TED2016
Mary Norris: The nit-picking glory of The New Yorker's Comma Queen
Mary Norris: 《紐約客》逗號女王的挑剔榮耀
Filmed:
Readability: 4.4
1,186,688 views
“為《紐約客》做文字編輯就像是在一支職業大聯盟棒球隊中做游擊手一樣：每個小小的舉動都會被評論家挑出來評論，”Mary Norris，一位在這個職位工作了超過三十年的人，說道。在那段日子裡，她因嚴厲和作為一名“逗號狂熱分子”而出名，但是她說這是毫無根據的。最重要的是，她的工作是為了一件事：讓作者看起來完美。在這場精彩的講座中，讓我們和這位熟知《紐約客》風格的人一起探索《紐約客》獨特的風格。
Mary Norris - Copy editor
As a copy editor for the New Yorker, Mary Norris enforces some of the most authoritative (some might say eccentric) style rules in publishing. Full bio
As a copy editor for the New Yorker, Mary Norris enforces some of the most authoritative (some might say eccentric) style rules in publishing. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:13
I have spent the past 38 years
trying to be invisible.
trying to be invisible.
0
1672
5174
我用過去38年的時間
試圖將自己隱藏起來。
試圖將自己隱藏起來。
00:19
I'm a copy editor.
1
7830
1429
我是文字編輯人員。
00:21
I work at The New Yorker,
2
9807
1700
我在《紐約客》工作，
00:23
and copyediting for The New Yorker
is like playing shortstop
is like playing shortstop
3
11531
4174
為《紐約客》做文字編輯就像是
00:27
for a Major League Baseball team:
4
15729
2214
在一支職業大聯盟棒球隊
中做游擊手一樣：
中做游擊手一樣：
00:29
every little movement
gets picked over by the critics --
gets picked over by the critics --
5
17967
3413
每個小小的舉動
都會被評論家挑出來評論 －
都會被評論家挑出來評論 －
00:33
God forbid you should commit an error.
6
21404
2602
上帝禁止你犯錯。
00:37
Just to clarify: copy editors don't choose
what goes into the magazine.
what goes into the magazine.
7
25086
3937
需要解釋一下：文字編輯人員
無權選擇什麼內容會被收入雜誌。
無權選擇什麼內容會被收入雜誌。
00:41
We work at the level of the sentence,
8
29530
2378
我們專注於句子的修改，
00:43
maybe the paragraph,
9
31932
1688
也可能是段落，
00:45
the words, the punctuation.
10
33644
2078
字詞，標點符號。
00:48
Our business is in the details.
11
36175
2705
我們的工作注重於細節。
00:50
We put the diaeresis, the double dot,
over the "i" in "naïve."
over the "i" in "naïve."
12
38904
5134
我們把分音符，那兩個點，
放在單詞“naïve”中的“i”上。
放在單詞“naïve”中的“i”上。
00:56
We impose house style.
13
44591
1927
我們進行版面風格設計。
00:58
Every publication has a house style.
14
46542
2686
每份出版物都有一種
版面風格設計。
版面風格設計。
01:01
The New Yorker's
is particularly distinctive.
is particularly distinctive.
15
49252
2523
《紐約客》的設計尤其特別。
01:04
We sometimes get teased for our style.
16
52503
2780
我們有時候因為
我們的風格而被取笑。
我們的風格而被取笑。
01:07
Imagine -- we still spell
"teen-ager" with a hyphen,
"teen-ager" with a hyphen,
17
55307
4340
想像一下 － 我們在拼寫"teen-ager"
的時候仍帶有連字符，
的時候仍帶有連字符，
01:11
as if that word had just been coined.
18
59671
2276
就好像那個單詞
剛被創造出來一樣。
剛被創造出來一樣。
01:14
But you see that hyphen in "teen-age"
19
62919
3600
但是當你看見"teen-ager"
中的連字符
中的連字符
01:18
and that diaeresis over "coöperate,"
20
66543
2592
和"coöperate"中的分音符的時候，
01:21
and you know you're reading
The New Yorker.
The New Yorker.
21
69159
2002
你知道你正在閱讀《紐約客》。
01:23
Copyediting at The New Yorker
is a mechanical process.
is a mechanical process.
22
71850
3498
《紐約客》的文字編輯
是死板的。
是死板的。
01:27
There is a related role called
query proofreading,
query proofreading,
23
75372
3199
有一個相關的崗位叫作校準，
01:30
or page-OK'ing.
24
78595
1856
或是版面完美化。
01:32
Whereas copyediting is mechanical,
25
80959
2770
雖然文字編輯是機械的，
01:35
query proofreading is interpretive.
26
83753
2475
但是校準是需要靈活應變的。
01:38
We make suggestions to the author
through the editor
through the editor
27
86696
3372
我們通過主編向作者提出建議
01:42
to improve the emphasis of a sentence
28
90092
2621
以便提高句子的重點
01:44
or point out unintentional repetitions
29
92737
2634
或是指出非刻意的重複
01:47
and supply compelling alternatives.
30
95395
3996
並且提供有專業水準
的其它選擇。
的其它選擇。
01:52
Our purpose is to make
the author look good.
the author look good.
31
100502
2978
我們的目的是
讓這個作者看起來完美。
讓這個作者看起來完美。
01:55
Note that we give our proofs
not directly to the author,
not directly to the author,
32
103504
3329
請注意我們不是直接
把我們的校對本給作者，
把我們的校對本給作者，
01:58
but to the editor.
33
106857
1519
而是給編輯。
02:00
This often creates
a good cop/bad cop dynamic
a good cop/bad cop dynamic
34
108400
4117
這經常帶來一種”好警察、
壞警察”的動態循環
壞警察”的動態循環
02:04
in which the copy editor -- I'll use that
as an umbrella term --
as an umbrella term --
35
112541
3524
在這其中，文字編輯人員
我將用它最為一個總稱
我將用它最為一個總稱
02:08
is invariably the bad cop.
36
116089
3007
永遠都是壞警察。
02:12
If we do our job well, we're invisible,
37
120008
2437
如果我們的工作做得好，
我們不會被人察覺，
我們不會被人察覺，
02:14
but as soon as we make a mistake,
38
122469
2072
但是我們一旦犯錯，
02:16
we copy editors become glaringly visible.
39
124565
3816
我們文字編輯人員
就會格外引人注目。
就會格外引人注目。
02:21
Here is the most recent mistake
that was laid at my door.
that was laid at my door.
40
129426
3531
這是我最近一次犯的錯。
02:25
[Last Tuesday, Sarah Palin,
the pre-Trump embodiment
the pre-Trump embodiment
41
133931
3524
「上個星期二，莎拉裴琳，
在川普之前就表現出
在川普之前就表現出
02:29
of populist no-nothingism
in the Republican Party,
in the Republican Party,
42
137479
3146
民粹‘不可知論’
特質的共和黨成員，
特質的共和黨成員，
02:32
endorsed Trump.]
43
140649
1447
表示支持川普。」
02:34
"Where were The New Yorker's fabled
copy editors?" a reader wrote.
copy editors?" a reader wrote.
44
142935
4208
“《紐約客》著名的文字編輯人員
在哪裡？“一位讀者寫到。
在哪裡？“一位讀者寫到。
02:39
"Didn't the writer mean
'know-nothingism'?"
'know-nothingism'?"
45
147167
3166
難道作者不是想寫
‘不可知論’ 嗎？
‘不可知論’ 嗎？
02:42
Ouch.
46
150789
1277
哎呦。
02:44
There's no excuse for this mistake.
47
152090
2672
沒辦法為這個錯誤找藉口了。
02:46
But I like it: "no-nothingism."
48
154786
3089
但是我喜歡這個單詞：“no-nothingism”。
02:49
It might be American
vernacular for "nihilism."
vernacular for "nihilism."
49
157899
3958
它可能在美國俚語中代表
“虛無主義”
“虛無主義”
02:53
(Laughter)
50
161881
3207
（笑聲）
02:57
Here, another reader quotes
a passage from the magazine:
a passage from the magazine:
51
165112
3024
這有另一位讀者從
雜誌上摘錄的語錄：
雜誌上摘錄的語錄：
03:00
[Ruby was seventy-six, but she retained
her authoritative bearing;
her authoritative bearing;
52
168160
4037
「魯比76歲，但是她保持著
權威性的舉止；
權威性的舉止；
03:04
only her unsteady gait belied her age.]
53
172221
3978
只有她不穩的步伐
掩飾了她的年齡。」
掩飾了她的年齡。」
03:08
He added:
54
176770
1151
他補充道：
03:09
"Surely, someone at The New Yorker
knows the meaning of 'belied,'
knows the meaning of 'belied,'
55
177945
3083
“當然，在《紐約客》工作的人
知道‘belied’的意思是什麼，
知道‘belied’的意思是什麼，
03:13
and that it is the opposite
of how it is used in this sentence.
of how it is used in this sentence.
56
181052
3208
也知道這個句子中用的
應該是和它相反的意思。
應該是和它相反的意思。
03:16
Come on! Get it together."
57
184284
1674
喂，請集中精力！”
03:18
Belie: to give a false impression.
58
186648
3508
百利：證明...是錯的。
03:22
It should have been "betrayed."
59
190180
2047
正確的用詞應該是
“暴露”。
“暴露”。
03:25
E.B. White once wrote
of commas in The New Yorker:
of commas in The New Yorker:
60
193426
2875
艾爾文·布魯克斯·懷特曾經
在《紐約客》中寫過關於逗號的評論：
在《紐約客》中寫過關於逗號的評論：
03:28
"They fall with the precision
of knives outlining a body."
of knives outlining a body."
61
196325
4864
“它們用刀的精確度
勾勒出身體的輪廓。”
勾勒出身體的輪廓。”
03:33
(Laughter)
62
201213
1702
（笑聲）
03:34
And it's true -- we get a lot
of complaints about commas.
of complaints about commas.
63
202939
2806
這是真的 ， 我們有太多
關於逗號的抱怨。
關於逗號的抱怨。
03:38
"Are there really two commas
in 'Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard'?"
in 'Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard'?"
64
206124
3996
“在馬丁,路德金Jr, 波樂瓦德'
這個名字中真的有兩個逗號嗎？”
這個名字中真的有兩個逗號嗎？”
03:42
There may not be on the sign, but yes,
that is New Yorker style for "Jr."
that is New Yorker style for "Jr."
65
210746
5081
在‘Jr.’後面可能沒有逗號，
但是《紐約客》中的"Jr."是有逗號的。
但是《紐約客》中的"Jr."是有逗號的。
03:48
One wag wrote:
66
216192
1965
有個喜歡開玩笑的人寫道：
03:50
["Please, could you expel,
or, at least, restrain,
or, at least, restrain,
67
218181
3442
「拜託，可以請你開除，
或者，至少限制
或者，至少限制
03:53
the comma-maniac,
on your editorial staff?"]
on your editorial staff?"]
68
221647
3024
你們編輯人員中的
逗號狂熱份子嗎？」
逗號狂熱份子嗎？」
03:56
(Laughter)
69
224695
1352
（笑聲）
03:58
Ah, well.
70
226071
1151
嗯，好吧。
03:59
In this case, those commas
are well-placed,
are well-placed,
71
227246
2244
在這個例子中，
逗號用的很好，
逗號用的很好，
04:01
except that there should not be one
72
229514
1871
除了逗號不應該用在
04:03
between "maniac" and "on."
73
231409
2002
"瘋子"和"之上"之間。
04:05
(Laughter)
74
233435
1235
（笑聲）
04:06
Also, if we must have commas
around "at least,"
around "at least,"
75
234694
3748
還有，如果我們必須要在
"至少"前後用逗號，
"至少"前後用逗號，
04:10
we might change it up
by using dashes around that phrase:
by using dashes around that phrase:
76
238466
4040
我們可以稍做修改，在那個短語
附近加上破折號：
附近加上破折號：
04:14
"... -- or, at least, restrain --"
77
242530
2688
"... -- 或，至少， 抑制 --"
04:18
Perfect.
78
246392
1170
完美。
04:19
(Applause)
79
247586
1578
（掌聲）
04:21
Then there's this:
80
249188
1335
然後還有這樣一條留言：
04:22
"Love you, love your magazine,
81
250547
1438
“喜歡你們，喜歡你們的雜誌，
04:24
but can you please stop writing
massive numbers as text?"
massive numbers as text?"
82
252009
5197
但是可以請你們不再用文字
來表述龐大的數字嗎？
來表述龐大的數字嗎？
04:29
[two and a half million ...]
83
257230
1554
「二百五十萬...」
04:30
No.
84
258808
1159
沒錯。
04:31
(Laughter)
85
259991
2038
（笑聲）
04:34
One last cri de coeur
from a spelling stickler:
from a spelling stickler:
86
262053
3102
最後一份來自一位
拼寫執著者的抱怨：
拼寫執著者的抱怨：
04:37
["Those long stringy things
are vocal cords, not chords."]
are vocal cords, not chords."]
87
265179
5144
「“那些細長的東西是聲帶，
不是和弦」
不是和弦」
04:42
The outraged reader added,
88
270347
2149
那個生氣的讀者補充道，
04:44
"I'm sure I'm not the first to write
89
272520
1833
“我確信我不是第一個
寫信抱怨
寫信抱怨
04:46
regarding this egregious
proofreading error,
proofreading error,
90
274377
3221
這個嚴重的校對錯誤的人，
04:49
but I'm equally sure I won't be the last.
91
277622
2406
但是我同樣確信
我不會是最後一個。
我不會是最後一個。
04:52
Fie!"
92
280052
1220
太糟糕了！“
04:53
(Laughter)
93
281296
2221
（笑聲）
04:55
I used to like getting mail.
94
283541
1885
我曾經喜歡收信件。
04:59
There is a pact
between writers and editors.
between writers and editors.
95
287222
2596
作家和編輯之間有協定。
05:01
The editor never sells out the writer,
96
289842
2379
編輯永遠不會出賣作家，
05:04
never goes public about bad jokes
that had to be cut
that had to be cut
97
292245
3552
永遠不會讓必須刪減的
不良笑話
不良笑話
05:07
or stories that went on too long.
98
295821
2450
或者是太長的故事
公佈於眾。
公佈於眾。
05:10
A great editor saves a writer
from her excesses.
from her excesses.
99
298295
4858
優秀的編輯可以讓
作家免於贅述。
作家免於贅述。
05:15
Copy editors, too, have a code;
100
303558
2028
文字編輯人員也有規範；
05:17
we don't advertise our oversights.
101
305610
2483
我們不公布無心的錯誤。
05:20
I feel disloyal divulging them here,
102
308593
2700
我因為在這裡公佈它們
而感到不忠，
而感到不忠，
05:23
so let's have look at what we do right.
103
311317
3054
所以讓我們看看
我們應該做什麼。
我們應該做什麼。
05:27
Somehow, I've gotten
a reputation for sternness.
a reputation for sternness.
104
315570
2904
不知為什麼，
我因為嚴苛出名。
我因為嚴苛出名。
05:31
But I work with writers who know
how to have their way with me.
how to have their way with me.
105
319133
4117
但是我與那些知道如何
和我相處的作家共事。
和我相處的作家共事。
05:35
I've known Ian Frazier, or "Sandy,"
since the early 80s.
since the early 80s.
106
323741
4148
我從80年代初就認識
伊恩·弗雷澤，或者是“桑迪”了。
伊恩·弗雷澤，或者是“桑迪”了。
05:39
And he's one of my favorites,
107
327913
1629
他是我最喜歡的作家之一，
05:41
even though he sometimes writes a sentence
108
329566
2445
儘管他有時會寫
05:44
that gives a copy editor pause.
109
332035
2096
讓文字編輯人員
難以抉擇的句子。
難以抉擇的句子。
05:46
Here is one from a story
about Staten Island
about Staten Island
110
334846
2534
這有一個關於史坦頓島的故事
05:49
after Hurricane Sandy:
111
337404
1991
發生在颶風桑迪之後：
05:52
[A dock that had been broken
in the middle and lost its other half
in the middle and lost its other half
112
340092
4009
「一個被攔腰折斷並
丟失了一半的船塢
丟失了一半的船塢
05:56
sloped down toward the water,
113
344125
2384
滑落到了水中，
05:58
its support pipes and wires
leaning forward
leaning forward
114
346533
3680
它的支撐管和電線
向前傾斜
向前傾斜
06:02
like when you open a box
of linguine and it slides out.]
of linguine and it slides out.]
115
350237
3811
就像是你打開一盒義大利
扁麵條時，麵條滑出來一樣。」
扁麵條時，麵條滑出來一樣。」
06:06
(Laughter)
116
354072
1254
(笑聲)
06:07
This would never have got past
the grammarian in the days of yore.
the grammarian in the days of yore.
117
355350
5130
這個句子在多年以前是
不會被語法學家批准的。
不會被語法學家批准的。
06:12
But what could I do?
118
360504
1239
但是我能做什麼呢？
06:13
Technically, the "like" should be an "as,"
119
361767
2604
嚴格來說，單詞"比如" 應該
換成"如同"，
換成"如同"，
06:16
but it sounds ridiculous,
120
364395
1444
但是那聽起來很荒唐，
06:17
as if the author were about to embark
on an extended Homeric simile --
on an extended Homeric simile --
121
365863
3713
就好像作者要使用一個
很長的荷馬式比喻 －
很長的荷馬式比喻 －
06:22
"as when you open a box of linguine."
122
370211
3160
“就像當你打開一盒
義大利扁麵條時。”
義大利扁麵條時。”
06:25
(Laughter)
123
373395
1309
(笑聲)
06:26
I decided that the hurricane
conferred poetic justice on Sandy
conferred poetic justice on Sandy
124
374728
4776
我斷定颶風給桑迪
帶來了應有的懲罰
帶來了應有的懲罰
06:31
and let the sentence stand.
125
379528
1651
並決定讓那個句子
保持原樣。
保持原樣。
06:33
(Laughter)
126
381203
1087
(笑聲)
06:34
Generally, if I think something is wrong,
127
382314
2008
通常來說，如果我覺得
有哪裡不對，
有哪裡不對，
06:36
I query it three times.
128
384346
1492
我會質疑三次。
06:37
I told Sandy that not long ago
in a moment of indiscretion and he said,
in a moment of indiscretion and he said,
129
385862
3855
不久之前，在一次不審慎的談話中，
我把那個原則告訴了桑迪，然後他說，
我把那個原則告訴了桑迪，然後他說，
06:41
"Only three?"
130
389741
1511
“只是三次？”
06:43
So, he has learned to hold out.
131
391276
1744
就這樣，他學會了不妥協。
06:45
Recently, he wrote a story
for "Talk of the Town,"
for "Talk of the Town,"
132
393044
2399
最近，他為「街談巷議」
寫了一個故事，
寫了一個故事，
06:47
that's the section
at the front of the magazine
at the front of the magazine
133
395467
2221
那是在雜誌封面的一版
06:49
with short pieces on subjects
ranging from Ricky Jay's exhibit
ranging from Ricky Jay's exhibit
134
397712
3078
帶有關於一些話題的短文，
從雷基傑伊
從雷基傑伊
06:52
at the Metropolitan Museum
135
400814
1545
在大都會藝術博物館的展覽
06:54
to the introduction
of doggie bags in France.
of doggie bags in France.
136
402383
3171
到法國推出食物袋。
06:57
Sandy's story was about
the return to the Bronx
the return to the Bronx
137
405578
2418
桑迪的故事是關於
07:00
of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
138
408020
2667
最高法院大法官索尼婭·
索托馬尼爾回到布魯克斯的。
索托馬尼爾回到布魯克斯的。
07:02
There were three things
in it that I had to challenge.
in it that I had to challenge.
139
410711
2549
那個故事中有三樣東西
我不得不質疑。
我不得不質疑。
07:05
First, a grammar query.
140
413284
1564
首先，語法的質疑。
07:06
The justice was wearing black
and Sandy wrote,
and Sandy wrote,
141
414872
2595
那個法官穿著黑色的衣服，
然後桑迪寫道，
然後桑迪寫道，
07:09
[Her face and hands stood out
like in an old, mostly dark painting.]
like in an old, mostly dark painting.]
142
417491
5076
「她的臉和手凸顯出來，像
在一幅很舊，幾乎黑暗的畫中。」
在一幅很舊，幾乎黑暗的畫中。」
07:15
Now, unlike with the hurricane,
143
423043
1950
這次，和颶風那次不一樣，
07:17
with this "like," the author
didn't have the excuse
didn't have the excuse
144
425017
2468
使用這個“像”，
作者沒有
作者沒有
07:19
of describing hurricane damage.
145
427509
1807
描述颶風災害的藉口了。
07:21
"Like" in this sense is a preposition,
and a preposition takes an object,
and a preposition takes an object,
146
429340
4296
“像”在這裡是一個介詞，
介詞後面必須要有賓語，
介詞後面必須要有賓語，
07:25
which is a noun.
147
433660
1193
也就是一個名詞。
07:26
This "like" had to be an "as."
148
434877
2532
這裡的“比如”應該用“如同”。
07:29
"As in an old, mostly dark painting."
149
437433
3158
"如同一副老舊的黑暗的畫."
07:32
Second, a spelling issue.
150
440615
1650
第二，拼寫問題。
07:34
The author was quoting someone
who was assisting the justice:
who was assisting the justice:
151
442289
2995
作者引用了一位
法官助手的語錄：
法官助手的語錄：
07:37
["It will be just a minute.
152
445986
1422
「就一分鐘。
07:39
We are getting the justice mic'ed,"]
153
447432
2641
我們會讓公正發聲。」
07:43
Mic'ed?
154
451434
1150
Mic'ed?
07:44
The music industry spells it "mic"
155
452982
1997
音樂界把它拼作“mic”
07:47
because that's how it's spelled
on the equipment.
on the equipment.
156
455003
2358
因為設備上就是這麼拼寫的。
07:49
I'd never seen it used
as a verb with this spelling,
as a verb with this spelling,
157
457385
2427
我從未見過這種拼寫
方式作為動詞使用，
方式作為動詞使用，
07:51
and I was distraught
to think that "mic'ed"
to think that "mic'ed"
158
459836
2530
而且我一想到那個"mic'ed"
07:54
would get into the magazine on my watch.
159
462390
2285
會出現在我管理的
雜誌中就很心煩。
雜誌中就很心煩。
07:56
(Laughter)
160
464699
1011
(笑聲)
07:57
New Yorker style for "microphone"
in its abbreviated form is "mike."
in its abbreviated form is "mike."
161
465734
3919
在《紐約客》中， "microphone"
的縮寫是"mike"。
的縮寫是"mike"。
08:02
Finally, there was a sticky
grammar and usage issue
grammar and usage issue
162
470519
2627
最後，有一個棘手的
語法和使用問題，
語法和使用問題，
08:05
in which the pronoun has to have
the same grammatical number
the same grammatical number
163
473170
3714
就是那個代詞必須
與它代替的詞
與它代替的詞
08:08
as its antecedent.
164
476908
1451
在語法上保持數的一致。
08:11
[everyone in the vicinity
held their breath]
held their breath]
165
479292
3595
「附近的每個人都
屏住他們的呼吸。」
屏住他們的呼吸。」
08:15
"Their" is plural and "everyone,"
its antecedent, is singular.
its antecedent, is singular.
166
483491
4195
“他們的”是複數，而它對應的
“每個人”是單數。
“每個人”是單數。
08:19
You would never say,
"Everyone were there."
"Everyone were there."
167
487710
2938
你從不會說，
“每個人都在那。”
“每個人都在那。”
08:22
Everyone was there. Everyone is here.
168
490672
3841
每個人都在那。
每個人都在這。
每個人都在這。
08:26
But people say things like,
"Everyone held their breath" all the time.
"Everyone held their breath" all the time.
169
494537
3614
但是人們一直這樣表達，
“每個人都屏住他們的呼吸”。
“每個人都屏住他們的呼吸”。
08:30
To give it legitimacy,
170
498175
1219
為了讓這種表達合理，
08:31
copy editors call it
"the singular 'their,'"
"the singular 'their,'"
171
499418
3423
文字編輯人員把它叫作
單數的‘他們的’，
單數的‘他們的’，
08:34
as if calling it singular
makes it no longer plural.
makes it no longer plural.
172
502865
3065
就好像把它稱作單數
它就不是複數了。
它就不是複數了。
08:37
(Laughter)
173
505954
1394
(笑聲)
08:39
It is my job when I see it in print
to do my best to eliminate it.
to do my best to eliminate it.
174
507372
5199
我的工作就是，當我看到這種情況
出現在印刷品中時，我要盡力消除它。
出現在印刷品中時，我要盡力消除它。
08:45
I couldn't make it,
"Everyone held her breath,"
"Everyone held her breath,"
175
513370
2478
我不能把句子改成，
“每個人都屏住她的呼吸，”
“每個人都屏住她的呼吸，”
08:47
or "Everyone held his breath,"
176
515872
1692
或者是“每個人都屏住他的呼吸，”
08:49
or "Everyone held his or her breath."
177
517588
2562
或者是“ 每個人都屏住
他的／她的呼吸。”
他的／她的呼吸。”
08:52
Whatever I suggested had to blend in.
178
520174
2820
我提出的任何建議
必須具有融合性。
必須具有融合性。
08:55
I asked, through the editor,
179
523018
1356
我通過主編詢問，
08:56
if the author would consider changing it
180
524398
2048
那個作者是否可以考慮
把句子改為
把句子改為
08:58
to "All in the vicinity
held their breath,"
held their breath,"
181
526470
2571
“所有的人都屏住他們的呼吸，”
09:01
because "all" is plural.
182
529065
1842
因為“所有人”是複數。
09:02
Nope.
183
530931
1157
不行。
09:04
I tried again: "All those present
held their breath?"
held their breath?"
184
532112
3230
我又試了一次：
”在那裡的所有人都屏住他們的呼吸？”
”在那裡的所有人都屏住他們的呼吸？”
09:07
I thought this sounded vaguely judicial.
185
535366
2221
我認為這個句子
聽起來稍微清楚些。
聽起來稍微清楚些。
09:09
But the editor pointed out
186
537611
1247
但是主編指出
09:10
that we could not have "present"
and "presence"
and "presence"
187
538882
2405
我們不能讓"present"和
"presence"出現在
"presence"出現在
09:13
in the same sentence.
188
541311
1443
同一個句子裡。
09:15
When the final proof came back,
189
543108
1579
當最終的審核結果出來時，
09:16
the author had accepted "as" for "like,"
190
544711
2576
作者接受把"like"換成"as"，
09:19
and "miked" for "mic'ed."
191
547311
1935
"mic'ed"換成"miked"。
09:21
But on "Everyone held their breath,"
he stood his ground.
he stood his ground.
192
549270
3474
但是關於“每個人都屏住他們的呼吸，”
他保持自己的立場。
他保持自己的立場。
09:25
Two out of three isn't bad.
193
553490
1396
三個問題改了兩個，還不錯。
09:28
In the same issue,
194
556010
1243
在同一期中，
09:29
in that piece on doggie bags in France,
195
557277
2522
在那篇關於法國食物袋的文章中，
09:31
there was the gratuitous use
of the f-word by a Frenchman.
of the f-word by a Frenchman.
196
559823
3738
一個法國人無端地使用了髒話。
09:36
I wonder, when the mail comes in,
197
564260
2604
當我收到信件的時候，
我想知道
我想知道
09:38
which will have offended the readers more.
198
566888
2858
哪種情況會讓讀者更惱怒。
09:41
(Laughter)
199
569770
1673
(笑聲)
09:43
Thank you.
200
571467
1151
謝謝。
09:44
(Applause)
201
572642
3352
(掌聲)
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Mary Norris - Copy editorAs a copy editor for the New Yorker, Mary Norris enforces some of the most authoritative (some might say eccentric) style rules in publishing.
Why you should listen
Mary Norris settled into her 30-year New Yorker copy-editing post almost by accident -- and after a picaresque series of occupations ranging from checking feet at a Cleveland swimming pool to driving a milk truck. Over the years, she has mustered her skills in the service of such storied writers as Philip Roth, Pauline Kael and George Saunders.
In her book Between You & Me, Norris reflects on her career, the oft-debated quirks of New Yorker style, the serial comma and the joys of a well-sharpened pencil.
Mary Norris | Speaker | TED.com