本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 . Z1 G3 o' ~+ e1 E/ N
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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) - n# }3 r( J/ x: m, V / p3 B0 Y) d/ {5 Z0 C* P# S! w* S例如: _$ M5 g8 ?: `+ U# a0 A+ B4 \
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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) 2 f2 d0 S" F- [, \9 ]- Z " ?- x2 d" ]/ h* s, d6 @" ]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。) 0 t) n9 |+ p5 ~# m9 ] 4 Z/ l6 n p# j8 R: S9 `9 _& M% qThis 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) 1 ^7 c* o3 v1 H& v3 V6 I) S# R- _+ B" ]
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?) ' N( U; a! C6 Y$ I+ O( k1 W; ~" a# d) U3 V( e0 b2 A3 U; J2 L* f' V
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。) 5 \- T$ R: \0 t2 v' I$ V, ]: g# n( ^! Q
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)) r3 I; O4 M" g: C" n; c) Z8 N
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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!)# j/ U( p- X/ r, D9 c" n
& r+ S9 z" @# l: h1 e, R8 G3 vThe 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)4 u9 A# B" H* v) a/ `' K: C
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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。)1 r) K9 M6 [" e. D; M. k4 Y
- @6 y! G( g, S0 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?); D* U/ a6 ]7 {" t2 x+ i2 ~
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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! & }* K, Q& i/ E6 C: i3 `: M7 W: x4 v x
) W& O% a" f$ ` g2. 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。 : s$ L l2 \5 A& c( R9 ]! `. A) W! x$ V$ w, W! T d
例如:3 u0 a+ t% ]8 l: H
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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)3 F( B; A, ? ^* ]4 m& Q
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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) 6 c d2 k: ]9 v1 K! n7 f- E, [2 A* I ! |) X8 _5 H+ m! m6 N: ZI 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) / G$ A6 o- m, P0 Z% {# G5 v) B4 y y( k* M1 A: W
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) ) Y8 p R8 R I) F7 ^ 7 Z7 ]- o) [+ |- {, V1 lIn 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)" W$ o* A* p7 O, Q- U" M' \
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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)- j$ n. ]7 d2 V/ s. t# E
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I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)% U: r! ^( [5 z& @2 ~; B
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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: F; w5 c3 n0 I) l8 d; d% D2 k * R7 t) L# @1 i' O- V( lThe 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。)& ~; y3 U7 u% }, n
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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.) , B) H/ a# k( m6 x, v* l* T* S5 D
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。)( s9 p0 [3 v8 t9 u) \$ C
3 j% R3 F% M1 gHe 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) $ b: f( ]: f% U, p' f1 i6 `9 Y' _- T$ a: t* {0 @
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) * b% D5 p* a. G % M6 ~* j2 u+ a. q) z8 h6 O+ Q9 @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)4 b+ I1 n! `% ^3 R r6 c
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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.)' N# {3 Q+ c+ E ~! m* v+ H h
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 ! A6 b5 a: J* |- w% ]0 ]" M. c5 ]; @6 C& A- K) N) |6 z% l0 K
1 j( Z& y% L! ]8 i# W 3.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」。1 U b0 b6 g$ Z; D2 [
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例如:! O6 P3 g* P7 S" \" M/ C- G9 p- c
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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) 8 Q/ n) k! U# y2 A ) E7 v/ f* ?' T: q3 \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)2 t8 h0 O* d% y) \3 S' W# E
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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)8 t6 ~0 Z* r) O
6 b, _5 D% V! f; ^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。)5 P9 p8 w5 v6 E' x6 `
+ G) @0 ^% F; rMany 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。) * D' p/ k/ u& l; I/ E8 n" d6 @% p/ k" P
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) 6 j! f/ b: W: d6 N6 |: p& ~' \ : V$ i. E* e% t$ R. t8 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)$ K/ ?2 h) R# K- E. f0 M
# q6 \& C4 l, l% Z& m+ |) N% ?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。) 3 J/ a! `6 n) T, f& ~7 k' O4 X# u% F+ \$ ] ?5 Q6 j6 C
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。( F ^# k% M8 C
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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: , j. i, V4 h' l, i9 r % w6 x# o% }) l$ e. j5 {. [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;0 ~( Z* R' A- G! k2 ~/ K5 h! E
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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;0 z8 ^# S+ S5 E: R, O1 M
' |) v0 v1 k: E5 j* j- `对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; ; }! [+ s" D2 x$ e7 V+ K0 y8 L4 ~8 ] b3 H
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 6 f6 o% s8 E- `- f" M9 i- O / s C- f$ ^! y- U5 N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:2 J6 k2 ` I% d$ @
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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)。 6 o" ~3 u% z" ^6 i% C, f : p1 L; W- d' @$ e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* ^' r% u, H" T1 |! e% \9 m