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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) . {" c/ s; T- M. { i e7 l' p) T6 |例如: . K. W3 L2 d/ t5 u4 E% [2 H3 }& C& O/ b1 N7 w8 B( e
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) 9 _8 X0 T& |# v9 b1 I @$ ]' C/ ~$ g0 M- [8 `* |/ R% pThree 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。), Z+ ]- c; H, R4 w5 U
2 c& f% I N, v i! a. L J0 y0 VThis 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) - M# N0 _7 b( h& D* E) V & U* r% o, Z) x1 P6 |/ s/ `- mThe 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?)/ H* b% v% e. c/ |- M
8 _2 U$ i) A& i( |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。)2 f4 {0 q/ J9 m) r9 u
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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) 6 Z) G, S; T, t: { ; z6 P4 B5 u4 h8 kWe 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!) % k; s2 U5 x7 g! z, R4 J+ ]1 l, Z: H+ v: u W3 l0 a
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)9 A+ {! T0 ?4 P' P* k
9 B* V5 a1 ?) EWe 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。)) u# [/ R+ z1 i. }0 T
2 L1 L7 ?3 e4 c7 rPlease 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?)& @, j' d1 Z6 s2 t
. S; [: l4 i9 i6 H, E1 }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!: u% ?4 D; u4 N; v
5 R- X$ [1 L7 U" D7 u" `& Q7 u' v) p / }0 p \2 B, L" ?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。 9 g8 }6 Q4 J$ t, ^7 P V8 @ 5 \, M0 n, o0 e( _例如:' W5 s8 ]. }! \5 L
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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) : r/ I8 R4 _! R N7 ]8 v, C. U % l. C0 v2 q! EDespite 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 g+ h2 F2 `3 m& |9 a( o; E; H- E
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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) g, ?1 M/ F% _% J! f4 q1 [
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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) . k8 L* S! y" ~ 9 o- }; H# f- v& ]5 y, l* `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) 0 e9 F% g3 D$ B$ o1 G8 } S9 B. F1 R! \/ }2 I; i
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) : q2 ?2 n' N' B) j$ l; `5 S" K m9 O- T9 H
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) . p Y2 i q; s2 }7 F# c6 F& v& ?$ V 3 G- M7 G* S6 ~8 v% |8 d0 h: Q5 Q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:; O5 Q5 s. B J( k% h" Q* }: \3 w
: Q/ f4 C, Y$ |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。)* |* S5 V- W" Q
7 p# {9 v9 E6 ~# e4 \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.)# z7 K6 v- N7 s' a* P
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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。) 0 e: U" D3 }# t % B$ c3 L/ @% b0 NHe 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)$ B8 I6 C. j0 O- K: [$ f
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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) . x, G& s8 @) W6 u' E- X+ U 4 }, Q" O& T- \' d! F. ], EEnclosed (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) & }& R8 L; @; Y5 F 6 e, i( |# Y- S& d# o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.) : j! K3 I; p$ M9 U* \' F; B4 T) P8 e9 c7 ~
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 ( |- g! d0 H/ |: T% w & X+ I6 E, Z4 Y0 e% R 0 k9 ?) x5 F# [4 t: 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」。 ' T" q u1 @/ A* Q6 p+ ~& l; A p/ ~& H/ G t% L% z
例如:- E0 B% G( x3 U x
& _; x) ]- d3 D* N# d$ PMankind 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)$ o2 I, b: ^) _# m0 ^: W4 e( N
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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)) l" ^8 w" U* Q9 K
( G& F z) V% J! lThis 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) ' G7 M% a! s; c) c1 E- M T0 w/ {' O4 n4 ^! T2 E2 ^
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。)9 h5 j' Q5 |7 W' S4 Q
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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。) 1 l1 P$ C5 b1 F; f0 ^( F8 c' v* W0 g: ?, l. J4 U
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 a2 s* b+ C" p
7 [) L+ J- O& c0 n8 nCongressmen (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)- b/ t8 D% X0 K5 H1 H) |6 ^; g2 I
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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。), I( l, m3 i; V: i0 l5 f
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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。$ {/ [3 i/ b3 L8 r% d7 a
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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: ) e/ U; x- P8 C1 ]9 t8 C+ L3 W! d
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; 4 {& o# k) P$ D+ D' b" X! `, x; N# Y, B. |* u
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;0 x. n% w x9 k: H3 F
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;. G& h7 Y& T9 g: h; o/ ~
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 4 m3 e2 ?' Z3 [& G/ s & j8 n, C2 @+ d% g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 L" m. w7 `+ e. Y8 e; N3 d6 \: h2 N* j* n
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 E) H6 V# W* u8 F5 J; k6 M5 w9 h3 g7 t! p4 s; k' n# A& N3 m/ z
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)。 1 K" }( P$ C2 }9 s) [