英语的表语从句是名词性从句中最简单的一种从句,总在联系动词之后。作用相当于汉语的判断合成谓语, 序也和汉语的这一成分相当,因此,英语的表语从句一般都是按原顺序译出,偶可逆序译出。
一、顺序译法
试看以下各例。
1. Our position has always been that such mtervention is totally nn- jitMifted.
我们一直认为,这种干涉是完全没有道理的。
2. Man must early have realized that one outstanding difference between himself and the other animals was that he walked on two legs, the others on four.
人类一定早就知道,人和其它动物的一个显著区别就是人用两条腿行走,而动物用四条腿行走。
3. The temperature 273℃ below zero is what we call absolute zero.
零下273℃ 就是我们所说的绝对零度。
4. The problem is which experiment we should do first.
问题是我们应该先做哪一个试验。
5. This is because the moon is much smaller than the earth.
这是因为月球比地球小得多(的缘故)。
二、逆序译法
为了突出原文的重点并便于汉语表达,有些表语从句可以提到主句之前译出。尤其是当天津翻译公司主句的主语是this或that时 (此时的表语从句常用于说明一种具体的原因或方式)。试看以下各例。
6. At the present time the accepted theory is that all matter consists of very small particles called atoms.
一切物廣都是由称为原子的极小的擻粒组成的,这是目前公认的理论。
7. This is why synthetic fibre is easy to wash.
为什么合成纤淮容易洗涤,原因就在于此。
8. This is what you see when you break up a beam of light with a prism.
你用棱镜分解一束光时所看到的情况就是这样。
9. This is exactly what we are in need of.
我们急需的东西正是这个。