Question

状语从句的翻译

Answer 1

状语从句包括时间，原因，条件，让步，目的等各种从句，其位置灵活，放在主句的前面，后面，中间都可以

翻译时要特别注意状语从句的省略现象以及与修饰对象隔得很远的状语从句

英语的状语可前置可后置，但汉语的时间状语一般要按事情发生的先后顺序来叙述

例: Michael used to look hurt and surprised when scolded.

译文: 麦克尔过去受到责难时，看起来又伤心又惊讶。

引导时间状语的连词有很多，除了最常见的when, as, while, before, since等，还有as soon as, the moment, no sooner…than…等

这些连词的意思有细微的差别，翻译时要注意体现这些差别

As soon as I have finished it, I'll give you a call.(一…就…)

until you told me, I had heard nothing of what happened. (直到…才…)

一般可以直接译为表示原因的汉语分句，或译成虽然没有关联词但含有因果关系的并列句

例1: He threw off his coat because he felt hit.

他觉得很热，把上衣脱掉了。

例2:I have kept that portrait where I can see it every day, as it always reminds me of my university days in London.

我把那幅画像摆在每天能看得见的地方，因为他总是让我想起在伦敦上大学的那些日子。

分句的位置一般可以提前

例1: You can arrive in Beijing earlier for the meeting provided you don't mind taking the night train.

如果你不介意坐夜车的话，你可以早一点到北京去参加那次会议。

虚拟条件从句通常可译为“要是”，“假如”等表示假设的分句

If I were you, I would not go.

我要是你我就不去。

有的条件状语从句有省略的情况，翻译时要按照汉语的习惯翻译完整

If punished, they will not cooperate.

他们如果受到损害，将不予合作。

让步状语从句多用though, although, even if, even though, however, no matter how/what/who 等引导。

通常可译为“尽管，即使，虽然”等表示让步的分句

例1: I've already told you that I'm going to buy it, however much it costs.

例2: Even if the calculation is right, scientists can never be sure that they have included all variables and modeled them accurately.

已经告诉过你了，不管花多少钱，我都打算买它。

目的状语从句一般由so that, in order that, in case等引导，一般可以译为“以便，为了”等表示目的的后置汉语分句

I was advised to arrange for insurance in case I needed medical treatment.

有人劝我投保，以防治病之需

状语从句还有其他很多种，如地点状语从句，结果状语从句，方式状语从句，比较状语从句等，翻译时可根据情况调整翻译策略

例1:They usually have less money at the end of the month than they have at the beginning.

通常到了月底，他们的钱就比月初少了

In the course of a day, students do far more than just attend classes.

在一天的学习生活中，学生所做的远不止听课

Careful surveys have indicated that as many as 50 percent of patients do not take drugs as directed.

周密的调查已经表明: 多达50%的病人没有按照医嘱服药。