本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 / X5 @# k# \6 V/ Y7 e
$ i/ j8 L6 y* {2 ~* O: N转帖% ~2 w" ?6 S* P2 a4 C* L( _+ |( z
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) ; F& W# a) ]. T- Y. W3 U# O3 S9 T3 H" b
例如:# Q) E) l7 G4 M) F; S* g. G
9 H: ]8 t0 ?% q0 }
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 m( T. X( u, a
# i% |. y4 r. G. k/ LThree 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。) & M7 F" X+ a4 P- S- ] " E2 U' W9 f5 E5 _& }. GThis 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 l B: g( x7 n( y' f* l- n2 g1 S3 B e8 h' Y
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?) & p5 x- y& [$ {, i; X/ d. T. p4 H2 O2 \" _
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 J6 b \9 R$ P( S8 @3 R
8 K4 K2 }+ d% Z& RMr. 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) 8 {: ` U$ [ T* t* v7 l7 n9 ]( P# ]) ^$ ^& [ g: }7 |
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!) . q7 o j) _" h6 I- U) C+ A! \ @' A5 V% H
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)! p/ y, m" X( H; b/ \0 _9 i& |" m7 t
* r) r8 ]( w8 [9 q" a/ `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。) C2 ]( j% ]+ m2 O/ Q' T; m& a 8 x( r: j, a% a5 K' \# nPlease 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?)! J$ c% B7 e+ i: m8 }2 k& r+ p
' V5 b) G3 T' g) {7 c! E1 m# f" R
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! ' X/ @( q7 K6 Z) X2 A; t/ x+ Z& N4 y' |. m- b2 v6 S+ F k$ ?
& R. B: u5 W0 G4 C1 o/ d 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。 5 o( K2 ~1 {9 g8 j & S. y3 Z6 l2 p$ h. h; c: L例如:+ L/ ~* a+ p! Y( d
7 m! ]* y3 ^7 }" Y* s8 ]- t8 J
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) ; `; ?- `1 X" H: N, M6 {; B) g : y$ b1 t1 t5 O' LDespite 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) " w$ Y; d& H8 }: L5 s+ a' s' i6 k# r1 s0 S0 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)8 c T7 ^2 w& r" o& O3 o) i
: s: _) }* g, B
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) ! f2 w% M6 i u- a2 D6 y5 _- I1 S
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) 1 Y! F5 C5 v3 a& n' g y7 k* r+ x) K) N6 _: y
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) ! x0 v1 Z7 R8 X7 L$ L; f / C: P5 M5 D! E( D; p5 i" d5 AI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)7 p( `9 f' }+ N7 C. a1 i
- y0 H# c; k% n+ S' z 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: 2 O( _. g( ^5 v$ q; i. z& ?& R0 A+ \, l
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。) 6 ^% @. n0 [$ [! [ 4 n$ x+ r! g EThe 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.) , H8 w/ j! X# f0 _4 W$ Z$ @- U# {( \
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。): E9 j+ p' j8 T+ ~
: q6 g) G7 t; 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)- W3 ~ \. V4 F+ R1 C) Z3 _) Q
+ D) c3 j9 n) _# I" W8 J
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)# A+ S0 D2 Z: {7 {4 p
9 |& o: H0 \ M/ oEnclosed (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) , ?) u; k3 j/ B c& }) y % U$ n8 z/ c; q7 W; A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.) % L3 q3 x' w' i2 @% K _- d0 e1 q% w1 M# W! x+ @9 A/ |' F! u
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 5 e) _' p- L4 P/ Z' g' L3 E" G9 t - z2 o; o7 V" ^, A9 P( i) ?( J+ L2 X/ G* g# p6 o 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」。2 O4 {. Z9 C4 F& V! ^- G/ G5 ?
9 ^- n8 B# j1 D: E) z; l
例如:0 N; @; t6 ^& O# N7 g
& V6 `! m; _1 a" e9 HMankind 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)* x2 B+ E6 f5 c
" a/ |9 G8 F# ^) I k6 U8 aManpower 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) & q4 t6 z2 ^6 T0 y& c3 `+ T! U& _ " c# o% C( T' lThis 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) * z( f h5 d: r9 r. A5 A2 q5 b1 o3 x6 B) |; C# f& d, G4 O# z
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。) . s4 d9 q7 }# r0 j% y8 p$ i4 Z; k! ~7 c( k$ B, M R
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。) / |8 }! T9 ]- B! I2 R( K0 `4 F6 W/ C
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): c1 w/ A% h% j! _
`4 @9 v6 c! c6 I* d
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). g5 h6 [. T/ i1 R3 C6 h& ~4 e
' x9 h3 w! O7 ^2 P+ t m
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。)" r7 Z4 P3 S- E* F! {
+ N! y8 h7 M0 X, 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。# B! l/ j/ {8 f( ]* T
7 Z; L7 r2 B6 I+ 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:, H5 ]0 Y& H' K" s7 v- m6 w6 h
# c+ R- b( G. e# _2 c
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; 7 l* r6 p0 @+ y7 ]- p0 X, I& o$ s, T7 t0 z
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 C( F) I" c# [* I" U z4 S% W3 ` 8 ^: K; J; x; g7 q对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;$ E5 B7 {4 ^4 m3 s& E3 K H8 l
( E$ F0 W6 s: b. W6 q
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 5 @' h: q) U- v. x. M/ ? ! x2 }+ e, [9 [' [4 b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:5 v- W$ f. ?& i4 h
6 F5 F/ j6 X! Q4 y
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)。) A/ \6 i( ~1 ^/ Y% l
' t; t; @$ O. K' I. n; L
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)。( ~) b* T: v$ |! P3 a. E