. b( R0 z. t! W% K8 _3 h# TMany 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 f* q6 W8 ?# _ o
0 j% H Y5 a' l% y2 m3 AThree 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。)5 n' Z6 E2 ?+ ^8 c2 y2 F" N, H
7 b3 P2 a/ f5 q! P: g" w- LThis 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). B$ H3 `6 Y$ B7 E" [4 Z- ]
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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?) - K) Y: Z) i0 G& ` ; J" ~5 S% b% e+ yI 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。) - X3 {# `" _ e- n+ q 3 v- W" ^; O6 S9 B! 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)- [% o; ^! w- ]9 L. l* ?4 ^
& C' |- q. V' P" }6 \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!); o3 h5 m- L! c: i
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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) $ Y" f4 M3 \3 Z4 }, c' B: Z, L' N( A( v5 C# `' Y
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。)& r3 Z# n- ?( m% g; L- v7 J! c
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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?)0 H. \+ y% J$ u
" C" S) |- w" r: G' [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!9 x, X8 ^/ M7 ?9 {
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8 U+ {" ?; m9 Q9 L 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。 9 x9 Q$ D d X8 |# e4 r0 D7 `# V* J/ z3 {5 h# H
例如:# r( [4 \9 s+ J3 J# g5 Z
% E( ^# t a# n+ l6 e7 OAt 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)5 L) S: d! }: Q* ~; V& S2 L, r
/ [1 Y) F% U& N* \0 _$ H8 ^$ C9 qDespite 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) / O1 u. \. R1 |% g1 X ( g/ Y! R$ [ Q' U6 pI 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) B' i. b# Y7 }! y9 h5 |9 O$ ?+ _
' j* T! v+ u( O0 W( NHe 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)( ?6 [$ F( n7 h, g
# y( v+ s8 Z" s; R* A2 zIn 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). ?/ R/ J+ B# m( J' R/ M" L6 c; _
; t9 Q( \+ [% ~& jShe 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) + m4 j6 h) r: f1 F- t" a5 \: ^, v! j: Z J
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生) 2 z$ Q) {. n9 h7 V! { . g, ~' U4 L. k+ ?( M+ k% ?5 C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: 5 s: n, c2 N6 A; f. R' `1 p4 _! m ' a _: A! @3 J+ @' ZThe 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。), Z) G5 v# ^2 X: U' L7 g/ B
& T* t: @7 U3 g1 u, v* h; qThe 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.) ( e1 w. O/ x7 [; _7 R. J2 Y/ C7 G# k Q- S+ M% }7 u5 @
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。)# @7 C: O3 P) {" z1 w! G, G3 t
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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) 4 \0 N; [2 O+ X, ^1 Y. Q+ J& i* E( J; }, ]
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) 2 z/ t8 q, j& ]9 R- _+ @6 {9 ?1 J* [& K4 D; O" O' p( [
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) ) x, x/ u, O, |; W4 T$ k6 T 4 F' T, C. t! R, ]6 F& P8 b6 p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.) 4 x* l4 F: v8 ?: y8 F# K2 y1 `3 W' Z) i( Q" k+ c* U
此外还有:in reference to = about;draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。 2 ]4 o, _" [$ S0 U3 a( o+ l+ J% Z ]+ s' z
" m* ]7 ~$ E8 R. I1 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 I7 Y5 ^7 w8 W2 q( o 3 M8 q" S u& \' o2 y例如: 0 v6 l! x' N5 @+ R1 _& A( W# r5 j# I& Z' i
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) 2 E. r# d+ \6 _, l7 G. N+ P4 n: ?# k5 l, y- u4 j
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) - G; \) f, z h* G9 B' r ( B, P* u, k5 p, Q* a oThis 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) $ X) _* {1 M5 p5 i / X8 X7 T: w' ?; Q. ZHe (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。) * G3 L! W6 k) m+ y& n1 K + D: x: r# k% Y- 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。) % Z1 {" `* ]- N 7 W- g$ }: D7 A v8 e6 rPolicemen (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)4 u( K: _! g6 C4 f f& w
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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) . R4 m+ x) i3 k, k" D4 g3 g+ C1 |4 D3 h) M
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 V" ^* T* t l/ v9 {% I. D& |5 q. G3 s+ M
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。 0 y$ R4 N1 u7 p4 W; I* e/ k& ^2 o% ~4 k8 k( A, K
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:: |" Z' [: h& M% f5 _% C
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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 v7 D" ~$ t( j7 g2 s* }, z3 I8 s0 w+ r! w
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; ; H) O5 n/ B" x5 L2 ], U% K! M / `' w) @1 n" q6 I* f( ?对犹太人不要用 Hymies,应该叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;8 {4 B, G$ ~! g* M6 \& w/ W
' l j& V7 o9 y, r. S3 e1 e% A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: 8 H8 O' O) k7 c5 |7 D3 T$ O o. }! r
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)。 # W! B; M* ~2 O ~2 G* s2 ~ 5 d8 f2 M# \( D' e/ Z5 ~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)。 + \9 l" Z- ^- |6 m/ Y: I7 H2 e