本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 1 F* R/ z: {1 K+ I. D/ n+ {8 r5 o1 Y3 [; P# @ 转帖# U1 z5 _+ ^7 n/ } W J0 `" i
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) 3 t: j: O" T% z; j; c # h: s# r `, \5 H+ N2 r9 j例如: 7 @, [* f; |" ~ , \1 D0 k/ P3 n3 C( PMany 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) $ W8 w0 [ X' [0 N, p7 ] . [ U+ N+ _- H% r/ nThree 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。): u! K$ H( e: k. k* @& G- Q3 ]3 H
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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)+ l0 `0 Z6 _) P. V$ u
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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?), X2 E8 P7 h) }4 F+ h8 E2 R) ~
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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。) $ y1 B" Y4 p0 ]8 u$ ~# `) W: L' G. @ N( b) U- E: a9 K A
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) 5 S- i9 U/ B: F$ D; r' N1 |* g) U6 ^4 \ ' P/ R& ?( H7 ~0 HWe 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!) 7 s" ] X' z8 C# E ) ?4 n: o z3 \8 nThe 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): m7 U, X) ^2 c4 J7 ]9 `3 o. u: v
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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。) $ {* R3 h* p6 e. L, X ~6 p6 { 4 B0 L2 K) d4 C* B4 hPlease 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?)# C; b. v; ~. e. m2 s+ Y6 b
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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! # V) E2 Q: k- z+ i( a* Z) X8 x& u% E4 H3 i+ H# G
; y$ n) _) i; w) U5 x2. 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。 : g* B( m" a$ E# J) o4 M : ?$ H5 ~; F, I例如: 0 f; H! x( y& t q9 b8 h; m! K# E, g/ x) S ~+ N0 j& {+ X, H
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 h# }5 c- v( X$ m8 b: \# S F. W1 I6 V
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) : |: ~$ q0 z6 _7 k0 o) p) l) a8 h6 E. w8 m 2 H# N- x' m4 `3 [& A# Z; K% v1 W- FI 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)& n5 a( Y+ H# _1 t/ g4 O+ o
$ i/ p) f( u) y( W; r+ bHe 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) ' G0 h; U5 Y$ E4 a( Y; K! c' s8 y; x2 P2 U. t/ a
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). E2 u3 q3 v& }( [0 w1 |: c
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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) # X' N/ u2 O( s ?$ P " U) K/ s1 I) M7 M( U7 M1 ?I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)9 P. i' u2 k" E E
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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:! x1 S# s8 o/ k6 w& M
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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。) / o: {8 ^( g: n, N# ~' G 9 v& e. x: w2 `4 b NThe 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.) . W d, h! Y8 ] |3 I4 j# ?. b # X. \+ B5 ~4 W4 C+ G( v+ L) nHe 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。)7 x I% Q6 r1 C6 g7 u* M* F5 ]
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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)" Z% b& p: T' p/ I
5 N; x7 S& ?& xWe 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) 7 U' f" o; f* d+ b- k, }2 D, F" }' F9 V2 k+ W/ t! i/ G
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)6 f1 p T5 E, e* ]5 T- _- u
; a* ~) ^/ s4 l/ P h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.) 4 M6 ^; Q8 R- p. q( m0 v - V2 J" @6 E% Z3 C6 ^此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。" q" y2 @" {, L5 D( b; j$ v: @! s
' m8 X& Y h* o8 B 6 H0 w! ~. j& E3.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」。* g- j0 ~! E: l& B2 I8 v( x
1 z9 f) y1 q( i' b6 u例如: 3 D% V9 f1 [" j6 ^: e; E) }% f# j2 f8 _( p5 C3 t
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), ~6 {4 m/ o; q* G
. \( q' F5 V' b; AManpower 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) }! M9 d# K1 ~
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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) # ^ a8 Q' r- l) f7 n . A- p8 O0 K i3 g U' i! R2 [! z; 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。) " o) v# W3 c! |: P ) a: L# a/ i- ~' BMany 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。)8 C4 J& Z" p' \9 @% R9 n) F
, O! u, T* |# m( n, s8 OPolicemen (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) w8 d! S. _( [
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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 S) ^$ m! [- T! t6 G+ `3 u1 e% I( b, {
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。)1 z8 ]0 H+ ^9 Z6 W( ?) `6 P* d+ \
2 g+ l' s9 n0 {+ l$ L; j- j6 w% Y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。 % T6 }$ {+ o* H % S8 f: U" g0 [! @: p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:; d+ V2 _1 y1 e( @5 n! Y& S
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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; 6 s. E- B; e; r+ G: ?; c! o3 N. x: R" a
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;6 B+ ]. q" C3 P6 r$ X
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; ; |. @) e+ T" |" \6 n3 \; [* \ ( D) j- n B# k9 Q# S, L9 R& V对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;; }3 B6 w# r j
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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: ; g; c$ V+ M2 ^ 9 @& ]! i1 ?4 p# E7 Z! w/ j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)。 + g& F; w9 i, }7 e2 }! a! X6 M3 B; m, ~- p, C; a7 ?
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 E2 B Y8 D1 a' q# h. b