2017-06-24

職場英語教室 如何用英文表達「我保持中立」?

職場英語教室 如何用英文表達「我保持中立」

很多人用中文表達意見時可以滔滔不絕,轉換成英文模式時,腦中只剩三個選項:
「I agree.」、「I disagree.」以及「I don't know.」,有時明明想說的是「這件事其實有好有壞。」或「我持中立態度。」卻找不到字,只好一概回答「I don't know.」,無法真正表達自己的意見。

前陣子甫結束的選舉,許多人會表態自己要挺A或是挺B,如果你還在觀望中,可以說「I'm on the fence.」或是「I sit on the fence」,fence是籬笆,想像你坐在籬笆上,無法拿定主意要往左還是往右的樣子。當然生活中有很多對話可以用上這句,例如:
A: Do you agree with nuclear energy?(你支持核能嗎?)
B: I'm on the fence.(我保持中立態度。)
A: Between George and David, which one do you think is more qualified for the position?
(你覺得George和David誰比較有資格坐上這個職位?)
B: I prefer to sit on the fence. I don't want to offend either of them.
(我保持中立,我誰都不想冒犯。)
如果你想表達,這件事有好有壞、利害參半,除了比較拗口的「There are both advantages and disadvantages.」,你可以試着用「double-edged sword」這個字,和中文「雙面刃」有一樣的涵義,對於許多爭議性的議題(controversial issues),若你能剖析事情的兩面(see both sides of an argument),絕對能讓你加分不少。
The tourism industry is a double-edged sword.It creates jobs for local people, but it can also put pressure on local resources.
旅遊業為當地人創造更多就業機會,但也對當地資源造成壓力,利害參半。
Working in a small company is a double-edged sword.You could have more opportunities for promotion. However, you may have less job security.
在小公司工作有好有壞,你可以有更多升遷機會,但是工作的穩定性可能較低。
【其他熱話】Email英語教室 別再隨便用「Please advise」
【其他熱話】打工仔的自白 點解Proofread無數次都會錯?

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