本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 4 U- x- b c2 P+ }6 u/ d+ A / Y" r' s% g2 x. \! @转帖2 A, W) ~6 S3 H/ q7 h% E! k
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)# K2 R% `0 Y! F5 F( ]& g) H1 d* p
7 {$ Q* L5 w" s/ w9 f1 y例如: & J4 W, Q" F- c K% o1 l; \4 e6 h$ }& {# X
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)1 U! D: K% j i' Q9 s ]
4 A$ |$ K4 y" a5 {, HThree 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。)8 W+ ]1 [5 O! u9 t$ B: \
' ]7 Y J7 |2 w& @; s: M+ q# VThis 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) ) R {" l. u% n* I0 z( E$ `4 M 3 Q( m, R2 @9 W$ Y8 |* jThe 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 s- I) a: N: x) S. ]& i, w* e
! S# H5 }( D1 d, v$ eI 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。), _, ` b D4 P. J8 S @# P
) r h H5 i3 Y, WMr. 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), j. \1 h' [. D( l3 N
0 h3 k' c' w! Z/ s0 D! C
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!) % x+ E& N1 @+ O+ ?$ P! d0 J& m: }; s8 K7 ^8 ^
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) t4 w. z, k$ a6 I" q Y t1 `9 }2 u5 ?: w! M$ Y0 X+ _8 x7 l$ I" b( g
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。)' h' f6 z- @- Z% L" w
1 P7 ~& e m# r- F
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?) % g$ q( j# y) s' }5 C2 k |2 G, R; }& _ D" \+ k+ q. ]4 V8 m
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!1 O( S1 w) y2 {, Q: O) k' J; b
+ G8 _( R% s# U# z" O & Y( Q- s, f; ]" R2. 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。 ; K. ~5 T4 H4 |9 w8 z7 N; I8 F, j' {8 w
例如: ( u$ b( n; A( \) k! r: m# ^ 1 k% n4 A" M) Q1 F- V# L8 AAt 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) - [4 M7 Z9 G0 T, p, t. g : H a5 D: h0 J! F1 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) / A& E0 l: f+ [* a& F7 s8 p* T8 D N! J, Z2 z- p
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)3 ~6 T% D) D$ u. ^( b% a9 u
9 ?, i" t$ l# Z4 N% [2 u- Y
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)& ~7 \7 ], ^5 r* ]! X9 R }
, C, f6 M/ B1 _1 m5 UIn 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)2 a- @. `- r/ d. B, {4 Q8 R
, q6 k( v( v8 m& Y3 l3 `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) 3 ?/ E0 ~: b& X- M+ d8 i % \- y; B, A6 h" @0 y# JI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) , m. o# |: D; b7 ^ & v' q- u2 T; {. s/ Z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:* ?0 j* M7 v& K2 `- p) _
( Q( v; B2 m% p J) H" IThe 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。) % a2 L. f5 [, v6 a2 S0 r' t# ^8 J( ?: ~# S, U* {4 ~. I
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.)7 G: g3 Q. X8 I- g
( H' I. K5 n P2 d; d4 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。) & T, [' c+ [" W G ' G8 O1 |+ _% } J+ n" {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) * p7 }* v8 t( m: c z/ w; b: a' V" p8 I- n9 o+ Z
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)3 W2 _' {6 P! T1 g
5 G9 @' @# K& {+ o
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) 1 x' U# i& V+ [; b- j1 P- h3 O t. V5 p, X( D& X: e, }
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.)+ U% b4 C7 L9 T
' j; c7 J+ ?) P( J3 F% O( D
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 p# A" i A8 S" b
! T; n7 N. b5 F6 B ) m9 ]+ R1 o9 ?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」。4 C' i" |* P( w& R3 S2 \
6 j. B+ J6 U% U8 b9 c例如: % {, G8 p! t: @- N v; d! P Q( k& K& W/ w( ^
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) 0 F* u" q' U' q; S; q h9 E+ Z8 Q 8 I* l a$ p: V e8 W# ^1 @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)5 a- ?, {; x8 y1 R' a0 b0 G
# v, Q0 H5 { F5 Q& p2 j+ D% }
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)- S. \; i% \ D, x' W" T( X& d
" g: g# n/ _0 k5 H( b. D3 Z( oHe (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。)9 p( P6 @$ U1 X' X9 g
r7 S" S; e- P3 c% t' {0 YMany 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。) , }! T6 |, h3 K6 q `9 Z/ z% _! w. {
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)! V( H' q$ D b2 @/ Z3 Y
5 K/ x/ e# ~ ?
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): @# F8 i3 E4 n' T
, ^ x: ?' z7 k/ hStewardesses 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。) @& _3 ]- P. J1 y3 d2 |
; E* c# W* n! j
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。/ x3 x+ i$ [) B! y4 x% x. q7 m% @
! Z1 g) ?( q* I6 D- 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: $ I' n: w8 f; m* } U% `( g2 [' H' N" l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; 0 m% ~( l0 j7 n4 d: t , R# f2 I5 h9 N6 G7 D. ?6 H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;7 i& n6 y6 I2 `8 L# k# {6 Q6 O
! J( e# B( `- V: d. t
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;& I8 O0 _/ z4 G
( H1 s% l' g f5 ?" ~对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;5 ]0 Z/ V: Q/ G- b
# v* s5 O: m+ [3 z4 F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: 1 s, \1 @) a' ^: z+ S % I5 I3 Q3 A' O! }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)。 : R6 W; N% J% |% C2 _) z- Z' J 0 Y! F( v& U7 m8 z8 \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)。% V) }. }8 r. z* k$ F7 v