作為連接詞,what可以引導(dǎo)主語從句,表語從句和賓語從句。what的譯法主要 有三種情況。
1. 仍然保留疑問含義,譯為“什么”、“那”、“多少”等,這時(shí)what在引導(dǎo)的名詞從句作定語、表語、主語或賓語等。如:
* What potential energy and kinetic energy really mean and how we explain these two terms will be the content of the next article.
位能和動能的含義究竟是什么,我們又怎樣解釋這兩個(gè)術(shù)語,這將是下篇文章的內(nèi)容。?(what引導(dǎo)主語從句,what在該從句中作賓語)
* Knowing what might go wrong can help prevent problems from occurring.
了解哪些地方有可能出問題,有助于防止故障的發(fā)生。(what引導(dǎo)賓語從句,what 在該從句中作主語)
* In selecting a material, the engineer must have knowledge not only of what the material's properties are, but also of how they are determined.
在選擇材料時(shí),工程師不僅要知道材料的性能是什么,而且要知道性能是怎樣測定的。(what引導(dǎo)賓語從句,what在該從句中作表語)
2. what從句譯為“(所)......的(東西等)”。這時(shí)what相當(dāng)于the thing(s) that。如:
* What caused the accident is a completely mystery.
是什么引起了這場事故還完全是個(gè)謎。