This is not surprising given the effect devices, such as the telephone , have had on social relationships.

【翻译】如果考虑到电话等设施对社会关系的影响，这并不令人惊讶。

分析一：given the effect devices, such as the telephone , have had on social relationships，是过去分词短语，作条件状语。

分析二：把 given 视为介词，是由过去分词变来的介词，意思等于considering 。

下面重点讲解“分词用作连词”的英语现象：

★英语中确实存在着一些由分词变来的介词或连词，或者说：是介词用法、连词用法的分词。

1. 用作介词，说明这个动词可以接名词/代词作宾语。

2. 用作连词，说明这个动词可以接that 宾语从句（that可用可不用）。成为“分词连词”后，仍然保留着动词那种用法（that可用可不用）。网友的句子，given 便是介词用法。devices, such as the telephone , have had on social relationships，是effect 的定语从句。

★常见的“分词连词” 及例句：

Seeing (that) the weather was not fine，we stayed at home. 由于天气不好，我们就待在家里了。

Considering (that) he has only just started,he knows quite a lot about it. 鉴于他才刚刚开始，他懂的已经不少了。

Supposing (that) you are wrong, what will you do? 假设你错了，那你会怎么办？

We'll buy everything you produce, providing (that) the price is right. 倘若价格合适，我们将采购你们的全部产品。

以此类推，其他认知类、感知类动词也都可这样用，如：knowing, realizing, finding, thinking, believing等。

不仅现在分词，过去分词也有这种用法：

Given that we were robbed, we could dial 110.  当被抢劫的时候，我们可以拨110。

Given that he supports us, we'll win the election.  如果他支持我们,我们就会赢得选举。

Given that he was still a boy, I forgave him.  考虑到他还是个孩子,我就原谅他了。

The other banks are going to be very eager to help, provided that they see that he has a specific plan.

如果他有一个具体的计划，其他的银行才会非常渴望提供资助。