版上不時有人丟文章出來改,熱心版眾修改文法之餘,對文章架構也會提許多建議,但有
個問題讓大家一直爭議不休,就是作文裡到底該不該出現 I 這個主詞?
(先總結:我個人認為主詞 I 絕對有它的必要)
我很快掃瞄一下 Google 前 3-5 項針對 I 的作文建議文章,再加上我個人非科學且不權
威的意見,提供以下建議:
何時該 I?
1) (對英文初、中階學習者很重要) 寫不好沒有 I 的句子時
多數以我為主詞的句子,如果不用 I,都會寫成被動,或將句子做大更動。你如果不習慣
被動,或是沒有那個把英文句子做乾坤大挪移的自信,那你請乖乖用 I。用 I 寫出正確
句子比不用 I 而寫出錯誤的句子好太多了。
I ate that apple => the apple was eaten by me.
I completed my doctorate under Dr. Chandrasekhar => My doctorate was
completed under Dr. Chandrasekhar.
2) 個人分享時
作者有時會分享他的個人經驗,這時不用 I 有點奇怪。
I was a captain in WW2, and it was bloody from beginning to end.
I spent three weeks travelling in Eastern Europe, and it was so much fun!
3) 建立個人專業/權威時
當你要建立你講話的資格時可以用 I。這包括應徵時的 cover letter,bio 等 (英文
resume 時常忽略 I 主要是省字,而且 resume 這個獨特的文體也不太接受 I)。
I led the sales team to three consecutive years of 10%+ topline growth.
I won three research awards and co-authered several seminal papers published
in both Science and Nature.
I am the lead ballerina at the Moscow Ballet, and spent my entire life
training in classical dance.
(注意 resume 極少用 I) I was a volunteer at the homeless shelter, and was
awarded "best volunteer of 2013" => volunteer at homeless shelter, awarded
"best volunteer 2013"
4) 釐清不明朗的句子時
有時英文被動句會讓人搞不懂狀況,那乾脆改回 I 主詞算了,條理清晰比賣弄文筆好上
萬倍。
5 papers were written, 3 were co-authored, and 2 edited, all by me => I wrote
five papers, co-authored 3, and edited 2.
5) 釐清你個人的定位
有時你必須先把你自己的定位講清楚,才能開始討論某個話題
As a registered Democrat, I am offended by the corruption scandal that has
gripped this party.
6) 希望與讀者/聽眾建立聯繫時
在寫信或演講稿時 I 與 you 都很常用
I remember well how we used to sit by the river, sip lattes and talk about
the world.
I was born here, I was raised here, and I am now living here; your worries
are my worries, your problems are my problems, and your fears are my fears.
Elect me and I will make sure Washington hear your worries, solve your
problems, and calm your fears.
那何時不該 I 呢?
1) 學術文章盡量少用 I,因為學術文章一般是用來陳述事實及研究結果等,多 I 是畫蛇
添足。但應參閱「何時該 I」之2、3、5項。
My analysis suggests... => the analysis suggests...
from the data, I have established a clear correlation... => a clear
correlation can be established from the data...
但是
I observed an inexplicable shadow in the image, and this piqued my interest
in the field (何時該I之2)
As an oncologist with 20 years of experience, I was discouraged by the lack
of systematic analysis on the efficacy of chemotherapy (何時該I之3、5)
2) 你算哪根蔥 - 沒人要聽你的意見時 (用 I 反而會弱化你的論點)
除非人家刻意徵求你的意見 (what is your opinion on...),你的職責就是提供意見的
顧問 (律師、法官、醫師等),你的文章表述的完全是你的個人意見 (如讀者投書、社論
等) 等狀況,一般應避免使用 I think, I believe, in my opinion 等詞,因為這會弱
化你的論點。
In my opinion, the company should immediately expand into Eastern Europe =>
Sales data and research both suggest that the company should immediately
expand into Eastern Europe.
I believe the police acted brutally and violated the protesters'
constitutional rights; eyewitnesses saw... => The police acted brutally and
violated the protesters' constitutional rights; several eyewitness accounts...
(例外: It is the court's opinion that in this case the police acted brutally
and violated the protesters' constitutional rights = 本庭認為...)
Q: What is your opinion on the situation in the Crimea? A: I think Russia is
orchestrating referendums in the region.
3) (先前講過) Resume 幾乎沒有 I,因為要省字,而且 resume 文體也不太接受 I。
以上僅為一般守則,供大家參考,請多加補充~