郭岱宗(英文系副教授)
一、學寫漂亮句子
我們一開口、一下筆,英文造詣即無所遁形。太多人在寫作時,浪費篇幅;在筆譯時,浪費篇幅;在口譯時,浪費時間。其中最大的障礙,就是句子太弱。以下的英文雖然適於會話,但是用於寫作,則顯地幼稚。請將它們修改為比較精湛成熟的句子。
1. 他感到很失望,所以他一個字都不說。
He feels very disappointed, so he doesn't say a word.
2. 他沒娶她?這真令人驚訝!
He didn't marry her? What a surprise!
3. 他一輩子都誠實,所以大家都信任他。
He has been honest for the whole life; therefore, everybody trusts him.
4. 我不管你說什麼,反正我就是要去!
I don't care what you say. I will go anyway!
5. (舉一反三)
我不管你的心情如何,反正你不能偷懶。
I don't care how you feel, you cannot be lazy anyway!
6. 我不贊成,為了一時方便而說謊。
I disagree with telling lies for convenience at the time.
二、答案:
1. Disappointedly, he remains speechless.
解析:「失望」是被動語態,所以把動詞改為過去分詞,再加上ly,則成為修飾全句的副詞。
2. Surprisingly, he didn't marry her.
解析:「令人驚訝」是主動語態,所以把動詞改為現在分詞,再加ly,就成為修飾全句的副詞。
3. His lifelong honesty has won people's trust.
主詞
解析:1.把中文的第一句當作主詞,使全句更清楚。
2.動詞用〝win〞,才有力量,在此須用完成式。
4. Whatever you say won't change my decision
主詞
of going.
解析:1.把中文的第一句當作主詞,全句意義更清楚。
2.動詞用 "won't change mydecision",才有力量。
5. Your state of mind can't justify your laziness.
解析:1.主詞改為〝Your state of mind〞,全句更紮實。
2.動詞用 "can't justify",才有力量。
* justify:使合理化
6. I wouldn't recommend expedientdishonesty.
解析:這樣的句子精簡有力,又優美。
* expedient []:權宜之計的