狀語從句的譯法

    英語狀語從句表示時間原因條件讓步目的等等, 英語狀語從句用在主句后面的較多, 而漢語的狀語從句用在主句前的較多, 因此, 在許多情況下, 應將狀語從句放在主句前面下面我們通過一些實例說明它們常用的翻譯方法。

    例1.When the levels reached 6 percent the crew members would become mentally confused, unable to take measures to preserve their lives. 當含量達到6%時, 飛船上的人員將會神經錯亂, 無法采取保護自己生命的措施(時間狀語從句)。

    例2.When censorship laws are relaxed, dishonest people are given a chance to produce virtually anything in the name of “art”. (83年考題) 當審查放寬時, 招搖撞騙之徒就會有機可乘, 在“藝術”的幌子下炮制出形形色色的東西來(時間狀語從句)。

    例3.When tables and other materials are included, they should be conveniently placed, so that a student can consult them without turning over too many pages.當書中列有表格或其他參考資料時, 應當將這些內容編排在適當的位置, 以便使學生在查閱時, 不必翻太多的書頁(時間狀語從句) 。

    例4.This happens when a fact is discovered which seems to contradict what the “law” would lead one to expect. 每當發現一個事實使人感到與該定律應得出的預期結論相矛盾的時候, 就發生這種情況(時間狀語從句)。

    例5.Now since the assessment of intelligence is a comparative matter we must be sure that the scale with which we are comparing our subjects provides a ?valid? or ? fair? comparison. (92年考題) 既然對智力的評估是比較而言的, 那么我們必須確保, 在對我們的對象進行比較時, 我們所使用的尺度能提供“有效的”或“公平的”比較(原因狀語從句 )

    例6.The policies open to developing countries are more limited than for industrialized nations because the proper economies respond less to changing conditions and administrative control. 由于貧窮國家的經濟對形勢變化的適應能力差一些, 政府對這種經濟的控制作用也小一些, 所以發展中國家所能采取的政策比起工業化國家來就更有局限性(原因狀語從句)。

    例7.For example, they do not compensate for gross social inequality, and thus do not tell how able an underprivileged youngster might have been had he grown up under more favorable circumstances. (95年考題) 例如, 他們(測試)并不對社會總的不平等作出補償, 因此, 測試不能告訴我們, 一個社會地位低下的年輕人如果生活在較為優越的條件下, 會有多大的才能(結果狀語從句)。

    例8.It also plays an important role in making the earth more habitable, as warm ocean currents bring milder temperatures to places that would otherwise be quite cold. 由于溫暖的洋流能把溫暖的氣候帶給那些本來十分寒冷的地區并使之變暖, 因此, 海洋在使我們這個地球更適合人類居住方面也扮演一個重要的角色(原因狀語從句)。

    例9.Electricity is such a part of our everyday lives and so much taken for granted nowadays that we rarely think twice when we switch on the light or turn on the radio. (84年考題) 電在我們的日常生活中所占的地位是如此重要, 而且現在人們認為電是想當然的事, 所以我們在開電燈或開收音機時, 就很少再去想一想電是怎么來的(結果狀語從句 )。 [FS:PAGE]

    例10.The first two must be equal for all who are being compared, if any comparison in terms of intelligence is to be made. (92年考題) 如果要從智力方面進行任何比較的話, 那么我們對所有被比較者來說, 前兩個因素必須是一致的(條件狀語從句)。

    例11.Although television was developed for broadcasting, many important uses have been found that have nothing to do with it. 雖然電視是為了廣播而發明的, 但是電視還有許多與廣播無關的重要用途(讓步狀語從句)。

    例12.Though the cost of the venture would be immense, both in labour and power, many believe that iceberg towing would prove less costly in the long run than the alternative of desalination of sea water. 這種冒險的代價, 不管是在人力還是在能源消耗方面, 都將是巨大的然而, 許多人認為, 冰山牽引最終會證明比選擇海水脫鹽法花費要少(讓步狀語從句)。

    例13.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. 因此, 盡管也許需要糧食生產和加工方面的技術進步來確保糧食的來源, 滿足糧食需求更多的是取決于使發展中國家內部的人口各階層具有同等的經濟實力(讓步狀語從句)。

    例14.Whether the characters portrayed are taken from real life or are purely imaginary, they may become our companions and friends. 無論書中描述的角色來自真實生活還是來自純粹的想象, 他們都可能成為我們的伙伴和朋友(讓步狀語從句)。

    例15.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. 伽利略經過多次這類實驗證明, 一切物體, 不論其重量如何, 除了因空氣阻力引起的差別外, 都是以同樣的速度落向地面的(讓步狀語從句)。