本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 3 g, U! R0 c7 F" W* n4 U0 T: M
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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)2 V- M$ k5 p) I$ Z7 f
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3 ?9 W, d2 R/ [1 FMany 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); j$ l% J- i$ D, C+ n& L
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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。) 1 u1 r2 ]2 l# R- K5 C; R9 Q# N) m5 ]
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) ( G5 ~% b' I$ @7 E6 [6 ^; q3 M- o0 |5 |9 Y: I
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?)3 b/ A8 R5 J" ` r* j* K
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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。) 2 Q$ P" V3 c+ e7 |& M( @( E0 V$ X, h& d( ~3 V* Z% `/ h8 u6 h" P$ w
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) 7 x8 C' v' I! u# j( n& V1 ?# Z. H; Q, K& s( A
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!)1 m# N* S4 u9 K0 q2 T" y9 k
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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)8 Y M: J) l' n$ q- r
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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。)) u7 |. B8 o! W3 ~7 e
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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?). K4 L& q$ y* E, P- O* L
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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!/ a" b# s7 K2 L4 m5 h- w7 d4 @
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$ ~8 X9 d H$ M/ ~- Y) P/ t& _* D) ^ 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。 ' A6 G- |9 b7 [1 u0 Y5 o Q. I) R6 C( v0 {
例如:5 M! p, z7 R+ \1 n6 m+ F% O% S
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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) ! d5 l' }/ C ]! _3 o9 e9 Z' d $ {, |$ d+ E" g2 o+ W# oDespite 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) : N; ]( t8 v8 B q- p& a% A- F# x$ N9 _
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) % @6 O9 Y7 h# i+ \ . }" a+ W; a, oHe 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)9 S% ~9 l, g# V7 X5 f$ X5 O
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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) ' C, }& B$ k5 o z; h" K ; ? d/ y( { A: n8 |6 hShe 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)# B. P0 C" s6 v' f! m3 b" F# g# _' s
/ W2 x" O& H4 f7 w& f/ AI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) % o q1 A& r8 n5 H2 l 1 H+ U% z$ _" ]6 x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:9 L8 f( W& @6 V1 |& {: E# L
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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。) ~, C' L$ V* D
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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.)- Y( _0 m$ \3 O" D% @3 P
! G2 q) L5 w' k* h/ Z. @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。)0 |. R0 H0 Q4 H- ]+ w3 S: T
4 E& M+ W/ y6 [ c Y+ l; |, j: n8 `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)% b0 p1 L% A: y" C: q
$ j8 S( b/ H2 Y- ~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) 6 e7 G% e/ Z4 A; \' c) w " W; ~& s8 x9 S2 U' {5 _4 a- VEnclosed (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 [- ^" D k! H. [$ ]) y3 p
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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, ]* x1 T- H( |) J" b$ N6 K# [( r# Q- F
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。( R1 ~6 X: A9 R; Z- B/ _9 a
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; O. g0 ] n( a9 A4 ^ 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」。 G- K& Q( X2 \4 W3 W$ T" }9 U- t2 o q4 k( i$ e
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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) ' x' D7 _5 f4 c9 h* x5 I0 ]4 w# P# ~( [3 i1 B
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) / ^: [. M" X0 \$ ]6 q p' m 3 |2 |1 A+ j) P7 vThis 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)7 t g7 Q y; P- A9 J7 Q3 s
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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。) ; I0 u& r* ?9 ~: s; A9 s/ Q8 x8 F c9 D7 q% M4 R4 z* `! _
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。), O8 k& f# I# `- R$ E( B
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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) . Z. N9 T5 d$ {: r; _, P: _! T% A+ f, G- 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) * [0 Q: n- P6 O3 L* Q$ d: B9 d+ O2 O; ?$ d! H; y& ~2 W% E
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。)$ X' l2 ^" K% o; {2 J
% R9 I2 L# J. O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。& C) t2 I) s/ x5 ?& W: W
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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- R) J/ T' K3 n$ n
5 B& h2 b6 e$ s5 E/ J V+ Y- q0 o! W6 l4 r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;1 y2 o/ o* O2 t* S, ~0 V+ u, a
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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; ; S+ J* S( q _ " X4 E0 b* A N9 M' V: u9 p5 P对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; # N1 i2 x& A, { k8 ^1 ^7 X w) ?) H- `3 [' A$ B, i3 R( z) m5 E0 K
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 3 S( Z+ g- X8 L1 o8 o) ?, C7 j+ R) R5 ]8 a x$ ^% K
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:3 p9 V$ r4 n8 J- [; |& R2 O8 c
. `4 W! ^0 A; l `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)。 ( i0 U% ?) C, C' L! M1 V2 ?0 @% h; ?3 z! P& [
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)。9 {! }" b, t2 C& Q* n' K# J% @' ~