定语翻译.doc

陇东学院外国语学院本科毕业论文（设计）1.引言英语复合句结构严谨, 句内主从关系多, 其中定语从句是英语语言表达过程中最常用且重要的基本句型之一。 其层次繁多, 涵义复杂。这点对句子的理解带来了严重的干扰。由于汉语和英语属于不同的语系, 在翻译的过程中如果对定语从句把握不好, 译文大多会生硬、拗口、晦涩难懂。定语从句的翻译方法复杂，有分译法、直译法、融合法等等之说。近年来不少学者也注意到定语从句的一种特殊译法：转译法，即将英语中的定语从句转译成状语。这是专门针对状语性定语从句而言的。就是说英语中有一部分定语从句在逻辑意义上相当于一个状语从句，它们实际上是用来表达原因、条件、目的、结果、让步等各种状语意义，只是形式上是定语从句，意义上是状语从句，所以我们可以将其作为各种状语从句翻译(张培基，1980：35-36)。本文专门介绍英语中的定语从句翻译成状语的方法及其适用条件。2.定语从句2.1定语从句的概念在复合句中,修饰某一名词或代词的从句叫做定语从句。被修饰的名词或代词叫做先行词，定语从句一般放在先行词的后面(张振邦，2005：362)。2.2定语从句的特征及功能定语从句是由关系代词或关系副词引导的从句，其作用是作定语修饰主句的某个名词性成分，相当于形容词，所以又称为形容词性从句，一般紧跟在它所修饰的先行词后面。引导定语从句的关联词称为关系词，关系词有关系代词和关系副词。关系代词有that, which, who, whom, whose, as等；关系副词有where, when, why等。关系词常有3个作用：(1) 引导定语从句(2) 代替先行词(3) 在定语从句中担当一个成分2.3定语从句的类型定语从句就其与先行项的语义关系分为限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句。限制性定语从句和它的先行项的所指意义有着不可分割的联系，缺少了它，作为先行项的名词（词组）便不能明确表示所指对象。例如：Here is the boy who damaged the vase.非限制性定语从句和它的先行项之间只有比较松散的联系，它不是先行项的组成部分，而仅仅是对先行项提供一些补充说明。因此，如果省略了一个非限制性定语从句，并不影响先行项的所指意义。例如：My cousin, who is a engineer, went to Europe last week. (张振邦，2005：570)3.定语从句具有状语从句语义功能的理论众所周知, 形容词和副词同属修饰语的范畴, 并且它们之间存在着一些对应关系。下面我们仅从两个方面来看它们的关系。(1) 从词的形态上来讲,很多开放类副词是通过形容词加后缀“- ly”派生出来的。例如:sudden- suddenly, fortunate- fortunately, neat- neatly 等等。(胡壮麟，2008：58)(2) 从结构上来讲,很多含有形容词的结构和含有与这个形容词相应的副词的结构之间,常有一种对应关系,并且在语义上几乎都没有或完全没有区别(王锦化，孟庆华，2003：45)。如:1) He spoke to Peter kindly.He spoke to Peter in a kind manner.2) She wrote to me frequently.She wrote to me on frequent occasions.从以上两点可以看出, 形容词和副词之间确实存在着一些对应关系。而定语从句在整句中所起到的语法作用相当于修饰性形容词, 状语从句的作用相当于修饰性副词。因此我们可以借助形容词和副词之间的对应关系来看待解释定语从句和状语从句之间在语义功能上的对应关系。可以说: 定语从句和状语从句在结构上和语义上具有对应关系是有依据的,有些定语从句确实具有状语从句的语义功能。4.定语从句的状语翻译4.1翻译成原因状语从句英语中具有原因状语功能的定语从句虽然是用来修饰主句中某一个词或短语的， 但是从句所表示的情况往往是主句中动作或情况发生或不能发生的直接原因，翻译成汉语时在从句前往往加上“ 因为” “ 由于”等连词，例如：The ambassador was giving a dinner for a few people whom he wished especially to talk to or to hear from.(- because he wished)大使设宴款待几位来宾，因为他特别愿意同他们交谈并听取他们的意见。Peter，who was a extremely selfish person ,never cared for other peoples interests.(= since Peter was an extremely selfish person)（Peter Newark，1998：87）彼得是个极其自私的家伙，故而他从不顾及他人利益。He did not remember his father who died when he was three years old.（because his father died when he was three years old）因为他三岁就死了父亲，所以记不起他父亲了。以上例子中主句分别是：The ambassador was giving a dinner for a few people.大使设宴款待几位来宾。Peter never cared for other peoples interests.彼得从不顾及他人利益。He did not remember his father.他记不起他父亲了。定语从句分别是：The ambassador wished especially to talk to or to hear from a few people.大使特别愿意同几位来宾交谈并听取他们的意见。Peter was a extremely selfish person.彼得是个极其自私的家伙。His father who died when he was three years old.他三岁就死了父亲。可以看出定语从句是主句的原因，所以翻译时应加上相应的连词将定语从句译为原因状语。4.2翻译成结果状语从句现代英语中有些具有结果状语功能的定语从句实际上是用来表示主句中动作或情况发生后必然导致的结果或影响, 因此, 我们不妨将此种主从复合句的关系看作是汉语复合句中的“因果”关系。这类定语从句翻译成汉语时在从句前加上“使得”，“从而”，“所以”等连词，如:They turned a deaf ear to our demands, which enraged all of us. ( 王文铃， 2001：57.)他们对我们的要求置之不理，这使得我们大家都很气愤。There was something original，independent，and heroic about the plan that pleased all of them.这个方案富于创造性，独出心裁，很有魄力，所以使他们都很喜欢。Scientists have developed a second generation of the blood substitute that solves the problems of blood storage.科学家们已经成功研究出了第二代血液代用品，从而解决了血液的贮存问题。以上三个例句中主句分别是：They turned a deaf ear to our demands. 他们对我们的要求置之不理。There was something original，independent，and heroic about the plan.这个方案富于创造性，独出心裁，很有魄力。Scientists have developed a second generation of the blood substitute.科学家们已经成功研究出了第二代血液代用品。(章和升，1998：29)从句分别是：which (They turned a deaf ear to our demands)enraged all of us .这使得我们大家都很气愤。The plan pleased all of them. 这个方案使他们都很喜欢。A second generation of the blood substitute solves the problems of blood storage. 第二代血液代用品解决了血液的贮存问题。我们可以看出主句都是原因，而从句都是结果，所以翻译时把从句都翻译成结果状语。4.3翻译成目的状语从句具有目的状语从句功能的定语从句最明显的标志就是在从句的谓语中使用情态动词can,could,may, might, should，助动词will, would或其他一些具有情态意义的动词, 在这一点上, 这样的定语从句和目的状语从句具有共同点, 从句的动作或情况表示主句的目的或愿望, 翻译时可以根据具体情况在从句前加上“以便”“免得”等连词，如：We have to oil the moving parts of the machine, the friction of which may be greatly reduced. (.,so that its friction may be greatly reduced.) 我们必须给机器的转动部分加油, 以便使摩擦大大减少。He wishes to write an article that will attract public attention to the matter. (刘士儒， 1997：97)他想写一篇文章，以便能引起公众对这件事的注意。He wanted to write a letter that would tender consolation to her and assuage the anguish of her bereavement他想写一封信以便安慰她, 以减轻她割爱的痛苦。以上三个例子We have to oil the moving parts of the machine是为了达到the friction of the moving parts of the machine may be greatly reduced这个目的。He wishes to write an article 是为了达到the article will attract public attention to the matter这个目的。He wanted to write a letter 是为了达到the letter would tender consolation to her and assuage the anguish of her bereavement这个目的。所以在翻译这类句子时，在从句前加上相应的连词把从句翻译成目的状语。4.4翻译成条件状语从句具有条件状语从句功能的定语从句虽然在结构上用来修饰主句的主语、表语或宾语等, 但实际上是用来说明主句中动作或状态发生的条件、假设或推测，翻译时，应加上连词“如果” “只要”, 如:Those who are in flavor please hold up their hands. (Wierzbicka.A, 1998:105)如果赞成，就请举手。Men became desperate for work，any work，which will help them to keep alive their families.人们极其迫切地要求工作，不管什么工作，只要它能维持家用就行。(朱建人,2OO4:45)Any parts of a plant which are found to have been discolored or attacked by insects must not be used as medicinal herbs.植物的任何部分，只要发现已经变色或已受虫蛀，就不得入药。以上例子中who are in favour“赞成”是hold up their hands“举手”的条件。will help them to keep alive their families“能维持家用”是Men became desperate for work，any work “人们极其迫切地要求工作，不管什么工作”的条件found to have been discoloured or attacked by insects“发现已经变色或已受虫蛀”是must not be used as medicinal herbs“不得入药”。所以翻译定语从句时加上相应的连词将定语从句翻译成条件状语。4.5翻译成让步状语从句英语的定语从句如果在意义上具有表明主句让步的含义，在翻译时可以加上汉语表示让步关系的词语，如“虽然”等词，并转译成汉语相应的从句。The statement phrased in language was unfamiliar to anyone who had listened to his speeches for years.他在这一声明中所用的措辞，对于那些即使是多年来听过他演讲的人来说，也是陌生的。(史澎海,2007:121)Electronic computers，which have many advantages，can not 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。Frictions，which is often considered as a trouble，is sometimes a help in the operation of machines.虽然摩擦力常被认为是一种麻烦，但有时却有助于机器的运转。以上例句中主句分别为： The statement phrased in language was unfamiliar to anyone.他在这一声明中所用的措辞对于那些人来说是陌生的。Electronic computers can not carry out creative work and replace man.电子计算机不能进行创造性的工作，代替不了人。Frictions is sometimes a help in the operation of machines.摩擦力有时有助于机器的运转。定语从句分别为：They had listened to his speeches for years. 那些人多年来听过他演讲。Electronic computers have many advantages电子计算机有许多优点。Frictions is often considered as a trouble摩擦力常被认为是一种麻烦。可以看出主句与定语从句之间是让步的关系，所以翻译时在定语从句前加上相应的连词将定语从句翻译成让步状语。4.6翻译成转折状语从句英语的定语从句如果在意义上具有表明主从句意思转折的含义，在翻译时可以加上汉语表示转折关系的词语，如“但是”“而”等词，并转译成汉语相应的从句。She was very patient towards the children，which her husband seldom was.她对孩子很有耐心，可她的丈夫却常常不是如此。A polished surface reflects more heat than a dull surface，which（=while a dull surface）absorbs more heat than a polished surface.抛光表面比无光泽表面反射的热量多， 而无光泽表面比抛光表面吸收的热量多。Trams，which disappeared from Britain many years ago，are still used in several European cities. （=Trams disappeared from Britain many years ago，but they are still used in several European cities.） (伍雅清,1994:100)现在欧洲大陆上有几个城市还在使用有轨电车，但在英国多年前就销声匿迹了以上例句中“She was very patient towards the children她对孩子很有耐心”和“Her husband seldom was very patient towards the children她的丈夫对孩子不是如此”形成转折；“A polished surface reflects more heat than a dull surface抛光表面比无光泽表面反射的热量多”和“A dull surface absorbs more heat than a polished surface无光泽表面比抛光表面吸收的热量多”形成转折；“Trans are still used in several European cities现在欧洲大陆上有几个城市还在使用有轨电车”和“Trans disappeared from Britain many years ago有轨电车在英国多年前就销声匿迹了”形成转折。所以在翻译定语从句时在前面加上相应的连词将定语从句翻译成转折状语从句。4.7翻译成时间状语从句英语的定语从句如果在意义上具有表明主句时间的含义，在翻译时可以加上汉语表示时间顺序关系的词语，如“当”、“起初”、“当时”等词，并转译成汉语相应的从句。例如：You，who are in the prime of your life，come forth with greater contributions for the benefit of the people!(丛平，2009：23)趁你年富力强的时候，为人民做出更多的贡献吧！It was a keen disappointment when I had to postpone the visit which I had intended to pay to China in January.我原先打算元月份访华，后来不得不推迟，这使我深感不快。 Miss, said a servant who met me in the lobby, where I was wandering like a troubled spirit. a person below wishes to see you.（Charlotte Bronte,2001:321）“小姐,” 在走廊里遇见我的佣人说道, 当时我像一个忧虑不安的幽灵正在那里游荡。“ 下边有一位先生想要见你。”以上例句中wandering like a troubled spirit是动作said的时间状语；I had to postpone the visit是It was a keen disappointment的时间状语；Electrical energy is supplied to the motor和Electrical energy may be converted into mechanical energy of motion这两个动作有先后顺序，前者是后者的时间状语。所以在翻译例句时在定语从句前加上相应的词将定语从句翻译成时间状语。4.8 翻译成递进状语从句英语的定语从句如果在意义上具有表明主从句递进的含义，在翻译时可以加上汉语表示递进关系的词语，如“而且”等词，并翻译成汉语相应的从句。The fact that the new alliance was locally generated and sustained should be a strong inducement to the US whose interests already dictate such support.新联盟是在当地形成并且得到了当地政府的有力扶持，这一情况对于美国来说应该具有很大的诱惑力，更何况美国自身的利益也要求它对新联盟给予支持。以上例句中主句The fact that the new alliance was locally generated and sustained should be a strong inducement to the US已经表明美国支持新联社，但定语从句whose （USs ）interests already dictate such support有进一步强调要支持新联社，所以翻译时在定语从句前加上相应的词将定语从句翻译成递进状语。4.9翻译成空间状语从句英语的定语从句如果在意义上具有表明主从句递进的含义，在翻译时可以加上汉语表示空间顺序关系的词语，并翻译成汉语相应的从句。Can you answer a question, which I want to ask, and which is puzzling me? (陆国强，1997：76)我有一个问题弄不懂，想请教你，你能回答吗？以上例句中puzzling me，I want to ask，和 Can you answer这三个动作有先后顺序，层层递进，所以翻译时翻译成空间状语从句。4.10翻译成其他形式当句子不是以上九种情况时可根据句子意思将句子翻译成合适的汉语句子。It was impossible to inflict on her, without sacrilege, the pompous obsequies whichGovernments give their great men.(刘士儒，1997：66)硬要给她举行奢豪的葬礼,就像政府施之于其他伟人那样，而又想不损害她的声望, 这简直是不可能的。They will do all they can to raise the quality of all the products.他们将尽量地提高所有产品的质量。5结束语在以上例句中，通过将起状语作用的定语从句先转换成相应的状语从句再进行翻译处理，我们不难发现，如果按常规的定语从句的翻译方法翻译以上定语从句，译文会比较死板生硬，