本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 5 C- Z, f1 T- h/ H, k
/ E0 K \9 }! ? 转帖 * m1 v8 [+ k* @& M# N$ H1. 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 i6 N% E: I3 S4 D / ?; P0 m1 u! M+ Y例如: ' F b$ J0 R* d- d6 e8 |% T. Y8 F6 z, g8 |: B4 g* I! S# [
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) ' p5 i/ W/ k# M$ i9 u+ m" ^" A) _+ r+ i+ H, ?9 T
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。) + C9 D1 Q# b9 Y0 B2 u8 i9 Q4 G$ l; E& I0 a& L
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) ' _/ ~- R+ J7 o% i1 m% D, X3 H' S( \% r& e: s
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?)0 [( l; Y y4 h$ H3 J
% c- B0 b$ d& m3 M1 d5 h. G9 _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。)/ }9 v! R/ _4 o/ p1 d6 V
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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) 2 T$ v; g: c, G: K 9 v$ z8 H* x! a0 HWe 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!) . n' N' l, W0 X @$ y B; p, |6 Y8 n, qThe 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). a0 u# P% n5 D9 P3 D
! t* `6 f/ o! ]7 o6 {; r. s4 dWe 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。) : x: |& ]8 \. a4 p) N% v 4 n4 y7 L- r0 n& HPlease 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?) " Q! Y" c! M/ E * \) A- J, b5 |: |2 J6 }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!9 }& T3 Y: o4 y! E/ R8 k& ^
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0 \9 O! d) I3 u4 y9 A! f u$ w 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。: N# h) ?, L9 z- \" G% t* D
* \! Z0 p8 r9 O2 z6 M例如:. @6 c% c! v9 F3 X& p) T }) w0 R
a: S# W- w" f5 ^7 u* MAt 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)0 ~( h, r4 Q# X, U! D% k' j& k" ]7 v4 j
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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) 8 x* m5 b! ~5 l2 t& u: v& j4 u # L+ j" ~$ |/ |2 ?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)$ _7 w# e0 F9 B- s$ y( v& e6 }! ~
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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) 0 {" P; P: D3 _1 R. l2 g0 M t* j2 n8 G" A7 W% E
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) % l3 s7 `' }- |6 c# @9 p( [7 |( Q$ s, ~1 n' c D- p
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)7 n4 o: T4 G/ L2 E _7 A
& k- B b3 v3 M4 A! Q, GI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) + u$ f5 ~+ k6 K; |4 o / A9 C: u; y2 H% x$ d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: $ F- B& W$ H1 m, w% }* Y/ L/ q( ?) X6 w4 w8 T0 t7 X9 F
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。)/ V; {* _( v" t. h7 p9 H+ Q9 `
. T8 o2 G# r- q) v RThe 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.) $ R2 w) W# @# q: \0 S0 z8 f; a; o8 M9 E4 ?
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。) 6 D. ]5 ^ U3 T# J ( {" h* r8 W! `' E f% [3 t; k$ 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), f- A/ C, u( W/ T+ w
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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) & T/ p& E2 l5 I1 P& O' }/ [' ~. M, n* U) e ) o$ e3 h; r% g( f* i; K2 OEnclosed (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)& W2 i8 D5 }9 _8 M: 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.)* \. b4 U# w4 e* I2 c, I" e- I7 o
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 2 a! q+ z' r) J# M4 D9 ? / }$ T- G M5 ?$ K# M : K2 i6 Z7 V# U$ e3 A# N; ^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」。 4 ^* _- y0 O, x, v2 l6 C4 C 4 d& V" p: U# U. G a例如: % Q/ b- U: L5 }! `0 i3 I. s* g2 W, d. Q& g) I
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) 2 Z0 ], j1 i T- X4 m3 d/ d" N* r# S( l9 Z
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)5 C7 t- b- q- j
- i8 \: z1 y5 c2 a j: mThis 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)1 o. l9 h+ H6 W7 i
+ \/ q Z* @/ D- }: {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。)# {$ I/ h9 [. _" e# R1 Z4 X
p3 s0 `3 J8 m( `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。)- b6 {/ N8 a7 Y( \4 t0 G; ?* {+ D
+ V& X- Y9 U4 j2 y) Q O& F4 JPolicemen (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) 7 w2 w# z* l$ U* c4 t* a2 ~ 5 _* i, x, x+ b4 z, Y/ W7 WCongressmen (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)$ |3 K) `. g4 d8 B, n4 m ~4 ]
' K; Z" c$ k- `, KStewardesses 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。)* J* ]' H8 [% f! U7 f+ p& c' l7 Y
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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 ?, a% y5 r" K! b3 \+ o# g/ Y3 M$ T: H9 w2 V( ]( t# W, L
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: + h4 B" |' E( {4 @4 i - I& I' d1 }( x$ A3 h N; i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;9 O& N; y# I( ]9 y; N7 }- u
8 o0 d p/ A3 v; I6 K0 K) Z. } y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; 5 W, D8 `: {3 h ^7 d1 ^* N0 X: p2 |1 U! g: n5 R( }( z
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;8 m* g4 W/ Z* ~# v @
4 {. c! v2 w5 K2 S' c$ I9 e对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;" R. D9 r) n! `5 C! u
5 d+ c" D0 P' O( Q8 k8 {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:5 \. t/ Y, l* j3 _# C1 k% T
& V. b2 r& \. e4 A5 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)。 . y' j. z" `5 \$ J1 u1 L8 O1 A 6 n* r% E" v/ T3 u5 G6 z$ \9 Y# e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)。 & o7 }- Q; N# ^$ n# r x8 ?