复杂的分割结构（插入语）的理解 例209

例209　Though typically about two inches taller now than 140 years ago, today's people—especially those born to families who have lived in the U.S. for many generations—apparently reached their limit in the early 1960s.

【结构分析】这句话主语是today's people, Though typically about two inches taller now than 140 years ago是状语，especially those born to families who have lived in the U.S. for many generations是对主语的补充，是个插入语，reached their limit是谓语，in the early 1960s是时间状语。

【亮点回放】此句话的亮点在于让步状语从句的成功使用，而且插入语难度很大，把主语和动词隔离开来。

【核心词汇】

typically　特别是

two inches taller now than 140 years ago　人们比140年前高了2英寸

those born to families　那些出生在已移民美国

for many generations　美国很多代的那些人

reach their limit　已经到达了他们的身高的极限

【参考译文】虽然现在人们比140年前高了2英寸，特别是那些出生在已移民美国很多代的那些人，但是明显的，在20世纪60年代早期，已经到达了他们的身高的极限。