《中式英语之鉴》第三章读书笔记

不要问我为什么

Reading Notes on Chapter 3
  I. Core Views and Examples from the Original Text
    1. Unnecessary Modifiers
       -View: The book points out that Chinglish often includes unnecessary modifiers, such as redundant adjectives, adverbs, and self-evident modifiers, which complicate sentences and reduce clarity.
       -Examples:
       - Original sentence: “The serious mistake in the work of planning was corrected.”
       - Revised suggestion: “The mistake in the planning was corrected.”
    The author argues that “serious” is redundant because “mistake” already implies severity; “work of planning” can be simplified to “planning.”
      - Original sentence: “We must firmly believe in the necessity of reform.”
      - Revised suggestion: “We must believe in the necessity of reform.”
    The author notes that “firmly” adds no additional information in this context and can be omitted.
  
    2. Redundant Twins
      - View: Chinglish frequently repeats expressions with synonyms or near-synonyms, leading to redundancy.
      - Examples:
      - Original sentence: “The two sides reached an agreement on mutual cooperation.”
      - Revised suggestion: “The two sides reached an agreement on cooperation.”
    “Mutual” is redundant here because “cooperation” inherently implies involvement by both parties.
      - Original sentence: “We must make great efforts to achieve success.”
      - Revised suggestion: “We must strive for success.”
    “Make great efforts” and “achieve success” convey the same meaning, making the revised version more concise.
   
    3. Overuse of Intensifiers
      - View: Chinglish tends to overuse intensifiers (e.g., “very,” “extremely,” “totally”), which do not enhance the tone but instead make the expression cumbersome.
      - Examples:
     - Original sentence: “The situation is extremely serious.”
     - Revised suggestion: “The situation is serious.”
    “Serious” alone sufficiently conveys the gravity of the situation, making “extremely” redundant.
     - Original sentence: “We totally agree with the proposal.”
     - Revised suggestion: “We agree with the proposal.”
    “Agree” already encompasses the degree of agreement, rendering “totally” unnecessary.

  II. A Critical Perspective on the Author’s Views
    1. Contextual Dependence of Modifiers
      - Critical Analysis: While the author criticizes unnecessary modifiers, in certain contexts, modifiers are necessary to enhance precision or emphasize specific details.
      - Examples:
     - In technical or legal texts, precision is crucial, and modifiers may be indispensable. For example: “The exact measurements of the components are crucial for the success of the project.”
     - Reflection: The necessity of modifiers depends on the type of text and expression needs. While striving for conciseness, one should not overlook the function of modifiers in specific contexts.
   
    2. Cultural and Rhetorical Functions of Repetition
      - Critical Analysis: Repetition in Chinglish sometimes serves to emphasize or aligns with rhetorical devices in Chinese, which can be effective in literary or speech contexts.
      - Examples:
     - In speeches, repetition can enhance tone and emotional impact, e.g., “We must work together, side by side, to achieve our common goal.”
     - Reflection: While repetition might seem redundant, it has value in rhetoric and emphasis. In translation or writing, adjustments should be made based on the text's purpose and audience.

    3. Emotional Expression through Intensifiers
       - Critical Analysis: The author criticizes the overuse of intensifiers, but moderate use can express the speaker's emotions or attitudes, enhancing the impact of the expression.
       - Examples:
       - When expressing strong emotions, intensifiers are necessary, e.g., “I am extremely grateful for your help.”
       - Reflection: The key is to use them moderately and avoid over-reliance. The use of intensifiers should be adjusted according to the intensity of emotion and the style of the text.

    4. Cultural Differences and Language Habits
      - Critical Analysis: Some instances of modifiers and repetition in Chinglish stem from differences in Chinese and English expression habits. Chinese tends to use modifiers to enrich expression and politeness.
      - Examples:
      - In Chinese, “非常感谢您” might naturally translate to “Thank you very much,” even though “Thank you” suffices to express gratitude.
      - Reflection: In translation and writing, consider the cultural background and expression habits of the target language, avoiding mechanically removing all modifiers and repetitions.

   III. Personal Reflections
     Through reading Chapter Three, I recognized that unnecessary modifiers, redundant repetition, and overuse of intensifiers are common issues in Chinglish, reflecting differences in Chinese and English expression habits. However, the author’s views need to be contextualized and considered against cultural backgrounds:
  1. Flexible Handling of Modifiers: While aiming for conciseness, one should not overlook the function of modifiers in specific contexts, such as precision and emotional expression.
  2. Rhetorical Value of Repetition: Repetition has unique value in rhetoric and emphasis and should be adjusted based on the text’s purpose and audience.
  3. Moderate Use of Intensifiers: Moderate use of intensifiers can enhance the emotional impact of the expression, with the key being to avoid over-reliance.
  4. Respect for Cultural Differences: In translation and writing, respect the differences in Chinese and English expression habits and avoid mechanically applying English grammar rules.

    Chapter 3 reminds us that while improving the accuracy and naturalness of English expression, we should also consider the diversity and cultural differences of languages to achieve clear and expressive communication. By critically absorbing the insights from the book and flexibly applying them to specific contexts, we can effectively improve the quality of English writing and translation.