Chapter12-13

木榕

Reader:陶迎转
Reading Time:4.18-4.20
Reading Task:chapter 12-13
Chapter 12  focuses on the importance of logical connectives in English sentences.It highlights that Chinese often omits logical connectives that are essential in English for clear and coherent communication. then it discusses various types of logical connectives, including those for addition (e.g. and, moreover), contrast (e.g.but, on the contrary), cause and effect (e.g. because, thus), similarity (e.g. likewise, similarly), purpose (e.g. in order that, to this end), time sequence  and logical sequence The chapter also covers common pitfalls in using logical connectives, such as ambiguous usage of "while" and "with," and provides examples of how to correct these errors.This chapter focuses on the misuse and redundancy of logical conjunctions. The book points out that Chinglish often overuses conjunctions or confuses their logical relationships.
The author emphasizes that English needs to precisely convey logic (such as contrast, causality, progression, etc.) through conjunctions, while Chinese can imply logic through context.
Comment:
Precise problem positioning: Directly addressing the misunderstanding of Chinese learners who "abuse conjunctions to show their advanced status" (such as the abuse of "furthermore"). Chapter content classification and analysis: Conjunctions are classified by function (progressive, contrastive, cause-and-effect, etc.), and examples are provided to illustrate the applicable scenarios. The principle of "making implicit logic explicit" is proposed, that is, English should actively use conjunctions to explicitly express logic instead of relying on readers' inferences.
Reflection:
The misuse of "thus" or "hence" in the paper may distort the logical chain of research conclusions.
Oral expression optimization: Avoid "and then..." in English speeches. and then…” Use more precise words like "subsequently" and "consequently" instead.
Summing It All Up:
Chapter 13 serves as a conclusion to the book, summarizing the key points discussed in previous chapters. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding unnecessary words and improving sentence structure to produce clear and concise English. The author reviews concepts like noun plague, redundant modifiers, and dangling modifiers, and offers practical advice on how to refine English expressions. The chapter also includes additional examples and exercises for readers to practice.This chapter integrates the core viewpoints of the previous four chapters and emphasizes the synergistic role of "grammatical correctness" and "logical clarity" in English expression. Through comprehensive case analysis in the book, it demonstrates how to combine rules such as the position of modifiers, parallel structures, and logical conjunctions to eliminate typical problems in Chinglish.
Evaluation:
The theme of these chapters is the improvement of English writing by avoiding common pitfalls that arise from direct translation from Chinese. Pinkham's ideas are grounded in a deep understanding of both languages and their respective rhetorical conventions. She emphasizes the importance of logical connectives in English, which is crucial for effective communication. The conclusion chapter effectively ties together the various topics covered in the book, providing a comprehensive guide to avoiding Chinglish.

Reflection: After reading Chapter 13, I have come to realize more profoundly the importance of avoiding ChingingEnglish and improving my English writing and translation skills. Through the previous study, I have mastered some methods and strategies to avoid Chinglish, but in practical application, continuous practice and consolidation are still needed. The two chapters have provided me with valuable insights into the challenges of translating between Chinese and English. The emphasis on logical connectives has made me realize how crucial they are for conveying meaning accurately and coherently in English. In my future translation practice, I will pay closer attention to ensuring that logical connectives are used appropriately and not omitted, as they often are in Chinese.

The discussion on avoiding unnecessary words and improving sentence structure has also been enlightening. It has made me aware of the tendency in Chinese to use more words than necessary, which can lead to cumbersome and unclear English sentences. I will strive to simplify my translations by eliminating redundant words and focusing on clear, concise expressions. Learning the summary content of this chapter is beneficial for me to narrow the gap of thinking differences between Chinese and English. I plan to incorporate these exercises into my study routine to further improve my translation skills.