英语和汉语中的定语有很大的不同。汉语中定语只能前置，而英语中定语既可前置也可后置。两者的不同，不仅表现在结构上，也表现在意义上。英语中的定语从句有时从原因、结果、目的或条件等方面对中心词加以限定。因此，在对语法结构、上下文逻辑关系深刻理解的前提下，为了更明确地表明这种逻辑关系，可以将定语从句翻译成相应的状语从句。同时值得注意的是，定语从句与中心词之间常有分割成分，而该分割成分中与定语从句紧挨着的名词，常常会被误认为定语从句的中心词。

 

　　因此，遇到这种结构，一定要根据上下文和常识进行判断。翻译定语从句时可采用提前译、顺序译、分译或转译等多种方法。

 

　　 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.

 

　　第一层： As far as the third factor is concerned ，状语从句 the history 主 of science 定 shows 谓 many 定 instances 宾 in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly power 定语从句 ful resistance to further investigation ； in some cases 状 centuries 主 elapsed 谓 before this resistance was eventually broken down ， as 状语从句 happened in cosmology ， for example.

 

　　第二层：（状语从句） As far as 引 the third factor 主语 is 系 concerned 表语。

 

　　（定语从句） in which 引 the force 主 of authority 定 has operated 谓 in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful re 状 sistance to further investigation.

 

　　（状语从句） before 引 this resistance 主 was 系 eventually 状 broken down ，表 as happened in cosmology ， for example 定语从句。

 

　　第三层：（定语从句） as 引 happened 谓 in cosmology 状 for example 插入语。

 

　　要点：本句由两个分句构成，以分号连接。第一个分句的主干为 the history of science shows many instances ， in which 引导的定语从句修饰 instances ， such …… as ……表结果，后接不定式；在第二个分句中， before 引出时间状语从句： before this resistance was eventually broken down ；代词 as 在此是关系代词，引出定语从句： as happened in cosmology.resistance ：抵抗（力）；阻力。 cosmology ：宇宙论，宇宙哲学。

 

    译文：至于第三个因素，科学史中有许多事例表明，权威的力量起到这样一种作用：它给进一步的研究设置了一道极其牢固的障碍；在许多情况下，要花上几个世纪的时间才能最终打破这道障碍。例如，在宇宙学中就发生过这样的事。

 

责任编辑:gaoyan