本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 ' B/ `5 S# X; _5 I/ E G" O3 K( X; O y0 q7 P, k- V+ _6 h 转帖 6 D3 p- n+ r* t1. 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) : X- O" D% X, s6 n* i$ U( y7 e0 o z5 g; w9 f
例如:9 s& K' J# ]" A" \, Q
1 B+ z0 C" N8 v/ [, LMany 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) 6 t0 H# ]3 J( v$ ^8 n5 |6 ^6 d8 D# k' ~
Three 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。) + M9 @' k* N* _- ^% A1 n % E" ~$ f D8 h4 N" rThis 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)/ C6 C2 B: k% t( v
) s: B. [$ o P
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?)8 W' |" m3 G @
1 `- m' l. `0 g* H
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。) 0 K+ [" C& c# Y+ r$ j ( r8 h) w7 P& F5 T5 x8 `: q; Z3 xMr. 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)7 J( A4 A, E& P# t e* x9 }5 { {
( p4 w4 Z% c' u; \7 YWe 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!) ( q" t9 p' K; N: t( `# p9 ]" \* ~8 _1 J5 J" h% T
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) 6 q" w7 `3 j4 N9 x9 ^( Q' t, x% L
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。)8 R+ j0 y8 S, P
7 A( e! m9 k4 W+ Y
Please 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?)! w8 D$ d% y. l; n. N) S: K
& ^" t* m: Z; v) W+ Y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! 5 P6 \; n- ]. O$ I" X- L9 Z 7 b. A4 n3 I. n, S1 r' D9 O+ }9 ] 4 d6 G' s2 t. e. S T2. 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。 % t% {/ p& [3 J% w/ J: s. f1 M7 Q$ Q) q$ y. a2 {/ _9 \
例如: - z( f% y/ G2 ^( ?% [ a: p0 r' u- E" F: P/ M4 q- b) R% i% s$ i8 O
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 X" [2 r- E* e, p2 h! m* a2 I- s$ t$ J/ V' R9 v/ g$ X% B: X* I7 y! Z
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)7 X; x C7 n: s* N( B8 H
& p* X, f7 k. ~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)3 L' l' A$ P& }2 ^. \1 w% Z1 ^2 i9 J
. Q, F7 L1 c1 i* w8 q* m7 D3 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)( n+ _. ^7 z) x, M6 h
# q8 r. @ }" @8 n! O* E
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)$ X( M+ Z# s, E8 ~* `
! b5 u9 Z0 K+ c" `# WShe 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)- `; }8 X$ v7 \- T
4 J" z( ~/ H1 j' Z! r! G
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)& o& E% K8 u. [; f' K. t8 k" `
9 v' f% E; A! c+ r
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:+ ~5 [# p/ {3 v4 K
5 ?. g; r3 t4 V0 v
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。) . D3 p3 O% J6 m8 C: i; e - M" }/ F- ^$ C& |2 y; X3 d% LThe 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.) 6 V+ X A2 M( q# M, V+ h% O/ M& e+ l
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。); ]# a% q( h; t5 N: q
& F, ?" g& a9 S, {" sHe 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)- y; t0 @7 X3 E' E% j$ H$ q
% @* @5 b0 N, ^& T$ YWe 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) * F- Q z6 l Q# c. @: o/ Y % c" X0 H' l4 p7 g, N- X" XEnclosed (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) # v N1 }; F o! I! B8 n 3 x7 S% A3 D' A' V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.)- ]! R: o5 Z/ M' c: ?
% m0 J, `/ H+ F# y
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。& E( q# y9 X* j; k" _8 \1 r2 P
+ d) O- D* n9 d- X* y/ q
' h! Q& w2 E& t( P3 W2 h3.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」。 % U4 V, o3 O7 _6 H. l% M ; ?- R0 Y# y0 W B5 Q例如: H; o2 d) T. B" F
u W1 [8 G1 R; g" C9 c [2 WMankind 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) , Q/ I& {' o/ J5 k+ }7 v* m7 j2 V# `& h! {
Manpower 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)$ |6 j! B" M8 d9 q* k0 I
5 v/ a' t; G+ Q" t! [9 A! V
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)' P4 Q# |) p/ S* b2 x! C3 x- N
0 R/ c' S; d" D" j3 S8 K4 B
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。) # m6 r4 T. [, d; g1 B" V' H5 w9 r; A) `
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。)* _' W. l' v5 v6 n) {! \( m
. E% W6 T7 q0 Z4 hPolicemen (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)/ N' x2 A( T% r+ f) c! K
( T7 E8 ] c8 t' @1 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)% [" A x8 u# s4 z
2 a2 F9 t+ c, z! m" |; e
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。) 7 N' o/ Z! v* k3 I+ Z: X/ h$ ] * ^ X. d* Q/ p3 I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。 : P+ o6 n6 k5 V/ n+ ? 1 \2 B1 n9 W9 G1 x$ ^) n0 b9 S6 z. h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: / R& i0 l/ D* o& @( v2 B% J$ C: w% p9 w2 T. N
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; . l6 s7 z0 F( d; E. v 6 X2 Z3 Q' u0 O" ^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;; u' R$ J# _1 o% n, n' z- f
) ?: i) u& U# [% d3 T; [4 X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)。 7 w; t- r4 O5 `2 K9 O