本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 3 Z- m$ A9 F k8 P
+ d2 A3 x' _ J' i8 ]6 C% W 转帖 ' `: ^8 D0 j6 R7 u) a! w1. 尤其在商业上,报章杂志或公文书信上,尽量不用难字 (big word) 或过时的字眼 (old-fashioned word) 8 i& I, C! L0 J% w/ | 2 G5 K+ Z' F* l! b+ l2 ~ \8 [3 c例如: ) X, T5 U7 p$ Y; m+ D6 m . \4 f0 d4 e+ B. b0 c! SMany people feel that moral education is the infrastructure of higher learning. (许多人认为道德教育是高等知识的基础) (如果用 foundation 或 basis 代替 infrastructure 就更明白)/ d+ I9 x+ A* B6 P3 |5 E' T
9 O+ }. E0 ^, kThree hundred acres of land is the parameter of our university,s expansion (growth). (三百英亩的土地是本大学发展的限度) (如果用limit代替parameter,会更简单易懂。) ' C- b$ T* |8 @ 1 c9 B# j" i$ S3 N5 E9 ~% d" VThis news has been disseminated all over the U.S. (这消息已散布到全美各地) (如果用spread取代disseminated,不更简单?) (动词时态是:spread, spread, spread) $ G8 R k$ p: x1 h7 u( j4 b4 m' `7 S& X) T( ^3 h
The president of this college is not diminutive in size. (这大学的校长个子不小) (假如用small代替diminutive,不更明白吗?)" I% C7 u1 U! u
, o9 A0 R$ t0 u9 Z; l* GI have to elucidate this document to my staff. (我要向我的员工解释这份文件) (如用explain代替elucidate,也许更明白。) 4 Y9 H6 Z3 ?5 P& ?& V9 W4 q9 v . r$ I+ i4 I7 _# w! ~Mr. A will endeavor to be a physician. (A 先生想尝试当个医生) (如果用try代替endeavor,会更浅白。) (endeavour = endeavor)" k. U; F$ d& I
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We hope to visualize world peace in the future. (我们希望将来看到世界和平)(如果用see代替visualize,也许更简单!) 8 ~) E" b0 v) x/ J1 N+ U) q L8 N$ a * M2 j- P: y$ @' B4 V: KThe charitable organization solicits for our annual donation. (慈善机构要求我们一年一度乐捐)(假如用 ask 代替 solicit,更浅白易懂。)(solicitation是名词)7 S& i4 M+ H- \3 l
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We don't know what may transpire when we have a new boss. (当新老板来后,我们不知会有什么发生。) (如果用happen代替transpire,也许更明白。) % u7 R( O1 v1 w& l) w . R+ e. O. Z, D" F5 c8 zPlease act as soon as possible on the aforementioned matter. (前面提过的事,请尽速办理。)(如果用 previous 代替古字 aforementioned 不是更明白?): J! L' A2 `1 U' O* X
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这就像美国大文豪马克吐温 Mark Twain 也曾说过:「我不愿在字典里找长字或难字,我绝不用『metropolis』这个字,因为我同样可以用『city』这个字来代替」。罗斯福总统为了强调美国政府不会遗忘那些穷人,在一篇讲词里用了这么一句:「We are endeavoring to construct a more inclusive society.」后来被人批评咬文嚼字,卖弄文笔。如果用浅白易懂的字眼写成:「We are going to make this country in which no one is left out.」或「We are trying to make everyone equal.」也许更简单明白!1 X/ N( w7 c% i: T
6 I7 ?! T0 k1 E3 g! _1 x8 B; T( V1 b) ~& ]7 G' K) ~ 2. 老外也主张不写噜苏或绚丽的字眼(flowery or wordy),句子应该越短越好,一句能用两个字,绝不多加一个。 : {+ A+ {" i o0 u) L" A& J8 N V1 a5 Y$ e* O' E
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At this point in time, we should pull together for our goal. (现在我们应该为我们的目标团结一致)(如果说:Now, we should pull......更简单。因为 at this point in time = now) 3 Y8 O. |% m- ?7 |) v. N0 }6 p. a2 c 6 ^% ]3 B' R8 F' m3 z cDespite the fact that my English is not very good, I am not discouraged. (虽然我的英语不好,但我不灰心。) (如果说:Although my English is not...... 就更简短。因为despite the fact tha t= although = Though)% D. j* h/ Z+ D: A: N
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I am of the opinion that Mr. Lee should resign from this position. (我想李先生应该辞职) (假如说:I think Mr. Lee should......不是更简单吗?因为I am of the opinion = I think)8 n, }* D& W; ?
8 X, o3 q2 p% N4 K% j& jHe quitted the job due to the fact that he was sick. (他由于生病而辞职) (若说:He quitted the job because he was sick. 更简单。因为 due to the fact that = because) 3 \/ ]. U; ?- x' q- h7 e. k: n" O0 o: A
In the majority of cases,he likes to ride bike to the office.(他通常喜欢骑单车到办公室) (如果说:Usually, he likes to ride...... 更简单。因为 in the majority of cases = usually) 9 X, _9 n7 F& G$ n% R 8 @( n* Y8 n% I, IShe shows a preference for tea rather than coffee. (她喜欢茶而不是咖啡) (若说:She prefers tea rather......更简短清楚,因为 show a preference for = prefer) 3 [7 ?& F7 t9 l) ^3 N& z; j( N* @5 F( O9 X0 ~: y# y+ w
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) 4 r( k" `, d5 N# U, t ; |. H2 x) B/ o" q0 z$ m如果只说:I will tell Mr. Wang (about the matter). 不是更简单吗?因为 bring the matter to the attention of = tell = inform) (句子最后面:「about the matter」可以省去); 同理,也要避免意义的重复或用字的多余 (redundant); 例如:% j6 [/ t9 f" T- ~1 |/ M
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The consensus(of opinion)is that we have to act right away.(大家认为我们必须立即行动)(of opinion 可以省去,因为 consensus 的意思,就是大家的意见。) 5 J" \% B# D4 L2 Z( o1 @( z 6 @! @% C! q# m( FThe letter shows that the problem(continues to)remain unsolved.(他的信显示问题尚未解决)(continue to 是多余的字,因为 remain 已经有 continue 的含意。所以句子就成为:The letter shows that the problem remains unsolved.)7 i: d- G; @* L, Q4 z
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He has made his (final) conclusion in his speech.(他在演说里做出结论) (final 是多余的字,因为 conclusion 已经含有 final 的意思。) 2 Z- I# m5 r1 H4 C1 U/ h1 [ : k1 |3 y$ G( A# JHe has had many years of (actual) experience in business。(他有多年经商的经验) (actual 也是多余的字,因为 experience 已有 actual 的意味)/ S3 V1 |3 N* {
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We assembled (together) all the parts for our radio.(我们装好收音机的零件)(因为 assemble 本身就有 together 的意思,所以 together 是多余的) / }) l7 B6 _, L, b. w! ?/ H$ N# _ 1 L D% d6 G5 v: mEnclosed (herewith ) please find the report of the meeting.(herewith 是多余的字,因为 enclosed 就有 herewith 的意思)(即:附上会议报告,请查收) . R/ M. K) W& _, x( Z+ x$ |0 ^9 l1 _6 n+ n ^
写到这里,想起一位深受美国人民爱戴,一向主张不写长句、不噜苏的美国已故参议员 Stephen Young,他每次受邀参加会议、演讲、宴会时,他的回信只有三个字「我会到」(I'll be there)......。也有人打趣的说:「讲演或写作的句子,就像穿迷你裙,愈短愈好。」(Like wearing mini-skirt, sentences in speech or writing should be the shorter, the better.) . k8 a' v9 N/ ^: E5 O * L0 x7 M' v; j/ F! s! |此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。7 |0 S4 m* K( ~
9 K7 s/ c+ C* f; d1 [ 1 Z& Q: D/ e0 g$ M' q" ] O& Y9 `3.老外为了族群和谐相处,除不用歧视或偏见的字眼外,连男女性别,也要避免区别,以示「平等」。2 e: p# e0 @/ T* i% c7 b( i
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例如: 3 U) R u5 F+ l; w7 F# j8 L : z: |% ?, ?( J' BMankind are considered the smartest animals in the world。(人类是世上最聪明的动物)= Man is the smartest animal......。 (如果改为:Human beings are considered the smartest animals...... 就能包括男女。所以 mankind = man = human beings) (注意:mankind 后面动词要用多数,而 man 的后面动词,则用单数) ( X$ B7 k2 x0 k+ M! {9 R } 8 @% {8 o5 {( f a! QManpower seems not strong enough in developing our economy here. (发展这里的经济,似乎缺乏人力资源。)(如果说:Labor power seems not strong enough... 也就没有「男性主义」的感觉。可见 manpower = labor power = work force = human resources)& m$ ]( `/ m( g2 p) e% [
4 U0 N! Y9 K, ]This small company hired a cleaning woman yesterday.(这个小公司昨天请来一名清洁女工)(如果说:This small company hired an office cleaner...也就没有男女之分了) / S' Y/ Z) v5 x0 ~! V& ~ , L3 C, n5 ]( ]% u# r# G+ yHe (she) has been a committee chairman (chairwoman) since 1998. (自从1998年他就是委员会主席) (假如把chairman或chairwoman改为chairperson或chair,就没有男女之分。) (如指讨论会的主持人,也可称为 moderator 或 coordinator。) 1 {, z" p. `, o: Q- a ?# g% B5 V& d
Many businessmen (businesswomen) feel their jobs are very stressful.(许多商人觉得工作压力很大)(如果把 businessmen (businesswomen) 改为 business people 或 business executives 或 business managers 就可包括男女了)(凡是单数 man 或 woman,其多数都是 men 或 women。)& B6 C3 Q# | }/ U9 a% p9 m: N( O
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Policemen (policewomen) should treat citizens with courtesy.(警察对人民应该有礼貌)(假如把 policemen 或 policewomen 改为 police officers 就可避免男女性别) 1 D3 o% w( u' C0 g4 d3 O1 p* c# K , e2 {& @5 a) }' r3 p# l4 MCongressmen (congresswomen) should speak up for their constitutes. (国会议员应该为其选民说话)(constitute = voter) (我们也可以把 congressmen 或 congresswomen 改为 members of congress 或 congressional representatives)/ }6 _/ e4 x0 \ Q5 x0 C/ B
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Stewardesses for international regions may get jet lag sometimes.(国际航线的空中小姐有时会有时差疲惫的现象)(如把 stewardess 改为 flight attendant,就能包括男女空中服务员。) ! S2 ^" E- L+ z, w8 R) L/ c 8 a! G4 V7 T6 h7 a6 O1 z+ P" y5 K# p同理,我们可以把 salesman 或 saleswoman 改为 salesperson;把 mailman 改为 mail carrier 或 postal worker;把 foreman 改为 supervisor 等等。/ J) s* E8 @3 `0 g$ o! F
6 f* D: s& H" M1 p/ J当然,一些带有种族偏见的字眼,甚至有侮辱的味道(insulting words 或 slur),也要尽量避免使用,以免闹出麻烦。例如: . i4 K5 N2 P5 w. a3 m5 X: a E. n7 W
对黑人不要用 Negro,更不能用 Nigger(用 Black 还可以),礼貌的说法是 Afro-American 或 African-American;9 M8 H3 Z' e P
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对白人不要用 Honky(这是黑人骂白人的用字),正确用法是 Caucasian,或 white people;* ?! B7 |0 ?4 b; C- }& ], L6 G
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; * V) D: J5 w' n" K& b" h / M+ z7 q+ L0 s' I: e j, l- v对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;+ p2 F ]! I* ]2 z
, j. {, `5 r; b8 P至于墨西哥人、西班牙人及中、南美洲人,包括 Puerto Rico,正确的用法多是 Hispanics 或 Latins,不过据说西班牙人为了维护自己的文化,倒喜欢别人称为 Spaniard。 更多信息请访问:" q3 F. y* Z/ }6 ^# o# M
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还有黑白结婚的孩子,也不可称为 Oreo(Oreo 饼乾外面是巧克力,里面是白奶油)。 4 ]: |( [* G v- k; q! V; v- Z. |/ U- S7 s# h0 b
有偏见的老外,不叫华人为 Chinese,而叫 Chink 或 Chinaman(从前还叫「Yellow Peril」,即黄祸)。遇到这种事,怎么办呢?我建议:「君子不与小人斗」,最好是「不理」(ignore)或「走开」(walk away)。不过老外与你谈话时,如果使用这些不礼貌的字眼,那么你就可以说:「For your information,the word you just used is derogatory(或 inappropriate)to describe someone of my race.」(只想让你知道:你刚刚所用的字,来描写我的族群,是很不合适的)。 1 E) {7 i4 n5 s% ?( m4 }# ?$ n" e! R