! Y0 [6 f7 }: n+ e- F* u* k$ m例如: 7 ^5 Z9 X7 N5 b8 H0 ]3 r/ o7 G) @/ I7 R) ]# t; k
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) 7 {6 P, ^4 |$ h/ D! B' i9 f, S( w M; H. L
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。) # g$ |- }& E" @/ L) b" w# P# ` t) z6 c& {2 J: v! K( N0 `
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) # n! v& t6 |3 v4 }7 A( k7 ]1 c$ y6 u+ J4 q& B# `
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?) 1 r. G; O2 c, f2 x2 a. j% d7 I6 f) k( l. l8 R8 Y
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。)3 k/ Y, H4 V$ g* ~8 ]
9 a, d) i S" Z, }9 y* bMr. 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; E$ V/ a4 j' ?& {6 K2 I q& J / s' u+ U2 X$ |) s, L& @8 GWe 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!), U! v1 J! F" T4 m+ k% k) I6 n% ~
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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) * F2 X! i! f/ Y r 0 t" x- I& |$ N) K% q- cWe 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。) i0 N3 t4 _9 N2 @
2 ^' v, J6 d) yPlease 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?)( O/ }+ w% }" Z, D6 ?% H
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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! ! x0 d; I7 P% P" S% R! } : J- a8 y& ^0 e5 k3 ?- t1 Z$ n1 {% r' [4 H 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。 & I9 E2 K2 I9 E! y0 ]( o% g6 l/ O- a9 G) Q( f
例如:9 A$ J3 ^& P; |* k, J( _
& L& N" q, M0 P w- {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) " m9 C% w" i- e2 h& k: r) V2 V) u $ x. B! j- M- [' n6 cDespite 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): {; n0 O* g9 v* d9 h" O
$ G+ L# n5 Z6 T `& @2 o. x$ \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)( a! L( x z8 m. w5 Y9 o
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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) 7 w; _. s6 o6 j2 H( ?9 e. [3 L& g7 J& J
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) , ~: _. H6 ]3 j3 ~ 2 @' W2 l" ^+ r) |8 `! l% YShe 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) 8 b4 U1 x) L" l" h/ `, c( w* { 9 i: V! M; X( vI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)- H3 O9 D) k S* B8 U
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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:# _8 q( Y% s5 U4 x
2 ?. H( W) }) G/ h3 JThe 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。)4 c- s( W8 m3 I2 E
6 c; e) i5 k& v0 Q% a9 DThe 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.)9 v+ ^. f, S3 o) b9 N
9 Y( F% y2 m( ^9 H" g6 K9 W4 V/ p+ PHe 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。) * \9 z8 s7 Z% S5 M A N8 i % k; E; t7 J* J0 a7 {9 y6 h" 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) 5 J) I" @4 D6 W& x ; [: {- k6 P& a, Y% ~# WWe 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) $ M1 o6 N8 M) E" R n7 _* [4 T% E7 |+ I/ X) ^: T; B
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)/ M3 H9 G! X3 M8 J( k! v
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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.) 4 X, z/ K, Q# q# W3 A1 G2 [' f: F m. z% }8 Z/ W1 u6 M
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 9 p& G3 C2 s& Y7 Z( j( `7 S, u; v7 ^
; @9 Y( m, D; X9 }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」。7 b: ?' j8 t }- Y' ]0 u: e4 A! I
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例如: 3 m9 i5 k) n3 k7 i6 p- ]7 d" x5 b$ Z1 t' v& T( b1 m) f- a
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)+ U" o( X) V; x2 _' T: d
$ Z9 @6 l% m! u. @9 i8 j, CManpower 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). e5 w: j+ o: j" T; x6 h
4 S4 ]; S2 N6 Z% A3 K. xThis 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) 2 I/ Q: u3 g$ a4 J- V3 F% B, E8 U* t- ]. M' J
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。) 6 V6 L0 I8 s0 o% ~2 D0 o i$ T2 {& T1 d0 e; |* g% [+ I$ b; |
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 N/ B8 P, H+ _! @* b
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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) 8 I" m. Q; @- @. L" t" V ; l- O3 `2 g% _ ~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)+ X5 e+ G* d/ ~
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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 ~# ~) T3 O. Y6 G; \9 }1 d g8 j
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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 `+ x% `! v2 `) T$ c$ p
# A8 u, Q/ y) R9 p6 F& H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:$ ^4 o3 J# T0 T) R4 @
& V6 d9 U9 }+ R0 ]. 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; 8 e8 T+ k5 L& y( @- W9 ~4 Y' C3 k
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;6 C5 T6 Y! F' W8 q9 D7 j9 Y9 P
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; 9 _. Q1 O# m/ k w# d4 |! p- N' Y& L Y- L
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; H2 C' j% m2 j- i, ^5 l8 n0 r6 D J. Y) p
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:) X$ D) C9 e) s" c `
# z! r# F) }( [. c: 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)。* n3 M7 S* h# B) ]$ ~$ E