在语法上，定语从句是对先行词的修饰语，但是从定语从句的作用来看，它还可以用作补充或说明先行词的附加语、同位语和描述语。此外，在有些英语的定语从句和主句之间还存在状语关系。一般而言，对限制性定语从句采取前置法或后置法或融合法，而对先行词加以进一步地描写、解释或叙述的非限制性定语从句采取的是前置法或后置法。较长的定语从句采取后置法，而较短的采取前置法。事实上，翻译没有定规，它需要根据汉语习惯去灵活处理。
(1)前置法
译成的。一般针对比较短的限制性定语从句。
The method of scientific investigation is nothing but the expression of the necessary mode of working of the human mind; it is simply the mode by which all phenomena are reasoned about and given precise and exact explanation.
译文：科学研究的方法不过是人类思维活动的必要表达方式，也就是对一切现象进行思索并且给以精确而严谨的解释的表达方式。
(2)后置法
用这个、这或重复先行词的办法去引导另起一个句子;有时省略先行词另起一句;有时灵活处理成并列分句。这种方法适合比较长的限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句的翻译。
They would have had to live the rest of their lives under the stigma that he had recklessly precipitated an action which wrecked the Summit Conference and conceivably could have launched a nuclear war.
译文：他们可能不得不背着一种臭名而终其余生，这个臭名就是：他曾冒然采取一项行动，这项行动破坏了首脑会晤，并且可以设想，还可能已经触发一场核战争。(较长的限制性定语从句，重复这个臭名)
It is he who received the letter that announced the death of his uncle.
译文：是他接到了那封信，说他的叔叔去世了。(限制性定语从句，后置省略先行词)
I told the story to John,who told it to his brother.
译文：我把这件事情告诉了约翰，约翰又告诉了他的弟弟。(非限制性定语从句后置处理成并列分句,重复先行词约翰)
Christmas carols are loved by all who hear and sing it every year.
译文：圣诞颂歌为大家喜爱，人们每年都欣赏和演唱。(非限制性定语从句后置处理成并列分句,重复先行词人们)
World War II was, however, more complex than World War Ⅰ, which was a collision among the imperialist powers over the spoils of markets, resources and territories.
译文：第一次世界大战是帝国主义列强之间争夺市场、资源和领土的冲突，而第二次世界大战却比第一次复杂。(非限制性定语从句前置)
In such an experiment the insects can be taught to fly to the ultra-violet,which for us is just darkness.
译文：在这样的实验中，能够训练昆虫飞向紫外线，而紫外线对我们来说只是一片黑暗。(非限制性定语从句后置，重复先行词)
(3)融合法
融合法就是把限制性定语从句与主句融合成一句话。
There are many people who want to read the book.
译文：许多人想读这本书。(融合成一句话，一般适用于There be句型)
Home workers are people who have made decisions regarding their careers and life-styles.
译文：在家工作的人是按照自己的职业和生活方式做出这种决定的。
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