英語和漢語中的定語有很大的不同。漢語中定語只能前置，而英語中定語既可前置也可后置。兩者的不同，不僅表現(xiàn)在結(jié)構(gòu)上，也表現(xiàn)在意義上。英語中的定語從句有時從原因、結(jié)果、目的或條件等方面對中心詞加以限定。因此，在對語法結(jié)構(gòu)、上下文邏輯關(guān)系深刻理解的前提下，為了更明確地表明這種邏輯關(guān)系，可以將定語從句翻譯成相應(yīng)的狀語從句。同時值得注意的是，定語從句與中心詞之間常有分割成分，而該分割成分中與定語從句緊挨著的名詞，常常會被誤認(rèn)為定語從句的中心詞。
因此，遇到這種結(jié)構(gòu)，一定要根據(jù)上下文和常識進(jìn)行判斷。翻譯定語從句時可采用提前譯、順序譯、分譯或轉(zhuǎn)譯等多種方法。
1. As far as the third factor is concerned,the history of science shows many instances in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful resistance to further investigation;in some cases centuries elapsed before this resistance was eventually broken down,as happened in cosmology,for example.
第一層： As far as the third factor is concerned ,狀語從句1 the history 主 of science 定 shows 謂 many 定 instances 賓 in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly power- 定語從句 ful resistance to further investigation ; in some cases 狀 centuries 主 elapsed 謂 before this resistance was eventually broken down,as 狀語從句2 happened in cosmology,for example.
第二層： (狀語從句1) As far as 引 the third factor 主語 is 系 concerned 表語
(定語從句) in which 引 the force 主 of authority 定 has operated 謂 in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful re- 狀 sistance to further investigation
(狀語從句2) before 引 this resistance 主 was 系 eventually 狀 broken down, 表 as happened in cosmology，for example 定語從句
第三層： (定語從句) as 引 happened 謂 in cosmology,狀 for example. 插入語
要點(diǎn) 本句由兩個分句構(gòu)成，以分號連接。第一個分句的主干為the history of science shows many instances，in which引導(dǎo)的定語從句修飾instances，such ……as ……表結(jié)果，后接不定式;在第二個分句中，before 引出時間狀語從句：before this resistance was eventually broken down;代詞as在此是關(guān)系代詞，引出定語從句：as happened in cosmology。resistance：抵抗(力);阻力。cosmology：宇宙論，宇宙哲學(xué)。
譯文 至于第三個因素，科學(xué)史中有許多事例表明，權(quán)威的力量起到這樣一種作用：它給進(jìn)一步的研究設(shè)置了一道極其牢固的障礙;在許多情況下，要花上幾個世紀(jì)的時間才能最終打破這道障礙。例如，在宇宙學(xué)中就發(fā)生過這樣的事。
2. Behaviorists suggest that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.
第一層： Behaviorists 主 suggest 謂 that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his 賓語從句 or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development.
第二層： (賓語從句) that 引 the child 主 who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity 定語從句
for appropriate responses will experience 謂 greater intellectual 定 development. 賓
第三層： (定語從句) who 引 is raised 謂 in an environment 狀 where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for ap- 定語從句
propriate responses
第四層： (定語從句) where 引 there 引 are 系 many 定 stimuli 主 which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses 定語從句
第五層： (定語從句) which 引 develop 謂 his or her 定 capacity 賓 for appropriate 定 responses
要點(diǎn) 根據(jù)上下文的邏輯關(guān)系可以看出，本句中suggest的詞義不是propose,而是bring an idea into the mind,所以翻譯為…的看法是。who引導(dǎo)的定語從句修飾child，根據(jù)上下文的語義關(guān)系，翻譯成條件句;where引導(dǎo)的定語從句修飾 environment,用合譯法譯出;which引導(dǎo)的從句修飾stimuli,用分譯法進(jìn)行翻譯。appropriate：適合的，相稱的。
譯文 行為主義者的看法是，如果一個兒童在有許多刺激因素的環(huán)境里長大，而這些刺激因素能夠開發(fā)其相應(yīng)的反映能力，那么這個兒童將會有更好的智力發(fā)展。