$ I E* @( |* g7 _: qMany 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)/ j$ m) Q4 _% `& |: x6 A
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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。) 2 m% N% Q$ s! J! R ' j N1 H+ v- N# F3 O& @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) 6 u, J8 E& x+ t! T3 C3 P9 k3 ]' p7 D; U
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?) 4 B1 E8 k4 z4 u . l3 ?' \ a* m PI 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。) ( ]0 [' P; A4 w) q+ X % c7 Z+ J; n& u+ y# _, N5 ]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) " y; v' M: D, f5 ?) v; I f: Y: c+ X% B
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!): x9 e k$ s9 O
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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) $ D: x! C1 ^8 P3 G* S' H* F# `4 Y' W # s# X; H M8 n' K; WWe 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。) ( V' Y& ~) _7 _+ u! I$ z . _) q u9 U9 \* o" ]) l! R3 ZPlease 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?)9 v6 ~; c1 s+ u2 @
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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!. n# y9 {5 B8 j& c+ H' K
4 O6 W" k' ]3 t& K7 Z1 y+ X7 |* w0 ?, ^. b 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。 1 l( F2 e, f& N' K2 K5 @$ y - y& x7 b% n' y3 I例如: # H, V: f" N! E9 g8 B' \' `$ n, o- N \- U
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) 9 V& {3 @3 W8 V B6 S9 m* B1 s; F3 W# A 9 Y, T1 b; g! ^% p: g: @4 F6 ]3 hDespite 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 C }* ?, v" k) P8 z1 G) A
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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) 0 x2 F/ \( o. X+ Q* s$ `7 ^( b) J" 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) $ F0 P& | {4 J+ c* I4 j h, s3 z- B0 B5 A* G( B
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)" ], O7 K* x! l3 Z: [/ K
( ?% I& s; X3 S' t; j" U- KShe 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): c( S2 g9 E b, f! T
! s j0 m; @0 a5 P) l+ k. yI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)( l) R4 `! X8 u, B A
* F8 {9 p& v# l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: 7 y! I# C; X5 q$ S 6 M# }4 s* v6 @2 ~. `# M6 ~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。) ! I: a. g1 A5 G( ~4 e [! B' F1 h7 c
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.)6 X8 ?4 O& `: r( V
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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。) 2 U, u% ]8 p1 S' h; V- E0 Y. E6 _- a8 P) c
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)& [4 Q+ t) s g! Y5 E# I
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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) 5 B+ g, N5 O' m# w4 \! a4 x X$ f, ~+ ^4 g; T" 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)+ o1 j2 Z, j! S3 w3 S
5 {- ]6 A+ m0 f' w8 H/ 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.) # d3 a2 T0 r, m" A5 ^) T$ ? # d: V! V$ {; a) M( q- O" [8 `此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。) ]) |. a& J+ ^! M9 Z+ c6 c2 N
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/ A/ c% i9 b6 { 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」。# d1 K ~7 o0 f
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例如:( W$ _0 f [6 s* [$ S
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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). A7 [" q0 f6 J: D
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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)2 v/ E3 v1 D3 e
- }% A# Z* }/ H" K$ 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)" y, P/ Q& |' v; X$ a
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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。)2 l5 @! Q; r$ `( ?4 `/ M0 a
g2 P {5 [, k$ h1 ^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。)5 s( O% o# d8 @. n( y/ K: r
1 C- M7 C: M( nPolicemen (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)6 [# P: q# E% {- |) B; G- u3 o- G
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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) . o: B9 T; p( O( L; o2 D* S , c, O; ^" r* a# q- P+ oStewardesses 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。) 5 Y# Z& t& _4 h1 Q( X5 W! ~ . b. l: \% W: P7 S c2 C( 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。 # g' r: }% F2 P1 b2 N . I2 W# A4 B! i$ H/ o8 Z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: : }8 c1 T. P) S' Q3 ^( { & ?) I! {; i+ l5 J, E7 `9 K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; 8 ~3 U' A. [* G2 \$ ]$ G+ \; a0 u" K7 D) [: t
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; , F" x& E5 G( _+ Z# H4 Y& R- k4 |. p
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; " o6 q: m0 s" q& K5 _( N/ e2 W5 G# _ 3 b' m8 Z x/ \0 @, P" U对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; , W( P9 E) C/ v $ P3 Y" L/ U' I% d# 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:% p: P% B5 k1 h* b- V6 s. L: }
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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)。 / ]6 \8 { v: l( ~3 Y' K" K" _4 x% W1 D' R1 m6 p# ?
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)。6 M5 |8 t) \# g