" S" ?7 C# P: R8 u* B例如: " |# b4 ~$ ?4 M6 E- m- X; X 6 H/ |- r+ ^( C/ `7 jMany 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) + i E8 Y' q; E: | Q9 ^9 O- f: R% X) U! _# ~. Q& \9 xThree 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。) " o" F" X, z, ?: W/ x& n 2 ^1 c' ]" b8 N7 |. yThis 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) ! M1 X7 E6 A$ b0 S3 N 8 M6 s( ]) Z! v3 l+ C1 m8 aThe 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& D7 H' `+ K5 K( L6 l O& K- B- K' e7 z6 t# U% `
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。)! |8 o3 F8 Y' E3 I4 O* [8 g
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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) * C/ a# {" J- N& U# z5 c1 N: R, a: r3 s/ S7 L$ f2 e
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!) 2 \/ P- s0 X+ \) A; _& t/ T3 V / i" m, a( w% k7 f% wThe 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) * J# C( A. z+ h9 N( r4 [. V( |; f# z8 l" \
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。) . D2 \* ]3 A9 x; l , U0 P6 J6 M l# T9 R0 YPlease 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?) 0 W& V! Z; y/ n) T* \$ v, l " m3 h5 F9 N% ?: `2 E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! x( E, F/ j" I* p( v& ]" }) v1 }' ^. _! O4 o$ _5 f% s
( O, A2 W; R+ m& G$ m3 x 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。2 B: C, Z" k' t7 k0 Z3 }
# q: s( U+ m. M' W; @例如: 2 f! x5 O+ h8 n& S . y6 e% O) r9 w; p3 m N4 P5 R: \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 l/ |' B9 q; \# m& f( W; l9 ?. ] ' K3 G" M- J; x4 FDespite 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 w* |" Z4 N4 p+ X
0 z S* K# n9 p& T7 a- k- K- K% L, qI 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) ( w' c- t0 D1 C: r. o + C2 H( ~9 D5 w9 W" ]8 UHe 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) 5 S- T$ q) N2 r) d, [5 X. j) S) Q3 U0 Y9 ?) O& n
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). ?! A8 A. p8 E# k$ h1 P j
. N+ l$ t0 Y' Y& t* S% `. K! OShe 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) 4 w8 a; S' U7 P, N) Y& H+ \# B `! B4 \* l# g4 _$ x
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) 8 A# g6 }8 `7 G' K, F( j* m9 [+ ^" E4 a, s2 H
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:' s5 C( V0 i+ T' @# T
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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。) 4 p- Q* d; w% o- E/ m) g5 i$ N' {4 t' P, b6 D/ i9 ~4 W+ u/ f+ E
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.)3 Y. E/ O2 `3 i! x$ ?
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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。) / w5 Q: T4 k1 |8 O8 P3 h 4 c7 u7 [, U: F4 w3 Y1 y8 K7 SHe 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) / @4 R c$ T! _3 s5 ] $ v' m* a. h. S4 |5 F FWe 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) $ h. r ~: Y8 N) m" P9 p * q* v& l" c/ c8 bEnclosed (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) 6 q# R* Q" e6 n: a+ a" p4 T* s' n2 n2 o- F# p
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.) ' M* }4 n8 E1 h) Z! w( N5 H& { " I! C+ X1 d/ ~# B7 [" @此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 9 ?, R9 h1 g/ Q ' W% q9 ^ G$ |+ N- g 8 u% s9 @. P9 e' 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」。 0 q0 p/ R8 ^) e6 ?( U- B H. K9 ~8 g
例如: ! @$ \& m* M. |: v3 Z t, e# ]/ R) Z8 `6 _( E% UMankind 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/ A& A S, `" l8 H. D
9 K8 R X6 ~) u4 YManpower 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)8 o& h& G6 U- U2 T" e& k' V0 ~
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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) 1 w" _* n) _5 ^- o/ U0 [2 n! ` % k7 p. ~; Y% M2 @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。)" J7 n. j" V$ @8 m
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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。)7 I* _0 g( G, N! f! ]4 v/ E
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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)4 Y \: H7 Y4 V/ z: K0 r/ x' `
- U0 ~. A0 t o' l/ \5 j) v, p1 z3 \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) 2 c. j0 z$ I2 Q' l: ~2 Z. x% j6 Y3 c/ V, |
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。)7 O) K1 t& V; o9 n9 w8 ?* b* T9 ?
C l6 J& F( g) c3 m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。 5 |# t* f! u8 N0 z. j $ ~: i/ _; Z9 l7 w5 q4 l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:2 s7 d/ M- u n/ _* `8 u
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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; - y4 V' F' f0 [& i4 q" X$ L' V1 h Y6 O+ s* b* Z( `
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;2 e1 T7 z! R1 |, U% n6 Q1 M
4 I0 o! v. ?# i9 a对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;1 Y- k- G0 n2 Z
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;$ c$ E/ y/ x* J! }* _1 L
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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:" g' ~/ {0 O! P* C. w6 F, g
* W$ M4 `" X6 c* K) b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)。8 H f g, `/ r9 W7 x* X
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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)。5 e5 F* h, ?4 w4 e* F