; N; \3 l- D7 [1 U5 l3 CMany 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)2 v; ?" f) |: i! ]0 ]1 f
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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。)' C$ a3 |0 g$ b; q+ a3 [7 w
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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) * i6 J0 [# l' ^) ], ~# P1 x$ F$ i ( j/ `0 w2 z4 e- ]2 {6 IThe 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?)4 x9 U* T7 u; H, @* O+ g
. q! P9 h( E# D) q6 z& M" k- h* fI 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。) 4 Z9 J6 r% x- e8 l* I( ~% m% c* G2 z; G' j' ~; Y) M. a0 I
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) 9 X1 y" o! G& U( p1 ]1 E' s9 U 2 ?4 S& \# n8 _$ x, MWe 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!) ) S% r; U* @0 J2 ?+ b, J9 a& f- l" O+ J
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); ^3 k8 C! Y2 g3 z [
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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。)1 Q! I6 r; r8 P6 ^4 C
% F0 ]/ E2 m( }/ w J3 s# oPlease 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?) - K( `) D* f' n3 T0 q/ _4 c. Y) e0 X D0 a R: G) R u
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!) J) Q& Q2 d: P
3 w% ~+ ~" N, r* X: W4 O% s 0 ^' b0 t% A6 }$ O5 k0 d2. 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。 9 ?: @: W" |, q' U8 h3 F / R7 E& E, Y/ w2 E. H例如:) F! p; ]! o" S
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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 Y; ~( l; T) n* f: H0 f * `$ v) n% H$ O% C& {/ _# KDespite 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) * o4 c+ N. L& x6 f4 _* M5 t! e ' A& {) z* Y3 F' iI 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)0 \# { A' e- Z+ S% I; ~8 N
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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)- ?& d7 E% v" M& w7 m: _
* M/ }/ G. S) ?; S& @4 S9 k2 j" @: V6 xIn 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)3 b& p/ l) ^+ L9 y1 d
, Q( [+ N+ ]% r% h/ kShe 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). @4 Z, o" k$ V( {. V: _$ k, m C1 |
; Q$ u* F: V8 k0 h T3 PI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生): B$ K1 L9 |; t0 J* J) p, N- z. g+ V
) y( B8 @0 x$ ^! _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: & B" ~5 [: G1 n7 X" e& Q/ u$ w
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。) 2 `8 F' W! \& P J3 t 2 J3 t7 k0 r0 \) D* ~ Y0 }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.) 0 W6 T% X d: D7 d+ W% `+ l; z+ ^ & [! R3 [1 M* p3 N' uHe 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。) 1 [1 A# v, E) p - I) ?3 s; d$ c7 v4 IHe 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) & d8 G( A w$ O. i! C! G* V 1 d% I& c( B, h/ f) sWe 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) 5 t0 M1 u5 t# W% H3 y+ V5 m - S; @/ M0 q, x1 @' `5 _ EEnclosed (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) $ M. }! y0 e; \) w. `3 p! W& C' O $ m, ^0 x- K* K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.)! {# {& H, u9 q
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 6 r7 ]. S5 Q: H $ Q/ m- F' K/ `0 |, ^' `- x$ ~" T) E: ^: H! @ 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」。& p) u% J" r0 P) ^
; e: D- ^$ `5 A x5 l- a% r/ U例如:5 ]/ ~5 P$ W, ]
6 @+ ~0 [8 `$ l# T, X# _3 u9 jMankind 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); O# Z/ ~3 {! {+ C
" y% v$ I" I IManpower 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) 1 I( a" J0 A7 K3 E$ Y7 [ U4 a ; R7 b9 e+ P( w+ r2 ~! R4 ^: bThis 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) % k8 ^6 u+ n) T2 u6 Q; i & b' ]/ u, J1 s9 U8 W K+ R) FHe (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。)1 Z6 x# T3 X( } a) m6 [& M$ S x4 h
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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。)# ^' c! r* T5 n7 p, ~4 r
+ u/ t z* W! V: vPolicemen (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)1 X% u% {0 g3 ]+ O
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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)5 o; L" d2 y4 a8 y
" O5 x1 ?# K: C7 [ h" n1 i: {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。)# f5 ~, B# d% y: a P/ N7 @
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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。 ' E+ _& @/ G$ X3 j4 M' s! ^. w( _( |% n- ], U
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: + F7 U" o; ?( {! Z; |8 [* W# ?. o6 L2 D4 N& m. C
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;, X& @4 @2 B7 L' z
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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;! T2 G9 c; d% r5 t) Q" H! H
& @$ H2 F) ]" v% S! E [对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;6 l/ p' J# E5 ^ E `6 Q$ D
) k% C5 X! q, c0 `+ Y0 c对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;9 z9 M) y0 \- z" p
& r" G$ ?' p( e& ~2 p4 V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)。 ! @/ `' d9 _1 L* @5 r