中式英语之鉴2

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Joan Pinkham’s The Translator’s Guide to Chinglish is a masterclass in untangling the linguistic knots that arise when Chinese thought patterns collide with English expression. In Part 1: Unnecessary Words, Pinkham dissects redundancy with surgical precision, offering learners a roadmap to cleaner, more idiomatic English. The latter sections (1.3 onward) are particularly illuminating, as they expose subtle yet pervasive errors that even advanced learners overlook.  

1. Tautology: The Art of Saying Less, Meaning More  
Pinkham’s analysis of tautology—the redundant pairing of synonyms—is a wake-up call for writers wedded to “emphasis through repetition.” She dismantles common errors like:  
Adjective/Adverb Overload: Phrases like “completely perfect solution” (p. 27) reveal how modifiers often clash with their root words. By trimming “completely,” the sentence retains clarity without sacrificing meaning.  
Double Negatives: While Chinese might use “not impossible” for rhetorical effect, Pinkham warns that this construction risks ambiguity in English. Her revision, “possible,” exemplifies her mantra: “Let logic trump ornamentation.”  
Implied Redundancy: Terms like “final outcome” (p. 29) are stealthy culprits. As Pinkham notes, “outcome inherently denotes finality,” making “final” superfluous.  

These examples transcend mere grammar rules; they reflect a cultural shift from Chinese’s tolerance for lyrical repetition to English’s preference for concision.  

2. Redundant Modifiers: When Less Is Truly More
Section 1.4 tackles redundant modifiers, a trap for learners who equate elaboration with sophistication. Pinkham’s examples are brutally effective:  
“A true fact” (p. 31) collapses under its own contradiction—facts are inherently true.  
“Return back” (p. 32) is dismantled with a simple fix: “return” suffices, as “back” is baked into the verb.  

Here, Pinkham’s advice resonates: “Trust your nouns and verbs to do the heavy lifting.” Her revisions are not just corrections but lessons in linguistic confidence.  

3. Principles for Polishing Prose
The Summary & Principles (pp. 33–35) distill Pinkham’s philosophy into actionable rules:  
1. The Delete Key Is Your Friend: Scour sentences for words that add noise, not value.  
2. Verbs Over Nounification: Replace clunky phrases like “make an improvement” with agile verbs (“improve”).  
3. Merge Synonyms: If two words mean the same thing, kill the weaker one.  

These principles transcend “Chinglish”—they’re universal tools for crisp writing. Pinkham’s “Self-Check Questions” (e.g., “Have I used ‘problem’ or ‘situation’ as filler?”) are particularly useful for writers in any field.  

Why This Matters
Pinkham’s work is more than a grammar guide; it’s a bridge between cognitive frameworks. Chinese learners often struggle not with vocabulary but with unlearning deeply ingrained habits of expression. By spotlighting tautology and redundancy, Pinkham trains readers to think like native English editors—questioning every word’s right to exist.  

Critique: While Pinkham’s examples are laser-focused on Chinese speakers, her lessons on concision apply globally. If anything, the book’s narrow title undersells its broader relevance to ESL learners and even native writers.