《中式英语之鉴》笔记(二)

2 人赞同了该文章

I. Unnecessary Nouns and Verbs(不必要的名词和动词)


Nouns(名词)

A.  特征

中式英语中的不必要名词一般不是单独出现,而是伴随着冠词和介词,以短语形式出现。因此删除时,要把冠词和介词一同删除


B. 类型及解决方法

1. Redundant nouns(冗余名词)

这类词很容易识别,因为它们的意义早已包含或显现在句子的其他成分里了。

下面是两个例句,A句为中式英语,B为修改后的版本,括号内为注解。随后的例句均为此形式。


A: there have been good harvest in agriculture

B: there have been good harvest

[“Harvest” implies agriculture: there are no harvests in industry.]


A: the development of our economy in the future will, to a large extent, depend on...

B: the development of our economy will depend to a large extent on...

[The future tense of the verb(“will depend”)is sufficient to express futurity]


2. Empty nouns(无意义名词)

无意义名词较难发觉,删掉这类名词并不影响句意,反而会让句子变得更清晰。


A: following the realization of mechanization and electrification of agriculture

B: following the mechanization and electrification of agriculture


A: at that time the situation in northeast China was still one where the enemy was stronger than the people’s forces.

B: at that time the enemy was still stronger than the people’s forces in northeast China.

[“situation” is a particularly dangerous noun. Not only is it generally unnecessary, but it drags other unnecessary elements after it (in this instance, ”one where”]


3. Category nouns(范畴词)

范畴词值得特别注意,因为它是中式英语中最常见的不必要名词。它的存在只是为了引出更具体的名词。


A: a serous mistake in the work of planning

B: a serous mistake in planning


A: to ensure a relationship of close cooperation between...

B: to ensure close cooperation between...


动词(Verbs)

大多数不必要的中式英语也通常以短语出现,主要有两种类型。

Unnecessary verb + noun(不必要动词 + 名词)

Unnecessary verb + unnecessary noun + third word(不必要动词 + 不必要名词 + 其他词)


1. Unnec. Verb + noun

A: we must make an improvement in our work”

B: we must improve in our work

在这个句子中动词”make”是一个弱动词,万能,无感情色彩,也没有具体含义,而真正的动作体现在名词“improvement”上。

要修正这类结构,删去不必要词汇,使用明晰的动词代替即可。


A: An improvement must be made in our work.

B: our work must be improved.

这个结构也会以被动语态出现,但解决方法一样。


类似例子

To have a dislike for = to dislike

To have a trust in = to trust

To give guidance to = guide

...


2. Unnec. Verb + unnec. Noun + third word

A: our efforts to reach the goal of modernization

B: our efforts to modernize

在上个结构里,宽泛模糊的动词无法明确表达具体的动作,将这一任务转移给了名词。第二种结构,动词 ”reach” 和名词 “goal” 都无法承担这一任务(“goal” 其实是范畴词),因此这一任务要由其他词 ”modernization” 完 成。


A: this measure will have a restrictive effect on the activities of speculators

B: this measure will restrict the activities of speculators

有时候要承担动词任务的其他词不是名词,而是形容词, ”restrictive”。


A: we failed to take care to ensure that there must be an all-round balance between the various planned targets

B: we failed to ensure an all-round balance between the planned targets

有时候这个词也会是动词,”ensure”。

PS:”there must be” 和 ”ensure” 意义重复。因为 ”targets” 是复数,”various” 并没有为句子增添新意。


Overworked introductory verb phrase( 过度引入动词词组)

这些动词词组重复太多,力量不断削弱,以至于不能达到强调的目的。而真正要表达的动作也因为累赘的形式失去了读者的注意。


A warning about revision (修改时的注意点)

前面举出的例子出现时十有八九都是多余的,但删除前也要进行合理判断。


At present it is necessary to,

"at present"可能确实在强调暂时性


We must make great efforts in education

"make great efforts"在句子中确实是合理的。

发布于 2020-06-05 18:13:23
还没有评论
    旗渡客服