Saturday, July 31, 2010

沒有郵票、過去幾年

問:「我沒有郵票」一語,貴欄譯做 I haven't any stamps,是什麼句法?怎麼不是 I don't have any stamps?

答: Have解作「有」的時候,用於否定或疑問句,英式英文較正統的寫法,是不用 do字帶出的,第二版《牛津高階英文詞典》 have條下有以下兩句:( 1) He hasn't a good memory(他記性不好)。( 2) Has she blue eyes or brown eyes?(她的眼睛是藍色還是棕色?)

今天,英式英文受美國影響,隨便一點,否定或疑問句中解作「有」的 have,一般也會用 do帶出,例如:( 1) He doesn't have a good memory。( 2) Does she have blue eyes or brown eyes?讀者多看了這類句子,對 I haven't any stamps這寫法,自然就感到陌生。

問:貴欄曾有以下一句: The May of this year was the coolest one in the past 40 years(今年的五月,是四十年來最涼的五月)。有一本文法書說, the past few years這樣的片語( phrase)之前,可用 during或 over,但不可用 in,然則貴欄那一句有沒有錯?

答: In/ during/ over the past few years都是「過去幾年內」的意思,沒有什麼分別。請看 Cambridge International Dictionary of English past條下例句: The average temperature worldwide has risen by about one degree Fahrenheit in the past 100 years(過去一百年,全球氣溫平均上升了華氏一度左右)。這一句的 in改為 over或 during,也無不可。 The past few years等之前可用 for,但 for是指「有多久」,和 in、 during、 over意思不同。

(古德明)

Friday, July 30, 2010

黑暗、即時上班

問:名詞 dark和 darkness有什麼分別?

答: Dark作名詞,假如不冠以 the而用 before、 after、 until等介系詞( preposition)帶出,是指「傍晚」;冠以 the,則是指某個地方沒有光線的情況, in the dark即「在黑暗中」,也可引伸解作「了無所知」,例如:( 1) She did not get home till dark(她到天黑才回家)。( 2) I couldn't see anything in the dark(黑暗中,我什麼都看不見)。( 3) He kept me in the dark about his plan(他不讓我知道他的計劃)。

至於 darkness,可指「黑暗」或「天黑」,例如:( 1) The candle went out, and darkness filled the room(燭光滅了,房間一片漆黑)。( 2) In winter, darkness comes as early as 4 pm(冬天,下午四點鐘就天黑了)。這兩句的 darkness都不可用 the dark或 dark取代。

不過,以下一句,用 the dark或 darkness都可以: The candle went out, and I was left in the dark/ in(total) darkness(燭光滅了,把我留在黑暗之中)。

問:最近求職,見到不少徵聘廣告說,應徵者須 immediate available(即時可以上班),即使大公司廣告也是這樣寫,寫法正不正確?

答: Immediate available當然不是正確寫法。形容詞( adjective)只可用副詞( adverb)修飾,不可用另一形容詞。「應徵者須即時可以上班」英文可說: Applicants should be immediately available for the job。簡單一點,則可說 Immediate availability is required,用形容詞修飾名詞。

(古德明)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

在維園、全球年輕人

問:「在維多利亞公園」英文是 at the Victoria Park還是 in the Victoria Park?兩個說法我都見過,意思有分別嗎?

答:首先要說的,是公園名稱一般不冠以 the,例如: Hyde Park is in London, and Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming(海德公園在倫敦,黃石國家公園在懷俄明州)。 Victoria Park也不該冠以 the。

「在維多利亞公園」英文說 at Victoria Park或 in Victoria Park都可以。要說「在公園裏」,一般用 in;把公園視在一個地點,則多用 at,例如:( 1) The Goddess of Democracy was on display in Victoria Park(民主女神在維多利亞公園裏展出)。( 2) The pro-democracy march started at Victoria Park(支持民主的遊行,由維多利亞公園出發)。謹再舉兩個例子:( 1) We will meet at the park at ten tomorrow morning(明天上午十點鐘,我們在公園集合)。( 2) He takes his dog for a walk in the park every evening(每天傍晚,他會拖着狗到公園裏散步)。

問: Young people the world over know this(那是全球年輕人都知道的)這一句, young people the world over是什麼文法結構?

答: The world over是一副詞片語( adverbial phrase),修飾句子主詞( subject) young people。副詞片語不少是「介系詞( preposition)+名詞」,例如 in the park、 round the corner(在附近)等。讀者示下那一句,改寫作 Young people all over the world know this也可以。只是 the world over這寫法,把名詞倒置介系詞之前,比較特別而已。

(古德明)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

兩個句式、實現

問:以下兩句, comfortable之後為什麼一用 ing動詞,一用「 to+原形動詞( infinitive)」?( 1) Many people do not feel comfortable giving out their phone number(不少人都不大放心把自己的電話號碼給人家)。( 2) Flip-flops can be very comfortable to wear(人字拖鞋穿起來可以很舒適)。

答:讀者說的是兩個句式,不是 comfortable一字的特別用法。 Comfortable之外, bored、 busy、 fed up、 happy、 tired等形容詞,也常帶出 ing動詞,那 ing動詞說出句子的主詞( subject)在做什麼,例如:( 1) I was happy chatting with him(我和他聊天,感到很愉快)。( 2) He got fed up waiting for his girlfriend(他等待女朋友,等得不耐煩了)。( 3) He was never tired telling everyone his past glories(他見人就說自己往日多麼風光,從不厭倦)。

又 comfortable之外, easy、 difficult/ hard、 dangerous、 pleasant等形容詞,也常帶出「 to+原形動詞」,所說是句子主詞的性質,例如:( 1) He is easy/ difficult to get along with(他是個容易/不容易相處的人)。( 2) The fast-flowing river is dangerous to cross(那條河水流湍急,過河十分危險)。

問: He was able to make good his escape(他得以逃脫)這一句的 make good是什麼意思?

答: Make good兩字連用,有「實現」的意思,常見於 make good one's escape(逃脫)這片語,但也可用來說實現其他事情,例如: I dared him to make good his boast(他那樣誇口,我就叫他試試看,不要說得出做不到)。

(古德明)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

定做、物理治療

問:七月三日貴欄把 tailor-make譯做「專為……定做」,「定」是不是應改為「訂」?又 physiotherapy今天譯做「物理治療」,但 physio應是指 physique(體格),不是 physics(物理學),怎麼無人倡議更正?

答:「定」有「預訂」、「約定」的意思,例如《金史.后妃傳.世宗昭德皇后》有「朕四五歲時,與皇后定婚」一語。《儒林外史》第二十四回談到南京水西門戲子總寓,也說「總寓內都掛着一班一班的戲子牌。凡要定戲,先幾日要在牌上寫一個日子。」當然,改寫作「訂婚」、「訂戲」,也無不可。

至於 physiotherapy,那 physio應不是指 physique。事實上,英文的 physio、 physique、 physics、 physical等字,都出自拉丁文的 physis,即「自然」( nature),所以 physical geographical或 physiogeograpy是「自然地理」。 Physical theraphy或 physiotherapy,據 Macmillan Contemporary Dictionary解釋,是 treatment of disease or injury by physical methods, as heat, massage, or exercise(用熱力、按摩、運動等自然方法治療傷病)。然則 physiotherapy也許可以譯做「自然療法」,但譯做「物理治療」應無不可,因為光和熱都是物理學課題,而 physiotherapy常用熱和光。又「物理」的基本意思,是「事物的道理」,例如杜甫《曲江》詩說:「細推物理須行樂,何用浮名絆此身?」依事物天然之理治療,就是「物理治療」。

現代漢語的惡譯,有如八恒河沙,數之無盡,闢之無從,但「物理治療」竊以為不在其列。

(古德明)

Monday, July 26, 2010

華盛頓的奴隸

In 1790, when the United States' capital was moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, President George Washington brought his own slave chef, Hercules, from his Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon. But he faced a problem: Pennsylvania law stipulated that slaves be given their freedom after six months' residency. To get around this, Washington systematically rotated the President House slaves in and out of the state to prevent their establishing a six-month continuous residency. This rotation was itself a violation of Pennsylvania law, but the president's actions were not challenged.

Washington could be very brutal in treating his slaves, and one night Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon. Though Washington tried to have him captured, he was never found. Hercules' six-year-old daugher was reported to have said,"I am very glad, because Father is now free."

一七九○年,美國首都遷到賓州費城,總統喬治.華盛頓帶着奴隸身分的主廚赫克力士前往。赫克力士來自華盛頓的維吉尼亞州佛南山農場。當時華盛頓面臨一個難題:賓州法律規定,奴隸在州內住滿六個月,就可獲自由。華盛頓為了規避這條法律,把總統府的奴隸輪流調離然後又調回賓州,以免他們有定居六個月的資格。這樣的調動,本身也觸犯賓州法律,但沒有人質疑總統所為。

華盛頓對待手下奴隸,有時十分殘暴。一天晚上,赫克力士逃出了佛南山農場。華盛頓想把他捉回去,但始終找不到他。有報道說,赫克力士六歲的女兒表示:「我很高興,因為父親現在自由了。」

(古德明)

Sunday, July 25, 2010

天下為公

During the American Revolutionary War, Lewis Nicola, a brigadier general in the American army, wrote a letter to the commander in chief, George Washington, on behalf of the army officers. He suggested to Washington that he become the"king of the United States."

From his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, Washington responded at once:"Be assured, Sir, no occurrence in the course of the War has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the Army as you have expressed.... Let me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your Country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your Mind, and never communicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the like Nature." And thus, the hero of the war refused to be king.

美國獨立戰爭期間,美軍准將劉易斯.尼古拉代表各軍官致函總司令喬治.華盛頓,提議華盛頓做「美國國王」。

華盛頓當時在紐約的紐堡總部。他馬上回信說:「先生說軍中有大函所述想法,這無疑是戰爭爆發以來,最令我痛心的事……假如先生對國家還有一點敬愛,對自己和後代還有一點關懷,對我還有一點尊重,那麼,切勿再抱這樣的思想,也切勿再表達自己或他人的這種意見。」美國獨立戰爭的英雄,就這樣拒絕了王位。

【附注】舊式英文,名詞常用大寫,即使那名詞不是人名或地名。華盛頓回信中的 Sir、 War、 Army、 Country、 Mind、 Nature等字,今天一般會用小寫。

(古德明)

Saturday, July 24, 2010

卡梅倫吃什麼?

問:新任英國首相卡梅倫曾經嘲笑對手克萊格,後來卻得和克萊格合組政府,被記者翻舊帳,回答說: If it means swallowing some humble pie, and if it means eating some of your words, I can't think of a more excellent diet。這句話是什麼意思?

答:首先要解釋一下成語 to eat humble pie和 to eat one's words。 To eat humble pie直譯是「吃謙卑的餡餅」,意思則是「低聲下氣認錯」或「包羞忍恥」。這成語出自中世紀,當時英國貴族喜歡獵鹿,美味的鹿肉( venison)自然供他們自己吃,鹿的內臟( numbles或 umbles)則給下人吃,所以 numble pie有「卑賤」含義。後來 numble訛傳作 humble,成為 to eat humble pie,例如: He declared that he would resign when he was not promoted. However, unable to get another job, he had to eat humble pie and stayed on(他不獲擢升,聲言會辭職,卻找不到另一分工作,唯有包羞忍恥,繼續做下去)。

To eat one's words看來和中文「食言」同義,但「食言」指言而無信, to eat one's words則是指「承認所言不當」,意思不同,例如: They say I will fail. I'll make them eat their words(他們說我會失敗。我要證明他們所言不當)。

中文沒有和 to eat humble pie、 to eat one's words取譬相同的成語,所以卡梅倫那一句,翻譯不可能傳神,只能勉強達意:「假如包羞忍恥、道歉認錯都是菜肴,那麼,我實在想不到有更加精美的菜單了。」

(古德明)

Friday, July 23, 2010

幾百萬人、價值教育

問: It is as though to millions he only exists on the net這一句, as though to millions是什麼意思?

答: As though是「似乎」的意思,也作 as if,例如:( 1) He looked as though/ as if he was tired(他看來似乎很疲倦)。( 2) She treats me as though/ as if I were a child(她把我當做小孩子般看待)。

Millions、 thousands等,可以指「數以百萬計/數以千計的人或物」,例如:( 1) It will cost millions(= millions of dollors) to carry out the experiment(要做這個實驗,得花很多百萬元)。( 2) Thousands(=thousands of people) were killed in the earthquake(地震死難者數以千計)。

令讀者困惑的那一句,現在應該不難明白:「對數以百萬計的人來說,他似乎只活在網上。」

問:我們學校有個「強化價值教育:責任感」計劃,那該是英文的直譯吧?正式中文應怎樣說?

答:「強化價值教育」六字,我字字都懂,但整句意思卻完全不懂;硬譯做英文想想,才恍然大悟: Strengthing value education: a sense of responsibility是也。 Value一字,本是指「觀念」和「看法」,例如 moral values是「道德觀」, social values是「社會觀念」, aesthetic values是「審美標準」等等。現代漢語把 value一律譯做「價值」或「價值觀」,於是有「強化價值教育」這樣高深莫測的說法。

「強化價值教育:責任感」假如改為「加強德育:責任感」或「加強處世教育:責任感」,應該明白得多,當然,中文寫得明白,不像翻譯,就不高深了。

(古德明)

Thursday, July 22, 2010

For+形容詞/過去分詞

問: Take...for granted(視……為理所當然的)一語,是不是 take...for it is granted的縮略?假如不是,介系詞 for之後為什麼不用名詞或動名詞( gerund)?

答:回答這問題之前,不妨談談 take for。這動詞片語( phrasal verb)有「(錯誤)視為」的意思,例如;( 1) What do you take me for-- a slave?(你把我當作什麼─當作奴隸?)( 2) He is often taken for his twin brother(經常有人把他當作他的孿生兄弟)。

Take...for granted文法上不可改為 take...for it is granted,只可改為 take...for something(that is) granted,例如: He seemed to take my help for granted/ for something granted(他似乎認為,我幫忙是理所當然的)。

但 take...for granted並不是 take...for something granted的縮略。事實上, for解做「當作( as being)」的時候,其後常用形容詞或過去分詞( past participle,即 ed形式動詞),例如:( 1) After three days' search, the police gave up the surfer for dead(三天之後,警方停止搜索,認為那滑浪者應已死去)。( 2) The Holy Grail has long been given up for lost(耶穌最後晚餐所用聖杯,早就沒有希望尋回了)。( 3) I can't tell for certain/ for sure what he will do(我不能肯定他會做什麼)。

留意 for之後接形容詞或過去分詞,是一個特別用法。不解做「當作」的 for和其他介系詞( preposition)一樣,其後還是應用名詞或動名詞。所以 She is famous for her beauty(她以美麗著名)一語,就不可改寫作 She is famous for beautiful。

(古德明)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Being和 no

問: One should not be ashamed of being poor(我們不應以貧窮為羞恥)這一句, being是什麼詞類( part of speech),在句子裏有什麼用?

答:英文介系詞( preposition)之後,習慣用名詞或動名詞( gerund),例如「她以美麗著名」,英文不可譯做 She is famous for beautiful,形容詞 beautiful須改為名詞 her beauty;「謝謝你答應幫忙」也不可譯做 Thank you for agree to help,動詞 agree須改為動名詞 agreeing。

讀者示下那一句,介系詞 of之後不可用形容詞 poor。要更正,可用 poor的名詞 poverty,或在 poor之前用動名詞 being,即 One should not be ashamed of one's poverty/ of being poor。

留意形容詞或過去分詞( past participle,即 ed形式動詞),冠以 being,可作名詞用,例如:( 1) Being sacked is no pleasant experience(被炒魷魚,絕對不是愉快的事)。( 2) Being illiterate placed him at a great disadvantage(他不識字,這對他很不利)。

問: There are no boys/ is no boy in the room(房間裏沒有男孩子)這一句,哪個選擇正確?

答: No之後用可數( countable)或不可數( uncountable)名詞都可以。可數名詞多用複數形式,但假如所說人、物一般應是單數,則用單數形式,例如:( 1) The couple have no children(那對夫婦沒有兒女)。( 2) He has no heart(他冷酷無情)。

讀者說的句子,通常會用複數名詞: There are no boys in the room。

(古德明)

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

夫妻任期、四天太短

問:今天常見「第一任丈夫」、「第二任太太」等說法,但為人丈夫,為人妻子,似乎不該有任期,先生同意嗎?那「任」字是不是從英文譯過來的?

答:英文不會像現代漢語那樣,把婚姻視作雇傭關係。現代漢語所謂「第一任丈夫」、「第二任太太」等,英文簡簡單單稱為 one's first husband、 one's second wife,例如: Catherine Parr was HenryⅧ's sixth and last wife(凱莎淋.帕爾是亨利八世的第六個也是最後一個妻子)。

也許,有人以為「第二個太太」可以指正妻以外的配偶,殊不知那樣的配偶應叫「妾」、「二房」、「副室」等等。但盛世中文不值錢,我勸那位讀者還是用心學好英文算了。

問: Four days is/ are not enough to repair the house(修葺這棟房子,四天並不足夠)這條選擇題,答案為什麼是 is?

答:說一個重量、長度、金額或一段時間等的片語( phrase),即使名詞是複數形式,一般當做一個單位來說,所以動詞也用單數形式,例如:( 1) Two miles isn't too far to walk(步行兩英里,不算太遠)。( 2) When you are in a dental chair, fifteen minutes is a very long time(在牙醫椅上,十五分鐘是很長的時間)。

愛爾蘭著名詩人葉慈( WB Yeats)寫過一齣戲劇 Diarmuid and Grania,其中有以下一句: But, dear Father, three days are not a long while to see you in, after seven years(但是,父親,已經過了七年,再過三天才見到你,也不算太久)。他以 are配 three days,大概沒有人敢說文法不對,但這個 are絕對可以改為 is。

(古德明)

Monday, July 19, 2010

戰爭暴行

Many atrocities were committed by the Americans during the invasion of Sicily in 1943. On 14 July, 36 prisoners of war were gunned down near Gela by their guard. US Sergeant Barry West. At Buttera airfield, US Captain Jerry Compton lined up his 43 prisoners against a wall, and machine-gunned them to death. West and Compton were both arrested and convicted of murder. They were sent to the front, where both were later killed in action.

After the town of Canicatti surrendered, some civilians were reported to be looting after they had entered a bombed out soap and food factory. At around 6 pm, an American officer and a group of soldiers entered the factory. The officer fired point-blank into the crowd, killing eight civilians. The atrocity was hushed up, and the perpetrator of the crime, Lieutenant Colonel McCaffrey, died in 1954.

一九四三年美軍攻佔西西里島期間,暴行不少。七月十四日,在傑拉附近,美軍巴里.韋斯特中士槍殺了他守 衞的三十六個戰俘。在布泰拉飛機場,美軍傑里.康普頓上尉要他手下的四十三個戰俘沿一道牆排開,然後用機關槍把他們射殺。韋斯特和康普頓後來被捕,判了謀殺罪,送到前線,戰死沙場。

卡尼卡蒂鎮投降之後,據報有平民走進一家炸毀了的肥皂和食物工廠搶掠。下午六點鐘左右,一名美國軍官和一群士兵走進工廠。那軍官向群眾近距離開槍,殺了八個平民。這暴行給隱瞞了。那犯罪的軍官是麥卡弗里中校,一九五四年死去。

(古德明)

Sunday, July 18, 2010

屠殺戰俘

On 17 December 1944, a German SS Panzer Division encountered, near the town of Malmedy, Belgium, a small company of American soldiers. Armed with only rifles and other small arms, the Americans surrendered to the Nazi tank force. After being searched and relieved of weapons, the American prisoners were quickly marched into a field.

One of the few to survive, Bill Merriken said,"We stood there, hands over head. And then there was a German officer and he picked out a guy I knew. He pulled his pistol up and shot him. And I saw him fall. Then that is when machine guns started."

Eighty-six American prisoners of war were massacred at Malmedy that day. Merriken, who had three bullet wounds, two in his back and one in the back of his knee, hid under the bodies of his dead comrades for hours before he was able to make good his escape.

一九四四年十二月十七日,德國納粹黨 衞軍一個裝甲師在比利時馬爾梅蒂鎮附近,遇到一小連美軍。美軍只有來福槍和其他小型武器,唯有向納粹的坦克部隊投降。他們經搜身和解除武裝之後,馬上被帶到一片原野上。

比爾.梅里肯是少數逃過一死的戰俘之一。他說:「我們站在那裏,雙手舉到頭上。一個德國軍官挑出我認識的一人,拔出手槍,把他槍殺。我看着他倒下去。然後機關槍開始掃射。」

那天,八十六個美軍戰俘在馬爾梅蒂鎮被屠殺。梅里肯中了三槍,兩槍打在背上,一槍打在膝蓋之後。他躲在同袍的屍體下,過了幾小時,才能夠逃脫。

(古德明)

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Some和 any

問:根據文法, some(一些)用於肯定句( positive statement), any(無論什麼、什麼都……)則用於否定句( negative statement)和問句,然則以下問句為什麼用 some,肯定句為什麼用 any?( 1) Can you show us some samples?(可以給我看些樣品嗎?)( 2) Any of the prizes will do(獎品任何一件都可以)。

答: Some用於肯定句, any用於否定句或問句,那大致是不錯的,例如:( 1) I have some stamps(我有些郵票)。( 2) I haven't any stamps(我沒有郵票)。( 3) Do you have any stamps?(你有沒有郵票?)

但是,提出要求的問題,一般用 some,不用 any,例如:( 1) Can I have some wine, please?(給我一些酒,好嗎?)( 2) Can you give me some help?(幫幫我好嗎?)讀者示下的第一句,就是這類問題。

此外,假如你提出問題時,預期對方的答案會是肯定的,那麼,也應用 some而不用 any,例如:( 1) Don't you have some stamps in your drawer?(你抽屜裏不是有些郵票嗎?)( 2) Would you like some wine?(喝些酒好嗎?)這兩句的 some都不可改為 any。 Do you want any wine?則是「你要不要喝酒?」的意思。

至於 any,假如是指「任何一個」或「無論哪個」,可以用在肯定句子裏,例如:( 1) Any pupil can answer this question(任何一個學生,都可以回答這個問題)。( 2) You may borrow any of these books(這些書,你要借任何一本都可以)。讀者說的第二句,就是這類肯定句。

(古德明)

Friday, July 16, 2010

白髮、謝謝關懷

問:小女的英文作業有以下一句: My grandfather and grandmother are fat, and their hair is white(我祖父母都很胖,頭髮也都白了),既是說兩人的頭髮, hair為什麼不加 s?

答: Hair指「所有頭髮」,是不可數名詞( uncountable noun),無論長在多少人頭上,都不可加 s。第七版《牛津高階英漢雙解詞典》 barber一字的注釋是 a person whose job is to cut men's hair(給男人剪髮者),複數的 men之後, hair也不加 s。其他不可數名詞的用法也是一樣,例如: The equipment of the two laboratories is somewhat outdated(兩個實驗室的設備,都稍覺落伍)。句中的 equipment和 is不可改為 equipments和 are。

留意 hair假如是指「一根頭髮」,則是可數名詞( countable noun)。 My grandfather and grandmother both have white hairs是說「我祖父母都有些白頭髮」,即頭髮斑白,和 They both have white hair(兩人都頭髮全白)不同。

問:要表示感激別人關懷,說 Thank you for your concern,是不是中式英文?

答:今天,香港不少人似乎很喜歡批評人家寫的無非「中式英文」,也許是要表示自己的英文不但文法正確,而且完全地道。我希望讀者不要理會這些英文高手的評論。美國出版的一本 Business Letters for Busy People第七章一封道謝信範文,就以 Thank you for your concern...一語作結。當然,你也可以說 I am truly grateful for your concern等等,但這並不比 Thank you for your concern「地道」。

(古德明)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

昨天的活動、絕非易事

問:貴欄日前有 Ten students attended yesterday's activity(昨天的活動,有十個學生參加)一語, yesterday只是時間,怎麼可以和表示「擁有」的撇號( apostrophe)連用?

答:撇號除了表示「擁有」,還可以表示「什麼時間」和「多久的時間」。請看第七版《牛津高階英漢雙解詞典》 date和 holiday條下例句:( 1) Write today's date at the top of the page(把今天的日期寫在本頁上端)。( 2) The package includes 20 days' paid holiday a year(整套條件包括每年二十天有薪假期)。謹再舉兩個例子供讀者參考:( 1) Have you read last week's Time magazine?(你有沒有讀過上星期的《時代》雜誌?)( 2) Because of engine trouble, there was three hours' delay(由於引擎故障,耽誤了三小時)。

問: It is not an easy task和 It is no easy task這兩句,意思有分別嗎?

答:兩句都是說「那不是容易的工作」,但 no的語氣比 not a強,所以,第二句可以譯做「那絕對不是容易的工作」。同樣道理, He is not a fool、 He is not a teacher等,只是說「他不是獃子」、「他不是教師」, He is no fool則是說「他絕對不儍」,換言之,「他很精明」; He is no teacher則是說「他根本不勝任教師的工作」,無論他是不是教師,這句話都合用。 That little boy is not taller than three foot是說「那小男孩高不過三英尺」,無非簡單的陳述; That man is no taller than three foot則是說「那個男人身高竟然不過三英尺」,說時或帶驚奇意味。

(古德明)

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

下星期五、不用客氣

問:今天是七月十四日星期三,說 next Friday,究竟是指七月十六日的星期五,還是七月二十三日的星期五?

答: Next Friday即「下一個的星期五」,所以,讀者所說期間的 next Friday,嚴格而言,應是七月十六日。不過,這樣的說法恐怕會令人誤會,以為是七月二十三日。

事實上,假如今天是星期三,英文很少用 next Friday、 next saturday等說即將來臨的星期五、星期六等。例如「我約了這個星期五去看牙醫」,英文通常會說 I have an appointment with the dentist this Friday/ on Friday/ this coming Friday。而假如約了下星期五,則會說: I have an appointment with the dentist on Friday next week/ on Friday week/ a week on Friday。

問:要表示「不用客氣」, Don't worry、 Don't mention it、 I'm fine等,哪個說法最好?

答: I'm fine是回答人家問候時說的,不是「不用客氣」的意思,例如:"How are you?""(I'm) Fine, thanks."(「你好嗎?」「很好,謝謝你。」)

「不用客氣」是回答道謝的用語,英文有多個類似說法,沒有人能夠決定哪個「最好」,例如:"Thank you for all the trouble you've taken.""Don't mention it/ Don't worry about it/ Not at all/ That's all right/ It's a pleasure/ My pleasure/ You're welcome/ No problem."(「真的有勞你了。」「不用客氣。」)

(古德明)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

產品售價、謹此附上

問:(The) selling prices of(the) products are determined by our management(產品的售價,由管理層決定)這一句,假如是說我們公司所有產品,兩個 the是不是都不該用?

答:這問題涉及 the字用法兩個準則。第一,甲名詞之後,假如有「 of+乙名詞」,那麼,甲名詞一般要冠以 the,例如 the number of students(學生人數)、 the length of a boa constrictor(大蟒蛇長度)等。

第二,說某個團體的所有人、物,名詞一般冠以 the;說其中的若干人、物,則不用 the,例如:( 1) The students rose to their feet when the headmaster entered the hall(校長走進大堂的時候,學生都站起來)。( 2)"Students who break the school rules will be punished," said the headmaster(校長說:「違反校規的學生,會受到懲罰。」)

讀者示下那一句,說公司的所有產名, products之前自然應加 the; selling prices之後有「 of+名詞」,所以,冠詞 the也不能不用。

問:「謹附上報價單」應說 Please find the attached quotation、 Please find attached the quotation還是 Please find attached quotation?

答:論文法,第一、二句都正確,改寫為 Attached please find the/ our quotation也可以。不過, Please find attached...或 Enclosed please find...這樣的句式頗嫌僵硬老套,最好改為 We/ I attach(或 enclose) our/ the quotation for your consideration之類,讀起來自然得多。

(古德明)

Monday, July 12, 2010

決 鬥

In 1793, the Prussian officers of the garrison of Colberg established an economical mess. They observed one day an old major of hussars, who was covered with the scars of wounds received in the Seven Years' War. The conversation turned on duels.

A young stout-built cornet began to prate in an authorative tone on the subject."And you, major, how many duels have you fought?"

"None, thank heaven," answered the old major."I have 14 wounds, and, heaven be praised, there is not one in my back."

"But you shall fight a duel with me," said the cornet, reaching across to give him a blow. The major, agitated, was getting up when all the other officers present cried,"Don't stir, major!" The officers joined in seizing the cornet. They threw him out at the window, and sat down again to table as if nothing had occurred.

一七九三年,科爾伯格 衞戍部隊的普魯士軍官成立廉價食堂。有一天,他們看見一個年長的輕騎兵少校,身上滿是七年戰爭期間所受傷疤。大家漸漸談到決鬥。

一個年輕壯健的掌旗軍官以很權威的語氣,在這話題上誇誇其談。「少校,你身經幾場決鬥?」
那年長少校回答:「謝天謝地,一場都沒有。我身上有十四個傷疤,值得慶幸的,是都來自和敵人正面交鋒,背上一個傷疤都沒有。」

那掌旗軍官說:「但你得和我決鬥。」他伸手到對面,打了那少校一下。那少校很憤慨,正要站起來,在場所有其他軍官高喊:「少校,不要動!」他們合力抓住那掌旗軍官,從窗口拋出去,然後若無其事,再次坐下來吃飯。

(古德明)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

上 訴

Like his son Alexander the Great, PhilipⅡ was famed for his love of drink. One day, rising from an entertainment at which he had sat some hours, he was asked by a woman to hear her cause. He complied with her request, but upon her saying some things that were not very agreeable to him, he gave sentence against her.

The woman promptly but calmly replied,"Then I appeal."

"To whom?" Philip asked.

"From Philip drunk, to Philip sober," said the woman.

The manner in which Philip received this answer was worthy of a great prince. He afterwards gave the cause a second hearing, found the injustice of his sentence, and condemned himself to make it good.

和他的兒子亞歷山大大帝一樣,菲力浦二世是著名貪杯的。有一天,他歡宴幾小時之後,正站起來,有個女人請他聽訟,他答應了,但聽到那女人所言不很順耳,就下了不利她的判決。

那女人很冷靜,馬上說:「那麼,我上訴。」

菲力浦問:「向誰上訴?」

那女人回答:「從醉酒的菲力浦席前,改向清醒的菲力浦上訴。」

菲力浦對這答案的反應,絕對不愧任何賢君。他後來重審那件案,發覺判決不公,就自我譴責,糾正錯誤。

【附注】 PhilipⅡ was famed的 famed字,改為 famous也可以。兩字用法、意思都沒有分別。

(古德明)

Saturday, July 10, 2010

我來了、意見

問:貴欄日前有 Now I am come(現在我來了)一語,《聖經.出埃及記》第十五章也有 He is become my salvation(他成為我的救星)一語。 Am come、 is become這樣的說法,是怎麼用的?

答:英文有時會用 be的現在式 is、 am、 are和過去式 was、 were取代現在或過去完成式的 have、 has和 had。換言之, Now I am come和 He is become my salvation等於 Now I have come和 He has become my salvation。這 am come、 is become等,多見於舊式英文,現在殘存於較隨便的口頭英文。例如餐廳服務員問顧客: Are you finished, sir?(= Have you finished, sir?先生,你吃完了嗎?) Do、 go、 come等字,有時也用這句式,例如: He was gone(= He had gone他走了)。這句式不是被動語態( passive voice),也不是所有動詞都可以用,我認為讀者應該認識,以免見到時視為錯誤,但大可不必學寫。畢竟用 have、 had等的完成式動詞,是今天較「正宗」的寫法。

問: Opinion(意見)和 opinions有什麼分別?

答: Opinions當然是 opinion的複數形式,例如英文有一句成語說「人多主意多」: So many men, so many opinions。不過, in one's opinion(某人認為)、 be of( the) opinion(認為)、 public opinion(輿論)這三個固定說法,那 opinion循例不用複數形式,例如:( 1) In my opinion, he is right/ I am of opinion that he is right(我認為他是對的)。( 2) Public opinion is against him(輿論對他不利)。

(古德明)

Friday, July 9, 2010

早一站下車、 evil-adverbiously

問:「他想多做運動,早一個站下巴士,步行回家」這一句,英文怎樣翻繹?「早一個站下巴士」是不是 to get off the bus a stop earlier?

答:「提早」的英文說法是 early,不用比較級 earlier。第七版《牛津高階英漢雙解詞典》 early條就有以下例句: The bus was ten minutes early(巴士早到了十分鐘)。讀者示下那句中文,可以翻譯如下: To take more exercise, he got off the bus one stop early and walked home。

問:狄更斯《雙城記》第二章說,男主角被控向法王路易出賣英國軍事秘密,起訴書說( He) wickedly, falsely, traitorously, and otherwise evil-adverbiously,( revealed) to Lewis what forces our King had in preparation to send to Canada。 Evil-adverbiously一詞是什麼意思?

答: Wickedly(邪惡地)、 falsely(不誠實地)、 traitorously(賣國地)等,都是有「不道德( evil)」含義的副詞( adverb),所以狄更斯自創 evil-adverbiously(不道德含義副詞地)一詞。句子的意思如下:「他邪惡地、不誠實地、賣國地以及……地(其他有不道德含義的副詞)向路易透露我王準備派往加拿大軍隊的情況。」那 evil-adverbiously一詞,當然有諷刺含義,嘲諷起訴書一味堆砌副詞或形容詞。讀十八、十九世紀英國文學,經常會見到類似的諷刺手法。這手法英文稱為 irony。

虛偽的文字,形容詞通常特別多。這一點,新中國人應該很清楚。

(古德明)

Thursday, July 8, 2010

或者、絕筆、擱筆

問: Perhaps和 may be有什麼分別?

答: Perhaps和 may都有「可能」的意思,但 perhaps是副詞( adverb), may則是助動詞( auxiliary verb),其後可用 be、 go、 agree等任何動詞。 Perhaps he is/ was right(也許他是對的)、 Perhaps he will agree(他可能同意)這兩句,可用 may改寫如下:( 1) He may be/ may have been right。( 2) He may agree。

留意合成一字的 maybe,則和 perhaps一樣是副詞,意思也和 perhaps無別,只是語氣較為隨便,多見於口頭,例如: Perhaps/ Maybe my trunk is heavier than yours(也許我的大提箱比你的重)。

問:「絕筆」、「擱筆」英文怎樣翻譯?

答:「絕筆」有三個意思,一是「從此停筆不寫」,可譯做 to give up writing for ever;一是「絕妙的文章或圖畫」,可譯做 a piece of writing/ a painting unsurpassed in excellence;一是「死前所寫文字」,可譯做 one's last piece of writing/ one's last written words。例如「孔子絕筆於獲麟」,英文可以說: Confucius gave up writing for ever upon the capture of the Chinese unicorn。

「擱筆」直譯是 to lay down one's pen,可以和「絕筆」一樣,指「從此停筆不寫」,也可以指偶然一次的停止寫作,可譯做 to stop writing。「崔顥題詩,而李白擱筆」,英文可以說: Tsui Hao's poem was so good that Li Po laid down his pen。崔顥的《黃鶴樓》詩,令李白不敢復詠黃鶴樓,這故事十分有名。

(古德明)

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

總計、中五學生、一用即棄

問: A total of 300 passengers were/ was killed(總計有三百乘客喪命)這一句,應用 were還是 was?

答:「 A total of+複數形式名詞」應配複數形式動詞 were、 have等,謹再舉一例: A total of 275 workers have gone on strike(罷工的工人共有二百七十五個)。留意 the total是指「一個總數」,則應配單數形式動詞,例如: The total is 17(總數是十七)。

A number of(有些)和 the number(一個數目)的用法,與 a total of和 the total相同,例如:( 1) A number of elephants were massacred by poachers(有些大象被偷獵者屠殺了)。( 2) The number of elephants is lamentably decreasing(大象的數目減少,情況可哀)。

問:讀報紙,見到 a Secondary Five student這說法,和 Form Five student有分別嗎?

答:「中五學生」叫 Secondary Five student,就像「小五學生」叫 Primary Five student一樣。只是香港人多叫中一至中六學生做 Form One student、 Form Six student等,讀者才會對 Secondary Five student這說法感到陌生。 Form Five student等還可以叫做 fifth-form student或 fifth former,例如: A sixth former, he is sitting the matriculation examination this year(他讀中六,今年將參加大學入學試)。

問: Disposable現在常見譯做「一次性使用的」,先生認為貼切嗎?

答: Disposable有「可丟棄」的意思,「一次性使用」沒有把這個意思譯出,「性」字更覺惡俗,竊以為不如譯做「一用即棄的」。

(古德明)

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

「主修理科的畢業生」

問: A university graduate majored in science(主修理科的大學畢業生)中 majored一字,有書本說應改為 majoring,為什麼?

答:兩個說法其實都不妥當。第一,大學生可以主修物理、化學、生物等等,一般不會主修泛泛的「理科」。第二,「主修物理/音樂的大學畢業生」英文習慣說 a graduate in physics/ music等,根本不會用 major一字。
然則「主修物理的大學生」應該怎麼說?答案是 a university student majoring in physics。英文常用 ing動詞,取代「 who/ which/ that+主動語態( active voice)動詞」,例如 a policy that concerns us all(關乎我們所有人的政策)、 a man who was sitting there(坐在那裏的一個男人)等,可略作 a policy concerning us all和 a man sitting there。 A university majoring in physics等於 a university student who is majoring in physics。

「 Who/ which that+被動語態( passive voice)動詞」,才可用 ed形式動詞取代,例如 a girl who is neglected by her parents(被父母忽略的女孩)、 the terms that have been agreed on(大家同意的條件)等,可略作 a girl neglected by her parents和 the terms agreed on。 Major(主修)是個不及物動詞( intransitive verb),不可用被動語態,所以「我認識一個主修物理的大學生」英文可說 I know a university student majoring in physcis,不可說 majored in physics。另一個說法是 I know a physics major:這個 major作名詞用,指「主修……的大學生」。

(古德明)

Monday, July 5, 2010

從容就義

When the Saracens besieged the Italian city of Beneventum in 874, the Lombards decided to seek the help of the Greeks. A fearless citizen dropped from the walls, and accomplished his mission to Greece. As he was returning to Beneventum, he fell into the hands of the Saracens. They commanded him to deceive his countrymen, with the assurance that wealth and honours should be the reward of his sincerity, and that his falsehood would be punished with immediate death. He agreed.

But as soon as he was conducted within hearing of the Lombards on the rampart, he cried out,"Friends and brethren, be bold and patient, maintain the city. Your deliverers are at hand. I know my doom, and commit my wife and children to your gratitude." He was killed on the spot.

公元八七四年,撤拉遜人圍攻義大利貝尼溫敦城,城中的倫巴人決定向希臘求援。一個勇士下了城牆,去到希臘,完成使命,回城途中,落在撤拉遜人手上。撤拉遜人要他向同胞使詐,說只要他聽話,保證可享榮華富貴;不聽話,將馬上處死,他答應了。

他被帶去向城頭上的倫巴人喊話。他立刻高喊:「各位朋友,各位同胞,你們要勇敢,要堅忍,守住城池。救兵快來了。我知道自己劫數難逃,希望你們感我所為,照顧我妻子兒女。」他當場被殺。

【附注】 At hand是「在附近」或「即將到來」的意思,例如: He believes that the end of the world is at hand(他認為世界末日即將到來)。

(古德明)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

馬拉松戰役

The Battle of Marathon was fought in 490 BC, when the Persians became enervated by luxury and servitude, and the Athenians were animated by their freedom. In this battle, 9,000 Athenians defeated the invading army of 25,000 Persians, and pursued them to their very ships, of which they took seven.

One Cynegirus, after performing prodigies of valour in the field, endeavoured to prevent a Persian galley from putting to sea. He held it fast with his right hand; when his right hand was cut off, he seized the galley with his left, which being also cut off, he fought the enemy with his teeth until he was killed. Another soldier, all covered with the blood of the enemy, ran the 26 miles from the battlefield to Athens to announce the victory. After crying out,"Rejoice, we are conquerors!" he fell dead.

馬拉松戰役發生於公元前四九○年。當時波斯人在驕奢、勞役之下,頹墮委靡;雅典人則在自由之中,發揚蹈厲。是役雅典以九千人,打敗入侵的二萬五千波斯軍,一直追到波斯船停泊處,奪去七艘。

有個士兵叫西奈吉魯斯,戰場上已見一身是膽,這時力阻一艘波斯戰船逃回海上。他用右手抓緊戰船,右手被砍下之後,改用左手,左手也被砍斷,就用牙齒作戰,終於戰死。還有一個士兵,渾身是敵人鮮血,從戰場跑了二十六英里回到雅典報捷,高喊「慶祝吧,我們戰勝了」之後,倒地死去。

【附注】馬拉松平原位在雅典以東,東臨愛琴海。

(古德明)

Saturday, July 3, 2010

定做、防水

問: She tailor-make everything for her daughter(她什麼都按女兒需求製作)這一句, tailor-make之後要不要加 s?

答: Tailor-make這個動詞,是從形容詞 tailor-made(專為……定做)「逆構」而成的。所謂逆構法( back formation),是把一些字的字尾( suffix)刪改,構成新的字,例如 laze(懶散過日)、 babysit(充任臨時保姆)、 typewrite(打字)等,從 lazy(懶惰)、 babysitter(臨時保姆)、 typewriter(打字機)等字逆構而成。逆構而成的動詞,和普通動詞一樣按時式、人稱等變化,例如 babysit有 babysits、 babysat、 babysitting等變體( inflection)。讀者示下那一句,用現在式,動詞應作 tailor-makes;用過去式,則應作 tailor-made。

問:連字號( hyphen)怎麼用?為什麼 water-resistant(防水的)用連字號, water resistance(防水)卻不用?

答:連字號用法很多,拙欄也談過,這裏不能一一複述。兩三字合成的複合字( compound word),不少用不用連字號都可以,例如 babysitter也有字典寫作 baby-sitter,不能說哪個寫法不對。假如不能肯定某個複合字的寫法,最好查查字典,就以那本字典的寫法為準。

一般而言,「名詞+形容詞」合成的形容詞,用在名詞之前,會加連字號,否則就不加,例如: This watch is water resistant/ This is a water-resistant watch(這是個防水的手錶)。 Water resistance只是兩個名詞連用,不構成一個特別的字,通常就不用連字號,例如: The watch was tested for water resistance(那隻手錶受過防水測試)。

(古德明)

Friday, July 2, 2010

動詞的問題

問: I find a man cutting a chain lock securing the bicycle(我看見一個男人正在切斷鎖着腳踏車的鏈鎖)這一句,我的英文老師說不對,應怎樣改寫呢?

答:這一句文法其實沒有錯: find之後可用「受詞( object)+ ing動詞」,而「關係代名詞( relative pronoun)+完整動詞( full verb)」也往往可用一 ing動詞或 ed形式動詞取代,例如:( 1) I saw a girl wearing(= who wore) a blue skirt standing there(我看見一個穿藍色裙的女孩站在那裏)。( 2) I found myself pondering over the problem(我發覺自己在思考那個問題)。讀者把上述兩個 ing寫法合用在一句之中,他的老師大概是覺得讀起來有點奇怪,所以認為不對。假如把 securing改為 that secures,他的老師大概就不會有異議。

問:以下兩句,動詞應用過去式還是現在完成式?( 1) I resigned/ have resigned as the company director on 1 January 2010/ as of 1 January 2010。( 2) When I joined the company, I thought I could gain rapid advancement. But that turned out/ has turned out not to be the case. Today, I am still a junior staff member.

答:第一句是說「我二○一○年一月一日辭去公司董事職位」,所述是過去某一天的事,而不是由( as of)過去某一天到現在的事,所以動詞應用過去式 resigned,介系詞則應用 on。
第二句是說「我加入公司時,以為可以迅速晉升,但事與願違,我現在還是個低級職員」,所述是加入公司至今的發展,所以動詞應用現在完成式 has turned out。

(古德明)

Thursday, July 1, 2010

「動詞+動詞」

問: The star did not speak and left escorted by his manager(那明星沒有說話,由經理人護送離去)一語, left和 escorted兩個動詞連用,有沒有錯?

答: Left escorted這結構,嚴格而言,不是「動詞+動詞」,而是「動詞+分詞( participle,即 ing或 ed形式動詞)」。 Stand、 sit、 lie、 go、 run等動詞,其後用分詞的情況尤其常見,表達的是兩個同時進行的動作,例如:( 1) He stood petrified with fear(他嚇呆了,站着不能動)。( 2) She lay there dreaming of her youthful days(她躺在那裏,想着年輕的日子)。

問:貴欄有 He had the maid shine his shoes(他叫女傭給他把鞋子擦亮)一句,兩個動詞 had和 shine可以連用嗎?

答:「動詞+受詞( object)+原形動詞( infinitive)」這結構,只限某些動詞可用,常見的有( 1) feel、 see、 hear、 notice、 observe、 watch;( 2) let、 have、 make、 bid這兩組動詞。第一組有「感覺、看見或聽到」含義,第二組有「讓、使、叫(某人做某事)」含義。例如:( 1) I watched him go(我看着他離去)。( 2) Bid him come here(叫他來這裏)。

此外, help一字之後,除了可用「 to+原形動詞」,也可只用原形動詞,例如: She helped me( to) solve the problem(她幫助我解決那問題)。

【代郵】 Mike Lam先生:英國作家奧威爾( George Orwell)之 Animal Farm,文筆以精煉明白見稱,倘要「熟讀一本英文書以學習英文」,僕認為此書當屬首選。

(古德明)