本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 3 X0 g" ^9 M5 E( b! I% c, m) z& K/ K) o6 m) E1 i4 W 转帖, e$ a$ T, Z/ o
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): v' C1 [: u3 Q% \# M1 Y
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例如: / F7 u8 P: _9 S, S# @5 k ' e/ E) M. w# s) P# Q' QMany 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) , ~/ @+ ] Z* e) P- z. Q: X : D: f# F" K: X& I% N, Q- M# QThree 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。) e U9 O$ k9 O; H- g. M 6 A Q( t3 \. ?. s; N, i& L4 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) ! A( r C5 r. e( C % f T9 Y) f' z t7 x% 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?)" f0 I/ ]4 v6 s/ \& ]
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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。)9 y& ^5 X9 i1 t/ X7 p: O; \5 \3 u" I
* Z. B* {8 u O# K; n2 e; _7 Y6 aMr. 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) # e: H9 S1 G2 o! a- F2 q) u + ?, T1 Z) b) C5 q! 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!) - P5 b; n4 X4 K0 } G: c2 ], t6 c3 a5 x4 ?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) . D& t+ q! K- v5 f4 e1 A( A! S: R( j8 [
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。) # X( a* L" k/ N n. |5 _6 R# W3 O0 |
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?) 2 S: l5 @1 A) p! ]( R 1 {: s# { o n1 x6 b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! 2 R( f8 ?. x3 ~: W o4 P; b/ j/ d/ a- H2 T& H) a1 b
3 Y/ E6 \$ l7 r4 { 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。 ' |1 p' }% p( y; B) M0 Y3 u4 K! {1 U2 m5 [" h: U( ?1 |
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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) % u9 g+ s2 F2 @: `; }3 }# R' F0 k3 m: ]2 d& K
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) " A& v4 t9 I* v/ C( n, O0 L6 I. O( z9 y y; ]: y5 ^
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) 5 c5 c3 c1 T. q$ O6 k& V( }7 A! w& P$ b% W" f( V
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)2 t' W* ]3 Y3 `( L; [# t& ~4 S8 k
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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)8 u2 ~$ i( P9 ^2 `
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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) # [' T, }, x& Z+ G+ x% J" y7 L4 U; {7 U8 l* t5 s V( Z# t- v
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)' z( k: W& ]3 E2 {( f' F
6 q" ~' K7 H6 ^0 T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: 3 k/ o, e0 A H$ Z% b # _7 b4 b6 p) W; X% Y* z" y4 f. `$ mThe 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。) 8 ]% j- @' V1 A8 u3 b+ C0 ^" G. M- y j+ {: A) D
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.)! _5 `9 t! G% _; P, r$ a2 v! p8 z
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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。) " u8 {; `5 m! S- u5 ]$ K6 F1 F0 I" b& s/ Y- h
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) ( E) A" J2 c1 [! S R: M- u2 n* p1 U% T$ f6 J3 I. Q* i% A# v
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) : ^* p3 o0 x @2 t8 T$ t; ^ D! `5 d) a9 C8 n, E
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) . {9 t) |9 Y( R" l* s) `) v& s6 N6 ]: l; o6 V4 |. i5 m
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.)- Z) H; x6 N) p: w7 x$ p# Z( Y" H+ l" S) ^
# {/ }' [, |- w0 R8 z8 Q ?: _此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。* m4 v7 W+ o3 J' |5 M2 O& f4 H
4 A2 P& r7 G2 R S ) B8 h3 E' G% D- a3.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# A# [6 d' j4 s2 i% k, l
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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) 2 X1 V# }8 U3 V& i E4 W2 e p/ J- f4 r1 K4 z1 A. x
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)' `: d; ]5 s' X& ^( W7 q3 y2 }2 e
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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) ' V8 t) V4 l6 G5 d . P6 _4 p) R2 E2 Q' vHe (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。): N6 \" x) M; j( _
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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。)" ]5 A" y- g) h/ l$ @
1 j9 f+ u9 c6 [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) : d+ C/ B8 @2 @2 O/ Y/ T5 }1 r. S! m
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) ' ~. R+ {# l. f0 t ] 5 P+ c: b% u; S9 @4 _% uStewardesses 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。) ! E. y+ j+ }( t( ], v % z$ u+ Z4 C' Q H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。/ H# ^) V; F W1 t: S$ S
7 s8 D0 m5 R, U8 ~; m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: # ^" u) L. U8 f+ R6 B! Z0 n" e+ e) \- `$ y+ R5 d
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; 7 @" P* ^6 y1 Y& L. f 6 p) F U( b6 A! Q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; , V* e1 V" L' n+ u% Z4 \/ i- o ! @' [+ r% Z: \7 d2 n$ E* U1 ~对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;6 g% O$ I0 I$ B
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;8 A b7 H+ K# ]' O2 D
" @1 u6 A( x; G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: & Q! K6 f7 n$ ^4 A* z# M0 {) f6 m, g0 l + ]- O) P- V- j. w: H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)。 4 U1 l8 y0 i$ L( f( Q" T: j8 z 1 W) {. S$ x6 A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)。 - V1 D4 b* F$ Z4 G+ ?+ W$ d