本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 : O1 J y1 h/ `5 E& D, L7 \. y0 ~& E- _7 a1 f' w7 r$ S 转帖 . v+ k1 ?- t) ^0 j/ ~( C& Q1. 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)1 Y& E% {. V- d# N, V- s
8 H# w5 J' O( Y I5 F( ~( h D
例如: 8 X1 g% c3 n& J5 @" w) I' m% Y! }" X! d5 R( g8 f8 ]2 D
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) 1 j* r: l5 p6 z" j1 t- E) e( R: N
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。), R/ D, y) N! g% I6 w
+ t b3 {0 h) [: F( 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& q g) X$ @( F) F5 Z; o0 t
5 {) T+ I0 j" V. }4 vThe 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?) 7 D* k8 \' \9 X8 H0 K * x; u# e* Z# }3 {" y( SI 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。) 6 S, _# R* P1 O1 H2 d; J% o7 V$ a! c" F" T) v
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)+ T; [ `7 L8 d. v8 Z
: F" T0 l0 ?& k: j
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!) 6 B7 J1 g* K: G, x: D2 |' }/ h- Y+ }' Q$ c8 V {
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)% v5 j: z! I$ F2 ^7 U1 w
$ f9 u& g" B6 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。)/ F5 _/ g0 V1 e# }
9 C j* C, ~8 v5 R- 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?) $ }9 I6 H6 C1 \2 ` r9 p ; l$ p0 M9 G/ @! j8 v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!0 B1 Z" ^) E( ~9 I3 l( Y4 u" e z* s
- S6 d. ]5 [& ~7 m7 y# ? + [1 C* @: b- d6 c2. 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。2 v! V: Y+ T' |4 k' N
5 z z- k0 P$ u8 V! R例如: ! O& H4 d/ t4 i, J5 x+ h# n) x `# y! w" q( W. o' n3 ^+ W0 x
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)$ L' h3 P5 y( q# ^7 X3 K/ e
& E+ o; I% g" I7 X* kDespite 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) 4 z6 `0 O9 E, b# X5 l+ H$ J3 u# ?4 k+ b' K1 Z
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)5 ^! J e+ E u9 g5 J, o9 l
' o0 }7 a( e- V" CHe 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) 3 l4 D4 l7 k/ V3 M; T: k: D; V/ U! s) z4 k8 K; P
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) $ z/ \3 T% H5 J3 s+ n0 v& Q7 R9 p- _9 U
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) 2 `5 I6 T! D" o) L5 g1 g6 h2 c; p9 n; d( c2 q% l0 ?3 K
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)9 x1 ~ p# g0 n1 T
( }9 x: Z! r9 N) x
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 w: Z7 E& V7 U1 Q' E2 o 0 o% f% _9 p' _. I3 t+ W4 ^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; ?: Z. {; I( d8 Y6 O9 z/ R
7 \1 y0 e( r: H. r) `8 t
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.) ! [, L* `4 w+ g& W$ k 7 x5 m T1 D3 `$ g1 UHe 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。) ; a3 S; q. w$ ?( ^& M1 x7 j" O3 B) ~# M) m5 F
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) + ?8 h# g# v0 ^" |5 Z& J. F( L) T/ d) d8 [" F( M* E, w8 c
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) ; R0 u; C, j/ K7 F3 c/ K. h3 F1 F% F x2 |9 x& ^/ p
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) : |# f0 z. W" S0 A m+ h& A# @ , L; p/ x4 u2 i; Z7 ~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.)+ M. g/ j( V, s7 {. ~
# |, _0 a# D* W9 v- k! m
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 5 B$ l7 A' o: z9 ^, J" ^ 0 \' K5 m8 H! o1 a& r$ e # Y; W% T$ t' f3.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」。3 w" V, W( S( q9 ?/ g
3 k \8 G+ ?1 Y3 a& s- @例如: 7 _6 {% Y/ u7 z" ]5 l2 F1 T# Y, @4 z( q, `
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) ! V, i. ^: ~; u& E l P' \9 e" Z. V6 S; l6 }! t- \( W
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); c5 _, ]5 [, e6 t7 I; H, ]% l
6 |2 t" }5 p1 s3 i3 `! W3 y# y
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)/ C* H7 q8 O3 L# {: r& p
$ P. s$ C/ L4 o2 t$ v
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。) + L" m& T) G" Q# i! U5 k- X . q" l1 J- ~2 h; J$ ^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 J0 z. M* N3 e u
* t# I( L* Z* K6 D
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)+ C* N3 L9 H. w3 d' X' S: W0 r6 z( x5 }% J
2 v7 v0 b1 k, P
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)$ |) y- F7 T, h0 n
2 d; i. D# D Q/ s( g* uStewardesses 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。), u2 Y: D7 C5 v0 \( x. h, {6 U6 V
/ c: m2 Y" z" b- E/ o6 D
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 p; q& l. n+ \* P' z# X P ' ?) } L; r' G/ Y& 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: + P% c; \ _2 u- G8 p) w9 m2 j4 H
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; 3 F( m/ d) I% U% q7 X& j6 l % f% c- T' U7 |) `8 Q/ @3 l$ 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;4 m7 ^; y* B: A |. m, p$ r1 S
$ i( x. s' z. v( o5 }5 z. t3 h
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;! K3 y. n) O. u/ n+ h. W z
; N! ^2 g* n! J* n0 t4 A8 p对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; ' P' ]5 J H$ N4 d; x - i4 |1 m. z5 g) ~, Y# U$ k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:0 I$ D" T/ ?' e9 f8 ~% f8 D! E
8 ^$ [+ C9 N3 ~2 h. P5 f; ]) k! o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)。 + Q' e6 c6 N3 L" S 5 t, Q4 z% L6 v- C# X2 W1 F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)。 3 U7 {8 C& b1 ^2 T