本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 4 F* ]+ M; E# c4 ~ ' Q" c# H, y$ J% b5 x K2 K) v转帖5 y d( ~. i. P0 J, o+ u7 O
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) ! l. f) X, p- T: e! N 3 B6 E& z- N: M9 U例如: - A* U( x% C$ c/ D% {! S" E; u! h
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) 4 p. |) `9 j0 ], e6 e 1 u9 \1 x# Q/ r2 Y( Y! VThree 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。)7 [/ Q9 {! P8 z) X
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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) 6 P# R! N% D; G9 i" L! ] u; a( g( Z0 x4 ^$ |
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?)9 e8 J+ j. j, A
8 H+ C8 {, X0 O Q% m( R+ H$ w" dI 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。)/ n4 B$ N* V2 x& z
$ m- O- E1 |% Z& d4 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)9 h$ {# F/ F* f2 R; P$ F
' r, | m0 T) U$ oWe 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!); K3 m- ?( f1 p1 b" Q3 Z
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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) % M" x) [/ L4 Z* l4 H! A7 f4 [' q2 m( h1 M* C7 _5 E& Q
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。): f1 V: f% i' o5 J8 Z, u
. ~, J0 N$ J+ L3 a) ?% OPlease 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?)( T6 T3 U* j0 h" r& k$ r$ X
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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! & W/ T3 T* H K4 `& G; v+ T % m6 C+ k- c6 [& t2 ~/ A/ ?& ?9 c( {# |" s$ K b4 J( \3 [ 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。- ]+ _2 I. Z) Z. s9 m$ D
9 {% F! r1 O: ]例如:9 C) J9 [: j+ O: W7 z; @, J
0 z$ L' [6 H s. `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)" V/ e/ X. p( `0 c
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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) , q% a1 z; Z4 e' E6 [0 p1 {# l3 h, O$ o9 y
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)2 @# K; d6 D' J. P
! g$ d4 f( r B" C$ p1 G4 JHe 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) + R8 _0 D0 ^. U8 n1 j0 v' [% C* C& 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)$ p" K0 J7 S3 ]! b9 u
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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)" x' X1 I5 B! `9 I
/ g9 x: G: H$ S' OI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)) \/ i7 E" K. G; J- g
9 _. m2 B: H8 V1 E: Q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:- P) o: ]$ X ~8 `0 O2 f
% w+ m0 G3 |- w) x& @1 gThe 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。) % S4 n/ j) V8 C6 R2 N, N8 | s: C$ E2 b+ E) B
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.)$ m# [+ Z7 e. H( F9 u8 K
- b. A/ h0 N, }. b5 DHe 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。) * z9 B0 |* o6 H3 V k; o9 N" ] ]/ V) x& U0 Q" b, I
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) / E, j. p0 O1 S5 m0 k3 s % Q8 F! N6 I* q; B+ AWe 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 n$ a8 v: v9 X- {5 L
: u' L& _( _8 B3 z1 i7 EEnclosed (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 m+ }4 i% Y2 ]4 v- z9 i q3 t, O6 }5 z) B' ^/ j1 X2 \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.)0 u3 D, C R w( F
; s& ]8 t$ O* J; v" w) L3 H% [此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 & k* H* P0 x. B9 @$ k" a h0 P# @$ K8 l2 ^/ t* a2 V5 c
- B3 j/ r2 H2 m% M% A u1 m7 f3.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」。 ) T9 n/ \$ Y( `+ G H( x! A* p$ _& `: `5 {( f1 C例如:) Z( ?9 ^6 I9 ` T1 g3 S4 d$ s o
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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) , H) i' V! Y. P( V# u" l. {$ `+ C& L9 V) ?# h( t9 `! V
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)5 _% F E7 Z- U; T
( n! H" z% G1 C! ]+ kThis 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)9 V5 R( f$ n; ]1 E
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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。)' Y& {* A/ U# D9 r
1 W& K9 Z5 `8 ^, [& q9 V+ r3 xMany 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。) L7 `7 c5 X6 S
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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) 7 P5 g. ?, J D) v1 X3 P5 [$ W$ o" T. m
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) 6 @6 J2 s2 i# \! B; Y' h, s7 J$ Y6 ?5 E5 ?
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。)* q" R8 _8 z9 e7 m Q
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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。, x1 r/ v9 C; D0 ` {
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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: 0 {2 a2 U# K5 Q. T7 K9 }6 m2 L, X( ` [
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 I0 j: h* ~+ K; E( x% m; p! A, V / h7 |) g9 k9 k+ p) S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;, U& H- I4 i$ _8 T2 @9 w
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;+ \, `1 Z( O* R; C
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对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;( S% T M. i- g7 k! |
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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: ( Q7 ]( Y. E# x6 r1 e$ S" N5 p4 T6 I
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)。. {$ r \, Z' r+ J6 T3 e# O
) f9 s3 u A n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)。 # A; j& j: l8 v1 F" C2 C3 U" x2 _1 k