从上面所举各例中可以看到，通过适当的省略和压缩，可使汉语译文更加紧凑简练、通顺易懂。在处理英语复合句时，同样也会用到这种方法，叫做合译法。所谓合译，就是在不影响再现原义的前提下，把英语并列句或主从复合句压缩成简单句，原文中多余的部分自然就省略了。从这个意义上说，合译也是修辞性省略的ー种。

1. 并列句的合译

并列句的合译，是指把两个平行的从句合并成ー个简单句译出。如：

例1 The documents involved in counter-purchase agreements are far more complicated than any normal commercial deal, where money changes hands and that is that.

回购协议所涉及的文件比任何正常商业交易要复杂得多，后者只是钱一转手就完事了。

2. 定语从句的合译

一般来说，限定性或修饰性很强的英语定语从句，译成汉语时可作为修饰词语移到先行名词之前，形成偏正词组，整个句子自然就成了简单句。这种情况在正式公文和法律文件中比较常见,如：

例2 They reviewed the international situation in which important changes and great

upheavals are taking place and expounded their respective positions and attitudes.

双方回顾了正在发生重大变化和巨大动荡的国际形势，并阐明了各自的立场与态度。

例3 This Convention does not prevail over any international agreement which has

already been or may be entered into and which contains provisions concerning the matters governed by this Convention.

本公约不优于业已缔结或可能缔结且载有与本公约所涉事項有关的条款的任何国际协定。

一些插在主句当中的非限定性定语从句，有时可以压缩成词组或短语后单独译出。如：

例3 Afterwards, they quarreled, which was a pity, and caused much friction.

可惜，后来双方发生龃龉，并引起许多磨擦。