状语从句翻译方法

一、将表示目的的从句前置

For example, a film can slow down the formation of crystals so that students can study the process.

分析：原句中由so that引导的目的状语从句在译文中放到了主句之前。

参考译文：例如，为了能让学生研究这一过程，电影可以放慢演示晶体的形成过程。

二、表示目的的从句后置

The saddles are either further fixed so that the cables may slide over them, rmounted on rollers so that they move with any movement of the cables.

分析：句中有两个目的状语从句，在翻译时，并未直接翻译成为了…，而是译为这样…，更能让人接受。

参考译文：鞍座可以是固定的，这样钢缆可以在它上面滑动，也可以安装在滚柱上，这样鞍座就会随钢缆的移动而移动。

While there are almost as many definitions of history as there are historians, modern practice most closely conforms to one that sees history as the attempt to recreate and explain the significant events of the past.（1999年）

结构分析：句子的框架是While there are almost as many…as there are historians，modern practice most closely conforms to one that sees history as….while引导让步状语从句，翻译时可译为尽管…但是….as引导一个比较状语从句。主句中包含一个由关系代词that引导的定语从句，修饰one.one指代definition.definition意为定义，界定；modern practice在此意为现代史学实践；conform to原意为遵照，顺从，在此译为趋向于认为。

参考译文：几乎每个历史学家对史学都有自己的界定，但现代史学家的实践最趋向于认为历史学是试图重现过去的重大史实并对其做出解释。