本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 " S- }+ R# a% B/ N! }9 b
) H1 t6 h0 H/ b 转帖 1 |% l: l7 T4 p* V# C3 g" n1. 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 V1 b' ?+ f! I& f1 b/ g0 C" z
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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) 6 z) P, |) k6 p& m# ]* d; Q$ i7 A4 O0 `* Z! Q
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。) - m+ s3 ^7 `( S8 Q/ E ( `. W. y7 o! v3 I3 ]: \! [. U* 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)) f2 e. F, R1 o& d9 k* ]5 v
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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?) 1 o- G) ?3 \# q0 H2 ~4 V4 X) a& M- I . K4 N0 |! j3 N* }& H8 y- gI 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。) # S8 L+ A: {, T; U! X2 E+ @ / M" ~2 w, W1 mMr. 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)$ N' G* B% t" I' G$ d5 g9 T
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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!); D% d1 D- j3 @. Z1 P$ r) f
% u' I% W" v$ c& j+ N BThe 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) 7 Y* n& D" q# l8 X4 Z, L- N3 a% q# h
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。)3 v/ v, M6 H% i
+ U6 E7 `3 \1 u a$ R$ p4 oPlease 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?) v( Q' V9 d9 h& m8 z! u6 r- J2 ~7 O1 e+ _5 S: {7 \6 P; n: J2 M
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!. E( ?. s' r) b5 u6 Y9 |9 v% P ?
* k: C+ q6 p. p0 ^; U, t9 d# y6 A5 O6 G5 A 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。 $ A' m( v {3 L& u- _, O' S/ S9 x , S, H' k; O( z) O5 A例如: [8 p' y. e$ E8 b: y6 X( C% f ]! z! t* o! a# a
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)/ G: G: z9 h5 k
8 B) M$ o7 F" i: q6 D# \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) : f. q0 o4 ?7 I % g1 d% W9 o& |3 ]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) 8 H* |, T: g3 _! T% n" N h8 S8 V- a. T! h
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) ( {( ?' d; K5 p# y' e/ ~2 c, w. a5 L0 }6 `' k
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) 9 Z# A$ W r# z# W' S# J& p% c* d/ D5 X) W
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 c5 S0 S* R4 A, S" b X }8 ?( h
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)) _7 Q, x& p) Z( C0 s, E# ?
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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:% L W" A" }, e% v5 C) O1 {
2 m8 I$ `3 V; A# B1 ?2 C D) PThe 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 l8 w0 d( v R" u4 e3 q1 G* [
: W% O$ }% V0 y& i. y k* ?- i$ lThe 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.) ( l2 x9 ]* E/ ]/ m: }# K# q1 B6 i7 d' O, P
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 N) q/ `( ~5 T( E w+ U: Y
4 Z6 z) h% P( ~9 u% aHe 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) . C j$ C3 k: V; K$ @ - j2 x( \) M8 _+ IWe 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) / I0 Q2 ^9 t" b* e$ h9 ^0 |% C2 l% P/ }* f( Z
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)) ?$ [/ A/ I6 `+ ~
0 y: }; v1 X" P; g: W i; M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.) : @( w: t, v4 O# S4 j* p( A1 A. V x! X
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 # B! `) y, ^/ M% P! c: \; k6 J7 u1 y$ B- I4 N* o
+ m$ r8 C5 M' p4 e9 `0 m 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」。 8 o+ [! f# s' R6 [- H8 u3 _4 d0 Q2 x9 F0 y( _$ @; c; Z7 T- G
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0 [! ]: w# {: E. g' Z% }) yMankind 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)7 [8 U' u! D" d. k) M0 `, A
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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)0 t- v4 ]5 N) ]- r, g: `( s# _. E2 M
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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)) n8 H0 ]+ O& x
1 _( g. I! v) h0 i' @- b5 ^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。). O j% y+ [- k7 C" G F0 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。)" _. B! h. |/ M) \5 v- @, `: m3 _
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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)9 T& L# P7 a. w7 F: ^
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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)( x7 x. C, ]* M% o! E
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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。) r$ \0 ?7 E- Y# W, a; ~* F
" K( v9 i, Q- g! a" W/ R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。# x% w& r% T" X
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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:% L# @$ ^# j6 F
9 J% T+ y! |; G) U# G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; % i; L M1 s. u; c" x# C$ c 1 r$ v7 z% B7 p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;% g# r/ p- x% N1 \0 H* k
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; : g0 U4 F" W6 F" q4 b* D3 M! E 7 [' x" U! ~2 q7 m对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 7 G# E* [. z7 C0 j( D1 ]( ~, y$ e% }9 c0 b' s
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:. E" v3 K) s8 F& [# q& [6 l) c+ }5 r
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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)。7 m% D F, B+ y
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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)。3 N; D; Y; J$ Z6 I" J0 W0 c