英语中，定语从句分成限制性从句与非限制性从句两种。他们在英语中的位置一般是在其所修饰的先行词后面。
限定性定语从句与非限定性定语从句的其别只是在于限制意义的强弱。而汉语中定语作为修饰语通常在其所修饰的词前面，并且没有限制意义的强弱之分，因此，限制与非限制在翻译中并不起十分重要的作用。
英语中多用结构复杂的定语从句，而汉语中修饰语则不宜臃肿。所以，在翻译定语从句时，一定要考虑到汉语的表达习惯。
从结构上分析，常见的定语从句翻译方法：
一、前置法：把定语从句翻译到所修饰的先行词前面，可以用“的”来连接。
既然定语从句的意义是作定语修饰语，所以在翻译的时候，通常把较短的定语从句译成带“的”的前置定语，翻译在定语从句的先行词前面。
He who has never tasted what is bitter does not know what is sweet. 没有吃过苦的人不知道什么是甜。
Space and oceans are the new world which scientists are trying to explore.
太空和海洋是科学家们努力探索的新领域。
His laughter, which was infectious, broke the silence.
他那富有感染力的笑声打破了沉寂。
Harmonious interpersonal relationship is the primary reason why I enjoy working here.
同事之间关系融洽是我喜欢在这工作的主要原因。
二、后置法：把定语从句翻译在所修饰的先行词后面，翻译为并列分句。
英语的英语从句结构常常比较复杂，如果翻译在其修饰的先行词前面的话，会显得定语太臃肿，而无法叙述清楚。这时，可以把定语从句翻译在先行词后面，译成并列分句。翻译时可以用两种方法来处理：
（一）重复先行词
由于定语从句的先行词通常在定语从句中充当句子成分，如果单独把定语从句翻译出来的话，常常需要重复先行词，还可以用代词代替先行词来重复。
China and Japan reached agreement on the issue of agriculture which was a major barrier for their bilateral relation since 1996. 中日两国最终就农业问题达成了协议，而农业问题自一九九六年起就是两国关系发展的主要障碍。 We wish to express our satisfaction at this to the Special Committee, whose activities deserve to be encouraged.
在我们对特别委员会表示满意，特别委员会的工作应该受到鼓励。
You, whose predecessors scored initial success in astronomical research, have acquired a greater accomplishment in this respect.
你们的先辈在天文学研究方面取得了初步的成功，而你们现在则在这一方面获得了更大的成就。
Although he is a green hand, he has enterprise and creativity which are decisive in winning success in the field. 他虽然经验不足，但很有进取心和创造力，而这正是在这一领域获得成功的关键。（二）省略先行词
如果把定语从句翻译在先行词后面，在“通顺、完整”的前提下，有时候可以不用重复先行词。
It is he who received the letter that announced the death of your uncle. 是他接到那封信，说你的叔叔去世了。
They worked out a new method by which production has now been rapidly increased. 他们制定出一种新方案，采用之后生产已迅速得到提高。
After dinner, the four key negotiators resumed their talks, which continued well into the night. 饭后，四个主要谈判人物继续进行会谈，一直谈到深夜。
They worked out a new method by which efficiency has now been dramatically improved. 他们制订出一种新方案，采用之后工作效率大大提高。
三、融合法：把定语从句和它所修饰的先行词结合在一起翻译。
融合法是指翻译时把主句和定语从句融合成一句简单句，其中的定语从句译成单句中的谓语部分。由于限制性定语从句与主句关系较紧密，所以，融合法多用于翻译限制性定语从句。
A． 定语从句的主句里有“there be”、“to be”等动词时，可以把原句中的主语和定语从句融合在一起，译成简单句。例如：
There is a man downstairs who wants to see you. 楼下有人要见你。（原句中的主句部分there is a man翻译成“有人”，然后将定语从句译成句子的谓语部分。）
There are some students in the class who dislike studying.
在班上总有一些学生不爱学习。
This is the very knife which he used to murder the victim.
他就是用这把刀谋杀了受害人。
This was the period when Newton began the research which resulted in the creation of his famous Theory of Gravity.
就在这期间，牛顿开始了一项研究。经过这项研究，他创立了著名的重力理论。
B． 定语从句的动词在整个复合句中分量较重，可将其主句压缩成词组译作主语，而把定语从句的动词译作其谓语。例如：
He had great success in football which made him an idol in the eyes of every football player.
他在足球领域取得的成就使他成为每一个足球运动员的偶像。
四、分译法：分译法是指将主句和从句分开翻译的一种方法，主要用于较长的非限制性定语从句里。
采用这种方法可避免句子的冗长和累赘。有些定语从句在修饰关系上与先行词之间关系显得较为疏远，这时，我们通常会将定语从句译成独立的句子。
One was a violent thunderstorm, the worst I had ever seen, which obscured
my objective.
有一次暴风骤雨，猛烈的程度实在是我平生所鲜见的。这场暴风雨遮住了我的目标。
Nevertheless the problem was solved successfully, which showed that the computations were accurate.
不过问题还是圆满地解决了，这说明计算是很精确的。
从定语从句的性质和功能分析，翻译方法：
A．表原因
The manager was giving a dinner for a few people whom he wished especially to talk to or to hear from.
经理只宴请了几个人，因为他特别想和这些人谈谈，听听他们的意见。
No one in the company likes their boss, who is stingy and bad-tempered.
公司里没人喜欢他们的老板，因为他脾气暴躁、人又小气。
B． 表结果
The two countries established formal diplomatic relation, which paved the way for the further communication.
两国正式建立了外交关系，从而为双方进一步的交流铺平了道路。
They quarreled with each other everyday, which led to their divorce.
他们夫妻二人天天吵架，最终导致离婚。
C． 表让步
He insisted on buying another car, which he actually didn’t need..
他坚持要再买一辆车，尽管他并不需要。
My father, who thought it might not work, supported me.
尽管父亲认为这个办法可能不会起作用，但还是支持我。
D． 表目的
This company, which wants to get their new product sold well in the market, is trying hard to perfect its packing and workmanship.
为了使新产品在市场热销，这个公司正在全力改进工艺和外包装。
E． 表转折
She is quite considerate and kind, which her younger sister never is.
她非常善良，体贴，而她妹妹却从不这样。
To succeed in this area, one needs profound knowledge and experience, which few has.
要想在这一领域取得成功，需要渊博的知识及丰富的经验，而很少有人能具备这两点。
F． 表条件或假设
A new product which has beautiful packing, good quality and advertising may very likely be a hit in market
一种新产品，只要包装精美，质量过硬，宣传得力，就能在市场中热销。
Any one who works hard and never gives up will succeed.
任何人，只要努力工作永不放弃，就能够成功。
独立主格结构主要用于描绘性文字中，其作用相当于一个状语从句，常用来表示时间、原因、条件、行为方式或伴随情况等。例如：表示时间
The meeting being over, all of us went home. 开完会后我们都回家了。 Her work done, she sat down for a cup of tea. 她干完了活，坐下来喝茶。
表示条件
The condition being favourable, he may succeed. 若条件有利，他或许能成功。
表示原因
There being no taxis, we had to walk. 没有出租车，我们只好步行。
He wrapped her up with great care,the night being dark and frosty. 夜又黑又冷，所以他把她裹得严严实实的。
表示伴随情况
Almost all metals are good conductors,silver being the best of all. 几乎所有的金属都是良导体，而银则是最好的导体。(=Almost all metals are good conductors, and silver is the best of all.)
独立主格结构主要表示谓语动词发生的时间、原因、条件或伴随情况等，相当于一个状语从句或并列句。
用作时间状语
The work done(=After the work had been done), we went home. 工作完成后，
我们就回家了。
用作条件状语
Weather permitting(=If weather permits), they will go on an outing to the
beach tomorrow. 如果天气允许的话，他们将在明天组织一次海滨小游。
用作原因状语
An important lecture to be given tomorrow(=As an important lecture will be
given tomorrow), the professor has to stay up late into the night. 因为明天要发表一个重要的演讲，教授不得不熬夜到很晚。
用作伴随状语
He was lying on the grass,his hands crossed under his head(=and his hands were crossed under his head).他躺在草地上，将两手交叉枕在脑后。
用作补充说明
We redoubled our efforts,each man working like two. 我们加倍努力，一个人干两个人的活。
*注：独立主格结构表示时间、条件或原因时，相当于一个状语从句，一般放在句首，表示原因时还可放在句末；表伴随状况或补充说明时，相当于一个并列句，通常放于句末。
一般独立主格形式
与主句逻辑关系松散
形式为: n. + -ed/-ing形式; n. +不定式; n. +介词短语; n. +形容词; n. +副词;
名词/主格代词+现在分词
名词/主格代词与现在分词之间是主动关系。
如：
The girl staring at him(= As the girl stared at him), he didn't know what to say.
姑娘两眼望着他，他不知道说什么好。
Time permitting(= If time permits), we will go for an outing tomorrow. 如果时
间允许的话，我们明天去郊游。
名词/主格代词+过去分词
名词/主格代词与过去分词之间是被动关系。
如：
The problems solved(= As the problems were solved), the quality has been
improved. 随着问题的解决，质量已经提高了。
Her glasses broken(= Because her glasses were broken), she couldn't see the
words on the blackboard. 由于眼镜摔坏了，她看不见黑板上的字。
名词/主格代词+不定式
名词/主格代词与不定式之间是主动关系，且强调的是一次具体性的动作。
如：
He is going to make a model plane,some old parts to help. 借助于一些旧零件，他要做一个飞机模型。
They said good-bye to each other,one to go home, the other to go to the bookstore. 他们道别后，一个回了家，一个去了书店。
名词/主格代词+形容词
如：
An air accident happened to the plane,nobody alive. 那架飞机遭遇了空难，无一人生还。
So many people absent, the meeting had to be called off. 这么多人缺席，会议
不得不取消。
名词/主格代词+副词
如：
He put on his sweater ,wrong side out. 他把毛衣穿反了。
The meeting over, they all went home. 会议一结束，他们就都回家了。
名词/主格代词+介词短语
如：
The boy goes to the classroom,book in hand. 那男孩手里拿着书去教室。
Mary was sitting near the fire,her back towards the 玛丽靠近火炉坐着，背对着门。
名词/主格代词+名词
His first shot failure，he fired again．
他第一枪没击中，又打了一枪。
Two hundred people died in the accident, many of them children.
两百人死于事故，其中有许多儿童。
- with 引导的独立主格:与主句逻辑关系紧密
形式为: with + n. + -ed/-ing形式; with + n. +adj.; with +n. +介词短语
with ( without)+宾语（名词/代词）+宾语补足语，宾语通常由名词或代词充当，但
代词一定要用宾格。上文的独立主格结构的几种情况都适用于此结构。
The girl hid her box without anyone knowing where it was.
小女孩把盒子藏了起来，没有人知道它在哪里。（without +名词/代词+动词的-ing形式）
Without a word more spoken, she left the meeting room.
她没再说什么话就离开了会议室。（without+名词/代词+动词的-ed形式）
The kid feels excited with so many places of interest to visit.
有这么多的名胜可参观，小孩很激动。（with+名词/代词+动词不定式）
The boy was walking, with his father ahead.
父亲在前，小孩在后走着。（with+名词/代词+副词）
He stood at the door, with a computer in his hand. 或He stood at the door, computer in hand.
他站在门口，手里拿着一部电脑。（with+名词/代词+介词短语）
With his son so disappointing, the old man felt unhappy.
由于儿子如此令人失望，老人感到很不快乐。（with+名词/代词+形容词）
在with (without) 的复合结构中，多数情况下with 能省略，但without 不能省略。
- each引导的强调型独立主格:
形式为:句子 +复数名词结尾 , each +介词短语/形容词短语/名词短语/-ing形式/-ed形式
这种独立主格结构为了强调句尾的复数名词
如:
Under the restructuring, the huge organization that operates the company's basic businesses will be divided into five groups,each with its own executive.（题源:《GMAT语法全解》白勇著，Page38）
-There being +名词（代词）
There being nothing else to do, we went home. 没有别的事可做，我们就回家了。 There being no further business, I declare the meeting closed. 没有再要讨论的
事了，我宣布散会。
-It being +名词（代词)
It being Christmas, the government offices were closed. 由于圣诞节的缘故，政
府机关都休息。
It being a holiday, all the shops were shut. 由于今天是假日，所有商店都关门了。
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