6 ?% j5 [- f D, ^0 q V+ PMany 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)" p. P2 B8 T9 y1 ~: a, e
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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。) & L5 }2 d0 K! K & K/ e" X/ d, `/ Q' I6 k6 [0 XThis 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)# R' N' k6 i' ]5 o" B4 B% }5 _
: B/ y0 i/ d B; O' Z# K: U* MThe 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?): x; D* g% e) D, t- z$ z/ [
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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。)! n! B k8 w( v6 z7 W8 u8 T& P' N! k o
% ?! d1 K1 @, L8 {. H) M! v- 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) $ U' f; c" D( _- k: {' n8 X& w1 J6 [# p4 E2 F
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 e/ j' P3 F* w7 t' I( s) A( d0 x- R1 G
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) ! {. \8 T# h' d) \' ~( p' I f! i8 G+ D D
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。) + I' e( i }! u$ D: v" Z; Y$ q3 Y G5 A) o b+ [ k; 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?)) J6 j& i+ {9 Y. M7 \" `9 R7 f
/ H C# ^$ U0 X! l- d( 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!; ^! U$ G, S# g; @/ P$ O
: q- s, T" q8 v+ ^) k9 d/ k" C+ ]5 \$ t2 d/ X8 j' R 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。& u; C9 `: c1 x# g& l
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例如: / @8 Z, R! Y6 p9 j% o2 w4 t. M. [- g% a6 Q! C0 ^$ ]
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) " x! c+ V$ B' I2 s2 W* E) W, T5 j2 Z4 h
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)4 k! r. |- t" j* n9 ?# e
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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)0 ]9 n9 ^( {3 ]
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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)) Q- j/ o1 m7 ^4 [0 A) ^ V7 r
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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) + u1 \) y( W6 ]4 G 7 b) T+ ]% D3 H9 n8 }4 ]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)8 q/ n# g, D; M6 s
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I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) 6 W1 l. P# z4 }+ l& V8 h $ T/ X2 e% a4 D& T$ z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: % K1 L+ ^/ h( a3 z8 h0 {! I0 q, ?% }2 _
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。)( u7 Y! B% T+ G1 g3 h7 a; Z
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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.) # n/ r. H2 U# @2 ` 8 p s& C7 g, i* tHe 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。) 2 e: R1 |/ ?" |. d & N* N- H$ n2 `1 o7 [6 ?% X8 u4 M4 iHe 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). [% c$ [ P0 H7 D; U5 r
; e* z0 ?. b- u$ x' BWe 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) |7 [- [6 f& I8 D6 o3 k * n* s2 k0 A; Y' h5 O6 Y: AEnclosed (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)6 ^' N7 _4 C2 Y! ^0 l2 F
, u* { H; G* A% z, x& B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.) 2 n( n1 t8 }& G2 u/ N 6 B8 l4 [6 p9 K- C2 w6 R此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。! }+ w; T. x1 x+ K' k/ x5 B
$ k1 w5 W8 e7 E7 v# ?例如:$ E Q! X) H, z
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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)$ g, X2 P8 M/ C8 s
# N% b" e% w) v; k% 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) - Z- l) x/ h& i% R: O# r+ Q0 X. t 7 [9 }3 ^% R' p) B8 F" M6 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) r) n* M2 x+ a( ?6 q " t# [+ o1 o! D0 mHe (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。) % R7 G- S6 s# ]' V' i ) k7 N9 G* e3 H+ j2 l% iMany 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。) x1 B9 ?2 l1 X0 U2 Y3 v u# s& C6 `
- [6 P5 J& ^8 u: j7 p0 UPolicemen (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)4 @" ~) L; H: a; j* [1 T
; W4 [0 F4 p0 ?4 y: `& mCongressmen (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)2 F: G# R3 \/ Z& f
; H4 b; U2 Q5 B' G1 z! Y( OStewardesses 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。) ! I& x# i& u" C o K4 X; ?: f, N8 Q/ Z: b! O$ k- T* M$ U
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。8 A4 I9 F) x8 j, M# h
: @4 D: n3 X4 Z( R2 P' ~8 |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: ' L6 R8 y6 I+ `! O% p 3 v1 c8 @6 g) g9 s; i$ g1 `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;* m% z. B$ Z) c& k
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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; ' z: T" f! T( l+ i& A % o$ v1 |9 G9 u对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;! y* d0 j e! n' ~2 G
9 P6 A) k) D6 }对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;% W+ z& u8 d0 @0 P# r
" y3 c E9 \6 }9 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: 4 \' l5 P; C) Y& ?6 l7 f $ x9 h9 M7 L W d4 N2 }# [6 u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)。 / Y" [1 l% v$ z! o% f2 \9 ?# ^ 3 y% m& O3 j- I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)。 5 y- F- O0 T) X3 Z