本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 + N: v# \9 C W3 n. [
& D! P8 O- K B7 x/ c% ]8 a( ?转帖 8 r9 z3 i- d) Q) g F9 }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) 8 h& ^+ W! j! b5 @1 U3 n9 U: U _1 _: q$ y4 O6 P* J/ T, d$ |
例如: $ C: F2 e- U( |, |" ` _: x8 t. a+ V$ tMany 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) " W& Y! u9 Z W' H9 R 0 B! x/ K2 J: K( G8 O0 wThree 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。) 1 u' ?. P2 J; i1 k, s7 [) g* S/ { l+ u: s; Q- B( `1 h% L
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) , a6 M) ~" L" l% N0 N' e+ V+ g, |/ m) [' p _# C) p3 {( e3 f# W: x
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?)" T7 L0 `" [5 W3 c3 G
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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。)1 y0 L ]2 Y% p2 v. l, b) V
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Mr. 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) 7 ] ]- @) Z |; H( G7 Z" V4 d, ?1 b: b+ Y. q/ |. N; L
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!)& t4 |0 A& q; T2 U6 K
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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) 0 m& N+ X- w6 D9 ?( m$ u# O* y# ?: r" v, m: ~# w+ }% H
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' h6 E8 c8 j9 n 8 m& _4 Y) u& z0 Z0 q' p: QPlease 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?) 1 H; L( S8 q* } }7 N6 J: \% ^9 S 1 Z" f: n' ^8 {' f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!& v/ _6 n2 L# c
r+ M" d4 d$ v8 m8 n! i* ^, f / C0 p) s+ c e4 s% D- 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。 " a; T- v, _, |* [4 _% b/ i3 Z1 l 2 O; [. H- B* a( t/ Q: h% j( `, O例如: 3 z Z7 x: [: ? , |* F+ u- ^" Z5 {0 oAt 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) , z; h* `% c6 n4 t& F. ? 1 P- ]! W9 g5 u9 B/ r3 }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) * w2 |' e7 H8 u0 i( Q1 Q' W: m5 c7 b. x% @; D- c
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)! h) T. v. Y" l2 n" {
+ j0 f9 a+ s( ], GHe 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) ], E* J$ A: ?3 T- Z' s
/ w5 C5 J) F5 P# RIn 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 v" h) f3 X- |+ O, T5 }' R
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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) ^$ s) E; P+ c2 n) A% S4 G1 s . E* J" g8 P5 i3 tI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)$ h7 T9 K3 w! X2 t! H3 ^. [
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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:9 d. o1 G1 R# \ C; ?
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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。)/ K) l# y7 P1 h; r3 B
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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.) ( \- @, y7 X- h2 X8 ]$ W ) g, H. W& t+ o* X' [! ^' _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。) ' z0 I3 O$ K" X' B' s+ H% l7 i& D& X( Y& q) {& p$ o2 N
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) , ^7 ^7 {9 v0 ?/ L9 |* ^ a& B6 h& `3 g
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)& l0 W7 X$ ]" v; t% g( `# @
i! H' k% h1 Z) h7 v" QEnclosed (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) * H4 W# {8 G- i2 F. w* T& m, C4 a3 ]; j/ R# Z
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 d5 A$ U s8 Y8 k+ E 6 x$ C9 [' o2 K; W此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。( V& ~% a1 _1 j
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/ C5 q! `: C2 D0 U1 W, N; C3.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」。 ( S# q/ \) a5 i/ Y6 k: T D7 t; }! X: T$ p. s! |例如:6 ^4 [- p! o) b+ d0 g
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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)# M( ?7 [- l+ E) A F) e0 x
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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)+ x# k8 s$ i( t; d7 v% t6 ~8 Z0 K1 H
% d4 g) ]2 [1 \, H ]* e0 E9 JThis 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). x& N8 J6 v7 q
. [) r: I$ s _( f" K2 uHe (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。) & c& Z, C# v. U( B+ u2 W6 {2 x, d$ J3 B, `
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。)- d4 F3 H5 q# ^
% b0 f7 I! e6 f% O5 e5 M& APolicemen (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) ' w$ Z, O$ f7 P% S! u5 B& b1 u. L5 ~4 U1 V1 b, f) w
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)) b- `8 R) V9 j+ i3 s+ o9 }6 O3 o( v
9 m6 M6 H3 M/ C0 l/ |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。) + Y0 E0 S% c' `( R. g+ K& ?7 E R; ~3 y2 ~+ |
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。+ ~) V* R2 e9 O9 P1 T# z
# R0 Y* Y' y2 S" v. O: t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: * W; i7 w# y+ w6 s1 B, L1 _ 2 W* u$ y7 r f$ d+ T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; W# o/ _1 W: ^, Z+ U " v0 n F( l! R; L' ^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; ) e$ q, H5 @3 Q" W& J: L& N2 Y6 K4 E/ p3 ?- D1 }! }" @
对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;9 o9 n% E: x* |7 L4 W5 @. ^