本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 " H! d% I# e' r* y5 i3 Y( R6 W
) t. ]8 G5 Q4 [, _6 y. Q转帖4 i$ \) R5 K' O0 m3 r
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) * d( D! N8 }9 n% u6 |* D2 A $ F& x. Y3 ?: ~. y a! @例如: " I( H; U9 Z# j9 ~5 c( K/ E+ Y+ F+ n3 h, }# W5 D L0 h( J
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): c5 K" D& V1 l; ]
& K" N/ D( `+ g0 o& ]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。)5 S. c3 f) R. I" w: t
# d/ B; w* G3 z0 p' g
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)0 d+ Z) M0 d/ [3 H0 }. }7 Y( q
s6 k9 y/ t; E6 N% C3 s& C. aThe 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?): m% \" s6 g6 y3 w& ~
, U0 \( v# b9 g/ PI 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。) + {- ^. w! R, P x' C1 Z0 i- L" A: M# V1 J- \7 q) Y
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 T% g% M# L6 J" s
5 t% Y. j2 @' g' P0 ^+ 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, u$ c, ?# b6 f( L' ]' }3 h8 \6 p& v1 Y, K. B; m1 T: M
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) 0 Z- O9 u! b a5 g* t5 a7 U" M3 T8 e1 T6 n( t+ N d& q6 {
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。)# g: s5 F5 \# G1 {" w9 d: j7 f
7 @+ \- [9 M9 o& @Please 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?) ; z4 W M: }' p' _# d5 T6 P5 }' ^; Z
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!: O& Z% ^6 W: c8 q
' z8 d! x$ E) k+ x+ M2 wAt 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)$ m8 ?0 t% u2 H' ^. G( F
2 N5 h7 U" ^& J+ W5 }* 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)5 _1 k" ?1 R. W2 d$ P; q7 B6 R
* K: N. T( ~7 z( ?
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), }1 ]2 }; Y1 ]+ F9 @
) s/ P4 d. X- I, u4 VHe 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) 2 Z8 ?5 Y& z% X7 |: N# V, V + i0 ^. F; o9 C1 dIn 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) 1 S# t4 R% i7 ]( e ( K9 i s0 [8 [; @' A. n- Q( }% tShe 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)9 A2 R8 o( d% q
' b# J7 x( i/ F6 |6 \, uI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) 0 G/ I ^5 k6 R5 @+ Q! O; M# n+ e- e7 m
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: % x4 t7 l9 z* R8 |2 n, m6 b7 ^3 e. u2 J1 a
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。) 9 \8 o1 @0 |, e/ ? + P: J* e+ v3 \! q) BThe 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.) ! A( c; v9 H6 Z# C 8 Y1 W) Y7 j1 _- BHe 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。) . b) b6 ^6 d, J5 r& F/ l% ~! d% B! T5 {
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)5 B7 F5 X4 E5 C7 ?+ r ^
: u; u' b% Q; X
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) $ g" _7 K, Y) Q! }3 s3 j5 [! f) o ' g0 v, K) t, q; o, mEnclosed (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)! @8 \3 X( o% |9 V- R4 |$ }' `
: I z3 f! A) i7 s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.) 5 w! j% e. A* r9 E# R3 K3 p : K/ v$ T0 R: P" r3 D此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 : T- N1 O# I6 [& g$ F 5 ~; S/ E" C! p4 }0 U, m- s, j( F# Q6 D7 Q# P& K 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」。6 S* C/ z, R0 E( y; E" E/ H3 `. h0 P7 ~. r
+ K9 i0 B) S6 S/ t% u" L- A" X6 i
例如:) t; G3 J' ^5 f1 ~8 [( M
# ~# Y- B$ n0 @- v# m
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)/ q3 a2 S: E. _) p' f. V! _
5 M6 {/ P& G' J
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)" L% O, S/ [3 J" l" I/ i
) a( P" C r2 h6 EThis 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) / Z S. H s7 h' ~ 0 |9 s& ~9 F8 g3 k ]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。)! u5 V( A8 c+ X( r, ~
" E8 k1 V2 q% z3 @- @! t# V% v9 f$ s0 wMany 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。) m6 e( B/ C) x- P% b! U1 p
7 B q/ z* [- j4 R5 x4 w% 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)$ ]1 q) y* T9 ?: _- `4 a
4 P3 I3 x2 s3 B( H# fCongressmen (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) + A7 L/ w" J+ q) a7 |1 F: z: r( f $ |6 F7 e+ {' x; O. f3 W8 DStewardesses 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。): [$ v7 Z* Q) o5 T1 I) T3 X0 `
; N' m& z+ m, T+ ]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。 ^8 D: d2 v+ h3 ~4 T0 \: j
4 x' e6 w8 k4 S+ A! H
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:/ V& c; o7 x$ w a# a% G
: y7 ] W- U5 k3 w, b: |) h
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; 2 b) d! C% E d! W3 {& G7 l* t* y ^
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;) C4 ` I" P; {1 l4 q8 C1 \
6 p/ Q6 I3 D' C5 r" G1 E对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;9 s, F7 E+ U7 v$ G* f& P! y+ s- J7 ?
( S) C3 |' [; A l1 j Z3 R. c% }% U
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;6 i, ~& h% h0 p9 |$ R
5 D0 H& w: E+ ]6 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: % u7 ?0 C7 ]6 w' L) t2 \/ x, `0 q
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)。 & s+ r! O: k b% J$ x! _& V( d7 }0 ^2 t* X
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)。 & G* T6 V3 g% K+ j1 Q& z