《中式英语之鉴》第一章笔记

加菲猫

Upon delving into the first chapter of "The Translator's Guide to Chinglish" by Joan Pinkham and Jiang Yajun, I was struck by the insightful exploration of a common pitfall in Chinese English (Chinglish): the use of unnecessary nouns and verbs. This chapter shed light on a prevalent issue that often goes unnoticed, yet significantly hampers the clarity and fluency of English expressions crafted by Chinese speakers.
The authors adeptly identified two primary sentence patterns where this problem manifests: "Unnec. verb + noun" and "Unnec. verb + Unnec. noun + third word." Through numerous examples, they demonstrated how weak, generic verbs are frequently paired with nouns, resulting in verbose and convoluted sentences. For instance, the phrase "make an improvement" was critiqued for its redundancy, as the verb "make" adds no meaningful contribution to the noun "improvement." The simpler, more direct alternative, "improve," was advocated as a more effective choice.
This revelation was particularly enlightening for me, as I realized how often I had fallen into the trap of using such unnecessary verb-noun combinations in my own writing. The chapter prompted me to reflect on the importance of conciseness and precision in English expression, values that are sometimes overlooked in the pursuit of complexity.
Moreover, the authors' emphasis on the significance of context in language use resonated deeply with me. They argued that understanding the context is crucial for determining whether a noun or verb is necessary, a point that underscored the nuanced nature of language and the need for careful consideration in its application.
The practical approach of the chapter, with its abundant examples and detailed explanations, made the concepts easy to grasp and apply. The inclusion of exercises at the end of the chapter provided a valuable opportunity for reinforcement and self-assessment, allowing me to gauge my understanding and progress.
In conclusion, the first chapter of "The Translator's Guide to Chinglish" offered a profound and practical examination of unnecessary nouns and verbs in Chinglish. It has not only heightened my awareness of this common issue but also equipped me with the tools to rectify it. As I continue my journey in English language learning, I am confident that the insights gained from this chapter will guide me towards more accurate, fluent, and authentic expressions.