中式英语之鉴Part Two(3)

人生不过三万天

Content:1. Dangling Modifiers: Modifiers that are illogical because of faulty grammatical relations with other elements in the sentence, so a change in word may not generally suffice to correct them.
2.Dangling participles: Participle that isn't closely llinked to the noun or pronoun it modifies. It mostly likely to appear at the beginning of the sentence, but some dangling participles have become acceptable such as generally speaking, judging from and so on.
3.Dangdling gerunds
4.Danggling infinitives: The implied subject of an opening infinitive must be the same as the subject of the sentence
5.Prepositional phrases: Any opening prepositional phrase that acts as an adjective  (adverb) will affix itself to the noun or pronoun (verb) that is the subject of its sentence
6.Individal adjectives

Evaluation: Pinkham's analysis of dangling modifiers provides a comprehensive framework for addressing one of the most persistent grammatical challenges in Chinese-to-English translation. The chapter effectively categorizes different types of dangling constructions (participles, gerunds, infinitives, and prepositional phrases), offering clear examples of both incorrect and acceptable usage. The distinction between absolute constructions that have become idiomatic ("generally speaking") versus those that create confusion is particularly insightful.

Reflection: This chapter has significantly improved my awareness of modifier-noun relationships. I now routinely check opening phrases to ensure they properly connect to the subject that follows. However, I've learned that some constructions that technically dangle can be acceptable in certain contexts, particularly in informal writing. The chapter has helped me develop a more nuanced approach - maintaining grammatical rigor in formal translations while recognizing where flexibility might be appropriate. Moving forward, I aim to apply these principles more consistently while remaining sensitive to variations in register and style.