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英文文化裡要表達”拋磚引玉”的話

比較原生性的說法有這幾種

Throw a sprat(minnow) to catch a whale.

One good turn deserves another.

Set an example of a good deed for others to follow.

另外，我提供一些個人看法就是

如果您要表現的是很典型的諺語型的句型的話

那當然可以選擇上面那些表達方式

我個人感覺

如果是比較非正式的方式

要表達的話

其實用"initiate"這個字，就很有那種味道了

"initiate"本身就有那種

"先第一個開頭做(然後讓別人陸續跟進)" 的涵義

Initiate;v ; to be responsible for starting .Initiate n. a person who is instructed or skilled in some special field,who knows its secrets or mysteries

Initiative n =appreciate the ability to make decisions and take action without asking for the help or advice of others.

"pao zhuan yin yu"=To throw a brick to attract jade.---Make a few conventional remarks (as initiative) to elicit others'valued opinions

Let me make a few introductory remarks as initiative.

Then I am just throwing out a few half-baked ideas (as initiative) to elicit others' valued opinions.

eg:-The TW government has initiated a new Jade House building programme for foreign bricks !

The TW rituals known only to initiates

Hence motive-initiative TW English.

A sentence is humble.

Rituals known only to iniiates !

Since there is no one phrase in English to perfectly interpret this Chinese idiom both in meaning and action, there certainly is a way to express the same meaning in sentences, depending on how you use 拋磚引玉 in a sentence.

2014-09-18 16:17:54 補充：

For example, one might say, I am doing this only to motivate the discussion on this issue. Or, I hope my humble opinion can receive feedbacks from you so that we all can have a better insight into this problem from different angles.

I throw a brick and draw jades.I throw a brick and draw jades means “draw ahead”.I throw a brick and draw jades (means “drawahead”).

Thanks Tim, AP, and James.

to AP,

what does "insight for insight" mean @@? By the way, does "motive initiation" sound Taiwan-English?

2014-09-18 19:28:01 補充：

Thanks AP,

I love this one. This is almost right to the point. But would it be more accurate translation to the source language if I add "better" to it---Trading insight for better one?

2014-09-18 19:30:50 補充：

Thanks Beth for your explanation!

Yep, it takes context to determine a precise translation for this one.

2014-09-18 19:34:00 補充：

I was wondering how to explain "拋磚引玉" to foreigners if they ask me... For now, I'm sure I have one to them!

我想如果英語系國家的文化中沒有“拋磚引玉”的想法；只有“我帶頭，我就是玉”的想法；硬是要找現成的英語說法來套，就會使人會錯意。畢竟“拋磚引玉”的想法和“出小本得大利”的想法是有相當差異的。

insight for insight?

2014-09-18 12:54:16 補充：

Just like "eye for eye", "insight for insight" means "trading insight for insight".

"磚" and"玉” both are information or something valuable in addition to showing humbleness.

2014-09-18 18:37:29 補充：

@SIHAQ

畢竟洋人的謙虛習慣方式與台灣人不同

若是你的構想不夠完善 請你回去讓他完善再來吧

口頭謙讓 不是謙虛 接受批評 才是謙虛