Part Two: Ⅹ-Ⅻ

Tony带水

Reader: 英语2302班阳佳玲
Reading Time: 4.7-4.20
Reading Task: Part Two: Ⅹ-Ⅻ
Translation Task: Thirty exercises
Summary of the Content:
Dangling modifiers refer to the phenomenon where the logical subject of the modifying component does not match the subject of the sentence, resulting in semantic confusion. Common types include vertical participles, gerunds, infinitives, etc. The modification methods include adjusting the subject or reconstructing the sentence structure. The book particularly points out that some fixed expressions have been widely accepted as independent structures, but attention should be paid to their actual functions.
Parallel structures require that parallel components remain symmetrical grammatically and logically to enhance the clarity and rhythm of expression. And logical connectives should accurately reflect the logical relationship between sentences and avoid being missing, ambiguous or used incorrectly. What’s more, the book emphasizes that connectives should be close to the content they refer to to avoid ambiguity caused by improper placement.

Evaluation:
The author still analyzes the errors through a large number of examples and provides modification plans to make the content concrete. The language is concise and straightforward, in line with the "direct, simple, clear" principle advocated in the book. All rules revolve around "eliminating ambiguity and saving readers' mental effort", such as parallel structures reinforcing logic through formal symmetry.

Reflection:
In my past translation practice, I was not familiar with dangling modifiers and would confuse the subjects in the sentences. Through the methods in the book, I learned to identify the initiator of the action first. What’s more, I often neglect structural symmetry, such as using nouns and gerunds in parallel. The principle of "consistency of parts of speech" emphasized in the book has been very helpful. It guides me to complete the translation of the history museum of Central South University in the written translation training. And my argumentative essay writing often leads to logical jumps in paragraphs due to the absence of connectives. The guidance in the book that "logical connectives need to have clear relationships" allows me to add accurate connectives and enhance the cohesion of the article.