這是世貿大樓某展覽門口的告示。英文部分有點囉哩吧嗦的,我來幫它「減肥」一下。
如果圖片看不清楚, 這裡有原文照錄:
1. 台北世界貿易中心展覽大樓係專為推廣對外貿易而興建之展覽交易場所,除有特別規定之展覽活動外,凡與貿易無關之一般民眾及十二歲以下兒童請勿進入。
The Management of the TWTC Exhibition Hall, a building designed for the promotion of international trade, regrets that, unless otherwise specified, visitors other than trade-related and children under the age of 12 years are requested not to enter the premises.
2. 對兒童開放之展覽或活動,十二歲以下兒童得由成人陪同下進入本大樓,請陪同之成人注意其安全並自負其安全責任。
For those exhibitions or events held on the ground floor that are open to children under the age of 12 years, entering children are required to be accompanied by adults, who are requested to assume full responsibility for their safety.
我的看法是:
--第一條規定的主要用意,顯然就是「閒人勿入」。在英文的邏輯上,要把最重要的事寫在前面,而不是拉拉雜雜先說明一堆「世貿大樓的用途」等廢話。世貿展覽有分同業與大眾兩種,修改後成為:
Children under 12 and adults without invitations are not allowed to enter the exhibition area on the ground floor.(十二歲以下孩童與無邀請卡之成人不准進入一樓展場。)
這裡的invitation就是指同業展覽的邀請卡,沒有卡不可入場。至於世貿大樓二樓以上的廠商駐點區域呢,像我這個「非產業人士」也常上去,而且沒人攔我。所以「不准進入本大樓」的規定是不存在的呀。
--第二條規定應該也只有「小屁孩不得自己進入,若闖禍父母要負全責」的意思,所以我改成
Children under 12 may enter certain exhibitions open to small children on condition that they are accompanied by adults who are responsible for their safety and behavior.(十二歲以下孩童可進入開放孩童進場之展覽,但必須由成人陪同並為其安全與行為負責。)
最後那個子句who are responsible…behavior其實是多餘的,因為在英文裡面,只要說了「成人陪同」,那陪同的成人就「自動」要負責的。台灣某些父母可能沒有這種意識,所以得多加這一句提醒他們。