定語從句前置的條件：結(jié)構(gòu)簡單，信息量小。從某種程度上來說，簡單或復(fù)雜是因人而異的。這里有一個(gè)量化原則：通常，定語從句的長度為5個(gè)單詞以內(nèi)或者不到整個(gè)句子的1/3，可以視為結(jié)構(gòu)簡單。這樣的定語從句，翻譯的時(shí)候往往前置。前置之后怎么辦呢？很簡單，先行詞前加一個(gè)字“的”就可以。我們看一下真題例句。
Furthermore, humans have the ability to modify the environment in which they live, thus subjecting all other life forms to their own peculiar ideas and fancies. (2003-61)
在這個(gè)句子里，定語從句in which they live修飾限定the environment。我們看一下，這個(gè)定語從句符合前置的條件。the environment in which they live就表示“他們居住的環(huán)境”。另外，補(bǔ)充一下，結(jié)合語境modify表示“改造”；subject...to...“使遭受，使服從”；life forms“生命形態(tài)”；peculiar“特有的”， 常見搭配be peculiar to“為...所特有”，比如Languages are peculiar to humans.“語言為人類所特有。”整句話的譯文就是：更進(jìn)一步來說，人類有能力改造自己的生存環(huán)境，從而使其他所有生命形態(tài)服從人類自己特有的想法和想象。
But his primary task is not to think about the moral code, which governs his activity, any more than a businessman is expected to dedicate his energies to an exploration of rules of conduct in business. (2006-49)
which governs his activity為非限定性定語從句，起到補(bǔ)充說明的作用。在這里，which指代的是the moral code。我們看一下，這個(gè)定語從句可以前置。the moral code, which governs his activity就表示“約束其行為的道德準(zhǔn)則”。補(bǔ)充一下，code表示“準(zhǔn)則”；not... any more than比較結(jié)構(gòu)“兩者都不”；dedicate to“奉獻(xiàn)，致力于”。整句話的譯文就是：但是，普通科學(xué)家的首要任務(wù)不是思考約束其行為的道德準(zhǔn)則，正如人們不會(huì)期望商人致力于商業(yè)行為準(zhǔn)則的探索一樣。
Furthermore, humans have the ability to modify the environment in which they live, thus subjecting all other life forms to their own peculiar ideas and fancies. (2003-61)
在這個(gè)句子里，定語從句in which they live修飾限定the environment。我們看一下，這個(gè)定語從句符合前置的條件。the environment in which they live就表示“他們居住的環(huán)境”。另外，補(bǔ)充一下，結(jié)合語境modify表示“改造”；subject...to...“使遭受，使服從”；life forms“生命形態(tài)”；peculiar“特有的”， 常見搭配be peculiar to“為...所特有”，比如Languages are peculiar to humans.“語言為人類所特有。”整句話的譯文就是：更進(jìn)一步來說，人類有能力改造自己的生存環(huán)境，從而使其他所有生命形態(tài)服從人類自己特有的想法和想象。
But his primary task is not to think about the moral code, which governs his activity, any more than a businessman is expected to dedicate his energies to an exploration of rules of conduct in business. (2006-49)
which governs his activity為非限定性定語從句，起到補(bǔ)充說明的作用。在這里，which指代的是the moral code。我們看一下，這個(gè)定語從句可以前置。the moral code, which governs his activity就表示“約束其行為的道德準(zhǔn)則”。補(bǔ)充一下，code表示“準(zhǔn)則”；not... any more than比較結(jié)構(gòu)“兩者都不”；dedicate to“奉獻(xiàn)，致力于”。整句話的譯文就是：但是，普通科學(xué)家的首要任務(wù)不是思考約束其行為的道德準(zhǔn)則，正如人們不會(huì)期望商人致力于商業(yè)行為準(zhǔn)則的探索一樣。