本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 8 i2 r$ T' a! v e( _6 Z: V
3 d6 \+ x* H/ D3 ]转帖 ! Z) j$ A0 n" w6 a7 T8 m; z+ `; v1. 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)% F4 r7 {+ e. x! c) D3 m, B( X/ c
) E/ Q+ d- [. Y例如: 1 P: m9 Y& H6 ^2 D$ m- e* D, j& \, |
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 }) `* Z9 O. R! s& ]& \
; T1 n' a8 r' ]8 J6 ]8 m
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; q6 X8 e8 {1 ~
' n+ E/ M. V+ x. I
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) # y7 s V2 M9 E& ~2 k. h* X' ?0 s4 H; m# C# \5 W+ r: }: 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?)9 r5 j* {) E) p; `0 q
, [/ @8 I g6 b7 b B, o( h
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。) # d: l6 b7 X" N* K. ? x. _$ W8 g2 `, ^3 T( E
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) " x0 w9 r/ G% q$ T: I% g; n, @1 [2 _) ^# ?3 |3 Q1 |
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!) & J; y8 i. u" s2 ?! z8 Z! g8 \3 a( p
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)! r* q5 Q! P% c! E; K* m
3 B3 |* z% p1 e/ h4 b" bWe 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。) ; s& r. x+ l* B/ p D; }0 @+ |9 ?+ ~8 q' Q5 N, N* i
Please 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?) ' @, I, ?. c! l" C& v4 m , I& D/ A2 `- Q7 f( e+ q1 `% |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! 8 D9 j6 [, J" F 5 D* {. ?3 o8 E7 [$ Q6 a! p* H* N i9 L$ s {& t* p2. 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 S( p0 P# w3 F
$ f0 @; v L- R/ Q" N9 O5 yAt 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)8 | |6 [) }. `: e
# y9 q2 K" B2 O0 W! i9 V
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)- J9 @* @0 s3 p
3 U; g. |4 Z! m3 K% G+ f3 Y
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)3 g0 ]" Q( Y$ u1 x- x# _6 J: q
$ y0 M1 d. l# t& V+ Q0 w: }
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) " Y- o# u% X" j3 P! K* y8 f! w5 t% `4 G4 ~- x
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)* ]: d% ~. S$ A+ [, `4 \1 C
3 _5 J! E2 M; x+ D! v8 r
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)- @- w# i6 r- S
; S1 O; I$ G+ S! ^6 V' R
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)$ R. F# g3 M. z% n
4 W1 [/ _8 k3 X. L# u
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 x4 ]* q D$ z8 K' k: r' e8 E- G% f& X: s# G5 a
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。) L6 O& h1 N7 a! T3 G: G* g/ ]: U
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.) ! K+ G6 v3 t6 [6 Z }% t2 v- M( ^" g$ z# r3 O
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 ~, ?& B+ H+ @/ d # U' B! b$ m' i2 s* cHe 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)6 ]& W( j8 I, H1 }2 c- {7 y7 r) ~
+ Z; k, w2 z( q' u" RWe 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' x; O* v: }1 d( e! Y. N2 o5 Q% z; M+ q' k
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) + [+ P+ _+ K0 N 6 ]: D' K0 U6 x K8 u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.) ; a8 F7 a* z1 o |' b: i/ ?8 o+ d此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。# s6 U$ ~+ T8 E5 j
b( a* I9 X: @# l) ?4 e& Z
. M& u0 A4 t# T5 N- J# c- e6 c. E# p3.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」。$ {# K" i- ^% r
3 [, _1 [( Y. h- C& n/ BMankind 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) & h7 p# x- C X- ^ S n$ @ 9 \9 u5 E' ~+ b E$ n/ b% TManpower 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) ' Q- Z& D3 ^3 U# K8 \" _& f$ b 8 N$ B3 M% m0 b. z/ j" B4 w! OThis 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). Y3 x0 J! M5 m3 A1 J% m
+ t9 _6 b* _6 Y2 U/ U6 b
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。)7 P5 C! }$ |& i8 Z; p: P
! _$ B9 m8 w- e# b+ t4 }
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。)0 V' a* Q4 V$ u8 f$ B
+ }8 z( U* m$ p8 }% Q ^7 Y0 I
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) 0 W6 A1 |6 d' o4 f7 t4 W1 Z) o
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)3 |2 k! b9 c6 n! ]; O n( N
( l! Z5 ?: Y4 `! _: \5 wStewardesses 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。): o- F6 t* o7 D6 M* C* D
* I6 B! d# L6 ^, @; N( Z4 D6 T
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。 . a: \# `* Z* |6 }. ~( c" V 9 s' H* y" [: |: v% ]# S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: 3 l" }5 K/ {0 @, w7 e2 R3 }& z8 q& E0 l5 J9 O9 g5 C7 f
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;5 J6 q6 [1 ~/ [( o2 ~
8 d1 h# `- A) H% y/ |2 z% G9 w
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; 4 S+ Q; p2 I W" I0 b. L, H& {8 @8 U( t' V, y
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;/ x. Z2 D( P# g2 _; z
9 V0 r" I* r; p( T9 h
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;2 E) [% O5 _3 b0 W+ u+ K! l3 k
4 V4 H. Y# @, j0 w+ }5 ~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:# K7 M2 s4 z- s6 U. i
/ ^0 i" J9 F# g8 [0 Q2 j
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 R4 D4 V' a( R5 W6 V; K7 d$ P9 m % n& ^7 }7 ^2 k* |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)。 ' S# p& U' z( K6 u$ ?: V- U