美國人寫作的三個原則(三)

字號:

He has made his(final)conclusion in his speech.(他在演說里做出結(jié)論。)(final 是多余的字,因為 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。)(actual 也是多余的字,因為 experience 已有 actual 的意味)
     We assembled(together)all the parts for our radio.(我們裝好收音機的零件。)(因為 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,因為 enclosed 就有 herewith 的意思。)(即:附上會議報告,請查收。)
     寫到這里,想起一位深受美國人民愛戴、一向主張不寫長句、不嚕蘇的美國已故參議員 Stephen Young,他每次受邀參加會議、演講、宴會時,他的回信只有三個字“我會到”(I'll be there)……。也有人打趣說:“講演或?qū)懽鞯木渥?,就像穿迷你裙,愈短愈好?!保↙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 后面動詞要用多數(shù),而 man 的后面動詞,則用單數(shù)。)
     Manpower seems not strong enough in developing our economy here.(發(fā)展這里的經(jīng)濟,似乎缺乏人力資源。)(如果說:Labor power seems not strong enough… 也就沒有“男性主義”的感覺??梢?manpower = labor power = work force = human resources)
     This small company hired a cleaning woman yesterday.(這個小公司昨天請來一名清潔女工。)(如果說:This small company hired an office cleaner…也就沒有男女之分了。)