本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 1 C5 B: l9 G. D1 b. Y- a8 E/ B5 ], N1 J6 _4 v3 h: w 转帖2 T+ y. ?; B- c9 e% I; v! }
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 F( d" M S: S! f" m0 G' f. k* P4 C
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3 r4 X( e, ]" |7 o6 }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)- {) h7 z% V4 d
& R4 E% t, y& q& I6 D5 mThree 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。)" ^! [' V" M2 N1 c8 `$ ~( @
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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) 6 \. Y7 M; p# c% G- } l: O ( f) H7 b! y) D4 S3 cThe 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?); h; P. h( {2 `3 t3 r
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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。) $ z& ^8 D5 V! ] ( K( j: o G, W% E) H0 }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) ) |( d5 \, a& h0 C2 g9 X, c& c( d. \! H8 Y4 G' v4 Z$ f
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!) . k4 {$ k+ a5 ]2 W% M / ^1 A& n1 g, h5 H! m( dThe 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): J: p) d# q0 m. {
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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。) # d3 V( k8 K# D8 F, e( k" E8 _: K ; L, k3 T7 a! }5 b$ m0 kPlease 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?) . x/ b) x' a8 g) _! p; X Q. ^$ a7 a( s: H# w
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!; N" u s) R3 t, @$ y
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6 I Z% v. Z+ b% {/ U 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。 1 `) S- D3 O# i% r $ \# j) p. d# o) _3 S) g4 U例如: 0 p: N6 J1 c/ j+ G/ Q& z + t3 l( ^& R# [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) $ a5 R/ m' W8 o; `4 Q2 V: P" z! P& @7 g0 B: t% h% J$ W( H; i
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) : w; H V$ V" Z/ y" Z$ Z" c4 R* O5 u( }. y) S1 { w; w+ v
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)- \+ c" Y# c' g9 k0 l# l4 P+ e/ h% D
. f$ G9 u+ H; G+ P0 J1 s% F+ GHe 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) 8 i0 b8 ]- T' S( u5 s7 E' g ]/ I# p9 C: _) \% D* hIn 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)/ L6 b8 ^5 h- ~5 M
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She 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). V9 i) c$ X( G7 w7 m
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I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) 5 n7 ^' u$ _# W# U+ Q. ~ " M; i. D% I3 B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: 9 F" C; E: ?7 \2 b1 _; e! S/ ?6 W5 C) g" [$ `& q! {+ T
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。)" {6 W* x2 B5 x6 k& n0 @
- d8 T* Y; h" `. D tThe 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.) % d/ X& y& |. v* p8 A0 X+ q' H ) ^8 t# |1 H) A& s H3 ^4 o$ sHe 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。)' B! s6 |9 @ e. S+ a) N, } l
) h$ z) \* f6 x+ pHe 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)7 X0 v% T" J1 W1 i R
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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) 0 o! `# \' h8 e% j* [' E* B9 X' g& m 1 p8 N( y' H; m" Q& VEnclosed (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)& W T: o2 Q2 K; ?) W
% @$ O, L# b* g9 p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.)) d5 z* R( D k$ U; S
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。0 b% r9 L8 r" l/ O% G
: [2 j7 {, ~3 N! G . Y1 T: |; x4 _1 [9 a& p# A E9 m m3.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」。/ j. `3 b0 T' \' ^8 J/ s6 z2 ~
: `" D* m+ p" i: \3 F例如: ) X5 q6 X2 i6 T5 ]% |2 X4 d$ L! U( T: B2 @1 h5 @' N. J7 i; w
Mankind 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) # i& D, b9 Y1 N$ g+ @" e ( G+ {5 v! E, p" RManpower 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)9 Q `( d* o) b9 s; h
/ ?2 c# x+ {% ?% r5 a6 nThis 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)" g4 u. o' h' h; O; [( O8 g
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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。) / d" \( x% l8 W2 @4 Z6 f& t ( f5 p$ B; l* j) U1 g. n6 U% OMany 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。) 4 a7 e& b: s; _; e( L4 K# J5 \9 H. g$ m- ]
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) + s9 Y1 C' B6 I! D: S2 Q( l h
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)0 z) Q' ?: k2 B3 R* A
# b6 I% j! Y# j9 c+ D QStewardesses 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。) $ s, I- o# m" h8 J1 M( R5 W' j( S& e$ Z; @0 b) |1 Y
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。 5 Q% R$ f. z, g 5 R8 ~ l# D' n% s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: ' }! a1 w% Y, p6 \9 j/ o9 y$ g; E$ C, @" g
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; 4 v. d. @8 N L2 C' `5 a6 y! S3 ^( e( R* X- I
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;. ~7 M( c' e+ B- [" D4 U7 T5 Z
6 D6 [1 F9 g! e H7 J1 y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)。 ; g& f- P8 }1 u6 G# W0 p7 b