(2)转译为并列分句
若定语从句较长,对主句中先行词的限制关系较弱,为了符合汉语的表达习惯,可将其转译为并列分句。
例五 :The blood flows from the small arteries into the capillaries in which it gives up oxygen to the body cells and removes wastes from the tissues.
【说明】in which译为“在毛细血管中”。
【译文】血液由小动脉流入毛细血管,在毛细血管中把氧释放给身体的细胞并清除组织中的废物。
例六: Several different clinical classifications exist which vary only in detail.
【说明】which引f的定语从句修饰classifications.可灵活地译为“而”。
【译文】有几种不同的临床分类法,而这些方法也只是细节上有所差异。
例七: The heart is a muscular organ which is divided into a right and left half by a muscular wall.
【说明】which可省略不译,其他部分照译。
【译文】心脏是肌性器官,由肌壁分为左右两半。
例八:Matter is composed of molecules that are composed of atoms.
【说明】引导词that可重复先行词的内容“分子”。
【译文】物质由分子组成,而分子又由原子组成。
(3)转译为状语从句
有时,定语从句在意义上起着各种状语从句的作用,表示主句谓语的原因,结果、目的、条件、让步、伴随等关系。翻译此类从句时,可作状语处理。
例九 :The sick child who had been given the medicine soon fell asleep.
【说明】who引导的定语从句转译为时间状语从句。