本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 ' x# M$ }" \6 _" D4 o; }. b
- |) Y5 p& Q* D 转帖 $ J% h8 s3 o c; c5 y; P1. 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) / w' }0 W; i7 |3 L4 Z8 R7 i; h& g! Q- G' a2 d
例如: 0 ?) J+ _2 Y; V/ ~" H _4 u% ?9 [" OMany 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 p; ?- g: L3 h9 N8 I5 B" o. S" ?" g
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。)5 h( h2 X0 ?* K9 S+ R x( r# c
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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)! J6 s3 y) b/ i+ ?! X: j7 \- p
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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?)- l9 S5 J! v% \% }$ `+ o! M
1 I! c3 l4 q4 r) q2 g' QI 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。)$ `* h8 ]( J( B7 P
- Y3 H" C7 l- ]4 w5 J; ]' T( XMr. 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) ; n; a/ Q9 X2 i$ w$ a3 D . M% h, \3 x* Y# v. v+ e* dWe 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!)( T2 c# c1 h c# N: d3 z. b) z8 B
) l' Y- q$ I- |4 [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): I8 `. `% G2 t- s4 a6 j+ E' a
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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。) . ^( d+ C3 x! y& L8 |. J7 H7 }5 p0 ]
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?) 8 q; P. u3 T+ ?& J5 {: m6 T7 ^) P* t" r2 Z. \) ]
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! 0 P9 e' O5 |2 [$ }% M$ S- u% i, `8 \5 B( T8 _& m
5 ~3 @& Q y9 M4 e. b2. 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。6 i9 X$ H3 U9 `& w' ^# ?
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例如:0 m3 V: o0 `8 p7 e# O0 W R
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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) - y) w4 U \6 H# [, ^5 _3 e3 b# a# ~6 y( ]. e
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 k) Z$ ~4 ? V5 V# Y. B( W0 Q& r: m! J9 v6 ~/ [. q
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) ) B0 Z6 j$ R, S7 N" S 9 o* W! D, b& s! G9 b% rHe 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)2 u( p! o" G+ I. `8 l x
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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)% O* T3 V! }5 Y* L$ f
! y1 J7 M5 c2 ~) c+ M! n! fShe 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) O6 O% \8 E6 l( y% k # h \3 p* o) y% c4 d6 A. {8 GI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) # I1 t) Z0 Q G4 [% P7 t 9 |4 P( R! F1 t$ V" ]$ b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: , A0 J3 i# _8 b- t# k/ I- G( P/ H2 K# d1 W2 \5 b9 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。) . P0 @; I/ t- u+ a Y) u& [, t 9 _5 \* t" r+ V9 f$ XThe 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.)- D$ m2 v! C' I3 ?
6 H0 H8 E1 D0 M, T9 G( ^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。) 2 f+ ~- x4 b @: g/ X m+ k. R1 j: E( o8 z
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) ! c" \% W% J) x0 P j/ f* X# t U$ J3 `7 s& X: E5 a
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)) G! J- H' g1 C4 V4 U L$ e: A
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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)3 M3 r- k, r* [: o$ D+ S9 l" g6 F% w
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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.)( I# n3 A* W; z6 k( x" h4 k1 G
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 $ O) u1 H8 e+ O; J! o + J- B) \7 i2 b1 d& a3 k' u 0 A3 e) k* e4 z( t$ F% d3.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」。 8 a4 Y" L2 K8 a7 U0 u1 t4 C8 C8 N- X! Z) Q
例如: : ^4 r1 c, n- y 5 ]/ c1 n* O% _# W2 v% c0 C$ C. f0 FMankind 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) ' b( }$ t) n& W2 Z: J4 U# b* h5 Z% ]4 q: x; x
Manpower 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) 6 s. z/ z% ~8 k) m- x: H. u4 [8 X0 A) w& W! b
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)) L3 F% Q# f8 u0 t
) {. _/ R! x% B _# zHe (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。) ) g- `% K( |9 Q$ \- K$ U) e2 Y5 f; S5 p9 n
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。)9 T. ~& g5 k) D- M$ b
: G5 ^& a4 l( A+ K6 J0 V' n# xPolicemen (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)- W0 v; @: t3 n" i. Q1 J
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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); u7 n! b5 q# B, F7 ?' d! n
1 T8 O* u1 M3 u6 S+ A4 X3 GStewardesses 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。)( F3 }( d1 n! f/ N
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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。8 s0 ?5 t" z& P0 R# x0 S
) O1 p* \# I; F, J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: c( G. Q! g1 j } _" @/ M
" [) |- \5 l0 {. ^& j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; 1 K% g/ m# I$ i$ F" K$ e/ W4 g/ ~' w. o, D. W2 t# p3 X% b" O+ ^
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; ) w0 h+ G) a( @5 a/ M/ v# ]( c% u$ F4 `1 X: l
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; ( R$ t# y9 G: h2 P0 W' R3 J" c6 g% [" h" H* C
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; p# Q) l! d! ^
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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:6 { {6 h2 w! l- h/ ]
* x& S+ R4 M1 Z4 t, S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)。 $ L' z1 d# |- K5 z/ u `- S + E+ l0 d9 J1 P8 i" r ?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)。 . q' v: L; N: s! k! J+ t- b