1、Part Two,Diction (措词),DictionDiction is the choice and use of words. Sometimes students may choose the wrong words, but more often the words they chooses are not entirely wrong but inappropriate, inexact or unidiomatic, or too stale to be interesting.,“The difference between the right word and the a
2、lmost-right word is as great as that between lightning and the lightning bug.“ Mark Twain,I. The Appropriate Level of Words（词的类型）Different situations call for different levels of diction. Frozen, formal, consultative, casual, intimate庄严正式商议 随意亲密formal - common - informal正式- 一般-非正式,A. Formal Diction
3、(learned words/ big words),正式的词又叫学术性的词，文雅的词，“大”词 适用于学术性或理论性著作，政治和法律文件等正式文体，以及正式的演讲或报告。多源于希腊或拉丁文。A formal essay or speech addresses “gentlemen” rather than “men” or “guys”. Other examples:,poor impoverished;rich wealthy; clever (smart) intelligent; car automobile;,the same identical speech oration ch
4、oose select try endeavor book volume,TV television; hard-working diligent;next-to-last penultimate; “on the penultimate day of the week-long meeting” (在历时一周的会议结束的前一天),一般来说，本族语属于中性，而外来词是正式的。 Try ; bear ; begin- ; quit- Fire- ; deep- 而同样是外来词，拉丁语要比法语更正式 Rise-mount-ascend End-conclude-terminate Kid-chil
5、dren-offspring Beat-defeat-vanquish,tolerate,endeavor,resign,commence,profound,dismiss,Examples by Jack London: 1.Society opened its portals (door, gate) to me. 2.Well clean the cellar and build a new habitation (living place) for mankind. These sentences sound grave and solemn. On the contrary, if
6、we use formal words in daily talking, it sounds ridiculous: A young lady came home from school was explaining,“ Take an egg,” she said, “ and make a perforation(钻孔) in the base and corresponding (相应的) one in the apex(顶部). Then apply the lips to the aperture(孔) and by forcibly inhaling(吸) the breath
7、the shell is entirely discharged(卸掉) of its contents,”,An old lady who was listening said, “I made a hole in each end and sucked. ”,B. Common Diction （一般的用词）一般的词可用于任何种类的文章，特别是大学英语写作，杂志，新闻报纸类，课文以及非文学作品类等等。Like informal diction, popular diction sounds natural and uses some familiar words;Like formal d
8、iction, popular diction employs learned words.In your college writing, avoid words that are over formal and limit your use of colloquialisms and slang.,C. Informal Diction 1. Colloquialisms Colloquial English occurs in casual speech and it is perfectly acceptable when you are speaking on any but the
9、 most formal occasions. Contractions - isnt, wont, Im, hed Shortened forms - phone, exam, photo Phrases - you know, I mean,2. Slang （俚语）Slang expressions are used by special groups for special effect. Such expressions are vivid and interesting, but on the other hand, they are often offensive.Cop -po
10、lice; buck-dollar; kick the bucket -die; neat - goodOn hearing that his father had kicked the bucket, we wrote a letter to express our deep sympathies. (pass away)The big banquet held in honor of the distinguished state guests was really neat.(good),My parents endeavored to prevent my sister marriag
11、e; however, they married notwithstanding. I dropped in to their wedding, which took place last Sunday. My sister was in her state regalia, who looked damned beautiful.,Task 1. change the following passages inappropriate part into right ones.,My parents tried to prevent my sisters marriage; but their
12、 marriage took place all the same. I attended their wedding last Sunday. My sister was dressed in her best, who looked extremely beautiful.,1.When his dad died, Peter had to get another job. After his fathers death, Peter had to change his job. On the decease of his father, Peter was obliged to seek
13、 alternative employment. 2.He knows several foreign languages very well. He has a good command of several foreign languages. He is proficient in several foreign languages . 3.Everyone has the duty to protect the environment. One is duty-bound to protect the environment. 4.The price of meat has been
14、going down quickly. The price of meat has been declining alarmingly.,Activity2: Compare the following sentences.,5.They agreed to the plan for the development of the inner city. They approved of the plan for the development of the inner city. 6.I want you to come on time. I require your attendance t
15、o be punctual. 7.Dad was pretty tired after the long trip. Father was somewhat fatigued after his lengthy journey. 8.They believe that to cooperate with China will have a good future. They believe their cooperation with China will bring bright prospects. 9.We are faced with a grave world situation.
16、We are confronted with the gravity of the international situation. 10.I ignore what they want to do. I am ignorant of what they intend to do. 11.They ended the concert with Beethovens 5th. The concert concluded with a performance of Beethovens 5th Symphony.,Informal same speech learned try piece,For
17、mal identical oration erudite endeavour fragment,Activity3: Can you give a more formal word or expression?,Informal leave blow up quit job tired,Formal depart explode resign position fatigued,Activity3: Can you give a more formal word?,Informal come across look into put up with take part in,Formal e
18、ncounter investigate tolerate participate,Activity3: Can you give a more formal word?,Activity 4 Replace the underlined words with appropriate words or expressions.,1. He resides in an elegant mansion.lives /house 2. After breakfast, they commenced to do their homework.started 3. The film show termi
19、nated at 5.p.m.ended 4. At last, they extinguished the forest conflagration.put out / fire 5. The little girl remarked that she didnt like candy.said,6. Jack endeavored to convinced his younger sister but failed.tried 7. We will give you a discount of 3 percent if the money made within 15 days of de
20、livery.offer / payment 8. Hi, Rose!Hi, Jack! How about coming to my home tomorrow? Ill extend a warm welcome to you.You are welcome!,II. Meaning of Words (词义),Denotative/denotation:（原义/外延） the basic meaning of the word, i. e. the dictionary meaning of the meaning of the word. (literal meaning) Conno
21、tative/connotation:（涵义/内涵） what the word suggested beyond what it expresses; it is the overtones of meaning. It is acquired by its past history and association. For example: country, nation, state, land都有“国家，土地”的意思，即原义相同相近，但是隐含的内涵各不相同。,一般说来，源自盎格鲁-撒克逊的词一般是普通的词或非正式的词，来自拉丁，希腊或者法语的常为正式的词，如：,ask time ris
22、equestion age mountinterrogate epoch ascend,有些词原义相同，但感情色彩不同，运用的时候应加以区分。如：,small, little They lived in a small town, I will never forget the little town where I spent my happy childhood.modest, humble 都有谦逊的意思；但是 Modest and hardworking, he made very quick progress at school. Clearly Gompers was overaw
23、ed by Wilson. His face took on a servile look; his voice was humble.,有些词原义相同，但是搭配不同，如：,Amount, number, quantity修饰名词时用large而不用big a large amount of, a large number of peoplea large quantity of beer 表示人品的时候不用large,big.而是用great Great confidence, wisdom, ability.,切忌Chinglish 在词义中最重要的一点，不能把一个英语词的中文译法或对应词
24、当做它的确切意思，如：,比如恍然大悟之后，中国人会说“Oh, I know”，因为汉语中的“知道”总是翻译成“know”，而事实上这里恰当的说法是“Oh, I see”。而“认识”总翻译成“recognize” ，所以中国人会说这样的句子 “When did you first recognize him?”，恰当的说法应该是“When did you first meet him?”。 另外如 send,seeoff; home,family; except,besides,Finish the task3 on p13,III. General and Specific Words (泛指
25、词和特指词),比较而言，有些词比另外一些词的意思要广泛或者具体些。如： professionals和scientists, doctors, teachers, lawyers 但是scientists和physicist, chemists相比，意思又比较泛了,学生写作应下功夫掌握并使用具体词汇，因为它有助于文章清楚，准确，生动和鲜明。如：,good man,just,honest,Kind,optimistic,generous,sympathetic,Warm-hearted,selfless,brave,honorable,在文章中，运用具体词汇和提供细节结合起来，才可以写出使人印象深刻的文章,如p14-15的例子,Assignment,provide specific details to the following general sentences; (choose one to write down ) 1. Last night, it rained cats and dogs. 2. The worlds environment is surprisingly recovered recently. 3. I overcame my nervousness.,
