剛開始說英語時,你的主要目標是如何和別人溝通,要了解其他人,並讓其他人了解你。但當你的英語越來越流利後,就必須開始學習說得自然。
中文與英文的文化、字彙及文法都相當不一樣。因此,把句子或單字直接中翻英過來,讀起來會很不自然。以下是幾個最常見的錯誤。
1.
台式英語: Wait me a second. (等我一下!)
道地英語: Give me a second. or Please wait a second/ minute/ moment. or Can you wait for me?
用法: 如果你要將 "wait" 與受詞一起使用,那麼就需要加上介系詞 "for" ,(例如Wait for him/her/me)
2.
台式英語: Could you kindly reply by Tuesday? (可以請你周二前回信給我嗎?)
道地英語: Could you reply by Tuesday? Or, if you want to be very polite: Would you be able to reply by Tuesday?
用法: 很多台灣人在書信往來中常常會寫 "please kindly" ,以為這樣更客氣,但其實kindly,一點也不kind。在英文的用法中,加上kindly代表一種警告,例如 “Please kindly refrain from smoking on the premises (請不要在這裡抽菸)” 若你想要禮貌一點,只需要用 "please" 或是用 "Could you 或 Would you be able to"
3.
台式英語: Could you please feedback me by next week? (可以請你下周前回覆嗎?)
道地英語: Could you please get back to me by next week? Or Could you please give me some feedback by next week?
用法: "Feedback" 是名詞,但在原句中被誤用為動詞。你可以用 "get back" 或是 "give me some feedback" 代替
4.
台式英語: I have to write my homework. (我要寫功課)
道地英語: I have to do my homework.
用法: 我們不會用 "write homework" 來表達寫功課,而是說 "do homework"