英国语文学家 Michael Swan在其名著Practical English Usage中曾经细分过Excuse me与Sorry。
Excuse me通常在说或做可能令人不悦的事情之前使用;而Sorry在说或做这种事情之后使用,表示歉意。
Excuse me通常在要打扰别人或要打断别人谈话或要吸引别人注意时使用。
Oh. sorry, did I step on your foot?(噢,抱歉,我有没有踩到你的脚呢?)
Excuse me, could I get past?(对不起,可以借过吗?)
Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station?(对不起,可以告诉我到车站去该怎么走吗?)
由于英国人较拘谨,用字较讲究,英国语文学家Michael Swan为非英语国家的人写的Practical English Usage就把一些似同实异的句子条分缕析,旁及英美两国英语的分别。该书厚逾六百页,可说是研习当代英文的小型百科全书。
至于带疑问的语气与上升的语调,说Sorry?或Excuse me?又是什么意思呢?
这样说那就不再是致歉的用语,而是英美人听不清楚对方说什么,请人家再说一遍时说的话。
听以下甲乙两人的对话实况,自可轻易牢记。
甲:Its the plumber at the door.(修水管的工人在门口了?)
乙:Sorry?(什么?)
甲:I said its the plumber(我说是修水管的工人。)
乙说的Sorry?,也可改说Ex-cuse me?是要求对方再说一遍。大家用时请留心语气语调。
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