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1、Diction IQuestions : What is diction? “The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is as great as that between lightning and the lightning bug.“ Mark Twain DictionDiction is the choice and use of words. Sometimes students may choose the wrong words, but more often the words they
2、chooses are not entirely wrong but inappropriate, inexact or unidiomatic, or too stale to be interesting. I. The Appropriate Level of WordsDifferent situations call for different levels of diction. Frozen, formal, consultative, casual, intimate庄严正式商议 随意亲密 formal - popular - informalA. Formal Diction
3、 (learned words/ big words)Formal English is the language of professional journals, formal speeches, scholarly and theoretical works, political and legal documents, and serious college writing. A formal essay or speech addresses “gentlemen” rather than “men” or “guys”. Other examples:Poor impoverish
4、ed; rich wealthy; clever (smart) intelligent; car automobile; the same identical speech oration choose select try endeavour 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 ; bea
5、r ; 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-children-offspring Beat-defeat-vanquish tolerateendeavor resigncommence profounddismissExamples by Jack London: 1.Society opened its portals (door, gate) to me. 2.Well clean the cellar and build a new ha
6、bitation (living place) for mankind.These sentences sound grave and solemn. On the contrary, if 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
7、in the apex(顶部). Then apply the lips to the aperture(孔) and by forcibly inhaling(吸) the breath 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. ” Ambrose Bierce “ A Horseman in the Sky” Son: Father, a Union regiment ha
8、s arrived at Grafton. Im going to join it. Father: Well, go sir, and whatever may occur, do what you conceive to be your duty. Virginia, to which you are a traitor, must go without you. Should we both live to the end of the war, we will speaker further for the matter. Your mother, as the physician h
9、as informed you, is in a most critical condition; at the best she cannot be with us longer than a few weeks, but that time is precious. It would be better not to disturb her. Ambrose Bierce “ A Horseman in the Sky” Son: Father, a Union regiment has arrived at Grafton. Im going to join it. Father: We
10、ll, go sir, and whatever may occur, do what you conceive to be your duty. Virginia, to which you are a traitor, must go without you. Should we both live to the end of the war, we will speaker further for the matter. Your mother, as the physician has informed you, is in a most critical condition; at
11、the best she cannot be with us longer than a few weeks, but that time is precious. It would be better not to disturb her.B. Popular DictionWe use it in most college writing , magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and nonfiction.Like informal diction, popular diction sounds natural and uses some familiar
12、 words;Like formal diction, 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 spea
13、king on any but the most formal occasions. Contractions - isnt, wont, Im, hed Shortened forms - phone, exam, photo Phrases - you know, I mean2. SlangSlang expressions are used by special groups for special effect. Such expressions are vivid and interesting, but on the other hand, they are often offe
14、nsive.Cop -police; 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 endeavoured to prevent m
15、y sister marriage; 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.Activity 1:Whats wrong with the following passage? My parents endeavoured to prevent my sister marriage; 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. My parents trie
