中式英语(Chinglish)指带有汉语词汇、语法、表达习惯的英语,是一种具有中国特色的语言。
在使用英语时,因受汉语思维方式或文化的影响而拼造出不符合英语表达习惯的,具有中国特征的英语。这是中国人在学习英语过程中出现的,是必然的一种语言现象。本文总结了几种常见中式英语(Chinglish)的特点,从而帮助读者能写出更加规范和正宗的英语。
Part One: 词汇
核心要义:“如果一个词在句子中没有发挥任何作用,那它就应该被删掉”。
名词
1、形容词+名词,有时候可以用单个名词表达;
Before: Competitive advantages After: Competitiveness
Before:shinning points After:strengths
2、抽象名词通常是不必要的,要多加观察和思考;
Before:Consumption pattern After: Consumption 消费(模式)
Before: assignment about the ethics case After: assignment on ethics 道德伦理(情况)
句子中其他成分里已经包括了一个名词的含义,这个名词就是多余的;
Before: Driven by the curiosity of finding the answers. After: Driven by curiosity
注意 some noun of noun 这种结构, 可以直接noun+noun
Before: the structure of each language After: language structure
Before: refer to materials of the company After: refer to the company’s materials
Before: behavioural patterns of human beings After: human beings’ behavioural patterns
3、地道用词
Before:research attitude After:research mindset
Before: past twenty years After: last two decades
Before: learning enthusiasm After: aptitude
动词
1、万能动词 + 名词
此处动词之所以多余是因为他们没能承担「相应的动作」,反而这种责任是由后面名词完成的,因此不如直接把后面的名词给动词化。这些动词是易错对象:make,have,give,achieve,conduct, carry out;
Before:Tang Yubing prefers to make exhaustive analysis research from different angles.
After:Tang Yubing prefers to exhaustively analyze research from different angles.
2、多余动词+多余名词 (+第三个词)
此时,不仅动词没能表达特定含义,连后面的名词也放弃治疗了,导致这一个动词和一个名词表达的含义都十分模糊。那么,只能由第三个词来承担表示确切含义的责任。
Before: reach the goal of modernization After: to modernize
3、动词+动词 可以直接动词替换
Before: Another unforgettable experience let me see the pivotal role of in-depth study of Chinese culture.
After: Another unforgettable experience exposed me to the pivotal role of in-depth study of Chinese culture.
4、地道用词
Before:Study management After:Major in management
Before:see a bigger world After:discover a bigger world
Before: add managerial knowledge After: improve managerial knowledge
Before: I feel delighted to recommend Miss LI After: I am delighted to recommend Miss LI
Before: I was pleased to know that Li After: I was pleased to discover that Li
修饰词
1、冗余修饰词
某些修饰词的含义已经蕴含于被修饰词中
His own opinions (如果不是用于特别强调是「他」的,就是多余的)
His individual views
valuable asset (a person or thing that is valuable or useful to somebody/something)
my deeper exploration (不用比较级的情况下是可接受的)
时间副词:有些动词已经暗含时间状态了
Previously...we used to
2、程度词 往往会在情绪、主动性上使用过度
her stunning success
Heated debate
Before: extremely important After: essential
Before: absolutely want to After: were determined to
Before: after actively communicating with the other students in class discussions
After: after lively discussions with his classmates
to successfully accomplish
felt very honoured
It is quite important to ....
The impact will be quite huge
代词
中式英语中代词也是最容易被用错的一类词。汉语里代词的划分其实不如英语多,因此,英语中有些代词在汉语中并没有明确的翻译方法,Chinglish中就会出现很多代词使用不正确的现象。
但代词的正确用法其实也非常简单,一言以蔽之就是:每个代词必须指向一个先行词,即代词是指代的谁。
每个代词所替代的,就是那个先行词了。而先行词的正确用法为:要被明确写出、无二义、与代词近、语法正确。
Before: I will take advantage of your well-designed modules, especially those combine music, film, and audio technologies closely, such as Creating with Technology, Sound Shaping Design, Audiovisual Composition, Field recording etc. (those后面接的是一个句子,缺少关系代词)
After: I will take advantage of your well-designed modules, especially those that combine music, film, and audio technologies closely, such as Creating with Technology, Sound Shaping Design, and Audiovisual Composition, Field recording etc.
Before: Besides, Reid School of Music is equipped with Alison House, Reid Studio, two 360 audio mixing spaces and other advanced hardware and software equipment, which are conducive to sound studies. (指代不明)
After: The Reid School of Music is equipped with Alison House, Reid Studio, two 360 audio mixing spaces and other advanced hardware and software equipment, all of which will be assets to my studies.
冗余双生词
两个含义相同的词并列使用,虽在中文中能加强语气避免歧义,但英语中完全是不必要的。
因此,要注意第二个词是否真的补充了第一个词的含义,以及只有一个词是否就能恰当地表达原文意思,再对这类错误进行甄别。
如何消除冗余
最简单的方法是:删去其中一个,或选另外一个词替换这俩词。若这种方法不能达到等价替代的效果,则对原有表达进行扩充,使其含义更精确。
help and assistance
in a clear logic and rigorous structure
showed their doubt and objection to my decision
preciseness and rigor
Part Two: 句子
从句赘余
在英文中,一句话能讲清楚的尽量不要借助从句让中心思想变得模糊不清。
处理方法:针对冗长的句子,可以分成简单句或者非谓语动词的形式。
Before: Driven by my professional aspirations, I set my goal of studying economics at the postgraduate courses, for which I have made various preparations.
After: Driven by my professional aspirations, I have made great efforts to achieve my goal of studying economics at postgraduate level.
「make preparations」就是为了获得研究生学习的资格,和「goal」表意一致可以合并,无需从句
Before: Among all subjects, I showed a preference for English, which is also the subject I am best at and most willing to spend time on.
After: During my school years, I always enjoyed and excelled at studying English.
受「中式表达」的影响,把「喜欢和擅长」英语讲的太复杂了
Before: Despite the fact that my major at that time was Management of Cultural Industries, I did not want my exploration in finance to just stop there.
After: Despite my major at the time being Management of Cultural Industries, I did not want my exploration of finance to just stop there.
「despite+名词」完全ok
Before: …, my independent research and technical leadership skills were also greatly strengthened, which gave me the confidence to take harder challenges in the postgraduate period. (一句话60个词)
After: …, my independent research and technical leadership skills were also greatly strengthened. These experiences have given me the confidence to take on harder challenges in the postgraduate period.
通过拆成两个简单句,分别突出个人技能和它们对深造的帮助。
平行结构
其实就是那些最常见的 and/or 连接两个从句的结构。而使用这种「排比」方法时,需要保证几部分都具有相同的语法成分(跟对对联、写诗一样)。
Before: I have observed his diligence and intelligence, and been sure that he would be a qualified candidate for your program. (前后不对称)
After: The diligence and intelligence he displayed during his time as my colleague makes him an excellently qualified candidate for your program。
逻辑连接
语句成分之间的连接(如also, in addition)在汉语中其实经常被忽略,去掉这些逻辑连接成分可能在汉语中无足轻重,但许多时候,这些成分往往是英语中比较关键的地方。英语中这些成分一定要「显式」地写出来。
Before: During our contact, I have been fully convinced of her personal quality and ability, which I believe will make her a deserving candidate for you.
After: During the time I have known Yanying, I have always been impressed by both her personal and professional qualities, therefore I believe she is a deserving candidate for your master’s program.
开篇太虚
汉语通常不把主要观点放在句子开头,而是把写作目的、地点、原因、事例或现状放在主题句,作为引言。但是这将削弱主要观点的重要性,使得读者认为作者没有直接切题。因此,主要的观点一定要将其放在句子的最开始部分,其后再陈述地点、原因等。
Before: To be specific, being interested in sound design, I hope to pursue further studies in this domain to prepare myself for my future career path.
After: I also hope to pursue further studies in order to prepare myself for my future career path.
总而言之,中式英语通常因受到汉语的影响,导致在单词选择、句子结构和表达方式上与英语习惯不符。本文从词汇和句子两部分分析了中式英语的常见错误,并提供了改正后的例子。旨在帮助读者通过识别和改正中式英语的特点,提升英语写作的规范性和地道性。