在閱讀外文報刊時，一旦涉及到美國對臺灣的態度問題，經常會碰到單詞status quo（現狀）。這不，就華盛頓向臺灣出售新一輪新型戰機達成協議一事，美國依然唱老調——它將恪守三個聯合公報，反對單方面改變臺海現狀。

請看外電相關報道：Beijing has lodged a solemn objection with Washington on its agreement to sell 66 advanced fighter jets to Taiwan. As to Washington, Bush reiterated that the US position on the Taiwan question is very clear: that the US Government will continue to adhere to the three joint communiques between the United States and China and is opposed to any attempt to unilaterally change thestatus quoacross the Taiwan Straits.

報道中的status quo源于拉丁語，指the existing condition or state of affairs（現狀），常和動詞maintain，preserve或uphold連用，表示“維持現狀”，如“His directness bas annoyed some who seek to preserve the comfortable status quo.”（他直截了當的作風惹惱了一些安于現狀的人。）

另外，若在status quo 后加上ante就是指“以前的狀況”了，如：“He did not readily embrace my suggestion of a return to the status quo ante.”（ 他不怎么樂意接受我提出的恢復以前狀況的建議。）


(英語點津陳蓓編輯）