic cash is downloaded，the customers’bank accounts are debited，just as they would be after an ATM withdrawal．(时间状语从句)

在电子现金下载后，客户的银行存款就记入账户的借方，就像在自动取款机取款后那样。

10．We’ll accept your order and inquire for the shipping space now so that shipment can be effected within 2 or 3 weeks．(结果状语从句)

我们接受你方订单，现在就去联系预定舱位，这样两三个星期之内就能交货。

11．卖方收到新顾客的第一份订单后，必须写封信去确认订单。

When a seller receives the“first”order from a new customer，he must write a letter to acknowledge the order．(时间状语从句)

12．这封信我们航空寄去以便他们能及时收到。

We sent the letter by air mail in order that it might reach them in good time．(目的状语从句)

13．武汉位于长江和汉水汇合处。

Wuhan lies where the Yangtze and the Han River meet．(地点状语从句)

14．你必须接受事物的现状。

You have to take things as they are．(方式状语从句)

15．与其干不好，不如不干。

Better do nothing than do a poor job．(比较状语从句)

(二)换序法

换序法主要适用于当英语句子结构的顺序与汉语的表达习惯不一致的时候，就要在翻译过程中对语序进行适当的调整，以符合汉语的表达方式。

1．How can I keep from crying when I have learned the sad news?(时间状语从句)

得知了这个伤心的消息，我怎能不哭?

2．Everyone loves him because he is a good comrade．(原因状语从句)

他是个好同志，大家都喜欢他。

3．Mutual trust is hard to build because the exporter and the importer face political and commercial risks．(原因状语从句)

出口商和进口商都面临着政治风险和商业风险，彼此建立信任很难。

4．It also plays an important role in making the earth more habitable，as warm ocean current bring milder temperatures to the place that would otherwise be quite cold．(原因状语从句)

由于温暖的洋流能把暖湿的气候带给本来十分寒冷的地区并使之变暖，因此，洋流在使我们这个地球更适合人类居住方面的也扮演着一个重要角色。

5．Modern means of communication are so rapid that a buyer can discover what price a seller is asking，and can accept it if he wishes，although he may be thousands of miles away．(结果状语从句)

现代化的通讯手段非常迅速，一个买主虽然远在几千英里之外，却能知道卖主的要价，并且如果他愿意的话，就可以接受这个价格。

6．We shall book a trial order with you，provided you will give us a 5%commission．(条件状语从句)

如果你方能给我们5%的佣金，我们将向你方试订购。

7．For example，a film can slow down the formation of crystals so that students can study the process．(目的状语从句)

例如，为了能让学生研究这一过程，电影可以放慢演示晶体的形成过程。

8．I suspect more than a few men have encountered the same dilemma，although different circumstances．Trying to make up an address on the spot，the mind suddenly blanks．(让步状语从句)

我估计，尽管场合各有不同，我们中间不止有一两个人曾经遇到过这样的窘境:想要临时编造一个假地址，可是脑子却突然不管用了。

9．By many such experiments Galileo showed that，apart from differences caused by air resistance，all bodies fall to the ground at the same speed，whatever their weight is．(让步状语从句)

伽利略经过多次这类试验证明，一切物体，不论其重量如何，除了空气阻力引起的差别外，都是以同样的速度落向地面的。

10．A party may suspend the performance of his obligation if，after the conclusion of the contract，it becomes apparent that the other party will not perform a substantial part of his obligations as a result of:(a)a serious deficiency in his ability to perform or in his creditworthiness;or(b)his conduct in preparing to perform or in performing the contract．(条件状语从句)

如果订立合同后另一方当事人由于下列原因显然将不履行其大部分重要义务，一方当事人可以中止履行义务:(a)他履行义务的能力或他的信用有严重缺陷;(b)他在准备履行合同或正在履行合同中的违约行为。

11．他推测，如果能制造一个很大的气球，也许能够中途不停地飞到欧洲。

If a balloon could be made large enough，he speculated，then maybe a nonstop flight could be made to Europe．(条件状语从句)

12．一安排好我就通知你。

I’ll let you know as soon as it is arranged．(时间状语从句)

13．这位有25年教龄的老教师说，由于他未能发表足够数量的科研论文，去年没有给他提职、提薪。

The 25-year teaching veteran says he was denied a promotion and pay raise last year because he hadn’t published a sufficient number of research papers．(原因状语从句)

14．我现在就做，以免忘了。

I will do it before I forget it．(时间状语从句)

15．除非另有规定，仲裁不得影响合同双方继续履行合同所规定的义务。

Notwithstanding any reference to arbitration，both Parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under the Contract unless otherwise agreed．(条件状语从句)

(三)分译法

在状语从句翻译过程中采用这种方法的目的是为了使表达更为清晰，将从句译为独立的句子。

1．But Eden did not behave like Dulles，where Dulles was receptive and Eden was bored．(地点状语从句)

可是，艾登做事跟杜勒斯不同，杜勒斯还能听听别人的话，而艾登对别人的话连半句也听不进。

2．It is easy to think to oneself that one’s emotions used to be more vivid than they are，and one’s mind keener．(比较状语从句)

人们往往会对自己说，我过去感情多么丰富，思想多么敏锐，现在不行了。

3．If those of you who have the means to foster a project such as the one outlined are still unmoved，then I have another proposal for you，and for this we do not have to appeal to you who have wealth but to all members of the community，rich or poor．(条件状语从句)

如果你们中那些有办法促成这类计划的人仍然无动于衷，那么我有另一个建议给你们，对于这件事，我们没有必要请求你们，我们可以请求全社会成员的帮助，无论贫富，统统在内。

4．Although you undoubtedly know it，the Chinese，principally workers，have

played a very considerable role in the history of the Western part of the U-nited States．(让步状语从句)

中国人，主要是中国工人，在美国西部地区的发展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历史。

5．The saddles are either further fixed so that the cables may slide over them，remounted on rollers so that they move with any movement of the cables．(目的状语从句)

鞍座可以是固定的，这样钢缆可以在它上面滑动，也可以安装在滚柱上，这样鞍座就会随钢缆的移动而移动。

6．While there can be no question of considering education in isolation from science，technology，culture and information，as a social practice that may involve all the members of society in one way or another，education has its own characteristics．(让步状语从句)

毫无疑问，我们可以脱离科学、技术、文化和信息，把教育作为以某种方式涉及社会全体成员的一种社会实践来加以考查，但教育毕竟还有自己的特点。

7．A report of the proposed compromise plan came from a reliable source only a few hours after the president’s social envoy，Mr．X，emerged from his fifth secret session with the Egyptian Foreign Minister and told newsmen“A solution is in sight．”(时间状语从句)

关于折中方案的消息是一位可靠人士传出来的。在此之前不过几小时，总统的特使某先生在与埃及外长进行第五次密谈后，对记者说“解决方案现已在望”。

8．Vingo stopped looking，tightening the face，as if he was fortifying himself against still another disappointment．(方式状语从句)

文戈不再张望，他绷着脸，仿佛在鼓起勇气准备迎接下一次失望。

9．The story dated back to one night in march，1993，when Mr．and Mrs．shoemakers went to an observatory near San Diego，California to observe heavenly bodies till dawn．(时间状语从句)

故事发生在1993年3月的一个夜晚。苏梅克夫妇到加利福尼亚圣迭戈附近的一座天文台去观测天体，直到黎明。

10．我去参加了会议，可我从未在公共场合讲过话。

When I went to the meeting I had never spoken in public．(时间状语从句)

11．他深信这件事正确可靠，因此坚持己见。

Because he was convinced of the accuracy of the fact，he stuck to his o pinion．(原因状语从句)

12．反正关系不大，24小时后他们就要自由了。

After all，it didn’t matter much，because in 24hours，they were going to be free．(原因状语从句)

13．新世纪来临，环境问题在世界范围受到越来越多的关注。

As the new century is approaching，more and more people in the world are paying attention to environmental issues．(时间状语从句)

(四)合译法

合译法是将原有的复合句的形式通过将主句或从句的主语省译从而使其变为紧凑的单句的翻译法。

1．By then he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up．(时间状语从句)

这时他已知道他长大后要做什么。

2．He will work wherever he is needed．(让步状语从句)

哪里需要，他就在哪里工作。

3．He worded it so that it might not cause any misunderstanding．(目的状语从句)

他措辞很小心，以免引起误解。

4．Where there is love，there is faith．(地点状语从句)

只要有爱情就会有真诚。

5．They kept on working until it became completely dark．(时间状语从句)

他们一直工作到天完全黑下来。

6．He can not go to school because he is sick．(原因状语从句)

他因病不能上学。

7．Before I could say a single word，he ran away．(时间状语从句)

我连一句话也没来得及说他就跑了。

8．He was mad to such an extent that he beat his father．(结果状语从句)

他竟然疯得打起他的父亲来。

9．A contract may be modified if the parties reach a consensus through consultation．(条件状语从句)

当事人协商一致即可以变更合同。

10．I have changed it as you suggest．(方式状语从句)

我已经按照你的建议做了修改。

11．因为他不遵守规定而受到处罚。

He was punished because he did not obey the regulations．(原因状语从句)

12．如果不这样做我们就会犯严重的错误。If we don’t do so，we shall be committing a serious mistake．(条件状语从句)

13．他进屋时看见他们坐在一起唱歌。

When he entered the room，he found them sitting together singing．(时间状语从句)

14．水循环无时不在进行。

There is no time when the circulation of water does not take place．

15．我们对中国领导人和中国人民的赞扬绝不是出于虚假的礼貌。

When we praise the Chinese leadership and the people，we were not merely being polite．

(五)转换法

转换法就是根据汉语表达的需要将从句译成与原来句子类型不同的状语或其他句子成分或者结构。

1．A dog will bark more loudly and bite more readily when people are afraid of him than when they treat him with contempt，and the human herd has something of this same characteristics．(时间状语从句)

狗对怕它的人会大吠并随时准备去咬，而对蔑视它的人就不会这样，人类多少也具有同样的特质。

2．The train had left before he got to the station．(时间状语从句)

火车开了他才到达火车站。

3．Where there is a will，there is a way．(地点状语从句)

有志者事竟成。

4．At the callow age of 14，it seemed perfectly natural to me that a working wife and mother had nothing better to do after a hard day’s work than tutor me Latin．(时间状语从句)

14岁是一种尚不懂什么事理的年龄。在那时的我看来，一位辛苦工作的妻子兼母亲一回到家里就辅导我(这个邻居的孩子)学拉丁文，是最好不过了，就好像这完全是理所当然的事情似的。

5．All disputes in connection with or in the execution of the contract shall be

settled through friendly negotiations where no settlement can be reached，the disputes shall be submitted to arbitration．(地点状语从句)所有与合同有关，或者在履行合同中发生的争议，均应通过友好协商的方式解决，如果得不到解决，应提交仲裁。

6．She will never accept any dictates，no matter where they come from．(地点状语从句)

她绝不会接受无论来自哪一方面的任何横行霸道。

7．You jump on the bandwagon when you decide to support a candidate because public opinion studies show he is likely to win．(原因状语从句)

如果民意调查显示某个候选人很可能会取胜，因此你决定支持他，你就跳上了宣传车。

8．A body at rest will not move till a force is exerted on it．(时间状语从句)

若无外力的作用，静止的物体不会移动。

9．Later in life，when Einstein was asked to explain his law of relativity to a group of young students，he said:“When you sit with a nice girl for two hours，you think it’s only a minute．But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute，you think it’s two hours．That is relativity”(时间状语从句)

许多年以后，有人请爱因斯坦对一些青年学生解释他的相对论原理，他说:你要是跟一个漂亮的姑娘在一起呆上两个小时，你会觉得只呆了一分钟。但你如果在灼热的火炉上呆一分钟，你就觉得呆了两个小时。这就是相对论。

10．尽管他可以乘出租车，不过他还是步行。

He walked when he might take a taxi．(时间状语从句)

11．人类贪欲不止，世界和平无望。

There is never peace where men are greedy．(地点状语从句)

12．我们应该如实地陈述事实。

We should state the facts as they are．(方式状语从句)

13．如果下雨我就不去。

I won’t go when it rains．

Exercises

一、翻译下列句子，注意名词性从句的译法

1．What I mean is that we’ll never be able to come down to the price you name．

2．I suggest that we should set up a board of directors for the management of the company and share rights and obligations as equal partners．

3．We didn’t intend that things should be arranged like that

4．We are sorry to inform you that we are fully represented at this time．

5．We are given to understand that you are potential buyers of Chinese silk products that come within the scope of our business activities．

6．那家公司明显地需要添置设备。

7．很高兴我们能够达成这项交易。

8．所有工业国的公司正面临着越来越多不同背景的员工，它们必须每天处理与不同文化和语言相关的问题。跨文化的沟通对国际公司和国内公司来说都是同等重要的话题，问题的关键是公司怎样才能组建一支有着共同目标的团队，这个任务并不轻松。

9．出口产品必须不断地更新换代，做到你无我有，你有我优，胜人一筹。

10．买卖双方公认:本条款许可或销售的产品中可能包括技术和软件产品，它们均受包括中国和美国在内的有关出口管制法律和法规的约束;双方同意遵守这些适用的出口管制法律和法规。

二、翻译下列句子，注意定语从句的译法

1．This is basically a correct observation，which says something about the American way of life．

2．There have been good results in the experiments that have given him great encouragement．

3．I have three letters which I must write this afternoon．

4．The serviceman will send the washing machine to the repair shop，where it will be checked and repaired．

5．They turned a deaf ear to our demands，which enraged all of us．

6．随函附上本人履历表，从表中可以看出，我在公共关系和交际管理方面有丰富的经验。

7．我来这儿之前一句英文都不懂。

8．许多人要看这部电影。

9．“正规教育”一词指的是任何形式的课堂教育，而“非正规教育”一词指的是课堂外的教育。

10．在华投资的方式很多，你可以同中方合资办企业，也可以独资办公司，选择自己喜欢的方式经营，但不可超越中国法律。

三、翻译下列句子，注意状语从句的译法

1．No matter what I say or how I say it，he always thinks I’m wrong．

2．As the Chinese tourism market expands at a high speed，a good environment is being created to further drive its development．

3．As soon as we receive the above consignment we shall be in a position to assess our requirements with greater accuracy and place an order accordingly．

4．既然产品在我国市场销售，价格应由我方来调整。

5．我们收到信用证后会立即装运。

6．我方专营中国工艺美术产品的出口业务，我们愿意与贵方建交。

7．他们到任何地方都受到友好接待。

8．如果您对我们所提供的服务有任何不满意的地方或者觉得受到了不公正的待遇，请给分公司打电话。