Will Smith 在奧斯卡頒獎典禮上，因為不滿頒獎人 Chris Rock 以他妻子的脫髮症作為玩笑，上台賞了 Chris 一巴掌，但也在事情隔天發文向他公開道歉：

Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.  

I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

I am a work in progress.

Sincerely,

Will

不管是「語塊」用法：

  • violence in all of its forms
  • unacceptable / inexcusable behavior
  • at one’s expense
  • medical condition
  • react emotionally
  • to be out of line
  • to be indicative of sth
  • There is no place for sth
  • I would like to…
  • deeply regret
  • a work in progress

還是文法上「時態」的使用：

  • Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
  • I would like to…
  • I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.
  • I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

還是「主詞和動詞的一致性」：

  • Violence in all of it forms is…
  • My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was…
  • Jokes at my expense are…

甚至是整件事對人生的影響、公關危機處理的討論，都很值得我們分析。所有人都會犯錯，很明顯雙方都不完美，both are work in progress，與其檢討他們任何一方，我覺得檢視我們自己是否也能更好比較有意義，像是用這篇道歉聲明討論英文使用的面向就有趣跟客觀多了。

大家有發現 Will Smith 是時態混用大師嗎？這不是最好的文法教材，那什麼是呢？

圖：AP News
文：Instagram / willsmith
原文發表於：Alexander Wang 王梓沅英文・Mar 29