Book Note 1 on《中式英语之鉴》

悦悦悦

Book Note 1 on《中式英语之鉴》:
Reader: 赵悦
Reading Time: 2天
Reading Task: Chapter 1-2
Summary of the Content:
Chapter 1: What is Chinglish
The chapter defines Chinglish as “English that has been distorted by the influence of Chinese” and emphasizes it is different from the English used by native speakers. It elaborates on how Chinglish comes into being, mainly due to the transfer of Chinese grammar, vocabulary, and thinking patterns. For example, Chinese speakers often use literal translations, like “开夜车” being translated as “open the night car” instead of the correct “burn the midnight oil”. Also, the chapter points out that Chinglish is not just about incorrect grammar but also about inappropriate expressions that make the English sound unnatural.
Chapter 2: How to Identify Chinglish
This chapter provides several ways to identify Chinglish. One is through the use of redundant words. In Chinese, certain expressions are used for emphasis, but in English, they may be redundant. For instance, “合作共事” is translated as “cooperate together” in Chinglish, while “cooperate” alone is sufficient. Another aspect is the use of incorrect prepositions, which is common as Chinese prepositions do not always match their English counterparts in usage. The chapter also mentions the problem of wordy and convoluted expressions, where Chinese speakers tend to add unnecessary modifiers, making the English less clear and concise.
Evaluation：
The book’s approach to defining and analyzing Chinglish in these two chapters is highly practical. The clear definition in Chapter 1 gives readers a solid understanding of what Chinglish is, which is essential as a starting point. The examples provided are vivid and easy to relate to, making it accessible for English learners at various levels. In Chapter 2, the methods of identifying Chinglish are systematically presented. By highlighting different aspects such as redundancy, preposition use, and wordiness, it equips learners with practical tools to spot Chinglish in their own writing and speech. However, the book could potentially include more real - world examples from different fields like business, media, and academia to further illustrate the prevalence and variety of Chinglish.
Reflection：
After reading these two chapters, I realize how deeply ingrained Chinglish can be in my own English usage. I often find myself making literal translations without considering the natural expressions in English. For example, I used to say “提高我的英语水平” as “improve my English level” without realizing that “improve my English” is more commonly used. Also, the issue of redundancy is something I need to be more aware of. I tend to add extra words thinking it makes the sentence more comprehensive, but in fact, it may make it less clear. In the future, when I learn new English expressions, I will pay more attention to their natural usage and try to break away from the influence of Chinese grammar and thinking patterns. I will also review my written English more critically, looking for signs of Chinglish and making the necessary corrections.