定语从句前置的条件：结构简单，信息量小。从某种程度上来说，简单或复杂是因人而异的。这里有一个量化原则：通常，定语从句的长度为5个单词以内或者不到整个句子的1/3，可以视为结构简单。这样的定语从句，翻译的时候往往前置。前置之后怎么办呢?很简单，先行词前加一个字“的”就可以。我们看一下真题例句。

Furthermore, humans have the ability to modify the environment in which they live, thus subjecting all other life forms to their own peculiar ideas and fancies. (2003-61)

在这个句子里，定语从句in which they live修饰限定the environment。我们看一下，这个定语从句符合前置的条件。the environment in which they live就表示“他们居住的环境”。另外，补充一下，结合语境modify表示“改造”;subject...to...“使遭受，使服从”;life forms“生命形态”;peculiar“特有的”， 常见搭配be peculiar to“为...所特有”，比如Languages are peculiar to humans.“语言为人类所特有。”整句话的译文就是：更进一步来说，人类有能力改造自己的生存环境，从而使其他所有生命形态服从人类自己特有的想法和想象。

But his primary task is not to think about the moral code, which governs his activity, any more than a businessman is expected to dedicate his energies to an exploration of rules of conduct in business. (2006-49)

which governs his activity为非限定性定语从句，起到补充说明的作用。在这里，which指代的是the moral code。我们看一下，这个定语从句可以前置。the moral code, which governs his activity就表示“约束其行为的道德准则”。补充一下，code表示“准则”;not... any more than比较结构“两者都不”;dedicate to“奉献，致力于”。整句话的译文就是：但是，普通科学家的首要任务不是思考约束其行为的道德准则，正如人们不会期望商人致力于商业行为准则的探索一样。

定语从句后置的条件：结构复杂，信息量大。从某种程度上来说，简单或复杂是因人而异的。这里有一个量化原则：通常，定语从句的长度为5个单词以上或者超过整个句子的1/3，可以视为结构复杂。这样的定语从句，英语四六级翻译的时候往往后置。后置之后怎么办呢?可以重复先行词或者用一个字“这”。我们看一下英语真题例句。

Whorf came to believe in a sort of linguistic determinism which, in its strongest form, states that language imprisons the mind, and that the grammatical patterns in a language can produce far-reaching consequences for the culture of a society. (2004-65)

which states that language imprisons the mind, and that the grammatical patterns in a language can produce far-reaching consequences for the culture of a society这个定语从句结构复杂，信息量大，应该后置。which指代的是a sort of linguistic determinism“某种语言决定论”。后置之后可以重复先行词“该语言决定论或该理论”。补充一下，in its strongest form为插入语“最极端的形式”;that..., and that...为并列结构，两个并列的宾语从句，都是states的内容;imprison“禁锢”;far-reaching“影响深远的”;produce far-reaching consequences表示“产生深远影响”。整句话的译文就是：沃尔夫逐渐相信某种语言决定论，该理论最极端的形式声称，语言禁锢了思想，语言的语法结构可以对一个社会的文化产生深远影响。

The Greeks assumed that the structure of language had some connection with the process of thought, which took root in Europe long before people realized how diverse languages could be. (2004-61)

which took root in Europe long before people realized how diverse languages could be为非限定性定语从句，which指代that the structure of language had some connection with the process of thought，即“这种观点”。Greeks“希腊人”。整句话的译文就是：希腊人认为，语言结构和思维过程有某种联系，这种观点早在人们意识到语言的多样性之前就已经在欧洲扎根。