4 e& y+ j+ z- X4 g- |- ^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)# A) n) _. {1 C4 F% H2 T
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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 ?1 @& g# `9 D( G( a, F$ D4 {! |! I3 |$ L1 Q- i/ p
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) 2 T3 c" t: Y2 R- `- L3 Y/ h C) P* K3 S. C
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?); o! c9 {& v3 m. S
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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。)& }+ w7 _* m6 G& w* I: B
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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) ( ^' k- P: u7 `. a8 e: | , y" l0 P2 _/ lWe 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!)- n; ^! b3 o7 n6 u* c) ?
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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) O! s W X8 R' y5 U$ F Q3 q
* Y9 G0 T3 _5 wWe 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。) " P' y& L+ k a) G- Z: x , Y& A4 T$ A+ o7 Y9 R; {% gPlease 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?)( n% n# w4 {" h4 ^, d( E
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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!5 Q8 J/ h1 ?7 g% r8 d5 h. j
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6 e* ~7 J' r2 U/ Z! E2. 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。; N2 c& \$ {5 k( J- C
b7 ~/ E9 w h" C$ y4 Q例如: - z! S) ~) ~( J j0 P" R0 G5 ? 6 H+ ~- j+ `4 e0 M3 vAt 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). T0 r; x& A' J, S
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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): ? R0 u& g5 b/ ]% T2 @
7 U# t. f4 |% g4 ?! i" P8 ^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) , c3 {) ]% q" V" D% O! m# l. R8 ^2 e- ?) Z S0 \! L/ e u7 G
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) 7 x% K0 ?4 \2 V f% i2 O1 {8 a$ F. 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) 2 B; Z2 d, F+ k8 S; [ ; F) _ G( v, n8 O; Y6 O) w5 DShe 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) 7 x g: O. g1 O! W, d# ~1 j% o3 e" M/ a) T
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)" N$ \' I9 \% ?& Q6 @
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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: # ?) H. d2 u3 G. t# l/ M R3 ^ ! m9 f8 s$ ?( r u+ Q4 HThe 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。)' ^7 H0 d3 n9 G) n* d, e
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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.)) l, O# ?7 p% Q9 h6 @; `, `- f5 [
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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。)' ~4 R _/ n+ \. C P
( Z$ o; a* Z4 y+ k4 EHe 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' a2 ~; e0 j+ x" p# T- y$ J9 E& B/ K! H9 Q
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)4 p1 [7 w$ j3 J0 Q5 o/ V$ z
" S6 g1 k1 }" D% X5 FEnclosed (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)7 B2 Q1 a: U- C8 v
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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.) $ U1 ] r9 [( |* O6 F9 \2 z5 z3 ~+ t n
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。2 k8 e/ ~& K* Z3 Z$ K1 p6 A
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9 g1 t' b8 A6 B2 F; h0 k3 [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」。+ P2 S/ ~, G2 q# V N2 a
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例如:/ |/ w9 {) O4 V: B' _) ]
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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) Q0 W5 B8 f8 m7 k6 j& p
# j% ?/ G: y4 Z8 z0 ^6 q* ^) dManpower 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) 1 ]' G" m2 G1 N5 X5 p% h 5 m/ H- u) ^: K+ i6 V# c/ n0 k8 TThis 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). U; C' U( D& X% T/ H
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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。) & t7 j0 y* ~5 `3 g( h9 n 8 v4 O9 b2 d, a, ?) iMany 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。)6 k- K& y8 {: x3 I \
$ C& s! K) x5 A1 O4 O# D, l& uPolicemen (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) 8 r* g4 s' b! e7 E' l+ m & W0 j, d; e; _! 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)$ o) H m! o9 m- e# C6 i2 z
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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。)( [ h+ j0 @+ B3 n) H. h# G
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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。 # a. h* A. y# O, d3 ?+ b1 k* l% k$ f8 f+ @# T$ Z& z$ W8 f
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:3 K P5 c4 s& K1 D1 L
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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;8 t, L" y9 ]& G- @" N9 L7 s
3 ?( h3 |+ q, ^! `! `* n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;+ V- d; U4 Y9 ]2 t, Y3 D2 V
+ R2 [5 k. n. O. D% b. P9 [( Q; I对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people; 0 M) k, k* p/ Z r$ O6 I 5 {/ g8 Z! `* u9 C4 k& n对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 3 C) _ f+ i3 C" ~" ]( ~0 G# s" d+ W: T+ L
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:: d; w3 |3 p3 O" t9 h. X9 E2 m
& M/ B1 b: @' |; G) B8 U' m8 b v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)。 ( S- k( n o( C! y# Q # B& k4 y7 f8 b$ H( ?8 x9 g- Q2 o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)。 8 U1 k4 t$ w% K8 m