Lost in English

A politics of moral engagement is not only a more inspiring ideal than a politics of avoidance. It is also a more promising basis for a just society. (Justice: What’s The Right Thing to Do?/Michael Sandel)

相較於對道德避之唯恐不及的政治，由道德參與出發的政治不但是一個更具啟發性的理想，就建設公義社會而言，也能提供更值得樂觀期待的基礎。（正義：一場思辨之旅/邁可．桑德爾）

箇中奧妙 

細細條列古今眾家論述之後，作者以此點明自身嚮往的二句話結束全書。就句型而言，作者從常見的對等連接詞not only … but also (不但…而且)出發，同時稍加變化，構成二個文法上各自獨立的句子，語意上卻仍得相互呼應才算完整。一般而言，在not only … but also這個成對的對等連接詞(目的是要強調but also之後的部分)中，also經常可以略去。另外，not only置於句首時，緊接其後的主詞與動詞必須以倒裝手法處理。僅就文法層面來說，原文大致有下列幾種改寫的可能:

A politics of moral engagement is not only a more inspiring ideal than a politics of avoidance. But it is (also) a more promising basis for a just society.

A politics of moral engagement is not only a more inspiring ideal than a politics of avoidance, but it is (also) a more promising basis for a just society.

A politics of moral engagement is not only a more inspiring ideal than a politics of avoidance but (also) a more promising basis for a just society.

Not only is a politics of moral engagement a more inspiring ideal than a politics of avoidance, but it is (also) a more promising basis for a just society.

作者桑德爾似乎對此種句法頗為偏愛，在正義一書中一用再用，以下再舉一例:

Justice is not only about the right way to distribute things. It is also about the right way to value things.

正義不僅止於關乎分配事物的正確方式，它更與評量事物價值的正確方式有關。

關鍵字詞 

1. politics: 這個以複數型態出現的名詞用來意指政治或政治學時，其後的現在式動詞必須用單數(加s )，在上面的引文當中，作者甚且在其前加上不定冠詞a，表達某種政治體系或制度之意。某些字典上說politics有時也可搭配複數型態的動詞，讀者只要知道就行了。

     In many societies, politics is probably one of the most hated words.

     What we want is a progressive politics for the twenty-first century.

Politics, or political science, is a discipline that deals with the study of political power and systems of government.

2. engagement: 這個名詞可用來表達好幾種意思，除了上面引文當中的參與(=participation, involvement)之外，還有約會(=appointment, date)，承諾、義務(=promise, obligation)，(軍事)遭遇、衝突(=conflict, combat)，以及訂婚等。

     Hopefully the latest measures will inspire more avid engagement in campus activities.

     I couldn’t make it because I had a prior engagement.

     It remains to be seen if they will keep their engagement with us.

     The crisis was not resolved until after a decisive naval engagement.

     The engagement ring cost him a fortune.

 3. avoidance: 除了一般所說的避免之意(=prevention)，這個名詞更常用來強調刻意的迴避、逃避。

 Avoidance of alcohol is strongly recommended during this period.

     Tax avoidance involves tax reduction arrangements within the law. By contrast, tax evasion refers to any illegal attempt not to pay taxes.

4. just: 作為形容詞，just一般用來表達正義的、公正的、正當合理的之意，同義字包括fair, righteous, impartial。作為副詞時則可能是恰好、剛剛、僅僅之意。

     The king is a just ruler. He is always fair in his dealings.

     I think your appraisal of the book is a just one.

     The man had a stroke just when he was getting off the bus.

     I’m sorry you missed him. John just left.

     I’m just kidding.