名词性从句的翻译（1）

本文中所论述的翻译方法来自于由外语教学与研究出版社出版的《新编大学英语》第二版第三卷中记载的内容（277–279 页）。以下内容仅用作教育、研究、个人用途，不可用于商业用途，侵权必究。

英语名词性从句主要包括主语从句、宾语从句、表语从句和同位语从句。汉语不存在类似结构，在翻译此类从句时，可以基本按照英语语序处理。

主语从句

以 what、whatever、whoever 等代词引导的主语从句翻译时按原文顺序翻译。例如：
- Whatever he saw and heard on his trip gave him a very deep impression.
  他此行所见所闻都给他留下了深刻印象。
- 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.
  人类的语言是什么时候以及以何种方式发展起来的，诸如黑猩猩和大猩猩一类动物是否会形成一种更加复杂的交际系统，都是现阶段人们研究的课题。
- What accounts for other's success is some special secret or a lucky break. But rarely is success so mysterious.
  别人的成功是源于某种特殊的奥秘或者某种机遇。但成功是很少如此神秘的。
代词“it”引导的主语从句的翻译方法

这类主语从句翻译时可前可后。例如，按照主语在前的顺序翻译：
- It doesn't make much difference whether he attends the meeting or not.
  他参不参加会议没有多大关系。
- It is good news that our team has won the championship.
  我们队得了冠军是好消息。
- It seemed inconceivable that the pilot could have survived the crash.
  驾驶员在飞机失事之后还能活着，真是不可思议。
- 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，这是一种常识。
也可以变换顺序，翻译时主语从句置于句后：
- It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people adversely.
  显然，这种不安的感觉会对人们产生不利的影响。
- It is certain that technology especially computer technology, will rule our lives to a greater and greater degree.
  可以肯定，技术将越来越多地主宰我们的生活，特别是计算机技术。
- It was evident that to answer the letter he needed something more than goodwill, ink, and paper.
  很显然，要回复这封信，他需要的不只是好意、墨水和纸张。
还可以在翻译时用人称做主语：
- It never occurred to me that she was so dishonest.
  我从未想到她这么不诚实。
- It is imagined by many that the operations of the common mind can by no means be compared with these processes.
  许多人认为普通人的思维活动根本无法与这些过程相比。
- It was observed by professors and women students alike that the boys were "taking over" the classroom discussions.
  教授们和女生都发现，男孩子正在逐渐“接管”课堂讨论。
- It was thought that this drug was blown into the bedroom through a tube in the form of a fine powder which the sleeper breathed in.
  人们认为，这种药是被人通过一根管子以细粉的形式吹入卧室，然后被睡着的人吸入的。

宾语从句

以 that、what、how 等引导的宾语从句译成汉语时一般不需要改变原文顺序。例如：
- The groups charge that the Navy's plan violates federal laws that protect animals from being mistreated.
  这些组织指控海军的计划违背了保护动物不受虐待的联邦法律。
- But critics wonder if dolphins can be trusted to guard nuclear weapons.
  但是批评家们怀疑海豚是否能担负起守卫核武器的重任。
- Scientists have reason to think that a man can put up with far more radiation than 0.1 REM without being damaged.
  科学家有理由认为一个人能够忍受远远超过 0.1 雷姆的辐射而不受伤害。
用“it”作形式宾语

译成汉语时按原文顺序翻译，但“it”不必译出。例如：
- I made it clear to them that they must hand in their papers before 10 o'clock in the morning.
  我向他们讲清楚了，他们必须在上午 10 时前交论文。
- You have all heard it repeated that men of science work by means of induction and deduction.
  你们都多次听说过，科学家采用归纳法和演绎法进行工作。
- He just took it for granted that he would pass the exam.
  他想当然地认为自己能通过考试。

主语从句

宾语从句

许可