8 A# B; @6 {( C# [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) $ u. O$ Z9 c, a6 j # p; Y" V; v7 ], G' q0 {2 U7 z9 ]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。)& ~7 V. }% z) p& |" n4 J4 d0 S
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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) 0 N2 Z4 Z4 J8 {! G1 j& ]+ ~5 Y+ _
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?), j! o) _3 r* }% p$ W4 U
3 T) i% x6 }. ~% Y' Z. K. Z' `" C# `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。)& h! z1 x9 T( q/ R |8 R
( @1 z. }7 K$ T5 C MMr. 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) J6 }' `; `6 j4 L% |# D 1 C8 i& m5 O! cWe 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!)! j3 [& k. }9 n, W; H
5 g" e& g* N9 |( [# Q3 aThe 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) : T; K+ ~2 ]( e8 ~ 4 ~( P1 V$ Z4 _/ mWe 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。)3 c6 u( y! T' O! j+ c, U; S
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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?) $ }2 Z0 Q6 W3 j y o @1 _% O6 ?; I) } m) X) \
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! 7 p4 V. i/ ~- \! \% v F" f. q3 G" L+ f( }7 m4 h
- S6 `1 u" f1 L. _2 _ 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。3 q7 o3 V9 C+ a4 v2 }, {* k& a
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例如: - x6 S7 ^! ?6 L* O, U- ^ ) y( ?: F- o% Z; F& _+ P$ y" g8 N* GAt 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) : o/ p! R* r! c' W! a( Y4 Z; y m3 d3 l5 E% p
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) : A) D+ ?, `0 b; [0 X+ C @3 z( V' Q9 a
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) 9 [ b7 G' H$ G; W, B" K; t6 \4 x6 h0 p
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)* p' Q. D% ^: K3 Y
5 s. n; A, r2 P$ o1 B3 BIn 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) " q, @0 p2 E, a1 l! b' B 6 H3 G c ^! E8 e; CShe 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)( ?) U1 P6 j. u4 R+ x5 v
1 [' C: u+ @" H3 n8 L3 [3 _I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) % E5 @( L* B; L3 e2 W4 {! K " f6 {2 A- j, n# `$ i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:% s+ ?/ h4 e6 N4 m
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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。)9 v# i& w7 N$ D8 M
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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.) ) z9 z C. C( L9 J7 d8 q9 }- t/ b ! X4 B) i: _$ M; G1 XHe 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。)' r# Q. ]; H3 f: l8 O
6 z# x3 k* ^8 O" I! HHe 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); N( D- N4 C& @% |; b2 |! h& K$ P* M
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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) ; _! |" b8 x2 n- M6 b( V0 ^# l9 Z+ W4 y# W
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) M4 `8 R$ F5 J8 _6 b- D 8 @9 `& n `- S7 i8 y, t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.)# |8 R( W0 `' |/ [
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此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。; J# V3 p! q; _3 S4 ~$ B
# K0 h& `8 ~8 I( u8 u0 I 6 q# K& O% S& r; i3.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」。 3 ]( u" _0 h y$ z & J# p3 F- U8 E' E例如:0 u; X7 m. m' b1 n/ l V/ I
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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) 1 r5 _4 o$ O8 }' `2 z3 p( `1 ~0 }3 ]2 h, @# S2 ^2 X& q$ k. F
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) # \* k, P+ v7 j/ f. C: V. z$ z/ \* S/ O- |7 O$ ^0 a7 W
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)7 o, \; \& |* d ~/ w2 ~
/ t8 r; C4 j; MHe (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。)" K5 e1 S! |; w) ]5 j; G; @- t- F+ m
; l0 R9 ~5 M; o0 n' a- 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。)( d9 Y! [# o) M4 @1 ^5 _+ _
5 a) T! m$ F! _& vPolicemen (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)% P( t, z, B) ?3 a: L
9 {/ h( I2 c( a4 w9 B/ H+ tCongressmen (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) ) n; {% z3 w" [; k( @ % n3 N. @, x6 }3 c0 A) G/ v1 }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。) 8 X6 O7 J$ F8 r$ k; U1 a! }$ u7 C& Z
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。 ( H1 R# }! z0 r2 Y ; H3 k& _5 E7 h( ^7 \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:8 [; a* j M, P& N
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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; - `) _# I5 Y, n Z! Z! S ' ], G/ S a; Z2 V! h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;* L) `- f+ Z( k
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对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; ' p! S; B/ `5 w, m3 r5 S$ S8 |; S7 ?9 T1 Y7 \7 T! A6 p
对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;2 `, ^, p4 v7 @, _- N. k9 E0 p1 y
# ?3 t# O) r2 b4 {# G0 @( n' J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: 7 X( X/ V, K, ]( |4 q. ] 4 e' X0 O+ f9 p8 f; H0 ^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)。 d P: q6 ?# O1 ?4 B5 L' _) N, T4 X% T
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)。 : u w9 l8 o5 O