A: 美語訓(xùn)練班開始上課啦! 我是王怡茹。
B: And I'm Donny. 怡茹, 介紹一下今天學(xué)什么吧!
A: Sure! 今天這節(jié)課,我們要談?wù)劃撘?guī)則, 練練劃艇, 看能不能找到一個(gè)靠譜的室友,還要告訴大家怎么用英文表示“掏心掏肺”。
B: Yiru, I know what you're gonna say next--咱們先花一分鐘,學(xué)一個(gè)詞!
Learn A Word: courageous
今天我們要學(xué)的詞是 courageous. Courageous有勇氣的。The candidate made a courageous stand on the sensitive issue. 這位候選人在這個(gè)敏感問題上勇敢地表明了立場。He demonstrated traits of a courageous leader. 他表現(xiàn)出了勇敢的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人所帶有的特征。美國國防部長蓋茨說,President Obama's decision to give the go-ahead on a raid against Osama Bin Laden was one of the most courageous calls he has ever seen a President make. 蓋茨說,美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬下令突襲本拉登是他所見過的總統(tǒng)做出的最果敢的決策之一。好的,今天我們學(xué)習(xí)的詞是 courageous.
A: 又學(xué)了一個(gè)詞! Courageous --勇敢的。對了Donny, 剛才有句話說,總統(tǒng)決定 give the go-ahead 什么什么,你給講講這個(gè) go-ahead.
B: go-ahead就是把 go 和 ahead 放在一起變成一個(gè)詞,It means a signal to proceed.
A: 哦,go-ahead,名詞,是“批準(zhǔn),開綠燈”的意思。 比如,我可以說,My boss gave me the go-ahead to start the project. 老板批準(zhǔn)我開始操作這個(gè)項(xiàng)目。
B: That's right. 怡茹, Now I give you the go-ahead to move on to the next program.
A:啊?你批準(zhǔn)我進(jìn)入下一個(gè)節(jié)目?我才不需要你批準(zhǔn)呢! 言歸正傳,咱們來聽一集“美國習(xí)慣用語”。
Words and Idioms: Bare one's soul
現(xiàn)在播送<美國習(xí)慣用語>第 933講。我是曉北。
我是 Douglas Johnson.
前幾天我參加大學(xué)同學(xué)的聚會(huì)。大家多喝了幾杯之后,一個(gè)同學(xué)開始拉著我的手訴說她這些年來感情上的不如意。其實(shí)我和她在大學(xué)時(shí)并不怎么熟,現(xiàn)在她對著我,眼淚汪汪地講述自己幾次失戀的故事,讓我頗為同情,同時(shí)也讓我想到一個(gè)習(xí)慣用語:
Bare one's soul. Bare is spelled b-a-r-e, and soul; s-o-u-l. Bare one's soul.
Bare one's soul 的意思是向別人掏心掏肺,展露自己的內(nèi)心世界。我的這位大學(xué)同學(xué), She bared her soul to me. 對我敞開了心扉,告訴我藏在她內(nèi)心深處的事情。作為老同學(xué),我衷心祝福她的情路能出現(xiàn)轉(zhuǎn)機(jī)。不過,看她一杯接一杯喝酒,我倒有點(diǎn)擔(dān)心她酗酒成癮,如果真是那樣,她就需要到下面這段話所提到的戒酒會(huì)尋求幫助了,我們一起來看看:
"The men and women at Alcoholics Anonymous have one goal in common: to stop drinking. When we meet, some of us talk about how our drinking has damaged our personal and professional lives. At first, it was hard for me to BARE MY SOUL. But, by sharing my pain as well as my strength and hope with others, I was able to stay sober and help others to recover."
這段話是說:在戒酒互助組織“戒酒無名會(huì)”里,人們有共同的目標(biāo),那就是停止喝酒。在我們大家開會(huì)的時(shí)候,一些人會(huì)談到酗酒怎樣毀了自己的生活和事業(yè)。開始時(shí),我很難向別人敞開心扉??珊髞恚ㄟ^向別人講述我的痛苦、力量和希望,我做到了滴酒不沾,還能幫助其他人戒酒。
戒酒無名會(huì)的縮寫是AA,這是一個(gè)匿名制的,是酗酒者幫助酗酒者的互戒會(huì)。在全世界近140個(gè)國家設(shè)有分部。AA的成功也受到模仿,人們成立類似的組織,通過互助的方式減肥、戒煙、抗癌等等。
我們一般都會(huì)對熟人敞開心靈,而對陌生人,您會(huì)愿意講述自己的人生故事和最深層的感情么?咱們來看看下面這段話:
" 'Taxicab Confessions' is a popular late night TV show. It features taxi drivers secretly recording interviews with passengers who are being driven around New York City and Las Vegas. Some of these people don't mind BARING THEIR SOULS. They like talking about their extreme tragedies and triumphs."
這段話意思是:“的哥表白”是一檔受歡迎的深夜電視節(jié)目。在節(jié)目中,紐約和拉斯維加斯的出租車司機(jī)們和車上的乘客聊天,并偷偷地錄下談話內(nèi)容。有些乘客一點(diǎn)不在意對陌生人掏心掏肺,特別愿意告訴別人自己生活里的大悲大喜之事。
其實(shí),這個(gè)節(jié)目并不是完全走偷拍路線,在乘客下車前,司機(jī)會(huì)告訴他們他們說的話已經(jīng)被錄像,乘客可以自己決定是否允許電視臺(tái)播放??磥恚泻芏嗳瞬⒉辉诤鹾腿珖娨曈^眾掏心窩子!
今天我們學(xué)習(xí)的習(xí)慣用語是bare one's soul,意思是“向別人敞開心扉,掏心掏肺”。這次[美國習(xí)慣用語]就到此結(jié)束,我是曉北,我是 Douglas Johnson。
A: To bare one's soul,掏心掏肺,敞開心扉。
B: 怡茹, When was the last time you bared your soul to someone?
A: 我最后一次向別人敞開心靈之窗...應(yīng)該是...兩個(gè)小時(shí)前吧! 我給我妹打電話,聊心事。Donny,你要是愿意我也下班后和你好好聊聊!
B: Ah?! I really appreciate it. 但還是不用了吧。不說我了。怡茹, I remember last time we listened to a girl's story about competing in a talent show. Any updates on the result?
A: 哦,你說的是陽光女生的海選吧。 趕快來聽“美語怎么說”就知道比賽進(jìn)展嘍!
Jessica在北京學(xué)漢語,她的中國朋友要是遇到了不知道用美語怎么說的詞,就會(huì)來請教她。今天是楊林要問的:潛規(guī)則。
YL: Jessica! 上次我給你的簽名照呢?快還給我!
Jessica: Why? 你不是參加“陽光女生”的比賽,要當(dāng)super star了么?
YL: 別提了! I got eliminated!
Jessica: 被刷下來了?!
YL: 是啊。雖然過了第一輪海選,可第二輪一上來就被刷了! 哼! 這里面肯定有潛規(guī)則! 對了,潛規(guī)則美語怎么說?。?br />
Jessica: Well, if you suspect the competition has some secret, back-door deals, you can say there are some "unspoken rules".
YL: 哦,unspoken, u-n-s-p-o-k-e-n, unspoken就是“沒有明說的”,rules規(guī)則;unspoken rules就是“潛規(guī)則”嘍!
Jessica: That's right! So, you think you were cut because the selection process wasn't fair and open, like the competition is following some unspoken rules. Right?
YL: 沒錯(cuò)! 我看,獲勝者可能是內(nèi)定的!
Jessica: If that's true, then the whole competition is rigged!
YL: rigged?
Jessica: Yes! r-i-g-g-e-d, rigged 就是內(nèi)定. It means the outcome has been predetermined by the producers.
YL: 哦,比賽結(jié)果被“內(nèi)定”就是 rigged! 那還比個(gè)什么勁兒啊!
Jessica: I agree. Rigged competitions aren't worth attending, because someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
YL: 等會(huì)兒,你說 someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes,“從后面拉線”,就是有人幕后操縱的意思,對不對?
Jessica: Exactly! So tell me what you've learned today!
YL: 第一“潛規(guī)則”在美語里叫 "unspoken rules";
第二,說比賽結(jié)果內(nèi)定,可以說 rigged;
第三,幕后操縱,叫 pull the strings from behind the scenes.
這次的美語怎么說就到這里。如果你也有不會(huì)說的詞,請寫信給 Jessica, 電郵請寄[email protected]
A:慘啊慘啊,遭遇潛規(guī)則,被刷下去了。
B:這種選秀競爭太激烈,要出名哪有那么容易!
A: 更糟糕的是,The competition was rigged. 比賽被內(nèi)定了! 真氣人!
B:Calm down, 怡茹. Let's listen to the next program--GoEnglish,美語三級(jí)跳。
Winnie: 大家好!今天為您播出“美語三級(jí)跳”節(jié)目“找房”單元的高級(jí)課程。
Professor: Jeff just rented an apartment, and today he is meeting Steve to see if they would get along as roommates.
Winnie: 找個(gè)合得來的室友太重要了。
Professor: In this section, listen for the word "compatible," meaning "similar" or "suitable."
Jeff: Hi Steve, it's nice to meet you. I hear that you're looking for an apartment, and I just rented a two-bedroom downtown. I'm looking for a compatible roommate.
Steve: Great, I'm looking for a place right in that area. Your apartment sounds ideal.
Jeff: Alright. So tell me, how would you describe yourself?
Steve: I'm pretty social and outgoing, and I like making new friends. But I'm not a party animal, and I like to keep the apartment clean.
Jeff: I'm like that too. I like to invite friends over sometimes, but I don't want to have lots of crazy parties at the apartment.
Winnie: 他們倆人聽起來挺投機(jī)。不過,Professor Bowman, Steve說自己不是"party animal"是什么意思?
Professor: A "party animal" is someone who loves to go out to crazy parties all the time.
Winnie: 哦,party animal 就是一天到晚參加瘋狂派對的人。Steve 說自己outgoing“外向”,social“愛交朋友”,但沒到每天開派對的地步。
Professor:Winnie, in the next section, listen for the word "laid-back."
Jeff: You know, I'm a pretty laid-back person. I don't like to have lots of arguments or worry about lots of things. For example, I like to keep the apartment clean too, but if it gets a little dirty once in a while, that's not a big deal.
Steve: I totally agree. I really like my lifestyle to be drama-free, and I don't want to argue about cleaning the apartment. My last roommate was a drama queen. Every time I forgot to take my shoes off, she got really mad and made a big deal out of it.
Jeff: Yeah, I really don't want a lot of drama in the apartment. It's important that we don't get on each other's nerves.
Steve: That's right. We should try to be laid back and not do lots of things to bother one another.
Winnie: Professor, Jeff 說自己 laid-back,就是性格隨和吧?
Professor: That's right!
Winnie: 那Steve和Jeff說了好多什么drama、“drama queen”的,這都是什么意思啊?
Professor: "Drama" is a short form of the word "dramatic." If someone is always taking small problems and acting as if they are a really big deal, you can say he "creates a lot of drama."
Winnie: 噢,drama是“是非”的意思,愛沒事找事的家伙就是"drama queen."
Professor: Exactly. If you lived with a drama queen, he or she would probably "get on your nerves," meaning "bother you a lot." Well, Winnie, in this next section, listen for the word "pet peeve," meaning "a small problem that really bothers you."
Jeff: Well I'm glad you're laid back like me. But tell me, do you have any pet-peeves?
Steve: Actually, yes. I really hate living with mooches. They always eat all of your food and ask you to pay for everything.
Jeff: I know! Mooches really get on my nerves. My last roommate was a big mooch. Every time we went out to a restaurant, when the bill came he would always say he didn't have any money and ask me to lend him some. And he never paid me back!
Steve: I really think it's important for each roommate to pull his weight around the house. It's really unfair if only one of the roommates is doing all the work.
Jeff: Exactly. We each need to pull our weight by cleaning the dishes, taking out the garbage and paying the bills. I think we would be good roommates. Do you want to move in?
Steve: Sounds great!
Winnie: 哈,pet peeve就是最讓受不了的事。我也受不了mooches, 這些小氣鬼!對了,他們還說有些室友don't pull their weight,這是什么意思?
Professor: People who don't pull their weight are those who don't do their share in a common task. If you had a roommate who doesn't pull his weight around the house, you would have to do all the housework.
Winnie: Steve和Jeff性格簡直就是一個(gè)模子里刻出來的,一定能成為好室友。
A: Donny, 我怎么覺得,找個(gè)室友也跟選秀比賽似的,還得去面談!
B: That's true, but at least this selecting process is not rigged.
A: 哈哈,那倒是。看來,Jeff 找到了一個(gè)和自己compatible,談得來的室友,他這個(gè)人 outgoing 性格外向,laid-back 為人隨和,既不是drama queen 沒事找事的人,也不是mooch 貪便宜的小氣鬼。
B: Actually, I don't blame Jeff for being a little picky when it comes to finding the perfect roommate. A terrible roommate, just like a terrible co-worker, can make your life miserable.
A: 說得對! 糟糕的室友就像討厭的同事,會(huì)讓你煩惱不已。說到同事之間的相處,咱們來聽聽“禮節(jié)美語”,了解一下 office power struggles, 辦公室里的權(quán)力斗爭。
禮節(jié)美語--Power Struggles 第一部分
David在走廊上遇到同事Sandra,Sandra看上去很生氣。
David: Hey Sandra, what's wrong? You look furious!
Sandra: I've had it with Tim! I think I'm going to quit!
D: But Sandra...you love your job! You spent months trying to get this position. It's perfect for you!
S: Yeah...I know. But I'm sick and tired of all the office power struggles!
D: What kind of power struggles are you talking about?
David看見同事 Sandra怒氣沖沖的-- you look furious, 問她出了什么事。Sandra 說受夠了 Tim,I've had it with Tim. 表達(dá)受夠了某人某事可以說 have had it with someone or something. 比如 I've had it with Jackie. She won't stop complaining. 意思是我真受不了Jackie,她老是抱怨個(gè)沒完沒了。Sandra說,I'm sick and tired of all the office power struggles. to be sick and tired of something是受夠了的另外一種表達(dá)方式。原來,Sandra是對辦公室的爭權(quán)奪利感到厭倦。她說的 Tim 是個(gè)什么樣的人呢?
S: Basically, I think Tim is threatened by me. I'm doing a better job than he is so he's trying to sabotage my career!
D: So he talks about you behind your back?
S: Yes. He's all nice and friendly to my face. But the second I turn around he stabs me in the back!
D: You know I had a worker like that once. She was always taking credit for my ideas.
Sandra覺得,自己比Tim能力強(qiáng),對Tim構(gòu)成威脅,所以他才會(huì)故意給自己找麻煩,sabotage is spelled s-a-b-o-t-a-g-e, sabotage, sabotage是故意破壞的意思。David問,so he talks about you behind your back? to talk about someone behind someone's back背后說某人壞話。Sandra說,他當(dāng)著我的面很友善,我一轉(zhuǎn)身離開,他就背后捅我一刀,He stabs me in the back. David頗有同感,說自己也遇到過這種人,以前就有個(gè)女同事總把David想出的好主意說成是自己的,She was always taking credit for my ideas. to take credit for something 意思是把某種成績歸功于自己。
D: After a while I learned to document my work very clearly so the boss knew 100% that this was my work.
S: That's a good idea. I should keep a better record of my correspondence with the clients so if necessary I can prove it was my effort.
D: My co-worker had a whole bunch of bad office habits. She liked to name-drop...we would be in a meeting and she would say, "yesterday I was chatting with Tom." She meant Tom Solomon...our CEO.
David 又說,自己那個(gè)討厭的同事有很多壞毛病,其中之一就是 name-drop, name-drop意思是提起名人,以便提高自己的身價(jià),喜歡這樣做的人就是 name-dropper.
A: 好家伙! 又是sabotage--搞破壞,又是stab me in the back--背后下黑手, 還要take credit for other people's work冒領(lǐng)別人的功勞! 這辦公室里真是險(xiǎn)惡啊!
B: 要不怎么說,有人的地方就有江湖。
A: Okay, Donny, you're getting philosophical. 咱們還是輕松一下,去劃個(gè)船,散散心吧!
American Sports English: Crew
Y: Hi, this is Yang Chen.
P: And I'm Patrick. So, today Yang Chen we are going to be introducing everyone to the sport called crew. C-R-E-W.
Y: That's right. Crew也叫 rowing,就是劃艇運(yùn)動(dòng)。
P: Crew or rowing is a sport with an ancient history, but the first races took place in England.
Y: 最早的Crew比賽始于英國,在牛津這些英國大學(xué)非常流行。不過劃艇運(yùn)動(dòng)也是美國大學(xué)校園歷史最悠久的一項(xiàng)體育活動(dòng)。
P: Crew involves teams of 2, 4 or 8 rowers in a row boat called a shell.
Y: 劃艇用的船叫做shell。這是一項(xiàng)集體運(yùn)動(dòng),有兩人,也有四人或八人一組的。
P: A shell can be very long. A shell for a team of eight rowers is about 60 feet long!
Y: Whoa, 60 feet,那就等于是18米多!
P: To row a boat that long requires a lot of upper body strength and endurance.
Y: Upper body strength 上半身要有力氣,尤其是臂力。Look at my muscles, Patrick.
P: Very impressive. I think you should take up the sport of crew or rowing and maybe someday you can participate in the Olympic games.
Y: Nah. 我雖然有 Upper body strength,但是endurance耐力不夠。Hmm,I could use some exercise.
P: What do you say we head to the gym and do some serious rowing?
Y: Let's go!
A: Donny, 咱們下班后可以一起去gym, 練劃艇! 加強(qiáng)Upper body strength!
B: Sounds like a plan! I'm in!
A: 太好了! 好,今天的節(jié)目就到這里。節(jié)目的撰稿人是曉北,編輯是蔚然。同學(xué)們,我們下次的美語訓(xùn)練班再見!
B: Bye!