这是作为哺乳动物所要面对的一个事实

[Tulee]

Hi guys,

 

Quick question about the translation of this. Basically, it is either:

 

This is/That is the reality of being a mammal.

 

This is/Thai is a reality of being a mammal.

 

My question is, even though it has 一个 which should refer to something singular, whenever i see 所 used in this kind of a sentence (before the verb) it always gives me the feeling of a general sense, such as 我所认识的人.

 

Could anyone clarify this for me?

 

Many thanks in advance

[roddy]

Having Googled your sentence - it comes from a volunteer translation site (Yeeyan) and I'd query how natural or authentic it is. 

[Lu]

'a reality', but I don't think I would translate it quite like that, because 事实 is used here in a way that the English 'reality' cannot be used. I'd translate 事实 as 'something in reality, something in life' and rewrite that sentence until it looks natural.

[Tiana]

I'd make it simpler: "It is a fact that all mammals are faced with."

[Lu]

"It is a fact that all mammals are faced with."

That sounds good. Or, depending on how free you can make the translation, combine it with whatever the previous sentence was and make it something like 'All mammals must face XYZ.'