美國(guó)人喜歡短句表達(dá)

字號(hào):


    由于美國(guó)人生活繁忙、緊張,講求快速,時(shí)間就是金錢,所以近年來(lái)許多美國(guó)大學(xué)也在推行日常生活的講和寫(xiě),不用難字,不寫(xiě)長(zhǎng)句,不含偏見(jiàn)的「三不」。也就是說(shuō),盡量使用簡(jiǎn)短易懂的白話英語(yǔ) (Plain English),寫(xiě)得愈白愈好,用字愈少愈妙,使別人可以一目了然,充分了解。這不但可節(jié)省「思索」時(shí)間,也可避免對(duì)方的誤解。還有,老外為了族群和諧相處,也不使用帶有偏見(jiàn)的字眼。以下即為一些例子,以供讀者參考。
    1、尤其在商業(yè)上,報(bào)章雜志或公文書(shū)信上,盡量不用難字 (big word) 或過(guò)時(shí)的字眼 (old-fashioned word);
    » 例如:Many people feel that moral education is the infrastructure1 of higher learning. (許多人認(rèn)為道德教育是高等知識(shí)的基礎(chǔ)) (如果用 foundation 或 basis 代替 infrastructure 就更明白)
    » Three hundred acres of land is the parameter2 of our university,s expansion (growth). (三百英畝的土地是本大學(xué)發(fā)展的限度) (如果用limit代替parameter,會(huì)更簡(jiǎn)單易懂。)
    » This news has been disseminated3 all over the U.S. (這消息已散布到全美各地) (如果用spread取代disseminated,不更簡(jiǎn)單?) (動(dòng)詞時(shí)態(tài)是:spread, spread, spread)
    » The president of this college is not diminutive4 in size. (這大學(xué)的校長(zhǎng)個(gè)子不小) (假如用small代替diminutive,不更明白嗎?)
    » I have to elucidate5 this document to my staff. (我要向我的員工解釋這份文件) (如用explain代替elucidate,也許更明白。)
    » Mr. A will endeavor to be a physician. (A 先生想嘗試當(dāng)個(gè)醫(yī)生) (如果用try代替endeavor,會(huì)更淺白。) (endeavor = try)
    » We hope to visualize6 world peace in the future. (我們希望將來(lái)看到世界和平)(如果用see代替visualize,也許更簡(jiǎn)單!)
    » The charitable organization solicits7 for our annual donation. (慈善機(jī)構(gòu)要求我們一年一度樂(lè)捐)(假如用 ask 代替 solicit,更淺白易懂。)(solicitation是名詞)
    » We don't know what may transpire8 when we have a new boss. (當(dāng)新老板來(lái)后,我們不知會(huì)有什么發(fā)生。) (如果用happen代替transpire,也許更明白。)
    » Please act as soon as possible on the aforementioned matter. (前面提過(guò)的事,請(qǐng)盡速辦理。)(如果用 previous 代替古字 aforementioned 不是更明白?)
    »這就像美國(guó)大文豪馬克吐溫 Mark Twain 也曾說(shuō)過(guò):「我不愿在字典里找長(zhǎng)字或難字,我絕不用『metropolis』這個(gè)字,因?yàn)槲彝瑯涌梢杂谩篶ity』這個(gè)字來(lái)代替」。羅斯??偨y(tǒng)為了強(qiáng)調(diào)美國(guó)政府不會(huì)遺忘那些窮人,在一篇講詞里用了這么一句:「We are endeavoring to construct a more inclusive society.」后來(lái)被人批評(píng)咬文嚼字,賣弄文筆。如果用淺白易懂的字眼寫(xiě)成:「We are going to make this country in which no one is left out.」或「We are trying to make everyone equal.」也許更簡(jiǎn)單明白!
    2、老外也主張不寫(xiě)嚕蘇或絢麗的字眼(flowery or wordy),句子應(yīng)該越短越好,一句能用兩個(gè)字,絕不多加一個(gè)。 例如:
    » At this point in time, we should pull together for our goal. (現(xiàn)在我們應(yīng)該為我們的目標(biāo)團(tuán)結(jié)一致)(如果說(shuō):Now, we should pull……更簡(jiǎn)單。因?yàn)?at this point in time = now)
    » Despite the fact that my English is not very good, I am not discouraged. (雖然我的英語(yǔ)不好,但我不灰心。) (如果說(shuō):Although my English is not…… 就更簡(jiǎn)短。因?yàn)閐espite the fact that= although = Though)
    » I am of the opinion that Mr. Lee should resign from this position. (我想李先生應(yīng)該辭職) (假如說(shuō):I think Mr. Lee should……不是更簡(jiǎn)單嗎?因?yàn)镮 am of the opinion = I think)
    » He quitted the job due to the fact that he was sick. (他由于生病而辭職) (若說(shuō):He quitted the job because he was sick. 更簡(jiǎn)單。因?yàn)?due to the fact that = because)
    » In the majority of cases, he likes to ride bike to the office.(他通常喜歡騎單車到辦公室) (如果說(shuō):Usually, he likes to ride…… 更簡(jiǎn)單。因?yàn)?in the majority of cases = usually)
    » She shows a preference for tea rather than coffee. (她喜歡茶而不是咖啡) (若說(shuō):She prefers tea rather……更簡(jiǎn)短清楚,因?yàn)?show a preference for = prefer)
    » I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang. (我要通知王先生)
    如果只說(shuō):I will tell Mr. Wang (about the matter). 不是更簡(jiǎn)單嗎?因?yàn)?bring the matter to the attention of = tell = inform) (句子最后面:「about the matter」可以省去); 同理,也要避免意義的重復(fù)或用字的多余 (redundant); 例如:
    » The consensus9(of opinion)is that we have to act right away.(大家認(rèn)為我們必須立即行動(dòng))(of opinion 可以省去,因?yàn)?consensus 的意思,就是大家的意見(jiàn)。)
    » The letter shows that the problem(continues to)remain unsolved.(他的信顯示問(wèn)題尚未解決)(continue to 是多余的字,因?yàn)?remain 已經(jīng)有 continue 的含意。所以句子就成為:The letter shows that the problem remains10 unsolved.)
    » He has made his (final) conclusion in his speech.(他在演說(shuō)里做出結(jié)論) (final 是多余的字,因?yàn)?conclusion 已經(jīng)含有 final 的意思。)
    » He has had many years of (actual) experience in business。(他有多年經(jīng)商的經(jīng)驗(yàn)) (actual 也是多余的字,因?yàn)?experience 已有 actual 的意味)
    » We assembled (together) all the parts for our radio.(我們裝好收音機(jī)的零件)(因?yàn)?assemble 本身就有 together 的意思,所以 together 是多余的)
    » Enclosed (herewith ) please find the report of the meeting.(herewith 是多余的字,因?yàn)?enclosed 就有 herewith 的意思)(即:附上會(huì)議報(bào)告,請(qǐng)查收)
    »寫(xiě)到這里,想起一位深受美國(guó)人民愛(ài)戴,一向主張不寫(xiě)長(zhǎng)句、不嚕蘇的美國(guó)已故參議員 Stephen Young,他每次受邀參加會(huì)議、演講、宴會(huì)時(shí),他的回信只有三個(gè)字「我會(huì)到」(I'll be there)……。也有人打趣的說(shuō):「講演或?qū)懽鞯木渥樱拖翊┟阅闳?,愈短愈好?!梗↙ike wearing mini-skirt, sentences in speech or writing should be the shorter, the better.)
    此外還有:in reference to = about; draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。
    3、老外為了族群和諧相處,除不用歧視或偏見(jiàn)的字眼外,連男女性別,也要避免區(qū)別,以示「平等」。 例如:
    » Mankind are considered the smartest animals in the world。(人類是世上最聰明的動(dòng)物)= Man is the smartest animal……。 (如果改為:Human beings are considered the smartest animals…… 就能包括男女。所以 mankind = man = human beings) (注意:mankind 后面動(dòng)詞要用多數(shù),而 man 的后面動(dòng)詞,則用單數(shù))
    » Manpower seems not strong enough in developing our economy here. (發(fā)展這里的經(jīng)濟(jì),似乎缺乏人力資源。)(如果說(shuō):Labor power seems not strong enough… 也就沒(méi)有「男性主義」的感覺(jué)??梢?jiàn) manpower = labor11 power = work force = human resources)
    » This small company hired a cleaning woman yesterday.(這個(gè)小公司昨天請(qǐng)來(lái)一名清潔女工)(如果說(shuō):This small company hired an office cleaner…也就沒(méi)有男女之分了)
    » He (she) has been a committee chairman (chairwoman) since 1998. (自從1998年他就是委員會(huì)主席) (假如把chairman或chairwoman改為chairperson或chair,就沒(méi)有男女之分。) (如指討論會(huì)的主持人,也可稱為 moderator 或 coordinator12。)
    » Many businessmen (businesswomen) feel their jobs are very stressful.(許多商人覺(jué)得工作壓力很大)(如果把 businessmen (businesswomen) 改為 business people 或 business executives 或 business managers 就可包括男女了)(凡是單數(shù) man 或 woman,其多數(shù)都是 men 或 women。)
    » Policemen (policewomen) should treat citizens with courtesy.(警察對(duì)人民應(yīng)該有禮貌)(假如把 policemen 或 policewomen 改為 police officers 就可避免男女性別)
    » Congressmen (congresswomen) should speak up for their constitutes. (國(guó)會(huì)議員應(yīng)該為其選民說(shuō)話)(constitute = voter) (我們也可以把 congressmen 或 congresswomen 改為 members of congress 或 congressional representatives)
    » Stewardesses14 for international regions may get jet lag sometimes.(國(guó)際航線的空中小姐有時(shí)會(huì)有時(shí)差疲憊的現(xiàn)象)(如把 stewardess13 改為 flight attendant,就能包括男女空中服務(wù)員。)
    同理,我們可以把 salesman 或 saleswoman 改為 salesperson15;把 mailman 改為 mail carrier 或 postal16 worker;把 foreman 改為 supervisor17 等等。
    »當(dāng)然,一些帶有種族偏見(jiàn)的字眼,甚至有侮辱的味道(insulting words 或 slur),也要盡量避免使用,以免鬧出麻煩。例如:
    »對(duì)黑人不要用 Negro,更不能用 Nigger(用 Black 還可以),禮貌的說(shuō)法是 Afro-American 或 African-American;
    »對(duì)白人不要用 Honky(這是黑人罵白人的用字),正確用法是 Caucasian,或 white people;
    »對(duì)猶太人不要用 Hymies,應(yīng)該叫 Jewish 或 Jewish people;
    »對(duì)越南人不要用 Gook,要用 Vietnamese;
    »至于墨西哥人、西班牙人及中、南美洲人,包括 Puerto Rico,正確的用法多是 Hispanics 或 Latins,不過(guò)據(jù)說(shuō)西班牙人為了維護(hù)自己的文化,倒喜歡別人稱為 Spaniard。
    »還有黑白結(jié)婚的孩子,也不可稱為 Oreo(Oreo 餅乾外面是巧克力,里面是白奶油)。
    »有偏見(jiàn)的老外,不叫華人為 Chinese,而叫 Chink 或 Chinaman(從前還叫「Yellow Peril」,即黃禍)。
    »遇到這種事,怎么辦呢?我建議:「君子不與小人斗」,最好是「不理」(ignore)或「走開(kāi)」(walk away)。不過(guò)老外與你談話時(shí),如果使用這些不禮貌的字眼,那么你就可以說(shuō):「For your information, the word you just used is derogatory(或 inappropriate)to describe someone of my race.」(只想讓你知道:你剛剛所用的字,來(lái)描寫(xiě)我的族群,是很不合適的)。這時(shí),你也可說(shuō)一句「拜拜」了。
    1 infrastructure UbBz5
    n.下部構(gòu)造,下部組織,基礎(chǔ)結(jié)構(gòu),基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施
    參考例句:
    We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加強(qiáng)科學(xué)基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)。
    We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加強(qiáng)文化基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè),發(fā)展各類群眾文化。
    2 parameter eK4xZ
    n.參數(shù),參量
    參考例句:
    It is the parameter of distribution.這就是分布參數(shù)。
    One parameter which always comes into play is the national economy.國(guó)民經(jīng)濟(jì)是一個(gè)經(jīng)常起作用的參量。
    3 disseminated c76621f548f3088ff302305f50de1f16
    散布,傳播( disseminate的過(guò)去式和過(guò)去分詞 )
    參考例句:
    Their findings have been widely disseminated . 他們的研究成果已經(jīng)廣為傳播。
    Berkovitz had contracted polio after ingesting a vaccine disseminated under federal supervision. 伯考維茨在接種了在聯(lián)邦監(jiān)督下分發(fā)的牛痘疫苗后傳染上脊髓灰質(zhì)炎。
    4 diminutive tlWzb
    adj.小巧可愛(ài)的,小的
    參考例句:
    Despite its diminutive size,the car is quite comfortable.盡管這輛車很小,但相當(dāng)舒服。
    She has diminutive hands for an adult.作為一個(gè)成年人,她的手顯得非常小。
    5 elucidate GjSzd
    v.闡明,說(shuō)明
    參考例句:
    The note help to elucidate the most difficult parts of the text.這些注釋有助于弄清文中最難懂的部分。
    This guide will elucidate these differences and how to exploit them.這篇指導(dǎo)將會(huì)闡述這些不同點(diǎn)以及如何正確利用它們。
    6 visualize yeJzsZ
    vt.使看得見(jiàn),使具體化,想象,設(shè)想
    參考例句:
    I remember meeting the man before but I can't visualize him.我記得以前見(jiàn)過(guò)那個(gè)人,但他的樣子我想不起來(lái)了。
    She couldn't visualize flying through space.她無(wú)法想像在太空中飛行的景象。
    7 solicits 9cf2b44c11f1dc2fe4814e3f61a7f84d
    懇請(qǐng)
    參考例句:
    They were planning to solicit funds from a number of organizations. 他們正計(jì)劃向一些機(jī)構(gòu)募集資金。
    May I solicit your advice on a matter of some importance? 我有一件要事可以請(qǐng)教你嗎? 來(lái)自《簡(jiǎn)明英漢詞典》
    8 transpire dqayZ
    v.(使)蒸發(fā),(使)排出 ;泄露,公開(kāi)
    參考例句:
    We do not know what may transpire when we have a new boss.當(dāng)新老板來(lái)后,我們不知會(huì)有什么發(fā)生。
    When lack of water,commonly plants would transpire as a way for cool.在缺乏水分時(shí),植物一般用蒸發(fā)作為降溫的手段。
    9 consensus epMzA
    n.(意見(jiàn)等的)一致,一致同意,共識(shí)
    參考例句:
    Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我們能在這個(gè)問(wèn)題上取得一致意見(jiàn)嗎?
    What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午會(huì)議上一致的意見(jiàn)是什么?
    10 remains 1kMzTy
    n.剩余物,殘留物;遺體,遺跡
    參考例句:
    He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
    The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.殘羹剩飯喂狗了。
    11 labor P9Tzs
    n.勞動(dòng),努力,工作,勞工;分娩;vi.勞動(dòng),努力,苦干;vt.詳細(xì)分析;麻煩
    參考例句:
    We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我們從不延誤付給他勞動(dòng)報(bào)酬。
    He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艱苦勞動(dòng)兩周后,他已經(jīng)疲憊不堪了。
    12 coordinator Gvazk6
    n.協(xié)調(diào)人
    參考例句:
    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 聯(lián)合國(guó)人道主義事務(wù)協(xié)調(diào)廳在緊急救濟(jì)協(xié)調(diào)員領(lǐng)導(dǎo)下,負(fù)責(zé)協(xié)調(diào)聯(lián)合國(guó)的所有緊急救濟(jì)工作。
    How am I supposed to find the client-relations coordinator? 我怎么才能找到客戶關(guān)系協(xié)調(diào)員的辦公室?
    13 stewardess BUkzw
    n.空中小姐,女乘務(wù)員
    參考例句:
    Please show your ticket to the stewardess when you board the plane.登機(jī)時(shí)請(qǐng)向空中小姐出示機(jī)票。
    The stewardess hurried the passengers onto the plane.空中小姐催乘客趕快登機(jī)。
    14 stewardesses 1d7231e44b525dfb926043ab47aac26c
    (飛機(jī)上的)女服務(wù)員,空中小姐( stewardess的名詞復(fù)數(shù) )
    參考例句:
    If you need help, stewardesses will be pleased to help you. 如果你需要幫忙的話,空中小姐會(huì)很高興為你效勞。
    Stewardesses on planes should be employed for their ability, not for their looks. 應(yīng)該根據(jù)能力而不是容貌來(lái)錄用飛機(jī)上的女服務(wù)員。
    15 salesperson 7Yoxa
    n.售貨員,營(yíng)業(yè)員,店員
    參考例句:
    A salesperson works in a shop.售貨員在商店工作。
    Vanessa is a salesperson in a woman's wear department.凡妮莎是女裝部的售貨員。
    16 postal EP0xt
    adj.郵政的,郵局的
    參考例句:
    A postal network now covers the whole country.郵路遍及全國(guó)。
    Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用郵政編碼。
    17 supervisor RrZwv
    n.監(jiān)督人,管理人,檢查員,督學(xué),主管,導(dǎo)師
    參考例句:
    Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我們私下說(shuō),我認(rèn)為新來(lái)的主管人是一個(gè)傻瓜。
    He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他說(shuō)我太輕浮不能成為一名好的管理員。