中式英语之鉴

红薯栗子

This section of The Translator's Guide to Chinglish focuses on how to handle repeated references to the same thing within a sentence or paragraph. It offers two main approaches: either dispensing with redundant information directly or modifying the repeated information that needs to be retained. When it comes to repeated noun phrases, which are of particular importance here, four main methods are introduced. These include eliminating modifiers, simplifying the noun phrase, substituting the repeated word with a pronoun, and in some cases, using initials to represent the repeated word.

What impresses me most is the practicality and meticulousness of these methods. For instance, in examples like "statistics show that from 1990 to 1994, 960,000 vehicles were imported, while four million were produced domestically", the redundancy of "vehicles" and "units" is effectively addressed by choosing one term to represent the concept, making the sentence more concise. This not only improves the clarity of the language but also adheres to the principle of efficient communication in English.

This part of the book makes me realize the significance of precision and conciseness in English writing. In Chinese, repetition is often used to strengthen meaning or create a certain rhythm, but in English, unnecessary repetition can make the text cumbersome and less elegant. We, as non - native English speakers, are prone to carrying over our mother - tongue habits, resulting in Chinglish. By following the methods in this section, we can gradually get rid of such habits and write more native - like English.

Moreover, it also prompts me to be more attentive to language nuances. When translating or writing in English, we need to consider not only whether the meaning is conveyed but also how to express it in the most appropriate and concise way. This requires continuous practice and a deeper understanding of English - language norms and cultural backgrounds. It's not just about avoiding repetition for the sake of it, but about using language in a way that maximizes clarity and impact.