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Topic 18

The Translation of the Attributive ClauseThe Translation of the Attributive Clause

Topic 18

The Translation of the Attributive ClauseThe Translation of the Attributive Clause

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Teaching aims:Teaching aims: master the translation of master the translation of

the attributive clausesthe attributive clauses

Teaching emphasis:Teaching emphasis: combination & combination &

adverbial clausesadverbial clauses

Teaching references:Teaching references:

Teaching methods:Teaching methods: Practice Practice

Teaching arrangements:Teaching arrangements: 2periods 2periods

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Contents

Warm-up 1

Restrictive Attributive Clauses 2

Non-restrictive Attributive Clauses 3

into Chinese Adverbial Clauses 4

Exercise 5

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Warm-up

As some linguists have pointed out, an As some linguists have pointed out, an

English sentence may be followed by an English sentence may be followed by an

unlimited number of attributive clauses unlimited number of attributive clauses

following the word being modified, while a following the word being modified, while a

Chinese sentence allows only a limited Chinese sentence allows only a limited

amount of words preceding the word amount of words preceding the word

being modified. And eventually, there is being modified. And eventually, there is

no correspondence between their no correspondence between their

sentence structures.sentence structures.

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Here is a typical example

★ This is the cat.This is the cat.

这就是那只猫。这就是那只猫。★ This is the cat that killed the rat. This is the cat that killed the rat.

这就是那只捕杀了老鼠的猫。 这就是那只捕杀了老鼠的猫。 ★ This is the cat that killed the rat that ate the cake. This is the cat that killed the rat that ate the cake.

这就是那只捕杀了偷吃了蛋糕的老鼠的猫。这就是那只捕杀了偷吃了蛋糕的老鼠的猫。★ This is the cat that killed the rat that ate the cake This is the cat that killed the rat that ate the cake

that lay in the house.that lay in the house.

这就是那只捕杀了偷吃了放在屋内的蛋糕的老鼠的猫。这就是那只捕杀了偷吃了放在屋内的蛋糕的老鼠的猫。

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★This is the cat that killed the rat that ate This is the cat that killed the rat that ate the cake that lay in the house that Jack the cake that lay in the house that Jack built. built.

这就是那只捕杀了偷吃了放在杰克造的房屋内的这就是那只捕杀了偷吃了放在杰克造的房屋内的蛋糕的老鼠的猫。蛋糕的老鼠的猫。

Apparently, it is impossible for a translator Apparently, it is impossible for a translator to put all the information into one Chinese to put all the information into one Chinese sentence in the sequence as in English. sentence in the sequence as in English. Therefore, a readable Chinese version of Therefore, a readable Chinese version of the last sentence should be like this:the last sentence should be like this:

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★This is the cat that killed the rat that ate This is the cat that killed the rat that ate the cake that lay in the house that Jack the cake that lay in the house that Jack built.built.

这就是那只捕杀了老鼠的猫。老鼠偷吃了放在屋这就是那只捕杀了老鼠的猫。老鼠偷吃了放在屋里的蛋糕。那屋是杰克盖的。里的蛋糕。那屋是杰克盖的。

Consequently, some efficient ways have Consequently, some efficient ways have been suggested to tackle the problem that been suggested to tackle the problem that occurs in the translation of English occurs in the translation of English attributive clauses.attributive clauses.

the endthe end

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2. Restrictive Attributive Clauses

1. Combination---As an attributive 1. Combination---As an attributive modifier(modifier( 前置法前置法 ))

We actually convert the English sentence We actually convert the English sentence into a simple Chinese sentence or part of into a simple Chinese sentence or part of a Chinese clause , in which an English a Chinese clause , in which an English restrictive attributive clause is embeddedrestrictive attributive clause is embedded(( 嵌入嵌入 ) in the Chinese sentence , and is ) in the Chinese sentence , and is placed before the words being modified placed before the words being modified ( the antecedents). We may call it a ( the antecedents). We may call it a method of combination. method of combination.

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1.Pollution is a pressing problem 1.Pollution is a pressing problem which we must deal which we must deal with.with.

污染是污染是我们必须解决的我们必须解决的一个迫切问题。一个迫切问题。2.In the room 2.In the room where the electronic computer is keptwhere the electronic computer is kept, ,

there must be no dust at all.there must be no dust at all. 存放电子计算机的存放电子计算机的房间里房间里 , , 不能有一点灰尘。不能有一点灰尘。3.Most of the people 3.Most of the people who appear most often and most who appear most often and most

gloriously in the history booksgloriously in the history books are great conquerors are great conquerors and generals and soldiers, whereas the people and generals and soldiers, whereas the people who who really helped civilization forwardreally helped civilization forward are often never are often never mentioned at all.mentioned at all.

历史书上出现得历史书上出现得最多和最为显耀的最多和最为显耀的人物大多是伟大的征服者、人物大多是伟大的征服者、 将军和士兵将军和士兵 , , 而那些而那些真正推动文明前进的真正推动文明前进的人却往往名不见经传。人却往往名不见经传。

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2. Division(2. Division( 分句后置法分句后置法 ))

Sometimes, an English sentence with aSometimes, an English sentence with arestrictive attributive clause is too long orrestrictive attributive clause is too long ortoo complicated for the translator to take astoo complicated for the translator to take asa whole. In this case, we may divide thea whole. In this case, we may divide thesentence into two, placing the attributivesentence into two, placing the attributiveclause after the principal clause to conformclause after the principal clause to conformto the Chinese usage, repeating (orto the Chinese usage, repeating (orsometimes even not repeating) thesometimes even not repeating) theantecedent being modified.antecedent being modified.

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Examples

1.They are striving for the ideal which is 1.They are striving for the ideal which is close to the heart of every Chinese and for close to the heart of every Chinese and for which, in the past, many Chinese have laid which, in the past, many Chinese have laid down their lives.down their lives.

他们正在为实现一个理想而努力他们正在为实现一个理想而努力 , , 这个理想是每这个理想是每个中国人所珍爱的个中国人所珍爱的 , , 在过去在过去 , , 许多中国人为了这许多中国人为了这个理想而牺牲了自己的生命。个理想而牺牲了自己的生命。

2.A fuel is a material which will burn at a 2.A fuel is a material which will burn at a reasonable temperature and produce heat.reasonable temperature and produce heat.

燃料是一种物质，在适当温度下能够燃烧并释放燃料是一种物质，在适当温度下能够燃烧并释放出热量。出热量。

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3. Mixture(3. Mixture( 混合重组法混合重组法 ))

By mixture here we mean By mixture here we mean

combining the principal clause and combining the principal clause and

the attributive clause into a single the attributive clause into a single

Chinese sentence without any Chinese sentence without any

demarcation.demarcation.

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Examples

1.“We are a nation that must beg to 1.“We are a nation that must beg to stay alive,” said a foreign economist.stay alive,” said a foreign economist.

一个外国经济学家说道一个外国经济学家说道 , “, “ 我们这个国家不我们这个国家不讨饭就活不下去。”讨饭就活不下去。”

2.Fortunately, there are some chemical 2.Fortunately, there are some chemical fuels that are clean and smokeless.fuels that are clean and smokeless.

幸好有些化学燃料是洁净无烟的。

the endthe end

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3. Non-restrictive Attributive Clauses

Non-restrictive attributive clauses are Non-restrictive attributive clauses are

characterized by a comma between the characterized by a comma between the

principal and the attributive clause. In principal and the attributive clause. In

comparison with restrictive attributive comparison with restrictive attributive

clauses, non-restrictive attributive clauses clauses, non-restrictive attributive clauses

hold a loose relationship with the hold a loose relationship with the

antecedents, functioning as a antecedents, functioning as a

supplementary part in the sentence.supplementary part in the sentence.

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分 析

In terms of translation techniques, there In terms of translation techniques, there is no significant difference between these is no significant difference between these two kinds of attributive clauses. However, two kinds of attributive clauses. However, the method of the method of divisiondivision is adopted more is adopted more frequently in translating frequently in translating non-restrictivenon-restrictive attributive clauses than in translating attributive clauses than in translating restrictiverestrictive attributive clauses, while the attributive clauses, while the method of method of combinationcombination is just the other is just the other way around.way around.

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1.Division (1.Division ( 拆分法拆分法 ))

1.Translating Into Compound Sentences by 1.Translating Into Compound Sentences by Repeating the Antecedents.Repeating the Antecedents.

★Fine grains of dust can reflect blue light , Fine grains of dust can reflect blue light , which coarse grains of dust cannot.which coarse grains of dust cannot.

微粒灰尘能反射蓝光微粒灰尘能反射蓝光 , , 但粗粒灰尘却不能但粗粒灰尘却不能 (( 反射蓝光反射蓝光 )) 。。★This is a college of science and technology, the This is a college of science and technology, the

students of which are trained to be engineers students of which are trained to be engineers or scientists.or scientists.

这是一所科技大学，该校学生将被培养成工程师或科这是一所科技大学，该校学生将被培养成工程师或科学工作者。学工作者。

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2)Translating Into Compound Sentences 2)Translating Into Compound Sentences by Omitting the Antecedents.by Omitting the Antecedents.

★After dinner, the four key negotiators After dinner, the four key negotiators resumed their talks, which continued into resumed their talks, which continued into the night.the night.

饭后饭后 , , 四个主要谈判人物继续进行会谈四个主要谈判人物继续进行会谈 , , 一直谈到一直谈到深夜。深夜。

★He saw in front that haggard white-haired He saw in front that haggard white-haired old man, whose eyes flashed red with fury.old man, whose eyes flashed red with fury.

他看见前面那个憔悴的白发老人他看见前面那个憔悴的白发老人 , , 眼里闪着愤怒的眼里闪着愤怒的目光。目光。

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3) Translating Into Independent 3) Translating Into Independent Sentences.Sentences.

★One was violent thunderstorm, the worst I One was violent thunderstorm, the worst I

had ever seen, which obscured my had ever seen, which obscured my

objective.objective.

有一次是暴风骤雨有一次是暴风骤雨 , , 其猛烈程度实为我平生所仅其猛烈程度实为我平生所仅见。这阵暴风雨遮住了我的目标。见。这阵暴风雨遮住了我的目标。

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2. Combination (2. Combination ( 合并法合并法 ))

Non-restrictive attributive clauses can also be Non-restrictive attributive clauses can also be translated by using the method of combination. translated by using the method of combination. This is the usual case when we try to avoid a This is the usual case when we try to avoid a loose structure and take coherence into loose structure and take coherence into consideration.consideration.

★ The sun, which had hidden all day, now came out The sun, which had hidden all day, now came out in all its splendor.in all its splendor.

整天躲在云层里的太阳，现在又光芒四射了。整天躲在云层里的太阳，现在又光芒四射了。★ He liked his sister, who was warm and pleasant, He liked his sister, who was warm and pleasant,

but he didn’t like his brother, who was aloof and but he didn’t like his brother, who was aloof and arrogant.arrogant.

他喜欢热情愉快的妹妹，而不喜欢冷漠高傲的哥哥。他喜欢热情愉快的妹妹，而不喜欢冷漠高傲的哥哥。 the endthe end

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4. English Attributive Clauses into Chinese Adverbial Clauses

Some attributive clauses (both restrictive Some attributive clauses (both restrictive and non-restrictive) function as the and non-restrictive) function as the adverbial in the complex sentence, having adverbial in the complex sentence, having a very close logic relation with the a very close logic relation with the principal clause and indicating the cause, principal clause and indicating the cause, result, purpose, time, condition, result, purpose, time, condition, concession, and so on. Therefore, when concession, and so on. Therefore, when translating such sentences, we should translating such sentences, we should render them into corresponding Chinese render them into corresponding Chinese adverbial sentences.adverbial sentences.

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★ He would have to be careful not to offend the He would have to be careful not to offend the foreman, foreman, who would give him the sack at any who would give him the sack at any timetime..

他得小心谨慎，不能得罪那个工头，他得小心谨慎，不能得罪那个工头，因为工头随时都可因为工头随时都可以炒他的鱿鱼以炒他的鱿鱼。 。

★ There was something original, independent, and There was something original, independent, and heroic about the plan that pleased all of them. heroic about the plan that pleased all of them.

这个方案富于创造性，独具一格，这个方案富于创造性，独具一格，因此他们都很喜欢因此他们都很喜欢。。★ The scientist, who was dog-tired, went on with The scientist, who was dog-tired, went on with

the experiment.the experiment.

那位科学家那位科学家虽已筋疲力尽虽已筋疲力尽 , , 但还是继续进行实验。但还是继续进行实验。

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★Men become desperate for work, any work, Men become desperate for work, any work, which will help them to keep alive their which will help them to keep alive their families.families.

人们极其迫切地要求工作人们极其迫切地要求工作 , , 不管什么工作，只要能维不管什么工作，只要能维持一家人的生活就行。持一家人的生活就行。

★I’ll try to get an illustrated dictionary dealing I’ll try to get an illustrated dictionary dealing with technical glossary, which will enable me with technical glossary, which will enable me to translate scientific literature more exactly.to translate scientific literature more exactly.

我要设法搞到一本有插图的技术用语词典 , 以便把科技文献译得更准确。

the endthe end

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5. Exercise5. Exercise

Put the following sentences into Put the following sentences into Chinese.Chinese.

1)Americans have a great range of customs 1)Americans have a great range of customs and habits that at first may seem puzzling to and habits that at first may seem puzzling to visitors.visitors.

2)Late last century all the universities in the 2)Late last century all the universities in the United States adopted the credit system United States adopted the credit system which benefited students a great deal. which benefited students a great deal.

3)There are also great advantages that come 3)There are also great advantages that come from the variety of culture brought by from the variety of culture brought by settlers from other lands.settlers from other lands.

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4)Private schools in the U.S. have a wide 4)Private schools in the U.S. have a wide range of progress that are offered to range of progress that are offered to meet the needs of certain students.meet the needs of certain students.

5)In fact, many Americans who could afford 5)In fact, many Americans who could afford to hire a cook or driver do not employ to hire a cook or driver do not employ them.them.

6)There is no bad habit 6)There is no bad habit that may not be that may not be cured by a strong will-powercured by a strong will-power..

7)The kapok is in blossom 7)The kapok is in blossom that heralds the that heralds the early springearly spring..

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Key to the sentence translationKey to the sentence translation

1)1) 美国人有许多风俗习惯在陌生人看来是颇为费解的。美国人有许多风俗习惯在陌生人看来是颇为费解的。2)2) 上个世纪末上个世纪末 , , 美国所有大学己实行学分制美国所有大学己实行学分制 , , 学生们从中学生们从中

受益非浅。受益非浅。3)3) 移民从各地带来了多种文化移民从各地带来了多种文化 , , 也产生了极大的好处。也产生了极大的好处。4)4) 美国私立学校课程繁多美国私立学校课程繁多 , , 以满足学生的不同要求。以满足学生的不同要求。5)5) 其实其实 , , 许多美国人都花得起钱请厨师、司机许多美国人都花得起钱请厨师、司机 , , 但他们不但他们不

那么做。那么做。6)6) 只要有坚强的意志只要有坚强的意志，就没有什么坏习惯，就没有什么坏习惯不能改掉不能改掉。。7)7) 木棉花的绽放木棉花的绽放预报着早春的到来预报着早春的到来。。

the endthe end

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