中式英语之鉴6——7

抹茶圆子

Book Notes : Chapter 6 & 7
Reader: 董佳宜
Reading Time: 5 days

Chapter 6
Summary
It uncovers the sneaky habit of using too many words when fewer would do just fine. Imagine you’re trying to say something simple, but you end up adding extra words that don’t really add any meaning. That’s what this chapter is all about.

Take the phrase “make an improvement.” It’s like saying “do a do” – it’s just too much. You can simply say “improve.” Or how about “the current situation”? Unless you’re talking about a time machine that can change the past, “current” is usually obvious. Just say “the situation.” These little extra words might seem harmless, but they pile up and make your sentences clunky.

The author points out that this isn’t just about being wordy. It’s about clarity. When you use too many words, you’re not just making your reader work harder; you’re also making your ideas less clear. It’s like trying to see through a foggy window – you can kind of make out what’s there, but it’s not sharp and clear.

Reflection
Reading this chapter was like a lightbulb moment for me. I realized how often I’ve fallen into the trap of using extra words, thinking they make my writing sound more sophisticated. But really, they just make it harder to read. I’ve been guilty of saying things like “make a careful analysis” when I could just say “analyze carefully.” It’s like adding unnecessary layers to a cake – it might look fancy, but it’s just more to chew through.

I’ve also noticed this in a lot of formal writing, like academic papers or official documents. They’re full of phrases like “in the event of” when “if” would do just fine. It’s like the writers are trying to sound important, but they end up sounding confusing.

This chapter made me realize that good writing isn’t about using the most words; it’s about using the right words. It’s about being clear and direct, so your reader can understand your point without having to decode a bunch of extra fluff. It’s like stripping away the unnecessary layers and getting straight to the heart of what you’re trying to say.


Chapter 7: The Noun Plague

Summary
Chapter 7 takes on a big problem in Chinglish: the overuse of abstract nouns. You know how sometimes you read a sentence and it feels like you’re wading through a swamp of words? That’s often because of too many abstract nouns. These are words like “implementation” or “enhancement” that sound fancy but don’t really paint a clear picture.

The author gives a great example: “the prolongation of the temple’s existence.” It’s a mouthful, right? And it doesn’t really tell you much. But if you say “the temple has endured,” suddenly it’s clear and vivid. You can almost see the old stones standing strong against time.

Another issue is when nouns are used as adjectives in long strings. Think about “state-owned assets management department.” It’s like a tower of words that makes your brain do gymnastics to figure out what it means. But if you say “the department responsible for managing state-owned assets,” it’s like a breath of fresh air. Your brain can handle that.

The chapter argues that English is all about action and clarity. It’s better to use verbs and concrete words that show what’s happening, rather than hiding behind abstract nouns. It’s like choosing to walk instead of taking a slow, complicated bus route. The verb-based approach gets you there faster and more directly.

This chapter really hit home for me. I’ve seen so many examples of this “noun plague” in academic writing and official documents. It’s like people think using big, abstract words makes them sound smarter, but it just makes their writing harder to understand.

I’ve been guilty of it too. I used to think that using words like “utilization” instead of “use” made my writing more formal and sophisticated. But now I see that it just makes it harder to read. It’s like putting a fancy frame around a picture that’s already clear and beautiful on its own.

Reading this chapter made me realize that good writing is about making your ideas accessible. It’s about using words that bring your ideas to life, not burying them under a pile of abstract nouns. It’s like choosing to speak in a language that everyone can understand, rather than using a secret code that only a few people can decipher.