不知道什么时候,收到一张补习介绍所中英对照的传单,定睛一看,问题多多。在这一小段英文里,就发现了五个错误。
第一个错误,很久以前谈过了。看看这个句子,便知道了:
“As our children’s education is one of our greatest concern, ……”(更正:one of……concerns)。
再看下来的句子并指出其他的四个错误:
“We conduct screening for all tutors and most willing to produce photostated copies of their qualification.”
首先,qualification应为复数,即:qualifications.其次, photostat的形容词形态不变,或用photostatic也可,但不是 photostated.第三,第二个并列句中的动词不见了;应该是:“ ……and are most willing……”。最后一个错误较严重,就是句子结构不当,以致语义走样。
原文的“We conduct screening for all tutors”的意思是: “我们代替所有的补习教师进行审查工作”,但是原意应该是:“我们审查过所有的补习教师(看看他们是否……)”。如果是这样的话,那么英文就要改一改:
“We conduct screening of all tutors(for their suitability, teaching ability……)”。然而,这样的写法,稍嫌罗唆,不够简洁,不如改为:
“We screen all tutors (for……)”
可能的话,也可以同时把第二个并列句“are most willing to produce photostat copies of their qualifications”也改为:
“will produce photostat copies……”
这样一来,两个并列句就等立了,平衡了,意思也一目了然了:
“We screen all tutors and will produce photostat copies of their qualifications.”
结束本文之前,让我再回到“忽略动词”这问题来。
忽略动词这种错误是不该有的,但却避免不了,被动句中更是如此。例如:
① Traffic police helped the country to prevent many problems that caused by motor cars. (改正:……that were caused by motor cars. / ……caused by motor cars.)
② A reward offered to her.(改正:A reward was offered to her.)
③ Can the illness cured by this type of medicine?( 改正:Can the illness be cured by this type of medicine?)
④ Building contractors will now find it easier to apply for work permits for foreign workers from non-traditional sources. The Ministry of Manpower is understood to prepare to consider applications in the service sector, too.(改正: ……The Ministry of Manpower is understood to be prepared to consider applications in the service sector, too.)