1 M3 [: x- g) i* aMany 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) & O; |$ \ x3 r( {- W , C7 [3 g0 A5 F) T4 cThree 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。) ) ^ O( f7 H! `7 e6 S" B% d3 A* B/ I0 |8 V
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)5 m2 C- F' _5 ~* z! m/ g) @/ \' V
; Z n# E8 t$ f6 sThe 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?) * Y1 x1 c$ M* b! G9 K0 ~4 _5 O* Z2 ?+ V( H3 j8 s
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。)8 @8 M N& X+ \) c" _
- y' ~5 I( k% {$ H7 {! F' v) {6 qMr. 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)1 A* }% j+ N2 ?' z6 `+ S. R# N" I
, `# Z, R2 X" yWe 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!)9 k( Y! F6 w2 R% I- {
- E$ o3 c) r2 J6 q) X9 e* M" jThe 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)1 M7 {. ]% V7 G6 U+ u
5 s" C; H9 ?1 ^2 p* N' ^' 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。). D6 m* g! \) g5 y2 g* ^, T
- T4 r8 r4 ?5 |( fPlease 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?) ( s5 p# u9 {; {, F: I" ~: H/ E( _8 l& I
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! : z4 u7 p$ }& [2 Z" ^# d' c" t . g7 V: i3 r* b& O$ G$ e6 h) e1 `" s" Z. o 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。$ Q% ?0 R9 D; K/ V, a+ f
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例如:- j0 B/ w9 d& i' S3 n# D/ d
! R7 ?# N) \3 QAt 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) ( b$ |7 k. q0 r 7 ?& b2 g/ v2 bDespite 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 w6 q0 O1 y* ?% F" 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) , [( w, w0 u- X8 d* a3 j, |# m( v; f# i, Z. ^; i2 f9 r* s
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): o+ A; ^! Z0 [2 q h0 }4 n, e7 s
' m4 O5 m* F6 N6 X* L, KIn 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 }+ o; T% Z3 v1 P9 {
) H9 @; j H' S, z6 lShe 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)% M( j. D1 s& L) T' D1 f& e
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I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)* w9 L3 Q: f5 T& l8 q
/ J! r' r0 A3 H4 `# P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: 9 V+ b$ A' v L' F' b! T" n( @2 U3 j; \: x
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。) 1 ?7 M" N) O2 n5 ?6 I* @: h! p, Z) v6 h
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.)2 O& u( d9 x; w) f5 t% g, _
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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。) 6 t' P/ ?9 U9 \& m) {9 x- j, y+ ]. ~6 C' [/ k2 ~
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)0 ?" J7 Z6 l* D$ a2 ~
3 t Y. I- {- B( \& KWe 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 j- T9 `) n, P9 ^5 [
6 V4 h+ m# N& C5 l& M" o6 aEnclosed (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) / X1 N5 ~/ J0 k7 O3 n: j* S: ?& o: v* v3 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.) & l# Y2 D* o: \1 p/ u1 r/ X 1 j9 N! z( P5 {$ u5 u此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。" N0 r2 v4 E' F6 Q3 O" z. a
3 O: A. N3 A! D$ f. Q# B7 g . y7 O, [9 F) J( N0 g% y, D) t. ^( f( 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」。 ; }1 z. e2 C9 b) A9 `4 B8 ~: ]( D; \' V: C
例如: / F0 I- K' N) b0 ? % G' |+ Y; l: Z8 v- T' b6 KMankind 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). f9 \: f5 {$ e
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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) U. i) q; J- f: Q# s- n3 _ t" B
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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)6 Z3 n9 ]3 [- B+ L
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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。) 4 ]+ d6 }3 V6 L Y; | , u% `9 t1 y" J& v- @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。)3 m1 Y8 R! Q5 N3 }. Z: p) d2 h
. f1 e% }+ z2 V# u8 ?+ i& I7 e9 g7 u+ MPolicemen (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 u% q A, r% o$ L$ _: W* ^8 b. \, [2 u
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)" B! S' c4 L" w% m
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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。) 8 Z' P- _( y+ y2 D2 |3 P 5 ]3 {8 a) k8 B% d' `: _% ^, \) j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。 : P; Y" x* u0 ?1 l- O# R1 z& I! z 6 h5 o! M6 c' v% m6 T( G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: / a( ^( Q3 ~+ V# p % o: q4 I! z Z' A( L t9 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; $ h8 A9 ~+ h$ H" W& k3 I & {, J/ l- |5 r o$ D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; ; T8 n% @ f% G3 v# h9 _- u# T( y. J4 N# c4 M
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; : {/ L: W- e4 ~/ m' p' I 3 c5 V L% U" h- ]* S/ i( P6 n/ h; W对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;# t, ]; U5 L2 f9 y
; ]. o6 S* Y2 ~- G# V" c+ x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: 6 k |' H f, d( E4 a# x' f0 y* e4 J- k: u
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)。; J, g4 u7 K* d7 q
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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)。 % f" w% I: M3 a2 a9 s