所謂合句,英文叫作Compound Sentence,是由兩個或兩個以上的獨(dú)立子句(Independent Clause)構(gòu)成的。采用這種句型來翻譯的時候,比采用單句還要簡單、容易。但要注意一點(diǎn),子句與子句間要用對等連詞(Coordinate Conjunction )結(jié)合成合句。對等連詞基本可分為以下四種:
(一) 累積連詞(Cumulative Conjunction): and, both…… and, not only, …… but also, no less than, as well as, furthermore, besides, moreover等。
(二) 選擇連詞(Alternative Conjunction): or, either …… or, nor, neither …… nor, otherwise, or else等。
(三) 反意連詞(Adversative Conjunction): but, yet, while, nevertheless, still, however, whereas, only, notwithstanding等。
(四) 推論連詞(Illative Conjunction): for, therefore, so, thus, hence, wherefore, consequently, accordingly等。
以上的對等連詞,有的并不是真正的連詞,而是接續(xù)副詞(Conjunctive Adverb),又稱關(guān)系副詞(Relative Adverb),可以用作對等連詞。例如:
我們在那里呆了一個小時就回家了。
We stayed there an hour; then we went home.
她在美國留學(xué),所以她英語說得好。
She is an American returned student, therefore she speaks good English.
我很愿意做,只是我太忙了。
I would do it with pleasure, only I am too busy.
我正要出去,電話鈴聲就響了。
I was just going out, when the phone rang.
此外,還有部分原來并不是對等連詞(如 as, until, while, when等),后來用作對等連詞的詞,例如:
他是一個美國人,我聽他說話就知道了。
He is an American, as I know from his accent.
有的人富有,有的人貧窮。
Some people are rich, while others are poor.
現(xiàn)列舉一些真正對等連詞的用法:
快一點(diǎn),你就可以趕上火車了。
Hurry up, and you will catch the train.
過了幾分鐘他就睡熟了。
A few minutes more, and he lay sound asleep.
穿上外套,否則你會著涼的。
Put on your coat, or you will catch cold.
要么進(jìn)來,要么出去。
Either come in or go out.
約翰和我都沒有參會。
Neither John nor I attended the meeting.
他不可能懶惰,因?yàn)樗泻艽蟮倪M(jìn)步。
He cannot be idle, for he makes remarkable progress.
此外,合句有時可借用復(fù)句的不對等連詞,但合句與復(fù)句的分別并不全在連詞。凡是有限制用法的關(guān)系詞(Relative)的句子就是復(fù)句,而使用非限制用法的關(guān)系詞(通常在其前有Comma)的句子便是合句,如:
He is the man whom I met in the train. (復(fù))
Then I went to Rome, where (and there) I stopped for a week. (合)
在合句中,連詞的位置多數(shù)放在兩個子句之間,如:
He is young, and yet he is prudent.
但是復(fù)句的連詞多數(shù)情況是放在附屬子句之前,如:
Let us go to bed, as it is late. |