OG11-090 请教"mitigating consequence"意思

sunnysmell

mitigate: 镇静，缓和；减轻。 to mitigate the flood 分洪。

But what does "a mitigating consequence" mean?

Thanks in advance!

[此贴子已经被作者于2006-5-16 11:52:53编辑过]

sunnysmell

up

yaoyao99

Could you post the whole question please?

sunnysmell

以下是引用yaoyao99在2006-5-16 10:21:00的发言：
Could you post the whole question please?

Ah? I just want to know the meaning of "a mitigating consequence" ya. Ok, I will type it right now.
Thanks yaoyao99 mm Xian.

Keith: Compliance with new government regulations requiring the installation of smoke alarms and sprinker
systems in all theaters and arenas will cost the entertainment industry $25 billion annually. Consequently, jobs
will be lost and profits diminished. Therefore, these regulations will harm the country's econmy.

Laura:The $25 billion spent by some businesses will be revenue for others. Jobs and profits will be gained as
well as lost.

Laura responds to keith by _____.

A. demonstrating that Keith's conclusion is based on evidence that is not relevant to the issue at hand
B. challanging the plausibility of the evidence that serves as the basis for keith's argument
C. suggesting that Keith's argument overlooks a mitigating consequence.
D. reinforcing Keith's conclusion by supplying a complementary interpretation of the evidence Keith cites
E. agreeing with the main conclusion of Keith's argument but construting that conclusion as grounds for 
    optimsm rather than for pessimism.

yaoyao99

Thank you.  Good practice for AWA, eh?  =)

I think you can think of mitigating consequence as a side effect of event A that softens the damage caused by event A.  In this case, Keith's argument focuses on the harm brought by the new regulation and Laura's point is that the new regulation also brings some gain, as a mitigating consequence.

Hope that helps!

sunnysmell

I understand now. Your answer is really helpful. Thank you very much!
BTW, Your English is so goooooood. yaoyao must be a NN mm.

yaoyao99

Ahaha, I wish I were!

Glad to be of help, =)

yaoyao99

Ok, here's some answers from the real NNs (technical writers at work).

Mitigate means to make something less harsh, to alleviate, to relieve. So mitigating circumstances are those that move pitcher of lemon juice in the direction of lemonade rather than acid.

Mitigating circumstances are often used to explain the behavior of criminals and reduce the penalties. He killed his wife in a rage when he found her in bed with another man;  she stole the bread because her children were sick and she was out of work (and money) because she stayed home to care for them.

sunnysmell

I really appreciate for your effort. Answer from Technical Writer? That is so cool!
I think it is important to understand "consequence" which means effect -- "Something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition" here. I was trying to use "result" as the meaning of it.

C.suggesting that Keith's argument overlooks a mitigating consequence: 
                  Keith's argument忽略了一个缓和(以上矛盾)的影响因素

Are you in USA already?

yaoyao99

Yes, unfortunately.  I'm missing out on all the good food, =(