【#跟蕭叔叔學英文寫作】綿裡藏針的英式英文
話說《哈利波特》作者羅琳最近因在Twitter諷刺左翼作者用字彆扭(註)而被冠上transphobic(仇視變性人)的罪名,掀起杯葛潮;先有出版社員工拒絕為羅琳新書服務,後有《哈利波特》電影多位主要演員公開批評。連串風波中的對錯蕭叔不評論,但有一段文字寫得極好,不得不share。
有四個和羅琳同用一經理人公司的作家,因要求公司公開回應事件同羅琳割席遭拒,決定同公司解約。經理人公司The Blair Partnership的回應令蕭叔拍案叫絕:
We support the rights of all of our clients to express their thoughts and beliefs, and we believe in freedom of speech. Publishing and the creative arts are dependent on these things. It is our duty, as an agency to support all of our clients in this fundamental freedom and we do not comment on their individual views.
We are disappointed by the decision that four clients have taken to part ways with the agency. To reiterate, we believe in freedom of speech for all; these clients have decided to leave because we did not meet their demands to be re-educated to their point of view. We respect their right to pursue what they feel is the correct course of action.
We value all our authors’ voices and, as an agency, champion equality and inclusivity. We remain committed to making the agency the most welcoming environment it can be for everyone. The diversity of our clients’ voices is our strength and we take enormous pride from each and every one.
中間兩句「we did not meet their demands to be re-educated to their point of view」和「we respect their right to pursue what they feel is the correct course of action」是絕佳的綿裡藏針英式passive aggressive寫法,re-educate(再教育)一詞用得狠辣,what they feel is句式更是非常串嘴,高階學生不妨一學。
多讀此類英式筆戰,有助個人修為。下下意氣用事,寫不出有理有節、不卑不亢、或串人於無形的文字,共勉之啦屌。
蕭叔叔
#只談語言不論政治
(註)孰是孰非,自己判斷:
https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269382518362509313?s=20