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第十一章 英语平行结构（parallelism）和汉语排比

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英语平行结构就是两个或两个以上结构相同，意义并重的语言单位排列成串，其目的在于增强语势，提高修辞效果。它是英语结构修辞的一种重要形式，体现的是英语行文的均衡美。常见的有词的平行，短语的平行，从句的平行，句子的平行，段落的平行。平行结构（parallelism）可以用来写人、写事、抒情、议论、叙事、列举、描述、阐释和演讲等。汉语排比和英语平行结构（parallelism）相比，虽然其修辞功能相同，但在语言单位的大小和排列数量上有不同的要求，因此不能把两者混淆。

Abstract: Parallelism is the juxtaposition of two or more identical or equivalent syntactic constructions, especially those expressing the same sentiment with slight modifications, introduced for rhetorical effect. The common forms tend to be the parallelism of words, phrases, clauses, sentences or paragraphs. Chinese Pai-bi and English parallelism should not be confused, since they are quite different in some aspects.

老师：下面是一组句子，同学们看看是否有改进的余地？

1. The Writing Center needs tutors who are ambitious, who are self-motivated, and who are dedicated.

2. Clear writing should be a major concern both of writers and readers. 3. The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

4. The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers.

学生：老师，例1有点罗嗦。三个定语从句有必要都重复―who are…‖吗？是不是这样改更简洁一些？ 1a The Writing Center needs tutors who are ambitious, self-motivated, and dedicated.

1b The Writing Center needs tutors who have ambition, motivate themselves, and exhibit dedication.

老师：是的，这样一改，句子既简洁又平衡。1a中， 三个形容词一行排开， 构成平行结构： 形容词1（ambitious） + 形容词2 （self-motivated）+ 形容词3（dedicated）。或者改成1b的句式也很不错，因为定语从句中三个动词词组作从句谓语同样也构成平行结构： 动词词组1（have ambition）+动词词组2（motivate themselves）+动词词组3（exhibit dedication），给人一种平衡美。

学生：例2有点问题。Both…and…叫作并列连词，连接的应该是两个结构一样的词，或者结构一样的短语。但这里连接的却是of writers和readers，一个是介词+名词，另一个是名词。从结构上看是两个迥异的成分，破坏了句式的平衡美。应该改成如下的形式：

2a Clear writing should be a major concern of both writers and readers. 2b Clear writing should be a major concern both of writers and of readers.

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并列连词both…and…要么连接writers 和 readers两个名词，要么连接of writers 和 of readers两个介词+名词的结构，都能给读者一种平衡美感。

例3中，虽然分隔开来看，每一部分都没有问题，但总觉得句式结构别扭。

老师：是的，问题就出在结构上。例3中，前面两个that引导的宾语从句没有问题，但到读者期待第三个that引导的宾语从句时，作者却打乱了思路，突然用了一个不定式短语（to do some warm-up exercises before the game）匆匆结束了句子，造成结构紊乱。改成下面2a，2b或者2c的形式更符合英语行文美的要求，也更符合读者的期待。

2a The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

2b The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game.

2c The coach told the players to get a lot of sleep, not to eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

2d The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should eat less, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game.

2e The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, eat less, and do some warm-up exercises before the game.

2f The coach told the players to get a lot of sleep, to eat less, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

学生：老师，照这样看来，例4应该没有问题，三个that引导的宾语从句连续排列。

老师：例4中，三个that引导的宾语从句连续排列不错，但是前两个宾语从句是主动句式，而第三个宾语从句却成了被动句式，打破了句式连续性，因而不是一个漂亮的表达。应该改成4a才好：

4a The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions.

4b The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that he would have time to show his slide presentation, and that he could answer the questions of prospective buyers.

上面的四个例句之所以要作这样的修改，是因为英语中有一特别重要辞格—平行结构（parallelism）。它追求语言句式结构的整体美，是个很富有表现力的修辞手段。要写好作文，不懂得平行结构（parallelism）辞格便无从谈起。可以毫不夸张地说，要想语言表达好，平行结构是个宝。

学生：老师，那您赶紧给我们讲讲平行结构（parallelism）吧，好多同学都不知道如何提高英语写作呢。 老师：平行结构（parallelism）起源于希腊语，其意思是：一个与另一个并排（Etymology: From the Greek, ―beside one another‖）。下面是三个权威工具书给Parallelism (平行结构)下的定义：

定义一、The use of identical or equivalent syntactic constructions in corresponding clauses or phrases.

-----Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Ed.

平行结构就是在相应的从句或短语中，使用相同或对等的句法结构。-----作者译

定义二、The juxtaposition of two or more identical or equivalent syntactic constructions, especially those expressing the same sentiment with slight modifications, introduced for rhetorical effect. -------Wiktionary 平行结构就是两个或两个以上结构相同，意义并重的短语或句子排列成串，其目的在于增强语势，提高修辞效果。-----作者译

定义三、in rhetoric, component of literary style in both prose and poetry, in which coordinate ideas are arranged in phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that balance one element with another of equal importance and similar wording. The repetition of sounds, meanings, and structures serves to order, emphasize, and point out relations. In its simplest form parallelism consists of single words that have a slight variation in meaning: ―overtake and surpass.‖

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Sometimes three or more units are parallel; for example, ―Reading makes a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man‖ (Francis Bacon, ―Of Studies‖)

------ Encyclopedia Britannica

平行结构是修辞学里一种散文和诗歌的文体结构。意义并重的概念以短语、句子和段落的形式平衡成相同的结构。音、义和结构的重复使论点阐述更加井然有序、严密透彻和淋漓尽致。平行结构最简单的形式是词的平行，例如：overtake and surpass（赶上和超越）。有时，三个或三个以上的语言单位并置构成平行结构。例如：阅读使人渊博，交谈使人机敏，写作使人严谨。（《论读书》培根） ------作者译 学生：从上述的定义可以看出，平行结构（parallelism）有以下特点：

（1）平行结构是一种富有表现力的辞格，其目的在于增强语势，提高表达效果。 （2）平行结构中，语言单位的数量为两个或两个以上。

（3）构成平行结构的语言单位可以是结构和意义相同或相似的词、短语、从句、句子，甚至段落。 （4）构成平行结构的语言单位不仅外形结构相似对称，而且其语法功能也必须相同。 老师：下面我们来讨论平行结构（parallelism）的常见形式，进一步理解其上述的四个特点。

学生：平行结构（parallelism）的常见形式有：词的平行，短语的平行，从句的平行，句子的平行，段落的平行。老师，我们从学过的课文中，找出一些关于词的平行排列（a pair or series of words）的例句： 5. That small group of villainous men who plan, organize, and launch this cataract of horrors upon mankind.（动词平行，作从句谓语） (from The Second World War, Vol. III)

在这些刀光剑影、腥风血雨的场面背后，我看到一小撮恶棍在那里策划、组织，并犯下了这惨绝人寰的滔天罪行……

6. Certainly the miracle chip will affect American life in ways both benign and productive.（形容词平行，作后置定语）(from Time, February 20,1978)

神奇的集成电路片必然会以既有益又有效的方式影响美国生活。

7. Broke and discouraged, he accepted a job as reporter with the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, to literature’s enduring gratitude.（形容词平行，作状语） (from National Geographic, Sept., 1975)

在破产和灰心之余，他接受了为弗吉尼亚市《领土开发报》当记者的工作，这一行动将获得文学界永久的感激。

8. But neither his vanity nor his purse is any concern of the dictionary's; it must record the facts.（名词平行，作主语） (from The Play of Language, 1971)

然而，词典既没有义务去满足他的虚荣心，也没有义务去关心他的钱包。词典的任务是记录事实。 9. She was up in court a couple of times—drunk and disorderly, of course.（形容词平行，作状语） (from The Loons by Margret Laurence)

有几次她被法院传了去，自然是因为酗酒和妨碍治安。

老师：不光有词的平行结构，还有短语的平行结构（a pair or series of phrases）。例如：

10. The past, with its crimes, its follies, and its tragedies, flashes away. （名词短语平行，作介词宾语）(from The Second World War, Vol. III)

过去的一切，连同它的种种罪恶、蠢行和悲剧全都从眼前乍然消失。

11. With the chip, amazing feats of memory and execution become possible in everything from automobile engines to universities and hospitals, from farms to banks and corporate offices, from outer space to a baby’s nursery. （介词短语的平行，作状语） (from Time, February 20,1978)

有了集成电路片，计算机存储信息和执行指令的惊人本领就在以汽车发动机到大学和医院，从农场到银行和公司办公室，从外层空间到托儿所等各个领域发挥作用。

12. Following eyeball-to-eyeball consultation with the butcher and the baker and the grocer on the tube, she hits a button to commandeer supplies for tonight’s dinner party. （名词短语的平行，作介词宾语） (from Time, February 20,1978)

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在电视屏幕上与肉店、面包店和杂货店老板们进行面对面的商谈之后，她按下一个按钮，订购当天晚宴所需的各种物品。

13. At a few hospitals, computers are programmed not only to remind the pharmacy department to prepare prescriptions but also to alert nurses to give the proper dosage at the right time. （不定式短语的平行，作目的状语） (from Time, February 20,1978)

在有些医院里，计算机有编好的程序用来提醒药房按处方配药，并提示护士按时按量让患者服药。 14. With so much big money and so many big dreams pinned to an idea that is still largely on the drawing boards, there's no limit to the hype.（名词短语的平行，作介词宾语） (from NEWSWEEK May 31, 1993)

一个尚处于理论设计阶段的技术发展计划既得到巨额的资金投入，又成为人们无限的期望所系，也无怪乎其能够轰动一时了。

15. Either a government agency or the communications industry itself will have to set a performance standard so that different networks can connect with each other. （名词短语的平行，作主语）(from NEWSWEEK May 31, 1993)

为使不同的网络彼此连通，必须由政府机关或是通讯部门自己制定一个统一的运作标准。

学生：老师，从句的平行结构（a row of clauses），和句子的平行结构（a series of sentences）不是一回事吗？ 老师：当然不是一回事。从句的平行结构是指各种从句的平行，像状语从句或定语从句等的平行。而句子的平行结构是指主句的平行。我们先看从句的平行结构：

16. At the end of my first year, I came back home for the summer. I spent the first few days in talking non-stop with my mother, as we exchanged all the news that somehow had not found its way into letters—what had happened in my life and what had happened here in Manawaka while I was away. （同位语从句的平行，作news的同位语）(from The Loons by Margret Laurence)

十八岁时，我离开马纳瓦卡镇去外地上大学。大学第一学年结束的时候，我回家里过暑假。刚回来的那几天，我一直不停地同我母亲谈家常，谈论着一些双方在书信中都没有谈及的事情——我在大学里的生活情况以及我上学期间马纳瓦卡镇上发生的一些事儿。

毫无疑问，下面的三个例句属于句子的平行结构（a series of sentences）：

17. Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. (John F. Kennedy) 不要问你的国家为你做了什么，而要问你为你的国家做了什么。

这是美国肯尼迪总统就职演说中最著名的一句话。两个祈使句一气呵成，构成结构相似，语势增强的平行结构。

18. Instead，let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (Amos)

其实，（你们应该）像江水滚滚涌流，不屈不挠地伸张正义！像溪水川流不息，始终不懈地主持公道！

——《圣经·旧约·阿摩司书》第5章第24节

19. When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong you cannot be too conservative. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

假如你是对的，就要激进些；如果你是错的，则要保守些。（或者译为：对则进错则守。）------作者译 学生：老师，我们知道了平行结构（parallelism）的一些基本形式，有词的平行，短语的平行，从句的平行，句子的平行。从上面的例句可以看出，平行结构（parallelism）中并列的各项可用逗号、分号或句号连结，并不仅局限于含并列连词and, or, both…and…, either…or…, not only…but also…的句子。它实际是指两个或两个以上在意义上关联、互补与照应，在结构上平行排列的语言单位，这些语言单位不仅外形结构对称，而且其语法功能也相同。

老师：是啊，有时平行结构还用于更大的语言单位中，譬如段落中。段落的平行结构（a series of paragraphs）经常用于演讲中，使语言铿锵有力，其号召力和感染力更强。例如：

20. So let us begin anew, remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.

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Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah to ―undo the heavy burdens...(and) let the oppressed go free‖. (from The Second World War, Vol. III)

因此，让我们重新开始，双方都记住：礼让并不表示软弱，而诚意则永远需要验证。我们决不能因为惧怕而谈判，但我们也决不要惧怕谈判。

让双方寻求彼此的共同利益所在，而不要在引起分歧的问题上徒费精力。

让双方进行首次谈判，对监督和控制军备制订出严格可行的计划?并且把足以毁灭其他国家的绝对力量置于世界各国的绝对管制之下。

让双方致力于揭开科学的奥秘，而不是科学的恐怖。让我们共同努力去探测星空，征服沙漠，消除疾病，开发洋底，并促进艺术和贸易的发展。

让双方一起在世界各个角落听取以赛亚的指示，去―卸下沉重的负担……(并)让被压迫者获得自由‖。

需要说明的是，不同形式的平行结构（parallelism）在英语表达中同时交错使用的现象屡见不鲜，有时甚至和其他的修辞格配合使用，使语言字字珠玑，行行魅力。例如：

21. I see the Russian soldiers standing on the threshold of their native land, guarding the fields which their fathers have tilled from time immemorial. I see them guarding their homes where mothers and wives pray - ah, yes, for there are times when all pray – for the safety of their loved ones, the return of the bread-winner, of their champion, of their protector. I see the ten thousand villages of Russia where the means of existence is wrung so hardly from the soil, but where there are still primordial human joys, where maidens laugh and children play. I see advancing upon all this in hideous onslaught the Nazi war machine, with its clanking, heel-clicking, dandified Prussian officers, its crafty expert agents fresh from the cowing and tying down of a dozen countries. I see also the dull, drilled, docile, brutish masses of the Hun soldiery plodding on like a swarm of crawling locusts. I see the German bombers and fighters in the sky, still smarting from many a British whipping, delighted to find what they believe is an easier and a safer prey. Behind all this glare, behind all this storm, I see that small group of villainous men who plan, organize, and launch this cataract of horrors upon mankind... (from The Second World War, Vol. III)

此刻我眼前看到的是俄国的士兵昂然挺立于自己的国土，英勇地捍卫着他们祖祖辈辈自古以来一直辛勤耕耘着的土地。我看到他们正在守卫着自己的家园，在那里母亲和妻子正在向上帝祈祷 — 是啊，任何人都总有祈祷的时候 — 祈求上帝保佑她们的亲人的平安，并保佑她们的壮劳力、她们的勇士和保护者凯旋归来。我看见成千上万的俄国村庄，那儿的人们虽然要靠在土地上辛勤耕作才能勉强维持生计，却依然能够享受到天伦之乐，那儿的姑娘在欢笑，儿童在嬉戏。我看到这一切正面临着凶暴的袭击，正杀气腾腾地扑向他们的是纳粹的战争机器同它的那些全副武装、刀剑当当有声、皮靴咚咚作响的普鲁士军官以及它的那些奸诈无比、刚刚帮它征服并奴役了十多个国家的帮凶爪牙。我还看到那些呆头呆脑、训练有素、既驯服听话又凶残野蛮的德国士兵像一群蝗虫般地向前蠕动着。我看见天空中那些屡遭英军痛击、余悸未消的德国轰炸机和战斗机此时正庆幸终于找到他们以为是无力反抗、可手到即擒的猎物。

在这些刀光剑影、腥风血雨的场面背后，我看到一小撮恶棍在那里策划、组织，并犯下了这惨绝人寰的滔天罪行……

上段文字摘自于英国首相温斯顿?邱吉尔Speech on Hitler’s Invasion of the U.S.S.R.（《关于希特勒入侵苏联的讲话》）。整段文字写得激情澎湃，扣人心弦。如此效果与多种形式的平行结构（parallelism）的交替运用不无关系：词的平行结构（plan, organize, and launch），短语的平行结构（of the bread-winner, of their

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