比较方案 Comparing Proposals

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英文正文

Nina: Let me give you a few scenarios. A, we find out who has been linking us to the local middlemen, and we'll make them say that we were never linked to those factories.

Raymond: And the second scenario?

Nina: We stop our regular ads, and replace them with two new kinds of ads. In one, we say that we never used cheap materials to make our products. In the other, we completely disagree with anyone that isn't using the best materials. And we tell people that we agree if they refuse to buy things from companies that do use second-rate materials.

Jonathan: Good idea. That way, everyone will know we're not just a big company that only cares about profits, not people.

Raymond: Can you run the first option by me again, in more detail? How do we find out where the stories are coming from?

Nina: Let me map it out. Our lawyers go to a paper that has run the story and tell them we'll sue if they don't tell us where they got the info. In the end we'll find out who started the stories.

Raymond: I think that option B is the best alternative. We'll have to do a lot of checking with the first scenario, and we'd just be shooting in the dark. With the second option we can start fixing things now. Nina, by Monday morning I want some good options for both kinds of ads you talked about. We have to nip this in the bud before it hurts us too badly.

作业:看到划线的句子了吗?请翻译。 

句型总结

●  提出多种方案
1. Let me give you a few scenarios.
2. Let me set out a few options.
3. Let me put forth a few approaches.
4. Let me suggest a couple of different plans.

"scenario"原指‘情节;剧本',在此乃指‘计划;方案'。这句型用于半正式场合中,语气和缓客观,表示自己对以下的意见充满信心,但一切仍待评估(既非定案,显示有转弯的余地)。

●  要求提供细节
1. Can you run the first option by me again, in more detail?
2. Can you explain that again, in more detail?
3. Can you go over that again, with a little more detail?
4. Can you map that out again, more thoroughly?

"run (something) by (someone) "是‘对(某人)说明解释(某事'的意思,为美式用语;"run (that) by me again"的语意即是‘将(某事)为我再解释一次'。这句型是要求对方再详加说明方案,其原因并非自己不懂,而是认为对方提供的细节不足,使人难以窥得全貌,所以需要 "in more detail"。

●  比较方案
1. I think that option B is our best alternative.
2. I think that option B is the best approach.
3. I think that the second option is the better of the two.
4. I think that the second plan is our best course (of action).

"alternative"是‘二者择一;其它可采取的方法'的意思。这句型是说‘B方案较理想'。句型由于加上"I think",所以虽然清楚表示自己的意愿,但仍有商讨的余地。不过在表达此句型时,语气千万要坚定、有权威,否则反对者以为你犹疑不决,就可能推翻此议。

● More 方案比较
通常在会议桌上要确定方案前,与会者皆会比较各方案的优缺点后,选择对公司最有利的一个作为可行的方案。你知道这样的比较方案,有哪些说法吗?

A means better profits. In contrast, B could cause a lot of problems.
A would mean... On the other hand if we do
B it'll cause...
A would give certain benefits, but B is much better from the company's point of view.
A does have some advantages. However, there's no doubt that B is a much better choice.

重点提示

A. 以英语致词时,应该怎么控制说话的速度呢?

说话的速度并没有绝对的标准。以英语而言,一分钟内的上、下限约为160~110个字。说话不快不慢代表控制大局,而有时刻意减缓说话更是为了表示审慎用字。尽量掌握速度平稳的原则,忽快忽慢会让人觉得‘失控'。虽然可故意放慢速度来吊听众的胃口,或加快速度表示事情的急迫,但千万不要过分。切记条理分明的说话方式才能代表概念清晰的头脑。

B. 谈话中,用Uhm, Uh等口头语,都不是好习惯。

中文的‘那么',英文的Uh, Uhm,都不是说话的好习惯。此外诸如干笑、清喉咙、啧啧声,也会给人不好的印象。建议您,可以利用录音机录下自己的电话谈话,找出说话的毛病,再逐一矫正。

C. 谈话时可用停顿来强调重点,但不宜停顿过久。

‘停顿'是一项无声的说话艺术,有如图画的留白,可以突显重点。不过,停顿请以不超过三秒钟为原则,停顿过久或太频繁的停顿,反而画蛇添足,造成反效果。要在何处停顿并无标准可言,最重要的是,只在必要时才停;否则滥用停顿的技巧,不但流于公式化,又显得矫揉造作,令人生厌。