中式英语之鉴PART2

那艺娜

Reader:唐璐
Reading Time:3.16-3.30
Reading Task:中式英语之鉴Part 2
Pinkham highlights how Chinese rhetorical habits, such as repetitive phrasing and redundant modifiers, often lead to convoluted English sentences. For instance, translating "加快经济发展的脚步" as *accelerate the pace of economic development* introduces redundancy, as "accelerate" already implies "speed." The revised *accelerate economic development* removes the unnecessary "pace" . This principle extends to eliminating "filler" words (e.g., *the fact that*, *very necessary*) and overly abstract nouns, which obscure meaning. Such revisions not only streamline sentences but also align them with Western preferences for brevity .  

A key takeaway is the importance of logical sentence architecture. Pinkham critiques the Chinese tendency to prioritize context over main ideas, resulting in English sentences that bury key points. For example, rewriting *Due to the fact that it rained heavily, the event was postponed* as *The event was postponed because of heavy rain* shifts focus to the outcome, mirroring English’s subject-driven logic . Additionally, she advises against using noun clusters (e.g., *infrastructure construction*) and encourages dynamic verb-based phrasing (e.g., *expand infrastructure*) to enhance readability .  

Part II strongly advocates for active voice and verbs over passive constructions or nominalizations. Pinkham argues that overusing nouns (e.g., *conduct an investigation*) instead of verbs (e.g., *investigate*) creates stiffness. This aligns with the "Plain English" movement, which prioritizes action-oriented language for clarity . However, she acknowledges that passive voice remains appropriate in contexts like academic or technical writing, where objectivity is key. This nuanced approach ensures flexibility while maintaining core principles .  

The section underscores the cultural roots of "Chinglish." Direct translations of Chinese idioms or political terms (e.g., *spiritual civilization*) often fail to resonate with English audiences. Pinkham suggests adaptive translations (e.g., *cultural and ethical values*) that convey intent without literal fidelity . This reflects her deep understanding of both languages, honed through years of editing Chinese political and literary translations .  

While Pinkham’s guidelines are invaluable, some readers note that her examples—drawn from official Chinese texts—may feel outdated or overly formal . Additionally, her focus on "correctness" occasionally overlooks stylistic diversity. For instance, creative writing might intentionally bend rules for effect, a caveat Pinkham briefly acknowledges but does not deeply explore .