第一篇:电大财经英语教材课文翻译及练习答案(最终版)
Unit 1
Steve talks about his company Xiaoyan helps her friends, Mary and Polly.They have a party at Caffe Roma.Franco is their friend who owns this restaurant.They buy the wine and food wholesale.They cooperate to save money.Xiaoyan meets Steve Bracken who is an import director.He talks about his company.It buys raw materials from one country whose resources are cheap.It buys parts from another country where labour costs are low.It puts them together in a third country.Then it imports the products into Britain where they are sold.Steve cooperates with many companies.His business model makes a food profit.晓燕帮助她的朋友,Mary和Polly。她们在Caffe Roma餐厅举行聚会。Franco是她们的朋友,他是这家餐厅的老板。餐厅以批发的形式买入酒和食物。他们合作以节约开支。晓燕遇到一位负责进口的公司主管Steve Bracken。他谈论了自己的公司。他的公司从资源便宜的国家购买原材料,从另一个劳动力成本低的国家购买零部件,再在第三个国家将它们拼装组合,然后该公司将这些产品进口到英国出售。Steve和很多公司合作。他们的商业模式盈利良好。
Steve describes some business models Steve says companies want to earn a profit.One company may accept lower profits.They can quickly gain a large market share.While another company may seek higher profit margins.They sell luxury goods that have high brand value.Most companies try to cut costs using the cheapest suppliers and workers.But a few companies adopt a „green‟ model that takes care of the environment.They pay their workers a fair wage, which in not the lowest.Other companies use a start-up model.They grow very fast during the first few years when their product is in great demand.But sometimes they fail after three or four year.This is common in the city where they grow very fast at first but sometimes they fail after a few years.Some have a business model which is not sustainable.Researching the market is the best way to know which business model will suit your company.Steve说公司都希望获取利润。某些公司愿意接受较低的利润,他们就能很快获得较大的市场份额。也有公司希望寻求高额的利润,他们出售具有高品牌价值的奢侈品。大部分公司都试图通过采用最便宜的供货商和工人的方式来削减成本。但是有少数公司采用保护环境的“绿色”模式。他们付给员工合理的工资,这不是最低工资。有些公司采用启动模式,这样的公司在产品需求旺盛的最初几年成长迅速。但是有时这样的公司三、四年后就倒闭了。这样的情况在城市里很普遍,他们起初增长很快,有时几年以后就倒闭了。有些公司的商业模式不可持续。市场调查时了解自己公司适合何种商业模式的最佳途径。
1.Most companies want more_ profit __.2.Selling at a low profit can get more __ buyers __.3.Luxury goods sell at a ___ high ___ price.4.Green companies pay wages which are ____ just right ___.5.Companies which use a start-up model may grow very __ fast __ at first.6.A sustainable company can keep going for ___ more than 4__ year.Unit2
David describes the structure of the bank Xiaoyan comes to London where she learns more about banking.David Manning who is the IT manager introduces the departments of the bank.The Personal Banking Department is in the lobby on the ground floor.Here customers can pay in money.If they want to withdraw cash, then they can use the ATM in the lobby.The Business Banking Department is on the first floor.It manages the various accounts for local companies.Many accountants work on the second and third floors.Then the Foreign Department is on the fourth floor.If a local company has branches in another country, then it will use this Foreign Department.On the fifth floor is the IT Department which has the bank‟s main computer.The bank does not have a Human Resources Department.Instead, the Human Resources Director uses the main computer to manage the staff salary and pensions.晓燕来到伦敦学习与银行相关的更多内容。David Manning是IT经理,他(向晓燕)介绍银行的各个部门。个人银行部在一楼大厅。在这里客户可以支付现金。如果客户要支取现金,他们可以使用大厅里的自动取款机。商务银行部在二楼。这个部门管理着许多本地公司的账户。许多会计在三楼和四楼工作。外国银行部在五楼。如果本地的公司在国外有分公司,他们就需要用到外国银行部。六楼是IT部门,银行的计算机服务器就在这里。这家银行没有人力资源部。取而代之的是,人力资源主管用计算机主机来管理职工的工资和养老金。1.How many department are there in this bank? Four 2.Which department do public individuals use? Personal Banking 3.Which department is on the lowest floor? Personal Banking 4.Where do some accountants work? 3rd floor 5.Where does the Human Resources Director work? 5th floor 6.Who does the Human Resources Director look after? Employees
In the Business Department Most workers keep their savings in a bank.The bank pays them a small amount as interest.After collecting many deposits from people, the bank has a lot of cash.Some of the deposits are long term, so the bank expects to keep them safe for many years.The Business Department is where the bank lends out this cash to companies.If a company wants to invest in new machinery, then it can ask for a loan from the bank.The bank wants companies to borrow this cash.Then it can get high interest on the loans.The bank pays only a low interest rate to the private savers, and collects a high interest rate from the corporate borrowers.This is how the bank makes a profit.Of course, the bank doesn‟t want to lose its customers‟ money, so it is careful about companies who get a loan.If the company is at high risk to repay the loan, then the bank may refuse or charge a very high interest rate.大多数员工把存款放入银行。银行付给他们少量的钱作为利息。银行收集了大量的存款以后就有了大量的现金。有些存款是长期的,所以银行希望能够安全地保存多年。商业银行部是银行把现金借给公司的部门。如果某家公司想要投资新的机器设备,就可以向银行申请贷款。银行希望公司来借(存款)现金,这样银行就能从贷款中获得高额利息。银行向存款的个人只需支付较低的利息,从公司贷款方收取较高的利息。这就是银行如何盈利的模式。当然,银行不希望丢失客户的存款,所以对贷款公司十分小心。如果一家公司偿还贷款的风险很高,那么银行可能会拒绝放贷或者收取高额利息。1.2.3.4.5.6.Who are the customers in the Business Department? Companies What do companies do in the Business Department? Borrow money If the company pays high interest, how much does the bank trust it? Not much What does a company buy with a loan? Machinery How can a bank make a profit? Form high interest loans Who are the owners of the savings in a bank? Individual workers
Unit 3
Xiaoyan counts up how much she pays as rent Xiaoyan moves into the flat above Caffe Roma.It is closer to the bank where she works, but it costs more.Last year she paid £135 each month.In twelve months she paid only 12 times of £135, which was £1,620.Now she pays £150 plus £25 for gas and electricity.She calculates that in the next year she will pay twelve times £175, which will equal £2,100.She decides to walk to work to save money.Her best friend Mary who is a student lives there too.They share the shopping and cooking.So eating together is cheaper than living alone, and saves her time.They take turns cooking dinner during the week.At weekends they usually get up after ten o‟clock and then eat out.Last Sunday, Xiaoyan got up very late at eleven thirty, and Franco cooked lunch for her.They enjoyed eating lunch.They talked about the lease and how to pay the rent.Xiaoyan agreed to pay him automatically each month through her bank.晓燕搬入了Caffe Roma餐厅楼上的公寓。这里离她工作的银行很近,但是价格也要高。去年她每个月付135英镑,12个月只需要付135英镑的12倍,也就是1620英镑。现在她付150英镑加上25英镑用于天然气和电。她计算出下一年他要支付175英镑的12倍,也就是2100英镑。她决定走路去上班来节省开支。
她最好的朋友Mary也住在那里,她还是个学生。她们一起支付购物和做饭的开销。这样看来,一起吃比单独住要便宜,而且节省时间。工作日,她们轮流做饭。周末她们通常10点以后起床,然后在外面吃饭。
上个星期天,晓燕起得很晚,十一点半才起床,Franco为她做了中饭。他们一起吃中饭,谈论租房合同和租金的支付方式。晓燕同意每个月通过她的银行自动转账的方式支付(他)租金。
1.Caffe Roma is near the bank.T 2.No one else is living there.F 3.Xiaoyan and Mary cooperate together.T 4.Xiaoyan cooks dinner five times a week.F 5.Xiaoyan buys the flat.F 6.She pays the rent through e-banking.T
Xiaoyan asked about accounting Yesterday Xiaoyan went to the second floor where the accountants worked.Xiaoyan asked what their main task was, and what other things they did.They said they mainly added up lots and lots of numbers which customers provided.They also studied different ways of accounting.She was surprised that the accountants spent a lot of time checking each other!Last week they checked the accountants at the overseas branches.The accountants find that errors are often caused by different accounting systems.Sometimes the local laws are different.In England the sales tax is twenty percent(20%)and in Japan only five percent(5%).In other countries it may be higher or lower.The data for each region are collected to match each local tax system.Then they prepare the final accounts.They use the mainframe computer to help them.It has good software applications for accounting.昨天晓燕去了会计人员工作的二楼。晓燕询问了他们的主要工作是什么,其他的工作有哪些。他们说他们主要合计消费者提供的大量数据。他们也学习不同的计算方法。令她吃惊的是,这些会计人员花了大量的时间相互核对账目。上个星期他们核对了海外分总司的账目。
会计师们发现很多问题常常是由于不同的财会制度造成的。有时本地的法律有不同。英国的营业税是20%,日本仅5%,其他国家或高或低。每个地区的数据被收集整理出来,以便与各地的税务制度相匹配。会计师们制作最终的账目,他们用大型计算机来帮助他们计算。这种大型计算机具有用于财会方面的优质应用软件。1.Who worked on the second floor? Accountants 2.Why did Xiaoyan go there? To learn something 3.What did Xiaoyan do on the second floor? She asked some questions 4.What often causes errors in accounting? Different tax systems 5.Who prepares the final accounts? Accountants 6.Which country charges sales tax higher than England? Not mentioned Unit 4 Franco visits the bank The bank worries that Franco does not keep the books for his restaurant.The manager, Mr.MacCallan, explains to Franco that the bank needs a financial statement.“This will tell us how well your restaurant is doing.” A financial statement is a formal report of the performance last year.It says how much money came in, and how much money went out.Also it suggests what next year will be like.So the bank can judge how much money to lend to the restaurant.The bank can assess the risks involved.If the risk is high, then the bank may refuse to loan any money, or will ask for high interest to be paid.Mr.MacCallan asks Franco to go home and find all the receipts from last year.“Please prepare your books, and give us a financial statement.” He says to Franco.银行担心Franco没有保存他餐厅的账簿。MacCallan经理向Franco解释说银行需要一份财务报表。“这将告诉我们你的餐厅运作的有多好。”财务报表是表示上年度业绩的正式报告,说明了收入多少和支出多少。也给出了下一年度的走势情况。这样银行就可以决定借多少额度给这家餐厅。银行也可以评估相关的风险。如果风险很高,银行可以拒绝贷任何钱,或者要求支付高额利息。MacCallan让Franco 回家找出去年的所有收据。“请准备好你的帐簿,给我们一份财务报表。”他对Franco说。
1.What does the restaurant NOT have? Books 2.Who is the bank manager? Neil MacCallan 3.What does the bank want? A statement 4.What does a financial statement say? Income and outgoings 5.The bank will lend money if the risk is __low__.6.Did Franco bring his books? No
Everyone is helping Franco Steve and David help Franco.Together they prepare his accounts to show the bank manager.Xiaoyan helps too.Franco finds his receipts from last year.They add up the costs for food, and then the costs for gas, for electricity, and for water.They also calculate the cost of paying staff.Franco paid health insurance, and accident insurance too.Finally they calculate all the income from customers.The accounts have two columns.The left column is for money out, and the right column is for money in.Steve writes a list of the income from customers in the right column, and the costs of food, utilities, and staff in the left column.At last he calculates the difference.There is a small profit of £4,500.It is not enough to buy new tables and chairs.However, the bank will be happy, because it was a profit, not a loss!Steve和David帮助Franco。他们一起准备账目来给银行经理。晓燕也帮忙了。Franco找出了去年的所有收据。他们计算了食物、天然气、电和水的开销总和。他们也计算了人工成本的总数。Franco交了健康保险和意外保险。最后他们计算了从顾客处获得的收入。帐簿包括两栏。左栏记货币支出额,右栏记货币流入量。Steve在右栏写下从顾客处获得的收入。左栏记食物、水电和人工工资的成本支出。最后计算两栏的差额,有4500英镑的小额盈利。这笔钱不够用来买新桌子和新椅子。然而,银行会很开心,因为是盈利,而不是亏损。1.Franco needs help to _keep books_.2.How many columns do the accounts have? Two 3.On which side is income money written? Right 4.Money from customers is _income_.5.Costs for staff are _outgoings_.6.Which side shows the outgoings? Left
Unit 5 Last week Tom Walker arrived in London where his company has a new office.His company started up six months ago in Hong Kong.Now they are expanding their business in Europe.He had to open a new bank account for his company at ABHK Bank.When he arrived at the bank, he couldn’t find where to open an account.He asked at the customer service desk.They told him to go up to the Foreign Department on the fourth floor.The bank which has a branch in Hong Kong arranged everything for him.They transferred the funds, and completed everything electronically.He thought e-banking was very efficient.Then the bank manager introduced him to their accountants who advise companies about international taxation(征税).上个星期Tom Walker来到伦敦,那里他的公司有一个新的办事处。他的公司六个月前在香港成立。现在他们在欧洲拓展业务。他需要在ABHK银行为他的公司开立一个新的银行账户。当他来到银行,他不知道在哪里开账户。他在客户服务处询问了一下,他们告诉他到四楼的外国银行部。这家银行的香港分行已经为他准备好了一切。他们进行了资金转账,所有事情都通过电子化完成。他觉得电子银行十分高效。然后银行的经理把他介绍给会计师,会计师会对公司的国际征税提出建议。
1.Where is Tom Walker’s company’s head office? Hong Kong 2.When did his company start? About half a year ago 3.Where did he open a new account? In the Foreign Department 4.What did the Hong Kong office send to London? Money 5.What do the accountants help with? Tax laws
Most people who live in the city have bank accounts.A current account is one that has cash put in or withdraw at any time.Their monthly salary goes automatically to this account.Many also have a deposit account for their long-term savings with interest.On the other hand, all registered companies(where they are in the country or in the city)must have a bank account and show their books to the government.They must pay lots of different taxes – including consumer tax, import or export tax, sales tax, and tax on profits.That is why companies employ accountants.While the companies are busy doing their business, the accountants are busy looking after the books for them.They also prepare the annual financial statement.大多数居住在城市里的人都有银行账户。活期账户就是人们可以随时把现金存入或者取出的账户。他们的月薪自动转账到这个账户。很多人也还有一个存款账户用来存有利息的长期存款。另一方面,所有有登记的公司(无论是农村的还是城市的)都有一个银行账户并且把他们的账簿上交给政府。他们需要支付不同的税—包括消费税,进出口税,营业税,和所得税。这就是公司需要聘请会计师的原因。当公司忙于开展业务的时候,会计师忙于帮助公司照料他们的账簿。他们还要准备年度财务报表。1.Everyone has a bank account.F
2.Companies pay salary into current accounts.T 3.Only in the city registered companies pay many kinds of tax.F 4.Companies must pay income tax.F 5.Accountants prepare financial statements every year.T
Unit 6
Different kinds of bank account Franco has two accounts at the bank.One is his personal current account, which costs him £125 per year.If he kept an average monthly balance of more than £10,000 in this account, then he wouldn‟t pay any bank charges.The other is the one which he uses for his restaurant business.“You don‟t have any long-term deposit account, do you?” said Mr.MacCallan.“If you had more than £1,000 in a deposit account, then you would get 4.5% interest on this every year.” Franco thought to himself that would be £45 extra per year free.“That would make good business sense.” He thought.Franco有两个银行账户。一个是他的个人活期账户,这个账户每年需要支付125英镑的费用。如果他的账户保持平均每个月10000英镑的余额,就不用支付任何的银行费用。另一个账户是用于他的餐厅业务的。“你没有任何定期储蓄账户,对吗?”MacCallan说,“如果你的储蓄账户有多于1000英镑的存款,每年就能获得4.5%的利息。”Franco想那就每年能有45英镑的额外收入了。“那可具有不错的商务意义”他想。1.Franco has a long-term deposit account.F 2.His personal account has less than £10,000.T 3.Franco pays the bank for his current account.T 4.A deposit account pays interest.T
5.Franco doesn‟t think 4.5% interest is good.F 6.Some income comes from a deposit account.T
Getting a loan Mr.MacCallan read Franco’s financial statement.The assets include a lot of prime real estate.The land alone is worth £235,000, and on this land the restaurant is worth more than £158,000.Franco has a very high cash flow with more than £15,000 going in and out every month, but not much extra left over at the end of each month.Since there is only a little left, then he wouldn‟t have enough to pay the interest on a loan.“Why don‟t you apply for a mortgage?” Mr.MacCallan suggested.“The restaurant is good collateral, isn‟t it?” So you would easily get a mortgage of £100,000.” He also suggested a start-up loans are suitable for businesses that need high investment without any strings attached,” he explained.Franco decided to apply for both.Then he would be able to expand the restaurant.McaCallan先生看了Franco的财务报表。他的资产包括很多的主要房地产。单土地价值就有235,000英镑,而建在这块地面上的餐馆价值158,000英镑。Franco每个月出入的现金流很高,达到15,000英镑以上,但是每个月的额外结余不多。由于每个月剩余的钱不多,他将没有足够多的钱来支付贷款利息。“为什么不申请抵押贷款呢?” McaCallan先生建议。“餐馆就是一个很好的抵押,不是吗?这样你就可以很轻松地得到100,000英镑的抵押款。”他还建议了一项启动贷款,这项贷款的前五年利率为0%。“启动贷款适合于那些需要较多投资,又不愿有任何附加条款的企业,”他解释。Franco决定两项都申请,那么他就能扩大餐馆规模了。1.What did Franco want to do? To borrow some money 2.What does the financial statement say? The land value 3.How much are Franco’s expenditures each month? Just less than income 4.Does Franco’s restaurant make a lot of profit? No 5.What did the manager suggest? Both “a” and “b” 6.What will a start-up loan give Franco? No mortgage
Unit 7
Use a computer to keep your accounts Franco spent many hours collecting all the restaurant receipts last week to show Mr.MacCallan.“If you used a computer for accounting, then you’d save yourself a lot of time”, urged Xiaoyan.“Every evening after work, you can input the amounts into the computer.At the end of this year, you will not need to worry.Your restaurant accounts will be printed out automatically.” Franco thought this was a good idea.The tax office sometimes checks the original receipts.So he’ll still need to put them away safely.He asks Xiaoyan and David to help him set up a computer system.They plan to buy a small computer and a software program for accounting.Franco is going to use this to keep his accounts.“And don’t forget to make backup copies,” warned David.“So you will not lose anything.”
Franco 上个星期用了大量的时间收集餐馆的收据来给MacCallan先生看。“如果你用电脑来记账,你可以为自己节约很多时间”,晓燕劝告到,“每天傍晚下班后,你可以把总数输入电脑,到年底,你就不用担心了。你的餐馆的帐簿就自动打印出来。”Franco认为这是一个好主意。税务部门有时候会核对原始收据,所以他还是需要将收据安全地保管好。他让晓燕和David帮助他建立一个计算机系统。他们决定购买一台小电脑和用于会计的软件程序。Franco将用这些来记账。“不要忘记做备份,”David提醒到。“这样你就不会丢失任何东西。” 1.What took Franco a lot of time? Finding receipts 2.Who wanted to see the receipts? Mr.MacCallan 3.What did Xiaoyan advise him to do? To buy a computer 4.What is going to happen at the end of this year? Franco will have his accounts from the computer 5.What does Franco think is a good idea? He uses a computer program for accounts 6.When would a backup copy be useful? If his computer breaks down
Franco wants to employ more staff The restaurant has only one chef, and Franco is going to employ a new assistant cook next week.The waiter works every day, and there are two students who help out part-time.“We shall be busier next month,” Franco thinks.“I’ll have to get in another waiter, to help serve up the food.” Then there will be six people working for him.If he employed the new waiter part-time, then he wouldn’t have to pay out health insurance and pension contributions for him.Franco decides that he is going to ask Mary.Perhaps she would be able to find out a friend at college who wants to get some extra cash-in-hand.Paying cash will keep everything off the books.“That’ll be easier than writing down everything,” he thinks.餐馆只有一个厨师,Franco下个星期将要招聘一位新的助理厨师。(餐厅的)服务员每天工作,还有两个兼职的学生帮忙。“我们下个月会更忙,”Franco想,“我们需要另外一名服务员来帮忙上菜。”那么,将有六个人为他工作了。如果他再招一名新的兼职服务员,他将不再为他支付医疗保险和养老保险。Franco决定问一下Mary,也许她可以在大学里找到某个想要赚些外快的朋友。用现金支付工资不用记入账簿。“这比什么都要记入账方便。”他想。1.What does the chef do? He cooks the food 2.Where will the new assistant work? In the kitchen 3.How many new employees will Franco hire? Three 4.Why does Franco decide to ask Mary? To save money 5.Who have health insurance? Full-time staff 6.Why does Franco want more staff? To improve customer service
Unit 8
Using an agent to preserve the bottom line “You don’t know the local markets.If you set up your own branches in Europe, you will take on a high risk,” warned Mark Howard.Mark has worked at the bank’s office in Paris for two years, and he has studied the business opportunities there.“Your best strategy is to expand your company online, and find an agent on the ground,” Mark explained.“And our bank can help you with buying and selling online.Wouldn’t you like to try e-commerce at relatively low risk?”
Mark recommends Camports Freight Forwarders which have acted as agents throughout Europe for many large companies.“They have built up a good reputation over the years.Give them a call, and you’ll find they are just right for your company, Steve.”
Xiaoyan is happy that Mark has persuaded Steve to be more careful.“This meeting has been fruitful,” she thinks to herself.“你不清楚本地市场,如果你在欧洲成立你自己的分公司,你将承担很高的风险。”Mark Howard提醒到。Mark在银行的巴黎办公室工作两年了,他研究了那里的市场准入机会。“ 最好的对策是在线扩大你们的生意,然后在当地找一个代理商。”Mark 解释,“同时我们的银行会在在线买卖上给予你帮助。你们难道不想试试相对风险较小的电子商务吗?” Mark推荐了Camports Freight Forwarders公司,他们在欧洲市场已经为很多大公司做过代理。“他们这几年建立了很好的声誉。给他们打个电话,你会发现他们恰好适合你的公司,Steve。”
晓燕很高兴Mark劝说Steve要更谨慎一些。她想:“这次见面很有收获。” 1.Mark talked about local companies.F 2.Steve has studied in France.F 3.Steve has set up branches in Europe.F 4.Mark advises Steve to use an agent.T 5.Camports Freight Forwarder is not reliable.F 6.Steve got some good advice.T
e-Banking and e-commerce every day after closing, each bank balances its books.In the past, they used to exchange gold.But banks in London have now stopped using gold.“Using computers to buy and sell securities is easier than shifting gold around,” Mark says to Steve and Xiaoyan.“e-Banking is more efficient and safer!”
Mark persuades Steve to open business accounts in different currencies, and do international banking online.“With e-banking you can immediately see when customers pay you.Also you can monitor any inflation and watch the exchange rates change each day.You can find out when the pound is low.This is the best time for changing your money into pounds.E-banking helps you do all these things.”
Using the internet to manage his accounts is good for the bottom line.Steve agrees, “I can keep my eye on my accounts and on the currency markets using my 3G mobile phone.Umm… improving my business model with e-commerce is good advice.每天关门后,银行都要结算帐目。过去他们常用黄金进行交换。但是在伦敦的银行现在已经停止使用黄金来结算。“用计算机来买卖有价证券要比移动黄金容易得多。”Mark对Steve和晓燕说,“电子银行更高效,更安全。”
Mark劝说Steve开立不同币种的业务账户,并在网上从事国际贸易结算。“通过电子银行,当顾客付账时,你可以马上知道。同时你也可以监控通货膨胀,观察每天的汇率变化。你可以发现什么时候英镑汇率是最低的。这个时候是把钱换成英镑最好的时机。电子银行可以帮助你做所有这些事。”
用互联网来管理他的账户对于底线来说很有用。Steve 同意:“我可以用我的3G手机密切注意我的账户和货币市场行情。用电子商务来改进我的商务模式是一个好建议。
1.Staff must work after the bank closes.T 2.Banks used to exchange gold with each other.T 3.Inflation means the value of the currency goes up.F 4.Steve will buy pounds when their value is high.F 5.E-banking helps people work at home.T 6.You can use your mobile to monitor your accounts.T
Unit 9
Accountants cooperate with tax experts There are many laws on accounting and filing returns.They change every few years.The laws on taxation change too, perhaps more often than accounting laws.Therefore accountants should cooperate with tax experts.Steve’s company was preparing the tax returns last week.A tax advisor was helping them.Together they sorted out the accounts.Last year Steve’s company started exporting machines to France.They paid import taxes and export taxes.Also they collected consumer taxes in France and then paid these to Paris and to Brussels.Their products from Asia were made more cheaply than similar items made in the USA.So they were selling very well in France, and they were making a high profit.They sold more than expected.Their bottom line is improving.This year all the directors got a larger bonus than last year.关于会计和税收的法律条款有很多。这些条款过几年就会有所改变。关于征税的法律也在改变,可能比会计法律变得更快。所以会计师需要和税收专家合作。
Steve的公司上个星期正在准备税单。一名税收顾问正在帮助他们。他们一起把账户分类。去年Steve的公司开始向法国出口机器设备。他们交了进口税和出口税。同时,他们在法国收取消费税然后支付给巴黎和布鲁塞尔。他们在亚洲制造的产品比美国制造的同类产品价格低很多。所以在法国卖的很好,他们获得了很高的利润。产品卖得比预期更多。他们的底线在提高。今年所有的主管获得的奖金比上一年多。
1.Why do accountants talk to tax experts? For the latest guidance 2.Which laws change more often? Tax laws 3.Who was advising Steve’s company? A taxation expert 4.What did Steve’s company start doing last year? Exporting into Europe 5.What does Steve’s company import and export? Machines 6.How did Steve’s company do better this year? By selling more goods
Filling accounts Once a year a company files its accounts with the government.The paperwork usually takes two to three days to complete.Steve is one of the directors of Green Import.So last week he was supervising the preparation.He was talking from Monday to Thursday with the accountants and a tax expert.They were taking longer than last year.At the same time, the accountants were paying all the different taxes, and writing the profit and loss accounts.Last Friday, all the directors had a company board meeting, where they decided on the dividends.Last year they were working harder than ever, and made a good profit for the shareholders.The senior managers and director each got a bonus.For his successful efforts last year, Steve received the largest bonus.Then they wrote the directors’ report.At last they finished, signed the papers, and then filed everything with Company House.每年公司和政府一起它公司的账目归档。这项文书工作通常需要两三天来完成。Steve是Green Import公司的一个主管,所以上星期他在管理这项准备工作。他和会计师还有税务专家一起从星期一一直讨论到星期四。他们花的时间比去年更多。同时,会计师们支付各种不同种类的税,记录利润和亏损情况。上星期五,所有的主管参加了公司的董事会议,会议上他们决定了分红方式。去年他们比任何时候都更努力工作,并且为持股人创造了高额的利润。高管和主管都能得到奖金。由于他去年的成功努力,Steve获得了大笔的奖金。然后他们写了主管工作报告。最后他们结束会议,签署文件,然后和工商管理局一起把所有的文件归档。
1.How often does a company file returns? Every year 2.Who wrote the profit and loss accounts? The accountants 3.How hard were the directors working last year? More than usual 4.What did shareholders get? Dividends 5.What did Steve’s company give him? Some money 6.What did Steve improve? His company’s profit
Unit 10 Hi Tom, How are you? Have you moved in to your new flat? We have received fifteen orders(订单)for computer screens.These orders are mostly from companies in London.Two are from Manchester.We have prepared the first container.(集装箱)We are shipping this out on the 12th of March.The customs documents(海关公文)are attached.It should take less than three weeks to arrive, if the weather is fine.You have set up a warehouse, haven’t you? If not, then could you do that in the next two weeks? This should be larger than 20m by 15m.Please make sure that there is enough space where we can store more than two container loads.By the way(顺便说), we have asked our Hong Kong accountant for her opinion about our tax liabilities(负债).She suggested you check with the UK authorities.They will know which taxes the London office should pay.I’m sorry you have a lot to sort out.Please let me know if there is anything you need.Best Wishes James
Tom你好,你好吗?你搬到新的公寓了吗?
我们接到了15个台电脑屏幕的订单。这些订单主要来自伦敦的公司。其中两个来自 曼彻斯特。我们第一个集装箱已经准备好了。我们将于3月12日装船运输。邮件附件为海关公文。如果天气状况良好,将在三星期以内到达。
你已经准备好仓库了,是吗?如果还没有,你能在未来两个星期内准备好吗。仓库需要大于20m*15m。请确保有足够的空间存放两集装箱的货物。顺便说一下,我们已经咨询了我香港公司的会计师关于我们应承担的税。她建议你和英国政府确认一下。他们知道伦敦公司应该付的税。
我很抱歉你很很多事情需要整理。如果有任何需要请随时告知。最真的祝福,James 1.What has Tom prepared? A new place to live.2.How many orders are from companies in London? 13 3.When do they ship the goods? On the twelfth of March 4.What did the accountant advise Tom to ask? How much tax he should pay 5.What is attached to this email? Customs clearance papers
Talking with the accountants Tom Walker has opened two current accounts for the new London office-one is pounds sterling, and the other in HK dollars.His company files accounts in HongKong.Taxes are lower in Hong Kong than in London.He wasn’t sure if his company would have to pay tax on profits in England.So he has asked the accountants at the bank for advice.The accountants have decided to ask the bank’s lawyers who will know what to do.They can tell them whether or not Tom Walker’s company should pay UK tax.The accountants advised him to keep two sets of books, and all the invoices and receipts.They said the lawyers needed a few months to check and answer.Tom Walker为新的伦敦办事处开了两个活期账户—一个英镑账户,一个港币账户。他的公司的账目整理在香港。香港的税收比伦敦低。他不确定是否他们的公司需要付利润税给英国。所以他问了银行的会计意见。会计师决定问一下银行的法律顾问谁知道该做什么。他们会告诉他是否Tom Walker的公司需要付给英国税。会计师建议他保存两套账簿,所有的发票和收据。他们说律师需要几个月的时间对这个问题进行确认和给予答复。1.Tom has opened a total of four bank accounts.F 2.Taxes are higher in London.T 3.The accountants know how to pay tax on profits.F 4.The bank employs lawyers.T 5.The accountants will keep the receipt.F
Unit 11 Then bank helps Steve set up offshore accounts David explains to Steve how offshore accounting is used by international business.The ABHK bank owns a small bank in Jersey in the Channel Islands.Tax rates on profits are much lower there than in the UK.David is persuading Steve to open offshore accounts in Jersey, so that his company pays less tax.Steve’s company operations are being expanded in Europe.If their export business is moved offshore, then the accounts will be easier to prepare.Although Steve at first though England was safer, David persuades him that Jersey is just as safe as England.Since Jersey is part of the British Isles, many companies open an office there.At last Steve decides to follow David’s advice.He writes a report for the other directors, in order that they understand this change.If they agree, his company will register a new office in Jersey.David向Steve解释离岸银行账户如何在国际贸易里运用。ABHK银行在海峡群岛的泽西岛上有一家小分行。那里的利润税率比英国低很多。David正在劝说Steve在泽西岛开个离岸账户,这样他的公司可以少交一些税。
Steve公司的运营正在向欧洲大陆拓展。如果他们的出口业务移到境外进行,那么会计核算就会简单一些。尽管Steve起初觉得英格兰安全一些,David说服他(相信)泽西和英国一样安全。由于泽西是不列颠群岛的一部分,很多公司在那儿设立办事处。最后Steve决定听从David的建议。他给其他的主管写了一份报告,以使他们明白这一变化。如果他们同意,他的公司将在泽西设立一个新的办事处。
1.International companies use offshore accounting.T 2.Steve knows a lot about offshore accounting.F 3.Companies in Jersey pay low tax.T 4.Steve’s company is based in Jersey.F 5.David dissuades Steve from using offshore banking.F 6.The directors write a report to Steve.F
Integration with suppliers Franco has to buy good wine for his restaurant even though it is very expensive in London compared to Italy.He also buys a lot of Italian olive oil wherever it is sold cheaply.If wine and olive oil imported directly from Italy, he could save money.In Sicily, his uncle has an olive oil business, and his cousin has a winemaking business.They persuade his to invest money in their business.In exchange they promise to supply regularly wine and olive oil to his restaurant.Franco will save time and money this way.His running costs will be reduced.They agree to consolidate their businesses.Franco’s uncle and cousin get a stable demand for their olive oil and wine, and Franco gets a stable supply.After their businesses are integrated, they will no longer worry about fluctuating price in the markets.Market uncertainty is reduced.即使相比意大利的价格,伦敦的葡萄酒要贵得多,Franco也不得不为自己的餐馆购买好的葡萄酒。他也会在价格便宜的地方买很多橄榄油。如果葡萄酒和橄榄油直接从意大利进口,他能节省开销。在西西里,他的舅舅从事橄榄油生意,他的表兄弟进行着红酒生产业务。他们劝说Franco 对他们的生意进行投资。作为交换,他们许诺向他的餐馆定期供应葡萄酒和橄榄油。用这种方式,Franco将节约时间和钱。他的运作成本将会降低。他们同意联合创业。Franco的舅舅和表兄弟在橄榄油和红酒上的供应稳定,Franco的需求也很稳定。在他们的业务整合后,他们将不再担心市场价格的波动。市场的不确定性会降低。1.Wine is _cheaper_ in Italy than in London.2.Franco _usually_ buys olive and wine in London.3.Franco’s restaurant uses _much_ olive oil.4.Franco’s cousin wants some _money_ for his business.5.Restaurant running costs include _buying_ food and wine.6.Usually prices go up and _down_ all the time.Unit 12
Long-term or short-term investments? Xiaoyan wants to sell her shares in the bank.She could earn more profit in other companies.Steve is worried, and wants to dissuade her from selling.High-yield stocks are good in the short term.If she invests next year in high-yield stocks, then she must follow the market closely.This takes a lot of time every day.The shares may go down quickly.If they start to go down, Xiaoyan must sell them to save her money.Steve thinks a steady return on her investment may be better in the long term.If the yield is higher than inflation, then there is no problem.Steve recommends keeping her shares where they are.Both of them have some cash in their bank accounts.So they decide to invest a little of this in some high-yield speculative shares as a hobby.They want to see how much profit they can each make in a year.Their long-term pension plans are then safe, and they can maybe make some extra money on the short-term investments.晓燕想要把她在银行的股份卖掉。她可以在其他公司获得更多的利润。Steve很担心,他想阻止她卖股份。高收益的股票对短期投资来说很有利。如果第二年她投资高收益的股票,她必须要密切关注股市行情。这就需要每天花大量的时间。股票可能会快速地下降。如果股票开始下行,晓燕必须卖出股票来保值。
Steve认为从长远来看有一个稳定的投资回报会更好。如果收益高于通胀,就没有任何问题。Steve建议她把股票放在那里别动。
他们两个的银行账户都有一些现金。所以他们决定投资一小部分在高收益的风险性股票上,权当爱好。他们想看看一年后没人能赚多少利润。他们的长期退休金计划很安全,同时他们可以在短期投资上获得额外的利润。
1.Some bank shares are owned by Xiaoyan.T 2.Xiaoyan wants to buy new shares.T 3.4.5.6.Some other shares can give more profit.T High-yield shares can give a steady return.F Low-risk shares are not good in the long term.F Pension plans are usually long-term plans.T
Planning for a pension Xiaoyan is reviewing her financial situation and has asked the bank’s accountants for advice.She has a monthly salary, and some shares in the bank.Although a small pension will be paid by her bank, it will not be enough to live on comfortably.Xiaoyan decides to buy a life assurance policy, so that she can get more pension income when she retires.This was suggested by the accountants.She must pay in £100 regularly each month, and she cannot get anything back until she is 65 years old.These kinds of assurance policies may give better yields than deposit accounts.Life insurance is also included.If one dies before 65 years old, the policy pays out much more than the investment.A life assurance can provide added security.She thinks it will be a good long-term investment.晓燕正在回顾她的财务状况,她询问了银行会计师的建议。他每个月有工资,也有银行的一些股份。尽管她的银行会为她支付一小部分退休金,但想要生活得舒适,这是不够的。晓燕决定买一份退休金理财产品,这样当她退休的时候可以获得更多的退休金收入。这是会计师给出的建议。她必须规律性得每个月支付100英镑,并且在65岁之前不会获得任何回报。这类担保合同可能比储蓄账户的收益更高些。人生保险也包括在内。如果某人65岁之前死亡,该合同的赔偿远高于投资回报。
1.Why did Xiaoyan ask the accountants? She was worried about her future.2.What was suggested by some accountants? Life assurance 3.What is a life assurance policy for? Getting a pension 4.How often does she have to pay? Monthly 5.When will she get a pension? When she is 65 years old.6.What kind of investment is life assurance? Long-term
Unit 13
A balanced portfolio will be safest Franco works hard and is earning a lot of money.He has lent some to his uncle and cousin in Sicily, while most is kept in a long-term deposit account at the bank.However his money is not being used very efficiently.The interest paid to him by the bank is quite low.If he invested in speculative high-yield shares, the profits might be five times higher.He doesn’t know much about buying and selling shares, so he asks Steve Bracken for his advice.Steve thinks Franco could buy some shares in other companies, but he shouldn’t risk too much of his savings.Steve encourages him to build up a balanced portfolio of investments.It should have some investments in safe low-yield deposits and less in high-risk shares.Steve suggests that about twenty percent of his savings can be invested in high-risk shares.Franco努力工作赚了很多钱。他借给西西里的叔叔和堂兄一些钱,但大部分则存放在银行的定期储蓄账户中。然后他的钱没有被有效利用。银行付给他的利息很低。如果他投资于具有风险的高收益股票,利润可能要比现在高5倍以上。他不太知道股票的买卖,所以他向Steve Bracken资讯建议。Steve认为Franco 可以买一些其他公司的股份,但是他不需要为他的积蓄承担太多风险。Steve鼓励他搭配一个均衡的投资组合。这需要把一部分钱投资于安全的低风险的储蓄存款,小部分投资于风险股票。Steve建议他将20%左右的储蓄用于高风险的股票投资。
1.Franco’s restaurant is not making a profit.F 2.Franco’s now has a long-term deposit account.T 3.His relatives in Italy have borrowed some money.T 4.There is low interest on high-yield shares.F 5.Steve suggests putting all his money into speculative investments.F 6.Steve recommends that Franco keeps 20% of his money in a deposit account.F
Speculating is fun Xiaoyan is closely following the value of her shares.She is plotting the price every day on large chart.This is posted up on her wall.On this graph the trends can be seen more easily than in a table of numerical data.Day by day the share price is seen to go up or down a little.Over the past year, the average value was climbing steadily in line with the rate of inflation.Some of her shares were rising in value last year, but now their price has leveled off.The price is visible as a curve with an early peak at the end of last year.For the past few months the plot looks quite flat.Xiaoyan decides that these poorly performing shares will be sold.Then her money can be put into more promising ones.She doesn’t want to lose out on higher profits.晓燕密切关注她的股票价值走势。她每天在一张大的图表上标出价格的走势。这张图表张贴在墙上。在图表上,比数据表更简单地看出走势。一天天都能看到股票价格有些上涨或下跌。过去这一年股票的平均价值在稳步攀升,与通货膨胀保持一致。
她的一些股票价值去年在上升,但现在价值趋于平稳。作为曲线,能明显看出股票的价格走势,最初的峰值时在去年年底。过去几个月走势非常平稳。晓燕决定卖出这些表现不佳的股票。然后她就可以把钱投入增长更快的股票。她不想失去高额利润。1.A table is written on Xiaoyan’ wall.F 2.The data are being shown as a curve.T 3.Xiaoyan watches her share price.T 4.Inflation was going up last year.T 5.Her shares are increasing a lot in value.F 6.Xiaoyan wants to sell her shares.T
Unit 14 Steve talks with Xiaoyan about her job experience Steve has seen a job ad for an accountant at Transworld Securities.They want someone with international experience to work in their Beijing Office.He shows the ad to Xiaoyan, who is very interested.She has all the right qualifications now.She had worked for several years in Shanghai before she came to London.After that she worked in the International Accounts Department and then then International e-Banking Division.Now she has good experience in international accounting.Steve and Xiaoyan think the job would suit her, and Transworld Securities offer a good salary-more than she gets now-plus a moving allowance and housing package.Xiaoyan knows that the cost of living in Beijing is much lower than in London.She decides to write her CV and apply for the new job.Steve看到一个环球证券公司招聘会计师的广告。这个证券公司想要为他们的北京办事处招聘一个有国际工作经验的人。他把广告给晓燕看,晓燕很感兴趣。她现在条件完全具备。在到伦敦之前她在上海工作过几年。之后她在国际会计部和国际电子银行分部工作过。现在她在国际会计事务方面有丰富的经验。Steve和晓燕觉得这个工作会适合她,并且环球证券公司提供优厚的薪水,外加安家费和一揽子住房补贴。晓燕在北京的生活成本比伦敦低很多。她决定写简历来申请这个新工作。
1.Transworld Securities is looking for an accountant.T 2.An advertisement was seen by Transworld Securities.F 3.Xiaoyan used to work in London before Shanghai.F 4.The new job is in international accounting.T 5.Xiaoyan doesn’t have enough experience to apply.F 6.It’s cheaper to live in Beijing than in London.T
Xiaoyan applies for a new job Xiaoyan was making notes to help her write her CV last week.She hadn’t written one for several years.She had left her old one in Shanghai which had all the dates of her qualifications written on.Steve showed her an example to use as a model.She worked as an Assistant Manager at ABHK for two years in Shanghai before coming to London.But she couldn’t remember how many years she had worked at Tang Investments before that.She made a list of all her accomplishments at ABHK Bank.Then she put them in the correct order.During her first year in London she had managed the accounts of several large companies.After that she worked in the IT Department, and now she is working in the International e-Banking Division.After she finished writing her work experience, she added a handwritten cover letter.Then she posted everything off to the address in the advertisement.晓燕上个星期作笔记来帮助她写简历。她已经好几年没有写过简历了。她将那份记录着她全部资历及日期的就的个人简历留在上海了。Steve给了她一份样本作为模板。在来伦敦之前她在上海的ABHK银行做过两年助理经理。但是她忘记了在那之前在大唐投资公司工作了几年。她写了一张在ABHK银行取得的所有成就的单子。然后将它们按照正确顺序排列。在她到伦敦的第一年,她管理着几家大公司的账目。之后她在IT部分工作,现在她在国际电子银行分部工作。写完工作经历以后,她加上了一张手写的信封。然后把所有这些邮寄到广告中提到的地址。
1.Did Xiaoyan write notes before writing her CV? Y 2.She emailed the CV to Beijing, didn’t she? N 3.Steve gave her a model to copy, didn’t he? Y 4.Was she employed by many companies in London? N 5.Had she worked in the IT Department? Y 6.Didn’t she type out the cover letter? N
Unit 15
“Hello.Good morning everyone.Today I want to talk about exchange rates.Here is a plot of the changes that we have seen during 2010.Please look at this graph.You can see the exchange rate between Hong Kong dollars and pounds sterling.This rate was fairly steady until July, when it started to rise steeply to a peak at the beginning of August.That was the best time to sell pounds for Hong Kong dollars.It fell during August.Then it became steady again during October.Overall we have seen an increase from 11.25 dollars per pound to 12.25.During July alone, there was almost fifteen percent change.Such large fluctuations can hurt trade because of the uncertainty for importers and exporters.They don’t want to take unnecessary risks, do they? So they reduce their exposure(暴露)and volume of business.Okay, that’s all for today.Thank you for your attention.”
“大家早上好!今天我想要讲讲汇率。这里有一张2010年的汇率情况变化表。
请看这张表。你们可以看到港币兑英镑的汇率。这个比率直到七月份都比较平稳,八月初的时候开始大幅度攀升。这时是卖出英镑买入港币的最佳时机。八月份整体回落。然后十月份的时候又开始稳定。总体来说我们看到了港币兑英镑的汇率从11.25上升到了12.25。
仅七月一个月,就有将近15个点的变化。如此大的波动会对贸易带来伤害,由于进出口商的不稳定情绪。他们不愿承担不必要的风险,不是吗?所以他们会减少业务的次数和总量。好了,今天就讲这些。感谢大家的倾听。” 1.What is this talk about? Changing money 2.How was the rate for pounds in July? Going up 3.When was the main peak on this chart? After July 4.When was the rate steady? In May 5.When was the best time to sell dollars? On 15th May
Arrange your books to pay less tax Last week Tom asked the bank’s accountants for advice.This morning the accountants explained how to keep the accounts.Tax on company profits in Britain is higher than that in Hong Kong.The start-up money sent by his Hong Kong company should be written up as a loan, they explained, and interest on this should be paid to Hong Kong.They persuaded him to keep the London business separated from that of Hong Kong.He should buy the goods from Hong Kong at a price which is close to his selling price in Britain.This will reduce the profit margin of the London Office so that less UK tax will be paid.“Let the Hong Kong office make the profit, because they pay lower tax on profit”, they advised him.“Overall, your company will pay much less tax.”
上个星期Tom向银行的会计师寻求建议。今天早上会计师解释了如何记账。英国的公司利润所得说比香港高很多。他们解释,由香港公司承担的启动资金可以记作贷款,由此产生的利息由香港方支付。他们劝Tom把伦敦的业务从香港公司独立出来。他可以从香港购入与在英国的出售价格相近的货物。这可以减少伦敦办事处的边际利润,这样在英国交的税就会减少。
“让香港公司赚取利润,因为他们付的利润所得税低”,他们这样建议Tom。“总的来说,你的公司可以少付一些税。”
1.The accountants explained how his books should be kept.T 2.Hong Kong companies pay lower tax than companies in London.T 3.Hong Kong should pay interest to the London office.F 4.The accountants told him how to increase the profits in London.F 5.His buying price should be set to close to his selling price.T
第二篇:研究生英语教材阅读B课文翻译
Unitl Party Politics Judith Martin
1.办公室晚会礼节?有这个必要吗?员工们每天开开心心地彼此交往,虽然时不时会推推撞撞,发生点儿口角,传播点儿谣言,或是联名写点儿投诉信。然而,只要将办公室稍做节日般的布置,所有这一切的不愉快即刻会化为其乐融融的喜庆气氛。员工们也很快会陶醉于其中,乐而忘忧。每年一次的圣诞晚会的确具有这种神奇的因素:扔下手头的工作、免费品尝美酒佳肴、还有肆意尽兴的狂欢,所有这一切均将诸如性骚扰之类令人厌恶的工作现实抛到九霄云外。
2.参加晚会的人也明白这种场合省去了许多麻烦的礼节性应酬。因为没有东道主,所以不必特意感谢什么人或是费神与缩在角落里没人理睬的客人搭讪。没人需要付费(同样也是这位“没人”为来宾提供了免费私人长途电话),总之谁都不需要考虑旁人的感受。
3.所有的一切均为盛情款待,就象是平日里一直偷偷顺手牵羊放入口袋里的公司毡毛笔尖钢笔,任由大家尽情享受。基于公司的企业精神和节日欢庆的气氛,公司此时只希望为员工提供一次尽情狂欢的聚会。而员工出于对公司的忠心,再加上发现上司在工余之际的面目后欣喜无比,所以也就乐不可支地享受这一美好时光。
4.对那些仍然隐约记得生活中付出与获得之理的人而言,这种无忧无虑的商业娱乐简直就像是神赐的福祉。在现今这个罕有免费款待的社会,东道主需要花时间和精力在自己家招待来宾。而来宾也同样负有重任——从回复邀请、应承一切安排,直到礼貌地啧啧称赞晚会举办得无懈可击。
5.商业娱乐似乎将时间、精力、金钱、个人义务、以及与之有关的各种礼节负担统统抛开。组织晚会的人有偿付出,因此,参加晚会的来宾不必担心愧欠人情。一年一次的圣诞节本来就应该让低级别的员工感到一种理想氛围,那就是公司出钱筹办的晚会全年均可免费出席。
6.先别想得太美了。严肃的礼节小姐可是从来不休假的(职员们,暂且不提雇主们,可真得庆幸自己这次走运,因为她只在晚会委员会任职,未在文具电话清查委员会工作)。公司晚会有别于私人晚会,但礼节之道却一丁点儿也未变。
7.如果来宾无需礼节也玩得很开心,那么礼节小姐很乐意放假休息。但是在公司晚会礼节清查委员会供职数年以来,礼节小姐意识到,如果每个人任意性情即兴表演,不顾及相应的礼节,晚会往往不尽如人意。
8.我们一起来看看这种即兴无忧的娱乐:老板不知道该呆在什么地方才好,他或她在门口徘徊,一心想着与众人打成一片。见到来宾惶恐地盯着自己,然后从边门溜进会场,此番情景足以令热情的老板心灰意冷。但是若采用旧时迎宾队列的方式与每个来宾逐一打招呼,又会显得过分迂腐和拘束。所以说,很少有人不同意员工们长期以来坚信的一条上班信念:觐见上司和尽情享乐最好不要同时发生。
9.老板急于把握机会,于是顺手抓住身边最近的人,然后滔滔不绝地大讲自己事先反复练习过的一番赞美之辞,盛扬此人对公司的贡献。可是对方的反应却是始料不及。细心询问几句才知此人只是公司一位员工带来的客人,既不在公司工作,又不认识眼前的老板,甚至对方才的盛誉之辞也无动于衷——事实上,此人与邀请人也只是一面之交。这位客人此时需要的不是同行的友情,而是一杯提神的饮料。劳驾老板,请您让路。
10.另外,邀请函上通常注明“以及佳宾”之类的话,目的是为了避开谁和谁仍是伴侣以及配偶如何称呼等敏感问题。去年,未婚的员工因为自己的伴侣未曾获邀而愤愤不平;已婚的员工由于自己配偶的称呼不当而牢骚满腹;“夫人”得罪了那些喜欢用“女士”称呼的来宾;冠用丈夫姓氏的太太们冒犯了那些不用丈夫姓氏的太太们。而今年,抱怨又会接踵而来。这次是因为起初没有人告知配偶公司举办晚会的消息,或是配偶被告知晚会不邀请家属参加。然而,事后这些配偶却发现事实并非如此。当然这类抱怨不会源源不断。但是这些配偶会记住此事,并私下斥责公司唆使员工不诚实。
11.对于那些有意想欺瞒配偶或意欲发展一段浪漫恋情的人而言,情形会怎样呢?他们同样也会惹上来年都难以摆脱的麻烦。这些人之间很少会孳生真正的办公室恋情,因为此类行为难免有待人偏袒和公私混淆之嫌。还有更为糟糕的情形:尽管可以用酗酒过多和情绪兴奋作为托辞,但是上司戏谑一位无动于衷的下属的行为仍会被视为性骚扰;同样,下属对上司做出类似的举动则会被认为蛮勇无知。
12.有些员工心里只想着工作,在晚会上跃跃欲试地提出自己的业务宏图。他们牢记公司曾倡导的自由交流精神,置身于此时此地,这班人会找到老板以求畅所欲言。而老板此刻正巴不得有人过来同自己打招呼。
13.然而这些人并不想和老板只说些客套话,他们回应老板的称赞时会说:“给我加工资怎么样?”他们会恳求晋升,并心有成竹地向老板解释谁应该被炒鱿鱼。接着他们进一步提出改进公司业务的建议,这些建议其实好几年前已经提出,但却不知为何无人赏识。他们试图在短短的一夜之内,逾越老板多年来千辛万苦构筑的用于抵挡这类恳求的层层阶梯和壁垒。
14.最后——通常在晚会进入尾声阶段——有些人会忽然想起这种轻松的环境正是向上司进言建议的最佳时机。无拘无束、开诚布公不就意味着一吐为快而不必担心影响自己的事业前途吗?
15.其实在这个问题上员工被公司迷惑了。公司说“去吧,尽情地娱乐,忘掉工作。”幼稚的人会信以为真。认为这是晚会—一个让人彻底放松、为所欲为的场合,不必担心苛刻的职业行为规则的约束。
16.即使是那些严守上班着装规定的员工,可能也无从知晓哪类服装在老板看来低俗不堪。对来宾而言,晚会是展示自己大胆创意休闲服饰的机会。但是不远处的上司们可能正在私下嘀咕,认为穿那种服装的人绝不能被委派出任公司的代表。
17.更糟糕的是那些对于尽情取乐、喧闹不止的员工的评论。这些行为,对于朋友而言,可能是很逗笑或有些讨厌。然而在晚会上,他的行为受到其他诸多标准的判断,而不仅仅是这个人是否滑稽可笑。
18.礼节小姐提出上述警告并非旨在破坏公司晚会的快乐气氛。她只想防止晚会毁掉员工的事业前途。而这类问题的解决之道是曾因过分拘束而被晚会摈弃的方法:礼节。
19.首先需要恢复的礼节是按每个人的姓名分别邀请。以往一份请柬请两个人的做法既不保险又不讨好。对那些被指明并告知需回复邀请函的人而言——当然告知时的语气应尽量中立,表明晚会只是一次款待并非务须之事——他们应该意识到各自分别获邀并需回复是否出席。
20.谁和谁结伴出席晚会是令礼节小姐和任何一位明智的雇主都感到难以查清楚的事。不过可以让员工自己填写同行的配偶或朋友的姓名。公司晚会可以只限于内部员工参加,并在上班时间内举行。但是邀请员工配偶或朋友参加效果会更好。因为外出工作已经影响了家人之间的亲密关系,而且工作中同事间也不象请柬名单那样按照个相互间是否关系融洽来安排。)
21.礼节小姐希望上述所言已经表明公司晚会的目的不是任意嬉戏玩闹或是对他人说长道短。那么应该是什么呢?晚会应该是对员工所表示的感谢。
22.这首先需要有一个安排恰当的迎宾队列。虽然许多人认为这种方式简直是活受罪,但一直以来却是每位来宾得以被大人物认识的最好方法。旧时最古老的作法仍然奏效:一位专职负责问清客人姓名的人——或是一位无关紧要但又可以询问每位来宾姓名的人——在客人走过迎宾队列时向主人通报该客人的姓名。主人听到时可能会开玩笑地说:“我当然认识安娜特,公司没有她不行。”更妙的是,员工的随行客人会听到人们称赞邀请自己的这位员工。这些赞美之辞比直截了当的奉承话听上去要真诚得多。而且,从此以后,如果哪位员工抱怨公司里的人都是蠢货,其配偶可以用曾在晚会上听到的话予以反驳。
23.人们经常错误地认为公司晚会应该以员工们习惯的方式举办:他们喜欢的音乐、食物、还有高级管理层人士弃置不顾的其他东西。这就大错而特错了。员工们想要的其实是更高级的娱乐。高级与否视不同性质的公司而定。如果晚会太过正式,员工们也同样会开心地尝试不同的风格,然后再按自己的方式尽情娱乐。
24.聪明的员工会穿得与上司一样,因为他们知道穿得稍稍保守一点就不会被人指指点点。在公司晚会中拒绝或尽量少喝酒的做法无人指责,但在私人晚会中碍于主人好客的目光这种行为会很难堪。另外员工寻求仕途晋升的真正机会不是恳求上司,而是替陷入尴尬局面的上司解围,因为这样可以表现出该员工懂得如何高谈工作之外的话题。
25.最后,还需另外一个送客队列。此时老板们一动也不动地站在抢眼的出口处,握住每位想离开的来宾的手,感谢他的光临。此时,即使是最懵懂的客人也会意识到应该回谢一番——也就是说,意识到应该感谢付出的人。26.公司圣诞晚会不就是为此而举办的吗?如果公司只想对员工表示谢忱,那么,放一天假外加一个红包就足矣。
Unit 2 The New Singles
1.你知道他们是这样的人:在举行过婚礼的教堂里捡大米的埃莉诺?雷格比;胸毛浓密、性欲旺盛、以拥有熔岩灯而感到自豪的奥斯丁?鲍威尔斯;个人意识模糊不清、总是期待录音电话响起的布里奇特?琼斯。这些单身人士过去一直是故事、歌曲和个人广告中的常见人物,传统上这些人处在社会的边缘:滑稽有趣、让人怜悯或令人敬畏。
2.那些日子已经一去不复返了。现在的单身族不再像过去那些面容枯槁的老处女和鳏夫,而是像伊丽莎白?克尔戈莱这样的人。伊丽莎白?克尔戈莱是个29 岁的巴黎银行家,她把拥有独立生活和自己的公寓看成是事业成功的结果。她开着漂亮的德国Golf GTI 牌小汽车快速地在巴黎兜着风,一手扶着方向盘,另一手抓着手机,在打电话的间歇中热情洋溢地谈论着单身生活。她说:“我不厌恶社交,我喜欢与人交往。但是独自生活使我有时间和空间自我反省。我作为一个人有权选择并不受干扰地成长。”
3.正如圣人们所言,我们最终都将是单独一人。但是越来越多的欧洲人在很年轻的时候就决定过独身生活。这不是悲观的人生思考,而是欧洲经济新气象,受到人口学家、房地产发展商和广告商这类人的普遍欢迎。法国社会学家让?克劳特?考夫曼评论这种从家庭生活到独身生活模式的过渡是上个世纪不可抗拒的个人主义趋势的组成部分。通信技术的革命、商业文化从稳定性过渡到流动性以及大量妇女进入产业大军都对欧洲人的私生活产生巨大冲击。越来越多的欧洲人在步入独自生活,因为他们寿命更长了、离婚更多了并且结婚也更晚了——如果他们还要结婚的话。现在英国的结婚率在160 年的记录中最低的。据法国国家统计局的报道,在1968 到1990 年期间法国独身的人翻了一番。
4.独自生活的现象一直是都市和北欧的趋势:生活在农村的人们——以及西班牙人、希腊人和爱尔兰人——倾向于过家庭生活。与此相反,斯堪的纳维亚人、荷兰人和德国人喜欢独自生活:40%的瑞典人独自生活,七百万英国人独自生活——这是40 年前的3 倍。根据肯特大学组织行为学教授理查德?斯凯斯最近的“2010年的英国”的报道,单身家庭数量将会在十年内超过两人或两人以上的家庭。在伦敦的肯辛顿和切尔西这样的“贵族”区,大约有一半的房子里住着独自生活的人。在德国今年56 岁的离异者伯恩德?克劳斯特费尔德创作了一盘称作“不再孤独”的CD。该碟片的特点是有15 段家庭生活的录音,如“电视没什么节目;最起码薯条还是不错的”和“冰箱终于又满了”,它为独自生活的人们提供了“62 分钟归属感”。
5.欧洲的新经济气候大大地鼓励了独立的趋势。当代独自生活的这一代人的成长时期正是欧洲从社会民主政治过渡到更精明、更个性化的美国风格的资本主义气候的时期。成长在私有化和日益买方市场时代的当今熟谙技术的工人象接受自由经济那样也热情欢迎爱情自由。现代的欧洲人相当富有,有财力独自生活;而且他们性格独立,希望独自生活。法国公众民意研究所(盖洛普民意测验法国分部)最近的调查发现,被提问的法国人中有58%的人认为独自生活是一种选择而不是一种强迫。其他欧洲单身一族也这样认为。独自住在柏林的艾丽丝?埃彭道夫说:“我一直想要随心所欲地去冒险。我讨厌沉闷、令人厌烦的中产阶级生活——一点都没意思。”
6.以前独自生活的人都是一些处在婚姻生活之两端的人们——20 多岁的专业人员或寡居的老人。领取养老金的人,特别是上了年纪的妇女,构成了独自生活人群的绝大多数;而新一批单身族则是30 到40 岁的高收入人士,他们日益认为独自生活是一种生活方式的选择。《在瑞典独自生活》一书的作者伊娃?桑德斯蒂德注意到:“瑞典语过去曾用ensam 称呼独自生活的人,蕴涵孤独之意。独自生活被认为是消极的——黑暗而且寒冷,而家庭生活则意味着温暖与光明。但是新单身族的观念则不然。他们年轻、美丽、强壮!现在,年轻人希望独自生活。”
7.繁荣的经济意味着人们比以往任何时候都要更努力工作。这就无法为交往留出很多的空间。35 岁的作曲家平庇?阿罗约独自居住在巴黎的一所房子里,说他无暇感到孤独,因为有很多事要做。“我总有工作要赶在期限内完成,这就使得我与他人在一起生活相当困难。”他还说只有“理想妻子”才能改变他的生活模式。最近出版《单身女人和白马王子》一书的作者考夫曼认为,这种狂热的新个人主义意味着人们对配偶的期望越来越多,因此相互之间的关系持续不长——如果能有开始交往的话。埃彭道夫是个金发碧眼的柏林女人,有着晒成褐色的皮肤,并且嗜好旅行。她上午在一所小学教书,下午则去日光浴或睡觉,以便彻底地休息,然后去跳舞。她还不到50 岁,她说她从未想过要象她母亲那样生活——放弃事业,以便照看家庭。而“我一直在做我想要做的事:过自己选择的生活。”
8.过自己选择的生活一点也不便宜。在像斯德哥尔摩、罗马或柏林这样的首都城市,房租很高,这意味着只有高工资的人才付得起自己的住房。按比例来算,有更多的专业人员独自生活:在法国五分之一的职业妇女独自生活,而在蓝领工作妇女中的比例则是十分之一。法国政府最近为那些二十多岁想搬出去住但又负担不起的年轻人拨款七千七百万法郎。巴黎银行家克尔戈莱的公寓使她能十分舒适地“无拘无束地读书、煮饭、写作和娱乐”。
9.社会学家考夫曼提到这种自由会令人上瘾,特别令妇女上瘾。他说:“在夫妻关系中,人们依然期待妇女做内当家。妇女要与这种观念斗争是非常困难的,所以她们能获取男女平等的唯一方法就是独自生活。”克尔戈莱并不排除结婚的可能性,但是她不会为了一个男人而放弃自己的自由。她解释说:“如果我要结婚,我仍要有自己的房间——一个属于我自己的自由空间。”
10.数以百万计的向往自由空间或喜欢独居的单身族使得欧洲房地产市场供给紧张。在未来15 年里,英国的人口将会下降,但房屋的数量将会增长25%——这种增长主要来自单身族的需求。英格兰的东南部正经历主要的建房热:英国政府已授权建造860,000 所新住宅,主要是为中产阶级而建。房地产经纪人注意到年轻单身族人数的上涨,这些人工作起来很疯狂并把家当成宿舍。在伦敦,为年轻人和以事业为重的专业人员建造的豪华综合楼群正拔地而起,这儿有小套公寓、健身馆以及便利的交通去享受都市的娱乐。单身家庭促进了地区贵族化:地理学家说,当单身族搬进邻近地区时,咖啡酒吧、健身馆和饭店就一定会跟进来,并且当地的音乐、剧院和艺术馆也会繁荣起来。“单身族对法国的文化生活带来了真正的好处,”法国文化和通讯部的官员奥利弗?唐娜说道,“没有他们,那就剩下只愿呆在家里看电视的夫妇和家庭。”
11.妇女好象比男人更会享受单身生活。根据斯凯斯的观点,单身女人——与单身男人不同——倾向于住在单身朋友附近,形成新型家庭般的朋友圈。饭店、健身馆和咖啡酒吧就像酒馆一样起到客厅的作用——这种趋势使得都市妇女在过去的五年里成了英国酒业的主要支柱。相反,单身汉则倾向于呆在家里。斯凯斯说:“独自生活的男人是非常悲哀的。他们确实在看录像和喝啤酒。”
12.对某些都市年轻人来说,租看录像、碟片和品味啤酒是一种十分必要的逃避——特别是对于那些职业与新经济的有关的人,如:媒体、广告或信息技术。“我的工作就是交际,”凯瑟琳?爱德华说道。作为英国超级市场特斯科分部公共事务部经理,工作使她每周都有两三次的社交和宴请机会。“当我回到家后,最不愿意做的事就是交际。”体育促销公司执行董事理查德?穆尔把他的伦敦南区建于19 世纪70 年代的老房子当成他逃离工作的避难所。穆尔说,平静和安宁是如此难得,“我要独自生活直到遇上我心仪的女子。”
13.独自生活并不是指生活中就没有浪漫。乌普萨拉大学的社会学家简?特罗斯特研究了欧洲出现的越来越多的一起而又独自生活的LAT 现象,也就是:决定在一起生活的双方选择分开居住。在工作流动性越来越大的社会里,专业人员经常在不同的城市里甚至在不同的国家工作,他们利用电子邮件、电话和周末见面来维持关系。那些曾经常为牙膏帽或尘屑等这类琐事争吵的已婚男女,倾向于和和气气地分开居住,而不是关系紧张地住在一起。离婚或丧偶的人再次与他人和聚的时候,往往已有自己固定的生活方式和长期形成的复杂的个人需求。特罗斯特在假设一个讨论的情形时说:“是留下我的钢琴还是留下你的钢琴?是把我孙子和孙女的照片挂起来还是挂你的?而保留自己的房子就简单多了。”
14.搬出舒适的家到都市独自生活为商家提供了新的前景。过去广告商最看重的是有两三个孩子的夫妇。斯凯斯说情况不再是这样了。如今的公司应该把高收入的单身族当成重要的市场。吵吵嚷嚷一家人围坐在饭桌边吃自家做的饭的日子已经一去不复返了。英国人中有三分之一的人每周至少有四次独自吃饭——根据英国国家民意调查,他们更喜欢独自吃饭而不是与人一同吃。怪不得英国市场的便利熟食在过去五年里增长了一倍
15.其它一系列为单身服务的项目也涌现出来,从带狗散步、安警报系统到为你浇花或在你宿醉时给你送阿司匹林和咖啡的服务机构,应有尽有。小型汽车、移动电话这类欧洲都市生活的主要工具,在欧洲单身族中拥有稳定的市场。博格斯电信法国电信估计使用移动电话的人中有相当多是独自生活的年轻人。史马特车——为都市设计的小汽车——有四分之一是卖给那些经常换伴侣而不安家的20 和30 来岁的单身者。这正是销售商的梦想:一个具有十来岁孩子的渴望而又有中年人的银行账户的群体。独自生活的人们不必为孩子上大学而储蓄,他们乐意把钱开支在个人健身、海藻脂肪膜和高跟鞋等上面。斯凯斯说:“如果你居住在移动性较大的社会,你就要关心如何展现自我。外表不再是只有年轻人才关心的事了。而且单身族在这上面花得起。”
16.独自生活会带来自由,但是并不一定会带来轻松愉快的健康或更好的性生活。最近荷兰对19,000 人的研究表明,单身族中患慢性病者要高出30%。从事该项研究的鹿特丹大学的伊内兹?荣格说:“结婚的人更健康,他们较少喝酒、抽烟。单身和离了婚的人更有可能会自杀,更可能会患有肝病、糖尿病或肺癌。”根据汉堡大学性科学专家冈特?施密特的观点,《花花公子》杂志所认为的单身是通向崇高性生活的途径的看法是不成立的。冈特?施密特研究了3,000 名德国年轻人的性生活,他推测90%的异性恋的性生活基于长期的关系。有一半受调查的单身者根本就没有性生活。根据施密特的调查,好的性生活在相当程度上是相互依托者的特权:只有40%的单身者说他们享受性生活,而有长期异性关系的群体则是80%。“单身者的性世界是暗淡的,”施密特说道。“他们非常努力地过一点点但又不能令人满意的性生活。”
17.当独身者上了年纪,生活就更艰难了。一旦他们退休,就没有工作来提供稳定的收入或社交生活。不健康的身体和对犯罪的担心会使得自由变成令人恐惧的孤独。在瑞典,一些群体发起了为单身或夫妇后半生而设计的50项合住工程。在国家拨款修建的位于斯德哥尔摩的费德克纳蓬“后半生”集体住宅里,感觉上不象老人院,而像大学宿舍,这里有嗡嗡作响的调制解调器、厚颜无耻的政治人物的漫画和穿着蓝色牛仔和凉鞋的居民。虽然每两个月人们确实要花上一周的时间积极投入炊事准备,但集体晚餐并不是强制的。然而很值得一去,还可以听听费德克纳蓬的55 位居民吵吵嚷嚷地谈论着最近去爵士俱乐部、去古巴和印度南部的故事。
18.将自立引入老年社区已被证明很受欢迎:70 岁的老人组有一份75 人等候加入的名单,来自日本和美国的访客长途跋涉到此来了解瑞典的体面养老方法。“这样生活使得老人有自由,”梅特?基约斯塔德解释道。梅特?基约斯塔德离了婚,在她的两个孩子离家后住进了费德克纳蓬。“对老人的子女来说是很大的宽慰——他们不会感到内疚。”存在没有内疚的家庭吗?这种迹象表明我们有可能正在经历一次巨大的社会变革。Unit 4 The Cultural Patterning of Space
1.不同的文化对空间有着不同的感觉。西方许多国家对空间的意识是基于对物体在空间的感觉,而不是对空间本身的感觉。西方人对形状和维度的感觉,就是空间是一种光线、颜色、视觉和触觉的领域。本杰明?沃尔夫在他的经典著作《语言、思维和现实》中,就用下面的解释来说明西方人为什么会以这种方式来感觉空间。西方的思维和语言主要源于以拉丁语为母语的古罗马文化,而这是一种基于实际和经验的体系。一般来说,西方文化已经采用古罗马人的思维模式,把客观“实体”视为主观或者内在经验的基础。一直到这种在知性上不成熟的古罗马文化受到希腊文化抽象思维的影响的时候,拉丁语才发展出一套意义重大的词汇—抽象的非空间术语。但是空间意识和具体化的古罗马—拉丁成分已经在西方思维和语言模式中保存了下来,尽管也继承了希腊人的抽象思维和表达能力。
2.然而,有些文化语言系统朝着相反的方向发展,就是从一套抽象、主观的词汇发展到一套更为具体的(concrete)词汇。例如,Whorf 告诉我们,在霍皮语中,“心”这个字,是一个具体的术语,可它是在先有了“思维”和“记忆”这种抽象术语之后才形成的。同样地,尽管在西方人,特别是美国人看来,客观的、有形的(tangible)“实体”一定要先于主观的或者内在经验,但实际上,许多亚洲和非欧洲文化把内在经验看成是对有形的实体感觉的基础。因此,虽然美国人被教导在空间中感知物体的排列和做出反应,会认为除非空间中充满物体,否则就是“被浪费了”,而日本人却被训练为对空间本身赋予意义,对“空旷”的空间赋予价值。例如,在许多日本艺术中,像绘画、园林设计、插花艺术等,布局的主要特性是日本人称之为美的精髓的“素雅”。一幅画包罗万象,而不是留有空间,这体现不出美的精髓(essence of beauty)。日本艺人常常画笔一刷(one brush stroke),就呈现出一片天空;或者用一条简单的轮廓线条(simple contour line)绘出远处的一座山峰——这就是素雅。然而,在西方人的眼中,画中的大片“空旷”的空间使画显得还缺了点什么东西。
3.不仅仅是东西方在空间模式上存有差异。当我们观察西方不同文化中城市规划的时候,还体会各种各样跨文化空间的感觉。例如,在美国,城市的布局通常是沿着一个网格展开,轴心一般是南北向和东西向。街道和建筑物按顺序编号。当然这种安排对美国人来说是完美的。当美国人在像巴黎这样的城市漫步时,他们往往会迷路。因为巴黎的街道是从中央辐射(radiating from centers)开来的。此外,巴黎的街道是命名的而不是按序编号的,而且常常不用经过几个街区,街名就变换了。美国人对当地人如何能够到处行走大为疑惑,而巴黎人却显得行动自如。霍尔在《无声的语言》一书中认为:法国城市空间布局的特点仅仅是反映法国文化特征中中央集权的一个方面。因此巴黎是法国的中心,法国政府和教育系统高度集中。在法国人的办公室里,最重要人物的办公桌就摆在其中央。
4.空间文化模式的另一个方面涉及到空间的各种功能。在美国的中产阶层,特定的空间是为特定的活动而设计的。任何活动,一旦跨越其特定空间,人们立刻就会觉得不合事宜。相比之下,在日本就不是那么回事了。墙壁可以移动,房间使用的目的白天和晚上是不一样的。在印度,又是另一种空间使用的文化模式。印度的公共和私人场所在功能上均有优劣的概念。在印度的城市、乡村、甚至是家庭里,某些场所因为所从事的活动和使用这些场所的人的缘故而被认定是肮脏(polluted)或者卑劣(inferior)的。印度的空间是给隔离开来的(be segregated),以便社会等级高的和等级低的、男的和女的、世俗和神圣的(secular & sacred)活动都分隔开来进行。这种模式沿用了几千年,在印度古城挖掘(uncover)出来的考古证据就说明了这一点。即便在现代的印度,这种空间模式仍旧相当的清晰和顽固,哪怕是在公交车上也要把妇女使用的空间隔离开来。如Chandigarh 是印度的一座由法国建筑师设计的现代化城市。公寓大楼均按欧洲理念建造,但是住在那里的印度人却发现某些方面与他们以前居住的空间模式不一致。在印度工作的人类学家Ruth Freed 发现,居住在Chandigarh 的许多印度家庭都改造了他们的公寓,用窗帘把男人和女人的空间隔离开来。只有自家人时,他们就仍然依照传统模式在厨房里吃饭而有西方客人光临时他们才启用客厅或是饭厅。传统的印度乡村生活在一周围墙里边进行院子给每户人家提供了隐私的空间。然而,Chandigarh 的公寓大楼建有很多宽敞的窗户,从而折射出欧洲人对光线与阳光的重视。而许多Chandigarh 的家庭却把窗户玻璃上糊满了纸张以便重建传统式院落的隐私空间。Freed 认为这些传统的印度模式也许反映出人们对人口密集型环境的一种适应(adaptation to a densely populated environment)。
5.从整体上研究不同文化的人类学家已经察看到了时间观与空间观之间的联系。例如,正如我们所察看到的,美国人把没有活动的时间看作是“被浪费了的时间”,把没有物体的空间看作是“被浪费了的空间”。霍皮人再一次提供了有趣的对比。在英语中,任何表示地点或者空间的词都可以单独使用,能呈现出各自的特征而无需任何参照。例如,在英语里,可以说:“这房间很大”或者“美国的北方冬天很寒冷”。我们无需表明“房间”或者“北方”与任何其他表空间或地点的词语有联系。但在霍皮语里,地点或者空间地域的词语本身不能在句子里单独使用。霍皮人不能单独地使用“北方”这个词,他们得说“在北方”、“从北方”或者用另一种方式给“北方”这个词加上一个方向性的后缀。同样地,霍皮语没有一个单词能够被翻译成“房间”。霍皮语中的“房间”是词干(stem),是意思为“房屋”,“房间”或“居室”词的一部分,但是不能单独使用,必须加上后缀才使这个词表示“在房子里”或“从居室”。霍皮语中像“房间”、“居室”或“大厅”这些表示空洞(hollow)空间的概念只有跟其他空间关联时才具有意义。霍皮人的这种空间感觉模式似乎与他们对时间的感觉模式相似。在西方文化中,各时段被认为是时间延续过程中的独立片段,而在霍皮语中却要将各时段连结成连续统一体。6.人类学家不知道为什么一种文化会产生一种时空观,而另一种文化却会产生另一种时空观。空间观也许是对特定环境的适应:人口稠密的程度、耕地(arable land)的多少、像海与山这样的天然屏障(natural barrier)的有无以及一个地区特征性陆标(distinguishing landmark)的多少。例如,Eskimo 人的环境是一片辽阔的雪原,几乎终年见不到什么陆标,于是他们的空间感就得到了极大的发展。他们得学会区分各空间元素之间的细微差别,因为这确实(literally)是他们远离家园外出打猎时赖以生存的技能。7.某些文化对于空间感觉的一个重要方面就体现于人们所需的彼此感觉舒适却又不觉拥挤的“私人空间”。例如,北美人彼此感觉舒适所需的空间距离大约是4英尺。而阿拉伯人和拉美人反而是彼此靠近才会感觉舒服。因此,不同文化的人可能会无意间侵犯(infringe on)别人的空间感。正如不同的时间观可能会造成文化上的冲突,不同的空间观也会引发同样的问题。Unit 5 Can You Raise a Polite Kid in This Rude World? 一提到无礼的孩子, 大多数人都会因回想起惹是生非的小孩以及其粗鄙的父母而皱起眉头。对去年夏天发生的一件事至今我还余怒未消。1.我们住在一间带有小电影院的乡村客栈。每天晚上电影放映之前,我和丈夫都教育三岁大的儿子坐好别说话。除了偶尔小声问问题外,他都全神贯注地坐着。2.然而,我们却没有办法听到电影的声音,因为有两个小孩在座位上蹦蹦跳跳、大声嚷嚷、还在过道上跑来跑去。我从来没有见到过他们的家长在场。就这样过了几个晚上, 有一次,我就跟踪这两个孩子到了餐厅。在那里有一男一女正清闲地吃着饭。3.“你们的孩子在影院里到处乱跑,我们一家人无法看电影,”我说,“如果他们没有兴趣看电影的话,你可以叫他们离开吗?”那位父亲冷冷地看着我。“我们对使用客栈的设施付过钱了,”他说,“我们的孩子想去哪里就去哪里。”4.我顿时目瞪口呆。这对夫妻看上去挺讲道理的,是什么让他们能够容忍如此明显的不礼貌行为呢?作为社会的一份子,我们是否已经变得一心只想着自己的需求和满足孩子的欲望从而忽视了他人的权利呢?5.“看看如今的电视节目,傲慢和粗鲁几乎是家常便饭,”佛蒙特州立大学的心理学家托马斯奥肯博杰注意到6.当孩子们被漫画人物《比维斯和巴特里德》的低俗、滑稽动作逗得大笑的时候,他们的父母也因辛辣的情景喜剧《有孩子的家室》和粗鲁的情景喜剧《罗斯娜》而哈哈大笑。其实,粗俗的行为不仅仅以喜剧性调剂的形式出现。人们不妨看看去年巴尔的摩“黄鹂”棒球队的第二守垒员罗伯多?阿洛马的恶心表现,他居然在几百万球迷面前,朝裁判约翰?赫什伯克的脸上吐口水。7.所有这一切都似乎对孩子们产生了深刻的影响。通过比较二十世纪七十年代中和二十世纪八十年代末美国孩子的表现, 奥肯博克发现后者比前者更冲动、更叛逆。许多专家认为,核心家庭的紧张与忙碌,使得培养出来的孩子能给计算机编程却不懂得写封感谢信。8.也有一些父母尽心尽力教导自己的孩子要有礼貌,但他们却吃惊地发现,家庭外所发生的事情轻而易举地就把他们的所有努力化为泡影了。亚利桑那州斯科斯岱乐市的利恩?艾库特对这一点非常了解。有一天,她11岁的男孩发现他姐姐在他房间里使用他的电话时说:“把电话挂了,”他大声嚷嚷,朝她骂下流话。艾库特赶快跑到她儿子的房间。“你无权这样对你姐姐讲话,”她斥责他说。男孩耸耸肩,辩解说他有一个朋友在和母亲争吵时也用这种下流话骂她。艾库特坚决地说:“在我们这个家里绝不能说脏话。”9.尽管父母无法让自己的孩子免受外界的影响,但专家们认为,父母只要有耐心、有毅力,就能做许多事来使得自家的孩子在这个充满野性的世界里变成完美的人。树立一个好榜样10.有一天,当一个十六岁的佛罗里达州女中学生练完排球回家时,她显得忐忑不安。“出什么事了?”她母亲问道。女儿解释说,教练选择了其他女孩子而不是选择她最好的朋友参加校队,她朋友的母亲大发雷霆。在开车回家的路上, 她母亲火冒三丈, 当着女孩子的面, 一边诅咒一边用各种脏话谩骂这位教练。11.许多家长都似乎是采取一种“不管对错,都是自家孩子好”的态度,其结果往往是破坏性的。“作为父母,这意味着自己已经成熟,能够帮助孩子适应各种不如意。”艾库特说,“当自己的孩子不是得到第一名时,父母亲如果不能接受这个事实,那么他们就等于发出了这样一个信息,即当你受挫时,你责备挫折的原由而不是寻找解决的办法。”一些家长不但没有鼓励孩子努力学习,争取好成绩,反而责怪老师。孩子违犯了校规,他们不但没有责罚孩子,反而攻击校规。12.专家们说,最好的教训是教导孩子们,虽然他们不能每次都控制住结果,但是却能够控制住自己的反应。仅仅意识到礼貌问题是不够的,孩子们必须学会要将礼貌表现出来。《礼仪小姐》的专栏作家朱迪思?马丁说,讲礼貌不是简单地说“请”和“谢谢”就行了,而是要不自吹自擂、不背后骂人,要赢得光彩、输得体面,要尊重每一个人。13.当然,如果做父母的脾气乖戾、对人苛刻而粗鲁的话,那么怎么训练孩子也难使得他们讲究礼貌。这就是为什么专家们认为教育孩子讲礼貌最好的办法就是作为父母者自己要有礼貌。14.父母要特别注意不要信口开河,以免日后惊讶地发现同样的话在孩子们的口中说出来。假若妻子叫丈夫闭嘴,父亲骂邻居笨蛋,那么他们的孩子也会用同样的方式和他们说话。15.“如果我们自己都不表现出彬彬有礼,怎么期望孩子们会彬彬有礼呢?”礼仪作者兼“举止女士”专栏作家玛丽?米切尔说。鼓励和赞扬16.“你这个垃圾虫,从不打扫房间。”“赶快写感谢信,要不你别看电视。”“你竟敢朝我提高噪门说话。”大多数父母都对孩子们说过这样的话。他们的用意是想让孩子改正自己的行为。但为什么却偏偏一点效果也没有呢? 17.孩子的粗鲁行为常常是不在意的结果, 而不是出于故意。动辄批评、咒骂和大声命令,只会让孩子生气和心存戒备。父母们强化了这种观念:不施压,孩子是养不成好行为的。18.有一种方法比较好,耶鲁大学心理学家艾伦?卡兹丁称之为鼓励和赞扬。父母事前用平和的语气告诉孩子他们希望他怎么做:“今天我们要去拜访玛丽阿姨,如果你能在进门时跟她握手,并在吃饭时帮她拉出椅子,我将为你感到很自豪。”事后还要表扬孩子:“我真的很喜欢你跟阿姨握手和帮阿姨入座的样子。”卡兹丁说:“经常给予孩子鼓励和表扬,到一定时候,你就不用鼓励,只需表扬就行了。”19.但是要是孩子做出了无礼的行为又怎么办呢?“用家规来批评孩子,改正错误,”礼仪顾问琼?霍珀建议说。每个家庭都应该有一些大家都认可并愿意遵守的基本规矩。20.所以不要说:“你怎么这么不懂礼貌,不要把胳膊肘放在餐桌上。”而是父母一方简单地说:“我们的家规是不能把胳膊肘放在餐桌上的。”批评要对事而不对人,从而孩子不会产生防御心理,改正错误的要求听上去也不像是一种命令。21.用这种办法进行批评往往很有效。康涅狄格州西哈特德市15 岁的埃伦?威克斯就是例证。每天早上,她的父母或她朋友的父母总会开车送她们几个孩子去上学。上车时,埃伦总是一声不吭地一头扎进后座,一言不语地坐着,抵达学校后匆匆下车。22.有一天早上,其中一个女孩的父亲在开车,当埃伦跳上汽车后,他就转过头去问:“怎么没人对我问‘早安’?”“我以前从来没有从他的角度去考虑过这个问题。”埃伦承认说:“我很高兴他告诉我们他的感受。”现在她和其他孩子们只要一上车就会说:“早上好”。共进晚餐23.科雷特?杰斐逊一家的情况跟美国许多家庭一样。他们住在西弗吉尼亚州韦斯顿市,有两个孩子,作为家庭主妇的她常常没有足够精力将一家人协调好,坐在一起吃个晚餐。8 岁的儿子要打垒球和踢足球,而她丈夫一周要有两个晚上参加联赛。“相聚在一起吃晚饭很重要,”她说:“但是我到现在还无法做到这一点。”24.专家们说,每天半小时到一小时全家坐在一起也许是父母能为孩子们做的最重要的事情。“合作、守时、谈话技巧以及尊重他人等都是坐在餐桌旁学会的,”礼仪教师蒂法尼?法兰西斯说。25.即使一家人不能每晚在一起吃饭,至少他们应该一周相聚一到两次。这意味着接通录音电话和关闭电视机。“作为一家人来说,晚餐时间不仅仅是吃东西而且还是分享一天的活动,”玛丽?米切尔说。此时此刻,父母亲和蔼地将他们的价值观和道德观传授给孩子们,而又不让人感觉是在说教。培养仪式26.尊重他人、为人谦虚和公正无私等种种品质,只能产生自日积月累的技能,而这些技能是父母对孩子们多年来通过共同的经历和回忆所教导出来的。孩子成年时,如果回忆中只有电视、“小棒球队”和生日聚会的话,那么当真正考验人的品格的时候,这些孩子就没有什么东西可以依托了。“除非孩子们知道自己是谁、来自什么地方,否则,一切都是装出来的,”礼仪专家贝蒂?乔?特拉基玛斯说。27.印第安那州卡美尔市的迪克迈耶夫妇将每周五晚上定为和三个孩子们共度“家庭夜”的时间。一家人常常玩跳棋或者玩捉迷藏游戏。“孩子们喜欢‘家庭夜’,”孩子的母亲特里萨说。28.玩捉迷藏游戏真地能教会孩子们懂得礼貌吗?特拉基玛斯和其他一些人认为,这是毫无疑问的,因为这将告诉孩子们,父母是关心他们的,愿意花时间陪他们玩。孩子们得到了爱,也将学会去爱他人。“讲究礼貌不是关于正确地使用叉子的问题,”礼仪教师帕特里夏?吉尔伯特欣兹同意这种说法,“讲究礼貌是关于为人友善的问题——会向人问候、与人合作并且乐于奉献。而这一切,孩子都是从父母身上学得的。29.孩子们不会自动激起学习讲究礼貌的热情,可他们也没有理由把礼貌看作是一大堆烦人的条条框框。良好的行为举止是儿童教育的基本构件。“一旦规则成了第二天性,它就赋予我们自由了,”米切尔说,“如果迈克尔?乔丹要不断地提醒自己注意有关篮球的规则,他怎能把球打好呢?”30.朱迪斯?马丁赞同这一观点。“一个有礼貌的孩子长大成人后,能够结交到朋友、有约会可赴、有工作可选,”她说,“因为人们会对良好举止给予回报。良好的举止是全人类行为的共同语言。”Unit 7 A Son's Restless Journey 1.时至今日,小布什还老是说他在耶鲁的日子过得很愉快,并不记得有什么不开心的事。但也不知道自什么时候起他还是添了些忿忿之意。布什后来常常批评那种知识分子“自命清高”以及“唯我独尊”的习气,这股风气起于美国东海岸的一些自由主义组织,60 年代的时候席卷了像耶鲁大学等各个高校。早在1964 年,他就跟耶鲁大学的牧师,新秩序化身的威廉?斯隆?科兴有过交锋。此人利用自己在Andover 和耶鲁学生联谊会的经历成为一名狂热的激进分子,怂恿学生抵制服兵役。1964 年,布什的父亲在得克萨斯州竞选参议员时输于拉尔夫?亚伯拉,事后科兴跟他说:“我了解令尊大人,他是技不如人呀。”布什每次回想起他说的这句话,心里便苦涩不堪。对布什而言,科兴身上体现出来的正是这种东海岸自由主义的“沉重”和“过失”。2.那时,耶鲁大学的学生为对付征兵的事而感到无尽的苦恼。此时的布什对自己的意图倒显得寡言少语。自愿赴越作战是需要勇气和彻底的反抗精神的,大学生里几乎没有听谁说想去打仗:据传耶鲁大学生中死于摩托车祸的人数比死于1969 年那场战争的人数还要多。又据布什耶鲁大学的朋友罗兰德?贝茨讲,小布什不想让他的父亲在政治上难堪,他找了个既体面又简单的办法让自己得以解脱,加入了得克萨斯州国民警卫队。3.离校后的布什多少感到有点乏味和无聊,他觉得在得州国民警卫队学习驾驶那些已经淘汰的F102s 飞机实在没多大意思。一天晚上他酒后驾车,一头撞在自己在华盛顿家门外的几个垃圾桶上,醉醺醺地和他的老头子扭在一处,嘴里还一面挑衅地嚷嚷:“要不要一对一的来?”父亲自然不必与儿子打斗,只一句“我感到失望”已足令小布什不寒而栗。在接受新闻周刊采访时,布什回想起他父亲当时那无言的嘲讽,仍然显得十分惶惶不安。巴巴拉?布什说,孩子淘气时,他丈夫往往采取“静处理”的方式,他会掠过老花镜盯着孩子们,冷冷的目光里透射着不满。尽管如此,父亲还是给予他的孩子们自由成长的空间。小布什获得汽车驾照时,他的父亲不顾母亲巴巴拉的强烈担忧,欣然准许他从得州驾车到缅因州。布什家的小孩“明白他们的父亲信任他们而他们的母亲则不然”,布什夫人每每回想到这里,不觉莞尔一笑。4.小布什认定自己的事自己做主,所以他没有把申请攻读哈佛商学院的事告诉他的父亲。在“反商”的70 年代早期,被誉为“资本主义的西点军校”的哈佛商学院并没有出现那种考生门庭若市的盛况,因而,即使布什的成绩平平,无法进入他首选的得克萨斯州法学院,他还是考入了哈佛商学院。在哈佛,布什穿着国民警卫队的飞行夹克和牛仔靴,坐在教室的后排,口里一面嚼着烟叶,一面往纸杯里吐,全然一付桀骜不驯南方佬的模样。然而,他的自律性格这时已经初露端倪,而且随着时间的推移愈来愈明显。他坚持不懈地做着繁重的社会工作,尤其是那些涉及人类组织和行为课程的工作。这里有关人事组织和管理的正规课程只有在布什担任Andover 预科学校啦啦队队长时才深有体会过。他的基本领导方略在哈佛未来CEO 的培训园里得到了发展,其核心之处在于对大的规划多思量,对小的细节不纠缠,知人善任,行事果决。时至今日,布什看的是摘要之类的书,读起来走马看花,他更喜欢听别人给他念书而不愿自己来看。朋友们说他善于切中要害。如果布什看起来没有克林顿或戈尔那种类型的人那么基础扎实的话,那他在哈佛所受的教育便难辞其咎了。5.小布什今天几乎从不提及哈佛,他厌恶大学里那种在他看来自由散漫、矫揉造作的气氛。周末的时候,布什常在波士顿南希?艾莉斯姑妈家痛斥康桥的“自命不凡”。他渴望回到得克萨斯州。这时他的同学都涌向华尔街,而他再一次追随父亲的足迹,去油田寻找工作机会。在米德兰石油名人堂里至今一直高悬着老布什的肖像。6.小布什经常与人谈起米德兰的“企业家”精神,在那儿一个俄克拉何马大学地质学的学位比哈佛大学和耶鲁大学的还要值钱,耶鲁的Andover 被他的朋友戏称为“弯倒了”。但布什几乎算不上白手起家的类型。在许多方面米德兰成了他的庇护所,在那儿他的老关系和旧交情使他的生活远比在东部与自命不凡的学究争斗安逸而且稳定得多。他喜欢称颂石油“创业者”的冒险开拓精神,然而布什自己的本钱大多来自于他父亲的朋友和耶鲁的老同学。他是个十分谨慎的石油开发商,专找靠近已出油的油井周围打井,实际是寻找单口、双口井,而不是全垒般的油井区。即便如此,他还是时运不佳,不像他父亲初到德州时那般恰逢其时,春分得意。由于布什在生意上遭受了一些严重的挫折,也就只好任凭朋友们把他的阿巴斯托公司戏称为“我破产了”公司。7.七十年代到八十年代早期被看作是布什困惑茫然的时代,那时的他浮躁不安、青春蠢动,漂泊不定。他装束的全然一个大二学生的模样,脚上蹋着中式拖鞋,身上穿着朋友摈弃的衣服,噼里啪啦地满城转悠。“如果你打算扔掉一件衬衣,他总会问:‘嘿,你是不是要扔掉那件?’”他的朋友查理?杨格回忆说。布什也喜欢在烧烤的时候喝啤酒。然而他是胸怀大志的,他似乎从最初的时候起就感觉到了政治对他的召唤。1971年,布什想在休斯敦想玩一把竞选众议员,后被他的父母和其他一些有识之士劝止了。1978 年,他发起了一场颇为艰苦的竞选众议员的运动,结果他仅以几票之差输给了肯特?汉斯。这个伶俐过人的家伙,挖苦哈佛和耶鲁的教育,讥笑布什的跑步爱好。“我显的太土了,下不为例。”布什说道,从此人们都知道他说话就像嘴里含着块东西。8.布什参加竞选,除了他的家族大名外没有其它任何特别资历。然而他似乎有点淡忘了他家庭关系的政治力量,在Andover 他从不吹嘘他家庭的显赫。一个朋友得知他祖父是美国参议员时大吃一惊,但这时他只耸了耸肩膀说道:“我以为你早晓得了”。在78 年的众议员竞选之前,他进了共和党举办的“候选人学校”。现任加利福尼亚州众议员的戴维?德莱尔回忆起年轻时的布什曾经激动地告诉他说:“我找到了一个最好的办法来筹集竞选经费。叫你母亲按圣诞贺卡的名单去信就可以了,我搞到35万美元!”布什似乎没有想到并不是每个人都像巴巴拉?布什那样拥有如此众多参议员、政治家和共和党重要资助人的名单。9.这一期间,布什挑灯夜战,他显然在探寻人生的某种规律和稳定性。在妻子劳拉身上他找到了这些东西。劳拉是个图书管理员,举止稳重端庄,容貌娇好。对布什家族的那种几近狂热的好胜性格,她已经见怪不怪。在老布什夫妇在缅因州的住所Walker’sPoint,当作为一家之主的多萝茜祖母用淡淡的眼神望着劳拉,问道:“你在干吗?”劳拉同样不动声色地回答:“我在读书”。不久劳拉请布什参加教堂晚宴,据报道说劳拉问布什要选择“酒还是我”,籍此帮助布什戒了酒。另一条消息透露说,他今天称为“密友”的丹?依万斯滴酒不沾,是社区圣经学习的重要的支持者。10.布什的新信仰并没有改掉他身上玩世不恭的天性。某个礼拜天教堂里正在布道时,他身上响起“嘟嘟嘟”的声音,搅扰了他周围的会众们:原来是他一直很不耐烦的拨弄他的手表,给牧师的布道计算时间。布什几乎没有怎么磨平他性格的棱角。他家的一个朋友说他至今还会变得“狂躁不安”,这个朋友又补充道:“妻子劳拉就会说:‘哦,乔治,你能不能出去跑一跑?’”布什的家人明白,保持冷静是对他意志的一种考验。“他很容易失控,”他的妹妹Dorothy 向《新闻周刊》透露说,“他一直讲有个胖家伙正企图从他的身体里跳脱出来,但他的自制力确实是大得惊人。”布什尚未完全驯服他的脾气,当他天生的乜斜的眼睛眯成一条缝时,他可能就会六亲不认了。据悉,他曾经对那些直言不讳写过布什家族文章的记者大发雷霆。11.布什一直想方设法使其父高兴。一些朋友相信他戒酒的部分原因是他不想让他的父母感到尴尬。据称在一次家庭晚宴上喝醉时,乔治?布什转向身边的女主人问道:“50 岁后的性生活是怎样的?”在1978 年,他的父亲开始为竞选总统紧锣密鼓忙活时,布什举家搬到华盛顿为父亲助阵。在竞选过程中,他加强了对“这个人“的忠心,他说的这个人是他的父亲,有时他的忠心几乎有点太狂热了。他与他父亲88 年竞选班子的总策划人政工老手Lee Atwater 配合默契。Lee 才华横溢,生性顽劣,凭着他那不拘常理、入木三分的幽默早该是在Andover 时布什群体的座上嘉宾了。12.虽然老乔治?布什有时不满他儿子意气用事,说他太“浮躁”(feisty),他还是很有耐性让儿子走自己的路,而儿子一旦做到了这一点,他就感到无比自豪(was intensely proud when he did)。为了制作录像以便在本周大会上播放,他接受了采访。当他被问道:“您为自己的儿子自豪吗?”,老布什总统竟然哭出声来,使得摄像镜头只好被移开一会。布什父子都是情感丰富的人。那天早晨,就在小布什就职得克萨斯州州长的典礼上,父亲将他在1943 年赢得海军徽章后祖父送给他的那个袖口链扣传授给了小布什,这让他激动不已。他把这个故事讲给《新闻周刊》的记者的时候,眼眶里饱含着热泪。13.老乔治?布什总是呵护、信赖自己的儿子。而且,人们会觉察到,随着时光的推移,他们之间的关系更为融洽轻松。小时候,小乔治不耐烦陪父亲一起钓鱼,哪怕是几分钟的时间。在《新闻周刊》采访他时,布什模仿他随父外出钓鱼(fishing expedition)时自己孩子气十足、没好气地对父亲嘟囔:“哪有什么鱼!骗人!”可如今,他可以在水面上一钓就是几个钟头,一边和老头子大谈政治,发掘(tapping)父亲的经验与智慧。例如,有次垂钓时,布什苦苦考虑(mull over)某个竞选伙伴——可能就是Dick Cheney——他求教父亲:“如果有人说‘不’,这是他的心里话吗?”14.一两周前,布什像往常每天一样,坐在竞选座机的后部与记者们聊天。“昨晚你喝酒了吗?”他与自己青睐的女新闻制作者打招呼:“为什么你要戴墨镜?”她嫣然一笑。(他也时常拿她的恋爱开玩笑)。与传略记者一起时,他即兴把一个询问关于他在哈佛商学院经历的问题变成有关工商管理硕士的演讲。“我们要争取工商管理硕士的选票!工商管理硕士们团结一致!全美国的工商管理硕士联合起来!”他故意摆出一副胜利者模样振臂高呼。他能娴熟地应对新闻界的常客们,不时与他们逗乐取笑(他给大多数人取了绰号,如《纽约时报》的Frank Bruni 被戏称为“Panchito”。他热情诙谐,思维敏捷,尽管疲惫不堪的记者们并不想去喜欢布什,但他们还是禁不住为他所吸引。大多数家族的传奇经历一两代人之后就无声无息了,但布什家族成员们似乎继续在演绎着这个传奇。他们八仙过海,各显神通凭着某种憨厚中透射出的魅力、为国效忠的强烈而无声的使命感以及对胜利无比深切的渴望。
第三篇:Book1 Unit4 课文翻译及练习答案
新视界大学英语综合教程 第四单元课文翻译及练习答案
Active Reading
跨种族婚姻
“路易斯安那州的一位治安法官刚刚辞职了。此法官拒绝批准一对情侣结婚,因为女方是白人,而男方是黑人。几个星期以来,他拒绝离开职位,但最终还是辞职了,而且并未给出原因。路易斯安那州州长接受了他的辞职。这位白人治安法官声称,他一直避免批准不同种族间的婚姻,原因是他认为其子女会因此受罪。他说:‘对婚姻双方的任一种族来说,接纳这样家庭的孩子都是有难度的。我认为这些孩子会因此受罪,我不想让这种事情发生。’” 你认为这篇报道是什么时候发表的?也许是20 世纪50 年代吧?那个时候黑白种族隔离是有法可依的。也许是20 世纪60 年代吧?那个时候有马丁·路德·金领导的民权运动。事实上,这篇报道发表于2009 年10 月。
这个国家是著名的“大熔炉”,有着悠久的种族冲突的历史,也有一些成功融合的例子。这位法官今日仍然持有这种观点,我们是否应当感到耻辱?或者,他认识到了自己的错误并辞去职务,我们是否应当为此高兴?
经济全球化运动使得全世界范围内商品共享、服务共享、技术共享,这促进了跨种族婚姻。经济全球化运动同样对社会和文化产生影响,这也许会带来不同种族间的友谊、爱情和婚姻。但是,在美国的某些地区,“一滴血原则”似乎仍然有很大的影响。这一原则的内容是:只要你有一滴非裔的血,你就是黑人。那么,现如今,对于跨种族婚姻双方和美国大众来说,这样的婚姻有什么样的挑战和机遇呢?
在美国的某些政治和社交圈子里,人们认为跨种族婚姻只不过是为了让身为移民的一方得到绿卡,以便在此居留和工作。也有人声称,跨种族婚姻的动机在于较穷困的一方渴望获得经济保障,尽管这意味着他们也许不得不背井离乡。幸运的是,还有很多其他人明白人类的基本价值(如相互吸引)在跨种族婚姻中起着最重要的作用。
无论结婚的真正动机是什么,所有这些情侣都会面对不同金钱观与不同传统价值观的挑战,这些传统价值观包括对伴侣的尊重、传统的宗教观、被社区接受、男女分工以及传统的语言观等。
但是,他们面临的机遇也同样吸引人。一代又一代地更替,我们越发能够接受不同的种族与文化了。不同种族的人们之间的恋爱关系越发常见。事实上,如今有91% 的青少年认为和其他种族的人约会是完全正常的。如果某个孩子的父母分属两种文化或两个种族,这个孩子就被称为“第三文化儿童”,他们在成长过程中学习两种不同的文化,与任何曾在多个国家或多种文化下生活的人都能相处融洽。不仅如此,他们也经常与不同背景的人结婚。最后一点:我们已经了解全球化以及在个人层面和实际层面上分享观念、传统、习俗和态度的益处。
那么,我们怎么看待那些不赞成跨种族婚姻的人呢?这是他们的问题,不是我们的问题,这样说当然很简单。但有时候,我们很难抵御世俗的残酷和无情。
“他们是跨种族婚姻。她是阿肯色州人,而他来自肯塔基,但他们似乎过得不错。”这是一句众所周知的话,但在任何婚姻或情侣关系中,无论对方是相同种族的人还是不同种族的人,你都必须调整自己,以使双方幸福地生活在一起。
对于跨种族婚姻的双方来说,要面对所有的挑战、抓住所有的机会,关键是什么呢?
是爱。
为了享受地球村带来的各种好处,挑战不信任陌生人的群体偏见,我们只需记住罗马诗人维吉尔的著名诗句:
爱能征服一切。
Dealing with Unfamiliar Words
④ Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in the box.1.quit
2.resign 3.challenge
4.adjust
5.mutual
6.claim
7.Justice ⑤ Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.1.motive 2.influential
3.opportunity
4.attractive financial 5.Furthermore
benefits ⑥ Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in the box.1.approve 2.harshly
3.Civil
4.conquered 5.attitude 6.Prejudice 7.racial
8.integrate
9.conflict
Reading and Interpreting ⑦ 1.a 2.a 3.a
Language in Use ① Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.1.to have
2.going
3.to see
4.spending
5.to get 6.to avoid making ② Now rewrite the sentences using It’s believed / claimed / said / thought that … 1.It’s said that love makes the world go round.2.It’s believed that it’s easy to get a green card.3.It’s thought that the civil rights movement began a long time before Martin Luther King.4.It’s claimed that Louisiana is the most conservative state in the US.5.It’s said that the first love story was written five thousand years ago.③ Now rewrite the sentences using in order(for someone)to do something.1.I came here in order to have a better life.2.He spoke to her after the lesson in order to clarify a few things.3.You must complete this form in order to apply for the job.4.He took his girlfriend to New Zealand in order for her to meet his parents.5.In order to get a new passport, you now have to apply online.Collocation ④ Complete the sentences with the correct preposition or adverb.1.in
2.on/about
3.to
4.of
5.from
6.to ⑤ Complete the sentences with the correct form of suitable expressions from the box.Sometimes more than one collocation is possible.1.enjoy---benefits / advantages
2.hold---opinions / views
3.face problems 4.play---role
5.welcomes---announcement
Translation ⑥ Translate the sentences into Chinese.1.This is the country of the famous “melting pot” with a long history both of conflict between races as well as some success in integrating them.这个国家是著名的“大熔炉”,有着悠久的种族冲突的历史,也有一些成功融合的例子。2.In certain political and social circles in the US, it’s believed that mixed-race couples marry in order for the immigrant partner to get a green card, to stay and work here.在美国的某些政治和社交圈子里,人们认为跨种族婚姻只不过是为了让身为移民的一方得到绿卡,以便在此居留和工作。
3.Fortunately, there are many others who understand that basic human values, such as mutual attraction, play the most important role in a mixed marriage.幸运的是,还有很多其他人明白人类的基本价值(如相互吸引)在跨种族婚姻中起着最重要的作用。
4.Whatever the real motives for marriage, all of these couples face the challenges of differences in their opinions towards money, towards traditional values of respect towards their partner, of religion, of being accepted by the community where they live, of the roles of men and women, and even of language.无论结婚的真正动机是什么,所有这些情侣都会面对不同金钱观与不同传统价值观的挑战,这些传统价值观包括对伴侣的尊重、传统的宗教观、被社区接受、男女分工以及传统的语言观等。
5.Children born to parents of two cultures or two races are now known as Third Culture Kids, who grow up learning two different cultures, and feel at home with anyone who has lived in more than one country or culture.如果某个孩子的父母分属两种文化或两个种族,这个孩子就被称为“第三文化儿童”,他们在成长过程中学习两种不同的文化,与任何曾在多个国家或多种文化下生活的人都能相处融洽。
⑦ Translate the sentences into English.1 那些不赞成跨国婚姻的人认为,种族、宗教、文化的不同会引起很多家庭冲突。(approve of;conflict)Those who don’t approve of mixed marriages believe that differences in race, religion and culture may lead to many family conflicts.2 随着全球化的发展,人们对跨国婚姻的偏见也正日益消除。(globalization;prejudice;remove)With globalization, the prejudices against mixed marriages are being removed from people’s minds.3 要想使婚姻成功,夫妻双方都应学会在适当的时候做出让步。(in order for)In order for a marriage to succeed, both husband and wife should learn to compromise at the right time.4 有的人认为最浪漫的爱情是一见钟情。(It is believed that „)
It is believed by some people that the most romantic love is love at first sight.5 如今,网络提供了更多的交友机会,一些人通过网络找到了真爱。(opportunity)
Today, the Internet provides more opportunities to make friends, and some find their true love through the Internet.Further Reading
漫步回忆 尼古拉斯·斯帕克斯的小说《漫步回忆》以及同名电影常常被看作是爱情故事。事实上,它更是一个描述青少年成长的故事。主人公在经历冒险或某种内心冲突之后,越发认清自己。这个故事不仅吸引曾经坠入爱河的人,也吸引所有在青少年时代经历过困境的人。
故事的叙述者是57岁的兰登·卡特,他描述了自己17岁时候的事,那一年改变了他的一生。“首先,你会笑;然后,你会哭——别怪我没有提前告诉你。”
在学校,兰登的人缘不错,但他根本不在乎上课或毕业。他对未来毫无雄心壮志,能偷懒就偷懒,还取笑一切在他看来与他不同的人。有一次,他开另外一个男生的玩笑,结果玩笑过了头,他遭到了学校的惩罚——被强制在放学之后做社区服务。
兰登的任务之一是在学校的戏剧中扮演角色,但他根本不会演戏,于是很不情愿地向珍米·沙利文求助。珍米是当地一个牧师的女儿,她认真、娴静,无论走到哪里都带着一本《圣经》。她有很强的宗教信仰,常常自问人生及其意义。在学校,兰登及其朋友们只有在平时开她玩笑的时候才会注意到她。
尽管如此,珍米仍然同意帮助兰登,但有一个条件:“你必须答应我,你不会爱上我。”“这不成问题。”兰登听到这个条件后大笑起来,认为这是非常不可能的事。
阴差阳错碰到一起的这两个人开始共度时光了,放学之后,兰登就到珍米家练习台词。兰登的演技不断进步,而且他也在珍米身上看到了自己缺乏的性情。他们的友谊渐渐加深,尽管兰登想保守这个秘密。有一天,珍米在学校里碰到兰登,问他是不是还愿意和她一起练习台词。他非常不友好地回答:“做你的梦吧”,因为他怕自己的朋友会嘲弄自己。大家哄堂大笑,珍米生气地离开了。兰登的笑容凝固了,他意识到自己深深地伤害了她。
此后,兰登决定要认真起来,最终靠自己的努力记住了台词。在演出的时候,珍米的美貌和嗓音使兰登感到震惊。在演出结尾的时候,他吻了珍米,而这并不是剧本里安排的。
对于两个人来说,这场演出都非常地成功,珍米也看到兰登在改变。他的朋友继续开珍米的玩笑,而兰登挺身而出维护珍米,并和朋友决裂。
他们对彼此的爱渐渐加深了。珍米说出了自己的“心愿清单”,包括和自己不喜欢的人交朋友、同时出现在两个地方、在父母结婚的教堂里结婚。于是,兰登努力让她梦想成真。有一次,在他们约会的时候,他带她到两州交界处,让她两脚分别站在州界的两侧。她意识到他是在帮助自己同时出现在两个地方。另一次约会的时候,他请她用望远镜为他寻找一颗星星。当她问为什么的时候,他说他以她的名字为这颗星命了名。
最终,珍米告诉兰登,她身患绝症。生活给这对年轻的情侣开了一个痛苦的玩笑,摧毁了他们对未来的希望。很快,他们就会因为死亡而分开。于是,兰登着手要使珍米的其他梦想得到实现。他们一同更深刻地领悟了爱的涵义。最后,兰登向珍米求婚,她接受了。在即将去世之前,珍米与兰登在她父母结婚的教堂里结婚,而那场婚礼漫步就成了永远的回忆。
几年之后,兰登拜访了珍米的父亲,告诉他自己已经被医学院录取了。这是珍米为他带来的生活目标。兰登告诉珍米的父亲,他没有能够使珍米“见证奇迹”的心愿成为现实,因而感到很难过。珍米的父亲回答说:“那个奇迹就是你。”
Reading and Understanding.② Match the statements with the characters.Landon: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.Jamie: 3, 5, 7, 9.③ a, c, b, b, a Dealing with Unfamiliar Words ④ 1.a miracle 2.astonished;attributes
3.outstanding
4.favourable
5.witnessed
6.rejected 7.reluctant ⑤ 1.punishment 2.tricks
3.odd
4.intend 5.performance
6.fulfil 7.reveals 8.proposes
Guided Writing ①
1.Today
2.In the old days
3.too
4.would
5.while
6.or ②
5, 2, 6, 3, 1, 4 ③
Traditional ways of dating in China
In the old days, it was the custom for the young man’s family to look for a young woman who would be a suitable wife for him.Once they had found one, they would contact the young woman’s family by means of a go-between.They would send gifts and if the girl’s family liked the proposal they would exchange horoscopes()and arrange the meeting to further discuss things.If the two families agreed, an engagement would be made and plans for the wedding take place.Today, young people in China usually meet at college or work or at informal dinners arranged by friends and relatives.Extra writing Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a essay entitled Free admission to
museums.You should write at least 120 words according to the outline given below in Chinese:
1.越来越多的博物馆免费对外开放的目的是什么? 2.也会带来一些问题;3.你的看法?
(Jun.2009, CET-4, Writing)【写作提示】
这是一篇明显的解释说明型论说文,说明免费开放博物馆的目的和带来的问题,并提出自己的观点。
文章可以分为三段: 第一段,提出这种现象;
第二段,虽然提纲中只提到一种观点,但也可以扩展一下从双方不同的观点去阐述; 第三段,用自己的看法结束全文。
Free Admission To Museums
Nowadays, more and more museums open freely to visitors both home and abroad.The purpose of this practice obviously is to educate the public, to provide more opportunities for citizens to get easy access to the world of history, culture and knowledge.Although free admission to museums enjoys distinct advantages, there are still arguments that it may also bring harmful effects.Firstly, those valuable cultural relics conserved in the museums may be damaged or destroyed consciously or unconsciously by the visitors.Secondly, it could do a great damage to the environment and the facilities of the museums, as more people visiting means more litter and more equipment usage.Thirdly, free of charges result in huge economic burden on the operation of the museums.As far as I’m concerned, free admission to museums is of huge significance.More people get the opportunity to enlarge their knowledge.However, measures should be taken to educate the public to observe the rules and regulations when visiting the museums or even strict laws may be needed to protect the museums.第一段写要点1的内容,提出如今越来越多的博物馆向海内外参观者免费开放,这是一种现象,并说明博物馆免费开放的目的。紧扣提纲。第二段说明尽管这么做好处明显,但是同样也会带来负面影响。一是对博物馆的馆藏造成损坏;二是对博物馆的环境以及设备也是一种挑战;三是免费开放博物馆运营压力大。以此来说明要点2的内容。
最后一段表明自己的观点,赞成博物馆免费对外开放,但是也应该采取措施,甚至是采取法律手段来保护博物馆免受损坏。
get easy access to…
很容易得到,接近······ cultural relics 文物
conserve v.保存 do a great damage to 对······造成极大的损害 free of charges 免费
第四篇:翻译练习及答案参考
汉翻英:重点翻译红色字体部分,其它部分也可翻译。
之一:题目:不要抛弃学问(胡适1929年中国公学18级毕业赠言)
诸位毕业同学:
你们现在要离开母校了,我没有什么礼物送给你们,只好送你们一句话罢。
这一句话是:“不要抛弃学问。”以前的功课也许有一大部分是为了这张毕业文凭不得已而做的。从今以后,你们可以依自己的心愿去自由研究了。趁现在年富力强的时候,努力做一种专门学问。少年是一去不复返的,等到精力衰时,要做学问也来不及了。即为吃饭计,学问绝不会辜负人的。吃饭而不求学问,三年五年之后,你们都要被后进少年淘汰掉的。到那时再想做点学问来补救,恐怕已太晚了。
有人说:“出去做事之后,生活问题亟须解决,哪有工夫去读书?即使要做学问,既没有图书馆,又没有实验室,哪能做学问?”
我要对你们说:凡是要等到有了图书馆方才读书的,有了图书馆也不肯读书。凡是要等到有了实验室方才做研究 的,有了实验室也不肯做研究。你有了决心要研究一个问题,自然会撙衣节食去买书,自然会想出法子来设置仪器。至于时间,更不成问题。达尔文一生多病,不能多做工,每天只能做一点钟的工作。你们看他的成绩!每天花一点钟看十页有用的书,每年可看三千六百多页书,三十年读约十一万页书。
诸位,十万页书可以使你成一个学者了。可是,每天看三种小报也得费你一点钟的工夫;四圈麻将也得费你一点半钟的光阴。看小报呢,还是打麻将呢,还是努力做一个学者呢?全靠你们自己的选择!
易卜生说:“你的最大责任是把你这块材料铸造成器。”
学问便是铸器的工具。抛弃了学问便是毁了你自己。
再会了!你们的母校眼睁睁地要看你们十年之后成什么器。
汉翻英之二:桂林位于广西壮族自治区的东北角,被誉为“最美的和最值得外国游客观光的中国城市”。中国广泛流传这样一句话:桂林山水甲天下。岩溶峰林地貌,晶莹剔透的江水,经常浮现与中国艺术作品中,而神奇独特的洞穴更为桂林美景增添不少景致。
英汉翻译 : Mother's Letter to the World Dear World:
My son starts school today.It’s going to be strange and new to him for a while.And I wish you would sort of treat him gently. You see,up to now,he’s been king of the roost.He’s been boss of the back yard.I have always been around to repair his wounds,and to soothe his feelings.
But now― things are going to be different.
This morning,he’s going to walk down the front steps,wave his hand and start on his great adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.
So,World,I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.Teach him―but gently,if you can.Teach him that for every scoundrel,there is a hero;that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader;that for every enemy there is a friend.Teach him the wonders of books.Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,bees in the sun,and flowers on the green hill.Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder,but never to
put a price on his heart and soul.Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.Teach him gently,World,but don’t coddle him,because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order,World,but see what you can do.He’s such a nice little fellow.
英译汉之:新闻材料
(注意:标题的翻译要出彩)
How China Does 'The Bachelor'
More than 50,000 young beauties from across China have lined up to win a date with one of 18 young, millionaire bachelors.The contest is the latest in a trend of beauty contests for the rich that has been criticized heavily in the media, on the net, and even by the government.The new contest was organized online, and its first round was held simultaneously in several major cities.Most contestants have already gone home in defeat, having failed an examination by feng shui masters to see whether they have a 'lucky face', according to an article on the People's Daily's
English website.Only 18 finalists will ultimately datethe eligible young men.Editorials in the online edition of China Daily, mirroring the overwhelmingly negative public reaction, blast the contest as 'money worship' and accuse it of treating women as sex objects.Editorialist Zhang Tianpin complains that the contest is the kind of scandalous behavior that makes many Chinese hate wealthy people.Elites should not to flaunt their money to seek beautiful women as partners but invest their money in activities for the benefit of society,' he argues.Some defend the contest by saying that at least the women are mature and chosen not solely for their looks.Men are looking for the whole package: 'beauty, good temperament, psychological balance, sound character, good educational qualification, high moral values, love, and respect for the institution of marriage,' asserts freelance journalist Huang Yunxiang.Indeed, most of the contestants are between 28 and 30, college-educated and have steady jobs.China has seen a steady expansion of elite dating contests, TV shows and websites in recent years.Golden Bachelor
Matchmakers, a high-end dating site, hires 'Love Hunters' to scour the country for attractive women between 5 feet,5 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches.Then, luxurious parties with steep entrance fees pair up rich men with these carefully selected beauties.It is not like they use money to find true love.They just want to have the best options,' Golden Bachelor Chairman Xu Tianli told China Daily.Vocal critics, however, are uncomfortable with the impact of these beauty contests on Chinese culture.According to an online article in the Global Times, the government has ordered all TV stations to stop showing 22-year-old fashion model Ma Nuo after she made comments that Chinese audiences deemed 'too materialistic.'
On a TV dating show, Ma refused an unemployed man's offer of a bicycle ride, saying: 'I would rather weep in a BMW than smile on your bicycle.'
中国各地五万多名年轻美女报名应征与18位年轻的单身男富豪约会的机会,这是美女争嫁富豪潮流的新一波,媒体、网络甚至中国政府一直在对这种活动进行严厉谴责。
ZUMApress.com舟山国际海洋小姐大赛的参赛选手为拍摄合影摆姿势。这次活动是在线组织的,第一轮竞争在几个大城市同步举行。据《人民日报》(People's Daily)英文网络版报道,大多数应征者未能通过风水师审查她们是否有“旺夫相”这一关,已失败回家。
仅有18名进入决赛的美女将最终获得约会机会,如果幸运的话,还将嫁给合适 的年轻男士。
《中国日报》(China Daily)网络版评论反映出多数公众对这一事件持完全否定态度,抨击这种活动是“拜金”,并指责这种作法是将女性视为性玩物。评论人张天频(音)批评说,这是一种可耻的行径,使得众多中国人仇视富人。
他说,精英人士不应化大钱找美女结婚,而应将钱用于造福社会等活动。
有人为这类活动辩解说,至少这些女性是成熟的,不光凭外表入选。自由撰稿人黄云翔(音)说,男性追求的女性条件是:相貌好、有气质、心态平和、性格好、受过良好教育、有高尚的价值观、有爱心而且要尊重婚姻。的确,大多数应征者年龄为28至30岁之间,受过大学教育,且有稳定的工作。
近年来,中国的精英婚恋活动、电视婚恋节目及婚恋网络呈逐渐增加趋势。一家高端婚恋网站钻石王老五征婚网(Golden Bachelor Matchmakers)雇佣“爱情猎头”在全国搜寻1.65米至1.72米的魅力女性。而后举行入场费昂贵的奢侈派对将这些精心挑拣出来的美女与富豪配对。
钻石王老五征婚网总裁徐天立接受《中国日报》采访时说,富豪们用钱不可能找到真爱。他们只是想有最好的选择。
但直言不讳的评论家们,就美女争嫁富豪类征婚活动对中国文化的冲击非常不安。据《环球时报》一篇在线文章称,政府已下令所有的电视台封杀22岁的时装模特马诺,此前她的言论让中国观众认为“过于功利化”。
之前在一个电视婚恋节目《非诚勿扰》中,马诺拒绝了一位失业男士的求婚,她说,“我宁愿坐在宝马里哭,也不坐在自行车后座上笑”。
不要抛弃学问
Never give up the pursuit of learning.诸位毕业同学:
Dear students of the Graduating Class,你们现在要离开母校了,我没有什么礼物送你们,只好送你们一句话罢。
As you are leaving your alma mater, I have nothing to offer you as a gift except a word of advice.这一句话是:“不要抛弃学问。”以前的功课也许有一大部分是为了这张毕业文凭,不得已而做的,从今以后,你们可以依自己的心愿自由去研究了。趁现在年富力强的时候,努力做一种专门学问。少年是一去不复返的,等到精力衰时,要做学问也来不及了。即为吃饭计,学问决不会辜负人的。吃饭而不求学问,三年五年之后,你们都要被后来少年淘汰掉的。到那时再想做点学问来补救,恐怕已太晚了。My advice is, “Never give up the pursuit of learning.” You have perhaps finished your college courses mostly for obtaining the diploma, or, in other words, out of sheer necessity.However, from now on you are free to follow your own bent in the choice of studies.While you are in the prime of life, why not devote yourselves to a special field of study? Youth will soon be gone never to return.And it will be too late for you to go into scholarship when in your declining years.Knowledge will do you a good turn even as a means of subsistence.If you give up studies while holding a job,you will in a couple of years have had yourselves replaced by young people.It will then be too late to remedy the situation by picking up studies again.有人说:“出去做事之后,生活问题急需解决,哪有工夫去读书?即使要做学问,既没有图书馆,又没有实验室,哪能做学问?” Sone people say, “Once you have a job, you'll come up against the urgent problem of making a living.How can you manage to find time to study? Even if you want to, will it be possible with no library or laboratory available?” 我要对你们说:凡是要等到有了图书馆方才读书,有了图书馆也不肯读书。凡是要等到有了实验室方才做研究的,有了实验室也不肯做研究。你有了决心要研究一个问题,自然会撙衣节食去买书,自然会想出法子来设置仪器。
Now let me tell you this.Those who refuse to study for lack of a liabrary will most probably continue to do so even though there is a library.And those who refuse to do research for lack of a laboratory will most probably continue to do so even though a laboratory is available.As long as you set your mind on studies, you
will naturally cut down on food and clothing to buy books or do everything possible to acquire necessary instruments.至于时间,更不成问题。达尔文一生多病,不能多作工,每天只能做一点钟的工作。你看他的成绩!每天花一点钟看10页有用的书,每年可看3600多页书,30年可读11万页书。Time is no object.Charles Darwin could only work one hour a day due to ill health.Yet what a remarkable man he was!If you spend one hour a day reading 10 pages of a book, you can finish more than 3,600 pages a year, and 110,000 pages in 30 years.诸位,11万页书可以使你成一个学者了。可是,每天看三种小报也得费你一点钟的工夫,四圈麻将也得费你一点半钟的光阴。看小报呢?还是打麻将呢?还是努力做一个学者呢?全靠你们自己的选择!
Dear students, 110000 pages will be quite enough to make a learned man of you.It will take you one hour to read three tabloids a day, and one and half hours to finish four rounds of mah-jong a day.Reading tabloids, playing mah-jongs or striving to be a learned man, the choice lies with you.易卜生说:“你的最大责任是把你这块材料铸造成器。” Henrik Ibsen says, “It's your supreme duty to cast yourself into a useful implement.” 学问便是铸器的工具。抛弃了学问便是毁了你们自己。Learning is the casting mould.Forsake learning, and you will ruin yourself.再会了!你们的母校眼睁睁地要看你们十年之后成什么器。Farewell!Your alma mater is watching eagerly to see what will become of you ten years from now.①“不要抛弃学问”在这里的意思是“不要放弃对学问的追求”,因此不能直译为 Never Give up Learning,必须加字:Never Give up the Pursuit of Learning.②“你们可以依自己的心愿自由去研究了”译为you are free to follow your own bent in the choice of studies,其中 to follow one's own bent 是成语,和 to follow one's inclination 同义,作“做自己感兴趣或爱做的事”解。③“做学问”译为 to go into scholarship, 等于 to engage in learning。
④“学问决不会辜负人的”译为 Knowledge will do you a good turn,其中 to do one a good turn 是成语,作“"做对某人有益的事”解。
⑤“撙衣节食”即“省吃省穿”,现译为 cut down on food and clothing, 其中 to cut down on 是成语,与 to economize on 同义,作“节约”解。又,上语也可译为 to live frugally.⑥“至于时间,更不成问题”译为 Time is no object, 其中 no object 是成语,等于 no problem, 作“不成问题”或“不在话下”解。
⑦“全靠你们自己的选择”译为 the choie lies with you 或 it is up to you to make the choice.⑧“你们的母校眼睁睁地要看......”中的“眼睁睁地”通常的意思是“无可奈何地”,现在这里做“热切地”解,故译为eagerly。
汉翻英:桂林位于广西壮族自治区的东北角,被誉为“最美的和最值得外国游客观光的中国城市”。中国广泛流传这样一句话:桂林山水甲天下。岩溶峰林地貌,晶莹剔透的江水,经常浮现与中国艺术作品中,而神奇独特的洞穴更为桂林美景增添不少景致。
Situated in the northeast corner of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Gulin is hailed by many as the most beautifu place in China and one of the must-see destinations for most foreign tourists.There is a popular Chinese saying,”Guilin’s scenery bests all others in the world”.Its shapely-rising limestone towers and crystal-clear waters are often portrayed in Chinese artworks.Adding to its natural beauty are many fascinating caves.英译汉之一:
How China Does “The Bachelor”
More than 50,000 young beauties from across China have lined up to win a date with one of 18 young, millionaire bachelors.The contest is the latest in a trend of beauty contests for the rich that has been criticized heavily in the media, on the
net, and even by the government.中国各地五万多名年轻美女报名应征与18位年轻的单身男富豪约会的机会,这是美女争嫁富豪潮流的新一波,媒体、网络甚至中国政府一直在对这种活动进行严厉谴责。
The new contest was organized online, and its first round was held simultaneously in several major cities.Most contestants have already gone home in defeat, having failed an examination by feng shui masters to see whether they have a 'lucky face', according to an article on the People's Daily's English website.Only 18 finalists will ultimately datethe eligible young men.ZUMApress.com舟山国际海洋小姐大赛的参赛选手为拍摄合影摆姿势。这次活动是在线组织的,第一轮竞争在几个大城市同步举行。据《人民日报》(People's Daily)英文网络版报道,大多数应征者未能通过风水师审查她们是否有“旺夫相”这一关,已失败回家。
仅有18名进入决赛的美女将最终获得约会机会,如果幸运的话,还将嫁给合适的年轻男士。
Editorials in the online edition of China Daily, mirroring the
overwhelmingly negative public reaction, blast the contest as 'money worship' and accuse it of treating women as sex objects.Editorialist Zhang Tianpin complains that the contest is the kind of scandalous behavior that makes many Chinese hate wealthy people.Elites should 'not to flaunt their money to seek beautiful women as partners but invest their money in activities for the benefit of society,' he argues.《中国日报》(China Daily)网络版评论反映出多数公众对这一事件持完全否定态度,抨击这种活动是“拜金”,并指责这种作法是将女性视为性玩物。评论人张天频(音)批评说,这是一种可耻的行径,使得众多中国人仇视富人。
他说,精英人士不应化大钱找美女结婚,而应将钱用于造福社会等活动
Some defend the contest by saying that at least the women are mature and chosen not solely for their looks.Men are looking for the whole package: 'beauty, good temperament, psychological balance, sound character, good educational qualification, high moral values, love, and respect for the institution of marriage,' asserts freelance journalist Huang Yunxiang.Indeed, most of the contestants are between 28 and 30, college-educated and have steady jobs.有人为这类活动辩解说,至少这些女性是成熟的,不光凭外表入选。自由撰稿人黄云翔(音)说,男性追求的女性条件是:相貌好、有气质、心态平和、性格好、受过良好教育、有高尚的价值观、有爱心而且要尊重婚姻。的确,大多数应征者年龄为28至30岁之间,受过大学教育,且有稳定的工作。
China has seen a steady expansion of elite dating contests, TV shows and websites in recent years.Golden Bachelor Matchmakers, a high-end dating site, hires 'Love Hunters' to scour the country for attractive women between 5 feet, 5 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches.Then, luxurious parties with steep entrance fees pair up rich men with these carefully selected beauties.'It is not like they use money to find true love.They just want to have the best options,' Golden Bachelor Chairman Xu Tianli told China Daily.近年来,中国的精英婚恋活动、电视婚恋节目及婚恋网络呈逐渐增加趋势。一家高端婚恋网站钻石王老五征婚网(Golden Bachelor Matchmakers)雇佣“爱情猎头”在全国搜寻1.65米至1.72米的魅力女性。而后举行入场费昂贵的奢侈派对将这些精心挑拣出来的美女与富豪配对。
钻石王老五征婚网总裁徐天立接受《中国日报》采访时
说,富豪们用钱不可能找到真爱。他们只是想有最好的选择。
Vocal critics, however, are uncomfortable with the impact of these beauty contests on Chinese culture.According to an online article in the Global Times, the government has ordered all TV stations to stop showing 22-year-old fashion model Ma Nuo after she made comments that Chinese audiences deemed 'too materialistic.'
On a TV dating show, Ma refused an unemployed man's offer of a bicycle ride, saying: 'I would rather weep in a BMW than smile [on your] bicycle.'但直言不讳的评论家们,就美女争嫁富豪类征婚活动对中国文化的冲击非常不安。据《环球时报》一篇在线文章称,政府已下令所有的电视台封杀22岁的时装模特马诺,此前她的言论让中国观众认为“过于功利化”。
之前在一个电视婚恋节目《非诚勿扰》中,马诺拒绝了一位失业男士的求婚,她说,“我宁愿坐在宝马里哭,也不坐在自行车后座上笑”。
钻石王老五征婚:美女蜂拥 媒体炮轰
中国各地五万多名年轻美女报名应征与18位年轻的单
身男富豪约会的机会,这是美女争嫁富豪潮流的新一波,媒体、网络甚至中国政府一直在对这种活动进行严厉谴责。
ZUMApress.com舟山国际海洋小姐大赛的参赛选手为拍摄合影摆姿势。这次活动是在线组织的,第一轮竞争在几个大城市同步举行。据《人民日报》(People's Daily)英文网络版报道,大多数应征者未能通过风水师审查她们是否有“旺夫相”这一关,已失败回家。
仅有18名进入决赛的美女将最终获得约会机会,如果幸运的话,还将嫁给合适的年轻男士。
《中国日报》(China Daily)网络版评论反映出多数公众对这一事件持完全否定态度,抨击这种活动是“拜金”,并指责这种作法是将女性视为性玩物。评论人张天频(音)批评说,这是一种可耻的行径,使得众多中国人仇视富人。
他说,精英人士不应化大钱找美女结婚,而应将钱用于造福社会等活动
有人为这类活动辩解说,至少这些女性是成熟的,不光凭外表入选。自由撰稿人黄云翔(音)说,男性追求的女性条件是:相貌好、有气质、心态平和、性格好、受过良好教育、有高尚的价值观、有爱心而且要尊重婚姻。的确,大多数应征者年龄为28至30岁之间,受过大学教育,且有稳定的工作。
近年来,中国的精英婚恋活动、电视婚恋节目及婚恋网
络呈逐渐增加趋势。一家高端婚恋网站钻石王老五征婚网(Golden Bachelor Matchmakers)雇佣“爱情猎头”在全国搜寻1.65米至1.72米的魅力女性。而后举行入场费昂贵的奢侈派对将这些精心挑拣出来的美女与富豪配对。
钻石王老五征婚网总裁徐天立接受《中国日报》采访时说,富豪们用钱不可能找到真爱。他们只是想有最好的选择。
但直言不讳的评论家们,就美女争嫁富豪类征婚活动对中国文化的冲击非常不安。据《环球时报》一篇在线文章称,政府已下令所有的电视台封杀22岁的时装模特马诺,此前她的言论让中国观众认为“过于功利化”。
之前在一个电视婚恋节目《非诚勿扰》中,马诺拒绝了一位失业男士的求婚,她说,“我宁愿坐在宝马里哭,也不坐在自行车后座上笑”。
英汉翻译 : Mother's Letter to the World Dear World:
My son starts school today.It’s going to be strange and new to him for a while.And I wish you would sort of treat him gently. You see,up to now,he’s been king of the roost.He’s been boss of the back yard.I have always been around to repair his wounds,and to soothe his feelings.
But now― things are going to be different.
This morning,he’s going to walk down the front steps,wave his hand and start on his great adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.
So,World,I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.Teach him―but gently,if you can.Teach him that for every scoundrel,there is a hero;that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader;that for every enemy there is a friend.Teach him the wonders of books.
Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,bees in the sun,and flowers on the green hill.
Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder,but never to put a price on his heart and soul.Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.Teach him gently,World,but don’t coddle him,because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order,World,but see what you can do.He’s such a nice little fellow. 亲爱的世界:
我的儿子今天开始上学。在一段时间内,他都会感到既陌生又新鲜。我希望你能对他温柔一点。
你知道,直到现在,他一直是家里的小皇帝;一直是后院的主人。我一直在他身边,为他料理伤口,给他感情上的慰藉。
可是现在———一切都将发生变化。今天早晨,他将走下屋前的台阶,挥挥手,踏上他伟大的冒险征途,途中也许会有战争、悲剧和伤痛。要在他必须生存的世界中生活需要信念、爱心和勇气。
所以,世界,我希望你握住他稚嫩的手,教他必须知道的一些事情。教他———但如果可能的话,温柔点儿。教他知道,世界上有一个恶棍,就有一个英雄;有一个奸诈的政客,就有一个富有奉献精神的领袖;有一个敌人,就有一个朋友。教他感受书本的魅力。给他时间,去安静地思索自然界中永恒的神秘:空中的小鸟,阳光下的蜜蜂,青山上的花朵。教他知道,失败比欺骗要光荣得多。教他要坚信自己的思想,哪怕别人都予以否定。教
他可把自己的体力和脑力以最高价出售,但绝对不要出卖自己的心灵和灵魂。教他对暴徒的嚎叫置若罔闻„„并且在认为自己是对的时候站出来战斗。以温柔的方式教导他,世界,但不要溺爱 他,因为只有烈火才能炼出真钢。
这是个很高的要求,世界,但请你尽力而为。他是一个多么可爱的小伙子。
第五篇:翻译练习+答案
翻译练习
1.我们必须不断学习,这样才能与时俱进。(so that)
2.意大利足球队非常强调团队精神,这是他们赢得世界杯的关键。(1ay emphasis on)
3.她不声不响离家出走,使她的父母心烦意乱。(without)
4.小男孩对展览会上的那辆汽车很着迷。(fascinate)
5.使刘翔迷们感到兴奋的是,刘翔在瑞士洛桑创造了12秒88的男子110米栏的世界纪录。(To„)
1.We should/ must continue to learn more so that we can keep pace/up with the development of times.2.The Italian Football Team laid great emphasis on team spirit, which was the key to winning the World Cup.3.Her leaving home without saying a word upset her parents.4.The little boy was fascinated by the car on the exhibition.5.To his fan’s excitement, Liu Xiang set a new world record of 12.88 seconds in the men’s 110-metre hurdles in Lausanne, Switzerland.我最后一次看见杰克的时候,他一个人在街上走。(The last time)
7.几乎每一个人都承认犯罪不可能被彻底消灭。(the fact,wipe out)
8.如果公众失去了对这家公司的信任,那么他们的销售会下降得很快。(1ost trust)
9.给我印象最深的是磁悬浮列车的速度是多么的快啊。(impress,magnetic suspension train)
10.我爸爸不愿用新手机来替换他那只磨损不堪的老手机。(substitute)
6.The last time I saw Jack, he was walking down the street alone.7.Almost everyone accepts the fact that crime can never be wiped put entirely.8.If the public lose trust in the company, sales will fall sharply.9.What impressed me most is how fast the speed of a magnetic suspension train is.10.My father isn’t willing to substitute the new cell phone for his worn-out one.11.尽管天气很寒冷,学生们还是在6点正准时出操。(Despite)
12.每个人,不管是年轻人还是老年人都应铭记“骄者必败”。(keep)
13.虽然他们是好朋友,但他不愿意帮助修理电脑。(reluctant)
14.那位脸色苍白的妇女站在大楼顶上,这使在场的人都很担心。(at the top of)
15.他必定是这次竞赛中最可能获奖的学生。(likely)
11.Despite the cold weather, the students did morning exercises at 6 o’clock sharp.12.Everyone, young or old, must keep in mind that pride goes before a fall.13.Though they are close friends, he is reluctant to help fix the computer.14.At the top of the building stood a woman whose face was pale, which frightened everyone on the scene.15.He is sure to be the most likely student to win the prize in the competition.16在我陷于困境时,对于你的帮助我表示万分感激。(grateful)
17.这所学校在艺术教育方面建立了很好的声誉。(reputation)
18.她放弃了这次机会仅仅是因为缺少足够的钱。(1ack)
19.这个到2009年末完成的项目将使我们在半个小时内就能到达杭州。(不定式)
20.那男孩是如此的调皮,他奶奶对他束手无策。(so„that)
16.I’m deeply grateful to you for your help, when I was in trouble.17.The school has built up a good reputation in art education.18.She gave up the chance merely because of her lacking enough money.19.The project to be accomplished by the end of 2009 will enable us to reach Hangzhou in 30 minutes.20.The boy was so naughty that his grandmother didn’t know how to deal with him.21.你说的也就是我所想的。(what)
22.不管他父亲是否同意,他将选择教师作为他的职业。(whether)
23.根据他提供的线索,警察很快抓到了逃犯。(according)
24.当你们到达那里时,你们会知道他发生了什么事。(the moment)
25.不要把今天的事留到明天做。(名词性从句)
39.may just as well stay at home
40.stain the new carpet
41.didn??t do anything
42.play indispensable roles
43.Even so
44.are being developed
45.remembering all my life
46.lose contact with
47.second only to
48.such fine weather
49.have never resorted to
50.not to speak of/not to mention/let alone going abroad
51.delaying making
52.should adapt himself to
53.to hearing your story again
54.is now being turned
55.Could you take a blank sheet of paper?