定语从句的基本翻译思路

It’s not obvious how the capacity to visualize objects and to figure out numerical patterns suits one to answer questions that have eluded some of the best poets and philosophers.

主干： It’s not obvious

主语从句：how the capacity suits one to answer questions

不定式作定语：to visualize objects and to figure out numerical patterns

定语从句：that have eluded some of the best poets and philosophers.

参考译文：我们搞不明白的是：具有形象思维能力和推测数列的能力的人如何能回答出诗人和哲学家都很难回答的问题。

翻译之道：questions 后面带有定语从句，我们理解时就应理解成 that 的 questions，若 that 比较长，就先译 questions，接着就说，”这个问题指的是······“，即顺着译为并列分句。若不顺，就看提到句首是否可以，仍不行，就采取括弧的形式。（翻译定语从句的基本思路）

In his article “How Intelligent Is Intelligence Testing?”, Sternberg notes that traditional test best assess analytical and verbal skills but fail to measure creativity and practical knowledge, components also critical to problem solving and life success.

主干：Sternberg notes

宾语从句： that traditional test best 状 assess analytical and verbal skills but fail to measure creativity and practical knowledge

同位语：components

形容词短语作后置定语：also critical to problem solving and life success.

状语：In his article

同位语： “How Intelligent Is Intelligence Testing?”

参考译文：在斯特恩伯格的一篇题为《智力测试中有多少智力？》的文章中，他指出：传统的考试最擅长评估分析能力和语言能力，但无法评估创新能力和运用知识的能力，而创新能力和运用知识的能力对解决问题和人生成功也是至关重要的组成部分。

句子解说：末尾的 components 显得很突然，突然出现的往往是”同位语“。

翻译之道：译文中最后一个逗号后，重复同位语的内容，即”而创新能力和运用知识的能力······“。