Previous article explained the usage of "which" and "whose".
This time, we will introduce the correct usage of "which" in non-restrictive clauses and "that" in restrictive clauses.
When using the restrictive "that," the relative clause following "that" provides essential information that specifies what kind of antecedent it is. Omitting this relative clause significantly changes the meaning of the sentence.
On the other hand, when using the non-restrictive "which," the relative clause following "which" is additional information, so omitting it does not change the overall meaning of the sentence.
However, during reviews, we often encounter cases where the non-restrictive "which" is used in sentences that should use the restrictive "that."
Let's look at some example sentences.
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>>Related Download Materials: Nine Cases of Machine Translation Errors and Post-Editing & Post-Editing Checklist
1. Example Sentence Using Restrictive "that" ①
- ・Original text: For attributes that cannot be determined by automatic settings, please select from the following items after entering the model.
- ・Translated text (before modification): For attributes which cannot be determined for automatic setting, select from the following items after entering the model.
- ・Translated text (after modification): For attributes that cannot be determined for automatic setting, select from the following items after entering the model.
The phrase "attributes that cannot be determined by automatic settings" in the original text means "only those attributes among various attributes that cannot be determined by automatic settings," so it is necessary to use "that" to restrict "attributes" to those "that cannot be determined by automatic settings."
However, using the non-restrictive "which" here changes the meaning to "all attributes cannot be determined by automatic settings."
Therefore, it is correct to use the restrictive form "that" here.
Let's take a look at other examples.
2. Example Sentence Using Restrictive "that" ②
- ・Original text: Since the machine that performs CNT communication also has a lower priority than the logic calculation, simultaneity of the data in data collection cannot be secured.
- ・Translation (before correction): Since the machine which performs CNT communication has a lower priority than the logic calculation, simultaneity of the data in data collection cannot be secured.
- ・Translation (Revised): Since the machine that performs CNT communication has a lower priority than the logic calculation, simultaneity of the data in data collection cannot be secured.
Since it means "there are multiple machines, and only the machine that performs CNT communication among them," it is necessary to restrict the machine with "that" instead of "which."
- ・Original text: In DTC, it is possible to build a system configuration that spans multiple network segments.
- ・Translation (Before Correction): In DTC, a system configuration which spans multiple network segments can be built.
- ・Translation (Revised): In DTC, a system configuration that spans multiple network segments can be built.
The phrase "that spans multiple network segments" is information that restricts the antecedent, so "that" is more appropriate than "which".
- ・Original text: It searches for matches that start with the entered content.
- ・Translation (before correction): It searches for matches which start with the entered code.
- ・Translation (Revised): It searches for matches that start with the entered code.
The phrase 'the preceding content' is information that limits the antecedent, so 'that' is more appropriate than 'which'.
Many people misunderstand that the grammatical usage of "which" and "that" is the same, but as mentioned above, it is important to be aware of the difference between restrictive usage (that) and non-restrictive usage (which) in technical translation.
>>Related Download Materials: Nine Cases of Machine Translation Errors and Post-Editing & Post-Editing Checklist
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