【例句】Kevin gave us a wonderful training course, which left us a deep impression.
【解析】這個句子的前身應該是這樣的:Kevin gave us a wonderful training course. It left us a deep impression. it就是指代前面這個句子,這樣兩個句子就有了共有的名詞,連接兩個具有共同名詞的句子是定語從句的作用,就可以用which代替it,這樣就有了示例中的非限定性定語從句。
【例句】There is something by virtue of which man is man.
【譯文】存在一種特性,人之所以為人就是由于這種特性。
【解析】這句話其實是由以下兩句話變來的:1)There is something. 2)Man is man by virtue of this thing.這兩句話中有共有的名詞something和this thing,用which替換掉this thing再把of which提前,得到:There is something of which man is man by virtue.
三、例句分析
【例句】Such large, impersonal manipulation of capital and industry greatly increased the numbers and importance of shareholders as a class, an element in national life representing irresponsible wealth detached from the land and the duties of the landowners; and almost equally detached from the responsible management of business.
【解析】句子的主干為:Such large, impersonal manipulation of capital and industry greatly increased …shareholders as a class, (which was) an element…這句話的難點還在于其主語和賓語都有較長的短語和of結構限定,并且分句是由兩個and相連的3個部分組成的。分句an element…landowners又帶有兩個定語從句,一個是(which was)representing…,另一個是(which was)detached…。可見,定語從句的難點在于經常省略“引導詞+be”的結構,從而在理解上容易和分詞結構相混淆。實際上定語從句并不符合漢語的使用習慣。所以翻譯時遇上定語從句,一定不要機械地按照原來的順序生搬硬套。像這樣分句較長的情況,把主句和分句拆為兩句是比較好的方法。所以這里從“這個階層”開始另起一句。