本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 & M6 B2 ^. F: g3 P% x8 ^" H0 c
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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) 7 n# ~1 b3 l& ~) _% `$ Z 0 [; B+ [( Q' z8 w. Y2 a r6 p) a. E例如: 9 o- P2 F" C" G4 k % e* p- J5 D# D4 L, H, MMany 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) - V- g" w; |4 V/ `. j4 t/ P, j5 {+ J W5 `* k* L* c
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。) 2 x) f5 Q' [3 ?& l" j& Z, W0 H3 S; q 3 @, {; p0 q6 u7 i# sThis 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) 5 |4 v, I1 h! p - ?9 j* m) V( }5 uThe 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?) % V) e: T4 ~, K ) {4 T' T" \! @1 TI 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。)- i: H' O* @* b
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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): Z- w9 p7 j8 u6 o: g! u" m! @
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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!). N. h) j/ u2 p& m7 |( I
3 W1 \; J# R& O, F0 M, VThe 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) 0 H( _: B- J# O9 w! J( T8 b# {+ N- J4 f/ l0 F9 h7 b
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。)& ]: |+ V& E3 x1 u+ g/ n' `
7 j( ]/ x" e# \& u+ b% }) j8 APlease 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?). f* i! q6 D! I& z
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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!0 A- U. e' F4 B. F. m
+ M% F6 P) K+ F, M 0 y, m/ b; C- V2. 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。0 ], D. R1 }) B( n
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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) ( k0 S6 x, b1 ]0 Q* c% w8 V4 N" @, m7 y8 W% E! h1 |
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) 3 G. y0 q6 [, l) u W7 I5 ^) Q, h+ z4 ^: i$ l+ x9 H
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 f9 J. I4 ~7 g9 i1 O+ E9 }9 l: m7 Z2 _$ O5 [% W# M
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)1 c- r* ^3 p% [
& C' N; J5 Q& y3 b, mIn 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)4 P/ Q, D3 P8 _8 B
' d- Z6 `- R7 y5 Q+ Z9 WShe 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- ~$ p6 O2 ?! d# i) l) A7 x; k
0 l+ N- U4 R, i7 y7 ?( x7 qI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) # B8 r( T: ?/ U( g' r0 l& N6 O: S; L* P# z2 ?7 J' f& _
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 f- H8 a6 Q( n' y/ \ c & }; i: v2 p: W( }: r4 fThe 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。)# y& r1 ]3 I1 l: C6 f) N- D
5 u! i5 h$ ]/ o' tThe 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.) ; I* ~) j/ P6 P w: z7 m1 _& k; X 2 {) ]% Y) ?" W- L6 ?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。)2 F4 {* y) p" G' ~) v8 r
; f" x5 S) ]/ s' l% hHe 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)' \- }& h: {- u' U/ W
3 Q6 I5 n4 G% V$ `- R! SWe 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)0 q. R: p. }5 C: e+ H" u
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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) & Q2 A5 e5 M c# f: B y/ J0 q6 S5 B) A! o% r2 B5 B, _
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.)3 j6 {- a2 @3 y& P
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。. L4 _% R- I3 q5 l* N
# R" q7 j; z, k& R Z; J2 z A ; s1 g& z! Y: y" A. p) X: |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」。 9 N E" b3 Y5 s3 H % W; Z+ O( l; ^& W7 d9 q+ _例如:+ p$ J1 B) R7 d5 H3 P0 X0 H3 y" }: S T
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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); Y- i8 q' ~. u$ g4 m7 |; I7 f
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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)& p3 m0 J" V% [6 O
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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) . A9 X& I3 s @* W 9 q" t7 `$ k, W- [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。): l8 E8 u* g# d% i/ t& L* E3 e
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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。) 8 [6 e+ C7 v" Q4 E/ x+ \7 @, N- i* R( I: O& O' b! c; h
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); j5 }9 T& y L, e9 P$ F2 T
1 C G' B5 Q2 z; b& o2 \; [' a: YCongressmen (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)' ^+ ?- L3 U) [5 l$ a
C3 y2 G# k, A7 M. ]( Z2 ~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。)# W l; ]0 x- w
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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。! z1 }9 p* U4 v
0 Y7 y8 R$ c+ \' p& p8 b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: 5 J2 m, R$ F1 H- u* z ! [: ?5 I! A* j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 ~! h+ H2 l- c, z% ^ * S. I6 h* p$ m! L+ Q2 l# y1 j8 @6 e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; ; i5 s9 M0 f/ M* c 4 T6 Q; V& z C- }3 O对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;/ c- M7 R/ m+ J j+ j( x+ b
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;- L' k( t* L5 z4 v4 [+ u
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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: 1 p" B* W9 G3 Z& X" q/ ~ # p; j: C/ i+ f- F2 ?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)。' e5 w: _% y! k6 Z+ S
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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)。% y5 i+ b, ^* N' g& X