本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 / X; r5 e6 v+ _+ p
c: E$ {2 u+ J7 [ 转帖 % o5 n- a% F" A, `2 a1. 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) ( [6 N% ^% X3 Q. m5 ]. B 6 z3 [7 w1 s( I( ^8 Y例如: / ]" E3 U) w, t' i8 d2 I# N0 h1 s- m; T2 X( H5 s, l
Many 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) * K- ]$ Z8 U1 E/ z S5 v$ E _/ D5 \7 EThree 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。) 3 P6 r1 y5 t5 J! c6 F! @+ v$ y5 m9 Y/ Y7 e0 ]7 B+ w' E m
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)+ L6 T5 r2 Q1 t/ M
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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?) 8 u% v5 g! @! ]2 n7 I( d* s 5 U) w V* H3 {; II 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。)7 O M2 O4 _; t9 @
) y; |2 E# K- z4 r# l w5 p9 WMr. 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) 1 b# L0 Z6 t0 K9 n" N 0 |. y9 J! Q; Q- MWe 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!) : J; n7 ^$ N, C( T* A% N( L' N( l
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), o" o4 b5 z" a! s: J
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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。)$ m- e9 z. ]; Y8 N
/ J% n* i: Y' J. a9 B2 A/ y4 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?)5 O! Q$ f, Z3 j* M' T! ] f% _
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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!2 Z$ s2 ]- @: Y$ s9 ]7 c9 C
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3 Z% x' d) T( S' t# R5 Q2 N 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。8 e$ Y- S8 | J; G4 Y
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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)" K8 r4 R- o$ A( k
' O; S5 t( C) N% B1 r! K$ pDespite 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)0 b2 q. O( [) a$ o8 c" J3 X
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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) 9 r$ I- |' i/ y) |5 q1 d' Z$ G0 h. \2 w; M6 M, n
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) " T" ^+ [7 q( G. M: _* K9 i( d9 k' i" U8 @* ]& {# {/ C
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)1 I* W5 K4 m& l2 Q/ S X
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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) 8 m/ s* a x' k F* p 2 G9 |) v+ C& l, U. X0 w; CI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)/ w/ O+ C( f& Q
0 F7 m R4 d2 l7 |5 Y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 Y1 X! S A4 W& _! A " h% w' p" \/ u" uThe 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。) # a6 P4 L& N8 s: d/ ~4 _ % @8 g2 B, S& Q5 AThe 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.)- F0 R" u/ O' w& g# l2 [5 i
6 w2 i% o& C" t4 Y9 e$ R2 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。) % y$ g( h5 @9 ^3 i7 z7 V# J/ i- h2 }8 y& k8 }
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)7 l0 V y8 d; \
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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), |' B6 P1 X6 F3 R1 k! ]! H: s
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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)2 X$ ^1 F( x! Y
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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.)+ a e! a s- v' F
8 M% {8 u6 M" U' i此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。8 ]6 `6 f3 r* b
+ p: ]8 [# {4 V& v4 ?' _2 m7 I* C3 u" V, J: p! h$ I4 e 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」。 2 {: Q) H6 j0 a: K0 {( [( a4 @ \: z; c+ x2 A) 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)) i1 w& J/ n. h
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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) ' f& L. c7 D! x* K% F5 t + Q7 Y, }8 t9 N4 L9 `: M0 YThis 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) & T* ` S3 ~1 ~' n% F $ L$ d! F6 U9 M+ b9 L0 eHe (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。)" w9 l$ y7 @, ~6 f9 Z, C
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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。)4 ]; U/ h0 p. R- D
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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) ; u c9 t$ W) `- r( \ # f1 \& {3 {" _3 ?; T" c QCongressmen (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) . E8 o) K+ @! d+ _. C3 Y6 }' S `' W2 _# G6 O2 N$ Q
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。) 9 K, p& e9 J* P1 ?6 Y: f( P ; _5 t4 _' I0 g" S! g, c4 a* ~% {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。 ]& l5 b4 z# K
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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: ; T% C8 P! l$ Z& l; C! a3 Y5 @
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; " O- u- k- C* ?* [2 r- b9 \# |) B. L, `5 c
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; 9 r; w: e$ u' S1 ^1 R% G6 g, N$ e8 t+ L+ o9 o# _( E
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; |. N) s/ Z; T" {3 I+ N
% H9 k! f9 t! |% ]0 T对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;# j/ ]; ?/ x8 P" B$ e: c( T) E
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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 O, h: f" a3 }; V
; |* w# t; m! Q1 s7 H9 S& h3 i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)。 6 B8 M% V5 c# _ - ?3 M: o; n) B+ L- }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)。; l) e3 y( t1 s