英語：閱讀基本功之難句過關大全－分割結構
分割結構是一種修辭手段,在英語句子中,特別是在書面語中,比較常見。分割結構就是指把英語句子中原來屬于一個整體的句子成分分割開,一部分留在句子的原來位置,另一部分遠離原來位置。
如：The best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters. 不難看出which become our constant companions and comforters原本是一個整體,被用作狀語的過去分詞remembered and cherished分割開。常見的分割結構形式有同位語或同位語從句與先行詞的分割,定語或and定語從句與先行詞的分割,主語與謂語的分割,謂語與賓語的分割。使用分割結構的目的是使語句結構平衡,避免頭重腳輕,或者為了使表達的主題思想更加突出醒目,讀起來更通順流暢。分割結構的存在說明了英語在結構形式和表達方法上的生動性和靈活性,但也造成了句子結構的錯綜復雜。對于分割結構,只有從結構上和語意上弄清它才能避免理解上的錯誤,英譯漢時要把原來屬于一個整體部分的意義譯出。
如： An unusual present was given to him for his birthday, a book on ethics.過生日的時候他得到了一件不尋常的禮物--一本關于倫理道德的書。
再如： After Galileos work the feeling grew that there were universal laws governing the motion of bodies and that these laws might apply to motion in the heavens as well as on earth.在伽利略著作之后,這樣的認識加強了,即認為存在著支配物體運動的普遍規(guī)律,這些規(guī)律不僅支配著地球上的也支配著天體上的物體的運動。
此外,還有定語(或定語從句)與其中心詞被分隔,某些詞語與其所要求的介詞被分隔,動詞與其賓語被分隔,介詞與其賓語被分隔等。總之,英語的分隔應遵循尾重原則(應當把長而復雜的成分放在句末,從而使結構平衡勻稱,以避免主語部分太長,謂語部分太短)和句尾信息焦點原則(把新信息,即語義重點放在句子末尾)。閱讀時要注意把原來屬于一個整體的各部分找出來。
1. Such a viewpoint, particularly prominent in the developing countries, is reinforced by the widely-held belief that it is not the peaceful application of nuclear energy that is endangering the survival of mankind.
第一層： Such a viewpoint, 主 particularly prominent in the developing 定 countries, is 系 reinforced 表 by the widely-held belief 狀 that it is not the peaceful application of nuclear energy that is end- 同位語從句 angering the survival of mankind.
第二層： that 引 it 形主 is not 系 the peaceful application 強調主語 of nuclear energy 定 that 引 is endangering 謂 the survival 賓 of mankind. 定
要點 本句主干為 Such a viewpoint... is reinforced by the widely-held belief ;形容詞短語 particularly prominent in the developing countries ,作為插入語修飾 viewpoint ,將主語和謂語分隔開來;介詞短語 by the widely-held belief 是被動語態(tài) reinforced 的行為主體; that it is...mankind 是 belief 的同位語從句,這里還含有一個強調句式,即 it is not the peaceful application...that is endangering... 。
譯文 這種在發(fā)展中國家顯得尤為突出的觀點被一種廣泛持有的信念所加強,即并非和平利用核能正危害著人類的生存。
2. No girl should marry a man whose last name has the same initial as hers, for, as the rhyme goes, Change the name but not the letter, marry for worse instead of better.
第一層： No girl 主 should marry 謂 a man 賓 whose last name has the same initial as hers , 定語從句 for, as the rhyme goes, Change 狀語從句 the name but not the letter, marry for worse instead of better.
第二層： whose 引 last name 主 has 謂 the same initial 賓 as hers 定
for, 引 as the rhyme goes, 狀 Change 謂 the name 賓 but 連 not the letter, 賓 marry 謂 for worse instead of better. 狀
要點 這是個主從復合句。for是連接詞,引導狀語從句。as the rhyme goes是插入語,插在for和它引導的從句之間,造成for和它引導的從句的分離,翻譯時,可譯成一個主謂結構。
譯文 姑娘不該嫁給與自己的姓的首字母相同的人,因為正如一首童謠所說：改姓不改首字母,婚后必將受其苦。
3. Nor, if regularity and conformity to a standard pattern are as desirable to the scientist as the writing of his papers would appear to reflect, is management to be blamed for discriminating against the odd balls among researchers in favor of more conventional thinkers who work well with the team.
要點 否定詞nor放在句首時,主謂倒裝。is放到了主語management前。同時,if引導的條件狀語從句置于nor與句子的其他成分之間,造成了句子的割裂狀態(tài)。條件狀語從句中as desirable... as the writing...可視為同級比較結構。句中who引導的定語從句修飾先行詞thinkers,可采用合譯的方法翻譯。be blamed for為固定短語,意為 因而受指責 。in favor of ...在句中做狀語。
譯文 假如像學術論文反映的那樣,科學家們期望看到與某種標準模式符合的規(guī)律性和一致性。那么,如果管理者們歧視研究者中的 怪杰 ,而喜歡善于合作的較常規(guī)思維的人,這也是無可指責的。
4. I have discovered, as perhaps Kelsey will after her much-publicized resignation from the editorship of She after a build-up of stress, that abandoning the doctrine of juggling your life , and making the alternative move into downshifting brings with it far greater rewards than financial success and social status.
要點 本句中as perhaps Kelsey will...引導的方式狀語從句放到了主句的謂語動詞discovered與that引導的賓語從句之間,從而造成動賓之間的分割。as引導的從句中省略了謂語動詞discover,是為了避免重復。賓語從句中主語為 abandoning...and making... 并列的動名詞短語;謂語為 bring sth with sth 結構,只是因賓語過長,而把with短語提前了。
譯文 我發(fā)覺,放棄那種 日夜操勞的生活 信念而選擇 放慢生活的節(jié)奏 會帶來比金錢和社會地位更大的回報。凱爾西在長期經受巨大壓力后,從惹人注目的《女性》雜志編輯部退出之后,恐怕她也將與我有同樣的感覺。
5. Such an outcome, if it happens, could cause a political controversy; or it could lead to more power being transferred to the EU in the worst possible circumstances, namely when the Union is deeply unpopular.
要點 這是個復合句。條件從句因為太短,置于主句的主謂之間,造成句子割裂,翻譯時應將從句提到句首。namely when the...unpopular是一個狀語從句,用來解釋the worst possible circumstances。the EU: the European Union,歐盟。
譯文 這種結果一旦產生,就可能引起政治上的爭吵;在最糟糕的情況下,即在歐盟很不得人心的時候,也可能使更多的權利落到歐盟手中。
6. That fact, let alone the current division between the 11 euro countries and the four, led by Britain, that have not joined, is likely to mean that the Union should become a multi-system entity, with some countries signing up to everything and others choosing only some things.
要點 句子的主干結構是That fact... is likely to mean that...。with some countries signing up to everything and others choosing only some things是 with +復合結構 形式,表示伴隨狀態(tài)。短語let alone...not joined置于主謂之間,造成句子割裂,翻譯時應將其還原,放在最后。分詞短語led by Britain和定語從句that have not joined都修飾the four。euro:歐元。multi-:前綴,表示 多的 ,如mutilateral,多邊的：multiple,多個的。
譯文 這一事實可能意味著歐盟將成為一個多體系的實體,其中一些國家對每一件事都表示贊同,而另一些則不盡然;更不用說以英國為首的尚未加入歐洲統(tǒng)一貨幣體系的四國和已經 加入這一體系的十一個歐元國家之間目前已存在的分歧了。
7. This trend began during the Second World War, when several governments came to the conclusion that the specific demands that a government wants to make of its scientific establishment cannot generally be foreseen in detail.
要點 該句的主干結構是This trend began during the Second World War, when...。when引導定語從句,修飾the Second World War。that the specific...detail是conclusion的同位語從句,在該從句中,主語是 the specific demands of its scientific establishment,that a government wants to make是 demands的定語從句。該定語從句放在其先行詞 demands和 of介詞短語之間,造成句子的割裂。翻譯時,可把被割裂的部分還原。
譯文 這種趨勢始于第二次世界大戰(zhàn)期間,當時一些國家的政府得出這樣的結論：政府要向科研機構提出的具體要求通常是無法詳盡預見的。
8. Observations were made of the children at the beginning and at the end of preschool and first grade.
要點 整個of短語作observations的定語,相當于Observations of the children at the beginning and at the end of preschool and first grade were made。因為定語太長,所以將其置于動詞之后,以避免句子頭重腳輕。這樣就造成了句子的割裂,翻譯時應將被割裂的部分還原。preschool:學前的。
譯文 人們對孩子們在學前班和小學一年級開始時和結束時的情況都曾進行過觀察。
9. Whether to use tests, other kinds of information, or both in a particular situation depends, therefore, upon the evidence from experience concerning comparative validity and upon such factors as cost and availability.
要點 這是一個簡單句。Whether to...situation是本句的主語,depends是謂語動詞,兩個 upon 后面是賓語。availability在句中是指 測試和信息容易得到或找到 。therefore是副詞,插在depends 和upon...之間,造成它們在結構上的割裂。翻譯時,可把therefore提到句首。
譯文 因此,究竟是采用測試還是其他種類的信息,或是在某一特定情況下兩者并用,須憑從有關相對效度的經驗中得出的證據(jù)而定,也取決于諸如費用和有無采用的可能性等因素。
10. I have been transformed from a passionate advocate of the philosophy of having it all , preached by Linda Kelsey for the past seven years in the page of She magazine, into a woman who is happy to settle for a bit of everything.
要點 該句的主干結構是I have been transformed from a passionate advocate of the philosophy of having it all ...into a woman...。preached by...magazine是過去分詞短語,作the philosophy of having it all 的定語,插在from...into之中,造成了句子的割裂。翻譯時,可把分詞短語譯成一個分句,其他照原文順序翻譯。
譯文 我從一個 全力以赴 的生活哲學--在過去七年里林達凱爾西一直在《女性》雜志鼓吹這種生活方式--的積極倡導者,一改而成為隨遇而安的女人。
分割結構是一種修辭手段,在英語句子中,特別是在書面語中,比較常見。分割結構就是指把英語句子中原來屬于一個整體的句子成分分割開,一部分留在句子的原來位置,另一部分遠離原來位置。
如：The best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters. 不難看出which become our constant companions and comforters原本是一個整體,被用作狀語的過去分詞remembered and cherished分割開。常見的分割結構形式有同位語或同位語從句與先行詞的分割,定語或and定語從句與先行詞的分割,主語與謂語的分割,謂語與賓語的分割。使用分割結構的目的是使語句結構平衡,避免頭重腳輕,或者為了使表達的主題思想更加突出醒目,讀起來更通順流暢。分割結構的存在說明了英語在結構形式和表達方法上的生動性和靈活性,但也造成了句子結構的錯綜復雜。對于分割結構,只有從結構上和語意上弄清它才能避免理解上的錯誤,英譯漢時要把原來屬于一個整體部分的意義譯出。
如： An unusual present was given to him for his birthday, a book on ethics.過生日的時候他得到了一件不尋常的禮物--一本關于倫理道德的書。
再如： After Galileos work the feeling grew that there were universal laws governing the motion of bodies and that these laws might apply to motion in the heavens as well as on earth.在伽利略著作之后,這樣的認識加強了,即認為存在著支配物體運動的普遍規(guī)律,這些規(guī)律不僅支配著地球上的也支配著天體上的物體的運動。
此外,還有定語(或定語從句)與其中心詞被分隔,某些詞語與其所要求的介詞被分隔,動詞與其賓語被分隔,介詞與其賓語被分隔等。總之,英語的分隔應遵循尾重原則(應當把長而復雜的成分放在句末,從而使結構平衡勻稱,以避免主語部分太長,謂語部分太短)和句尾信息焦點原則(把新信息,即語義重點放在句子末尾)。閱讀時要注意把原來屬于一個整體的各部分找出來。
1. Such a viewpoint, particularly prominent in the developing countries, is reinforced by the widely-held belief that it is not the peaceful application of nuclear energy that is endangering the survival of mankind.
第一層： Such a viewpoint, 主 particularly prominent in the developing 定 countries, is 系 reinforced 表 by the widely-held belief 狀 that it is not the peaceful application of nuclear energy that is end- 同位語從句 angering the survival of mankind.
第二層： that 引 it 形主 is not 系 the peaceful application 強調主語 of nuclear energy 定 that 引 is endangering 謂 the survival 賓 of mankind. 定
要點 本句主干為 Such a viewpoint... is reinforced by the widely-held belief ;形容詞短語 particularly prominent in the developing countries ,作為插入語修飾 viewpoint ,將主語和謂語分隔開來;介詞短語 by the widely-held belief 是被動語態(tài) reinforced 的行為主體; that it is...mankind 是 belief 的同位語從句,這里還含有一個強調句式,即 it is not the peaceful application...that is endangering... 。
譯文 這種在發(fā)展中國家顯得尤為突出的觀點被一種廣泛持有的信念所加強,即并非和平利用核能正危害著人類的生存。
2. No girl should marry a man whose last name has the same initial as hers, for, as the rhyme goes, Change the name but not the letter, marry for worse instead of better.
第一層： No girl 主 should marry 謂 a man 賓 whose last name has the same initial as hers , 定語從句 for, as the rhyme goes, Change 狀語從句 the name but not the letter, marry for worse instead of better.
第二層： whose 引 last name 主 has 謂 the same initial 賓 as hers 定
for, 引 as the rhyme goes, 狀 Change 謂 the name 賓 but 連 not the letter, 賓 marry 謂 for worse instead of better. 狀
要點 這是個主從復合句。for是連接詞,引導狀語從句。as the rhyme goes是插入語,插在for和它引導的從句之間,造成for和它引導的從句的分離,翻譯時,可譯成一個主謂結構。
譯文 姑娘不該嫁給與自己的姓的首字母相同的人,因為正如一首童謠所說：改姓不改首字母,婚后必將受其苦。
3. Nor, if regularity and conformity to a standard pattern are as desirable to the scientist as the writing of his papers would appear to reflect, is management to be blamed for discriminating against the odd balls among researchers in favor of more conventional thinkers who work well with the team.
要點 否定詞nor放在句首時,主謂倒裝。is放到了主語management前。同時,if引導的條件狀語從句置于nor與句子的其他成分之間,造成了句子的割裂狀態(tài)。條件狀語從句中as desirable... as the writing...可視為同級比較結構。句中who引導的定語從句修飾先行詞thinkers,可采用合譯的方法翻譯。be blamed for為固定短語,意為 因而受指責 。in favor of ...在句中做狀語。
譯文 假如像學術論文反映的那樣,科學家們期望看到與某種標準模式符合的規(guī)律性和一致性。那么,如果管理者們歧視研究者中的 怪杰 ,而喜歡善于合作的較常規(guī)思維的人,這也是無可指責的。
4. I have discovered, as perhaps Kelsey will after her much-publicized resignation from the editorship of She after a build-up of stress, that abandoning the doctrine of juggling your life , and making the alternative move into downshifting brings with it far greater rewards than financial success and social status.
要點 本句中as perhaps Kelsey will...引導的方式狀語從句放到了主句的謂語動詞discovered與that引導的賓語從句之間,從而造成動賓之間的分割。as引導的從句中省略了謂語動詞discover,是為了避免重復。賓語從句中主語為 abandoning...and making... 并列的動名詞短語;謂語為 bring sth with sth 結構,只是因賓語過長,而把with短語提前了。
譯文 我發(fā)覺,放棄那種 日夜操勞的生活 信念而選擇 放慢生活的節(jié)奏 會帶來比金錢和社會地位更大的回報。凱爾西在長期經受巨大壓力后,從惹人注目的《女性》雜志編輯部退出之后,恐怕她也將與我有同樣的感覺。
5. Such an outcome, if it happens, could cause a political controversy; or it could lead to more power being transferred to the EU in the worst possible circumstances, namely when the Union is deeply unpopular.
要點 這是個復合句。條件從句因為太短,置于主句的主謂之間,造成句子割裂,翻譯時應將從句提到句首。namely when the...unpopular是一個狀語從句,用來解釋the worst possible circumstances。the EU: the European Union,歐盟。
譯文 這種結果一旦產生,就可能引起政治上的爭吵;在最糟糕的情況下,即在歐盟很不得人心的時候,也可能使更多的權利落到歐盟手中。
6. That fact, let alone the current division between the 11 euro countries and the four, led by Britain, that have not joined, is likely to mean that the Union should become a multi-system entity, with some countries signing up to everything and others choosing only some things.
要點 句子的主干結構是That fact... is likely to mean that...。with some countries signing up to everything and others choosing only some things是 with +復合結構 形式,表示伴隨狀態(tài)。短語let alone...not joined置于主謂之間,造成句子割裂,翻譯時應將其還原,放在最后。分詞短語led by Britain和定語從句that have not joined都修飾the four。euro:歐元。multi-:前綴,表示 多的 ,如mutilateral,多邊的：multiple,多個的。
譯文 這一事實可能意味著歐盟將成為一個多體系的實體,其中一些國家對每一件事都表示贊同,而另一些則不盡然;更不用說以英國為首的尚未加入歐洲統(tǒng)一貨幣體系的四國和已經 加入這一體系的十一個歐元國家之間目前已存在的分歧了。
7. This trend began during the Second World War, when several governments came to the conclusion that the specific demands that a government wants to make of its scientific establishment cannot generally be foreseen in detail.
要點 該句的主干結構是This trend began during the Second World War, when...。when引導定語從句,修飾the Second World War。that the specific...detail是conclusion的同位語從句,在該從句中,主語是 the specific demands of its scientific establishment,that a government wants to make是 demands的定語從句。該定語從句放在其先行詞 demands和 of介詞短語之間,造成句子的割裂。翻譯時,可把被割裂的部分還原。
譯文 這種趨勢始于第二次世界大戰(zhàn)期間,當時一些國家的政府得出這樣的結論：政府要向科研機構提出的具體要求通常是無法詳盡預見的。
8. Observations were made of the children at the beginning and at the end of preschool and first grade.
要點 整個of短語作observations的定語,相當于Observations of the children at the beginning and at the end of preschool and first grade were made。因為定語太長,所以將其置于動詞之后,以避免句子頭重腳輕。這樣就造成了句子的割裂,翻譯時應將被割裂的部分還原。preschool:學前的。
譯文 人們對孩子們在學前班和小學一年級開始時和結束時的情況都曾進行過觀察。
9. Whether to use tests, other kinds of information, or both in a particular situation depends, therefore, upon the evidence from experience concerning comparative validity and upon such factors as cost and availability.
要點 這是一個簡單句。Whether to...situation是本句的主語,depends是謂語動詞,兩個 upon 后面是賓語。availability在句中是指 測試和信息容易得到或找到 。therefore是副詞,插在depends 和upon...之間,造成它們在結構上的割裂。翻譯時,可把therefore提到句首。
譯文 因此,究竟是采用測試還是其他種類的信息,或是在某一特定情況下兩者并用,須憑從有關相對效度的經驗中得出的證據(jù)而定,也取決于諸如費用和有無采用的可能性等因素。
10. I have been transformed from a passionate advocate of the philosophy of having it all , preached by Linda Kelsey for the past seven years in the page of She magazine, into a woman who is happy to settle for a bit of everything.
要點 該句的主干結構是I have been transformed from a passionate advocate of the philosophy of having it all ...into a woman...。preached by...magazine是過去分詞短語,作the philosophy of having it all 的定語,插在from...into之中,造成了句子的割裂。翻譯時,可把分詞短語譯成一個分句,其他照原文順序翻譯。
譯文 我從一個 全力以赴 的生活哲學--在過去七年里林達凱爾西一直在《女性》雜志鼓吹這種生活方式--的積極倡導者,一改而成為隨遇而安的女人。
