一、关联词或从属连词位于句首的从句+主句谓语+其他成分
它们一般是译在句首,作为主从复合句的主语。这样的词有关联词what, which, how, why, where, who, whatever, whoever, whenever, wherever及从属连词that, whether, if.如:
What we now will describe is how the magnetic nature of iron oxide can uniquely be exploited as a separation process utilizing a magnetic filtration system.
参考译文:现在我们所要介绍的是如何奇特地利用氧化铁的磁性而提出一种使用磁力过滤系统的分离法。
分析:其中关联词可译为:…所。
二、it+谓语+that(whether)引导的从句
如果先译主句,可以顺译为无人称句。有时也可先译从句,再译主句。如果先译从句,便可以在主句前加译“这”。如:
It can be seen that precleaning alone would not reduce the total sulfur content of the four coals to levels anywhere near the standards.
参考译文:可以看出,这四种煤的总含硫量仅靠预先洗选将不能降低到完全接近标准规定的水平。
It is a matter of common experience that bodies are lighter in water than they are in air.
分析:有时为了使译文成分完整,可以补充上泛指的主语(如人们…、大家…)。
参考译文:物体在水中比在空气中轻,这是一种大家共有的经验。类似的结构还有:it is (universally) known that…大家都知道…it is believed that…人们都相信…