Ⅱ 翻译技巧
科技英语中定语从句、状语从句的翻译
1.定语从句的译法
英语的定语从句是各种从句中最复杂、最难译的一种从句。它是由关系代词或关系副词引导的从句，在句中做定语，一般是对某一名词或介词进行修饰和限制，被修饰的词被称为先行词而定语从句位于先行词之后。虽然从句法上讲，定语从句是次要成分，但从语言作用上说，它却居于重要地位。因为如果没有它，整个句子的语义就不能完整。所以我们说，定语从句的翻译具有重要意义；英语的定语从句变化多样，而汉语又没有定语从句一说，故英语定语从句的汉译有很大的技巧性，且均应采用转译法；英语的定语从句分限制性定语从句、非限制性定语从句和状语化定语从句三种，不同的从句有不同的相应的翻译技巧。
1）限制性定语从句的译法
大部分限制性定语从句起着限定先行词的作用，无论从结构上讲还是从意义上讲都是全句所必不可少的。因此翻译时我们可将从句融合在主句中，译作先行词的前置定语。这样译时，一般要把关系代（副）词减去不译。例如：
This is the switch we adjust the temperature of water with.
这是调节水温的开关。
Newton whose name is well-known in the world established three law of motion.
世界闻名的牛顿创立了运动三大定律。
This time will certainly come when we shall need a great increase in transoceanic electronic communication.
跨海电子通信大发展的时代一定会到来。
The rate at which world continuous casting capacity is continuing to increase is truly phenomenal.
世界连铸设备的生产能力持续增长的速度的确惊人。
There is a definite temperature below which a gas must be cooled before it can be liquefied.
气体达到应冷却到的温度以下才能液化。
A coil of wire that moves in a magnetic field will have an e.m.f.induced in it.
在磁场中运动的线圈会产生感应电势。
有些句子由于其结构上的原因，若采用定语前置的译法，会使译文冗长、层次不清、关系模糊。若将合译法与分切法相结合，便能避免这一问题。例如：
Some metals are better conductors of electricity than others,which means that the former have atoms that contain more free electrons than the latter.
某些金属比另一些金属有更好的导电性，这表明前者所拥有的原子，其所含自由电子数比后者要多。
The energy obtained from uranium atoms in nuclear-power stations may be used to heat boilers and produce steam for the turbines that drive the alternators.
从原子能发电厂中的铀元素中获得的能量可以用来加热锅炉、产生蒸汽、驱动汽轮机，以带动交流发电机。
有些句子还可以运用重组法，改变全句结构，将定语从句与主句糅合在一起，译成一个句子。例如：
The chemical properties of a certain element which depend on the arrangement of these electrons,particular the outer,or valence electrons,are the same.
元素的化学性质取决于电子（尤其是外层电子）的排列方式，在这一点上各元素是一样的。
Effects of processing a surface which alter mechanical properties are being studied.
有人在研究加工对工件表面是否有改变其机械性能的影响。
此外，还可以在引导词前切断，将从句译成汉语中的后续性分句。例如：
The only effective control system in one that is capable of informing the operator of the progress of the refining path during the entire course of the blow.
唯一有效的控制系统是这样一个系统，其能把整个吹炼时间内精炼过程的进度情况告知操作工。
Another kind of rectifier consists of a large pear-shaped glass bulb from which all the air has been removed.
另一个整流器由一个大梨形玻璃泡构成，泡内的空气已抽尽。
The element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substance by ordinary chemical means.
元素是这样一种物质，其不能用一般化学方法分裂为更简单的物质。
2）非限制性定语从句的译法
由于两类定语从句相互交替的现象比较普遍，所以有些定语从句从形式上看是非限制性的，但从内容上看却是限制性的。因此，这类非限制性定语从句有时也可以采用逆序译成定语的方法译出，以避免译文句子结构松散，语气不连贯。但是大部分非限制性定语从句都是对先行词的解释或补充说明，两者之间的关系并不十分密切，从句在意义上具有独立性，对整个句子来说并非不可少，实际上相当于和主句并列的分句。因此，这种定语从句往往可以和主语分开来译，译在其先行词之后，作为和主句并列的一个分句。具体方法和对限制性定语从句的处理相同。例如：
Hydrogen,which is the lightest element,has only one electron.
元素中最轻的氢元素只有一个电子。
More often,it consisted of several different units,analyzer,averager,display,etc.,which had to be interconnected prior to use.
多数情况下，它包括一些不同的部件，如解调器、均衡器和显示器等，它们必须在使用前相互连接好。
A force can be shown by a straight line,the length of which stands for the magnitude of the force.
力可用直线表示，其长度便表示力的大小。
The power got from some of the chemicals is enormous,which is just what is required to overcome the pull of the earth’s gravity.
从某些化学燃料中所获得的功率十分巨大，这正是克服地球引力所必需的。
3）兼有状语功能的定语从句的译法
英语的定语从句和主句之间的关系很复杂，有时仅从语法结构上分析从句和先行词的关系会给理解和翻译造成困难。这是因为有一些定语从句（包括限定性和非限制性定语从句）对先行词的修饰限制作用已经很弱，相当于状语的作用，往往含有原因、条件、结果、让步、目的、时间等意义。因此，翻译时应仔细分析主句和从句之间的逻辑关系，把具有状语职能的定语从句转换成适当的状语译出。
A.译成原因状语
The instrument that are light in weight and small in volume are used in this space shuttle.
这批仪器重量轻，体积小，故用于这架航天飞机上。
Copper whose resistance is low can serve as a good conductor.
铜因为电阻小，所以是一种良导体。
B.译成结果状语
All matter has certain features or properties that enable us to recognize it from chemical and physical tests.
所有物质都具有某些特征或特性，这使得我们可以用化学和物理试验来鉴别它们。
The airplane is the first in the scale of increasing vehicle size that would appear to be adaptable to nuclear power.
在运输工具的体积增大的规模方面，飞机居首位，因此看来它是宜采用核动力了。
C.译成目的状语
The bulb is sometimes filled with an inert gas which permits operation at a higher temperature.
灯泡有时充入惰性气体，为的是能在更高的温度下工作。
In general,steam-operated electric power plants are located on rivers where barges can easily bring in the coal that the power plants consume each day.
一般来说，热电厂都建在河边，以便驳船给电厂常年供煤。
D.译成让步状语
Electronic computers,which have many advantages,cannot carry our creative work and replace man.
虽然电子计算机有许多优点，但它还是不能进行创造性的工作，因此，代替不了人的作用。
The financial savings possible using this technique will also help to minimize any increases in product costs which are inevitable in the present circumstances.
采用这种技术时所可能达到的经济效益，也将有助于最大限度减小产品成本的增加，尽管在目前情况下这是不可避免的。
E.译成条件状语
For any machine whose input force and output force are known,its mechanical advantages can be calculated.
对于任何机械，只要其输入力和输出力已知，就能求出其机械效益。
Substances that contain only atoms with same properties are called elements.
如果物质只包含相同性质的原子，就称之为元素。
A body whose position changes with time is said to be moving.
如果物体的位置随时间而变化，就认为它在运动。
F.译成时间状语
Electrical energy that is supplied to a motor may be converted into mechanical energy of motion.
当把电能供给发动机时，它就会变成运动的机械能。
The quantity of fluid which passes through a given section of the pipe can be measured.
当流经管道已知截面时，可以测得其流量。
4）定语从句的其他翻译方法
英语中有一些定语从句，由于表达方式与汉语差别较大，而且和主句的关系比较复杂，因而有时要用其他方法才能完善地表达出来。
A.转换成同位语从句。例如：
The speed of sound in air at ordinary temperature is about 1,100 feet per second,which is about one mile in five second or about 700 miles per hour.
在常温下，声音在空气中的传播速度为每秒1 100英尺，即每5秒钟约1英里或每小时700英里。
B.转换成主语从句。例如：
That is the reason why the work put out is always less than that put in.
输出功之所以总小于输入功，原因就在于此。
C.和主句合译成简单句。例如：
There are some engine rooms on board sea-going ships where all the devices are automatically-controlled.
远洋轮船上有些机舱设备是自动控制的。
D.加括号译出，例如：
Some materials,such as cotton,which is often used as insulations,are liable to absorb moisture,and this will adversely affect their insulating properties.
有些物质（如常用作绝缘体的棉花）容易吸水，这对其绝缘性能也有不利的影响。
E.缩译为单词定语。例如：
The human body has some kind of action in itself with which it fights infections.
人体本身具有某种抗感染的能力。
2.状语从句的译法
英语的状语从句一般分为时间状语从句、地点状语从句、原因状语从句、条件状语从句、方式状语从句、目的状语从句、让步状语从句、结果状语从句和比较状语从句。其作用相当于汉语偏正复句中的偏句。引导状语从句的连词大多可以在汉语中找到相对应的表达。翻译状语从句时，可以根据不同类型，采取顺序译法、逆序译法和变序译法。还有一些特殊的句子，在翻译时要考虑其句子内部的深层关系，将其转换成其他类型的从句，或直接将其与主句合译成简单句。
1）顺序译法
在汉语表达中，偏正复句中的偏句一般在前，因此，如果英语原文中状语从句位于主句之前，那么可以按原顺序译出，既顺序译法。例如：
When steam passes over red-hot iron,iron oxide and hydrogen form.
当蒸汽从炽热的铁上通过时，就会生成氧化铁和氢气。
Since this is a continuous process,it is necessary to regulate the rate at which completely carbonized coke is removed from the bottom of the shaft.
由于运用的是连续炼焦工艺，所以必须调节从竖炉底部排出那些已完全碳化的焦炭的速度。
As a steel ship is hollow,it floats on water.
由于钢船是空心的，因此能浮在水面。
Even though automatic machines can do many things that man does,they cannot replace man.
虽然自动化的机器能做人所做的许多事，但是它不能代替人。
Although energy can be changed from one form into another,it can neither be created nor destroyed.
能虽然可由一种形式转变为另一种形式，但它既不能创造也不能消灭。
However carefully boiler castings and steam pipes are sealed,some heat escapes and is lost.
无论锅炉壳体和蒸汽管怎样仔细地密封，总有一些热要泄露损失掉。
2）逆序译法
有时在英语中，时间状语从句、地点状语从句等可能会位于主句之后，按照汉语的表达习惯，将它们译在主句之前，这称为逆序译法。例如：
The selectivity of the electrode increases as the concentration of organic salts decreases.
当有机盐的浓度降低时，电极的选择性就增大。
The air pushes against things when they move in it.
物体在空气中运动时，空气便对其产生阻力。
All these factors should improve once the reduction plant operations become fully stabilized and a standard steelmaking practice can be adopted.
一旦还原装置的操作完全稳定，且能采用标准的炼钢操作法，那么所有这些因素都会有改善。
Some sulphur dioxide is liberated when coal,heavy oil and gas burn,because they all contain sulphur compounds.
因为煤、重油和煤气都含有硫化物，所以在燃烧时都会放出一些二氧化硫。
The hydrogen produced by electrolysis is nearly pure,though rather more expensive than that obtained by the thermal cracking process.
虽然用电解法生产比热裂法生产成本要高些，但其生产的氢气几乎是纯净的。
有时，当目的状语从句、条件状语从句、原因状语从句、结果状语从句位于主句之后时，也可以按照原文的顺序将其译出，以保持上下文的一致。例如：
The material first used was copper because it was easily obtained in its pure state.
最早使用的材料是铜，因为纯铜易得。
The moving parts of a machine are often oiled that fraction may be greatly reduced.
机器的转动部件常常涂以润滑油，以便大大减小摩擦。
Many machine parts are now made of plastics instead of metals that their weight may be decreased.
现在许多机器零件不用金属而用塑料制造，为的是减轻其重量。
The oxides of members of P family are all acidic,just as are sulphur dioxide and trioxide.
磷族元素的氧化物都是酸性的，正像二氧化硫和三氧化硫那样。
3）变序译法
有时为了符合汉语的表达习惯，可将英语中的状语从句插入汉语的主谓之间，如：
Just as steel is an important material,aluminum alloy is also an important one.
铝合金和钢一样，也是一种重要材料。
All living things respire as long as they live.
一切生物，只要活着，就要呼吸。
Some materials are called good conductors because electricity goes through them well.
有些材料因导电性能好而被称为良导体。
4）转换成其他从句
我们经常会发现，有些状语从句从语法角度上看是这样一种状语从句，但从语意角度和逻辑角度看，它又更加接近另外一种状语从句，从翻译的角度出发，为照顾汉语的表达习惯，可以将它们转换成别的状语从句。
A.时间状语从句的转换
When this question is answered,even better and cheaper electrical materials can be developed.
只要这一问题得到解决，就能研制出更好更便宜的电工材料。（转换成条件从句）
When winds blow sand particles against a large rock for a long time,the softer layers of the rock are slowly worn away.
由于风把砂砾吹起来，碰撞大岩石，因而较松散的岩石层便会慢慢磨损。（转换成原因从句）
B.地点状语从句的转换
Where there is sound,there must be sound waves.
如果有声音，就一定有声波。
Where the circuit is complex,the test sequence need to be computer controlled.
遇到复杂的电路时，需要用计算机控制测试程序。
At speed faster than the speed of sound,the plane leaves the sound waves behind where they cannot cause the plane any trouble.
飞机以高于声速的速度飞行时，把声波抛在后边，这样声波就不会给飞机造成麻烦。
5）和主句合译成简单句
和其他很多从句一样，状语从句也可以缩译成句子的一部分，构成简单句。例如：
Electricity flows through a wire just as water flows through a pipe.
电流通过导线就像水流过水管一样。
Light as it comes from a laser is essentially of one color—that is,it is one frequency,or one wave length.
激光器发出的光只有一种颜色，也就是说它只有一个频率，即一个波长。
The induce e.m.f.is in such a direction that it opposed the change of current.
感应电势的方向是阻止电流发生变化的。
A floating body sinks to a depth such that it displaces its own weight of liquid.
浮体沉入液体刚好到排开与其等重液体时的深度。
Sandstones and limestones are actually much more seen than granites or lavas.
砂石和石灰石实际上比花岗石或熔岩要常见得多。