7 d8 W! {5 N0 r例如: 6 O5 |; [8 ^4 w8 T; I2 R! K* \7 X* ?# g5 ]1 d& m
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)# W. L3 u0 I- B5 ?- [
" K" y& E. y/ Z! S& E- `" B# v/ pThree 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。) 5 D" f" N0 U' j5 \9 z4 d# J+ ]4 T2 ^' n/ {+ d/ m
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) ; F3 [( _8 d. [$ S: E' z $ e8 G; W' _4 Y- h2 I; G$ mThe 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?)7 [6 d) }$ X, k1 I
( z" {9 E9 H/ S" g O
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。) ! [$ M. O( I# v2 b8 q- y 5 c, c, ]7 X0 K# u7 I/ v( |9 W+ IMr. 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)6 X1 i, N A0 a8 W( t$ I b3 c; h
" e+ o4 e0 m' K$ 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!)* b5 ^" t% W8 |1 `- r
, X" d6 Y) M- B ?; }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) . E1 I7 u( @5 P! N: q* P" Y o( J, b$ E
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。) P+ R. n5 G- k7 H: m( J( R + d* |3 M2 ^2 z2 ^1 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?) # p7 d" v* I4 A- g, W& {5 W$ C! J L F2 H
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! , K2 ~6 H; m/ D' `) B " _& c/ U, \9 p8 b ^& c9 D4 V) Y9 u, v. G3 B5 z 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。 5 N2 R# p8 V- d: V( m , @: i/ ^" b9 K$ G0 j例如: 7 n' L3 {( D) X( p- G, U7 _& t& j1 s$ [3 Z) F
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) 6 ~* B8 B; i( V/ U , c0 v0 k0 H; L, IDespite 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)$ q) d3 w: m, Y+ B' h
: ~5 V9 q' c, o5 w2 X/ p7 q
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) : m t: U% z+ k* W" O X- S8 f7 t* Q
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) 6 o l& o# L- O* ^9 J& N2 v/ } \- L
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) 8 n! v' n4 t- k! |! ~6 D+ H3 H% f. L. F" X/ N! Q7 Q9 }' W
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) % G1 J9 e3 T8 d/ {9 `* S( ] 7 u# ]% \4 {, Z3 B; KI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) ! n, G' X- a2 y, x. H' t: x6 C4 ~2 r% ~8 U
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 t* p! F* J$ m4 l
: k1 d* F8 l4 ?# {/ |" g/ W3 N+ ]
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。)* X; x* ~9 v/ U
N1 {7 t# V" x% D1 X. h
The 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.) ) `4 Q2 s1 n& u: L' [" ^. d# b! j
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。)! w4 ]* d7 \8 a% S3 q, N' e
3 h+ g7 F" ]) `) B: e- G: F
He 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) 3 P2 e$ h" {$ n6 Y 1 E3 d! n$ l4 }; f; l7 s2 R! S$ LWe 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) 2 H8 Q0 O1 H0 U" e( i* Q m/ R 3 o% f* D; ]9 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)) z8 \2 \2 F2 m- y6 {% f
" T, n/ b' L; z) O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.)+ H4 g% F: N2 c- P0 m; p9 i2 F
% V% E& u$ R% b* V L% q5 D
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 2 I* L& J& E: ]/ T6 `$ B" F& u$ ] @. ^2 G* ]5 b& h( \: ~% h/ ^
8 J$ i. U- T+ Z1 H- Q( C( |# T5 S例如: : M F$ h# b+ y+ H+ S$ }0 G" s+ d- ]7 u1 i
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) 2 O0 |" u& z# {* j % o: V2 c% Y R- q$ DManpower 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) F( K w! r5 o! b! z/ s, H# X
" P' b8 K5 J& r- P' AThis 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)% W* y+ f& s; P; ~' P% U
4 m2 q5 v8 V) z. D- N. JHe (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。)/ _" }0 t* _! Q" o4 ?
( \( q# \* Q+ u$ `+ X. C
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。) 3 ^; p6 ]% z; F7 ? " Z$ ]. L9 P% I, @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)0 |" U. _" n3 u( s
, o, k7 ^9 ~$ C4 X. d! R
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)% m( o5 ]! t0 q/ m
7 l: C+ h1 ~: p$ 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。) $ @) y9 Z; X" E2 H- G1 Q! w8 {$ F( J8 A7 @. l6 ` P) M! B) t; s
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。 & c0 j" t* p9 a" W4 w 4 J- E' ^& x) k' Q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: % ~( O8 ?) c8 |. R2 K: l# _7 O8 I; m0 x) K
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; 9 |# e; K. e/ i9 C ( Y7 R8 l4 a; K0 P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; ( t6 V- t! A: d 6 ]: Z: D- h2 ~0 x# K对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;( ^% T$ z& v, V* j5 Z4 k/ B
$ h5 {' D7 X5 q ]- m9 Y" I& N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)。 0 r2 y0 A( j% z+ [+ {