5/31/2005

網站介紹:Grammar and Writing / 常見的文法問題 / people VS persons






我真的忘記我怎麼來到這個網站的,也真的忘記我為何逛到Frequently Asked Questions,我無意間看到『people vs persons』,這個疑問躲在我腦中有一段時日了,不是說person的複數就是people,為何又有persons呢? 兩者該如何運用呢?

網站裡有許多英文文法和寫作的知識,而在Frequently Asked Questions這一區裡,解答了許多人常有的英文問題。

affect versus effect
accept versus except
bad versus badly
bring versus take
compare to versus compare with
different from versus different than
do versus make
due to versus because
if versus whether
into versus in to
its versus it's
i.e. versus e.g.
less versus fewer
lie versus lay
people versus persons
shall versus will
that versus which
toward versus towards
well versus good
.
.
.
.
.



Update:
BBC Learning English/Ask About English: Person and people

So in summary, normally you find 'people' as the plural form of 'person' – one person, three people. Sometimes you'll find people used to describe the nationality so you'll find 'peoples' to describe different nationalities and sometimes you'll find the word 'persons' in more formal styles of writing or in signs for example.

Word of mouth

口耳相傳

"word of mouth"

Something that you heard from other people you know by word of mouth.

Example: "How did you hear about this party?"
Reply: "Word of mouth."

When you say that you heard something word of mouth, you are not being specific about whose mouth you heard it from; just that you heard it from another person.

Example: "There has been talk at school about canceling the concert." Reply: "Really? Who did you hear that from?" Answer: "Just word of mouth."

We do rely on what other people tell us, so word of mouth is one important way that we learn things. If something is "only" (or "just") word of mouth then you might not know where the "word" really started or how it changed as it went from "mouth" to "mouth".

Example: "Did you hear they finally arrested that guy?"
Reply: "Yes, but that's only word of mouth."

Example: "Where did you hear that?"
Reply: "Just word of mouth."



explanation and example sentences from English, Baby!:

Sometimes, you hear about a movie through word of mouth.

word of mouth (expression)
- something you hear from someone else

Example: I found out through word of mouth that my boyfriend has another girlfriend.

5/29/2005

學習英語的五十種策略

學習英語的五十種策略

英語教學 研究報告

資料來源: Teaching by Principles, by H. Douglas Brown, pp.221-223

學習英語的五十種策略 資料收集/翻譯者:陳慧文


Part A

1. I think of relationships between what I already know and new things I learn in English.

思考新學的與已學過的英文有何關聯.

2. I use new English words in a sentence so I can remember them.

用新學單字造句以便牢記生字.

3. I connect the sound of a new English word and an image or picture of the word to help me remember the word.

記生字時,將字的發音與其圖像做連結.

4. I remember a new English word by making a mental picture of a situation in which the word might be used.

記生字時,在腦中想像一個此字可以被運用的情境.

5. I use rhymes to remember new English words.

使用詩歌韻文記憶生字.

6. I use flashcards to remember new English words.

使用有圖有字的閃卡記憶生字.

7. I physically act out new English words.

以肢體表演所學的生字.

8. I review English lessons often.

經常複習課文.

9. I remember new English words or phrases by remembering their location on the page, on the board, or on a street sign.

記生字或片語時, 會去記這些生字或片語, 出現在那一頁、那一個刊版、或那一個街道的標示上.


Part B

10. I say or write new English words several times.

學生字時,多說或多寫幾次.

11. I try to talk like native English speakers.

試著說道地的英語.

12. I practice the sounds of English.

練習英語發音.

13. I use the English words I know in different ways.

以不同方式使用所知的英文單字.

14. I start conversations in English.

主動使用英語與人交談.

15. I watch English language TV shows spoken in English or go to movies spoken in English.

觀看英語發音的英語電視節目或電影.

16. I read for pleasure in English.

以閱讀英文為樂.

17. I write notes, messages, letters, or reports in English.

使用英文留紙條、留話、寫信、或寫報告.

18. I first skim an English passage (read over the passage quickly), then go back and read carefully.

先快速瀏覽一段英文,然後再重新細讀它.

19. I look for words in my own language that are similar to new words in English.

在母語裡,找英文生字的同義字詞.

20. I try to find patterns in English.

試著找出英文的規則.

21. I find the meaning of an English word by dividing it into parts that I understand.

將一個生字,拆成一些我所知道的部份,來了解其含義.

22. I try not to translate word-for-word.

嘗試不逐字翻譯.

23. I make summaries of information that I hear or read in English.

將所聽所讀的資訊,以英文做摘要.


Part C

24. To understand unfamiliar English words, I make guesses.

對不熟悉的英文單字,去猜它的意思.

25. When I can’t think of a word during a conversation in English, I use gestures.

與人英語對話,有一個字忘了怎麼說時,以動作來表達.

26. I make up new words if I do not know the right ones in English.

不知道正確的英文單字時,會自己編造.

27. I read English without looking up every new word.

讀英文時,不會每逢生字便查字典.

28. I try to guess what the other person will say next in English.

嘗試猜猜別人接下來要說的英文是什麼.

29. If I can't think of an English word, I use a word or phrase that means the same thing.

想不起一個英文單字時,以一個同義字或同義詞替代.



Part D

30. I try to find as many ways as I can to use my English.

想辦法以各種方式來使用所學到的英文.

31. I notice my English mistakes and use that information to help me do better.

知道自己所犯的英文錯誤,並能善用它來幫助自己學得更好.

32. I pay attention when someone is speaking English.

每當有人說英語時, 注意聽.

33. I try to find out how to be a better learner of English.

想辦法找出把英文學得更好的方法.

34. I plan my schedule so I will have enough time to study English.

做好規劃,找出足夠的時間學英文.

35. I look for people I can talk to in English.

找尋可以英語會話的對象.

36. I look for opportunities to read as much as possible in English.

找尋機會盡可能讀英文.

37. I have clear goals for improving my English skills.

確立明確目標,不斷增進英文聽說讀寫能力.

38. I think about my progress in learning English.

思考自己英文學習的進展.


Part E

39. I try to relax whenever I feel afraid of using English.

每當覺得害怕使用英文時,想辦法放鬆自己.

40. I encourage myself to speak English even when I am afraid of making a mistake.

甚至當害怕會犯錯時,仍鼓勵自己說英語.

41. I give myself a reward or treat when I do well in English.

當自己的英文表現不錯時,給自己獎賞或好好吃一頓.

42. I notice if I am tense or nervous when I am studying or using English.
注意自己學習或使用英文時會不會緊張.

43. I write down my feelings in a language learning diary.

寫日記,記錄學習英文的感想.

44. I talk to someone else about how I feel when I am learning English.

與別人分享學英文的感想.



Part F

45. If I do not understand something in English, I ask the other person to slow down or say it again.

聽不懂英文時,請他人放慢速度或再說一次.

46. I ask English speakers to correct me when I talk.

說英語時,請英語為母語人士幫你更正錯誤.

47. I practice English with other students.

與同學一起練習說英語.

48. I ask for help from English speakers.

求助於英語為母語人士.

49. I ask questions in English.

用英語發問.

50. I try to learn about the culture of English speakers.

嘗試學習了解英語文化.

Reference: http://140.128.223.1/2003Web/index.htm, 專業成長

5/27/2005

(1) Idiom: at loose ends (2) 看娛樂新聞學英文

at loose ends-美式用法
at a loose end-英式用法

Meaning:

not knowing what to do ; not having anything in particular to do

中譯: 沒有事做、沒什麼事

Examples:

I have been at loose ends since I graduated from school.
我畢業後就沒事做。
Drop by if you find yourself at loose ends this weekend.
若你週末沒什麼事的話就來看看我吧。


Reference:
M-W's Learner's Word of the Day (5/25)
成語常用翻譯辭典/鄭光立

Merriam-Webster Online有每日一字可訂閱,那些單字都過於艱澀,連以英語為母語的人士都覺得招架不住,遑論我們這些學英文的人。
"It is far too advanced for beginning ESL students and is challenging for even native speakers of English. I'm glad to see that now they are providing this new service that is better suited to the needs of ESL learners. "

基於這個原因,他們設了一個Learners Word of the day,歡迎學習者踴躍訂閱,每日將會收到一封『每日一字』。


娛樂新聞學英語

Taiwanese singer Vivian Hsu makes comeback with new image

Love Unreservedly 狠狠愛

(1) reserved:保留的。
(2)『 un 』表否定,unreserved:沒有保留的。
(3) 必須以『副詞』來修飾動詞,
故『 unreserved 』→ 『 unreservedly 』。
(4)『-ly 』是普遍的副詞形式。


Eyes That Love to Laugh 愛笑的眼睛

(以上兩首我兩歲半的niece很會唱呢!)

貼密(郵寄秘密) Post Secret

昨天才提到了寫作,今天就看到更『活生生』的寫作範本。

這則新聞報導了這個專門讓人『告解』的網站。我覺得大家都好有創意,張張都好有風格呢!明信片裡面的英文都不難也不長,英文初級者可試著讀讀看,還有字典可以幫忙。最底下我會附上中譯,大家參考一下,譯的不好別吐我嘈,我可不是翻譯人員(不要幫我打分數!!)



(1)I'm afraid to take the next step.
我害怕採取下一步的行動。

(2) When I worked at the post office as a cleark, I would read post cards as I sorted them!!!!! Are you guys still doing that?????
當我在郵局上班的時候,我會將明信片邊分類然後又邊看內容!你們是不是還做那檔事?????

(3) This girl was at my birthday party and I have no idea who she is.
這個女生出現在我生日派對裡,可是我卻不曉得她是誰。

(4) I hate loving families......because I don't have one.
我討厭去愛家人……因為我一個也沒有。

(5) Sometimes I think my fiance isn't the one.
有時我覺得我的未婚夫並非我生命中的那一個。

(6) I donated 40 dollars to the tsunami relief fund. Now that I'm brok I regret it.
我捐了40元給海嘯救難基金,而今我後悔了,因為我破產了。

(7) My dad died when I was 9 and I convinced myself he'd faked his own death for some reason (undercover agent, chased by mob, etc.) and that he'd come back someday. When I was 12, I found out from my psychiatrist that this is a pretty stupid idea. I'm 25 now. I still wonder when it'll be safe for him to come otu of hiding and find me.
我爸在我9歲時去世,而我卻說服我自己,爸爸只是因某種原因(他是個密探或被犯罪集團追殺等),有一天他會回來的。12歲時,我從精神科醫師那暸解這是多麼愚蠢的想法。現在我25了,我仍舊想著他何時會脫離險境,不再躲藏地找到我。

(8) I'm always searching for an escape.
我總是在尋找一個逃脫的方法。

(9) I'm still in love with her. I hope she read this, and recognizes my handwriting. This is also my last try.
我還是愛著她,希望她能看到這張明信片認出來我的字跡,這也是我的最後一試。

(10) Sometimes I still keep one eye open after I've supposedly gone to sleep just in case my stuffed animals come to life.
有些時候的我會在應該已熟睡的時候還睜著一隻眼,以免我的那些填充娃娃會甦醒過來。

在看過大家貼密後感想是什麼呢?
"I wish I could give all these people on the site a hug and tell them it's ok to be human."
-Washington DC
但願我能給在這網站上的這些全部的人一個擁抱,並且告訴他們當人是ok的,沒有那麼糟糕。

一些歐美媒體都報導了這一個網站:
Yahoo! Picks-February 8, 2005
Little secrets online
What's Your Secret?
Guilty secrets and a public pleasure
TRUE CONFESSIONS ON WEB
USA Today-Hot Sites
Postcards Feature Secret Messages from Strangers

5/26/2005

Writing.網站介紹『Free online English lesssons』

我想找一些應用的東西放上來,找了一些有關寫作方面的主題,在茫茫網海中看了幾個不錯的,如English Works! Writing Letters,依照信件內容分類(個人信件→抱怨信、道歉信、邀請函…等,還有很多)教你如何寫信和告訴你寫信格式,非常實用。原本我想放美國筆友寫給我的信給大家參考分享順便學英文,um...maybe next time.

而另一個網站Parapal Online-English Express 內含各式各樣的互動練習,站上的練習是專為提升學習者英文的聽、寫、讀、字彙和文法技巧而設計的。




這是求職信(Cover letter),開頭Dear Sir/Madam,結尾必用Yours faithfully,。很多人會問為何要叫cover letter,歐美履歷除履歷表外還要再寫一封信(求職信),內容簡述自己在哪得知該職缺和將履歷表上所列的『具體化』一番。我們可以這麼想,求職信就好似(cover)『蓋在』履歷表上的,故稱cover letter。


English Works!-Cover Letters by by Janel Muyesseroglu 這篇講的很詳盡。(範例信件裡的開頭Dear Mr.Straub,結尾Sincerely/或Yours sincerely,,這是標準商業書信格式哦,不可亂配)

Parapal Online的標題列:

Free online English lesssons:Letters, EAP, IELTS, FCE and CAE style


EAP根據這網頁,應該就是學術英文的意思。English for Academic purposes,而這裡簡述了FCE和CAE的意思

5/25/2005

The more, the merrier.

首頁左邊sidebar的Useful links會一直補充,尤其是英文網站連結的部分,the more, the merrier!(多多益善)(many->more, merry->merrier)

英文網站部分有廣播或線上新聞時事新聞媒體,如週刊電視娛樂相關的 (有加入六人行劇本-Friends Transcripts-下載網站,喜歡的人要下要快,可以一次下載1-10季),聽力有關教導英文用法、慣用語、工具"書" ,線上閱讀(有詩,短、長篇散文…等),還有ESL/EFL網站了,在學英文的去就對了。

今天讓我發現了一件事情,無意間點進English Daily的網站,瀏覽了他們家的Conversation時,看到有幾個標題似曾相識,原來我在蘋果派生活美語看過了,English Daily網站裡的Conversation對話有幾個和蘋果派生活美語裡的對話是一模一樣的。就拿『He only drinks shorts』這個主題來說,這是English Daily的這是Apple Daily的,see, they are the same. 『She is such a gossipmonger ! 』『I've been bursting to tell you』…等等等,還有我先前也從蘋果派生活美語貼過來的『I haven't the foggiest,都有中英文版哦(I haven't the foggiest的英文對照組)。儘管如此,對學習者來說也是利多,有現成翻譯又可多學一點,多好。其實呀,現在學習知識俯拾即是,個人成就與否真的關鍵就在自己。這時我又想起了那一個電視劇的台詞,『努力的基礎在於有沒有熱情』,你對英文充滿熱情嗎? Well, I hope so.

今天還做了另一件事,我串連了一些網站的RSS,放在首頁左邊最下角,想吸收時事和學習英文的人多多瀏覽一下吧,心血來潮時。

日後會做增減,直至目前為止有加入哪些網站的RSS呢?

BBC Learning English (BBC學英文)
CBS News - CBS News Video (CBS新聞視訊)
English Daily (每日英語-有每日對話和笑話)
MSNBC.com: Health (關於健康方面有什麼最新發現和研究?)
NYT > Most E-mailed Articles (紐約時報:多數人轉寄的文章)
Taipei Times


不得不承認真是資訊爆炸時代。


今天從報上得知BBC員工罷工事件,沒想到BBC新聞自己也不避諱的報導了,請看BBC Learning English-Words in the News BBC Strike這篇報導。我不是經常鎖定BBC Learning English的新聞,這則新聞也是我在瀏覽左下角文章標題時撇見的…

此篇報導中的生字:
output
here, programmes

to face the severest disruption
to be badly affected ('to face' means 'to deal with')

flagship
main

walkout
strike

to cut
to reduce (the number of jobs)

savage
cruel, barbaric

damage
harm, result in lower quality

efficiency savings
reduction in money spent in order to be more productive with minimum waste of effort

reinvested in
put back into

5/24/2005

自我介紹?電腦寫給你

聽起來好像很棒,但其實只是個簡單的自我介紹的句子。(別相信誇大不實的廣告標語XD)

Write a Self Introduction-在空白的框裡重新輸入幾個自己的答案,再按write it,就好了。


Write a self-introduction

Interesting things for ESL Students-趣味的學習英文的東東。


Interesting Things for ESL Students

5/20/2005

Reason why 文法討論

這篇文章牽涉了文法討論,讀來或許複雜。



1. I know why you did it.
2. I know the reason that you did it.
3. I know the reason why you did it.
4. I know the reason you did it.


你可以從英語為母語人士口中聽到這四個句子,我認為第一句是最好的,因為它以最少的字表達出意思。

第四句也有可能的,因為在英文裡,當附加一個新獨立子句(you did it)到一個主要子句(I know the reason)時,省略連接詞是OK的。第四句是第二、三句的簡化版,若你用第四句的話可以避開第二句或第三句哪句較好的疑慮。

許多有聲望的作家幾百年來就一直使用『the reason why』(第三句),即使如此,一些文法學者(即規範語言學相對於描述語言學)基於兩項主要問題而反對『the reason why』:(1)多餘的寫法(2)『why』沒有或不應該有關係代名詞的功能。(也就是說,依照這派文法學者的角度來看,『why』不能合乎文法的來帶出一個特定名詞,在這裡的特定名詞是『reason』。但用『why』當作不定代名詞(第一句)是OK的,表示該句並沒有明確的先行詞。 )

基於上述我所討論出來的結果,有些人會對『The main reason why wheat was sold is the big harvest of those years』有微詞,而另一方面也有些人會覺得『The main reason that wheat was sold is the big harvest of those years』聽起來很怪,所以我建議你用『The main reason wheat was sold is the big harvest of those years』。

原文:
You'll hear all four of these sentences from native speakers. I suppose Sentence 1 is best, because it gets the meaning across with the fewest words.

Sentence 4 is possible because in English it is OK to omit the conjunction when attaching a new dependent clause ("you did it") to a main clause ("I know the reason"). In other words, Sentence 4 is really a shortened form of either Sentence 2 or Sentence 3. So if you use Sentence 4, you can sidestep the question of whether Sentence 2 or Sentence 3 is better.

Reputable writers have been saying "the reason why" (Sentence 3) for hundreds of years. Even so, until recently, some grammarians (i.e., prescriptive as opposed to descriptive linguists) have objected to "the reason why" on two main grounds: (1) it is redundant; (2) the word "why" does not, or should not, function as a relative pronoun. (That is, according to these grammarians, "why" cannot be used to grammatically refer to a particular noun, in this case "reason." But it is OK to use "why" as an indefinite pronoun (Sentence 1), meaning that there is no specific antecedent.)

5. The main reason wheat was sold is the big harvest of those years.

6. The main reason why wheat was sold is the big harvest of those years.

7. The main reason that wheat was sold is the big harvest of those years.

For the reasons I've discussed, some people will complain about Sentence 6. On the other hand, some people think that Sentence 7 sounds odd. So I suggest you waffle and go with Sentence 5.

Originally written by Bill Kelly
Translated by Faineant




我翻過了『文法聖經』,不同於上面提到的那群文法學者,『英文文法聖經』將『why』列為關係代名詞之一,也就是說『文法聖經』同意『the reason why』的用法。

『學校畢業』的幾種表達方式

college graduation為例,我們有以下的表達方式:

1a. After I graduated from college ...
1b. After I was graduated from college...
1c. After I graduated college ...

2a. After graduating from college, I ...
2b. After being graduated from college, I ...
2c. After graduating college, I ...
2d. After graduation from college, I ...


我們有時候會聽到1C 和 2C,但很多人視這兩種表達法是未受過教育的人用的。直到近50年前,才教導學子們1b 和 2b 是正確的形式。理由在於是學校讓你畢業,你沒有權利自己畢業。然而1b 和 2b 現在聽起來相當不自然且過氣,尤其是2b。

現在我們最常聽見的1a 和 2a,可是有時也會聽到2d。若想要避免在 a 和 b 形式上做選擇的話,2d 會是一個好的抉擇。

Nowadays you sometimes hear 1c and 2c. But many people regard them as illiterate.

Up until about 50 years ago, pupils were taught that 1b and 2b were the correct forms. The argument was that it is the college that graduates you; you don't have the power or authority to "graduate" yourself.

However, you would sound rather stiff and old fashioned if you used 1b and 2b nowadays -- especially 2b.

1a and 2a is what you hear most often nowadays. However, you do also hear 2d. This is a good choice if you want to avoid having to choose between the a and b forms.


William Kelly
Connecticut USA


中文隨意翻譯:Faineant

每日格言 (5/20)

Ambition is the last refuge of the failure. -Oscar Wilde
野心是失敗最後的避難所。 -王爾德





There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain. -Plato
(對女人來說)有三種男人:智慧的情人,尊榮的情人,勢利的情人。 -柏拉圖



Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.-Kahlil Gibran
沒有自由的生活正如沒有靈魂的肉體。-卡里?紀伯倫

【 卡里.紀伯倫 (Kahlil Gibran)】敘利亞人。一八八三年出生於一宗教氣氛濃厚的家庭。十五歲 時以阿拉伯文第一次寫下了「先知」,二十歲時因著有「反叛的精神」一文,被教會除籍、被政府放逐。他五次重寫英文的「先知」, 直到一九二三年才出版;它是他畢生的代表作,也是他最鍾愛的。書中充滿了真摯的人道主義,以及對人類無比的愛。一九三一年四月十日病逝於紐約。☆  



註:補充的中文皆來自網上資料

5/19/2005

nip and tuck

CBS News的5月9日某篇文章標題:

Family That Nips & Tucks Together

翻遍字典也找了幾個線上字典(字典1字典2字典3),得到答案皆為: 並駕齊驅/勢均力敵/不相上下 = neck and neck

若看過video知道文章內容,會很快知道這個解釋行不通,實在有夠巧合,批踢踢上竟也有人問到what "nip and tuck" means。有人回覆了,有的,有的,有我期待的答案。

Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus. Free access.給了基本的定義外,在Thesaurus下,有我要的解釋,非常之詳盡,還給了許多同義字!



但其實在我上面列的字典3裡是搜得到的,但不是以nip and tuck來找,而是要鍵入"a nip (here) and a tuck (there)"來搜才搜得到(還有附上例句,不錯),一定要放"( )"才能一下子找到,又或者其實以nip來找就可以了。

Rest assured.

Engrish.com網站是以出現在日本廣告和商品設計好笑的英文錯誤為主,主要是刊登照片供大家瀏覽,而一知半解(若出現空白,請將編碼轉至UTF-8)這個網站正相反,是以無中文背景的人誤用漢字為其網站主題。

"rest assured"是在Engrish.com裡的FAQ(frequently asked questions)所看見的,對它有種熟悉感,是因為它出現在羅比威廉斯(Robbie Williams)的Better man(更好的男人)第二段裡,我自己的中文網誌背景音樂就是放著這首歌,放了有兩個月久。

Engrish.com的FAQ

Better man歌詞
這個北京新浪網可以看到中文翻譯,但要連評析的部份一起看。

又廢話了那麼久,rest assured意思就在這個「實用生字」網站上查得到,最快在一篇網頁上搜尋的方法就是『編輯』-『在目前網頁尋找』用按鍵就按『Ctrl』+ F正如其名,「實用生字」網站提供了許多實用的詞彙,閣下可以瀏覽一下,說不定會碰到您想知道的英文生字。

5/13/2005

高爾夫球為什麼叫做golf?

于美人在和鄭弘儀主持節目裡提到GOLF為何叫GOLF,她說G是grass,O是oxygen,忘了L和F。鄭開玩笑說L是LP,後來又講L應該指light,因為有陽光。

當下的我總覺得曾看過GOLF此字的由來,後來憑我的印象想到好像是CNN雜誌。有網友說他看CNN就能夠在托福考到自己想要的分數,我對CNN雜誌也是抱持著肯定的態度。CNN雜誌對每個主題都會補充相關資料,就拿本篇golf來說吧,單字和一些中文註解是必要之外,還附上golf的由來,這也就算了,還有一整頁的「高爾夫常見術語」,如「birdie」(博蒂-某洞的成績少於標準桿一桿)…等,但是好壞在個人,東西好也是自己覺得對自己有幫助才算好。








BBS.意見交流的王道 / Eng-Class / 主題:文法重要嗎?

5/05/2005

Laptop & Notebook

原本筆記型電腦我只知道notebook,但我忘了在哪裡學到laptop這個字的,這讓我很沮喪,因為當我看見我曾見過的英文字、用法或定義時,總希望能找到「來源」,是「俚語檔案」?是「魔法ABC」?不過確定的是,「魔法ABC」有教到哦。但令我愧疚的是我到現在還沒有PO完全部講義,對那些想研讀或瀏覽或找資料的人真抱歉。話題在拉回「laptop」,自我知道這個字後,我全然開始使用它,筆記型電腦就是laptop,當然notebook也是,只是我覺得laptop層次比較「高」。有一次跟一個來自美國德州的網友通電話,他提到了laptop,好里佳在,我知道是什麼,而後更全然信奉「laptop」了,「notebook」是邪教。(哈哈)

那究竟它們兩個有沒有差別呢?這不是只有我有疑問的哦

來吧,答案找到了,只是是英文的。大意是說:Laptop經常被稱做是Notebook(也就是被notebook代替),但事實上兩者還是有些許差別,laptop體型比notebook還小。

你以為這一篇就這樣結束了嗎?錯了。以下是不小心從網上搜到的,有時候是可以只放連結不用另行貼上,但怕連結會錯誤或文章不見等一些意外。

=======================

《中英對照讀新聞》Laptop design can be a pain in the posture
膝上型電腦設計可能造成姿勢疼痛

◎ 陳宜君

No nationwide studies document the trend, but anecdotally, doctors and physical therapists say that as portable computers become cheaper, more powerful, smaller and lighter, and as wireless Internet access becomes ubiquitous, thousands are suffering persistent back, shoulder, wrist and neck aches.

沒有全國性的研究證實此趨勢,但非正式談話中,醫師和物理治療師表示,隨著移動式電腦越來越便宜、威力更強大、體積更小更輕,以及無線上網管道變得無所不在,數以千計的人飽受持續性背部、肩膀、手腕和頸部疼痛之苦。

The culprit: The keyboard and screen on laptops are too close to each other.

罪魁禍首:膝上型電腦的鍵盤和螢幕彼此距離太近。

"When you use a laptop, you can make your head and neck comfortable, or you can make your hands and arms comfortable, but it's impossible to do both," says Tom Albin of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, a national think tank that has issued a standards report on ergonomics of computer workstations.

「當你使用膝上型電腦時,你可以使頭部和頸部感覺舒服,或者讓雙手和手臂維持舒適,但不可能兩者同時辦到,」曾發佈電腦工作站人體工學標準報告的全國性智庫「人性因素與人體工學協會」的艾爾本說。

College students, who increasingly are required to own laptops and use them in lecture halls built for 20th-century academic life, are having a particularly rough time. Nearly 49 million laptops were sold worldwide in 2004, almost double the number sold in 2000, an increase from 20.3% of the computer market to 28.5%.

大學生越來越需要擁有膝上型電腦,並在為二十世紀學術生活所興建的授課室中使用它們,而面臨特別艱苦的時刻。全世界在二○○四年售出將近四千九百萬台膝上型電腦,幾乎是二○○○年銷售數目的兩倍,在電腦市場所佔的比率由二十.三%增加到二十八.五%。

Dictionary-新聞辭典

laptop:名詞,膝上型電腦,亦即筆記型電腦(notebook);桌上型電腦是desktop。Laptop亦可當作形容詞,指可放在膝上使用的、膝上型的。

document:可當作動、名詞。本文中作為動詞,意指用文件記載。例句:The history of this area is very well documented. (這個地區的歷史檔案紀錄非常完備。)

culprit:名詞,犯罪者、犯下過失的人。例句:Someone broke windows, but we soon caught the culprit. (有人打破窗戶,但我們很快就抓到肇事者。)

rough:本文當作形容詞,意指簡陋或不舒服的。例句:Life was rough out in the American West in the last century. (上一世紀的美國西部生活極為艱苦。)

far better & WordReference Forums 網站介紹

我又跑去偷看Ms.Yeh的blog,那是一個她用來研究台灣外語補習班專業老師培養的記事本。我讀到她有一篇記錄了一個BBC做的一個投票,題目問及是否以該語言為母語的老師就會把該語言教的好。

原文裡出現了"far better","far better" 是遠不及better(就是不好)還是遠超過better(就是非常好)?

WordReference Forums-Far Usages,我找到了答案。

"Far better" means "much better" as in this movie is far better than that movie, this movie is much better than that one."

我大概看了一下WordReference Forums,初步認定是語言討論版,既然我在學英文,就到English only區去吧,發覺有些問題我們也會有呢,由英美人士或英文能力較強者來解答或討論,也許是心理作用,答案可信度來得高。

ex.
有人問:
"driver's licence"和"driving licence"有何不同?

有人回答了這問題,

driver's licence 美國常說, driving licence 是英格蘭的用詞(driver's licence is more said in the states, driving licence is the term used in england)

還有人補充,

美不論是動詞或名詞皆拼作license ,英國licence作動詞的話才作license。

5/03/2005

writing quiz (寫作測驗) & english-at-home網站簡介

轉貼自english-at-home寄來的newsletter裡的部分內容,english-at-home贊助網站之一正在宣傳一個新課程-商用英文寫作,故此寫作測驗牽涉到商用英文。

我將題目補上中文,答案和補充說明部分就不再額外用中文註解了,有興趣的人做做看。




How good is your written English? Take our test and find out!
For each question, answer a, b, or c.

(The answers are at the end of the newsletter.)


1. Standard correspondence phrases
(標準通信慣用語 )

Business letters that start "Dear Mr Smith" would end:
(商用書信裡以「Dear Mr Smith」開頭,結尾應為:)

a) Yours sincerely
b) Best wishes
c) Lots of love



2. Grammar 文法

Can you find the grammar mistake in the following sentence:
(你能在下列句子找出文法錯誤嗎?)
"This kinds of activities is interesting"

a) Kinds is the wrong word - it should be sorts
b) Activities is misspelt - it should be activity's
c) "This" should be "these" and "is" should be "are" to agree with "kinds" and "activities". (both plural words)


3. Modern business phrases 現代商業慣用語

Which of the three following sentences is the most appropriate for modern business correspondence?
(以下三句哪一句為最適當的現代商業慣用語?)

a) I hereby attach our order.
b) I am attaching our order.
c) Here's our order.



4. Vocabulary choice and consistency 辭彙選擇和一貫性

Choose the most appropriate phrase to fill the gap in this sentence:
(選出最適當的詞組填入下列句子:)

We regret to inform you that there will be --------- delay in fulfilling your order.

a) a bit of a
b) a mere
c) a slight



5. Linking words 連接字

Choose the correct linking word to fill the gap in this sentence:

--------- an increase in supplier costs, we will have to raise our prices.

a) Although
b) However
c) Due to


6. Writing clearly and concisely 精簡明暸的寫作

What does the following sentence mean?
以下句子的意思為何?

In our experience, those customers that buy from one of our franchise stores are five times as likely to buy from another of our franchise stores than those customers who buy online; these being more likely to choose between a range of suppliers offering similar goods in terms of product features, product retail prices and product delivery times.

a) More customers buy in franchise stores than buy online.

b) Customers who buy from one of our franchise stores often buy from another franchise store, but online customers have a greater choice.

c) Our goods are different from other suppliers as we have a greater range in product features, product retail prices and product delivery times.



7. Spelling 拼字

What is the correct spelling?

a) Goods receivable
b) Goods recievable
c) Goods receivabul



8. Style 語調

Choose the sentence that best follows this sentence:
這一句後面接什麼最合適?

Thank you for your application for the post of Sales Manager.


a) Sorry, we don't like your CV.

b) Unfortunately, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

c) It is regrettable, although perhaps entirely understandable, that in this particular instance we do not find ourselves in the position of being able to offer you gainful employment in our establishment.


9. A comma is. "a comma"的意思是?

a) A serious medical condition
b) A French word
c) A punctuation mark used in lists



10. Tone 口氣

How could you ask your English colleague to send you a report on customer services?
你該如何請求你的英籍同事寄給你一份顧客服務報告?

a) I would be grateful if you could send me the report on customer services.

b) It would be more than useful if you would be so kind as to send me the report on customer services.


c) Send me the report on customer services.




----------答案-----------------

Answers to the quiz

1. Standard correspondence phrases

Business letters that start "Dear Mr Smith" would end:
a) Yours sincerely

(Note: using the correct standard phrases is important and makes you sound professional.)

2. Grammar
Can you find the grammar mistake in the following sentence:
"This kinds of activities is interesting"

c) "This" should be "these" and "is" should be "are" to agree with "kinds" and "activities". (both plural words)

(Note: sentences which are grammatically incorrect may cause misunderstanding.)

3. Modern business phrases
Which of the three following sentences is the most appropriate for modern business correspondence?


b) I am attaching our order.

(Note: avoid old-fashioned words such as "hereby" in your writing.)

4. Vocabulary choice and consistency
Choose the most appropriate phrase to full the gap in this sentence:
We regret to inform you that there will be --------- delay in fulfilling your order.

c) a slight

(Note:know when to use formal, informal or neutral words and phrases.)

5. Linking words
Choose the correct linking word to fill the gap in this sentence:
--------- an increase in supplier costs, we will have to raise our prices.

c) Due to

(Note: using the correct linking words allows your reader to follow your ideas easily.)

6. Writing clearly and concisely
What does the following sentence mean?

In our experience, those customers that buy from one of our franchise stores are five times as likely to buy from another of our franchise stores than those customers who buy online; these being more likely to choose between a range of suppliers offering similar goods in terms of product features, product retail prices and product delivery times.

b) Customers who buy from one of our franchise stores often buy from another franchise store, but online customers have a greater choice.

(Note: keep your sentences short and grammatically simple where possible in order to minimise misunderstandings and confusion. The sentence above is difficult to understand, as numerous clauses hide the meaning.)

7. Spelling
What is the correct spelling?
a) Goods receivable

(Note: learn simple spelling rules to help you avoid typical mistakes.)

8. Style
Choose the sentence that best follows this sentence:
Thank you for your application for the post of Sales Manager

b) Unfortunately, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

(Note: keep your style consistent throughout the text.)

9. A comma is.
c) A punctuation mark used in lists

(Note: correct punctuation helps your reader understand you.)

10. Tone
How could you ask your English colleague to send you a report on customer services?
a) I would be grateful if you could send me the report on customer services.

(Note: know how to write politely to avoid irritating or insulting your reader!)


How did you score?





english-at-home為一個全英的英語教學網站,該網站提供了許多的英文知識,分別有文法、時式和動詞、說、字彙、片語、實用生活英語、自我測驗等的大項,因為我個人偏好實用性的東西,所以我在這裡簡短介紹該網站實用生活英語裡有什麼寶物。

點選「real life english」後會出現下拉式選單,選單裡有「特殊情況(Special situations)」、「看牙醫」、「開車」、「預約」、「履歷表(CV's/Resumes)」、「求職信(covering letters)」、「上台報告(presentation)」、「開會」、「打電話」……等等等等,可說是應有盡有。

5/02/2005

behind the wheel & 「全民學習外語列車」網站簡介

一切的一切來自於TIMEasia一篇報導開頭:

As millions of Asians get behind the wheel, the region's overloaded roads are becoming highways to hell.

對於"behind the wheel"的意思還不是很了解,故上網查之。而其實在Yahoo奇摩"wheel"的片語裡,就有"behind the wheel"的解釋。在教育部社教博識網裡,有一個全民學習外語列車(英語篇),因為我並非從社教博識網首頁進入,所以我不知道全民學習外語列車是在哪一個分類裡。




在全民學習外語列車的入口畫面即選擇分類,看你是要「運將篇」、「商店服務人篇」、「警察篇」、「餐旅服務人篇」、「櫃檯總機篇」,有提供聲音檔。

我最初找到的網頁是「警察篇」裡的「酒醉駕車」,因為第一句話就出現了"behind the wheel"。好險我不在國外,也不會駕車,因為光是這句的"behind the wheel"就聽嘸了。後來我聽了錄音,發覺有很多英文教學的英語錄音都出現該男聲,比如「EZ Talk」。錄音速度不快,適合初學者學習。

那句英文的大意:「因為百萬多的亞洲人都開車上路,所以該區域超乘載(車流量大)的路段成為通往地嶽之路。」