第4章　简明英语的基本原则

简明英语首先要求确定写作的目的和读者群，根据读者的需求和知识水平，确定写作的内容和风格。

从简明英语运动的发展来看，简明英语一直是面向大众的英语。

由于大众的受教育程度不一定很高，所以，简明英语从内容、句式到用词，都力图做到清晰易懂、言简意赅；形式上做到一目了然。

简明英语不仅受到一般公众的欢迎，也受到专业人士喜爱，所以，即使撰写学术论文，也提倡使用简明英语。

一、篇章布局合理

简明英语要有清楚的条理。

如果要传达的信息很多，一定要把信息拆分成符合逻辑的信息单元。

每个单元使用标题和小标题。标题和小标题要有内容，不仅仅是为了打破文件形式的单调。

对于每一个信息单元，应当首先陈述要点，然后予以解释和论证。

遇到复杂的信息，要使用列表(bullet points)，或举例、画图加以解释。

二、言简意赅

“Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.”

—William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style

简明英语的一个重要特点是言简意赅，要言不烦。

文件是否受到重视，不在于它的长短。很多国际机构和政府部门就明确规定不接受过长的文件。

要缩短文件，做到言简意赅，可以从很多小的地方着手：

1．避免重复

(1) 已经说过的，不再说；读者知道的，不再说；读者可以推知的，不再说。

(2) 消除意思重复，可以使用以下手段：

①两个词意思相同的，只留一个

英语中有一些同义词对(redundant pairs)，其中一个来自法语或拉丁语，意思几乎相同，使用时只需保留一个简单的。例：

full and complete, true and accurate, hopes and desires, each and every, first and foremost, any and all, various and sundry, basic and fundamental, so on and so forth.

②修饰语的意思已经被隐含的，不用修饰语

有些修饰语的意思已经包含在中心词里(redundant modifiers)，应当去掉该修饰语，例：

The end result of this merger will be higher unemployment. (end)

the underlying principle of this document(underlying)

③词本身已经隐含其范畴的，不用范畴词

a. 通常，一个词本身就可表明其范畴(类别)(redundant categories)，所以不必再用表示范畴的词。例：

time的范畴是period，所以不用说time period；同样，不用说pink in color, shiny in appearance。

b. 有时，可以把形容词变为副词，以消除范畴词。例：

The holes must be aligned in an accurate manner.

【改写】The holes must be accurately aligned.

c. 有时，可以形容词变为名词，把多余的名词去掉。例：

The educational process and athletic activities are the responsibility of county governmental systems.

【改写】Education and athletics are the responsibility of county governments.

④避免冗长的表达方式和“慢启动”句子

有些表达方式(元话语)，没有很大实际意义，只是推迟主要意思的到来，应当尽量不用或少用。例：

For all intents and purposes, American industrial productivity generally depends on certain factors that are really more psychological in kind than of any given technological aspect.

【改写】American industrial productivity depends more on psychological than on technological factors.

类似的词还有：

usually, often, sometimes, almost, virtually, possibly, perhaps, apparently, seemingly, in some ways, to a certain extent, sort of, somewhat, more or less, for the most part, to all intents and purposes, in some respects, in my opinion, at least, may, might, can, could, seem, tend, try, attempt, seek, hope.

as everyone knows, it is generally agreed that, it is quite true that, as we can plainly see, literally, clearly, obviously, undoubtedly, certainly, of course, indeed, inevitably, very, invariably, always, key, central, crucial, basic, fundamental, major, cardinal, primary, principal, essential.

2．直截了当

有些文章故弄玄虚，把简单的问题复杂化、抽象化，这是简明英语所应避免的。例：

Pursuant to the recent memorandum issued August 9, 1996, because of financial exigencies, it is incumbent upon us all to endeavor to make maximal utilization of telephonic communication in lieu of personal visitation.

【改写】As reported in our August 9 memo, use the telephone as much as possible, instead of making personal visits, to save the company money.

三、信息流动通畅

在写作时，要把先发生的事情或己知的内容(旧信息)放在前面，把新信息放在后面。

排列顺序不当，违反人的认识规律，可能会造成理解困难，有时需要读几遍才能掌握句子强调的重点，有时可能无法读懂(口头交流时可以不遵守这一规律，因为可以通过较重的语调表示强调)。

写作和翻译时可以采用以下方法排列信息：

1．指出每个施动者，按逻辑顺序叙述各项动作。例：

Its decision on allocation of ESF assistance will be taken subsequent to receipt of all project applications at the Committee’s meeting.

【改写】When all applicants have submitted their project applications, the Committee will meet to decide how much ESF aid it will grant to each one.

这条规则不可绝对化。英语把时间、条件、原因状语放在后面的例子同样常见。

谁先谁后，取决于上下文的衔接(见下一条规则)。脱离上下文，无论怎样排列都可以。

这是一条处理句子信息结构的规则；至于段落的信息结构，则是首先提出问题，然后回答问题。

2．保证段落各句层层推进

把旧信息或已知信息放在句首，新信息或复杂信息放在句末，可以使论述层层推进，帮助读者抓住论证的线索。例：

The court of auditors’ report criticizes agricultural spending and proposes some new measures to prevent fraud.

Their proposals include setting up a special task force with powers to searchfarms.

Such powers are not normally granted to Commission officials, but fraud prevention is now one of the EU’s main priorities.

3．句子的结尾要有力

(1) 如有必要，把不重要的信息移向句子左侧，避免有气无力的结尾。例：

Complete institutional reform is advocated by the report in most cases.

【改写】What the report advocates, in most cases, is complete institutional reform.

(2) 通过其他手段把句子重心后移。例：

For EU enlargement several alternative scenarios could be considered.

【改写】There are several scenarios that we could consider for EU enlargement.

读者或听众印象最深的，是最后看到的或听到的。

四、使用短句

1．用简单的句型

(1)There are three common types of splices that are used in electrical connections.

【改写】Three types of splices are used in electrical connections.

(2) It is important that all employees read the safety handbook.

【改写】All employees must read the safety handbook.

(3) There are three other considerations that outweigh…

【改写】Three other considerations outweigh…

2．限制句子长度

根据美国证券和交易委员会编写的写作手册，句子平均长度应为15—20个单词，句子要长短结合，长句不超过三项信息。例：

If you could let me have the latest typed version of the form in the next seven days, whereupon I suggest we meet here on 19 December to finalize the text so that you could then give me an estimate of the cost of producing a typeset proof.

【改写】Please let me have the latest typed version of the form in the next seven days. I suggest we meet here on 19 December to finalize the text. You could then give me an estimate of the cost of producing a typeset proof.

五、多用主动语态

1．主动语态简短、清楚；被动语态较长，有时意思不清。主动语态应占90%。在10%的情况下，使用被动语态更合适。例：

New guidelines have been laid down by the President in the hope that the length of documents submitted by DGs will be restricted to 20 pages.

【改写】The President has laid down new guidelines in the hope that DGs will restrict the length of documents to 20 pages.

2．被动语态在某些情况下可以使用。

(1) 施动者显而易见，没有必要说明：

All Commission staff are encouraged to write clearly.

(2) 提请读者注意动作的接受者：

One of the most controversial members of the European Parliament has been interviewed by the press about the proposal.

(3) 需要把新奇或重要的信息放在句末：

After the Summit the President was interviewed by a ten-year-old pupil from the European School.

(4) 如果想逃避责任，可以用被动语态：

“In my department the advice on clear English has been disregarded.’’

六、使用强势动词，避免把动词变为名词

避免使用动词变来的名词；把动词变来的名词转为动词。例：

1．I will make adjustments to the procedure

【改写】I will adjust the procedure

2．Upon the approval of your request

【改写】When (If) your request is approved

3．Before consideration can be given to X

【改写】Before we can consider X

4．Indication was made in your letter that

【改写】Your letter indicated that

使用强势动词也使句子更简洁。

七、使用读者熟悉的词汇

1．避免使用大词、抽象词、行话、拉丁语、流行词、外来语、古语。例：

避免使用：

Afore-mentioned, aforesaid, hereby, herein, hereinafter, hereinbefore, hereunto, pursuant, thenceforth, thereunto, wheresoever, whereas, whereof, whosoever

2．一个词可以说清楚的，不用短语。例：

(1)

(2) the reason for

for the reason that

due to the fact that owing to the fact that

in light of the fact that

considering the fact that

on the grounds that

this is why

可以变为because, since, why

(3) despite the fact that

regardless of the fact that

notwithstanding the fact that

可以变为although, even though

八、避免含糊不清

1．避免修饰语放错位置。例：

The Deputy Minister cancelled her appointment to tour the drought-stricken area.

【改写】The Deputy Minister cancelled her appointment so she could tour the drought-stricken area.

2．避免连续使用两个以上的介词短语

He discussed the question of stocking the proposed hog operations with his associates.

【改写】He and his associates discussed the question of stocking the proposed hog operation.

3．使用单数名词，不使用复数

The guard shall issue security badges to employees who work in Building D and Building E.

【改写】The guard shall issue a security badge to each employee who works in Building D and each employee who works in Building E.

除非表示：The guard shall issue a security badge to each employee who works in both Building D and Building E. (还可能有其他意思)

4．避免一连串的名词修饰名词

名词修饰名词造成名词之间逻辑关系不清。使用介词澄清各词之间的关系。例：

Underground mine worker safety protection procedures development

【改写】Developing procedures to protect the safety ofworkers in underground mines

九、用人称代词拉近与读者距离

使用人称代词，如you, I, we等，拉近与读者的距离。把自己的机构称为we，把读者称为you。例：

An information helpline is also operated by ABC Hospital Trust for the convenience of patients.

【改写】We also operate an information helpline for your convenience.

十、避免涉嫌性别歧视的说法

1．表示职业的词，使用中性词。例：

Fireman—fireperson is awkward, but firefighter is not

Policeman—policeperson sounds silly, but police officer sounds natural

2．用好代词：

英语中有些句子不好处理，如Everyone must do his work. 语法上正确，但属于性别歧视语言。

此类问题有三种处理方法：

·使用their：Every officer must do their best. 语法上虽然不正确，但语感上过得去。

·使用his或her：这种用法很安全，但不能总用，因为比较拗口。

·用复数代替单数：All officers must do their best. 这种解决方法最好，但不是每个地方都适用。有时为了精确，必须使用单数。

所以，也许三种办法应结合使用。

十一、避免否定的表达方式，尤其是双重否定

在阅读否定句时，读者需要把它变为肯定句才容易理解，不如肯定句直截了当。

有不少否定的意思可以用肯定的方式来表达：

not many = few

not the same = different

not different = alike/similar

did not = failed to

does not have = lacks

did not stay = left

It is not uncommon for applications to be rejected, so do not complain unless you are safe you have not completed yours incorrectly.

【改写】It is quite common for applications to be rejected, so complain only if you are sure you have completed yours correctly.

十二、外观设计醒目

良好的文件设计包括：

·留有足够的空白。较宽的行距和较大的字体便于阅读。每行字符数量以50—70个为宜。

·避免全部使用大写字母和下划线。使用小写字母黑体或变换字体表示强调，不要使用全大写。

全大写和下划线不利于阅读。全大写仅限于题目和标题。

·使用Times New Roman，Century Schoolbook，甚至Courier等字体。这些字体的字母带有小尾巴，易于辨认。

·最后，使用左对齐，不要使用两端对齐。缺乏变化使眼睛容易疲劳。

十三、“人物加动作”——简明英语

1．人物加动作原则是指把句子的主语留给动作的执行者，把谓语留给关键动作。例：

(1) Our lack of knowledge about local conditions precluded determination of committee action effectiveness in fund allocation to those areas in greatest need of assistance.

【解析】在本句中，人物有we(从句子中的our可以推断出)；有the committee(可能就是we)；有area。但our，committee，area都不是主语。这句话的主语是一个抽象名词：our lack of knowledge，后面跟着一个模糊的动词precluded。

动作不是由动词表示的，而是用抽象名词表示的：lack，knowledge，determination，action，allocation，assistance，need。

本句没有把人物放在主语的位置，没有用动词表示关键的动作，从而违反了“人物加动作”的原则。

(2) Because we knew nothing about local conditions, we could not determine how effectively the committee had allocated funds to areas that most needed assistance.

【解析】We是knew和could not determine的共同主语：Because we knew nothing…，we could not determine…The committee是动词had allocated的主语：…the committee had allocated…

虽然area仍然是介词宾语(to areas)，它同时也是needed的主语：areas that most needed assistance

动作都是由动词表示的：we knew nothing，we could not determine，the committee allocated，areas needed。只有一个动作仍由名词表示：assistance。

本句把人物放在了主语的位置，用动词表示关键动作，因而符合“人物加动作”的原则。

2．“人物”的种类很多。最重要的是动作的发出者(包括比喻性质的)。例：

Faculties of national eminence do not always teach well.

Mayor Daley built Chicago into a giant among cities.

The White House announced today the President’s schedule.

The business sector is cooperating.

Many instances of malignant tumors fail to seek attention.

3．有时，我们用动作执行者的“工具”，而不是动作执行者作句子的主语。例：

Studies of coal production reveal these figures.

These new data establish the need for more detailed analysis.

This evidence proves my theory.

如果用真正的动作执行者，就是：

When we study coal production, we find these figures.

I have established through these new data that we must analyze the problem in more detail.

With this evidence I prove my theory.

4．没有必要把“人物加动作”的原则绝对化。

符合“人物加动作”原则的句子，可以满足简明英语的数项要求。例：

(1) 信息流动更加通畅。例：

The closure of the branch and the transfer of its business and non-unionized employees constituted an unfair labor practice because the purpose of obtaining an economic benefit by means of discouraging unionization motivated the closure and transfer.

【改写】The partners committed an unfair labor practice when they closed the branch and transferred its business and non-unionized employees in order to discourage unionization and thereby obtain an economic benefit.

【解析】在原句中，所有动作都由抽象名词表示，通过介词把名词串连起来，从而打乱了动作的先后顺序；而改写后遵守了人物加动作的原则，更符合事物发展的逻辑顺序。

(2) 被迫使用连接词。例：

The more effective representation of needs by other agencies resulted in our failure in acquiring federal funds, despite intensive lobbying efforts on our part.

【改写】Although we lobbied Congress intensively, we could not acquire federal funds because other interests presented their needs more effectively.

【解析】在改写句中，由于人物加动作原则的使用，迫使我们通过连接词表示句子的逻辑关系，从而使意思更加清楚。

(3) 明确句子逻辑关系。例：

There has been affirmative decision for program termination.

【改写】The director decided to terminate the program.

(4) 使用了强势动词。例：

An evaluation of the program by us will allow greater efficiency in service to clients.

【改写】We will evaluate the program so that we can serve clients better.

(5) 句子必然变短

句子长关系不大，关键是要符合人物加动作的原则。但遵守这一原则的必然结果是句子变短。