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."是非限定性定语从句,修饰前面整个句子;在定语从句中long before引导时间状语从句修饰动词短语Take Root,在状语从句中又包含了一个由how引导的宾语从句,作realized的宾语。句中Take root in作"扎根"讲。因此这个非限定性定语从句是较为复杂的,所以我们采用单独成句的翻译方法。
译文:"希腊人认为语言结构与思维过程有着某种关系,这种观点在人们认识到语言的千差万别之前就在欧洲扎了根。"