中式英语之鉴1-2

profen

Reader: 王伊涵
Reading Time: 3.10-3.11
Reading Task: Chapter1-2

Summary of the content:
Chapter 1: Unnecessary Nouns and Verbs
This chapter explores the issue of redundant nouns and verbs in Chinglish and provides suggestions for revision:
1. Unnecessary Nouns:
• Self-evident Nouns: For example, in "to accelerate the pace of economic reform," the phrase "the pace of" is redundant and can be directly simplified to "to accelerate economic reform."
•Category Nouns: For instance, in "the building of national defense," the word "building" is unnecessary and can be omitted to read "national defense."
•Empty Nouns: These nouns are superfluous in English. For example, "the practice of indiscriminate abolition" can be revised to "abolishing indiscriminately."
2. Unnecessary Verbs:
•Verb+Noun Structures: For example, "make an improvement" can be directly simplified to "improve."
•Redundant Verbs in Passive Voice: For instance, "approval should be given to all these projects" can be revised to "all these projects should be approved."
3. Revision Suggestions: When deleting extra words, it is important to ensure that the words are truly redundant and to make decisions on revisions in a timely manner.
Chapter 2: Unnecessary Modifiers
This chapter discusses the problem of redundant modifiers in Chinglish:
1. Redundant Modifiers: These modifiers express the same meaning as the words they modify. For example, "new innovations" or "mutual cooperation" contain redundant modifiers.
2. Self-evident Modifiers: The meaning of the modifier is already expressed elsewhere. For example, in "a family relative," the word "family" is unnecessary.
3. Intensifiers: Replace weak words with stronger ones. For example, "extremely important" can be revised to "essential."
4. Limiting Words: Avoid using unnecessary limiting words. For example, "the key to the solution" can be simplified to "the solution."
5. Clichés: Avoid using overly common expressions, such as "now previously."
The core idea of these two chapters is to help readers identify and eliminate unnecessary words to make English expressions more concise, clear, and idiomatic.

Evaluation:
The first two chapters provide a focused and practical guide for identifying and correcting common redundancies in English writing, particularly those influenced by Chinese language habits. These chapters are essential reading for anyone aiming to refine their English expression and achieve greater clarity and conciseness.
The strength of these chapters lies in their practicality and clarity. The author provides numerous examples and direct suggestions, making it easy for readers to understand and apply the principles discussed. This approach is particularly beneficial for learners transitioning from Chinese to English, as it helps them recognize and correct common translation errors. The book’s focus on concise expression is also relevant for academic and professional writing, where clarity and precision are paramount.
However, the chapters could benefit from a deeper exploration of the cultural and linguistic roots of these redundancies. Understanding the underlying causes might help readers develop a more intuitive grasp of how to avoid them. Additionally, while the examples are helpful, more varied contexts and longer passages would further illustrate how these principles apply in different writing scenarios.

Reflection:
Reading the first two chapters has been a transformative experience for me, as it has shed light on many of the linguistic habits that have long plagued my English writing and speaking. These chapters have not only identified common pitfalls in Chinglish but also provided practical solutions that I can immediately apply to improve my language skills.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve taken away from these chapters is the importance of simplicity in language. English often favors directness and clarity over verbosity, which is a stark contrast to the more elaborate nature of Chinese. This realization has encouraged me to rethink my approach to writing and speaking. Instead of trying to impress with complex sentences, I now focus on conveying my ideas in the most straightforward manner possible.
Moreover, these chapters have also boosted my confidence in my ability to improve. By providing concrete examples and actionable advice, the book has given me a clear roadmap for refining my English. I now feel more equipped to recognize and correct my mistakes, and I am excited about the potential for continued growth.