新东方：中高级口译定语从句的翻译
作者：汪亮 上海新东方学校资深翻译、口译教学专家、口译教研组成员。南京师范大学英语语言文学硕士，主讲中高级口译等。
定语就位置而言，有前置、后置和插入。定语从句有限定性和非限定性定语从句两种。就性质和功能而言，可以译成条件、原因、结果、目的、让步和转折等状语从句；就译文的形式来讲，可以译成并列句、独立句和复合句等。
限定性定语从句
限定性定语从句对其所修饰的先行词起限制性作用，与先行词关系非常密切。翻译这类句子可以采用以下方法：
1． 前置
把较短的定语从句译成带“的”的前置定语，从而把复合句译成简单句。反之亦然。例如：
He who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier.
不想当将军的士兵不是好士兵。
Gui Lin is a place where there are gorgeous mountains and rivers.
桂林是个有山有水的地方。
Harmonious interpersonal relationship is the primary reason why I enjoy working here.
同事之间关系融洽是我喜欢在这工作的主要原因。
2．后置
把结构复杂且较长的定语从句后置，译成并列分句。翻译时可以用两种方法来处理：
A． 重复先行词。例如：
China and Japan reached agreement on the issue of agriculture which was a major barrier for their bilateral relation since 1996.
中日两国最终就农业问题达成了协议，而农业问题自一九九六年起就是两国关系发展的主要障碍。
Although he is a greenhand, he has enterprise and creativity which are decisive in winning success in the field.
他虽然经验不足，但很有进取心和创造力，而这正是在这一领域获得成功的关键。
He has great determination and courage which I need badly as a manager.
他为人果敢，而我作为经理，缺得正是这一点。
I met an old man last year who was once regarded as the best master of Chinese painting.
我去年遇到一位老人，这位老人曾经被认为是中国顶尖的国画大师。
B． 省略先行词。例如：
It is she who wrote the letter that announced the break out of the war.
是她写了这封信说战争爆发了。
I gave him a gift which I didn’t see at all.
我送了他一份礼物，他竟然看都没看。
They worked out a new method by which efficiency has now been dramatically improved.
他们制订出一种新方案，采用之后工作效率大大提高。
3． 融合法
A． 定语从句的主句里有“there be”、“to be”等动词时，可以把原句中的主语和定语从句融合在一起，译成简单句。例如：
There are some students in the class who dislike studying.
在班上总有一些学生不爱学习。
This is the very knife which he used to murder the victim.
他就是用这把刀谋杀了受害人。
This was the period when Newton began the research which resulted in the creation of his famous Theory of Gravity.
就在这期间，牛顿开始一一项研究。经过这项研究，他创立了著名的重力理论。
B． 定语从句的动词在整个复合句中分量较重，可将其主句压缩成词组译作主语，而把定语从句的动词译作其谓语。例如：
“The best way to play basketball well is to take it easy and enjoy it,”said an American basketball player.
一位美国的篮球运动员曾说过：“要想打好篮球，最好的办法就是享受篮球。”
He had great success in football which made him an idol in the eyes of every football player.
他在足球领域取得的成就使他成为每一个足球运动员的偶像。
