本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 & {& q2 T7 I7 P, J; O0 G$ ?' D
5 }: H: W8 }) N9 C2 H7 |% h& f 转帖 ; E2 A! @! ?7 r3 }- ^5 o; h, \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)% ~$ o. b9 F1 f! O" F2 c
; r8 m% i) ~8 ]" s例如:( |" y0 R) C4 L5 B' `
. F, {# S8 z. V, M, r) O% O3 j' G* ^
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) & m( `7 R7 R; U' c, |; Y! K' b3 A+ x2 G% T
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。) ! [- Y/ H6 ^* C) P ) M9 g4 A. Y" U" F! ]# 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)) d4 H1 \5 S( k. C# @
4 i0 B* a# Z7 L: W* B
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?). f2 n- M6 t9 U; y& L% ]
( {/ d# Q( Z: O" F' ~' a4 y/ D. ]6 kI 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。) $ a/ U* @5 }9 F2 \, ^5 _' h0 @1 h
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)8 E6 c- `+ P% c' I; N# o- _2 J x
; @& w" A3 R4 U: x5 nWe 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!)* ^/ O; ~ I6 ^0 g
$ ~8 Y. W( O% H3 x0 F- ^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) ' c* L2 P) n9 {4 N * n; v9 X/ P4 e7 QWe 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。)$ u" w; Y$ P( ^
2 g: W3 o2 V0 z' L2 GPlease 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?) . D# c* X" @# ^9 ]3 `) v/ D n7 b2 f% Q( [: _! P1 k: O4 ?( G
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!( C# |+ s% T& h
* B' y4 M8 V/ E) X1 f, b, g3 ?
7 o. }" h! c' N* I2. 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 B4 G: |! ~% z% m 9 d* C: {2 C' X/ J3 j% u例如:8 j$ H) T0 _" L
/ G/ `( n- P* w V- i
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)- E! y5 z9 [1 }
& N) `- \. K5 B @4 I8 T" f, t/ q! n
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) 2 F' N7 W" b3 I& H5 v' b8 n/ Z4 k# J
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)' X3 k- t9 l2 x
, a$ G. s( a3 i L
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)$ j. ^8 L% W9 F- z
- t' r" \) S" L! g9 ^3 W, e4 T) Z
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)2 t1 @8 Z5 z r/ A
0 y3 X+ B3 M4 e- X9 c$ g T
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) : @- W# V/ m' G/ \, f! `/ ^/ H: N 0 s+ t3 V0 t$ ]: J" }+ p- B9 wI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)( U* | H4 |) A( y1 B/ B+ k
m$ w. Y3 P, U& ]# q! I% @
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:/ O1 }" _( c: ]! Z
* C, g6 ~" L) M$ f! x4 eThe 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。). } U% J @( z0 {
- s9 |8 \ B. O: K' O- h* ]- L# eThe 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 B7 C' t) g2 G: U% u 5 {1 C" c4 s0 {+ S7 q! GHe 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。) % o0 s- {+ J' x& G# ~7 q) s & l3 V: i4 S; \ f8 n4 s- Q. y1 RHe 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) 2 }; j3 p0 r- X+ l( _& }1 `8 ] u9 U+ e; s. ~
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) Q5 |6 P2 @, ^" x/ p5 ?* d9 F2 \
7 s- b5 r# c. F- P
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)& Z2 ?/ W' i4 [% z$ A: z# I
$ P. ^$ a Y- J X) q
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.) , {( \0 }# @* p 1 c |3 t# _3 F2 [3 @# C此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 & `5 l+ B' _4 M, ?. o* T4 e' b; n+ n3 T1 y4 f
* u& [8 t% I* c) g" x! F4 |) ` 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」。+ r1 V2 S! e" {% P
7 P Z0 m. f/ @+ i5 U6 Z例如:& V4 k' A% G5 i
& b8 w3 ^7 u; r- u' m1 U! _
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)6 U" @( C) P, P4 j2 x
" R$ b; }6 g) |. z
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)( z$ c5 l( ]& }* q
, ~" o3 y- n* B% `+ e( z4 ~* s
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)' ]! m V5 ^% |% t7 C% Z
" L" N) y& S2 Z
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。)' ~3 q2 C+ r$ l5 d+ z( n
" z. V! Z3 H$ L& K! L; g; KMany 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。) % k" |- n% H8 k& D7 J; K U( e# o( c; U( q5 r* d2 Y4 r
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)6 A' ^+ Q5 r9 L; J, I
" V; G/ H' L. f& E. \+ u( M
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) 8 z6 `' t! e5 [( f8 I1 f# s T! k- L' d( U8 T% I3 j c" l
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。) & T, t2 ^$ f! p- j/ X# Z2 H+ u3 E+ 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。& ?/ n, x ]3 T4 p- Z- T
/ F8 |6 B6 Z" k+ A
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:; P F7 A$ g: e( Z6 t
& A8 F& l, ?8 n8 _; }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;" g q8 ^1 t1 j# `# H! U
( N" Z: J T8 T
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; 1 q% j4 ^5 J) ?5 d \ 0 B. ?2 [6 `$ G对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; 8 M! C: N2 n0 h1 X/ e8 W: l+ m, Y$ s% T. _
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; ; c) o- S) }' {0 B/ K7 u* ]1 ?) t6 b8 D& j
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:4 E1 e0 W$ w3 n% K1 P5 h: a
0 v$ @8 |) O- H6 O/ ^3 d
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 e8 n: w4 |4 B' w! `: Y7 r- d1 l9 q1 T
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)。, z8 h& d1 P6 c* Y g3 N) V+ t/ i