1、英语新闻常用句子特征例析新闻报道文体属于较正式的文体,语言结构比较复杂。但它并不晦涩难懂,而是简洁明确,主题突出,语言客观,显示出自己的独特风格。新闻分书面和口头两大类,分别以报刊与广播为代表,二者在写作风格和技巧上大同小异。除了语篇和词汇外,新闻的行文风格和技巧亦表现在句子及其使用上。新闻报道语句是构成新闻语篇的独立的基本语义单位,既受制于新闻语篇的要求,又服务于新闻语篇。因此,新闻语句的结构和句式要符合新闻报道的结构需要和行文规范。新闻报道语篇一般由标题、导语、正文、背景和结尾组成,其用语要求具体、准确、简明、通俗和生动,所以句子也要反映这些语言要求,与之相辅相成,发挥出支持新闻语篇的作用
2、。因此,在新闻撰写中,习惯采用许多特定结构的语句,如新闻体语句、扩展的简单句、主从复合句、解释性语句等,这些常用句子或多或少显示新闻文体色彩、结构简洁紧凑、内容丰富明确、修辞手段多样和口语化倾向等特征。(一)文体色彩较浓在报道中,出现最多最明显的是新闻体词语( journalistic expressions) 。新闻体词语是指媒体出于行文需要,使用频率较高的涉及新闻事件、人物和机构等的词语,即新闻的“套话”、 “行话”,包括报道套语、文头惯用语、分类常用语等, 它们在报道中单独成句或形成含有新闻体词语的惯用句式。具有语义简明准确、位置相对固定, 使用快捷方便等特点。虽然有些新闻体词语由于用得
3、太多太久给人以陈旧呆板之感, 但还是不时出现在新闻的各个部分。可以说,各种新闻体词语在报道里随处可见, 作用不一,如:1. 表示信息来源出处 quote as 引用话; who spoke on condition of anonymity 以匿名为条件; a spokesman says 发言人说 officials / sources/ critics/ analysts/observers / skeptics say 政府官员们/有关人士/评论家 /分析家/ 观察家/怀疑者说; declined to comment on / elaborate on /give ones name
4、/be named 谢绝评论/提供详细情况/ 披露本人姓名; Witnesses said目击者说; Reports from say 来自的报道说; opinion polls show 民意调查显示;studies show 研究显示。2. 表示信息状况 confirmed /unconfirmed / conflicting reports/ accounts 已证实的/未经证实的/相互矛盾的报道/说法; Further details were not immediately available. 进一步的详情眼下不得而知(有待随时报道) 。Details of what happen
5、ed are still unclear. 事件的详情仍不清楚。Details of are still coming in. 详情正送来本台。Details have emerged of详情已浮现出来。It was not immediately clear whether目前尚不清楚。 So far there is no word on迄今尚无关于的消息 。3. 表示背景对照 following 随着; ( shortly) before / after 就在 之前/之后 on the sidelines of 在背景下; against the backdrop of 在背景下; T
6、he move follows此举是随着; was part of作为一部分; in an apparent reference to 显然是指; comes as 随着; comes after 随着; as it comes as随着。4. 表示意图、预定、推测(暗含评论分析 ) aim at/aimed at 旨在, in an apparent attempt to 显然是想, in an effort to / in a bid to 试图 set, slated 预定 , expected 预计, feared 担心,恐怕; It appears that似乎; it was pr
7、esumed据推测; fall short of 缺乏,达不到; likely be seen as 很可能被视为; describe it as 描绘为。5. 表示态度、行为过程 accuse 指责; condemn 谴责; blast 激烈抨击; hail 称赞; dismiss 驳斥; lash 严厉斥责;laud 称赞; abuse 滥用; aid 援助; air 表达,公开; back 支持;bar 阻止; block 阻止; boom 激增; boost 推进; bolster 支持;curb 抑制; clash 冲突; deal 交易; ease 缓和; flare 爆发 ; g
8、rab 抢夺; leave 造成 ; loom 逼近; lure 吸引; mark 标志,纪念;move 举动; mull 深思,认真考量; pound (连续)重击; probe 调查; quit 停止; row 争吵; see 目睹,经历, 显示, voice表达意见; weigh 权衡, 仔细考量; witness 目睹, 经历; wrap( up) 结束; plays down 降低 (重要性) ; hint (at) 示; suggest 建议;暗示。试看以下例句:(1) FB I arrests seven in terrorism plot: source (Reuters Ju
9、n. 23, 2006)(2) Envoys close to the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Russia was toughest on provisions in a draft statement and that China backed Moscow. (CNN Mar.21, 2006)(3) Youre tuned to News Desk in the BBC World Service from London. And we cap the main news. (BBC)(4) The p
10、ossibility of a U. S. 2Chinese military confrontation over Taiwan looms in the background of the espionage, said Ronald Guerin, the FBIs East Asia section chief. (USA TODAY May 18, 2006)(5) “We have a sound,” AP quoted Sahar Yunos of the Malaysia Disaster and Rescue Team as saying. “Knocking, someth
11、ing like that.” (CNN Feb. 20, 2006)(6) He said it was not immediately clear whether any foreigners were involved in the accident, and declined to give details of the driver. (CNN Oct. 26, 2003)(7) They stopped short of saying they thought the miners were dead. (Reuters Oct. 5, 2007)(8) Giuliani hint
12、s at ending his 2008 p residential bid (Reuters Jan. 30, 2008)(9) Cheney plays down NK strike calls (CNN Jun. 23, 2006)6. 表述专类内容 这是指为表达一定的内容而习惯选用的相关词语,包括一些专业词汇。这类词语出现频率很高,主要出现在具体的某类新闻报道中。常见的有外交、政治、事故灾难、军事冲突、经济、科技等 10 多类别，各类除含有一些通用的词语外,也有许多专用词语。这些词语自成一体,若即若离,相辅相成,成为某类新闻的标志性常用词语。如 stampede, crash, vic
13、tim, survivor(事故灾难类 ) , unrest, demonstration, protest (冲突类) , talks, bilateral ties, make representations against (外交类) 。例如以下 2 例属于外交类报道新闻 :(10) ROK claims on intrusion incident strongly refuted (China Daily Jun. 15, 2002)(11) China makes representations against Koizumis shrine visit(Xinhua net Jan
14、. 14, 2003)(二)结构简洁紧凑新闻报道的语言要求通俗易懂,所以其句子较短,结构较为简单,尤其是在标题和导语部分。英语新闻中的句子多用简单句和并列复合句,也适量使用主从复合句, 新闻报道多用这两种简明的句式,目的在于传递更多信息的同时,增加可读性。在新闻语篇中的不同部分,句子呈现出不同的变化。标题需要简洁生动而节省篇幅,以简单句、省略句居多;导语既要简洁又要概括要点、突出新颖之处,以传递主要信息和引起看下去的兴趣,所以句子交待的内容较多,带了一些修饰成分,但其句法紧凑,信息浓缩,一个句子就包含了主要信息,回答至少 23 个 W 的内容,所以有较长的附加成分,如分词短语、同位语、从句等。
15、正文则按照“倒金字塔” 或“ 金字塔 ”的新闻篇章结构展开内容,如使用主从复合句解释标题,使用新闻体语句引出消息、交待来源和背景等。简言之,新闻报道较多使用短句和短的段落,句型简单化,词序常规化,避免在一个句子中夹杂许多不太相关的信息。1. 扩展的简单句(expanded simple sentence)扩展的简单句能容纳尽可能多的内容,故常用同位语、介词短语、分词短语以及句词( sentence word)等语言成分来扩展简单句。这种句子只包含一个主要意思和数个相关的次要意思。句子各部分之间关系紧密、层次分明,结构仍然较为简单, 内容却丰富起来,从而达到简洁、严谨、信息量大的效果。例如:(1
16、2) Russia school standoff ends with 250 dead. ( Sep t. 4, 2004) (介词短语作状语)(13) Searchers look for miners feared trapped (CNN Jan. 20, 2006) (分词短语作定语)(14) Coach carrying Poles crashes in France killing 26 (Reuters Jul. 22, 2007) (分词短语作定语和状语)2. 主从复合句( complex sentence)英语新闻报道中的主从复合句一般只包含一层关系,即简单的“主语+宾语从
17、句/定语从句/状语从句”结构。单层的主从复合句还有口语化的特征,易于受众快速理解和接受。例如:(15) NEW YORK (Reuters) 2U. S. and North Korean officials held talks on Monday aimed at eventually normalizing diplomatic ties as part of an agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs in exchange for aid. (定语从句)(16) P
18、hilippine President Arroyo has declared a state of emergency after military officials say they blocked a coup attempt against her. (CNN Feb. 24, 2006) (状语从句+宾语从句)(17) BEIJ ING, China ( CNN Jan. 30, 2008 ) Chinas worst winter in more than half a century showed no signs of abating Wednesday as forecas
19、ters told citizens to brace for three more days of snow and sleet. (状语从句)3. 被动句(passive-voice sentence structure)被动句强调行动或事件的结果, 显示新闻事实或动作的接受者比执行者更重要的情况,能起到简洁,突出重点的作用,还可制造悬念、激发读者的好奇心,这尤其适用于标题、导语、事故灾难类新闻等,有时不便或不愿说出动作的执行者, 用被动语态可起到缓和语气, 委婉礼貌的交际效果。例如:(18) Blizzard warning posted; traffic snarled (USA TO
20、DAY Feb. 12, 2006) (标题)(19) It was also disclosed recently that up to a million rural businesses stop trading this year and 18, 000 building projects have been halted. (Nov. 16, 1989) (导语)(20) At least eight miners who had been near the mines exit when the explosion occurred were rescued and were ho
21、spitalized with burns and broken bones. (CNN Feb. 19, 2006) (正文)4. there be 结构( there be structure)这是新闻报道的一个常用句型,简单明了,可出现在开头或文中,表示“ 发生” 某事或“存在”某事,且显示报道的客观性 ,常用来报道灾祸新闻。例如:(21) Theres been a big rail crash in Pakistan. About 200 people are reported killed and hundreds more injured. (BBC Jan. 4, 1990)(
22、22) Theres been considerable public anger at the actions of photographers who were pursuing the Princesss car on motorcycles at the time of the crash. (BBC Sep t. 1, 1997)(三)内容丰富明确新闻报道的内容要求信息量大,语义关联性强,为使语言准确清楚,因而有较多的限定和解释是必要的。许多新闻涉及比较复杂的情况,所以报道的语句往往含有大量复杂的修饰成分,如复合从句、分词词组、介词词组、动名词等形式,它们既能传达信息又能简化语言,节
23、省篇幅。由于各种成分的增加,句子就变得复杂起来。好的新闻句子,必然信息充分,主次明晰,没有多余的、杂乱的词语,各句子成分排列有序,在简约的表达中传递丰富的信息, 内容虽多,仍然易于辨认和理解。1. 松散句( loose sentence)硬新闻中主要使用松散句 ,而少用与之相对的圆周句 (periodic sentence) 。因为松散句在句首就显示句子的核心内容 , 而起解释和说明作用的成分推后, 这种句式的重点在前,一目了然, 是新闻写作的典型结构法。例如:(23) Troops began moving a id to the cyclone2sha t2tered town of In
24、n is fail on Tuesday as residents picked through waterlogged streets littered with rubble and mangled roofs destroyed by Australias most powerful cyclone in decades. (CNN Mar. 21, 2006)句中黑体为主句要点, as 从句以后的都是附加的次要内容。圆周句则相反, 开头由修饰、解释成分引领,逐步过渡到后面的句子核心,为文学写作所常用。但新闻报道也不时根据圆周句的特点,在句前部分,集中突出某些次要信息,先提供必要的背景材
25、料,这样既可为理解稍后的主要信息作好铺垫,又浓缩了信息而减少篇幅:(24) Bill Beutel, the longtime television news anchor and host of the show that became ABCs “Good Morning America,” has died, the network announced. He was 75. (CNN Mar. 20, 2006)2. 解释性语句( explanatory expression)包括名词性短语、定语从句、同位语、插入语等,它们在语义上有相对的独立性,常用来补充说明事件的性质、提供背景情况
26、或因果关系以及表示对事件的评论等,主要起解释作用,以使新闻的言语更通俗易懂,使受众增长知识和见闻。其位置很灵活, 可以出现在新闻的各个部分。例如:(25) The man whos been in overall charge of the Chinese economy for the past five years Zhu Rongji has been elected p rime minister. (BBC Mar. 19, 1998) (定语从句)(26) The hurricane, whichs left the trail of destruction across much
27、 of Central America, has crossed into Pacific and is continuing northwards to Guatemala and El Salvador. (BBC Oct. 24, 1988) (定语从句)(27) The Hubble telescope has discovered a giant black hole, a collapsed star from which no light can emerge. (BBC Nov. 27, 1997) (短语+定语从句)(28) This years El Nino effect
28、 is one of the strongest on record. El Nino refers to the warming of a vast body of water in the eastern Pacific Ocean and it causes radical changes to normal wind and rainfall patterns. (BBC Nov.27 1997) (句子)3. 交叉使用不同句式(use of different sentence patterns)为了表达同一意思,英语新闻报道除了选择同义词外,亦注意变换其句式,从而使报道鲜明、新颖,
29、避免简单的重复和单调。因此,在同一则报道里,我们很容易看到表达同一意思的不同句式。不同的通讯社还喜欢使用具有自己特色的句式。实际上,报道的标题、导语/提要和正文的开头的意思大同小异,句式却各不相同,以求变化,显示差异。如:(29) China and India sign border accord (Reuters Apr.11, 2005) (标题, 简单句)China and India have signed an agreement aimed at ending a 532year2old border dispute between the worlds two most pop
30、ulous countries. (导语, 扩展的简单句)The pact, reached Monday in New Delhi, calls for diplomatic relations, economic ties and contribute to the two nations “jointly addressing global challenges and threats,” a joint statement said. (正文, 主从复合句 )(四)修辞手段多样新闻以传递信息为主要目的,讲究纪实性、正确性,不宜使用纯粹文学式的语言,以免失去客观性和真实性。但为了增加报道
31、的可读性、生动性, 从而更好地吸引读者,扩大新闻的传播面和宣传效果,记者、编辑们灵活巧妙地借助于某些修辞手段,力求语言言简意赅、生动活泼、幽默隽永。因此,在报道中(尤其在标题上 )就出现了一些运用比喻、借代、类比、对比、排比、押头韵、成语或习语等多种修辞格的语句,这些句子节奏分明,具体形象,创造出新鲜活泼、幽默风趣的氛围,引人注目,从而增强了语言的渲染力,达到既准确又生动的效果。如:(30) Iran offered carrot and stick (CNN Jun. 2, 2006) 伊朗可得胡萝卜加上大棒(31) Another Idol gets the boot ( CNN May
32、18, 2006) 又一位“偶像”出局(32) Combat rages amid diplomacy (CNN Aug. 8, 2006) 边打边谈(33) Cinderella still dancing (USA TODAY Mar. 27, 2006) 灰姑娘仍在跳舞(34) Precious metals still shine ( Reuters Mar 27, 2006) 贵重金属依然闪烁(35) Bush Rolls Up Sleeves on Iraq Troubles (USA TODAY Mar. 13, 2006) 布什卷起袖子对付伊拉克动乱(36) Smoking g
33、un spinach found in victims fridge (CNN Sep t. 21, 2006) 受害者的冰箱发现确凿物证(“冒烟的枪”) 菠菜(37)Bush talks Iraq in Vietnam (CNN 17, 2006) 布什在越南谈伊拉克(38) Rice: U. S. wont pull the plug on Iraq (CNN Jan. 13, 2007)赖斯称美国不会拔掉伊拉克插头( 会继续支持伊拉克政府 )(39) The Great Malls of China (ABC Apr. 23, 2006)中国超大型购物商场DONGGUAN (东莞) ,
34、China, April 22, 2006Everyone has heard of the Great Wall of Chinabut what about the great malls of China? They are the newest icons of this countrys breakneck economic growth.(五)口语化倾向鉴于文体修辞的需要,报刊网络的新闻报道以书面语为主,而广播视频的报道以规范口语为主,各有侧重,从而形成各自的新闻语体特色。但近些年来,口语大量向书面语渗透,这在报刊语言中表现得尤为明显,以便使报刊语言更贴近生活,增强报道效果。总体来
35、说,新闻报道有口语风格的趋向,这是因为新闻要面向年龄、层次、文化水平各异的广大受众,在语言处理上要兼顾大众的总体水平。在报刊中使用口语成分可创造无拘无束的话语氛围, 给人以亲切感。口语的优势还在于言简意赅,能在有限的时间内传达最大的信息量,口语成分具有强烈的表现力和鲜明的评价色彩, 而这些正好符合大众媒体报导的要求。显然,如果口语词句用得恰如其分, 可增加变化,烘托气氛, 使叙述和描写活灵活现, 节奏感明快。这不仅能突出报道的真实性、生动性,减少正式文字的单调感和沉闷感,同时又能表现报道的客观性立场。新闻中常见的松散句、插入语、直接引语和间接引语等句式都是口语体的典型句式。直接引语和间接引语能
36、显示新闻信息的真实性,生动性,又能表示撰稿人立场的客观性。所以报道中使用不少引语,甚至有增多的迹象,在标题和正文中比比皆是:(40) The trailer came down right on top of her (CNN Mar. 13, 2006)(41) Cyclone hits Australia like atomic bomb(CNN Mar. 20, 2006)(42) Two very busy rovers scout Mars (CNN Feb.13, 2004)又如:(43) Bush aides told if you want to go, go now(CNN
37、Apr. 18, 2006) (主页标题)New Bush aide tells staff to expect more changes (语篇标题)Officials reportedly told to go now if they plan to leave(副标题)Kicking off his first full week as the White House chief of staff, Josh Bolten immediately told senior aides Monday to be prepared for more personnel changes in c
38、oming days to “refresh and re-energize” the Bush administration. (摘要)以上同一报道的三个标题都带有书面体痕迹(如 reportedly 和 were 的省略) ,但口语色彩亦明显,摘要的结构是书面体( 分词短语+ 主句) ,而许多用词却是口语体(kicking off, told 和引语“refresh and re-energize”等) 。这里口语体与书面语的恰当混合运用,读起来令人感到新鲜自然。新闻报道中的常用语句带有新闻文体风格,是新闻语篇的基本组成部分。它们既相对固定又不时变化更新,掌握其特征有利于我们快速准确地理解新闻报道语篇。
