本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 . k( e# o/ t! I9 c / y* @+ ~" \% g7 y转帖8 J7 x! g6 Q9 H5 ?7 w4 N
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) r$ r5 r+ F3 ]' L5 a* N9 W* R8 e8 I" M7 J" R
例如: # T1 B% n) Q" s8 b; v$ v ! m, Y/ r- U/ \9 Q9 c1 kMany 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) k5 \/ C- Z! ~( H. c7 { # a) a5 B: C; j! _" OThree 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。). x1 p7 l A/ c B. \
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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) 6 R. z0 l& B9 p* m( l. h $ ]$ ^% |, N$ h$ m) _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?)) x$ Q- V& {) s( c; p
5 I7 J/ F3 }1 x& cI 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。) 6 M5 ^# L: Y7 f* c# I ! `6 y Z$ n4 @& p: dMr. 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 r; f. g8 v9 ?& A, k# `) }# V1 _# b/ X
We 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!) 9 e* s: ?) m$ {% f' ]1 h9 V1 O& k5 J4 H3 k+ D( k
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 D3 m% ^) X) U8 X9 c0 c/ X
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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。)+ {+ b m$ N/ @8 e, ^
# A$ c' e. a1 S2 M3 Y0 j" D# aPlease 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?) G p+ N4 S# `9 z) h3 l$ J. @ 4 {/ u. \) Z9 a- p" ^6 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! ) [( ^3 d0 S) n: d2 n$ u% [+ z; t 5 A4 }- V& `; N9 v9 k8 k: x5 Z1 W7 |5 _, N 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。 ' J4 T/ C9 ]7 O; x8 V) ` + Z$ ~# i! U" j+ ^例如:8 Q' r$ v$ s. X
% O1 o+ j; P w' N, y( bAt 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) & A; D" _$ p$ ^3 e0 D; r7 f, G# A4 i
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) 0 `+ f( `5 O9 @- H8 J. [+ `4 l x( n; A
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) 5 H. m! W' F2 V$ F2 Q1 H5 v& W6 U5 E6 L3 X9 M
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); M1 A$ @; o4 c: D
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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)& [9 a0 H, b6 ~& m/ ~' `/ w
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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) : |! l. _( z8 X3 u6 i" h , @ [4 @# v% ^2 K J' J% B( RI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) 6 _1 p" A7 D3 J! U3 Z- ]( }3 U! Q- s. T- W: s2 H) 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: 6 M( G6 p7 s9 A7 o% e) V1 d3 B% j4 l! M# y7 L# o/ L
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。) S8 j- }3 T# w* U g0 d0 v5 V& i+ M5 {0 {, dThe 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.)+ W1 ]& ?9 @1 G
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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。)1 V5 L7 W) P; F# l3 A
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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), }; f' N$ @' F6 g# H
/ r; a1 H9 n! f( p) u, F1 m6 t2 v$ IWe 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)) H1 ] M/ H9 x$ k, a) k" r. \
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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)! I; r" Z$ W: d- S) a; F: t! J
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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.)% |" A- K1 b; R3 I( `: b
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 ; x5 g: f! s- Q/ `% E $ G: j, ~6 I$ h. _4 k! z- g6 s2 U/ b9 N: m% M. C2 _ 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」。 8 D# F8 I/ U8 E, S ) ^5 h3 R$ k3 b* o3 g; c; e u例如: - ~2 P; h; {! d: m- ?- \5 O1 v% \$ n3 q- H+ o+ 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) % F" o0 x, A$ i4 x% ~! d( z, N/ E, X$ w j3 t
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) / u5 B; \0 n: Z# _2 o7 M; M4 L
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)% e9 E% I+ N7 _0 T- _0 S& r
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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。)2 j: {5 e+ i4 E8 ^: ~/ |3 R
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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。) 5 ^% L$ m; B' e , z! d |% D& U R8 H. ]) jPolicemen (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 Y% m6 h- Q& I
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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)7 Z) Z& E; R& q3 g9 v: l7 {9 D
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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。)5 m ]. s% J) p3 H/ w# n N& z! K
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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。4 h* A0 I& S: I) N, b; y# C0 o0 g0 k# d
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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:0 ?+ L* \0 G& T/ M" V
" ^# {- A0 o! A m2 A* q: v+ M5 ~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;, l" r! r5 T/ p2 S
4 h% I0 I2 o U# q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; % I9 E8 `2 k7 k/ ]1 {! A & P. d0 P$ F/ u: \3 k对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; 8 N4 }8 f9 r" A7 e / y* j6 F! h4 H% \$ S5 p- b对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 2 F% s* U. r* c+ j8 O) x/ g, D* Z. l* g- h# |, b# e; L A
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 ~& N& p& H# f0 q2 g
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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)。 Z- j. I0 d6 \& t9 o 2 W) K# |2 M" i8 M4 X) k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)。 % P/ H" y% X* N8 E4 @