為什麼口出挑戰自動降班?

「我的想法挑戰傳統智慧。」

「這是一份富挑戰性的工。」

「他終於接受了我的挑戰。」

「辯方挑戰控方的說法。」

以上4句相信大家聽得不少,自己可曾講過?

如果你也講過寫過這樣的話,在有識之士眼中,你仍然未夠「專業漢語」的班。

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

問題究竟出在哪裡?

都是誤解英語”challenge”一詞的用法惹禍。此詞一般的用法是指反對、艱難、要求、懷疑、抗議:

v.tr.

1. (a) To call to engage in a contest, fight, or competition.
    (b) To invite with defiance; dare.

2. To take exception to; call into question; dispute.

3. To order to halt and be identified, as by a sentry.

4. Law To take formal objection to (a prospective juror).

5. To question the qualifications of (a voter) or validity of (a vote).

6. To have due claim to; call for.

7. To summon to action, effort, or use; stimulate.

8. Immunology To induce or evaluate an immune response in (an organism) by administering a specific antigen to which it has been sensitized.

v.intr.

To make or give voice to a challenge.

To begin barking upon picking up the scent. Used of hunting dogs.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

現在你明白,為什麼上面那4句話只可以說是用漢字寫的英文。

• She challenged his claims.
    × 她挑戰他的說法 。
    √ 她質疑他的說法 。

• This is a challenging task.
    × 這是一項具挑戰性任務。
    √ 這是艱鉅的任務。
    √ 這個任務實在艱鉅

• The illegal immigrant was challenged by the border guard
    × 非法入境者被邊防警衛挑戰
    √ 非法入境者遭邊防警衛查驗身份

• America reacted irrationally to the challenge of Russian power.
    × 美國對俄羅斯的權力的挑戰非理性地作出反應。
    √ 美國對俄羅斯軍力的威脅反應有欠理性。

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

不再一見到”challenge”就盲目講「挑戰」,更不會明明沒有”challenge”都講「挑戰」,你就登上專業漢語的大雅之堂了。

We have done our best to ensure the tips posted here are correct and reliable. However, most of them are reflections of translators’ experience and should not be construed as professional advice. By clicking into any tip, you fully understand and accept the above statements and agree to absolve us of liability (if any) for any losses which may be incurred by you as a result of any incorrect information contained in such tips.

Copyright © 2022- Yao Shun Language Services Limited. Rights Reserved.