3 g9 V% N8 D Q9 q* C转帖 ) N6 u! F& h3 y3 [6 r1. 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)+ o( v! ~+ R4 u
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例如:8 O8 c% d. F3 x
2 R( b! T( W) d) XMany 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) 5 O: v' u1 A' t' k8 @ 8 ]2 U9 x* z) W5 b: ~* pThree 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。)- z3 B+ v# A6 E. P3 C0 g
4 I# H4 Z. Q5 k* e% MThis 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) & t4 ^ y0 |+ c2 ]5 G# d5 { , N& D$ C6 i$ r& T7 v* yThe 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?)/ [7 x6 I3 q4 H( h
6 k8 q7 b7 S5 ~; y BI 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。) 0 G/ r' w" D4 x$ @2 L- n/ j6 N* M, U1 b: [6 a9 @' 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)5 l k4 j, A$ Y. t% E
. x1 f! x8 a4 ]) pWe 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* x' [( k8 G* u9 V& R4 f. U; e% s2 K& O0 Y0 w, X# w% X
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)+ q. u% U+ y3 N1 H. s3 n( f
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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。) @) `$ H# D; `, t9 p; j
$ \! T$ J$ C9 D: oPlease 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?) 6 Y8 Z. c- S0 p }+ G5 C0 [ G) F! ^6 L0 d" Q8 _/ A- G* k
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!9 c" `$ `% R; e2 ~' a- ~4 q1 M" L8 T' s
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1 U. C- x# v; Z& j( B2. 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。 $ @6 x+ x m3 s& F9 f & i6 L# S4 L7 H- Q6 }* [# t# t例如: 1 r! F ?" @* d& X v" U7 ?5 [2 r( K5 S7 V8 z& `6 P/ z
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)8 X% ~9 i W. M6 ?$ f: a
$ g: S/ S$ A4 u) i# P+ }* d/ tDespite 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) . C3 @' R5 n* ]+ E1 ` $ d$ V2 j* p9 F" x/ t7 r' Q vI 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)* V% h! k# }6 B( A' `" r/ h( z
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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 b c* t) H( q C2 ~ 4 |% x2 n+ G. j5 @8 o' cIn 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)# l0 h: f5 m% x$ l; i- J& l' 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) : K7 `' d2 V4 v: f+ i. q% c 0 ^3 ` R8 w1 S1 rI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)' {# @# G1 q1 U! W& G
5 b. U/ Z- e \8 M+ [# R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:5 U! X* Y5 O- ]- V
- s! | Z/ n4 n9 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。) / \" E- }2 I9 n& e 4 b) F% o7 G$ _ N9 u, GThe 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.)3 s( l x2 Z/ ^4 T6 Y
7 ?0 g3 \1 s, A# `% 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。) " [5 K5 f& y5 e/ Q3 B9 f Q" \/ H- h0 @$ XHe 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)0 z2 q/ ]. O3 H1 x( \* u& Q; C
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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) # a! {+ u% m0 v$ A& k- ?* L7 o8 K& s2 v9 v
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) 5 ^' J% L' ?; I }7 q/ j, G4 M4 z: c' q' V k
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.)* r- o6 D$ ~# o, _0 ]( @. [
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 : q, q& P& B. N& `9 f9 r3 B g9 L
0 A8 u; k4 l8 R+ N* ?9 v 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」。 ' [1 Q7 j e" y9 Y4 X% ?; ? # ?& n5 l6 T7 i7 u例如: 4 E. _7 h& Y/ s1 h" h$ P5 V( m6 V
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) / O% U7 S% y& T2 y1 q# R# M8 V& Q! D6 `( ^
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)( y) [' W( o! R1 w+ t* D
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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) 5 D( m' y- D4 s . U! `" L& q/ PHe (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 [$ L+ E: l- B * i7 G0 G, g$ S+ hMany 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。)9 \4 [3 r% N9 W
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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) 8 N1 n0 Q8 h% k # k% T" K( h/ x9 ?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)8 N$ h" }# b- d4 j
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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。): |6 _# S% Y" r0 j8 x0 g3 ^9 a
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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。 6 p9 ^2 f, T* M. t: i4 V, E- T. x: f0 ]$ 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: # A8 a5 B8 J/ A. ^ E g( _5 P1 B1 u; y9 F6 J: n4 w
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; ( x, R" w+ k" _5 I3 f' J" Z7 q4 j; R) A% {, 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;, H9 x6 d9 Y; o! B: o. W. R
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;5 F' ]# y! ^3 r( j5 n$ [
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; * H; U& {3 U4 F7 e7 {8 u" P+ T: D Q, j0 S3 q9 @) W6 s8 U8 g- u3 E1 t
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:8 @8 @5 |8 l3 v5 Z6 ^* @
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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)。3 C) f: C7 q+ d
# Y; G( ]- S& G4 U0 A/ v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* S- d" h% q; a: x. ]) i( g1 x