- B# \( c( O6 P. W/ `# z例如:$ J$ J7 @6 |+ ^3 v
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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)! @) p; I0 x, o0 Y
8 U. _, X) `) c0 CThree 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。): }. {2 w6 Y% m/ I/ R& t
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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)" p: N" [4 }3 q& \5 X
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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?)) l) E( k1 q. P1 d6 Z( L
4 Z, K+ T' Q- Y( jI 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。)0 v8 z. }! M! O ^. E
+ f O. {1 C2 w8 ^& iMr. 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) : o; q$ n* L1 [" E' m. O H% \: d
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!) - z6 v2 J2 q4 z1 K4 K) S, u 9 g9 v+ T+ Z" wThe 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) $ I) H) C( Y4 d' F$ |0 c8 F J4 o' N: |8 u: o0 s. [, H3 kWe 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。)0 G1 |5 T5 [; ]( \. w* f
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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?) ) |% R$ s( J5 Y I$ z 3 i$ Y. f0 Z. _; M* z& o, i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!) v7 u) M" Q+ B
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& @6 w; a' N. B! l, E3 l 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。; g4 A1 [9 R: D. q4 G9 t
$ j3 T; e) _3 L$ ~, I' |例如: 2 F3 M1 ~- B4 A7 l9 A! H8 M. n% W9 K2 I% s/ w4 n
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) , t' N, J: `: s/ _- ]0 j - v5 e g# T! 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) 5 T( y0 D2 O' e" ~- Q$ k 1 N9 t1 _* N& V. l# R$ D; fI 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)" k( e1 W& N5 ]
7 G0 C5 U$ d5 Q6 b7 tHe 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) % p2 \, V' G+ R; X( a& S) Q( ]3 i5 H3 e
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) - I, P) }2 H$ a7 ]5 n1 a: x# F3 f1 v U* Z& Q3 M. ]) ^" A: \
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)# p. p5 ^& d, u1 u4 v( [* ]
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I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) & f" V% ~7 d# G$ W 0 ~+ K1 j( O: H* \4 ~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 d* D% G; y" g2 e; f
" E* o2 Z* K. }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。) " L$ [. l9 `8 T+ r' \( G6 u# Y% L$ @; W; ^2 W. G
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.)) |0 Y6 L) K" }5 K9 `
& ^ e+ r, ~* fHe 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。) ]0 o9 U6 n" D7 a4 Q, u4 T$ h+ u/ [ " V8 M. Z+ u! m6 X9 yHe 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)1 v8 O$ s5 g$ \! W5 |" f
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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)) T. C$ }8 l. S' G8 J/ O
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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) 5 V2 q; o! F+ F7 l3 X5 [) L D ) U9 p/ D; c D% i( O l; \& L4 o5 p/ M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.)' X. Q m3 Q3 C& k" G! S) H
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 7 D! S; _9 g0 w% a# t; M8 v, W! w$ R& E* T; b0 r, v+ z. u
* L- K/ j- q7 E- c/ Q A3.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」。 & U; h2 t$ q& u: @' A3 ]3 O S: {% _2 K
例如: $ G! k" a7 {% F7 T1 v' z& W0 W0 A) Q) {% q& ~/ G
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) ! T/ W& i+ B/ ^ 6 \2 K) D/ K& G9 J/ g) F) G3 dManpower 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) 8 T, r1 y/ y+ D, i; A0 l- w8 k5 O4 s& A. Y9 x- F1 E. L
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) ) J' l2 m' [3 k5 _; v5 \. M V# z- o5 W) r' H& V4 L+ U, A
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 E1 u3 ^: x4 m5 I- Q1 H* P. M, Y- ?( `
9 Y9 F" k9 o& X3 JMany 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。), j J* v7 O% C$ ^0 K9 Q
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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)3 j9 k/ A9 D# U4 G m4 D' o: F- N( [
, Z- J$ t) S' nCongressmen (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); f% B; o [# U6 t1 @6 I
/ A, e( u/ m. wStewardesses 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 x1 E. }+ n3 a4 G7 Q3 f) 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。 : \0 W! M$ o- i5 y+ |9 t 3 o- h$ G J' ?7 H- I1 }0 s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: 2 ]: b) W9 p$ Z7 c) I# {; b; a ^8 B4 Q9 X% u
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;5 D/ d! x g! t
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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;2 X7 _& C- B! R
" l. R6 v! S9 N- J' q, K1 S0 v/ J对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;. K" C: h( h% B5 |# V
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;( i9 H, u3 k- Q& Z9 W3 M
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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: + j- @3 a8 h8 c( W1 j5 |3 ^5 C9 H 9 Q0 d2 | k7 _! P. L. w" F+ \8 ?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)。9 O" x3 ~& @7 R! u0 B7 q
) c8 a0 D5 V3 e3 s4 p5 U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)。 ; D5 T' E; z: S/ I @