英语定语前后置比较及功能解释——兼谈汉译英中前置定语的应用与限制

A Comparison and Functional Account of English Pre-and Post-modifiers

本文探讨英语前置结构可容纳多少数量的定语成分,并对定语前后置进行比较。两位专家应邀比较汉译英句子中的各种前、后置结构,对是否地道做出评价。调查发现,如前置结构所包含的成分比较简单,常可轻松容纳3至4个成分;但如前置结构比较复杂,往往只能容纳1至2个前置定语成分。

This paper explores how many attributive elements are allowed in a pre-modifying structure. Two English native speakers are asked to judge and compare the grammaticality of a number of pre-modifying and post-modifying structures. Results show that a simple pre-modifying structure may easily accommodate 3 to 4 elements while a complex one allows only 1 to 2 elements.