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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) . B& I5 A0 W V; N" g: t) ?5 H) l5 j$ W! O, m" Q, ]+ {2 L5 T
例如: 4 ^- D1 m4 `( Q H% l0 a, h( }, W2 a4 t" RMany 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 v9 t: v- z6 [3 h' Z$ u" M
1 z5 `3 J7 q9 h4 e. X7 G/ d6 sThree 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。) - X9 f: B3 L K8 Y& m- x7 P / m% f- }) H1 k$ m+ tThis 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) * V0 i: n! b: ^; H" }: c( Z; ^5 j7 i9 w
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?)3 m1 i: r2 `7 N2 y
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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。) ' k9 `/ F8 H! P1 C8 h3 n; M' y; a" v4 ]9 i0 A. C2 l
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) : P* H& c7 E. I. a $ \4 @+ m! }0 b: m! e A& |* eWe 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!)0 n; {1 t6 m4 S. r/ b! S c
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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) # E/ h7 c' N, b) `0 k 0 c/ N1 d! A1 \. t! 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。)$ p2 m& B O, }) R/ n
+ y, k8 B1 r! i7 `* iPlease 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?) - K8 q/ i% M, l+ B * G6 T6 t9 i7 t7 i& \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! 4 K3 ~1 K, \2 s3 ]& [8 G1 F" m/ R) s0 S' W9 \ 8 h4 Z7 F8 o# q$ o$ y5 E' C9 H$ h6 y9 M6 [ 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。. s$ |; m7 d3 r; T
U# L6 G: i: s% C, o% `. m例如:! k5 W' r; N7 s- b
7 f! |7 w S- e" }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)1 w2 W9 A- f0 _. g4 y! K
- x2 |6 p* S" V7 HDespite 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) : U% e! T+ r, {0 ]/ x8 N) X9 m5 K! I& h! ` h, Z% L- O) f4 p
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% k+ |( j/ B1 p5 K* V, J1 j$ ]& s8 J( n* Q" z
He 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) 1 y6 W1 q* a3 D/ i1 [. u * p. U, Q/ k6 [9 i, RIn 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)0 v" A8 P/ \1 Q0 V# t
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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) 5 U3 r- H/ [0 {) @3 R1 s4 G9 a* E8 }% e) i7 P [2 A* D
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) * z, A) K7 ]* J( X1 @. g9 X 0 I' E" r; u3 l" 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:. k. L: U, n- M9 b, |) ?6 B
7 H. r: A" `" B3 |9 p+ Z; l V, Z7 MThe 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。) & b1 h s9 s b* T! V# K+ _9 b 3 k5 L7 A3 A7 k8 t5 x; [8 ZThe 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.)! X6 Q9 C# I5 P# C# T* ?; ?
+ n7 ]. [+ @( W: ^5 b% m3 K) NHe 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。) 7 c X/ E* r5 L( J% j2 ~ e : a1 E$ z" i5 j! q( _6 L7 vHe 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): q6 N+ n5 e1 x) p
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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), b' r% V, [* ?/ S7 |* }% @( e
% M7 s2 v& W4 T5 X% {4 P$ uEnclosed (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)5 `2 o1 Z) S! c6 c) i/ z3 `. O
$ ~& [" s ?2 k0 P1 b) _" ]; O4 \( W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.) % s- N$ C+ x$ J- w+ T3 W # O( ^# w4 G4 }" J, E. v此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 6 p% V6 W1 C' ?1 d7 b( H, w0 R- l( A" @; h3 A. `; A
- O7 @/ g+ g7 ?7 o- Y" K- }! o 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」。" q5 \4 v* Z# M
4 M# Q# ?4 a' ^! d/ ]$ u0 D1 F例如: W5 }- q) {" ~# U9 [4 W
6 ~$ V/ j0 A3 P8 p0 r3 x/ sMankind 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) * @8 b& ?; R4 C3 u# p' s - B5 T6 d/ u6 g* H% e: uManpower 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) + ]# L) i; i1 T9 G4 ` " U7 o5 Z; o5 M3 h0 MThis 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)# V* X+ q+ P) Y* @8 i6 w0 ?% E" T7 M0 d
2 h3 w+ ^. f$ Q; B+ I5 e" 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。) , R9 b7 D6 U1 ?& j# x ! t0 x4 P3 M) L o6 r' }6 aMany 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。)9 @3 E# v: {0 l) M4 e
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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) / p# N5 |8 Q$ l" t) f 4 V" I1 M" z; p& z+ e2 C. N$ ECongressmen (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 Q& l2 g( Q2 c' a1 Y; T5 Q# D k* U
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。)9 h, \% `; L* ]6 A1 J# e1 g
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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。0 b2 z; J0 }: s# G$ r
/ r! T3 [% i& e8 K: i! Y/ {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:9 q# A+ \7 M% b" x
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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;- L0 A& h& |& b, n" x' g! y
1 C' b% a' I% \. x' `; P; 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; % h7 t5 z0 ]) \' J- ~4 \. ?8 u 7 Z \3 z! u# c! C( S. k对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;+ T8 Z' U1 i, w' S* D
. S4 A. m. w: j对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;! e6 l7 |1 _ Z0 A4 N
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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: 0 e; Z8 f% B4 ^4 Q2 ?/ n' Q7 [3 D. h/ \; ~
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)。8 l, ~6 _8 c& @, Y9 U. l1 L
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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)。 , q9 @; R3 C m1 u+ @