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1、On the Brevity of Modern EnglishABSTRACT In this ever-increasing competitive society , life today moves much faster than ever before. As an important tool by means of which people communicate, and exchange ideas and information with one other, languages as well show a trend towards simplification an
2、d brevity so as to adapt themselves to the fast pace of modern life. To take the simple and less complicated way has become the build-in attribute as well as law of development shared by all languages.Modern English is a typical example as such.This essay looks into and analyses the brevity of moder
3、n English from several aspects.Peculiar writing styles like Business English ,advertising English,and English of Journalism, and pronunciation, vocabulary, grammatical structure will be discussed.Keyword : modern English brevity simplification现代英语的简洁摘 要随着社会的发展，竞争日趋激烈，人们的生活节奏不断加快。语言作为人们交流思想传递信息的工具，为适
4、应高效率的生活方式也出现了不断简化的趋势。同世界上任何一个语言一样，英语经历了漫长的，不断发展变化的历史过程，分析和研究英语的历史，不难发现，近代英语具有一个明显的特征：简洁表达。避繁趋简是语言公有的固有属性及发展规律。英语相对汉语而言有其独到的简洁性，文章从语音，词汇，句法结构，以及新闻英语，商务英语，广告英语等注重简洁的特殊文体几个角度，就其表达的简洁予以分析。 关键词：近代英语 简洁 简化CONTENTSABSTRACTI摘 要II1 Introduction12. The brevity of English22.1 In the field of Journalism English
5、22.1.1 Omission22.1.1.1 Omitting the article22.1.1.2 Omitting the preposition32.1.1.3 Omitting the linking verbs and auxiliary verb 42.1.1.4 Replacing the conjunctions with a comma42.1.1.5 Using elliptical sentences42.1.2 Abbreviation52.1.2.1 Using premodification52.1.2.2 Using participial phrases62
6、.1.2.3 Using blending words,acronyms,curtailed words62.1.2.4 Conversion72.1.2.5 Using idioms, proverbs82.1.2.6 Creatively using adverbs82.2 In the field of Advertising English82.2.1 Use of a lot of monosyllables92.2.2 Use of a lot of elliptical sentences92.2.3 Use of a lot of juxtaposition of phrase
7、s92.2.4 Use of a lot of nonce-words102.2. 5 Use of a lot of sentences where subjects are omitted102.2. 6 Use of a lot of heading statement112.2.7 Use of sentence fragments112.3 In the field of Business English112.3.1 Use of short and simple words112.3.2 Use a lot of colloquial expression forms122.4
8、Summary133 Linguistics Aspects143.1 In the field of pronunciation143.2 In the field of intonation143.2.1 Stress143.2.2 Sound intensity143.2.3 Pitch153.2.4 Range153.3 In the field of vocabulary153.3.1 Affix153.3.1.1 Prefix153.3.1.2 Suffix163.3.2 Composite words173.3.3 Clipped words173.3.4 Abbreviatio
9、n183.3.5 Blends183.5 Elliptical sentences193.6 Using abridged subordinate clause203.7 Through changing sentence patterns204 Conclusion21References22Acknowledgements23 1 Introduction Modern English is the form of the English language spoken since the Great Vowel Shift in England, completed in roughly
10、 1550.Despite some differences in vocabulary, texts from the early 17th century, such as the works of William Shakespeare and the King James Bible, are considered to be in Modern English, or more specifically, are referred to as using Early Modern English or Elizabethan English.William Shakespeare o
11、nce said in his world famous tragedy Hamlet that Brevity is the soul of wit .Many contemporary wordsmiths are strong advocates of the employment of plain English, insisting that the succinct conveyance of what may be subtle or sophisicated can not be too highly recommended. It is not hard to find th
12、at brevity and simplification is law of development shared by all languages.In todays world, brevity is everywhere from oral English to written work. Brevity of a language not only consists in saving words,but in the expression form of an art. 2. The brevity of English In todays world, English is re
13、garded as a global language used in many fields.As an important tool of conveying information, the language of English both oral and written should be employed in a concise way. What is more, brevity plays a core role in such fields as Journalism English,Advertising English,Business English, etc. Th
14、ese peculiar writing styles have more specific requirements about brevity. 2.1 In the field of Journalism English As one of the general features of Journalism English,brevity plays a vital role in Journalistic Writing. For reasons of profits , saving space means a lot in the printing medium where space is money. Among the great variety of forms in terms of brevity and simplification , there are two means in general. One is omission, the other one is abbreviation.2.1.1 Omission
