二、 后置法
除了前置法外,后置法则是指将定语从句放到所修饰限定的先行词后面翻译。翻译的时候先翻译主句内容再翻译从句,从属连词重复先行词并将从属连词译成“这...”或者“他...”等。这种翻译方法也是不适用于所有定语从句,若定语从句所包含的信息较多就直接放到所修饰限定的先行词后面翻译即可,不用放到前面来翻译;但若定语从句中包含较少信息就采用前置法就可以了。
【例3】The America spymaster who built the Office of Services in the World War II and later laid the roots for the CIA was fascinated with information. (2018年翻译)
① 首先划出定语:who built the Office of Services in the World War II and later laid the roots for the CIA
② 划出先行词:The America spymaster
③ 翻译方法:后置法
④ 是否调整语序:不调整 → The America spymaster who built the Office of Services in the World War II and later laid the roots for the CIA
⑤ 翻译先行词及定语从句:这位美国间谍大师曾在二战期间建立了战略情报局并为以后中央情报局的建立打下了基础。
⑥ 翻译整句:美国的间谍大师痴迷于情报,这位美国间谍大师曾在二战期间建立了战略情报局并为以后中央情报局的建立打下了基础。
【例4】I shall define him as an individual who has elected as his primary duty and pleasure in life the activity of thinking in Socratic way about moral problems. (2006年翻译)
① 首先划出定语:who has elected as his primary duty and pleasure in life the activity of thinking in Socratic way about moral problems
② 划出先行词:an individual
③ 翻译方法:后置法
④ 是否调整语序:不调整 → an individual who has elected as his primary duty and pleasure in life the activity of thinking in Socratic way about moral problems
⑤ 翻译先行词及定语从句:他已经把苏格拉底式的思考道德问题推崇为人生的主要任务和乐趣。
⑥ 翻译整句:我把他定义为这样的人:他已经把苏格拉底式的思考道德问题推崇为人生的主要任务和乐趣。
在以上两句话中,由于定语从句中所含信息较多,因此将定语从句放到先行词后面,采用顺译的翻译方法来翻译,这样语序更加通顺。
总结一下,在翻译定语从句时,可以采用两种翻译方法:前置法和后置法。两种方法适合不同的句子,关键在于定语从句含有的信息量以及句子的长短。总之,无论采用哪种翻译方法,目的都是为了叫翻译出的句子更加符合中文的说话习惯。