英语的定语从句大多都紧接其先行词之后，但有时也被其它成分所隔开，形成割裂修饰的现象。这种分离式定语从句在科技英语中不乏其例。产生这种现象的原因，大多是句子结构本身要求的。例如，当先行词有较长的介词短语等形式的后置定语时，或者当先行词是主句的主语而主句的谓语又很短时，为了使句子结构匀称，就会出现定语从句与其先行词隔离的情况。对这种定语从句的翻译，关键是要从语法分析和逻辑分析（后者有时更为重要)、入手，正确地判断出其先行词，然后再根据从句与先行词之间的关系和整个句意， 灵活地采用上述几种译法加以处理。试看以下各例。

1. Loser guns are being developed which would kill an enemy at a great distance.

能在很远的距离上杀伤敌人的激光炮正在研制之中。 (which从句的先行词是laser guns，逆序译成其定语）

2.  Is the earth, the only body in the whole enormous universe where human beings or anything like human beings exists?

在茫茫无限的宇宙中，地球是唯一有人或类似人的生物存在的星球吗？（where从句的先行词是body，译法同上）

3. A few stars are known which are hardly bigger than the earth, but the majority are so large that hundreds of thousands of earth could be packed inside each.

有一些星球并不比地球更大，包大多数星球都极大，每一个都足以容装几十万个地球。（which从句的先行词是stars，和主句合译成简单句）

4. Ships and planes have a system for "seeing" through darkness, clouds and rain that is known to us as radar.

船舶和飞机都配备有一种能“看”透黑暗、云和雨和装置，这种装置称为雷达。（that从句的先行词是System，顺序分译成主句的并列句）

5. Very wonderful changes in matter take place every day to which we pay attention.

物质毎天都在发生很奇异的变化，沒我们却很少注意到。（to which从句的先行词是Changes，译成表示转折语气的并列句）

6. A highly accurate test has been developed that can detect those who have been exposed to the AIDS virus.

人们已经研究出一种非常准确的检验方法，可以检查出感染有艾滋病毒的人。（that从句的先行词是test，译成兼语式简单句。第二个who从句不是分离式从句）

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