新视野大学英语3第三版课文翻译_新视野课文翻译第三版
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新视野大学英语3第三版课文翻译
Unit 1 The Way to Succe 课文A
Never, ever give up!
永不言弃!
As a young boy, Britain's great Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, attended a public school called Harrow.He was not a good student, and had he not been from a famous family, he probably would have been removed from the school for deviating from the rules.Thankfully, he did finish at Harrow and his errors there did not preclude him from going on to the university.He eventually had a premier army career whereby he was later elected prime minister.He achieved fame for his wit, wisdom, civic duty, and abundant courage in his refusal to surrender during the miserable dark days of World War II.His amazing determination helped motivate his entire nation and was an inspiration worldwide.Toward the end of his period as prime minister, he was invited to addre the patriotic young boys at his old school, Harrow.The headmaster said, “Young gentlemen, the greatest speaker of our time, will be here in a few days to addre you, and you should obey whatever sound advice he may give you.” The great day arrived.Sir Winston stood up, all five feet, five inches and 107 kilos of him, and gave this short, clear-cut speech: “Young men, never give up.Never give up!Never give up!Never, never, never, never!” 英国的伟大首相温斯顿·丘吉尔爵士,小时候在哈罗公学上学。当时他可不是个好学生,要不是出身名门,他可能早就因为违反纪律被开除了。谢天谢地,他总算从哈罗毕业了,在那里犯下的错误并没影响到他上大学。后来,他凭着军旅生涯中的杰出表现当选为英国首相。他的才思、智慧、公民责任感以及在二战痛苦而黑暗的时期拒绝投降的无畏勇气,为他赢得了美名。他非凡的决心,不仅激励了整个民族,还鼓舞了全世界。
在他首相任期即将结束时,他应邀前往母校哈罗公学,为满怀报国之志的同学们作演讲。校长说:“年轻的先生们,当代最伟大的演说家过几天就会来为你们演讲,他提出的任何中肯的建议,你们都要听从。”那个激动人心的日子终于到了。温斯顿爵士站了起来——他只有 5 英尺 5 英寸高,体重却有 107 公斤。他作了言简意赅的讲话:“年轻人,要永不放弃。永不放弃!永不放弃!永不,永不,永不,永不!”
Personal history, educational opportunity, individual dilemmasa robust, fierce will and focuseven when you are tired and want to slack or the odds seem too large.“Keep your eyes on the prize!” “Where there's a will, there's a way!” With hard work, determination, dedication and preparation, you can transcend any handicap, accomplish any feat, and achieve succe!很多人只是嘴上说他们想要什么东西,但并不真正地付出大量努力去实现。很多人因为害怕失败而不敢全心尝试。而成功的秘诀在于内心燃烧的欲望——一种坚定不移的意志和专注力——从而激发行动的决心,即使疲惫,即使失败,也会继续准备,继续前进。正如一句箴言所说:“你摔倒了多少次并不要紧;你能多少次重新站起来对成功才至关重要!”
专注于汲取更多的知识,争取持之以恒地渐进,保持永不言退的坚强意志——即使在你疲惫想要松懈的时候,或者困难重重之时。“执著地追求成功!”“有志者,事竟成!”只要刻苦努力,意志坚决,专心投入,准备充分,你就能跨越一切障碍,完成所有壮举,取得成功!
课文B
Chance favors the prepared 机会偏爱有准备之人
Les Brown and his twin brother were adopted by Mamie Brown, a kitchen worker, shortly after their birth in a poverty-stricken Miami neighborhood.Because of his overactive behavior and nonstop talking as a child, Les was placed in special education claes for the learning disabled all the way through high school.Upon graduation, he became a garbage collector.The prospective opportunities for his future looked slim to others, but not to Les.He had a paion, a dreamat no pay.Les brought coffee and food.He catered to their every need at work and worked overtime whenever neceary.Eventually, his enthusiasm won their confidence and they would send Les in their Cadillac to pick up celebrities, not knowing that he didn't even have a driver's license!莱斯十分坚定。他很爱自己的养母玛米·布朗,还精打细算攒钱为她买喜欢的东西。尽管人人都打击他,但她却十分信任他,告诉他不管别人怎么说,都要追求自己的目标,坚持自己的梦想。因此,不管电台经理之前怎么说,莱斯每天还是会去电台,这样持续了一周。他的坚持很能打动人,电台经理终于让了步,让他做一些小事情——不过没有报酬。莱斯负责给大家提供咖啡和吃的东西。他在工作中尽力满足大家的每一个要求,而且只要有需要,任何时候都可以加班。最后,他的工作热情赢得了大家的信任,他们让莱斯开着凯迪拉克去接送名人,居然不知道他连驾照都没有。
While hanging out with the station's real DJs, Les taught himself their posture and hand movements on the control panel.He stayed around the studio, soaking up whatever knowledge he could.He was disciplined;back in his bedroom at night, he faithfully practiced in anticipation of the opportunity he knew would come.One afternoon at work, the DJ named Rock started to feel very sick while on the air.Les was the only person around, and he realized that Rock was coughing and losing his voice.Les stayed close in case there was some way he might help alleviate his coworker's distre.He also worried that the illne was sure to doom this broadcast.与电台真正的 DJ 相处时,莱斯自学他们操作调音台的姿势和手势。他徘徊在播音间,力所能及地汲取全部知识。他非常自律,晚上一回到房间,就满怀着期待不懈地练习,他知道机遇终会降临。
一天下午,工作期间,一个名叫洛克的 DJ 在直播时突然病得厉害。周围只有莱斯,而他意识到洛克正在咳嗽,都快不能说话了。莱斯凑近他,看看有什么办法能帮助同事减轻痛苦。他也担心这病肯定会让广播无法进行下去。
Finally, when the phone rang, Les grabbed it.It was the station manager, as he knew it would be.“Les, this is Mr.Klein.I don't think Rock can finish his program, ”Yes,“ he murmured, ”I know.“ ”Would you call one of the other deejays to come in and take over?“ ”Yes, sir, I sure will.“ 最后,电话铃响了,莱斯抓起电话。正是电台经理,对此他已有预感。“莱斯,我是克莱因。我觉得洛克没办法做完这期节目了。” “是的,”他低声说,“我知道。”
“你能打电话叫其他 DJ 来接替他吗?” “好的,先生,我一定去叫。”
But try as he might, none of the regular DJs were available.MC Cormick and DJ Slick were both out of town for the weekend and DJ Neil was also feeling sick.It seemed that the radio station was in big trouble.Frantic with distre, Les called the general manager.”Mr.Klein, I can't find nobody,“ Les said.但他找了个遍,却发现一个正式 DJ 都找不到。主持人考密克和 DJ 斯雷克都出城度周末去了,尼尔身体也不舒服。似乎电台的麻烦大了。
莱斯无计可施,几欲抓狂,只好给总经理打电话。“克莱因先生,一个人都找不到,”莱斯说。
Mr.Klein then asked, ”Young man, do you know how to work the controls in the studio?“ ”Yes sir,“ replied Les, grinning with the sudden opportunity.He didn't even blink before he called his mother and his friends.”You all go out on the front porch and turn up the radio because I'm about to come on the air!“ he said.克莱因先生于是问道:“小伙子,你知道怎么操作播音间里的调音台么?” “我知道的,先生,”莱斯回答,为突如其来的机会笑了。他一刻都不耽搁,马上给母亲和朋友们打了电话。“你们都到前廊去,打开收音机,我马上要直播了!”他说。
Les rushed into the booth, hoisted Rock onto a nearby couch, and sat down in his place.He was ready.He flipped on the microphone and eloquently rapped, ”Look out!This is me, LB, Les Brown!There were none before me and there will be none after me.Therefore, that makes me the one and only.Young and single and love to mingle.Qualified to bring you satisfaction, a whole lot of action.Look out, baby, I'm your lovin' man.“ Because of his preparation, Les was ready.He had dazzled the audience and heard applause from his general manager.From that fateful beginning, Les was propelled to become an icon in broadcasting, politics, public speaking and television.莱斯冲进播音间,把洛克扶到附近的沙发上,然后坐上了他的位置。他已做好准备。打开麦克风,他流利地开始了一段说唱:“注意啦!我是莱布,莱斯·布朗!空前绝后的莱斯·布朗,独一无二的莱斯·布朗。我青春年少,单身无挂,喜爱结交;我会让你心满意足,动能无限。来吧,亲爱的,我就是你喜爱的那个人。”
正因为莱斯勤于准备,他才能一切就绪。听众为之折服,经理为之鼓掌。在那决定命运的一刻后,莱斯不断前进,成为在广播、政治、演讲和电视等领域的一位偶像级人物。
Unit 2 Beat your Fear
课文A
Swimming through fear
游越恐惧
I was on a tour of France with my friends when our car pulled to a stop at the beach and we saw the Mediterranean Sea.Maive waves surged against large rocks that formed a waterproof jetty.People said this beach was known for its notorious rip currents.I shivered with fear.Nothing scared me as much as water.Just the sight of the sea made me sick to my stomach.当时我和朋友正在法国旅行,我们把汽车停在海滩,眼前就是地中海。巨浪翻滚击打着构筑起防波堤的偌大岩石。人们说这里的海滩以其可怕的裂流而著称。恐惧让我不寒而栗。没有什么比水让我更害怕了。
只是看到了海就已经让我觉得反胃。
I'd always loved water and been a good swimmer until last summer, when I'd decided to climb up to the highest diving board at the pool.I'd hopped from that height and hit the water with an incredible impact.The air was ousted from my lungs and I blacked out.The next thing I knew, my brother was pulling my feeble body out of the pool.From then on, my fear wouldn't recede;I was absolutely terrified of water.”Jason, are you coming?“ my friend, Matt, called.我曾经一直都是喜欢水的,并且直到去年夏天我都还是一名游泳好手。那时,我决定爬上游泳池边上最高的跳板来跳水。我从那么高的地方跳下,重重地撞击到水面上。我肺里的空气一下子全被挤出去了,马上不省人事。醒来时发现哥哥正把我虚弱的身体从游泳池里拖出来。从那时起,我对水的恐惧就没有消退过,我怕极了水。
“贾森,你要过来吗?”我的朋友马特朝我喊道。
”Yeah,“ I said.”Just enjoying the view,“ from dry land, I added silently, worried they might deem my fear pathetic if they knew.Suddenly I heard shouting in French.A mob of people were running into the sea, fully clothed.That's odd, I thought.我说:“好,就是欣赏一下景色”,又在心里默默加了一句——在岸上欣赏。担心如果他们知道我害怕水而可怜我。
突然,我听到有人用法语喊叫。接着看见一群人没脱衣服,就冲到海里。我心想,这真是太奇怪了。
I glimpsed something moving up and down amid the waves, past the end of the jetty.I gasped, realizing the catastrophe with horror.That's a little boy out there!The would-be rescuers fought against the tide, but the situation was bleak.With the water's tow, they'd never get to him in time.I looked back at the boy.His head popped up, then a wave crashed over him and he disappeared for a moment;I had to intervene.我瞥见防波堤尽头的海浪中有个东西在上下浮动。我惊恐地意识到大事不妙,倒吸了一口凉气,那居然是个小男孩!前去救落水男童的人们搏击着海浪,但情况却不乐观。由于水的拉拽,他们根本不可能及时游到小男孩身边。
我扭头看看那小男孩。他的头刚露出水面,然后一个浪头打过来,好一阵不见踪影——我不得不做点什么了。
I appraised the situation and realizedbut also to my salvation, leaving behind the terrible fear that had gripped me for so long.I turned my head and saw the boy was hugged tightly by his mother.I looked out to the sea.Weary as I was, the water had never looked so beautiful.我感觉到强壮有力的手臂将我托起。我不仅从海里爬上防波堤的磐石,而且完成了自我拯救,摆脱了困扰已久的恐惧。我扭过头看见小男孩被母亲紧紧拥入怀中。虽已疲惫不堪,但放眼大海,我感觉海水比任何时候看起来都更美。
课文B
When courage triumphed over fear
当勇气战胜恐惧
I know what courage looks like.I saw it on a flight I took six years ago, and only now can I speak of it without tears filling my eyes at the memory.When our plane left New York that Friday morning, we were a talkative, high-energy group.The early-morning transcontinental flight hosted mainly profeional people going to San Francisco for a day or two of busine.As I looked around, I saw lots of designer suites, CEO-level expensive haircuts, designer briefcases and all the trimmings of lofty busine travelers.I settled back with my paperback novel for some light reading and the brief flight ahead.我知道勇气是什么样子。我六年前在乘坐的一架航班上就见识了。只到现在,凭记忆述说这件事的时候,我才不致热泪盈眶。
那是星期五的早上,当我们的飞机从纽约起飞时,我们这帮人还高谈阔论、劲头十足。这趟横贯大陆的清晨航班主要搭载了一些前往旧金山出差一两天的职业人士。我向四周打量一下,看到的多是名贵西装、经理人式的考究发型、名牌公文包以及气宇轩昂的商务旅行者们的各种装束。我身子往后一靠,拿出一本简装小说准备轻松阅读一下,度过时下这短暂的飞行。
Immediately upon take-off, long before we had reached our cruising altitude, it was clear that something was wrong.The aircraft was bumping vertically up and down and tilting left to right.All the experienced travelers, including me, looked around with knowing grins.We had experienced minor problems and turbulence on prior flights.If you fly very much, you see these things and learn to act relaxed about them.It wasn't long before our relaxed attitudes began to evaporate.Minutes after we were in flight, our plane began dipping wildly and one wing plunged downward.The plane climbed higher but that didn't help our plight.The pilot soon provided some grave news regarding the flight.飞机刚一起飞,远未达到巡航高度时,我们就明显感到有什么不对劲。飞机直上直下颠簸、忽左忽右倾斜。我们这些有出门经验的人都四下环顾着,会心地笑了笑。在以前的飞行中,我们都经历过一些小问题和气流颠簸。如果你飞机坐多了,这类事情见多了,你也就学会泰然处之了。
没过多久我们放松的心情就开始消失了。飞行才几分钟,飞机就失控下坠,而且一只机翼向下倾斜。尽管飞机爬高了些,但于事无补。飞行员很快通报了这次飞行的严重事态。
”We are having some difficulties,“ he said.”At this time, it appears we have no nose-wheel steering.Our indicators show that our landing system has failed, which neceitates that we abort the flight and return to New York.Because of the problems with the mechanisms, it's unlikely our landing gear will lock, so the flight attendants will prepare you for a bumpy landing.Also, if you look out the windows, you will see that we are dumping fuel from the airplane.We want to have as little on board as poible in the event of a rough touchdown.“ “我们现在遇到了一些麻烦,”他说。“目前看来前轮转向装置无法运转;指示器显示,我们的着陆系统失灵了。我们必须放弃飞行,返回纽约。由于机械装置出现了问题,我们的起落架可能无法锁住,因此乘务人员将帮助大家做好准备,预防着陆时的颠簸。还有,如果大家看一下窗外,就会看见我们正在倾倒飞机上的燃油。我们想尽量减轻飞机的负荷,以应对飞机硬着陆。” In other words, we were about to crash.No sight has ever been so sobering as that fuel, hundreds of gallons of it, streaming past my window out of the plane's tanks.The flight attendants scrambled to get people into position and comforted those who were instantaneously hysterical.也就是说,我们要坠机了。从飞机油箱里倒出的成百上千加仑的汽油就从舷窗外飞流直下,没有什么比这种景象更能让人感到事态的严重。乘务人员急于让大家各归其位,还尽力安抚那些顷刻之间歇斯底里的乘客。
As I looked at the faces of my fellow busine travelers, I was stunned by the changes I saw.Many looked visibly frightened now.Even the most sophisticated looked vulnerable and grim.Their faces actually looked panicked.There wasn't a single exception, and I realized that no one faces death without fear;no one is immune to its terror.也就是说,我们要坠机了。从飞机油箱里倒出的成百上千加仑的汽油就从舷窗外飞流直下,没有什么比这种景象更能让人感到事态的严重。乘务人员急于让大家各归其位,还尽力安抚那些顷刻之间歇斯底里的乘客。
我看了看这些出门公干的旅伴们,惊讶地发现他们已经神色大变。此时许多人显然吓坏了。甚至那些饱经世故的人们也显得神经脆弱、神情严肃。他们其实已经慌神了。无一例外!由此,我意识到面对死神谁都害怕——无人能免俗。
Then, somewhere in my proximity, I overheard a still calm voice underlying the panic.It was a woman's voice, speaking in an absolutely normal conversational tone.Despite the circumstance, there was no angry emotion or tension, and this calm voice evoked a calm in me that quieted some of my initial fears.It became imperative that I find her.All around the cabin, people cried.Many moaned and screamed.A few of the men maintained their appearance of calm by bracing against their armrests and grinding their teeth, but their fear was written all over them.就在此时,在我附近某个地方,我听到一个淹没在恐慌之中的依旧从容的声音。这是一位女性的声音,说话语调完全就像普通聊天一样正常。尽管形势危急,这个平静的声音既没有愤怒之情也没有紧张,唤醒了我内心的镇静,抚平了我最初的恐惧。我急需找到她。
整个机舱都是人们的哭喊声。许多人呻吟着、尖叫着。几个男人死死撑住座位扶手,咬紧牙关,竭力保持镇静,但是浑身上下都透出惶恐。
Try as I might, I could not have spoken so calmly, so sweetly at that moment as the fabulous voice I heard.Finally, I saw her.In the midst of all the chaos, a mother was talking, just talking to her child.The woman, in her mid-30's and unremarkable looking in any other way, was staring full into the face of her daughter, who looked about four years old.The child listened closely, sensing that her mother's words were invaluable.The mother's gaze held the child so fixed and intent that the child seemed untouched by the sounds of grief and fear all around her.尽管我竭尽全力,但此刻我怎么也不可能像我听到的那个美妙的声音那样,讲话如此镇定、如此动听。终于,我看到了她。
混乱之中,一位母亲正在讲话,她就只对着自己的孩子讲。这名妇女 35 岁左右,无论怎么看都相貌平平。她正目不转睛地盯着女儿的脸,女儿看起来大约四岁。孩子仔细聆听,意识到母亲的话语的分量。母亲凝视的目光让孩子听得聚精会神,似乎一点也不为周围人们哀伤和惊恐的声音所动。
I strained to hear what this mother was telling her child.I relished the sound of calm confidence amongst the terror.Finally, I hovered nearby and by some miracle could hear her soft, sure, confident voice say in a calming tone over and over again, ”I love you so much.Do you know for sure that I love you more than anything? “Yes, Mommy,” the little girl said.“And remember, no matter what happens, that I love you always;and that you are a good girl.Sometimes things happen that are not your fault.You are my beloved, good girl and my love will always be with you.” 我竭力想听清这位母亲在跟孩子讲些什么。我喜欢这恐惧中的淡定之声。最后,我凑得近了些。幸运的是,我听清了这温柔、沉着而自信的声音。她用平静的语调一遍遍地说:“我十分爱你。你相信我爱你胜过一切么?”
“是的,妈咪,”小姑娘答道。
“不管发生什么事情,都要记住我永远爱你,你是个好孩子。有些事情的发生并不是你的错。你是我的乖女儿,我的爱将永远伴随着你。”
As her first concern was for her daughter's well-being, the mother then put her body over her daughter’s, strapping the seat belt over both of them to save her daughter from a poible wreckage.Then, for no earthly reason, our landing gear held and we glided to a gentle stop.It was all over in seconds.Our touchdown was smooth and easy;the tragedy we had feared was not our destiny.The voice I heard that day never hesitated, never acknowledged dread, and maintained an evenne that seemed emotionally and physically impoible.During that descent, not one of the hardened busine people could have spoken without a hint of fear in their voice.Only the greatest courage, with a foundation of even greater love, had brought that mother up and lifted her above the chaos around her.母亲首先心系女儿的安危,她俯身挡在女儿身上,用安全带系住她们俩人,以免女儿被可能的失事残片所伤。
而后,天知道什么原因,我们的起落架居然锁住了,飞机滑行,平稳停下。几秒钟后一切都过去了。我们着地顺利、轻松;我们所恐惧的悲剧并没有成为我们的宿运。
那天我听到的那个声音没有丝毫的动摇,没有流露出半点惧怕,保持了一份平和。那份平和无论从感情上还是从生理上来讲都令人难以置信。在飞机下坠的过程中,见惯世事的商人们当时说话声中无不流露出恐惧。只有最伟大的勇气,以更伟大的爱为根基,才支撑起这位母亲,使她超然于周围的混乱之上。
That mom showed me the amazing power of love.And for those few minutes, I heard the voice of true courage.那位母亲给我展现了爱的惊人力量。在那短短几分钟里,我听到了真正勇气的声音。
Unit 3 Life Stories
课文A
Audrey Hepburn-A true angel in this world
奥黛丽·赫本——人间天使
Audrey Hepburn thrilled audiences with starring roles in noteworthy films like Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, Roman Holiday, My Fair Lady, War and Peace, and Always.Despite her succe in the film domain, the roles she most preferred portraying were not in movies.She was an exemplary mother to her two sons and a UNICEF(the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)Ambaador of Goodwill serving victims in war-torn countries.奥黛丽·赫本在《蒂凡尼的早餐》、《龙凤配》、《罗马假日》、《窈窕淑女》、《战争与和平》和《直到永远》等出色电影中主演的许多角色让观众为之陶醉。
尽管在电影界获得成功,但她最愿意塑造的角色却并不在影片中,而是做两个儿子的模范母亲和联合国儿童基金会亲善大使,为饱受战争蹂躏的人们服务。
As a young girl during the Nazi occupation of her native Holland, Audrey Hepburn was aware of the brutality, death, and destruction of war.She was hungry and malnourished, as her family was bankrupted as a result of the invasion.Audrey's father abandoned the family, and two of her uncles were taken captive and killed.Audrey was grabbed off the street by Nazis and placed in line to be sent to a work camp.When the guards glanced away she darted off, barely escaping, and huddled in a cold, foul basement full of rats.The little girl who would become the world's most magical actre began as an anonymous refugee confronting life's horrors and fragility firsthand.But she refused to allow her spirit to be afflicted by the desperate reality of her young life.Instead, she transcended those challenges but never forgot what it felt like to suffer, to be hungry, alone and helple.作为一名在纳粹占领下的祖国荷兰生活的小女孩,奥黛丽·赫本清楚战争所带来的野蛮、死亡和破坏。由于受到侵略,家庭破产,奥黛丽经常食不果腹,营养不良。她的父亲拋弃了家庭,两个舅舅也被俘,并且惨遭杀害。奥黛丽被纳粹分子从大街上抓走,与准备被押往劳役营的人放在一起。趁卫兵不注意,她飞快地跑开,惊险逃脱了,蜷缩着躲在一个满是耗子、又冷又脏的地下室里。
这个日后将成为世界上最具魅力女星的小女孩刚开始只是一个无名难民,直面生命中的恐惧和脆弱。不过她并没有让自己的精神受到幼年生活中残酷现实的影响。相反,她克服了种种挑战,而又从没忘记那种受苦挨饿、孤立无助的感觉。
After the war, Audrey and her mother left Holland, arriving in London as poor immigrants.Her dream of becoming a prime dancer drove her into a rigorous schedule at a famous ballet school.Later, she was spotted by a producer and eventually landed a role in the film Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck, one of Hollywood's top leading men.Soon, Audrey was transformed from a malnourished immigrant to an internationally famous movie star.Director Billy Wilder complimented her, saying, “Audrey walked beautifully, she spoke beautifully.Although she won many Academy Awards and other honors for acting, Audrey felt that her most significant work was humanitarian work with those in need, and as the mother to her two sons.She suffered through two divorces and from her memories of the war.Yet, Audrey never let her sadne overcome her or jeopardize her hope for a brighter future.Audrey finally met her soul mate, Robert Wolders, and spent the last 12 years of her life with him.战后,奥黛丽和母亲离开荷兰,到达伦敦,成了贫穷的移民。奥黛丽梦想成为一名一流的舞蹈家,这驱使她去了一所著名的芭蕾舞学校,接受严苛的训练安排。后来,她被一位制片人发现,并最终得到机会,在好莱坞顶级男演员格列高利·派克主演的电影《罗马假日》中饰演一角。
很快,奥黛丽就从营养不良的移民变成了国际知名的影星。导演比利·怀尔德称赞她说:“奥黛丽行姿优美,言谈优雅。”尽管她数度获得奥斯卡金像奖和其他演艺荣誉,奥黛丽觉得自己最重要的工作还是为那些需要帮助的人开展人道主义服务,以及当好两个儿子的母亲。她经历了两次离婚,并忍受着战争记忆带给她的悲伤,然而,奥黛丽从不让这些悲伤支配自己,或者影响自己对美好未来的向往。最后,奥黛丽遇到了她的灵魂伴侣,罗伯特·沃尔德斯,并和他一起度过了人生的最后 12 年。
Becoming famous never changed Audrey's generous and compaionate character.She felt a deep sense of responsibility to alleviate suffering of those in need, especially children.Friends said Audrey had a complete lack of ego and accepted and appreciated others as they were.Though she became very wealthy, she owned only one home in Switzerland.For Audrey it was a paradise where she could hide from the world with her beloved family, work in her garden and take long walks in nature.成名从没改变奥黛丽慷慨大方、慈悲为怀的性格。她怀有一种强烈的责任感,要减轻生活困难的人——特别是儿童——的痛苦。朋友们说,奥黛丽一点都不自我,并且接受和欣赏别人的一切。
尽管她十分富有,但奥黛丽只有一套住房,在瑞士。对奥黛丽而言,它是一个天堂。在那里她可以和心爱的家人一起避开尘世,在花园劳作,在大自然里悠然散步。
In 1988, Audrey was appointed a Goodwill Ambaador for UNICEF designed to provide emergency food and healthcare to children suffering the destruction of war or other catastrophes.In that role, her lifelong paion for helping those in need, found its greatest calling.She turned down three million dollars to pen her autobiography and instead accepted one dollar a year in the more conscientious role as diplomat for UNICEF.For seven months out of each of her last five years, she and Robby left the peace and beauty in their cozy home to embark on outreach trips into some of the most difficult places on earth.From Bangladesh, Sudan, India, Vietnam, Kenya, Ethiopia, Central and South America, to Somalia, Audrey Hepburn traveled representing UNICEF, making over 50 emotionally draining and physically dangerous miions into bleak destinations to raise world awarene of wars and droughts.Having been a victim of war, she understood the bleing of being the beneficiary of food, clothing, and, most of all, hope.1988 年,奥黛丽被任命为联合国儿童基金会亲善大使,这个基金会专门为受到战争或其他大灾难伤害的儿童提供紧急食品援助和卫生保健。亲善大使这个角色让她毕生帮助有困难的人的热情化为了神圣的使命。
别人出三百万美金请她写自传,她拒绝了。但她却接受了每年一美元的联合国儿童基金会大使这个更需责任心的角色。在生命的最后五年里,每年她和罗比都有七个月离开他们温馨居所的静谧和美丽,启程外出到地球上最困难的一些地方去。从孟加拉国、苏丹、印度、越南、肯尼亚、埃塞俄比亚、中南美洲到索马里,奥黛丽·赫本代表联合国儿童基金会四处奔走,承担了五十多项劳心劳力、危及生命安全的任务,深入到荒凉之地,唤起世界人民对战争和旱灾的关注。因为自己曾经也是战争受害者,她理解得到食品和衣物的援助,尤其是获得希望,是多大的幸福。
Audrey felt it was wicked that billions of children were deprived of simple joys and drowned in overwhelming misery.She believed deeply in the ideology that all people share in the duty to care for those in need.Audrey Hepburn was always ready to lead by example.She said: ”When you deny childhood, you deny life.She saw UNICEF's work as an integral, sacred force in people's lives and said of UNICEF's results, “Anyone who doesn't believe in miracles is not a realist.” 奥黛丽觉得,太多的儿童被剥夺了简单的快乐而陷入无边的痛苦之中,这是一种罪恶。她坚信一个理念:所有人都有责任去关心那些需要帮助的人。奥黛丽·赫本始终都身为表率。她说:“当你放弃童年,你就放弃了生命。”她将联合国儿童基金会的工作看作人们生活中不可分割、神圣的力量,谈到其成果时她说:“任何不相信奇迹的人都不是一个现实主义者。” In 1992, Audrey was stricken by cancer.She, Robby and her two sons returned to their home in Switzerland for their last Christmas together.Audrey's long-time friend and world-famous French fashion designer, Hubert de Givenchy, spoke to his cherished friend for the last time, just before she died.He said she was serene at the end because she knew she had achieved everything with perfection“.Audrey Hepburn's paion for service was enduring.Even as her life ended at 63 years of age, she remained a gracious woman who perpetually signified simplicity, charity, charm and kindne.1992 年,奥黛丽患了癌症。她和罗比、两个儿子回到他们在瑞士的家,一起度过了最后一个圣诞节。
奥黛丽的老朋友、世界著名的法国时装设计师于贝尔·德·纪梵希在她去世前,最后一次和他的挚友说话。他说她“„„最后是安详的,因为她知道她已经完美地实现了一切”。
奥黛丽·赫本对服务的热情是持久的。即使在她 63 岁生命终止的时候,她仍然充满着关爱,永远象征着纯朴、仁爱、魅力和善良。
The majesty of Audrey Hepburn's spirit of social responsibility and dedication lives on in her words: ”Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm.As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.“ And ”For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindne;and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.“ 奥黛丽的社会责任感和奉献的伟大精神在她的话语中得以传扬:“记住,如果你在任何时候需要一只手来帮助你,你可以在自己手臂的末端找到它。随着你的成长,记住你还有一只手,一只用来帮助自己,另一只用来帮助别人。”“要想有美丽双眸,就要善于发现他人优点;要想双唇动人,只说和善之辞;要想镇定自信,谨记自己始终与大家同行。”
课文B
Alife in film
斯皮尔伯格的电影人生
Steven had to face rejections and obstacles in his film-creating efforts, but his persistence and dedication transformed the obstacles into an alternative route to succe.At 12 years old, Steven Spielberg was already visiting film shootings at Universal Studios in his office suit, a packed lunch tucked into his briefcase.The young boy tried to immerse himself in film in any way poible.He had been given an administrative job at Universal Studios from a friend of his father's, and every day, even though he didn't have a legitimate security pa, he would try to manipulate his way past the guards and into his personal paradise.Such persistence is hardly surprising from a boy whose lifelong conviction was to ”Make sure you are right and go on!“(adopted from a 1954 Disney film).史蒂文在拍摄电影的努力过程中不得不面对无数拒绝和障碍,但他的坚持和付出将困难转变成了一条成功之道。
年仅 12 岁,史蒂文·斯皮尔伯格就已身着办公制服,公文包里带着午餐,光顾环球影视公司的电影拍摄了。这个男孩尽力通过各种方法让自己融入电影。他父亲的一位朋友曾给他一份在环球影视公司的行政工作。每天,即使他没有合法安检通行证,他依然设法绕过看守,进入自己的天堂。对于一位终身信念是“确定你是对的,然后勇往直前!”(出自一部 1954 年迪斯尼影片)的小男孩而言,这种坚持并不让人意外。
When Steven was eight years old, his father gave him a Brownie 8 mm film camera as his birthday present.Steven immediately began collecting footage of family events, and he simulated action scenes with his miniature toy spacecraft, populating his films with his neighborhood friends as actors.People quickly began to recognize his terrific talent, and he won a prize for cinematography for his early western The Last Gunfight;years later, he won a national contest for his film Escape to Nowhere.His film Firelight was twice analyzed by a national newspaper and was presented in the city theater as if it were a Hollywood premiere.By the time he was 17 years old, Steven had established himself as a director with the artistic intuition of a man twice his age.史蒂文 8 岁时,父亲送给他一部布朗尼 8 毫米电影摄像机作为生日礼物。史蒂文马上着手收集家庭事件的镜头,用自己的微型玩具飞船模拟动作场景,并让街坊朋友在他的影片中做演员。人们很快开始发现他惊人的才能:凭借早期西部片《最后的枪战》,他赢得一项摄影奖;几年后又凭电影《无处容身》在全国比赛中获胜。他的电影《火光》得到一家全国性报纸的两次评析,并在当地电影院像首映的好莱坞大片一样放映。到 17 岁时,史蒂文已经确立了自己导演的地位,并具有年龄大自己一倍的人才有的艺术直觉。
His achievements are certainly related to the personal obstacles and setbacks he faced from an early age.Steven's family moved often, so that he was constantly trying to find his place in a turbulent environment with new people.Despite his natural intelligence, Steven had a carefree attitude and put little effort into school.He consistently earned only a C average, or lower.Socially, he wasn't athletic or popular, and since his conspicuous interest in film made him seem eccentric, clamates shunned and mocked him.His home life was not ideal either, as his father's rigid engineering temperament could not understand his or his mother's artistic personalities.Steven would mi his father when he was gone for long work trips, and then reverted to furiously arguing with him as soon as he returned.Finally, when he was in high school, his parents ended their unhappy marriage with a divorce.The theme of the lack of a father figure consistently infected Steven's films.他的成就和他早年经历的那些障碍和挫折息息相关。史蒂文的家庭经常搬迁,于是他总要在动荡的环境、陌生的人群中寻找自己的位置。尽管天生聪明,史蒂文却态度散漫,对学业并不上心,平均成绩一直只能得 C 或更低。在社交方面,他体育上不擅长,也不受人欢迎。由于他的兴趣明显都在电影上,他看上去古里古怪,同学们不是躲着他就是取笑他。
由于工科出身的父亲性格呆板,不理解他和母亲的艺术个性,他的家庭生活也不理想。在父亲外出工作的漫长期间,史蒂文也会想念他,但一回家两人就又狂暴地争吵。最后,在他上高中时,父母离婚,结束了他们不幸福的婚姻。缺少父亲形象的主题一直影响着史蒂文的影片。
Unfriendly surroundings at home and school made Steven strive even harder to achieve in the film world.He applied to two of the best film schools in the country: the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles.But even with a formidable 10 years of experiences in filmmaking and his friends at Universal Studios endorsing him, his grades were too poor, and he was flatly turned down at both institutions.Unwilling to give up, Steven entered the California State University, where he hoped the program in TV and radio might open his way to Hollywood.Unfortunately, the university was not suited to his experience, and one academician recalled, ”Steven knew more about cameras, mounts, and lenses than anyone else in the department.He could teach there.“ Despite his manifest talent, his low grades sabotaged transfer attempts, forcing real film schools to withhold acceptance.家庭和学校的冷漠环境让史蒂文更加努力,以期在电影界有所成就。他申请了两家国内最好的电影院校,南加州大学和加州大学洛杉矶分校。尽管有十年丰富的电影制作经验和环球影视公司朋友的支持,但是由于成绩太差,他仍被两个大学断然拒绝。
史蒂文不愿意就此放弃,去了加州州立大学。他希望在那里广播电视的专业学习能打开他通往好莱坞的道路。不幸的是,这所大学并不适合他这种经历的人。一位学者回忆道:“史蒂文比系里的任何人都更懂摄像机、底座、镜头等相关知识,他完全可以在那里任教。”尽管他才华出众,但学业成绩太低使他转学受挫,真正的电影学校都不接纳他。
Steven contrived to rectify the situation on his own by diverting his attention away from academics.He cleaned his old suit and briefcase and returned to visiting Universal Studios where he had worked as a boy.He discreetly sneaked into any department he could, such as shooting rooms, editing and sound-mixing studios, and he quietly watched until he was discovered and ordered to leave.Introducing himself under the pretext of being either an actor, director, or producer, he would invite people to dinner to make connections and learn as much as he could.Even though he was caught and expelled at least once a day, he always returned to smuggle himself back in again.Steven repeatedly tried to prove himself to the Universal executives, while working in a cafeteria to save up money for equipment.He would discretely create scenes and then shoot and re-shoot his movies.He kept upgrading from 8 to 16 and finally 35 mm film before he was allowed a screening.Finally, his film Amblin was given a chance in front of the executives.It was a short, silent film and the plot differed greatly from the sci-fi and combat films that would later predominate Steven's career.Still, the short film was awesome enough to win Steven, only 21 years old, a seven-year contract with Universal Studios.史蒂文设法自己改变处境,将注意力从学业转移开来。他清理好旧制服和公文包,重新回到儿时曾工作过的环球影视公司。他悄悄地溜进任何他能进入的部门,像拍摄间、剪辑间、音效间等,静静地观看,直到被人发现并被赶走。他假装介绍自己是演员、导演或制片人,邀请别人一起吃饭来积攒人脉,并尽可能地学习。即使他每天至少有一次会被逮到并被赶走,但他总是回来再偷偷混进去。
史蒂文一边再三向环球公司管理层证明自己,一边在餐厅打工攒钱买设备。他将各场景单独进行创作,一次又一次地拍摄。在得到放映机会前,他不断升级胶片,从 8 毫米到 16 毫米,再到 35 毫米。最后,他的影片《漫步前行》终于有机会出现在管理层面前。这是一部无声短片,情节和史蒂文日后职业生涯中的主流科幻片和战争片大相径庭。不过那个短片依然足够精彩,为年仅 21 岁的史蒂文赢得了环球的七年合约。
After directing smaller TV dramas and low-budget projects, Steven earned the chance to direct his big Hollywood debut: a thriller film starring a shark!Jaws was a box office hit and it made Steven famous.He continued his relationship with Universal Studios to produce the notable movies E.T., Juraic Park, and Schindler's List As his first producer said, ”It is not by any coincidence that Steven is in his present position.“ Instead, it is Steven's committed spirit that has strengthened him in standing fast against all rejections, prejudice and skepticism and driven him to keep moving onward.在执导了多部小型电视剧和低成本项目后,史蒂文得到机会导演他的第一部好莱坞大片,一部关于鲨鱼的惊悚片!《大白鲨》成为了票房冠军,让史蒂文一举成名。他和环球继续合作,又拍摄了《外星人》、《侏罗纪公园》和《辛德勒的名单》等著名影片。
正如他的第一个制片人所言:“史蒂文能达到目前的地位绝非偶然。”相反,是史蒂文执著的精神让他能够脚踏实地,直面所有拒绝、偏见和怀疑,并推动他持续向前。Unit 4 Let’s Go
课文A
The surprising purpose of travel
令人惊奇的旅行目的It's 4:15 in the morning, and my alarm clock has just stolen away a lovely dream.I almost return back to sleep before my eye catches my packed suitcase and I groan, remembering that I'm going to the airport.The taxi is late and then lost, and I'm getting increasingly nervous that I'll mi my flight.I run in when we arrive, stagger through security and finally get to my gate.After all the trouble of this morning, my flight is canceled and I'm stuck in this terminal for the next 218 minutes, and my only consolation is a cup of complimentary airport coffee.This is traveling, a burdensome series of running and waiting, and after countle hours, finally getting there.早晨四点一刻,闹钟把我从美梦中惊醒,要不是突然看见早已收拾好的行李箱,我几乎又要睡着。想起来还要去机场,我叹了口气。出租车来晚了,并且在途中迷了路,我越来越担心会赶不上飞机。出租车一到机场我就冲进去,跌跌撞撞通过安检处,终于,我来到了登机口。经历这一早所有的麻烦事,我乘坐的航班却被取消了。在接下来的 218 分钟里,我被困在了机场,唯一觉得安慰的是机场提供的一杯免费咖啡。这就是旅行,让人心烦的跑跑停停。最终,在不知经过多少小时之后,终于到达要去的地方。
Why do we travel? I don't mind the actual flying, the wonder of being airborne in a dense metal bird.The rest of the journey, however, can feel like a tedious leon in the ills of modernity, from the predawn x-ray screening to the sad airport malls selling clusters of keepsakes.It's the result of a globalized world, and it sucks.我们为什么要旅行?其实,我并不介意飞行本身,在这样一个密实的金属大鸟中飞行,让我感到很奇妙。然而,旅程其余的部分,从一大早 X 光检查到出售大堆纪念品的糟糕的机场商场,感觉就像是关于现代社会弊病的乏味课程。这是全球化的结果,它糟糕透了。
Sometimes, of course, we travel because we need to.Because in this digital age, there is still something important about the handshake at a busine luncheon.Or eating mom's special food on Thanksgiving.Or seeing your girlfriend on your 2-year anniversary.当然,有时候我们旅行是因为我们需要去旅行。因为即使在这个数字化时代,我们仍然有一些很重要的事情要去做,比如在商务午餐中与生意伙伴握手,或是在感恩节这天吃上妈妈特别准备的食物,或是在你和你女朋友的两周年纪念日这天去看她。
But most travel is decidedly optional.Only corporate travel, about 30% of trips over 50 miles, is truly compulsory.Instead, we travel because we want to, because the annoyances of the airport are offset by the thrill of being someplace new.Because work is streful and our blood preure is too high and we need a vacation somewhere tropical.Because home is boring.Because the flights are on sale.Because Paris is Paris.但是大多数旅行是可去可不去的,在超过 50 英里的旅行中,只有 30%属于真正必需的商务旅行。我们旅行是因为我们想要去旅行,因为到一个新地方的兴奋和激动可以抵消在机场的各种烦心事;因为工作压力太大,我们的血压太高,我们要去热带地区度假;因为在家实在太无聊;因为航班都在打折;因为巴黎毕竟是巴黎。
Thanks to modern aviation, we can now move through space at an inhuman speed.For the first time in human history, we can outrun the sun and move from one hemisphere to another in a single day.Of course, it's not enough to simply get on a plane.If we want to realize the creative benefits of travel, then we have to re-think its overall purpose.Most people, after all, escape to Paris so they don't have to think about those troubles they left behind.But here's the irony: Our mind is most likely to solve our most stubborn problems while we are sitting in luxury in a Left Bank cafe.So, instead of contemplating that buttery deert, we should be conscious of those domestic iues we just can't solve.多亏了现代航空技术,我们现在可以以非凡的速度在空中穿梭。在人类历史中,这是我们第一次超过太阳——在短短一天中从一个半球到达另一个半球。当然,仅仅往飞机上一坐是不够的。我们要想认识到旅行在提高创新力方面的价值,还得再全面考虑其目的。毕竟,大多数人逃到巴黎,是因为这样他们就可以不必考虑家里的那些烦心事。但是,具有讽刺意味的是,当我们坐在豪华的左岸咖啡馆时,我们的脑子极有可能能解决那些最棘手的问题。因此,我们应该考虑那些在家里解决不了的问题,而不是琢磨那些奶油甜点。
The larger leon, though, is that our thoughts are saturated with the familiar.The brain is a space of near infinite poibility, which means that it spends a lot of time and energy choosing what not to notice.As a result, creativity is traded away for efficiency;we think in finite, literal prose, not symbolic verse.A bit of distance, however, helps loosen the cognitive chains that imprison us, making it easier to mingle the new with the old;the mundane is grasped from a slightly more abstract perspective.According to research, the experience of an exotic culture endows us with a valuable open-mindedne, making it easier to realize that even a trivial thing can have multiple meanings.Consider the act of leaving food on the plate: In China, this is often seen as a compliment, a signal that the host has provided enough to eat.But in America the same act is a subtle insult, an indication that the food wasn't good enough to finish.但更应该知道的是我们的思想被熟悉的东西所充满。大脑是一个几乎具有无限可能性的空间,这就意味着它花了大量的时间和精力选择不去注意什么。因此,我们牺牲创造力来换取效率。我们以字义明确的散文方式思考,而非以具有象征意义的诗歌方式思考。然而,一点的距离就可以帮助我们放松禁锢我们认知的链条,使新旧思想的结合更容易,对平淡无奇的事情可从更抽象的角度加以认知。有研究指出,体验异国文化可以赋予我们宝贵的开放性思维,使我们更容易明白即使是微不足道的事物也可以有多种意义。想一想把食物剩在盘子里这个行为:在中国,这通常被看成是一种赞美,说明主人提供了足够的食物。但是在美国,同样的行为却暗含侮辱,表明食物不够好,人们不愿意吃完。
Such multicultural contrasts mean that seasoned travelers are open to ambiguity, willing to realize that there are decidedly different(and equally valid)ways of interpreting the world.This, in turn, allows them to expand the circumference of their “cognitive inputs” as they refuse to settle for their first answers and initial guees.这种多元文化对比说明,经验丰富的旅行者会接受对事物的多样性解读,他们欣然认识到对这个世界可以有截然不同(但却同样有效)的方式进行解释。这也从而让他们扩大了“认知输入”的范围,因为他们拒绝仅仅满足于他们的最初答案和先前的猜测。
Of course, this mental flexibility doesn't come from mere distance, a simple change in latitude and longitude.Instead, this renaiance of creativity appears to be a side effect of difference: We need to change cultures, to experience the disorienting diversity of human traditions.The same facets of foreign travel that are so confusing(Do I tip the waiter? Where is this train taking me?)turn out to have a lasting impact, making us more creative because we're le insular.We're reminded of all that we don't know, which is nearly everything;we're surprised by the constant stream of surprises.Even in this globalized age, we can still be amazed at all the earthly things that weren't included in the Lets Go guidebook and that certainly don't exist back home.当然,这种思维的灵活性不仅仅来自纯粹的距离变化,即简单的经纬度的变化。相反,这种创造力的复兴似乎是差异所带来的副产品:我们需要处于不同的文化中,体验人类传统中纷繁复杂的多样性。在国外旅行中让人迷惑的同一个方面的问题(如我该给服务生小费吗?火车要把我带到哪里?),产生了一种持久的影响,使我们更加具有创造性,因为我们不再那么视野狭隘了。我们了解了我们不知道的东西,而这些东西几乎涵盖了一切;我们对接连不断的惊喜感到惊奇。即使在这个全球化的时代,我们仍然会对所有未包括在《旅行指南》中的、平常的东西感到惊奇,而这些东西在自己家中也不存在。
So, let's not pretend that travel doesn't have its drawbacks, or that we endure jet lag for pleasure.We don't spend 10 hours lost in the Louvre because we like it, and the view from the top of Machu Picchu probably doesn't make up for the trouble of lost luggage.(More often than not, I need a vacation after my vacation.)We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret cornerstones of creativity.When we get home, home is still the same.But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.当然,我们也并不是假装旅行没有缺点,或是说我们忍受飞行时差综合反应只是为了消遣。在卢浮宫我们迷路十个小时,那不是因为我们喜欢迷路。我们站在马丘比丘古城遗址顶端俯瞰的风景可能也并不能弥补我们丢失行李的麻烦。(通常,我在假期结束后还需要一个休假。)我们旅行是因为我们需要旅行,因为距离与差异是创造力的秘密基石。我们回家后,家还是那个家,但是我们的思维已经有所改变,而这就可以改变一切。
课文B
Traveling solofriends, acquaintances, co-workers.You could join a tour.Or, you could go alone.所以,现在你整装待发,去实现探索中国的梦想,亲自去发现这个国家的灵魂所在。但是不幸的是,刚一开始就没有朋友分享你的梦想。你姐姐怀孕了,不能去旅行;你最好的朋友刚刚找到新工作,没办法休假。你该怎么办呢?你可能会询问认识的每一个人——朋友,熟人,同事。你可以参团旅游。或者,你也可以自己一个人去。
To travel alone is a difficult decision for anyone, though especially for women.For me, it came naturally.I made that trip to China, and then zigzagged on a multinational excursion through Indonesia, Thailand, England and France.对于任何人来说,独自旅行都是一个艰难的决定。对女性来说尤其如此。而对我而言,这个决定却再自然不过。我先去了中国,然后再辗转到了印度尼西亚、泰国、英国和法国,经历了一次多国之旅。
But the reactions I've gotten, from people I know, fellow travelers, and especially, from the natives of the countries I've visited, showed me that solo traveling is strange, and even considered inconceivable or reckle by many people.People ask me if the isolation makes me sad or even if I'm more susceptible to violent or dangerous situations.但是,我从认识的人、旅友,尤其是所到国家的居民的反应中得知,很多人觉得独自旅行很怪异,甚至会觉得不可思议和欠考虑。人们问我单独一人会不会觉得难过,甚至问我是不是更容易遭遇暴力或者危险情况。
This has been sometimes a bleing, sometimes a curse.I remember searching desperately for accommodations in Taiwan.The university listed in my booklet no longer had dormitories for travelers, and I was lucky when the desk clerk called a young woman out of a nearby office.As it turned out, she was offering to let me stay at her flat and even had a friend come show me around the city the next day.单独旅行有时是件好事,有时则不然。我想起曾经有一次在台湾绝望地寻找住处的经历。我的手册上列出的大学已经没有宿舍提供给旅游者了。幸运的是,接待人员从旁边办公室叫出一个年轻女孩儿。结果,这个女孩儿让我在她的公寓住了一晚,甚至第二天还让她的一个朋友带我在这座城市转了转。
Also in Taiwan, I met two girls who smuggled me into their hotel room, gave me one of the beds(they shared the other), and took me to a feast with their tour group.When they heard my next stop was their hometown, they arranged for a bilingual friend to pick me up at the train station.还是在台湾,我遇见两个女孩儿。她们偷偷地把我带进旅店的房间,让我睡其中的一张床(她们俩挤另一张床),还带我和她们的旅行团一起吃了顿丰盛的饭。当她们听说我下一站要去她们的家乡时,又安排了一个会说两种语言的朋友到火车站接我。
But there has also been the downside of those not-so-pleasant experiences.In Indonesia, a cute boy gave me a ride on his motorbike, and thought that gave him license to grope me illicitly.Many times in Indonesia, boys menaced me, auming I was willing to pay for their company.In Japan, I was picked up by a young man who refused to drop me at my Youth Hostel;he insisted I stay with his friends.The friends turned out to be four girls;I was safe, but one snored like a lawnmower, and it took me two days to escape.当然也有一些不太愉快的负面经历。在印度尼西亚,一个长相可爱的男孩儿让我搭乘了他的摩托车,认为这样他就可以非礼我。在那里,常常有一些男孩儿威胁我,认为我同意付钱让他们陪游。在日本,一个年轻男人让我搭车,却拒绝让我在青年旅馆下车,他坚持让我和他的朋友们呆在一起。结果我发现,他的朋友是四个女孩儿。我很安全,但是其中一个人打呼噜就像割草机一样。我花了两天时间才逃走。I've been irritated and perplexed many timesa long afternoon in Thailand all alone in the back of a hay wagon and then seven days in the back of a truck with a Brit, two Auies and two Norwegians!Eating ethnic food on my way through eastern Korea with four youthful Japanese salarymen.Getting sick in China, and being nursed with chocolate bars and tiues by a couple from Texas.如果身边有一个同伴陪着我,也许就能使我避免刚刚讲的那些问题。但是这也会使我错失其他的机会,比如我在泰国装干草的马车后面独自坐了整个下午,然后和一个英国人、两个澳大利亚人、两个挪威人在一辆卡车的后车厢里呆了七天;我在去韩国东部的路上和四个年轻的日本上班族品尝了民族风味的食物;在中国生病了,有一对来自得克萨斯州的夫妻照顾我,给我吃巧克力棒,递纸巾。
The few times I have traveled with a companion, I haven't had the same ample opportunities to meet people.Other travelers can swap stories with you about the local folklore of the places they've been to and often have credible insights into the place you're visiting.Locals are also more likely to see you as approachable and be upfront with you when you're on your own.在我为数不多的几次结伴旅行中,我就没有那么多的机会结识那么多的人。其他旅游者会给你讲他们到过的地方的民间风情,对于你正在旅行的地方,他们也有令人信服的见解。当你独自一人旅行时,当地人也会觉得你更容易接近,从而愿意和你坦诚相对。
Of course you have to be careful not to endanger yourself by throwing caution to the wind.Watch your back, but don't presume the worst and be overly fearful.Be friendly with people, but watch out for those who are too friendly with you.Don't disregard your instincts.If you hear stories about criminals on a road, take the road“wage slaves”.一个人要想真正快乐,必须觉得自己既自由又重要。如果觉得自己是受社会逼迫而做自己不喜欢的工作,或者自己喜欢的工作被认为没价值或不重要而遭社会忽视,那他绝不会快乐。在一个奴隶制度严格说来已经被废除的社会里,工作的社会含义、工作的价值和薪水,已经把许多劳役者降格为现代奴隶——“薪奴”。
People are considered laborers if their job has an adverse effect on them, yet they feel compelled to continue working by the neceity of conforming to societal expectations and earning the revenue to support themselves and their families.The polar opposite of labor is play.When we play a game, we enjoy what we are doing, but it is a purely private pastime;society does not care when or whether we play.如果人们的工作对自己有负面的影响,但为了遵从社会的期望或者挣钱养家糊口而被迫必须继续工作,那么他们就被认为是劳役者。劳役的对立面是玩乐。当我们玩游戏时,我们很享受正在做的事情,但这仅仅是个人娱乐。社会对我们何时玩乐或者是否玩乐并不关心。
Between labor and play stands work.People are labeled as workers if their personal interests coincide with the jobs society pays them to do;what is neceary labor from the point of view of society is voluntary play from the individual's personal point of view.Whether a job is to be designated as labor or work depends, not on the job itself, but on the tastes of the individual who undertakes it.The difference does not, for example, correlate with the difference between a manual and mental job or between jobs of low or high esteem;a gardener covered in dirt in a greenhouse may be a worker while a well-dreed city mayor may prove to be an unhappy laborer!处于劳役和玩乐之间的就是工作。如果人们的个人兴趣跟社会付酬让他们做的工作相吻合,他们就被称为工作者。社会上看来一定是苦工的事情对个人来说却是自在的玩乐活动。一份活到底应定为工作还是劳役并不取决于其本身,而是承担这份活的个人感受。比如,二者的区别与是体力活还是脑力活或尊严的高低没有关联。温室里满身尘土的园丁可能是工作者,而衣冠楚楚的市长则可能是一个不开心的劳役者!
People's attitude toward their work determines everything.To workers, leisure means simply the hours they need to relax and rest in order to work efficiently.Workers are therefore more prone to dedicate more time to working, taking too little leisure rather than too much.To laborers, on the other hand, leisure means autonomy from compulsion, so it is natural for them to imagine that the fewer hours they have to spend laboring, and the more hours they have free for play, the better.人们对自己工作的态度决定了一切。对工作者而言,闲暇只是为了更有效地工作而需要放松休息的时间。因此,工作者更倾向于投入更多的时间工作,而花在休闲上的时间并非很多,而是很少。而对劳役者而言,休闲意味着从被迫状态中得到自主。因此,他们自然会想,花在劳作上的时间越少,自在玩乐的时间越多,则越好。
Besides the mere hours spent in leisure, workers and laborers differ in the amount of personal satisfaction they derive from their jobs.Workers who enjoy their jobs will be happier, le streed, and generally more satisfied with their lives.They will also work with more diligence and precision because they have fostered a sense of personal pride in their jobs.On the other hand, laborers, whose sole incentive is earning their livelihood, feel that the time they spend on the daily grind is wasted and doesn't contribute to their happine.Instead of valuing all 24 hours of their day as enjoyable and productive hours, they gauge only the time spent in leisure and play as meaningful.Unfortunately, laborers are all too commonplace, and only a small percentage of the population is in the lucky position of being workers.除了花在闲暇上的时间不同,工作者和劳役者的区别还在于他们从工作中获得的个人满足感不同。工作者喜欢自己的工作,感觉更快乐,更轻松,通常对自己的生活更满意。他们工作起来也会更勤奋,更精细,因为他们对自己的工作已经产生了一种自豪感。相反,由于劳役者的唯一动力是挣生活费,他们觉得每天花在苦差上的时间是一种浪费,不会让自己快乐。他们不把每天的 24 小时都当作愉快有用的时光,认为只有花在休闲娱乐上的时间才是有意义的。不幸的是,劳役者太常见了,只有一小部分人能有幸成为工作者。
In recent decades, technological innovation and the division of labor have caused major economic changes by eliminating the need for special strength or skill in many fields and have turned many paid occupations with enjoyable work into boring labor.Increasing productivity with automated machines, such as robots, has reduced the number of neceary laboring hours.It is poible to imagine an upcoming society in which the majority of the population will have almost as much leisure time as in earlier times was enjoyed by the medieval aristocracy.The medieval aristocrats had an abundance of leisure time but often wasted it in trivial pursuit of games and fashion.Likewise, modern-day laborers with too much leisure time may find it difficult to refrain from the addictive and trivial pursuits of celebrity goip, extravagant fashion, and exceive video games and TVhuman life is now worth next to nothing.当冬季来临的时候,我们停了下来,不再逃避轰炸,这样我们就可以躲过恶劣的天气了。对正常情况下的人们来说,冬天只不过是另一个季节。但对于战时的穷人来说,冬天是一个灾难,一个无处不在、持续不断的威胁。我们在贫民窟里找了套房子,勉强在风雪中栖身,但我们生不起火;我们既买不起燃料,也不敢冒险去偷。偷盗燃煤和木料是要处死的——人的生命在此时一文不值。
We have nothing to eat.My mother stands brooding at the window for hours;I can see her fixed stare.I can see other residents staring out into the street from many windows, as if they were waiting for something.I weave my way around the backyards with a gang of stray boys;it's something between play and searching for a scrap of anything edible.我们什么吃的也没有。我母亲在窗边愁闷着,一站就是几个小时,我能看到她呆滞的眼神。我能看到很多人从窗口旁盯着下面的街道看,好像在等待着什么。我和一群流浪的孩子在后院来回跑着玩儿,这既是游戏,也是在寻找一点吃的东西。
One day we hear that they'll be giving out candy in a store near the warehouse.Immediately we make a long queue of cold and hungry children.We stand in the frost all night and the following day, huddled together to summon a bit of warmth.Finally, they open the store.But instead of candy, we are each granted an empty metal container that once held some fruit drops.Weak and stiff from the cold, yet at this moment happy, I carry my treasure home, guarding it jealously.It's valuable;the inside wall of the can still has a sugar residue.My mother heats some water and pours it into the can.We have a dilute, sweet drink: Our only nutrition for days.有一天,听说他们会在仓库附近的一家商店散发糖果,我们这群饥寒交迫的孩子立即排了一条长队。我们在严寒中站了整整一夜以及第二天一整天,挤在一起以获得一丝暖意。终于,商店开门了,但发给我们每个人的却不是糖果,而是一个装过水果糖的空金属罐子。我虚弱不堪、冻得僵硬,但此刻却很开心,我带着我的宝贝回到家,小心地呵护着。它很珍贵,因为它的内壁上还有糖渣。我母亲烧了些水,把水倒进去,稀释成了甜甜的饮料:这是我们这些天唯一的营养。
I can't quite remember when or how the war ended for us;my mind is always drawn back to that first day in the meadow, the explosions destroying the peaceful flowers and the naive days of my childhood.Try as I might, I still can't understand what we could have done to justify all the suffering war inevitably inflicts.我不太记得战争是何时结束的,如何结束的。我的记忆总是被拉回到第一天草地上的情形,那天,爆炸破坏了花丛的宁静,也打破了我童年的纯真时光。无论我如何努力,我还是不清楚当初到底我们做了什么,要让我们承受战争不可避免带来的所有这些伤害。
课文B
Smith and Luis
史密斯上尉和路易的故事
Ever since the arrival of the American military, Luis Dutarte's world had changed.Overnight, a military camp had sprung to life on the empty field just below his home in Normandy.For a seven-year-old orphan, it was in eence a dream come to life.His keeper Mrs.Bijeaux, had to drag him in at night from his terrace on the cliff overlooking the beach.自从美国军队到来后,路易•迪塔尔特的世界发生了变化。一夜之间,在诺曼底他家下面的空地上,一个军营就矗立了起来。对一个七岁的孤儿来说,其实是梦境成真了。他家门前的大露台位于峭壁上,可以俯瞰沙滩,到了晚上,他的监护人比诺夫人得把他从那儿拽回屋。
Now he watched, wide-eyed, as jeeps roared up the road and men scrambled about, emptying trucks loaded with guns, ammunition, food, and giant army bags.He yawned as the scent of crisp bacon, eggs, coffee, and the smell of toast came from the kitchen tent.He tilted his small head back, breathing in the fragrance.His stomach moaned.现在,他眼睛睁得大大的,看着吉普车咆哮着沿路而上,士兵们来回奔忙,正在从卡车上卸载枪支、弹药、食物和巨大军用口袋。他打了个呵欠,这时闻到一阵脆培根、鸡蛋、咖啡和烤面包的香味从厨房帐篷传来。他扬起了小脑袋,闻着传来的香味。他的肚子在咕噜咕噜地叫。Ronald Smith, a lieutenant in the Seabees, the US Navy's Construction Battalion, held a clipboard and checked off the morning's accomplishments.The hospital tent was complete, as was the new shower.罗纳德•史密斯,美国海军工程营上尉,拿着一块笔记板,在核对早晨任务完成的情况。医护帐篷已建成,新的淋浴室也完工了。
Smith and his top sergeant had been busy since dawn, and it was now noon.He dispatched him, then took a moment and touched the breast pocket that held the photo of his wife and two young sons.It had been more than a year since he'd been deployed and last seen them.史密斯和他的军士长从早晨一直忙到现在,都已经是中午了。他打发走了军士长,抽出时间,从胸前的口袋里摸出了他的妻子和两个年幼儿子的合照。他上一次见到他们之后,被派到这里已经过了一年多了。
When the lieutenant turned to go, he saw something in the tall gra on the hill.He waved.A small hand waved back.There was a moment of hesitation;then, the boy timidly made his way down.上尉正要转身离开,他发现小山丘上的茂草丛中有什么东西。他挥了挥手,一只小手也挥了挥。犹豫了片刻,小男孩怯怯地走了下来。
Smith tried out his high school French, hoping he could remember the right wording: “Comment t'appelles-tu?”(What is your name?)史密斯试着用高中学过的法语,希望自己记得的法语表达是正确的:“你叫什么名字?” The boy blushed and his eyes shone.“Luis,” he said.小男孩儿脸红了,眼睛闪着光,说:“路易。”
Smith shook his hand.This little guy looked like he could use a good meal, and the camp had more than enough food.In his halting French, Smith invited Luis to have lunch.When the boy nodded, Smith lifted him onto his hip, as he might have done with one of his own sons, and walked briskly toward the tent.史密斯跟他握了握手。这个小家伙看起来可以在这儿饱餐一顿,营地有足够多的食物。史密斯用他结结巴巴的法语邀请路易去吃午餐。小男孩点点头,史密斯把他背到背上,就像对他自己的儿子那样,然后快步向帐篷走去。
Inside, dozens of young soldiers ate and talked.Smith piled two plates high with roast beef, carrots, and apple pie sprinkled with sugar.帐篷里,一群年轻的士兵在边吃边聊,史密斯给他盛了两盘堆得高高的烤牛肉、胡萝卜,还有撒着糖的苹果派。
After lunch, Smith held Luis' hand, and they walked into the June sunlight.He knelt beside the boy and explained that he had to go back to work.Luis nodded and ran back up the path to the tall gra, turning around to wave.午饭过后,史密斯牵着路易的手,走进六月的阳光里。他跪在小男孩儿旁边,解释说他得回去工作了。路易点点头,沿路跑回到了茂草丛,转身挥了挥手。
At 18:00 hours, as Smith was again heading for the me tent, he saw Luis sitting in the same spot.He motioned, and Luis ran to him.傍晚六点,史密斯再次前往那个用餐的帐篷,看见路易坐在同一个地方。他向路易招了招手,路易就跑了过来。
Dinner was fried chicken, potatoes, and peanut cookies.Smith again filled two plates, but Luis didn't eat as much as he had at lunch;it was clear that the boy wasn't used to so much food.But he clutched Smith's hand and smiled his shy smile.After dinner, Smith knelt close to Luis.“Bonsoir,” he said.“A demain.”(Goodnight.See you tomorrow.)He watched the boy walk up the path and out of sight.晚饭是炸鸡、土豆、花生饼干。史密斯又给他盛了两盘,但这次路易吃的没午饭多。很明显,小男孩还不习惯吃这么多的食物。但他抓住史密斯的手,害羞地朝他微笑。晚饭后,史密斯跪在路易旁边说:“晚安,明天见。”他看着小男孩沿路走远,消失在视线中。
Henceforth, Luis ate with Smith all of the time.The other soldiers didn't mind;in fact, the boy helped ease their homesickne.Luis giggled when Smith carried him aloft on his shoulders and soon began riding along in the jeep down to the beach, where Smith supervised the unloading of freight from the ships and took inventory.When Smith oversaw construction projects in the camp, Luis tagged along.If Smith left the radius of the camp to rebuild a road or to repair a bridge, Luis waited in the vicinity for his return.从此以后,路易就整天和史密斯一起吃饭了。其他士兵也并不介意,事实上,这个小男孩儿可以帮助减轻他们的思乡之苦。当史密斯把他高举在自己的肩上时,路易就咯咯地笑,接着,他又跟史密斯一道坐着吉普车来到海滩,史密斯在这里监督货物从船上卸下来并清点货物。当史密斯视察营地的建设工程时,路易就寸步不离。如果史密斯离开营地去重建道路或是重修桥梁时,路易就在附近等他回来。
As the summer of 1994paed, Smith's French improved, and Luis learned to say hello, goodbye, jeep, ship, and ice cream, even though their conversations stayed pretty concise.1994年的夏天过去了,史密斯的法语水平有所提高,而路易也学会了用英语说“你好”,“再见”,“吉普车”,“轮船”和“冰淇淋”,尽管他们的谈话内容仍然很简练。
In mid-October, when Smith received orders to leave France, he drove to the local authorities to make some inquiries.He ascertained that Luis had been abandoned at birth and had no living relatives.But when he petitioned to adopt him and become his legal guardian, the answer was straightforward and firm: no.十月中旬,史密斯接到了命令要离开法国,他开车到地方当局做了一些咨询。他查明了路易在出生时就被遗弃了,没有亲人在世。但当他申请收养路易,成为他的法定监护人时,得到的答案直接而明确:不行。
Notwithstanding the regulations, Smith enclosed Luis in a hug and promised to return for him later.The two had grown so close amongst the trials of war, and Smith knew he would never forget the boy.What Smith could never have imagined was that he would never see Luis again.虽然有规定,史密斯还是紧紧地把路易抱在怀里,答应以后一定会回来找他。在战争的磨难中两人变得愈发亲近,史密斯知道自己是永远不会忘记这个男孩的,但是史密斯绝对没有想到的是他再也见不到路易了。
After the war ended, Smith took a multitude of trips returning to France looking for Luis.But try as he might, the familiar landmarks were gone.France was a country torn apart by the bombs of the war and then pieced back together again.Each day Smith would grieve.Yet, he remained dogged in his search for Luis.Smith knew in his heart that Luis was still alive and waiting, but he simply could not find any remnant of the boy he had come to love like a son.He combed through phone books and even hired a private investigator.His repeated failures haunted him as he repeatedly asked himself punishing questions: Why have I failed Luis? What could I have done differently? 战争结束后,史密斯曾多次返回法国寻找路易。尽管他竭尽全力,熟悉的标志却都消失了。法国被战争的炮火撕碎,然后又被重新拼凑起来。史密斯每天都十分悲痛。然而,他仍坚持不懈地在寻找路易。史密斯心里坚信路易还活着,还在等他,但是他就是找不到这个他曾经当亲生儿子对待的男孩的一点点踪迹。他翻遍了电话簿,甚至雇了一个私家侦探。他一次次地失败,他不停地问一直在折磨着自己的问题:为什么我会让路易失望呢?我当时如果做了不同的选择又会怎样?
As he grew older, Smith's pain increased.Finally, old age forced him to stop traveling, but Smith dwelled more and more on his one broken promise and lifelong regret.随着史密斯的老去,他的痛苦在逐渐加重。最终,他因为年龄太大无法再长途旅行了,但是他越来越纠结于自己这个无法实现的诺言和终生的遗憾。
In his final will, Smith instructed his children to continue where he had left off, pleading with them to find Luis.在他的遗愿中,史密斯让他的孩子们继续他没完成的事情,恳求他们找到路易。
Unit 7 Economy: Power behind everyday life 课文A
Surviving an economic crisis
经济危机中求生存
The economic slump so many people suffered through originated in the United States, with a regulatory failure of mortgages rated le risky than they turned out to be.As large numbers of homeowners proved unable to repay their loans, the companies that had the oversight and those that owned the loans(as well as their subsidiaries and their shareholders)lost sizable amounts of money.The effects of these drastic loes soon spiraled into the US job market as layoffs and terminations.The rebound was slow in coming.Many people experienced long months of struggles just like the character in this story.许许多多的人正经历的这场经济萧条发端于美国。对抵押贷款监管不力,致使当时的风险评估远低于现在的最终结果。由于大量的房产所有人无法偿还贷款,负责监管的公司、放贷的公司(以及其子公司及股份持有者)都损失了大笔的金钱。这些巨额亏损的后果很快就影响到美国就业市场,造成下岗或解雇。经济复兴迟迟不来。许多人几个月来都是苦苦挣扎,正如下面故事中的主人公那样。
Facing tenant eviction after several months of unpaid rent, Sue Johnson packed up whatever she could fit into her two-door automobile and drove out of town.苏•约翰逊有好几个月都未付房租了,面临着被逐出的境地,她把能塞进她的那辆双门轿车的东西都打包收拾好,离城而去。
She wound up at a motel, putting down the $26she had managed to scrape together from friends and from selling her living room set.It was all the money Sue had left after her unemployment benefits had expired.She faced life as a migrant, a previously unimaginable situation for a woman who, not that long before, had held a corporate job in a large metropolitan city and was enrolled in a graduate busine school.她最后在一家汽车旅馆落脚,交付了260美元的定金,这还是她设法从朋友那儿以及卖掉家具后凑齐的,是苏在失业救济金被终止后所有的余钱。她面临流浪生活,这在以前是难以想象的,而她不久以前都还在大都市里一家公司供职,并就读于商学院研究生班。
Sue knew that in all likelihood, she would end up living in her car.She was part of a hard-luck group of joble people who called themselves “99ers,” because they had exhausted the maximum 9weeks of unemployment insurance benefits that they could claim.苏明白自己最终很可能以车为家。她如今已成为倒霉的失业群体中的一份子,他们自称“99周人”,因为他们已经领完至多 9周的失业保险救济金。
Long-term unemployment was at record levels, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Modest payments of unemployment benefits were a lifeline that enabled people who were out-of-work to maintain at least an appearance of normalcy, keeping a roof over their heads, putting gas in their cars, paying electric and phone bills.根据劳动统计局的数据,长期失业率已达到创纪录的水平。些许的失业救济金对那些失去工作的人来说可是救命钱,这使他们不至于形貌落魄,无立锥之地;不至于无钱加油,缴不起电费话费。
Without the checks, people like Sue, who once was a director of client services at a technology company, began to tumble over the economic cliff.The last aspects of their former working-cla or middle-cla lives were gone, and all of them faced unsure futures.一旦收不到失业救济支票,哪怕是像苏这样曾经贵为技术公司客服经理的人,也会日益跌入经济窘迫的深渊;原有工薪阶层或中产阶级的最后一抹荣光也已消逝不在,所有人都前途未卜。
When Sue received her last unemployment check, she felt a wave of profound grief.With no income to deposit, Sue's checking account deteriorated into negative balances.Her car was on the verge of being repoeed.And, the constant harament of the financing company for her car loan added to her daily stre.Each day, like a ping pong ball, Sue went back and forth between resolve and despair.当苏收到最后一笔失业救济支票时,阵阵悲凉涌上心头。由于没有收入进账,苏的活期账户余额转为负值。汽车行将被收回!而且信贷公司不断骚扰,催还车贷,让她成天压力倍增。每天,苏就像乒乓球一样在信心和绝望之间起落不定。
It was a sickening plunge considering that only a short year and a half before, Sue was earning $56,00a year at her old job, enjoyed vacationing in places like Mexico and the Caribbean, and had started busine school at an excellent university.生活境遇真是令人痛心地一落千丈!想想仅在短短的一年半之前,苏在原有工作岗位上可挣到 56,00美元的年薪,可在像墨西哥、加勒比那样的地方度假,还就读于名校商学院。
Initially, Sue had tried to finish her university certification remotely, but finally dropped out because of the stre from her sinking finances.She applied for every poible job in the employment spectrum, from minimum-wage retail jobs to director positions.最初,苏还试图通过远程教育完成学业,但是由于自己经济状况每况愈下,最后只好辍学。她通过各种就业渠道求职,不管是起薪干起的零售活儿还是部门经理。
Sue should have been evicted from her two-bedroom apartment for non-payment several months before she was, but, thankfully, the proce was delayed by paperwork and bureaucracy.Eventually, the bureaucracy caught up with her and a municipal council gave her days to leave her apartment for good.She had no choice but to comply.由于未付房租,苏早在几个月前就应被逐出她那两居室的公寓。不过,谢天谢地,这一过程因为繁琐的文件手续和官僚主义作风而拖延至今。最终政府机构还是找上了她,市政委员会限定她十天内彻底走人。除了遵从,她别无选择。
That last day of her old life, Sue wept as she drove away.She wondered if she would ever again be able to reclaim that life of comfort and respect.Sue even considered turning the steering wheel of her car into a tree and ending her life story right there.就在告别昔日生活的最后一天,苏流着泪驾车离去。她不知道自己还能否重温那舒适而又受人尊敬的生活。苏甚至想过打转方向盘一头撞向大树,就此了结一生。Friends came to her aid.One friend wired her $200 while she was driving away from her old apartment, enabling her to find refuge in a motel along the way.But Sue worried there wouldn't be any more charity for the money and gas she desperately needed.朋友们及时施以援手。就在她驾车离开公寓的路上,一位朋友给她电汇来 200美元,使得她能够在沿途的一家汽车旅馆觅得栖身之所。但是她担心不会再有人来援助自己急需的钱和汽油了。
Helped by gas cards donated by a church, Sue decided to return to her hometown.She figured the health-care safety net there was better, as well as the job market.She contacted a local shelter but learned there was a waiting list.Welfare was not an option, because she didn't have young children.And, Sue knew that none of her three adult sons were in a position to help her.有了教堂赠送的加油卡,苏打算返回家乡。她想那儿的医疗保障体系会好一些,找工作也容易些。她联系了当地的收容所,但是得到的回答是先得排队等着。领取福利救济没有她的份,因为她没有未成年的孩子。苏知道她的三个已成年的儿子也帮不了她。
“I knew the only help I was going to get was from me myself,” Sue said.“I thought to myself: I have to take care of myself.I really, really need to get work.I need a job.I don't want to be seen as a parasite, “我知道,只有自己才能帮自己,”苏说。“我告诉自己:我得养活自己。我确实得干活,我要找份工作,我可不想被人看成寄生虫。”
Sue's motel room was depreing.Lining the shelves underneath the television were her food supplies: rice and noodles that she mixed with water in the motel's ice bucket and heated up in a microwave;peanut butter and jelly;a loaf of white bread-the subsistence of a desperate person.Sue's days were spent surfing Internet job indexes, applying for jobs where the silent ”No.“ ”No.“ ”No.“ gave way to a feeling of helplene.苏在汽车旅馆的房间极其窘迫。电视下面的壁橱里存放着几样食物:大米和面条,这两样她可在旅馆的冰镇桶里与水和在一起,然后在微波炉里加热;另外还有花生酱、果冻和一条白面包——这些食物也就供一个走投无路的人勉强度日而已。苏连日来都在上网查找各种工作指南,四处求职;但一次次无声的拒绝让她陷于无助。
Sue had all new struggles and obstacles to deal with too, like what to do for an addre for job applications.She worried about what would happen when her cell phone was cut off for non-payment, and calls to her number would disappear into an invisible world she could not reach.苏还有新的烦心事要应付:比如求职信的通信地址该如何填写。她还担心要是手机因为欠费停机了怎么办?别人拨打她的号码,就如石沉大海,她无法接听。
Finally, an old friend sent Sue a ray of hope, a small miracle: $300cashtoo many it turned out.For several years, dozens of entrepreneurs sought to duplicate for themselves the results of those that had come before.Many investors envisaged wealth for any busine with a website that could advertise on TV or billboards, even if their actual services were ambiguous.Instead, on March 10, 2000, the dot-com boom reached its peak when the stock index hit 5,132.52.Over the next two and a half years, the index dropped to as low as 1,108.Very few companies bucked the trend.Most had blundered into awful financial difficulties, selling off their aets to healthier companies.最近一次股市泡沬就是互联网泡沫。对互联网经济前景的看好促使投资者们出资创建众多网络公司——最终证明是太多了。几年内,众多的创业者寻求复制以前网络公司的成功经验。许多投资者设想在电视和广告牌上给网站打广告来开展任意业务以牟取财富,尽管他们对自身实际业务都还模糊不清。然而,在 2000 年 3 月 10 日股票指数到达 5,132.52 的最高点时,网络公司的繁荣到达顶峰。在紧接着的两年半时间里,指数持续跌落,低至 1,108 点。很少有公司能在颓势中挺住,大多数公司都陷入糟糕的财务困境,只好将其资产廉价脱手给更健康的公司。
Bubbles are not limited to the arena of real estate or ”get rich“ stock offerings.In 1996, a series of stuffed animal toys called Ty Beanie Babies™ became such a fad that speculators bought up large quantities, auming that their value as collectibles would continue to rise.Did anyone make money on that fad? Maybe, but why not see for yourself? Check out the price of Beanie Babies in an online auction site and decide if any of these sellers have struck it rich.泡沫并不局限于房地产领域或“赚钱”的股票发行。在 1996 年,名为豆豆娃(Ty Beanie Babies™)系列的布绒玩具迅速走红,有投机者大量买进,认为作为藏品,其价值会持续攀升。有人靠此种时尚赚钱了吗?也许吧!但何不亲自看看呢?到在线拍卖网站核实其价格就能断定是否有卖家借此发财。
Unit 8 The art of parenting
课文A
Reflections of a Chinese mother in the West
一位西方华裔母亲的思考
A lot of people wonder how Chinese parents raise such succeful kids.They are baffled that these parents produce so many children with an abundance of talent and whether they too could raise such a child.很多人想了解中国父母是如何培养出如此成功的孩子的。他们想知道,为什么这些中国父母能养育出那么多天分极佳的孩子,他们是否也能培养出这样的孩子呢?
The fact is that Chinese parents do things that seem provocative, unimaginable, even illegal, to opinionated Westerners.Chinese mothers can dispense with formal courtesies and say to an obese child who gorges on food, ”Hey fatty, lose some weight.“ By contrast, Western parents must be humane, tiptoe around the iue, talk in terms of ”health“, and never ever mention the f-word.And still their kids end up in therapy for eating disorders and a negative self-image.I've thought long and hard about how Chinese parents can get away with what they do, and I think there are three ideological differences between Chinese and Western parents.事实是,中国父母的做法,对固执己见的西方人来说,令人愤慨,难以想象,甚至是违法的。中**亲可以不客气地对正在狼吞虎咽的肥胖孩子说:“喂,小胖子,你要减肥了。”与此相反,西方父母必须体谅地、小心翼翼而拐弯抹角地谈及“健康”,而且永远都不会提及“胖”字。结果,孩子还是因为饮食紊乱和消极的自我评价得去求医问药。长期以来我一直苦思冥想,中国父母这样做是如何能够全身而退的,我认为中西方的父母之间存在三种意识形态上的差异。
First, I've noticed Western parents cradle their children's self-esteem to insulate them from criticism.They worry about how their children will feel if they fail, and constantly try to solve their children's worries, regardle of how badly they perform.The presumption is that the child is tender, not strong, and as a result Western parents behave very differently than Chinese parents.首先,我注意到西方父母呵护子女的自尊,使他们免受一切批评。他们担心孩子失败后的感受,于是不断尽其所能解除子女的忧虑,而不管其表现如何糟糕。西方父母认为孩子是娇弱的,不够坚强,因此他们的行为也就与中国父母大相径庭了。
For example, if a child comes home with an A-minus on a test, a Western parent will most likely praise the child.For a Chinese mother an A-minus is no milestone;she will gasp in displeasure and ask what went wrong.If the child comes home with a B, some Western parents, though hesitant, will still praise the child.Other Western parents will expre disapproval, but they won't question the child's intellect or risk insecurities a Chinese mother in the West calling the child ”stupid“, ”worthle“ or ”gro“.Privately, Western parents may worry about their child, but they will never tell the child.举个例子,如果一个孩子考试得了个 Aˉ回家,西方父母很可能会表扬孩子。而对中**亲来说,Aˉ根本不算什么好成绩;她还会不快地叹气,问到底出了什么问题。如果孩子得了 B 回家,一些西方父母尽管十分不情愿,仍然会表扬孩子。其他西方父母会表达出不满,但不会质疑孩子的智力,或贸然说孩子“笨蛋”、“一文不值”或“太可恶了”。而私下里,西方父母可能会感到担心,但绝不会让孩子们知道。
If a Chinese child gets a B, irrespective of the subject, there would first be a screaming, hair-tearing explosion.The Chinese mother would intensify her efforts and get dozens, maybe hundreds of practice tests and use every tool at her disposal, to get her child's grade up to an A.如果中国孩子得了 B,不管什么科目,首先面临的就是一声尖叫和恼怒的爆发。中**亲会更加不遗余力地找来几十也许几百套的测验题,不惜采取手头任何办法来让自己孩子的成绩提高到 A。
Chinese parents demand perfect grades because they take it for granted that their child can get them, and grades are a more important measure of succe than ”self-esteem“.If their child doesn't get all A's the Chinese parents aume it's because the child didn't work hard enough.That's why the solution to substandard performance is always to punish and shame the child.Chinese parents believe that their child is hardy enough to take the shaming and to improve from it.中国父母要求完美的成绩,因为他们理所当然地认为孩子完全可以做到,而且分数是比“自尊”更为重要的衡量成功的标准。如果孩子没拿到全 A,中国父母就认为这是因为孩子不够努力。这就是为什么对表现欠佳的孩子,父母总是会施以惩罚和辱骂。中国家长相信孩子足够坚强,能够承受羞辱,并会由此进步。
Second, Chinese parents believe their kids owe them everything.The reason for this isn't clear, but it's probably a combination of the Confucian doctrine of loyalty and the fact that parents have sacrificed so much for their children;so, Chinese children must spend their lives repaying their parents by obeying them and making them proud.其次,中国父母认为孩子欠他们一切。这种看法的原因尚不清楚,也许是儒家“忠”的信条,再加上父母为子女牺牲诸多这一事实。因此,中国孩子必须听从父母教导,使他们自豪,终其一生回报他们。
Another area where Chinese and Westerners clash is that most Westerners don't believe offspring must show permanent gratitude to parents.My Western husband actually has this opposite view.”Children don't choose their parents,“ he once said to me.'They don't even choose to be born.It's parents who force life on their kids, so it's the parents' responsibility to provide for them.Kids don't owe their parents anything.Their duty will be to their own kids.” This strikes me as a terrible deal for the Western parents.中西方理念碰撞的另一领域是,西方人大多认为子女无须永远感激父母。我丈夫是个西方人,实际上就持有这种相反观点。“孩子又不能选择自己的父母,”他曾对我说过。“他们连要不要出生都没法选择,是父母强行给了他们生命,所以父母有责任抚养他们。孩子一点都不欠父母的,他们只对自己的子女负责任。”这话让我觉得西方父母受到的待遇真差。
Third, Chinese parents believe they know what's best for their children and therefore have ultimate authority over their children's desires and preferences.Chinese children have no rights to infringe, which is why Chinese daughters can't have boyfriends in high school and there are no late curfews or trips to sleep-away camps.Also even the slightest defiance or indignation, anything le than unquestioning obedience, is extinguished, and punished into submiion.Don't get me wrongall decent parents want to do what's best for their children.It's the methodology that's different.西方的宣传往往把亚洲母亲描绘为工于心计、冷漠无情,还喜欢动武,而对孩子的真正兴趣不管不顾。对许多中国人来说,他们私下里都认为自己比西方人更关心孩子,而且愿意为他们牺牲更多,而西方人似乎都乐见孩子变坏、有辱家风。我想双方都有误解。当然也有部分共同之处——普天下称职的父母都想为孩子做最好的安排,只是方式方法不同而已。
Westerners preach respecting the children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true paions, supporting their choices, and providing a positive and nurturing environment.But while Western children may have a high opinion of themselves and glowing self-esteem, how do they perform in the real world? Chinese parents protect their children by armoring them for the future, letting them see what they're capable of, and conferring upon them skills, work habits, and inner confidence that no one can ever take away.When the time comes to perform, Chinese children have a blueprint for succe;they know how to compete with the best the world has to offer.The proof is in the pudding!西方人宣扬尊重孩子的个性,鼓励他们去追求真正的激情,支持他们的选择,并提供积极有益的环境。但西方孩子在自视甚高、自尊极强的同时,在现实世界又会表现如何?中国父母如此磨砺子女为将来计,让其了解自己的所能,并赋予他们技能、工作习惯和内在信心这些没人能拿走的东西,这样来对孩子进行保护。到表现时机来临时,中国孩子已经成竹在胸;他们知道该如何利用自己在这个世界上所能学到的最好的本事去竞争。“布丁”好坏,一试便知!课文B
A Western mother's response 一位西方母亲的回应
In the days since the newspaper published the column by the Chinese mother, I have thought of what I would say to her if I met her.I might point out, as others have, that Asian-American girls aged 15 to 24 have above average rates of suicide and eating disorders.I might question the arrogance of ascribing her child's succe to the Chinese child-rearing techniques of criticism and name-calling when it could just as likely have resulted from genetic or economic bleings.But I have a feeling that she knows that.报纸上刊登出一位中**亲的专栏之后的几天中,我曾经想过,要是能碰到她,我会对她说些什么。我也许会像其他人一样指出,15 岁至 24 岁的亚裔美国女孩自杀和饮食失调的比例高于平均值。我也许会质疑她把自己孩子的成功归结于中国式批评和谩骂的养育技巧,这种想法实在傲慢,孩子的成功可能只是源于良好的遗传基因或经济条件。不过,我觉得这点她是知道的。
More importantly, if I did make such contentions, I'd risk being called a liar by my own children.Sophie, my oldest, would remind me of the recent evening when I stared in stony silence at her report card, sniffing in contempt at her father's happy congratulations.更重要的是,如果我确实持此观点,就得冒着被自己孩子说成骗子的风险。索菲,我的长女,会提醒我就在不久前的一个晚上,我盯着她的成绩单一言不发,毫无表情,并对她父亲高兴的祝贺嗤之以鼻。
“What?” she said.“I got 5 solid As.” “怎么了?”她说。“我可是得了 5 个 A 啊。” I shrugged.我耸耸肩。
“Come on, my husband complained.“别这样,”我丈夫抱怨道。
My daughter narrowed her eyes at me.She knew what was coming.女儿眯起眼睛看我,她知道接下来会发生什么。
I pointed at the remaining three grades, sociology, biochemistry and intermediate aesthetics, none a solid A.I certainly didn't think it warranted the ”screaming, hair-tearing explosion“ that the author informs us would have greeted the daughter of a Chinese mother.However, I articulated my displeasure clearly enough.The word ”garbage“ was not uttered.But, it was only because I feared my husband's reproach that I refrained from telling my own daughter, when she collapsed in tears, that she was acting like an idiot.我指着余下的三门课的成绩,社会学、生物化学和中级美学,没有一个是 A。我当然不认为对此应该“尖叫和恼怒地爆发”,就像作者说的中国妈妈对待女儿的那样。不过,我也足够清晰地表达了自己的不满,只是没说“垃圾”这个词。她痛哭失声,我忍住了没说她像个白痴,但那也只是因为我担心丈夫的责备而已。
The difference, I suppose, between proud Chinese mothers and Western ones is that I felt ashamed that I didn't subordinate my anger to my pride in what she did accomplish.Admittedly(and I am ashamed to say this too), I also did not then go out and get hundreds of practice tests and work through them with my daughter far into the night, doing whatever it took to get her the A.I would leave those tasks for a tutor to administer.自负的中**亲与西方母亲之间的差异,我觉得,在于我很羞愧自己并未对女儿取得的成绩感到自豪,而是任由自己的怒气发泄。诚然(对此我也很惭愧),我之后也并没有去找数百套的测验题,然后与女儿一起做题到深夜,千方百计让她拿到 A。我会把那些工作留给家教来做。
I am, actually, grateful to the author, and for the insights she gave me.Reading her eay definitely put some Chinese iron into my Western spine, and though I eventually apologized to my daughter for failing to acknowledge, right off the bat, all those tough claes last semester in which she had done phenomenally well, and for expreing my disappointment at the others too vigorously, I have also vowed that she will clamp down on those three subjects in which she is ”underperforming“.Her father and I are unanimous in this.其实,我很感谢作者,感谢她让我增长了见识。读她的文章确实让我这西方的头脑融入了一些中国元素,尽管我最终向女儿道了歉,因为我没有一开始就认可上学期她在那些很难的课程上所取得的异常优秀的成绩,并对其他课程表示了过于强烈的失望,但我也立誓要帮她攻克成绩不够好的三门课。对此她父亲和我看法是一致的。
But Chinese methods, I think, do still need some scrutiny.My daughter Rosie is mildly dyslexic, a learning difficulty that means she automatically reads words backward.By the time the psychiatrist diagnosed her, in second grade, she was lagging far behind her clamates.For years I forced her to spell words in the bathtub with foam letters, to do worksheets, to subdivide words into sounds and take practice tests.My criticism and forced rehearsing was redundant, it turns out”Overcome your fears," she whispers to herself.I don't know where she learned it.Maybe from one of those television shows I shouldn't let her watch.每天我们去接她时,她的脸总是红红的,满是泪水,两眼无神,疲惫不堪。我们每天都问她,要不要退出。无论是她父亲还是我都不想单方面替她作出决定,因为她才是遭受痛苦的人,所以我们问她的意见。而每天,她都回到课程训练现场,挣扎于重压之下,她的小肩膀都弯了。每当害怕的时候,罗西有一套自己的办法——她会对自己轻声说“要战胜恐惧”。我不知道她是从哪里学来的,也许是某个我不该让她看的电视节目。
At the end of a grim and brutal month, Rosie learned to read.Not because we sat like watchdogs and forced her to drill and practice and repeat, not because we dragged her kicking and screaming, or denied her food, or kept her from using the bathroom, but because she forced herself.Because of this, she emerged with a conception of herself as a powerful, versatile person.在一个月严厉苛刻的学习结束时,罗西掌握了阅读。这不是因为我们像看守似地盯着她,强迫她练习、实践和重复,也不是因为我们拽着她又踢又叫,或者不给她饭吃,不让她上厕所,而是因为她自己逼着自己学。正因为如此,她开始意识到自己是一个意志坚强、多才多艺的人。
I have a feeling when Chinese children are underdeveloped or suffer from learning disabilities like Rosie's, their parents channel their admirable paion into finding a solution that works.They are just as dogged and determined, but in an entirely different way.In some scenarios roaring like a tiger turns children into pianists who debut at Carnegie Hall, but in others it only limits, constricts, and reins them in.Positive enthusiasm gives some the excuse to fail and others the chance to succeed.Wherever we reside on our big green, blue planet, Chinese mothers and I both understand that our job as mothers is to be the type of tigre that each of our different children needs.我觉得中国孩子如果发育存在问题或者像罗西这样有学习障碍时,他们的父母会投入令人钦佩的热情去寻找可行的解决方案。他们同样是不屈不挠,无比坚定,只不过用的是完全不同的方式。某些情形下,咆哮如虎能让孩子成为在卡内基音乐厅首演的钢琴家,但其他情况下这只会限制、压迫、束缚他们。热切的关注会成为一些孩子失败的原因,也会给其他孩子成功的机会。这碧绿而又蔚蓝的广袤星球上,无论我们居于何处,中**亲和我都明白,我们作为母亲的职责是成为每个孩子各自所需要的母老虎类型。