| Verbal
Opinion |
|
用言語表達意見 |
| Every
day we are asked to give our opinion. Daily, we are expected to
be tactful and diplomatic. Easier said than done. And much more
easily done in our native Chinese! How then, do you offer your opinions
in English without coming across as pretentious, arrogant or rude?
Even the most well-meaning person will mess up if they do not have
the tools, regardless of translating directly from Chinese to English. |
|
每天我們都會被要求表達自己的意見。任何時候，我們往往都需要得體和圓滑，實則說易行難。而以我們的母語中文來表達，當然是比較容易。但是，怎樣才可當你用英語表達意見時，避免給人浮誇、自大、無禮的感覺？就算是最善意的人，如果他們不能掌握表達的竅門，即使只是把中文直譯成英語，依然可以弄得一團糟。 |
Just
as in Chinese, there are many types of expressions in English. For
instance, if you want to be negative without being offensive or
you don't want to help, for example, instead of merely saying, "No,
that's stupid" or "No, I can't help you", you could
try the following:
# While that's a good suggestion, it's not quite suitable for this
situation.
# A small company may not provide you with the promotion opportunities
you're looking for.
# Although I understand your dilemma, I don't have any suggestions.
# While interesting, is it feasible? |
|
跟中文一樣，英語有很多種表達方式。舉例說，如果你希望無惡意地表達否定的意見或你並不願意提供協助，與其單說「不，那是愚蠢的」或「不，我不能幫助你」，你倒不如試試下列這些說法：
# 雖然這是一個好提議，但似乎不太適用於這個情況。
# 一間小型公司或許不能為你提供你所追求的升職機會。
# 雖然我明白你正處於進退兩難的境地，但我並沒有任何建議。
# 這的確很有意思，但是否可行呢？ |
If
you want to end arguments or conversations in which you no longer
wish to participate, consider using these phrases:
# Let's agree to disagree.
# Everyone sees things differently.
# Let's change the topic; arguing isn't getting us anywhere.
# I stand by my opinion, but consider yours valid. |
|
如果你想結束爭辯或你不想繼續對話時，你可以考慮使用以下這些慣用語：
# 就讓大家各自保留不同的意見吧。
# 各人看事物都有不同的看法。
# 就轉轉話題吧，爭論對我們毫無益處。
# 我堅持我的看法，但也認同你的意見有確實的根據。 |
Sometimes,
in some situations, diplomatic phrasing will only make things worse,
hence straight-forward expressions are required. These include:
# No, that won't work.
# That's asking for trouble.
# This isn't the time for frivolity.
# If you insist on going, you're going alone. |
|
有時間，在一些情況下，謹慎間接的說法反而會把事情弄得更糟，那就需要直接的表達，這些包括：
# 不，這是行不通的。
# 那是自找麻煩。
# 現在不是鬧著玩的時候。
# 如果你堅持的話，那就只會剩下你一個了。 |
Being
positive, however, is far more beneficial to everyone. Positive
expressions include:
# I think that's nice.
# That's a good idea.
# I like the way you presented the information - it was clear and
informative.
# You have a good head on your shoulders. |
|
然而，正面的說話往往對任何人都更有益處。正面的表達方法包括：
# 我覺得那很好。
# 那是個好主意。
# 我喜歡你表達資料的方式──既清楚又豐富。
# 你的看法頗有見地。 |
And,
when you want to improve upon another's ideas or build upon their
comments:
# That's good, but have you thought about it like this...?
# While I have nothing against the idea, I'm uncertain about various
aspects.
# How would you improve your idea?
# Why do you hold that opinion? |
|
此外，當你想改善他人的意見或補充他們的看法時：��
# 那很不錯，但關於這件事你有否這樣想過……？
# 我不反對這意見，但我並不肯定某些方面的問題。
# 你會如何改善你的建議呢？
# 為甚麼你會有那個看法？ |
Finally,
there are many other ways to say "great" or "wonderful".
Try some of the following:
# Admirable
# Amazing
# Brilliant
# Excellent
# Outstanding
# Phenomenal
# Remarkable
# Superb
# Tremendous
# Unexpected |
|
最後，其實有很多方法去表示「好極了」或「很棒」的意思，試試下列的其中一些：
# 令人欽佩的
# 令人驚喜的
# 出色的
# 優秀的
# 出眾的
# 很了不起的
# 非凡的
# 極好的
# 非常好的
# 意想不到的 |
| There
are many other ways of expressing yourself. They all depend upon
your situation and what you wish to convey to your listeners. |
|
其實還有很多其他的方式去表達你自己的意見，用哪種方式全視乎你身處的環境及你想向你的聆聽者表達甚麼。 |
