英語的表語從句是名詞性從句中最簡單的一種從句,總在聯系動詞之后。作用相當于漢語的判斷合成謂語, 序也和漢語的這一成分相當,因此,英語的表語從句一般都是按原順序譯出,偶可逆序譯出。
一、順序譯法
試看以下各例。
1. Our position has always been that such mtervention is totally nn- jitMifted.
我們一直認為,這種干涉是完全沒有道理的。
2. Man must early have realized that one outstanding difference between himself and the other animals was that he walked on two legs, the others on four.
人類一定早就知道,人和其它動物的一個顯著區(qū)別就是人用兩條腿行走,而動物用四條腿行走。
3. The temperature 273℃ below zero is what we call absolute zero.
零下273℃ 就是我們所說的絕對零度。
4. The problem is which experiment we should do first.
問題是我們應該先做哪一個試驗。
5. This is because the moon is much smaller than the earth.
這是因為月球比地球小得多(的緣故)。
二、逆序譯法
為了突出原文的重點并便于漢語表達,有些表語從句可以提到主句之前譯出。尤其是當天津翻譯公司主句的主語是this或that時 (此時的表語從句常用于說明一種具體的原因或方式)。試看以下各例。
6. At the present time the accepted theory is that all matter consists of very small particles called atoms.
一切物廣都是由稱為原子的極小的擻粒組成的,這是目前公認的理論。
7. This is why synthetic fibre is easy to wash.
為什么合成纖淮容易洗滌,原因就在于此。
8. This is what you see when you break up a beam of light with a prism.
你用棱鏡分解一束光時所看到的情況就是這樣。
9. This is exactly what we are in need of.
我們急需的東西正是這個。