本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 " _ b9 e. g7 H3 M9 f B; S6 W8 K* c% i7 V Y% A9 h4 ]8 p 转帖 8 Z. Z7 n# L3 H+ H1. 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); M* c. ?/ P, f( |5 u/ f
" `6 j R3 d: E1 D) o3 K! j例如:+ @0 N3 j- E6 E" B' O
4 Q1 `! _7 m2 e. F8 UMany 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); c" y2 k! m! p8 a
9 B8 Z6 F, K6 g, h3 }
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。) * L/ [6 t4 q& v# D+ B& G0 V+ Z% |- Y5 w& a# U
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) . d. {8 U* a3 F5 ?! d* _- ^ # F2 N/ e; Q+ _8 j9 BThe 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?)" o* y/ d0 R& z- b2 T& D
4 k4 f! o3 h; R; zI 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 v4 a3 r4 u2 q) s8 p1 U* _9 t9 Z |- Z/ ?1 T& g# Z
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) ' U: ]1 Q/ t: V1 b1 n3 Z. h2 `% T# R
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!)% N. [- ]; ]( t% S; e$ _
! x/ }' y: L" E# \* y- `
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): D2 W/ r; J/ P2 Z6 ~ b T2 v0 \
8 ], w- ^- @" M# Z
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。) 5 r& ^3 c2 R2 a! `) b# T- }1 n- {' Q" X$ |- x! Z$ j% R8 M+ ^
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?) - ^ k; F0 r! R- g2 r6 w6 v* B$ A* 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! / W& a3 q6 u9 c. v) K% R! k% Y( E$ Q) i" I
: t; \5 N1 U: | 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。 * D; t1 n% c% t7 e7 d , T1 J; O) l1 t6 X2 ^7 V' Y例如:4 \4 F+ k4 I$ J& ?
5 d) \; i* P5 d: k( L6 x/ l
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), r& Y& d% S7 Z( G
n3 n+ D: s8 I: u, F
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) , j% f! C, U% ?3 p, l m# W+ q$ _8 r" m5 ~
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) 4 v) L7 g# M+ Y# U" O6 S ) M1 Y6 t8 R0 t* ~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)0 K! A, _" g5 B1 d. }2 i- s
|6 w3 I1 q' A, b5 ?
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) F, j) Z, S! M3 ^) {1 n" ?5 X1 z% W# }9 C9 z3 M
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)& u4 H4 g! ?1 H7 K) ^! k$ B
4 d& D2 u5 ~' _5 K
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) : b, Y0 n: n* V" _0 J8 i $ B/ b1 x, r' [ t3 |: Y# 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:8 h6 @- H4 _3 N2 ?4 y4 k2 z
- c, w3 G& q) R9 S9 [0 I9 aThe 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。) + E( V& k* V0 ~& { ]+ K/ ?) g$ ] x3 }* h7 E% X9 [0 H5 R
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.) 1 `1 X1 q) a5 M% @3 p/ ~4 g z/ v$ q4 M
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。)/ W/ [, [2 i4 l l& f7 T% h: {5 r
) L( x- s9 o! HHe 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)' ^4 [1 e9 w; p: ?8 [( |
( c9 q# r; x3 D8 S( s2 FWe 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 t( e; a$ S# X( i# g
4 c4 J7 x! l5 q' w
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)3 ~9 @1 r# h, x5 j) V0 j
& @$ i" j2 O; @2 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.). F4 T( ?+ n$ W2 E4 k( h
. `8 S% S* m! |/ Q
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 4 [3 _9 C4 S. m# L _% M' N$ E5 Z7 n: k+ U6 T
, F7 a" l" [5 ?7 t1 W- g3.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」。 A. B, ?% g& n4 @ 8 D$ O0 @4 I! c; ?6 h例如:/ V4 p3 @/ J) P* L3 t+ M
! `" l4 Q$ l8 k4 A
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) ) z( Z" r3 L: C, V8 X# p- D: f. O0 [
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)1 t, ~5 t. `. l6 j4 v
4 \$ T- E2 }& V! p: PThis 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) ; R2 K9 [$ N) d9 K- v+ d+ V8 Z" J" h+ ~
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。)/ T/ `& G% B4 V% N2 Z6 L7 M
( A5 ?/ x5 u/ l$ x6 t6 q& s
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。)" E2 y Y8 y/ ?" \
7 q" B* i: D& g8 X8 K' V/ }
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) + r/ p( }' R0 a! N0 Z$ q * j& B9 ?3 t( G, g5 u& ?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) - x- U& q! y1 s5 K# [6 L# e+ w& {5 Y j/ G7 V5 ]* x0 o; c" O" A0 w! ~
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。) s) E# `. r# S" y+ @" ?! q. O/ j 9 F; i9 k1 l: P2 _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 z$ |3 r! t - ?4 z/ W8 |2 l4 a g: D' 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:8 T4 l/ U' y* G) z4 o
. V2 T+ K& c) W% F+ D$ y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; 4 k% \& o* l# P8 n. v# N' e# M% D( z1 c9 r
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;$ [' g& h# c$ f: Y8 v" D7 t
v- w% \; I( ^1 w
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; * x9 B7 h2 B& A8 ?* r4 T" K3 I1 I2 M5 K
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;/ g/ m1 W4 ]+ @% v
1 B' B; z1 U1 e# f# I$ h& x
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:( `& g3 Y; B# }. q
/ ]/ W. s7 M& U# P' S
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)。# b- c$ X4 z9 O0 {- X
' d5 B @' o4 x' O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)。6 F8 g, h9 y! V1 s9 O, B