中式英语之鉴7-8

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Reader: 王伊涵
Reading Time: 4.13-4.15
Reading Task: Chapter7-8

Summary of the content:
Chapter 7: The Noun Plague
It mainly explores the problem of the "plague" of nouns. Concise English is based on verbs, which is clear and easy to understand. However, Chinglish is often based on nouns, making it seem complex and difficult to comprehend. The article mentions three types of useless nouns, including redundant nouns, empty nouns, and generic nouns. For example, in the phrase "To accelerate the pace of economic reform", "the pace of" is a redundant noun. The author advocates using more verbs and specific words with clear meanings, and using fewer abstract and ambiguous nouns. Modifications can be made by changing nouns into verbs, gerunds, adjectives, or adverbs, among other ways.
Chapter 8: Pronouns and Antecedents
This chapter focuses on pronouns and their antecedents. Pronouns include personal pronouns, relative pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns. When using pronouns, each pronoun must have a logically clear antecedent. Antecedents need to follow four principles: being clearly stated, having no ambiguity, being close to the pronoun, and being grammatically consistent with the pronoun. When these principles are violated, for example, when the antecedent is not clearly stated, there may be no antecedent or the antecedent may be hidden and not appear; or there may be problems such as the antecedent being ambiguous, being too far away from the pronoun, or being grammatically inconsistent. In such cases, appropriate measures need to be taken according to the specific situation, such as adding a more specific noun as the subject.

Evaluation:
It offers incisive insights in Chapters 7 and 8. Chapter 7's analysis of the "noun plague" in Chinglish is highly practical. By identifying redundant, empty, and generic nouns, it equips learners with the ability to transform wordy and unclear expressions into more straightforward, verb-centered English. This not only improves language clarity but also enhances the overall quality of communication. Chapter 8's focus on pronouns and antecedents is equally crucial. The four-principle framework for antecedents is systematic and comprehensive, effectively guiding readers to avoid common pitfalls such as unclear or ambiguous pronoun references. Overall, these two chapters offer valuable guidance, helping learners improve the accuracy and naturalness of their English.

Reflection:
After delving into Chapters 7 and 8, I'm struck by how much I've underestimated the nuances of English. The insights on the "noun plague" in Chapter 7 opened my eyes to my own writing habits. I often fall into the trap of using redundant nouns, like in "make an improvement" instead of simply "improve". This not only clutters my sentences but also makes my writing less direct. I realize now that a shift towards more verb - based expressions can significantly enhance the clarity of my communication. Chapter 8's focus on pronouns and antecedents is equally eye - opening. I've been guilty of using pronouns without ensuring their antecedents are crystal - clear. This can lead to confusion for the reader. Going forward, I'll be more vigilant about applying the four principles for antecedents. By doing so, I hope to eliminate ambiguity in my writing and make my ideas easier to follow. So, these chapters have provided me with practical tools to refine my English skills and avoid common Chinglish pitfalls.