第10章 替换及重复.docVIP

第十章 替换与重复 (Substitutive vs．Reiterative) 一般说来，除非有意强调或出于修辞的需要，英语总的倾向是尽量避免重复。讲英语的人对于随意重复相同的音节、词语或句式往往感到厌烦。许多英语作文教师甚至告诫学生“Never use the same word or write the same thing twice in a sentence unless you are repeating intentionally for emphasis or for clarity．”当然这种说法未免过分，但其目的是提醒学生不要忘了可以用替换的办法来避免不必要的重复。Fowler兄弟在“The King’s English”一书中也指出： Even when the repetition is a part of the writer’s original plan，consideration is necessary before it can be allowed to pass：it is implied in the terms ‘rhetorical’or significant repetition that the words repeated would ordinarily be either varied or left out；the repetition，that is to say，is more or less abnormal，and whatever is abnormal may be objectionable in a single instance，and is likely to become so if it occurs frequently． 例如以下的各种重复在英语里都是不正常的，试比较： 1)音节重复 原句：Commercials seldom make for entertaining and relaxing listening. 改写：Commercials seldom entertain and relax the listener． 原句：Close examination of the results of the investigation led to a reorganization of the department． 改写：Close study of the results of the inquiry led to a reorganization of the department． 2)词语重复 原句：We listened to an account of the customs of the inhabitants of the village． 改写：We listened to an account of the villager’s customs． 原句：Dr．Brown seriously maintains that in the near future opium-smoking will scourge in France． 改写：Dr．Brown seriously maintains that in the near future opium-smoking will be as grave ad the absinthe scourge in France. 原句：Even to borrow money is wrong，according to Kant，because if everyone did borrow money, there would be no money left to borrow． 改写：Even to borrow money is wrong，according to Kant，because if everyone did this, there would be no money left to borrow． 3)句式重复 原句：Now is the time for everyone to come out to vote, for everything depends upon this election．All are against corruption，and so they should vote the Reform ticket．This is not a foolish thing，for the voters can elect anyone they want．But the peop