本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 7 }% `" o2 \. k9 U- A+ V u4 i; v- V* E& v( O: b 转帖; H' g% p# [8 B ~' d
1. 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 F& G' x5 @8 \0 X+ W \& J9 R+ {9 Q; ^
例如: ; [4 B- ~' C( U. S+ R 9 V! y8 V2 w9 l- I4 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)8 ^) W$ c# l9 J% T* w' J
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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。)9 }, T7 S. H: g5 E% [* a2 |4 H
! x) a% |9 D6 p& q* t0 EThis 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) J: u1 z! D7 h; w) E
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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?) / m2 V V4 X1 p, X5 W- l' g1 V$ `3 s+ f& U. I
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。)$ f8 O' s7 `. b9 U6 U, b6 x
% b+ y' m# T8 t3 W! YMr. 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)6 V% c! h- [; R ]. T
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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!) * R# f. j: l9 `2 x% Z% J! B. Q
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), X' W: u( i$ j+ w( }1 J' u! o
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We 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* a/ p0 c4 u) B7 A
0 a/ V( [5 }3 u. Z2 x9 gPlease 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?) ( K9 c! m `/ N' u9 d/ W; I( ~( `; t
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!: f* z. i( V8 g* H
+ n! o. K1 J3 r% i" W) F9 z/ r; F" F& c# u 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。" @( |" D- [9 E7 d
( y. L( J |( t' B) \; l$ ?% y9 O7 D0 }例如: $ [% |8 L% K5 V, S . R8 m: Z% W% v- T- E/ CAt 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)9 P n4 _+ j( b8 V( Q% b
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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)) b: W/ ~7 E3 e
0 _3 _: V) a: ]/ @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) / f6 z: M5 S' p' w6 B 9 [- S$ V5 U7 C) JHe 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)$ h8 u% R4 `! \$ D
' e8 |, [. v: Q. R+ h) P3 UIn 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)* O/ O/ Y: e& M& {7 Z% Y% y
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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 N( k7 G: o- I$ p0 l
. E0 y7 T4 c; n, E. `% g4 YI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) , d, A f7 A9 x* j7 j0 L! z * d6 z$ J. P; O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:2 \7 y% M& Y& g7 U% s2 z
! Z0 Y, Y' G: l' S r! ~, xThe 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。) p; g% e1 b! A- |0 ^) g" q: N
0 v" p3 e1 l/ y, ~; Z# Y. L# gThe 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.)- Q5 u, ]5 n4 E- V0 s
1 U$ Q3 D9 ~5 e7 r( }$ ZHe 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。)' o; h* I. S, }: F( Z9 l
6 V; t0 h- @) D7 u+ KHe 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) ' J' R6 F! A0 G( h9 F 9 ^3 X- I# P. r: t; i9 R3 ~/ IWe 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)% C$ l& t4 x# Y$ p ?5 X
* l( K" J; R' _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) 7 }) Y( X1 N% o( |, b; m' D. u. |5 q' H8 p; P" k/ r2 V
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.), B6 F! I' c5 x' b1 Y8 P7 [
- G, k6 ]2 |6 e1 ]& S此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。2 B l) b' k4 U! \. s
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" f4 N9 @$ U$ ^2 C1 w 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 c3 C& g# j U/ y- L* ^# F
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2 f# N& f% X' [ ]# DMankind 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) & D: [$ _! n1 u8 e3 B6 [8 F) `2 F " h) |. z8 ^+ z4 z- L4 {1 |$ q1 GManpower 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)$ t6 ]7 _: s2 I* B8 i
& Y: i! G! j/ v! l4 P$ KThis 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) ! Q& e; K* f) J: I1 x8 d. | $ |$ W+ k5 K1 r+ @( `* JHe (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。) ; x# u6 h3 i* N0 J* x$ U! J 2 v: W: ^# A* N+ y: G, wMany 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。) 7 ]3 c$ R$ r* |+ N% }9 m! V; Y# A: a' _5 B# C) z4 E2 G. T
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) ' I8 A. m5 V1 o1 [ 8 A9 X* |5 C, w+ f5 x% {# P, L' rCongressmen (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)4 R% Z- i# V3 R& _
2 H; M( P9 c. {, ~ f% A9 B% CStewardesses 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。)5 ]( Z- [" c: q4 d6 E0 U+ z
6 t8 q8 a' B7 j) V* |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。 ( m. A) r* }- c/ H S* [ 4 T4 f+ P7 d; R7 B& `8 u( C$ }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:" k+ q' t3 ]" p! r* l- w
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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;) e! I% ?6 e+ f n
" q. A$ E$ F& p6 h, H+ q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;$ u. s z" c$ [- l+ _+ s
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; # _' g2 F% n4 Y- O& u6 V) O. R5 A. p0 o5 p/ B+ t$ t
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; $ |6 s- b/ k* \9 B; W1 l) ^( u2 s" u& u; s
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: 3 Z0 s: M2 z8 E& b" }! Y/ [* M* i. C
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)。 4 G' N. `, d, c. [) R, N% R1 u5 ]4 P+ y# n# Z7 U# 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)。 : U$ O# Z) t5 v* R7 o5 x