1. 译成前置定语 一般说来，限定性的定语从句可提前译成定语。还有一些定语从句，虽然并不明显地带有限定性质，但本身较短，和被修饰语关系紧密，也可译为前置定语。如：
例1. To be sure, a great rebuilding project would give jobs to many of those people who need them. 诚然，一个宏伟的重建计划也许能为许多需要工作的人提供就业机会。
例2. There is no royal road to science, and only those who don not dread the fatiguing climb of the steep paths have a chance of gaining its luminous summits. 在科学上没有平坦大道，只有不畏劳苦，沿着陡峭的山路攀登的人，才有希望到达光辉的顶点。 例3. In recent years, however, people have begun to become aware that cities are also areas where there is a concentration of problems. 可是，近几年来人们开始意识到城市也是问题成堆的地方。
例4. The moon is a world that is completely still and where utter silence prevails. 月亮是一个声断音绝的世界，是一个万籁俱寂的世界。
例5. 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. 而且，人类还有能力改变自己的生存环境，从而是所有其他形态的生命服从人类自己独特的想法和想象。
例6. 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 billion years ago. 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。 如以上例句所示，这种译法最适于翻译较短的限定性定语从句。有时较长的限定性定语从句也可采用这种译法，以使修饰关系清晰，句子结构紧凑。如：
例7.This practice book is intended for foreign engineers or students to engineering who have already mastered the elements of English, and who now want to use their knowledge of the language to read books on their subjects. 这本练习是给那些已经掌握了英语基础知识而现在要利用学到的语言知识来阅读专业书籍的外国工程师或学习工程学的学生用的。
例8. To write a genuine familiar or truly English style is to write as any one who would speak in common conversation, who had a thorough command and choice of words, or who could discourse with ease, force and perspicuity. 用真正的普通文体即纯正的英语文体写作就像那些谙熟词汇而又善于选择词汇，能高谈阔论且言词流畅，说话有力而明确的人的日常交谈一般。 例8中的who had a thorough command and choice of words, or who could discourse with ease, force and perspicuity本应紧接先行词any one，但由于太长而后移，而who would speak in common conversation则修饰上述两个定语从句及其先行词。 有些起附加说明作用的非限定性定语从句，对先行词也有程度不同的修饰、限制意义，有时也可译成前置定语。如：
例9. He liked his sister, who was warm and pleasant, but he did not like his brother, who was aloof and arrogant. 他喜欢热情活泼的妹妹，而不喜欢冷漠高傲的哥哥。 2. 译成后置的并列分句
A. 一些结构较复杂，或者意思上有较强的独立性的限定性定语从句，通常可译为后置的并列分句。采取这种译法往往要重复关系代词所代替的词，有时可在这些词之前加指示词“这”、“这些”等，以使译文明确。如：
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例1. But world attention also is focusing on another step, which will make the smoker increasingly self-conscious and uncomfortable about his habit. 同时，人们也正把注意力集中在另一项措施上，这项措施将使吸烟者越来越意识到自己的不良习惯并为之感到不安。
例2. In 1883 an American physician, A, King, listed twenty observations, which pointed to mosquitoes as a factor in malaria. 1883年，美国医生A.金列举了二十个观察报告，这些报告表明蚊子是引起疟疾的一个因素。 例3. This volume is prepared as examples for writing compositions which, as it were, has been taken as a difficult task. 本书旨在为写作提供范例，可以说写作是一个难题。
例4. I was endeavoring to put off one sort of life for another sort of life, which was not better than the life I had known. 我一直在竭力摆脱一种生活，改换另一种生活，但是我所改换的生活并不见得比我原先的生活好。
例5. Matter is composed of molecules that are composed of atoms. 物质是由分子组成的，而分子又是由原子组成的。 在例4中，从句在语意上与主句相矛盾；在例5中，从句在语意上与主句相承。在译文中除重复关联代词所代替的词外，加上了连词“但是”、“而”，是译文语气连贯。 有些定语从句汉译时可不必重复关系代词所代替的词，而将其译成人称代词“他”、“他们”等，使句子简明扼要。如：
例1. Honeycutt was 40, an affable man who had to leave his family in Raleigh, North Carolina, when he ‘d gone north to work. 亨尼卡行年40，和蔼可亲，他去北方工作时不得不把家室留在北卡罗来纳州罗利市。
例2. Above the English lettering the words are repeated in the Chinese calligraphy of Premier Zhou, who wrote the brief text. 在这些英文字的上方，是周总理亲笔书写的同样内容的汉字，他拟定了这简短的铭文。
B. 非限定性定语从句与先行词的关系不十分密切，只是对先行词加以说明，描述或解释，或对整个语句所陈述的事实或现象加以总结概括，补充说明，其前都用逗号分开。在汉译时，一般译为后置的并列分句。如：
例1. In English, attributive clauses are used extensively, some of which are very long and complicated in structure. 在英语中，定语从句的运用极为广泛，有的从句很长而且结构复杂。
例2. These books, which are only a small part of my collection, were picked up in America. 这些书是我在美国买的，它们在我的藏书中只占一小部分。
例3. Bertrand Russell, whose philosophical writings made a profound impact on philosophers all over the world, died in 1970. 伯特兰德.罗素于1970年逝世，他的哲学著作对全世界哲学家都有深刻的影响。 例4. He gave in his resignation, which was the best thing he could do in the circumstance. 他提出了辞职，这在当时的情况下是最好的办法。 例5. He blamed me for everything, which I thought very unfair. 他把一切错误都归罪于我，我认为这很不公平。
例6. John Fetzer, career consultant and chemist, first suggested this trait, which has already been written about a great deal. 职业顾问和化学家约翰.费策尔最早提出了这个特征。关于这个特征，人们已经写了大量的文章。 例7. The Queen will visit the town in May, when she will open the new hospital. 女王将于5月访问该城。届时，她将主持那家新医院的开业仪式。
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例8. After dinner, the four key negotiators resumed their talks, which continued well into the night. 饭后，四个主要谈判人物继续进行会谈，一直谈到深夜。 3. 溶合法 溶合法是指把主句与定语从句合起来译，使之溶合成一个独立的句子。如： 例1. You are the only person who could do it. 只有你才能做这件事。
例2. This was the first time I had serious trouble with my boss. 这是我第一次和老板发生严重纠葛。
例3. Our team, who are in good form, will do well in the coming matches. 我队竞技状态良好，将在未来的比赛中取得好成绩。 例4. He has a son of twenty who is now at the high school. 他有一个二十岁的儿子现在正上中学。
例5. On the platform I could see a black slave who was working the pump. 我看见台上有个黑奴在压水泵。 英语中含有定语从句“there be…”结构汉译时常常使用溶合译法。 例6. There was no one who did not praise them for their great accomplishments. 没有人不称赞他们所取得的巨大成就。
例7. There is nothing that does not contain contradiction. 没有什么事物是不包含矛盾的。
例8. There was little that the doctor could do for the patient. 医生对这个病人无能为力。
例9. There is a man downstairs who wants to see you. 楼下有人要见你。
例10. In our factory, there are many people who are much interested in the new invention. 在我们工厂里，许多人对这项新发明很感兴趣。 4. 译成状语 英语中有些定语从句在内容上含有时间、原因、目的、结果、条件、让步等状语意思，翻译时往往可以加上相应的词语，以表达出其相应的状语意义。 A. 表示原因
例1. We engage professor Wu, who understands English. 我们聘请吴教授，因为他懂英语。
例2. Many of our Welsh people are going to settle in North Carolina, where land is cheap. 我们威尔士人有许多去北卡罗来纳定居，因为那里土地便宜。 B. 表示时间
例1. You, who are in the prime of your life, come forth with greater contributions for the benefit of the people! 趁你年富力强的时候，为人民做出更多的贡献吧！
例2. A sailor who was fixing a rope lost balance and tumbled overboard. 一个水手正在系绳子的时候，失去了平衡，掉到水里去了。 C. 表示目的
例1. He is collecting authentic material that proves his argument. 他正在收集确凿的材料以证明他的论点。
例2. Steel parts are usually covered with grease, with which they may not rust. 钢零件通常用润滑油覆盖，免得生锈。 D. 表示结果
例1. He ate a fungus, which made him ill.
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他吃了一个蘑菇，结果病倒了。
例2. The rain washed away the track, which prevented the train from running. 大雨冲走了铁轨，因而火车无法行驶。 E. 表示条件
例1. Nothing is hard in this world for one who dares to scale the height. 世上无难事，只要肯登攀。
例2. A person is an idealist who thinks that rational knowledge need not to be derived from perceptual knowledge. 如果认为理性知识可以不从感性知识得来，他就是一个唯心主义者。 F. 表示让步
例1. My grandfather, who is now in his eighties, is still a keen cyclist. 我爷爷虽然八十多岁了，可还是顶喜欢骑自行车。
例2. Electronic computer, which have many advantages, cannot carry out creative work and replace man. 电子计算机虽然有许多优点，却不能进行创造性的工作，代替不了人。
练习四
翻译下列各句，注意定语从句的译法
1. The question, which worries everyone today, is: how long will these fuels last? 2. Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it.
3. Shakespeare was a great English dramatist and poet who se name was known all over the world.
4. Small wonder then that more scientists are visiting the region to acquire new knowledge which will help us to have a better understanding of the earth as a whole.
5. Teheran Conference was the first opportunity which I had of observing him at close hand. 6. There is something that keeps worrying me.
7. The door of which you lost the key cannot be opened.
8. Electrical energy that is supplied to the motor may be converted into mechanical energy of motion. 9. He decided not to complete his university course, which was a great disappointment to his parents. 10. He wishes to write an article that will attract public attention to the matter. 11. One will surely succeed who perseveres to the end.
12. The periodical physical examination must be given to a patient who has recuperated from hepatitis.
名词从句的译法
英语的名词从句包括主语从句、宾语从句、表语从句和同位语从句。在翻译时，语序一般不变，但有时也需采取一些其他处理方法。 1. 主语从句
A. 以从属连词或连词代词位于句首的主语从句翻译时语序一般不变。如：
例1. That a man could live for so many years alone in the mountains is really something unthinkable. 一个人能够单独在山里生活这么多年真是不可思议。
例2. That substances expand when heated and contract when cooled is a common physical phenomenon. 物质热胀冷缩是一个普通的物理现象。
例3. What the students find most difficult in a foreign language is its idiomatic usage. 学生感到，一种外国语最困难的地方是它的习惯用法。
例4. What struck me most in this book was the author’s true-to-life description of the people’s life in that country. 这本书给我印象最深的，是作者对那个国家的人民生活所做的真实描写。 B. 以形式主语it引出的主语从句，翻译时有下述三种处理办法
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（1）如主语从句较短，可提前与主句合译为“是”字结构。如：
例1. It is dangerous that you have a smattering of superficial knowledge on a subject. 对任何问题一知半解都是危险的。
例2. It is good news that our team has won the championship. 我们队得了冠军是好消息。
（2）如主语从句较长，不宜与主句合译为汉语的“是”字结构，一般可译为并列分句或独立的句子，即现译从句，而在主句之前加“这”字译出。如：
例1. It is a matter of common experience that bodies are lighter in water than they are in air. 物体在水中比在空气中轻，这是一种大家共有的经验
例2. It is common sense that a liquid has no definite shape, but it has a definite volume. 液体没有一定的形状，但有一定的体积，这是普通常识。
例3. It was really a mystery to the neighbors that Mary, the ugly woman, could succeed in ordering about her husband, the strong-armed blacksmith, well known far and wide, and having him where she wanted him. 玛丽这个丑女人把丈夫——远近闻名，胳膊粗力气大的铁匠——支使得滴溜溜转，让他往东他不敢往西，这对他们的邻居来说，简直是个谜。
例4. It therefore becomes more and more important that, if students are not to waste their opportunities, there will have to be much more detailed information about courses and more advice. 因此，如果要学生好好利用他们上大学的机会，就应该为他们提供大量关于课程方面更为详尽的信息和更多的指点。这个问题显得越来越重要了。 从例3、例4可看到英汉两种语言思维和表达方式的不同。英语重直线思维，汉语重曲线思维。英语直截了当，习惯把要点放在句首先说出，然后再把其他信息一一补进；而汉语习惯于从侧面说明，先阐述外围的环境，最后点出信息中心。从形式上看，英语是前重心，头短尾长；汉语则是后重心，头大尾小。
（3）以it作形式主语的谓语是被动语态的句子，一般宜转译为主动语态，可译为“据……”或补上泛指主语“有人”、“大家”、“人们”等，主语从句保留原文的语序。如： 例1. It is reported that the meeting will be held in June. 据报道，这个会将在六月间举行。
例2. It could be argued that the radio performs this service just as well; but on television everything is much more living, much more real. 可能有人会提出，无线电广播也同样能够做到这一点；但是在电视屏幕上，每个节目都显得更加生动，更加真实。
2. 宾语从句
A. 以从属连词或连接代词引起的宾语从句汉译时，语序一般不变。如： 例1. Some people, however, maintain that this is precisely where the danger lies. 可是，有些人则坚持认为，这恰恰是危险所在。
例2. This shows that something unexpected may have turned up. 这表明可能出现了意外情况。
例3. Realizing that it was just a difference in custom, the foreigner smiled and said nothing. 那个外国人明白了这只是风俗的不同后，笑了笑，没说什么。 例4. Marie always thought how she could do more for mankind. 玛丽总是想着怎样为人类做更多的工作。 例5. He has fully lived up to what he promised. 他完全实现了他的诺言。
B. 英语中的宾语从句有时置于句首，其修辞作用在于强调宾语。为了使译文达到相同的修辞效果，
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翻译时也宜将宾语从句前置。
例1. Whether they like it or not, I don’t care. 他们喜欢不喜欢，我可不管。
例2. What they were asked to do in 10 days, they finished in two. 让他们十天做的事，他们两天就做完了。 例3. What he has once heard he never forgets. 他听过的话，再也不会忘记。 上述译文同样将宾语从句前置，收到了强调宾语的效果。但有时也可依汉语的表达习惯将宾语从句后置。
例4. What the country thinks and worries about we should think and worry about. 我们应想国家之所想，急国家之所急。
C. 用it作形式宾语的句子，汉译时that引起的宾语从句一般可按原文语序，it不必译出。
例1. We think it certain that American English does have a considerable influence upon British English. 我们认为美语必然对英语产生相当大的影响。
例2. I make it clear that I was determined to carry out the plan. 我已表明决心去执行这个计划。
例3. I leave it to your own judgment whether you should do it. 我让你自己判断你该不该做这事。 汉译英时也可将that 引起的宾语从句提前。如：
例1. I regarded it as an honor that I am chosen to attend the meeting.
我被遴选参加会议，感到光荣。
例2. We think it true that the election in Britain is mainly a contest between the two big parties, Labor and Conservative. 英国的选举主要是工党与保守党两大政党之间的竞争，我们认为确实如此。
3. 表语从句 表语从句汉译时语序一般不变。如： 例1. That’s what we should do. 这正是我们的本分。
例2. Time factor is what we have to take into consideration. 时间因素是我们应考虑的。
例3. The question which worries everyone today is: how long will these fuels last? 今天人人都担心的问题是：这些燃料能维持多久？
例4. The result of invention of steam engine was that human power was replaced by mechanical power. 发明蒸汽机的结果是机械力代替了人力。
4. 同位语从句 英语中的同位语从句与其所修饰的名词处于同等的地位，只作进一步解释的作用，汉译时一般用下述方法处理。
A. 同位语从句不提前，如：
例1. We expressed the hope that they would come over to visit China again. 我们表示希望他们再到中国来访问。
例2. There can be no doubt that he is qualified for the job. 毫无疑问他做这工作很合适。
例3. Can you produce any evidence that he was not at home that night? 你能不能提出证明，断定他那天夜里不在家。
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例4. Now we have little idea what a hard life they were then leading. 我们现在很难想象那时他们过的是多么艰苦的生活。 B. 同位语从句提前，如：
例1. Do away with the mistaken metaphysical notions that “gold must be pure” and “man must be perfect”. 要打破“金要足赤”，“人要完人”的形而上学的错误思想。
例2. Obviously there was little probability that they would succeed, but they don’t mind. 很显然，他们成功的可能性很小，但是他们不在乎。
例3. The question whether the aircraft should have two engines or three was finally decided in September, 1959. 飞机应装两台或三台发动机的问题是1959年9月才最后确定的。
例4. This is a universally accepted principle of international law that the territorial sovereignty doesn’t admit infringement. 国家领土主权不容侵犯，这是举世公认的国际法准则。 C. 把同位语从句译成独立的句子，并在其前加“即”，或在从句所修饰的名词之后加冒号。 例1. We are familiar with the idea that all matter consists of atoms. 我们都熟悉这样一个概念，即一切物质都是由原子组成的。
例2. Through many years’ practice of teaching foreign language, I have derived a new experience that translation is the best possible approach to studying English. 通过多年的外语教学经验，我获得了一条新经验：翻译是学习英语的最好办法。 例3. Then arose the question where we were to get the machines needed. 随之产生了这样一个问题：我们到哪去找所需要的机器。
练习五
翻译下列各句
1. That theory must go hand in hand with practice is a principle we should always keep in mind. 2. It was a mistake that they didn’t support us.
3. The story is about how the old lady expected to receive a birthday present from her daughter. 4. One often hears it said that travel broadens the mind. 5. My idea is that we should stick to our original plan.
6. The thought came to him that maybe the enemy had fled the city.
7. The question whether an electric current can be produced by magnetism has long been solved.
8. At the end of last century, an important discovery was made that everything was built partly of electrons.
状语从句的翻译
英语状语从句包括表示时间、地点、条件、让步、原因等各种从句，汉译时要注意英汉两种语言使用状语方面的共同性及其各自的特殊性。 翻译下列各句
1. As I was looking for my bag, the inn-keeper came in. 我正在找皮包时，店主走了进来。
2. The monkey was feeling a bit scared when suddenly the crocodile dived under the water. 猴子正感到有点害怕，鳄鱼突然向水下潜去。
3. While I admit that the problems are difficult, I don’t agree that they cannot be solved. 虽然我承认这些问题困难，但我并不认为它们无法解决。
4. As long as we don’t lose heart, we’ll find a way to overcome the difficulty. 只要我们不灰心，就能找到克服困难的办法。
5. If we have carried on thorough investigation, we can draw a correct conclusion.
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只有当我们做了彻底的调查研究之后，才能得出正确的结论。 6. However hard the task, we must fulfill it in time. 不管任务多么艰巨，我们必须及时完成。
7. Where there is nothing in the path of the beam of light, nothing is seen. 如果光束通道上没有任何东西，就什么也看不见。 8. Since we live near the sea, we can often go swimming. 我们住在靠海的地方，所以我们可以常去游泳。
9. As he had lots of time, he decided to go to the embankment first. 时间还早，他决定先到河岸大道去一下。
1. 时间状语从句
A. 译成相应的时间状语，如：
例1. When the wall fell down, all the people ran away in a panic. 墙倒塌的时候，所有的人都争先恐后地跑开了。
例2. Even when we turn off the bedside lamp and are fast asleep, electricity is working for us, driving our refrigerators, heating our water, or keep our rooms air-conditioned. 即使在我们关掉了床头灯深深地进入梦乡时，电也在为我们工作，它为我们开动冰箱，烧水或使我们房间的空调机保持运转。 B. 译成并列分句
例1. The set him free when his ransom had not yet been paid. 他的赎金尚未交来，他们就把他放了。
例2. Mr. Smith was arrested when he himself was not aware what crime he had committed. 史密斯先生自己还不知道犯了什么罪，人家就把他逮捕了。
C. 英语中存在着内容和形式不一致的情况。有些时间状语从句有时可以按其逻辑关系译成表示原因、条件、让步等的分句。
例1. When you have finished your homework, you can go and play ball-games. 做完了家庭作业，你就可以出去打球了。（条件） 例2. He usually walks when he might ride. 虽然有车可坐，但他通常总是步行。（让步）
例3. The defense lawyer decided to petition for a new trial when they found an important new witness. 由于发现了一名新的重要证人，辩护律师决定申请重新开庭审讯。（原因）
2. 条件状语从句的译法
A. 译成表示“条件”或“假设”的分句
例1. Everybody here has a chance to study unless he doesn’t want to. 这里任何人都有学习的机会，除非他不愿学。
例2. Once you understand the rule, you will have no further difficulty. 你一旦懂了这条规则，你就不会再有困难了。
例3. If you want something done in a hurry, don’t go to the man who has clearly not much to do. 要是你有急事要办，不要去找那种显然没有多少事可做的人。（假设） B. 译成补充说明情况的分句
例1. If he is too old to work much, the retired worker is very enthusiastic about neighborhood affairs. 虽然这位退休老工人年迈不能多操劳，但他对街道工作非常热心。（让步）
例2. If he was so able as to solve such a difficult math problem known to the world, it is because he was extremely diligent and absolutely absorbed in mathematics. 他之所以解决了这样一个世界上有名的数学难题，是因为他非常勤奋。（结果）
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例3. If you can come, I’ll be only too glad. 你要能来，我就太高兴了。（原因）
3. 让步状语从句的译法
A. 译成表示“让步”的分句
例1. Though he was defeated in the election, he became famous for his fiery speeches against slavery. 虽然他竞选失败了，却以其反对蓄奴制度的激烈演说而出了名。 例2. Nothing could have saved him even if he had been tended without delay. 纵然当时他得到了及时的救护，他的生命也无法挽救。 B. 译成表示“无条件”的条件分句，如：
例1. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory. 不管需要多长时间才能挫败这种预谋的侵略，美国人民将以其正义的力量赢得彻底的胜利。 例2. But it is the way I am, and try as I might, I have not been able to change it. 但这就是我的作风，不管怎样努力，也改变不了。 例3. Whatever the consequence may be, I shall speak the truth. 不论后果如何，我都要说实话
4. 地点状语从句译法 A. 译成相应的地点状语
例1. Where water resources are plentiful, hydroelectric power stations are being built in large numbers. 哪里有充足的水源，哪里就在兴建大批的水电站。 例2. Why don’t you put your number where it can be seen? 你为何不把号码挂在醒目的地方呢？ 按逻辑关系转译为表示“条件”的状语，如：
例1. The materials are excellent for use where the value of work pieces is not so high. 如果零件价值不高，最好使用这种材料。
5. 原因状语的译法
A. 译成表示“原因”的分句
例1. Tragedies can be written in literature since there is tragedy in life. 生活中既有悲剧，文学作品就可以写悲剧。
例2. The prince in rags was thrown out of the palace because the guard couldn’t recognize him. 穿着破衣裳的王子被赶出了王宫，因为那个卫兵认不出他来了。 B. 译成因果偏正复句中的主句
例1. Mr. Smith didn’t go to college because he had no money. 史密斯先生没钱，所以没有上大学。 C. 译成因果关系内含的并列分句
例1. We had to put the meeting off since so many people were absent. 很多人没有来，会议只好延期。
例2. As he had not much money, he couldn’t afford to buy a TV set. 他没有多少钱，买不起电视机。
长句的译法
由于英语句子中短语多，从句多，在句法结构上可以层层修饰，句中套句，再加上插入语、补加成分、同位语或独立成分等，可以形成复杂的长句。翻译长句时，必须首先分析各部分之间的语
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法关系及逻辑关系，弄清整个句子的中心内容及各层意思，然后根据汉语的特点、习惯和表达方式，正确地译出原文的意思。英语长句的汉译主要采用顺序法、变序法和分句法。 1. 顺序法
有些英语长句的叙述层次与汉语比较一致，基本上可按照原文顺序译出，为了使前后语气衔接，可增加必要的词语。如：
例1. When our ship cleared harbor, taking my family and me on the first leg of our journey home to the United States, I watched the receding coastline of Japan with mingled relief and regret: relief from the oppressive feeling that I was being watched; regret that the book I envisaged writing would not make me welcome again in the land of my birth.
当轮船离开港口，带着我们一家人在返回美国的旅途中戗风直驶第一段航程的时候， 我怀着既宽慰又怅然的心情凝视着从视野中逐渐消失的日本海岸——我因从被人监视的令人窒息的气氛中解脱出来而感到宽慰；又因我要写的书将是我在我的出生之地成为不受欢迎的人而惆怅。
例2. I reviewed and reconsidered all the notes I had taken in my reading of source documents, and I became convinced that the modern history of Japan, as presented since World War II, was a skillfully contrived illusion fabricated later in the war, partly by counter-intelligence specialists in the General Staff and partly by high-ranking palace courtiers.
我复审并重新推敲了我在阅读原始材料所做的笔记，确信自第二次世界大战结束后所推出的日本当代史是一部精心勾画的伪史，这部伪史是战争后期部分由参谋本部中心反谍专家，部分地由身居高位的廷臣们杜撰的。 2. 变序法
英语长句的表达顺序往往与汉语表达顺序大相径庭，英语中最重要的信息往往出现在句首，然后再交代条件、原因等；而汉语往往先将背景情况铺陈开来，说明条件、原因等的信息，然后再说出结果等最重要的或最新的信息；有时则按照逻辑关系或时间的先后安排语序，因而汉译时需要按汉语的表达习惯调整顺序，全部或部分倒译。如：
例1. It may seem rather quaint①for an alliance of democratic governments to wage war upon an autocratic government at great expense in life and material, and then the chief autocrat of that government in a position of leadership②.
民主国家结成同盟，不惜牺牲大量的生命和物质力量，向一个专制政府开战，而最终却把这个政府的专制君主留置领袖地位②，看来这是令人感到奇怪的①。
本句由it作先行主语，由for加不定式构成的真正主语相当长。依照汉语叙事在前表态在后的表达习惯，要先译出后面的真正主语。
例2. Solutions of the problem of old age have to be considered against a historical back-ground① of slow but substantial changes in Chinese family structure②, caused by rising living standards and family planning③.
由于人民生活水平的不断提高以及计划生育③，中国的家庭结构发生着缓慢却又具有实质性的变化②，必须根据这一历史背景考虑到老年的问题①。
这个长句是个简单句，句中由介词against引起的状语短语极长，其中background 后面又套了一个由介词of构成的定语，而of得宾语changes 之后又接由过去分词caused引起的定语说明原因。按照汉语先说原因后说结果，先叙述事实后表明见解的习惯，汉译时需倒译。
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例3. I make the direct statement to the American people① that there is a far less chance of the United States getting into war②, if we do all we can now to support the nations defending them against attack by the Axis than if we acquiesce in their defeat, submit, tamely to an Axis victory, and wait our turn to be the object of attack in another war later on③.
我开诚布公地向美国人民声明①：如果我们竭尽全力支援那些保卫自己抵御轴心国的进攻的国家，而不是默认他们的失败，驯服地屈从于轴心国的胜利，并坐待我们自己成为今后另一次战争的攻击目标②，那么，美国卷入战争的可能性就会小得多③。
句中statement后接由that 引起的较长的同位语，其中含有由if引起的从句表示条件。按照汉语的表达习惯，通常条件在前，结果在后，故句中的同位语汉译时需倒译。
例4. I consider a human soul without education, like marble in the quarry①, which shows none of its inherent beauties②, until the skill of the polisher fetches out the colors, makes the surface shine, and discovers every ornamental cloud, spot and vein that runs through the body③.
我认为一个没受教育的人，他的心灵就如采石场里的大理石①，只有经过能工巧匠的加工，研磨出斑斓的色彩，光洁的面层，使之显露大户悦目的云纹和彩点，以及贯穿通体的石理③，才能展现其天生丽质②。
主句中介词like的宾语marble带有一个较长的非限制性定语从句，该从句又包含一个由until引起的时间状语从句，从其内容上看含有条件状语的意思。 按照汉语条件在前结果在后的表达习惯，应现译由until引起的从句，再译非限制性定语从句中的主句。
例5. Tess and the other three were dressing themselves rapidly①, the whole bevy having agreed to go together to Mellstock Church②, which lay some three or four miles distant from the dairy-house③. 离牛奶厂三四英里地是梅勒陶教堂③，苔丝和她那三个伙伴译商议好了，要一块儿到那儿去做礼拜②，所以现在都在屋里急急忙忙换衣裳①。
句中的the whole bevy having agreed to…是个分词独立结构，相当于as the whole bevy had agreed to…，其描述的动作显然发生在were dressing之前，在英语中可位于它的后面，但在译文中需将“商议”移在“换衣”之前。另外，having agreed也带有原因的含义，依照汉语先叙述原因后叙述结果的习惯，“商议”也应移到“换衣”之前。句末有一非限定性定语从句，说明教堂与牛奶厂的距离，为了行文方便并使句子前后呼应，在译文中可将其移至句首。
例6. The problem① of possible genetic damage to human populations② from radiation exposures, including those resulting from the fallout from testing of atomic weapons③, has quite properly claimed much popular attention in recent years④.
人类由于面临辐射威胁，其中包括原子武器试验产生的放射性散落物所造成的辐射威胁③，很可能造成基因损伤②，这一问题①近年来已经理所当然地引起了人们的广泛重视④。
这是个主语较长的简单句，长就长在修饰主语problem的of定语短语，从of possible genetic damage开始，直至atomic weapons；其中又有定语短语套定语短语，这里的damage既受to human populations 和from radiation exposures的修饰，其间的exposures又受including those resulting from the fallout from testing of atomic weapons的修饰；如果再做进一步分析的话，those指exposures, 受resulting from the fallout的修饰，而fallout又受from testing of atomic weapons的修饰。
从逻辑上说，from radiation exposures…weapons说明possible genetic damage的原因，可单独译为一句先说原因后说结果的句子：“人类由于……很可能造成基因损伤”，然后再将主语the problem连同谓语has…claimed…attention…译为另一句：“这一问题……引起了……重视。”
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3. 分句法
当长句中并列成分较多，或主句与从句，短语与其所修饰的词之间的关系不很紧密，各具有相对独立性时，可按汉语中多用短句的习惯，把长句分割成若干短句译出。为了使句子之间相互衔接，可以适当地增减词语。在短句的处理上，有时也需改变顺序。如：
例1. Having just left school or technical institute①, where they had their place and a task to fulfill and where they were known and esteemed by their colleagues②, those young people who do not land that first job they were so eagerly looking forward to have to face up for the first time to unemployment③, a situation for which neither family nor school has prepared them④.
青年人在学校或技术学院都各得其所各有自己需要完成的任务，受到同学的了解和尊重②。而现在，他们刚刚离校①，却找不到自己孜孜以求的第一个职业，不得不面对有生以来的第一次失业③。对于这种情况，无论是家庭还是学校都没有为帮助他们做好准备④。
在这个例子中，出于语段逻辑一致的要求，译文把一句分为三句，并依汉语中时间顺序安排，把原文句首中的分词短语，置于译文第二句话开头。
例2. Here in the train there is the sound of youth, loud and alive, but out there I know all the sounds in all the world have gone and earth is just a blue dusk coming fast① and I know this is a dying beautiful day②, that day I remembered those times in the desert and in the mountains of Lebanon, when loneliness came with the night, and I sat there listening to the bombers going over or to the jackals howling, and wished that at that very minute I could go back to the peace and the beauty and the living of the days I used to know③. 车厢里是朝气蓬勃的震耳的青春声音；可是，我却知道，车厢以外，整个世界都已寂静无声，大地为迅速到来的幽暗的暮色所笼罩①。这是一个美丽的傍晚②。我记得在黎巴嫩的沙漠和山地度过的日子里，也有过这样的时刻，当孤寂伴随着夜幕降临时我坐在那里倾听着头上轰炸机的嘶鸣或者豺狼的嚎叫，心里盼望着能马上重温我旧日所熟悉的平静美好的生活③。
例3. At the same time Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., a newspaper columnist① who provided Roosevelt with accurate surveys in the past②, sent him disturbing reports based on 2000 miles of travel through eight southern and Midwestern states③.
与此同时，报纸专栏作者小科尼厄斯.范德比尔呈交罗斯福的报告也令人不安①。这位作者过去曾向罗斯福供过一些准确的调查材料②。这次报告是他跋涉2000英里，走遍南部和中西部八个州之后写成的③。
这句中主语的同位语有一个由who引导的定语从句，宾语reports后有一个较长的、由过去分词短语构成的后置定语。在意思上各具有相对的独立性，故可如标号所示译为三个单句。
例4. After that two-and-a half-year’s trial①, which was commended for its fairness even by the Japanese vernacular press②, the Tribunal sentenced twenty-five Japanese leaders to death or imprisonment③ for having conspired to wage aggressive war and for being responsible for the conventional war crimes— the atrocities— which hade been committed by their subordinate④.
经过两年半的审讯①，法庭判决二十五名日本国家领导人死刑或徒刑③。这是因为他们阴谋发动侵略战争，并对常规的战争罪行——即他们部署的累累暴行——承担责任④。法庭审判之公正，甚至日本本国报界也予以褒扬②。
句首的介词后有一个由which 引导的非限定性定语从句，与先行词的关系不十分密切，只是对先行词加以说明。句末有两个介词短语for having conspired…和for being…，起进一步解释作用。这两部分均可译为单句。
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英译汉常见错误
1. Fight shy of theoretical method of approach to the learning of English. a. 学习英语要避免只讲理论（而不去实践）。
b. 从理论上讲，学英文的方法，就是要战胜害羞。 形容词shy一般作“羞怯的”或“畏缩的”解，但用在动词fight之后，构成fight shy of习语，意为“回避、躲避”。又如：He always fought shy of the crowd.（他总是避免在公众场合露面。） 2. The method of inquiry uses the tools of rational thought and experimental procedure. a. 这种调查方法，使用合理的思想和实验的程序这些手段。 b. 这种研究方法需要用理性思维和实验程序为手段。 句中rational除作“合理的”解之外，还可以作“理性的”解，如rational knowledge（理性知识）；thought 除作“思想”解之外，还可作“思维”(the action or process of thinking)解。从句中内容看，rational thought显然指“理性思维”。 3. The failure was the making of him. a. 这次失败是他造成的。
b. 这次失败是他成功的基础。 动词make基本含义是“造成”，又可作“发展或发达的过程；成功的原因或手段”解，在本例句中便是此意。Making还可用复数，作“要素”、“素质”解，例如：He has in him the makings of a scholar.（他有学者的素质。）
4. They made an example of the boy. a. 他们惩罚这个男孩以儆他人。 b. 他们以这个男孩为榜样。 Make an example of one = punish one as an example to others = make an example of the first offender as a warning to others（惩罚初犯者以儆效尤）。Set an example 才是“树立榜样”之意。 5. He (Einstein) had little concern for money, thought he could have been extremely rich. a. 尽管他可以成为富翁，但他却不在乎金钱。
b. 他很少关心金钱，尽管这样，他本来也是还可以成为富翁的。 句中的though并非引出让步状语从句的连词，句中前后两部分也不构成让步关系。He could have been…是虚拟，意为“他本来有可能成为富翁（事实上没有成为富翁）”。Though除引出让步从句外，还可用于主句后，引出补充说明，其含义相当于and yet; however; all the same; in spite of that. 6. Any literate person on the face of the globe is deprived if he does not know English. a. 世界上任何有文化的人，如不懂英语就算不上受过良好教育的人。 b. 地球上任何有文化的人，如果不懂英语将被剥夺很多东西。 句中的deprived = underprivileged，意为所受教育和社会权益较他人少的，未享受到正当权益的，用以说明英语的重要性。Is deprived不是被动语态，是系表结构。 7. He stole her a watch. a. 他偷了她一块表。 b. 他为她偷了一块表。 此句中her是stole的间接宾语，而a watch 是直接宾语。该句等于He stole a watch for her. 8. A man parked his car on a little bridge overlooking a picturesque, arid gully and took out his camera. a. 一名男子把轿车停放在一座小桥上，小桥下面是一条美丽干涸的峡谷，这个人拿出相机准备拍照。
b. 一名男子把轿车停放在一座小桥上，俯视着桥下那美丽干涸的山谷，并拿出照相机准备拍照。 句中overlooking a picturesque, arid gully是修饰bridge的定语，而不是全句的状语，其逻辑主语不是man。
9. Within the past two decades, four technological developments have produced profound changes in our way of life.
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a. 在我们的生活方式中，四种技术在二十年中发生了深刻变化。
b. 在过去二十年内，有四种技术发展使我们的生活方式发生了深刻的变化。 原译误把in our way of life视为状语（应为定语，修饰changes）。 10. No one is so foolish as to believe that anything happens by chance. a. 谁也不会愚笨到相信世间有什么偶然发生的事。
b. 谁也不会愚笨到竟然相信世间任何事情都是偶然发生的。 误译违背常识。难道世间没有偶然发生的事？难道谁相信有偶然发生的事就愚笨？anything 在条件和疑问句中或与含否定、疑问的词连用时常作“什么事（物）”解。但在肯定句中常作“一切”、“任何事情”解。
11. “I’ve served in nine presidential appointed offices, but nothing has as tough and complex as this,” said Elliot Richardson.
a. “总统任命的职务我担任过九个，没有哪一次这样棘手和复杂，”埃利奥特.尼查森说。 b. “我曾担任过九个总统任命的职务，没有哪一次像这样棘手和复杂，”埃利奥特.尼查森说。 句中的nine是修饰offices的。误译按原文顺序译成“我曾担任过九个总统任命的职务”。由于“九个”紧靠在“总统”之前，中文读者自然会想到“九个”是修饰总统的。这就意味着尼查森至少在总统府供职36年，若有的总统任两届，则年头更长，这显然不符合起码的逻辑。
12. Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, arrived at this theory through mathematics. a. 阿尔伯特.爱因斯坦创立了相对论，他是通过数学得出这一理论的。 b. 阿尔伯特.爱因斯坦发展了相对论，他是通过数学得出这一理论的。 若说爱因斯坦发展了相对论，那么是谁创立了该理论呢？develop除了具有“发展”这个根义外，还有一重要含义：bring into existence。汉语可译为“创立，发明，培育，制造，产生”。在本句中意为“创立”。
13. The lady at the desk of the hotel was quite friendly, full of stories of girls waiting for a divorce. a. 那家旅馆服务台的妇女办事员挺友善，她有一肚子关于那些等狗离婚的姑娘们的故事。 b. 那家旅馆服务台的妇女办事员挺友善，她有一肚子关于那些等候离婚的女人们的故事。 “姑娘”在中文中是指待字闺中，尚未结婚的年轻女性，说“姑娘”等候离婚岂不费解？此英文中的girl应改译为“女人们”。
14. The Romans made roll books of vellum, a soft parchment made from the skins of young animals such as lambs, kids and calves.
a. 罗马人用犊皮纸制作了可以卷起的书。这是一种柔软的羊皮纸，由小绵羊、小山羊和小牛等动物的皮制成。
b. 罗马人用畜皮纸制作了可以卷起的书。这是一种柔软的畜皮纸，由小绵羊、小山羊和小牛等动物的皮制成。 误译中先说“罗马人用犊皮纸制作了可以卷起的书”，接着又说“这是一种柔软的羊皮纸”，而这种羊皮纸又“由……小牛等动物的皮制成。”到底是什么纸呢？中文读者莫知适从。造成这一逻辑矛盾的原因是原译者太拘泥于vellum 和parchment的词典释义。正译采取了变通的办法，把vellum 译成“畜皮”，把parchment译成“畜皮纸”，矛盾就解决了。
1. The sun sets regularly on the Union Jack these days, but never on the English language. a. 现在，英国已不是个“日不落”帝国了，但是，英语却广泛流行使用着。 b. 现在太阳从英国国旗上有规律地落下，但是英语却不是这种情况。
原译太晦涩费解。原因是译者没有充分理解原句上下文及其背景。当年英国殖民地遍及全球，故有“日不落”帝国之说，而今已风光不在，因此The sun sets regularly on the Union Jack these days，这半句用双重否定的译法正贴切原文。 16. This man is the black sheep of the family. a. 这人是家中的害群之马。 b. 这个人是家中的黑羊。
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原译望文生义，让人费解。在中国人看来黑羊、白羊都是羊，没有什么意义上的区别。而在英语中则不同，它具有贬义，在本句中要译为“害群之马”。 17. Don’t you see the writing on the wall? a. 你没看见墙上的字吗？
b. 难道你看不出灾祸将临的预兆吗？ Writing on the wall意为“不祥之兆”，典出《旧约全书.但以理书》 18. When you are down, you are not necessarily out. a. 当你倒的时候，你不一定在外面。
b. 遇到挫折，并不一定丧失成功的机会。 本句借用拳击规则传递信息。在拳击中被击倒时并不意味着熟了，在数10下之内站起来还可再战，并有机会成为赢家。若不懂一点有关拳击的知识，很难正确理解原句。 19. He has got out of the bed on the wrong side today. a. 他今天很不高兴。
b. 他今天是从床后面爬出来的。 这句又可说成rise out of the wrong side of the bed，一起床就不对头，自然一天都不高兴。至于wrong常指不正当的事。如：He was born on he wrong side of the blanket.（他是私生子。）She laughed on the wrong side of the mouth.（她哭了。） 20. I am now a little under the weather. a. 我现在有点像在露天之下。 b. 我现在有点不舒服。 Under the weather = unwell or depressed，意为受天气影响而患病。这个表达方式在澳大利亚英语中意为“喝醉了”。
试改正下列的译文
1. My shoes are the worse for wear. 我的皮鞋更加不好穿了。
（我的皮鞋穿破了。这句话的意思是“因为穿的太久的结果，破烂不堪。”My shoes are badly worn as the result of long wear。例如：He was plainly the worse for drink. 显明地他是喝醉了酒。I am none the worse for a single failure.一度失败我毫不灰心。） 2. Everybody bridled at his remarks. 人人都尽量控制自己的话语。
（大家听了他说的话都很愤怒。原意为马缰的bridle一词，引申后可作“控制”解，如：Try to bridle your temper.设法控制你的脾气。但用作不及物动词时，就作“昂首”解，表示愤怒、傲慢或轻视。如：bridle up，bridle with anger，bridle at somebody’s remarks等。例如：She bridles at the least slight.她略微受到一点蔑视就发怒。）
3. It is not women and Frenchmen only that would rather have their tongues bitten than bitted. 不只是妇女和法国人愿意用舌剑唇枪应付敌人。
（宁肯割断舌头而不愿塞住口的不只是妇女与法国人。作“咬”字解的bite，过去式为bit，过去分词为bitten。但作“马嚼子”、“控制”、“约束”解的bit，过去式和过去分词都是bitted。这个bit = mouth piece，原是名词，由“马嚼子”引申为“拘束物”、“控制物”之意。在用作动词时，便译为“约束”、“控制”）
4. He changed his condition only a week ago. 他的健康状态在一星期前改变了。
（句中的change改为alter也是一样，condition普通指健康状态，此处指生活状态。） 5. He got married accepting a leap-year proposal. 他在闰年接受提议而结婚了。
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（他接受女方提出的求婚而结婚了。闰年不比常年，闰年提出的求婚，当然也是不平常的。通常总是男方向女方提出求婚，现反过来由女方提出，故云。） 6. All my advice falls flat on him. 我的忠言使他平地跌到。 （他把我的忠告当做耳边风。Fall flat这个成语有二义：（1）直挺地跌倒be prostrate，如：The wounded man staggered, and fell flat on the floor.伤者蹒跚了几步，便直挺地倒在地上。（2）终于完全失败，毫无反应，一点效力也没有，如：His best jokes fell flat.他最好的笑话也未能使人发笑。现将6题译成中国成语的耳边风preaching to the wind似乎是再恰当不过了。）
7. You can always tell the somebodies from the nobodies at a cock-tail party. The somebodies come late. 你可以报告鸡尾酒会有无人到或有人迟到。
（在鸡尾酒会上你常可区分出大人物和无名小卒来。那些迟到的人就是大人物。作为名词用的somebody是与nobody对称的，前者为大人物，后者为微不足道的人。He thinks himself to be somebody.他自以为了不得。In a small village you are somebody, but you become nobody when you come to a big city.你在小村庄很了不起，到了大城市就变得微不足道了。） 8. The persons elected will sit till 31 Dec. 1973. 选出的人要坐到1973年底为止。
（当选者任期至1973年年底为止。Sit = occupy a seat，就某种职位，成为议员、委员。注意后面接的介词，sit in Parliament做议员，sit on a committee当委员，sit for constituency在议会中成为某选区的代表。）
9. He is free with his money. 他有钱很自由。
（他用钱豪爽。这个with不作“持有”解，而作“关于”解。Free with意为“大方的”、“不吝啬的”。例如：He is very free with his advice. = He gives plenty of advice.他给予很多的忠告。如说make free with = use another person’s things as if they were one’s own把别人的东西当做自己的一样随便使用。例如：They entered the house and made free with whatever they could lay their hands on.他们一进内屋，随意取用所有的东西。）
10. An airplane was ordered from France. 从法国订来了一架飞机。
（向法国订了一架飞机。普通作“从”解的from，与order连用时，就有“向”的意思，不是“从法国来订”，而是“向法国去订”。） 11. She has been a widow only six months. 她只做了六个月的寡妇。
（她的丈夫死了至今不过半年。这句英文意为It is only six months since she become a widow.若译成“只做了六个月的寡妇”，不免有很快再嫁之嫌。） 12. Your loss is nothing to mine. 你的损失与我无关。
（你的损失和我的比较起来真算不了什么。Nothing to mine中的to有比较的意思。） 13. He started on New Year’s Eve. 他在新年的晚上出发了。
（他在除夕出发了。Eve和evening二词虽是同根词，其含义则大不相同。Eve为节日等的前夜或前日，如Christmas Eve圣诞节前夜，on the eve of victory胜利的前夜，故New Year’s Eve为除夕，而非元旦New Year’s Day的夜晚。） 14. He left his watch with me. 他丢下我和他的手表走了。
（他将表托我保管。Leave + 宾语+介词+人，意为“将某物/事托付某人“。I’ll leave the matter to him.这事我交给他去处理。I left a message with your servant.我留言要你的佣人转告你。）
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15. Men of millions are possessed with the idea. 几百万人都有这种思想。
（百万富翁都具有这种思想。Men of millions不可与millions of men混同。） 16. He is behind time. 他已落伍。
（他迟到了。behind time = late，迟到。Behind the times，（时代）落伍。） 17. One fine morning he found himself a ruined man. 在一个晴天的早晨他发现自己衰退了。
（一朝醒来，自己已经成了一个破产的人。One fine morning中的fine一词，实无意义，可以不译，其用法与one of these fine days不久总有一天，相同。Find oneself…自己在不知不觉间已变成了……。例如：She found herself a mother at fifteen.她刚十五岁就不知不觉地做了母亲。） 18. His English leaves nothing to be desired. 他的英文毫无希望。
（他的英文很棒。Nothing to be desired，不能指望更好。） 19. Take care that all is right. 当心一切就好了。
（注意使一切稳妥。Take care that = see to it that，当心注意。例如：Take care that the quality is satisfactory.注意品质要令人满意。Take care that you don’t get knocked down when you cross the road.小心过街，以免撞到。）
20. He measured his length on the floor as soon as he entered the room.
他一进房就在地板上测量了他的长度。 （他一进房就跌倒在地板上。）
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