王峰
在現實生活中,難免要與別人打交道,但你可得注意,要是用英語與別人交流,千萬不能將漢語的思維習慣機械地搬到英語中來哦!否則會鬧出笑話的。不信,看看下面的這些日常交際用語你會幾個呢?
【誤1】— What do you want to buy?
— A pair of shoes.
【分析】英國、美國的營業員主動問顧客要買什么東西時,要說:What can I do for you?/ Can I help you?/ Is there anything I can do for you?不能說:What do you want do buy?(你要買什么?)
【誤2】— Who’s that?
— I’m Alice.
【分析】在電話里回答“Who’s that?”或“Who’s it?”時,英美人常說:This is Alice(speaking).
【誤3】— Hello, who are you?
— Hello, I’m Mr Smith.
【分析】英美人在電話中問對方是誰時,要說:Hello, who’s that? / Hello, who’s that speaking? / Is that…speaking? / Is that you,…? 對方回答時,要說:This is …(speaking).
【誤4】— Sorry to have troubled you a lot.
— No trouble.
【分析】在對方向你表示歉意時,你應說:Never mind. /That’s all right. / It doesn’t matter. / It’s nothing. No trouble(不麻煩)。
【誤5】— Merry Christmas to you!
— Thanks a lot.
【分析】聽到有人祝你節日或周末愉快時,你應該說:The same to you,因為對于對話雙方來說節日或周末是共有的;當聽到別人說“Happy birthday to you!”祝你生日快樂時,你要說:Thanks/Thank you. 因為生日是你自己獨有的,祝賀僅僅是單方面的。
【誤6】— Thank you for your help.
— No thanks.
【分析】聽到別人感謝時,英美人習慣回答:Not at all. /You are welcome. / That’s all right. /Don’t mention it. / My pleasure. / It’s my pleasure.等。
【誤7】— Would you have another cup of tea?
— Oh, no, I wouldn’t.
【分析】表示“不再吃或喝……”,要說:No, thanks. /No, I have had much.若要表示“要”或“再來點……”答語可用Yes, thanks ./Yes, but only a little.
【誤8】— We are leaving for Hangzhou.
— Wish you safe all the way.
【分析】當別人告訴你要去某地時,你應說:Have a good time./ Have a good trip.等。
【誤9】— Would you please lend me your eraser?
— Of course , I would.
【分析】許諾別人借用某物的請求時,應說:Here you are. / Of course. / Certainly.
【誤10】— My mother is ill.
— What illness?
【分析】聽到別人生病的不幸消息時,英美人常說:I’m sorry to hear that.
【誤11】— You speak English very well.
— No, not so well.
【分析】英美人在聽到別人夸獎或贊美時,不像中國人一樣先謙虛一番,而是表示謝意,謝謝別人對自己的夸獎。他們常說:Thanks. /Many thanks. / That’s very kind of you. /It’s very kind of you to say so. 而不說:No, not so well. / Just so-so. /Don’t mention it.
【誤12】— How’s the young man?
— He’s a doctor.
【分析】How’s the young man?是問“那個年輕人身體如何?”答語應是:He’s much better. What’s the young man?是問那個年輕人的職業,答語應為:He’s a doctor.