The reports received by London Zoo that a puma had been spotted forty-five miles south of London were similar in nature.
1. 句子主干:The reports were similar in nature. (主系表)
2. received by London Zoo,主语的定语。
3.that a puma had been spotted forty-five miles south of London,主语的同位语。
【翻译】伦敦动物园收到的报告说,在伦敦以南45英里处发现了一只美洲狮,这些报告在性质上是相似的。
关于“同位语从句”的翻译技巧:
因为某些被同位语修饰的名词,具有动词意义,例如 report (报告),所以它们与后面的同位语从句存在着“动宾关系”。鉴于此,当整个句子过于复杂,或者当同位语从句较长时,我们可以尝试按动宾关系翻译和处理。例如:
1. criticism his administration acted too slowly:批评/指责他的政府行动过于迟缓。
2. a kind of feeling (that) this might happen:隐约感觉到这事可能要发生。
3. his promise (that) he would always do everything:他答应他要做一切事情。
4. warning (that) teenagers should not smoke:警告青少年不该吸烟。
5. no idea (that) you were such an actor:不知道你是这样的一个演员。