Which作连接代词,可以引导名词性从句;作关系代词可以引导定语从句。
1. 引导名词性从句
Which作为连接代词可引导主语从句、表语从句、宾语从句,可译为“哪个”、“哪ー种”等,有时也可视情况省译。如:
* Which direction is“forward”and which is“reverse”depends on the properties of the germanium block.
何方向为“正向”,何方向为“反向”,依锗块的性质而定。(which引导主语从句)
* It is often desirable to know which conductor of a house power line is hot.
常常需要知道住宅内的电线哪ー根是火线。(which引导宾语从句}
* The question is which material suit best for the parts.
问题是哪种材料最适合生产这种零件。(which引导表语从句)
2. 引导定语从句
which作为关系代词引导定语从句是科技英语中最为常见的,可引导限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句。翻译which引导的定语从句的方法主要有以下3种。
(1) 译为汉语的“的”字结构,其中关系代词which可省译。如:
* A substance which consists entirely of the same kind of atoms is called an element.
完全由同一种原子构成的物质称为元素。