讓步狀語(yǔ)從句表示主句行為或動(dòng)作發(fā)生時(shí)的相反或不利的條件。英語(yǔ)中引導(dǎo)讓步狀語(yǔ)從句的連詞有:although, though, even if, even though, as, while, if, whether, notwithstanding, no matter how (however), no matter whether, no matter what (whatever), no matter which (whichever), no matter when (whenever), no matter who (whoever), no matter where (wherever)等。
翻譯英語(yǔ)的讓步狀語(yǔ)從句,大都將從句所表達(dá)的讓步意義譯在句首。只有在個(gè)別情況下,為照應(yīng)上下文的需要才將其譯在句中或句末。由于英漢兩種語(yǔ)言的不同,英語(yǔ)的讓步狀語(yǔ)從句在漢譯時(shí)有兩種情況。
1. 譯為讓步分句
可譯為“雖然”、“即使”、“盡管”等。如:
* While polyacetylene may be persuaded to conduct current as well as many metals do, this material is unfortunately no good for practical use.
雖然聚乙炔能夠像許多金屬一樣導(dǎo)電,遺憾的是在實(shí)際中無(wú)法加以應(yīng)用。
* Although CFCs do not harm the environment near the ground, they slowly travel upward to the ozone layer where they are broken down by UV light into chlorine atoms. Here, the chlorine atoms eat away at the ozone.
雖然氟里昂并不破壞地面附近的環(huán)境,但它們能緩慢上升至臭氧層,被紫外線分解為氯原子,大量吞噬臭氧。
* Though tiny spiders, flies, and other insects supplement the diet of the bee hummer, it obtains much of its nourishment from red trumpet flowers like this coral plant.