Unit 9 The Translation of English Nominal Clauses.doc

Unit 9 The Translation of English Nominal Clauses Nominal Clauses subject clauses object clauses predicative clauses appositive clauses When we translate the nominal clauses, we may generally keep their original sentence order. However, in some cases, when 搃t?functions as the formal subject or object of a complex sentence, a change of order is necessary. I. Subject Clauses (一) Subject Clauses introduced by pronouns like “what, whatever, whoever, whether, when, where, how, why” etc. Eg. Whatever we talked about here must be kept secret. 译文 我们在这里所谈及的一切都必须保密。 Whatever is worth doing should be done well. 任何值得做的事情都应该做好。 What he told me was only half-truth. 他告诉我的只是些半真半假的东西而已。 What is done cant be undone. 已成定局，无可挽回。/覆水难收。 Whether he comes or not makes no difference. 他来不来都没有关系。 When we can begin the expedition is still a question. 我们何时才能开始这次考察探险仍然是悬而未决。 （二）“It”functions as a Formal Subject It doesn’t make much difference whether he attends the meeting or not. 他参加不参加会议没有多大关系。（It没有翻译） It seemed unbelievable that the pilot could have survived the crash. 驾驶员在飞机坠毁之后竟然还能活着，这真是不可思议。（It翻译为“这”） 如果主句为简短的系表结构，也可以先译主句，即按照英语原文的顺序进行翻译。 Eg. It is strange that he should have left without saying ‘goodbye’. 译文 真奇怪/奇怪的是... ，他居然不辞而别了。 Ex.1. How and when human language developed and whether animals such as chimpanzees and gorillas can develop a more elaborate system of communication are issues at present being researched, but as yet little understood. as yet 到目前为止，迄今为止，至今仍 人类的语言是如何发展起来的, 是什么时候形成的, 诸如黑猩猩和大猩猩一类的动物是否会形成一种更加复杂的交流系统, 都是现阶段人们研究的课题, 但至今仍知之甚少。 Ex.2.How well the prediction will be validated by later performance depends upon the amount, reliability, and appropriateness of the information used and on the skill and wisdom with which it is interpreted. 这些预测能在多大程度上被后来的成绩所证实取决于所使用的信息的量、可靠性和适合程度, 并取决于对信息作出解释的技能和智慧。 Ex.3.It is often said that wide reading is the best alternative course of action but even here it is necessary to make some kinds of selection. course of action