本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 5 T0 W4 A2 E1 O& o6 W" u8 B / E7 C9 e2 T) T6 r; [9 }转帖; F$ G- c: V( [. V6 F; h2 Y: c
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) 4 l5 M4 n: m/ B9 b. m' B4 {+ \! L M" i. _1 W; x8 n/ U
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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) ) M4 E3 q1 J6 ^9 S1 B 7 u! ?* c) y6 N) y- m. f1 T( tThree 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。)9 q: B$ e/ s# w, e
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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)/ {3 ^0 q9 Q$ f4 i& Q. @
3 T/ g0 h: x' ^1 V9 m3 |+ K1 U, oThe 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?) + Y p( b% s0 Y% Q# { 0 |$ |& K/ b8 Y2 U1 v8 Q4 jI 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 B6 ?/ q- G7 P
' \5 c7 O+ g7 T' I8 G. hMr. 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), [! F/ U/ h; V# E, m- i3 @
6 ^. r& v: P5 vWe 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!) ; L' u0 ]$ w# l . D( X0 O0 R# [$ DThe 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) ; t9 n% K" _8 ]3 ?3 C, {0 p* p8 A8 B! {- L, O. }1 U5 Y3 S
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。)7 S# j2 _; U* D! `
- u. ~8 \8 p7 g3 ^2 mPlease 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?) % [$ o$ A- J6 Q) b$ R+ }0 A9 |! ` d1 s7 \, V; H2 I! S& W5 V
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! . t1 a6 Y6 ^) n k7 I$ i) z4 Y( D# z7 _# V
5 z/ y( {. R4 M. q, w: x0 i7 S2. 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。# a- n3 n, ^ i9 D4 e1 a" \
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例如: 5 C( o2 r. C# l: p& K6 O3 o" K8 {$ C2 f4 L
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) ; ^. C4 H D; V( {0 t9 @ V& ~, S# l' \
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)1 ^9 |3 r) q/ n& F5 I M
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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) - z. p z( {( j: G: s S& i+ r7 A7 m% i. C! Q* M5 z y
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) $ J+ m$ V! s, I. T' L! a7 b& O * ~& X1 J' N, GIn 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) ! f/ V" n' O+ b+ j ^% [- Q2 t) \- D$ c5 o8 _1 x
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) + ^- n& K9 G$ j, a# o f) Z$ Z& G / d3 U* X) x) ?% m* WI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) ! M a8 L% z3 F) M- S3 g4 O 3 B7 j4 D* ~8 e( @! B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: * x6 G& I1 l, j' z8 Y6 H $ N; p' Y" a5 ]- p+ \9 SThe 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。) . S) w: V, v4 X( d$ c$ G: d% h' I 3 O2 B& [6 l$ @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.) G3 u: t6 C3 [7 ], w6 P" E
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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。) # b* E/ b1 |# ~1 b0 m 1 a0 Q/ z4 O# z6 M/ C5 mHe 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)0 s, `! B( e! J0 [! u3 Q
9 J0 V) x" w9 P( X# M8 H& NWe 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): [3 t5 b7 s/ @7 q! ^
6 W" v" ]5 n+ C1 T6 r, A' [6 tEnclosed (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) 0 j' \# S$ y6 C# ^, F7 y1 Q6 B `3 z1 W; u; E: v
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.)/ c4 a0 `, X8 s, \5 K( ^$ \7 T
3 o8 ]( y- F, m0 i+ ^# n* v此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。! `0 i) i2 B" R# Y( t
& k5 B, a3 i) _: n# v. \0 ?3 K; O8 [4 S1 O q 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」。3 i; T4 G& M( x# S& P$ m% U
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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)3 x3 \, k8 r. `" P9 e& M" k! B& D3 ?2 L
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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# d) i' ]) o3 O! K( u; ^6 D' V " x# l, k9 N" m) Y% d/ L! l0 T7 g9 P# rThis 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)) b7 G9 t' P, j I" c ~
+ }/ V9 _6 n4 H' s% cHe (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。) ; l7 f j/ P3 |& f7 T9 L `% g$ N \9 K
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。) * x! K( k' H: N. W* e2 c" ]0 w; W7 Q6 \# `( ]
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)8 ~ ~( A; X8 T3 u5 L# ^3 ?
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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)$ ?$ p# ^& s* T9 A
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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。) + F0 Q' j, n" u/ I, L& K/ A* W& _. w9 c0 n4 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。5 G# J: H& N) W+ T
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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:) p; E# m$ E7 |0 c/ [: o+ w O5 _
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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;5 H8 t' D* x& ]" q
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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; 3 Q" M2 v% }' F) e6 w& b$ L4 }5 t0 @& @9 w
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; 7 N9 ]( r$ `( _/ V ' W3 P& ?/ S3 Q7 M3 p/ x" W* Z7 H对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; ) n; }8 u8 A6 f ' f5 O, {4 a* A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: * l( g/ p% p. d2 p T' D @3 Y) W% C
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)。1 p4 l) R% [+ S8 e" |5 A
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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)。, G" h+ r: U) {4 m2 ]4 w( b0 M