本帖最后由 finder 于 2014-12-28 00:10 编辑 " d( o' G+ A# Z9 k' M4 i. _/ B 4 A5 J4 |$ c6 w转帖9 ^4 t# r* k- N% a- }
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) 0 T, @) \# a; ]$ O0 r) t4 [0 v# X. U2 o6 p
例如:5 g6 y" L" k" w: @* M" {' s ]
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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). L+ |- S2 @/ a) `2 i% x% \/ z' W
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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。). X3 v. E& E9 d, @/ }; q
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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) S( ~! k) u$ ?* g0 Q2 \0 x
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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?) ; {/ f6 i; z* W' f$ ^ D$ H' v4 M; u8 Y
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。) - d; I. L! J+ d# Q# {& x 5 s n0 x @6 ~- CMr. 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)+ H6 U' V/ z2 o* N: k8 e- j
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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!)' m* _. b' Y" e
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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) ; M1 `9 ?- G; @% Z/ \. ]( Z" O - p4 N2 t/ q6 L* _( \% ~3 `- SWe 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。) ; t V) m' u1 e$ J: X) y+ K: N$ p t6 |9 H/ S
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?) * Z) }4 `' _$ m8 `/ R# W' S, {7 |5 b* R# d! L
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 I$ |6 v) k5 n2 U" t4 I7 ]
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4 H$ D: R! @- i/ l- B 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。5 Z5 h. I; K2 c, `2 ]
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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) : m* n4 S3 K: [1 P9 h1 @3 B( d3 m6 ?8 k# Z" Q' Z [. A
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)+ @+ b2 x( }' ~( v/ l% W
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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) 0 G/ |, X" f4 e1 s8 Z, F, M' {* b# `4 o
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) 0 J/ s! d8 `; W 1 F6 K; i/ H+ i* I6 _( 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); [1 z6 @" z' J+ o( r; D
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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) 7 `: H. A6 H+ x7 m * w# Y1 r5 \9 C2 ]' i- e6 l- \& yI will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)4 A' v; U: j3 G$ ~, ]% ]' @, j: \
& p+ f' ^2 k" h* G3 A$ m+ R3 u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: ; \0 x8 w3 ?' T7 r# ^9 A* A6 J% p 1 x+ v. G& g4 jThe 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。)! x* e4 {6 T8 s X
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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.)2 R1 J4 E3 ]5 D! f) ]0 P$ b' h
7 Z6 ?; E& O, s9 s$ v8 cHe 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。) . F6 B0 j2 N! D* B! A x& E; @* `- D3 M0 J7 Q% H/ M9 ?
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)( N' W/ [: S# ~0 m5 T0 y
3 C% r: C4 T7 Q' D6 D: RWe 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): V0 a/ g* A. B/ s( h9 w
0 |: F3 Y) c: a1 W3 l# }# t3 _. I' \% jEnclosed (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)# H/ U) w( T) ~, Z' U' q* R8 f
9 _9 W& X" d$ {( r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.) # P3 l7 U9 S% p8 ?1 F m% o , x8 |, T' @8 ~9 y t/ F# d此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。- Z. t3 d! ?; F# n' o+ n
( n6 o0 l5 t# [, Z" P8 r* u/ c: `, B: X 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」。 : Z) z/ y8 V) B+ A5 [ 0 B( X! [" }4 v9 a q例如:5 l* m0 D) F: p- c3 \( u
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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 V6 r' [6 ^. k0 p4 Z
- `/ A! O; @- ^" q0 `( }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)1 p# \( ^( F) H
# D# t6 P- x: C* W7 R, s+ f' ~9 ZThis 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); q4 I7 B) {) I0 P, m1 ^5 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。) - M" f% ~+ M1 h3 s: E& O( V; i' `" a+ p1 h, Y
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。)7 o& M' @9 q8 t5 @' O7 S1 q* c7 J* 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), b2 j4 j7 V9 }6 T/ d) [; a
2 @, M( Z: F* r# t% ECongressmen (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) 0 C. q& R/ ~8 }" v. L9 r ( {/ B. g c9 c4 |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。)2 ^) I& l6 U6 |/ Z- 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。 * D; Z1 J( t7 h7 F$ s" S& @8 ~) X6 b& `6 G5 u: ~( s
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:( o1 J3 b0 V( X$ l$ [- J, [
2 l/ D6 D" G( n4 `, d对越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese; 5 q* H4 t6 O! c7 e / W. L4 o# A- l* a7 M1 I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:; t4 M" L$ |7 A s; D, x2 D& s
$ f9 w7 O7 q4 }' Y% {# S" W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 o6 A, U6 |# E
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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)。 & X y/ ~ d! Z8 l4 v3 G