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1. 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) 0 D% }1 g) L e u% T+ ~$ J& v: o9 R( x, f$ K* w, K
例如: T" |5 p: I B: F
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Many 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) 0 d) y9 ?& A. x1 }) F * K- K. |3 M3 F4 b) R6 e/ zThree 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。) " z* R2 a* u+ \- ~) D4 V! `' _8 B4 ~: ?3 u4 R- d
This 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)& V Z0 S* |0 H5 Z. |* n
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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?) ! X5 @! D t9 S9 n1 r8 u3 C& i. t# n: }8 k
I 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 N! f1 P0 G7 F$ Y |0 w2 J$ K 7 U4 ?) _$ N7 \, U! zMr. 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) 4 Z5 p8 g: q4 [9 y$ |8 `" N& r 1 Z4 J( W6 {& R3 ~, U$ k e. j% p* PWe 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!), j3 M. Z/ ^2 J. @
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The 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): w/ `. @& C T9 L. D8 U
1 v ]& j" m% K# RWe 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。); i5 {( q. R; R$ I3 ~
) S# E1 z! k+ g. @9 ]6 wPlease 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?)7 ]8 X8 @# T ]) Y
' C+ y: S3 M7 F) R* ]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! 8 ?1 L5 V7 x4 W6 b T) k$ j& F K& ^" o- E5 j0 p/ x* ]. w
6 @2 ^4 ~5 [0 X. X" V0 d6 H 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。 {8 o$ Z0 |" H' `5 `) w 2 z+ d% r& I) b0 H U& l例如: 4 H0 T3 l3 l2 L8 ?' E 3 H8 a" F* S/ }2 }* xAt 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)7 s" d/ j% ^) W" j% \4 R* q
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Despite 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)% s2 a0 K" s0 }! O5 E
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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) * j* |5 t6 K/ I" F+ B 3 q! k; u6 P7 y7 q0 IHe 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) # V) o' n4 H( ~# D% X; i5 q6 N/ F& W) z ' F) @5 B* Q% c- c7 H4 sIn 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) 2 K1 N& L8 n2 v0 N$ p, q' t0 n $ X$ l, k/ d) i" m0 E; Q# h" m2 DShe 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)/ Q1 ^4 Y- d: ~. c! @
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I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)* d* H3 Y: c; o( r5 e0 J+ E u
' Q& J2 ]5 w g( x1 y% S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:( e- _* ?2 P- W9 E# e& Z! t0 U
2 ?* t3 I8 P8 [0 Y+ \( n3 }/ `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。) - J4 l* ]3 ^* m& g0 M 3 f% z( u+ ?3 j+ [! I" NThe 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.) # Y0 T1 }5 |0 [ F8 [% Y9 ?$ ^# }% u/ u, C' f
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。)3 x' A' z$ n8 b5 X
R5 R" C2 V7 ^3 c Z5 n1 ?" n) b CHe 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) % n2 [/ V* F/ W( Q% [7 ~! j& P6 D8 v% j
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) 0 H+ W5 [1 V: u# | " T1 R/ i5 p2 v: [( Z7 H. \Enclosed (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) % A$ v6 `4 q' c9 n; E' Z' S* N7 ? , D. H$ N0 N$ I, \* x3 H2 J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.) 5 G- t) \# P1 C6 w; p* [8 X: M2 s0 I* r' S
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。+ e q+ Q0 L G
$ M( w3 z0 H% m$ Z! Y # [1 P0 k: d0 g/ ^8 p- T3.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」。 $ R. q2 |8 @6 g1 _ u" X8 b, B# B0 P+ |2 K% Y
例如: , |" _) b3 P: k, A/ c5 Y - \/ n, n5 v* r6 `$ U* K$ cMankind 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) ) u- q/ w) Z0 O3 A8 ]* } , l0 i6 B( H! d3 _. K+ 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) 8 \% v) W2 m; v+ W0 B8 u& Y" Z" H2 Y2 Z C% y+ L
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) / g1 u6 S( f1 T5 ^9 q8 l( v8 E2 \1 K- K6 Y+ A3 K. d
He (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。) ! A9 X& @* l; A- w5 M0 s$ x" C0 [2 d& C8 g6 x; W {
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。)+ T. e6 O) g! E/ l3 ]
0 G! E0 i+ U5 a# jPolicemen (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)+ J5 u8 n# v" m& s
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Congressmen (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) # D8 y9 p) C3 w$ B, V$ n" }% l / \) K5 p1 k5 ~7 X, jStewardesses 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。) % {" N/ W4 T% q- w" Q9 u! C * i- H9 r$ N& _! J& w8 y! F. 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。6 M- W, ?" M4 ]' ?6 k& h
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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:: A; u( P3 ~. \( Q; G0 y
4 y+ S) I% D, M: d0 l) d9 L+ h. a' V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; 2 K+ T& E5 E" I. C " c/ p7 ~ q" M4 M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;% ?5 W) K) Z6 b. u* N6 Y
+ O# _* F' B/ ^; n对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;# o& V0 o, Q# w' ?3 d# u0 o% Q+ C
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;3 n( q( ?; C. q* D2 W
1 k {8 ]7 s( V; F8 Q9 V1 F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: : D! G$ T3 s: K( h. D" k( d H 9 o0 q1 l7 C x$ Y6 W3 C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)。6 k2 u. F6 W3 B8 `7 Q7 A
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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)。- r% j7 B0 W6 y6 b2 T