VOA英语教学：美语训练班125

美语训练班125

 　　B: Welcome to American English Mosaic, I'm Mike Bond!

　　A: And I'm Lin Yang.

　　B: Need to know how to negotiate for a business loan? We will offer you some tips in today's business etiquette.

　　A: 完美主义会对你的生活产生什么影响? 我们在下面的节目中为你介绍。

　　B: And in words and idioms, we will learn what "have a soft spot for" and "square away" means!

　　A: All coming up on this edition of American English Mosaic!

　　B: Now let's go into our first segment, Learn a word!

　　Learn A Word 1834 perfection

　　今天我们要学的词是 perfection. Perfection is spelled p-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n, perfection. Perfection 意思是完美，尽善尽美。The lamb chop was cooked to perfection. 这羊排做得无懈可击。She is a workaholic, who always strives for perfection. 她是个工作狂，而且做什么事都追求尽善尽美。皮尤研究中心的统计数字显示，2011年美国人里只有51%处于已婚状态，远远低于1960年时的72%。 Experts say part of the reason is that some people are demanding an unrealistic degree of perfection from their partners. 有专家认为，部分原因是有些人很不现实地要求自己的伴侣是完美的化身。好的，今天我们学习的词是 perfection, perfection, perfection...

　　A: Guilty as charged. I always want to find someone who's perfect, but now I realize that's just unrealistic.

　　B: Yep, we all need to learn how to be tolerate and accept the flaws of our partners.

　　A: Knowing you, a girl could easily win your heart as long as she's good at cooking. Food is the way to your heart, ha?

　　B: Haha, you know me! I do have a soft spot for gourmet food. Luckily for me my girlfriend is a gourmet chef!

　　A: Good for you! 你刚才提到了一个说法，have a soft spot for. 我们来听听今天的美国习惯用语，学学这个短语的用法!

　　Words and Idioms 873 Have a Soft Spot For

　　美国习惯用语第 873 讲

　　周末朋友从外地来华盛顿玩，我陪他们去参加一日游。可怜的导游，一看就是新手，被七嘴八舌的游客问得难以招架。我年轻的时候也当过导游，所以感同身受，深知她的苦衷。这也让我想起一个习惯用语可以跟大家分享，那就是：

　　M: Have a soft spot for. Soft is spelled s-o-f-t, and spot; s-p-o-t. Have a soft spot for.

　　to have a soft spot for something or someone 意思是因为喜爱，所以对某个人或是某件事心软。比如说，Grandpa has a soft spot for Jimmy, his first grandson. 爷爷偏爱长孙 Jimmy. 在刚才的例子中，正因为我以前做过导游，所以很能理解那个年轻导游的感受，I have a soft spot for tour guides.

　　下面例子中的这个人谈到了自己一个表面冷酷无情、其实内心善良的叔叔，让我们听听他是怎么说的。

　　M: "Uncle Phil has a reputation as a tough guy who's unfeeling. But what most people don't know is that he can be quite caring. He's donated a lot of time and money to charities that help those less fortunate than him. Clearly, he HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR the underprivileged."

　　这个人说：菲尔叔叔一直以冷酷无情的硬汉形象著称。可是，大多数人并不了解的是，他是一个很关心别人的人。他向一些慈善机构捐赠了很多时间和金钱，帮助那些不如他幸运的人。显然，他很同情那些弱势人群。

　　这也让我想起2009年刚去世的美国政治家泰德?肯尼迪。他是美国前总统约翰?肯尼迪的弟弟，在国会参议院当了46年参议员。虽然他生长在一个富有的政治世家，Ted Kennedy had a soft spot for people who didn't grow up with the advantages he had. 泰德?肯尼迪对生长环境不如他优越的人格外关心。他将自己毕生的精力用于争取民权、消费者利益和医疗保健。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。

　　M: "Uncle Phil has a reputation as a tough guy who's unfeeling. But what most people don't know is that he can be quite caring. He's donated a lot of time and money to charities that help those less fortunate than him. Clearly, he HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR the underprivileged."

　　美国人非常关心动物。在下面的例子中，一位妇女开办了一个服务中心，为狗寻找温暖的家。让我们听听她先生是怎么说的。

　　M: "My wife started an adoption service for dogs. What started out with finding a home for one unwanted puppy became a full-time occupation. Thanks to her, over 200 dogs have been rescued. She could have chosen a job that's easier and higher paying. But she HAS A SOFT SPOT for dogs in need. It's very fulfilling."

　　他说：我太太办了一个狗收养中心。最初只是要给一只没人要的小狗找个家，后来居然变成了全职工作。在她的帮助下，已经有两百多只狗被救。她本可以选择一个更容易做、工资更高的工作，但是她看见那些需要帮助的狗就会心软。这份工作让她很充实。

　　我一直想去动物收容所做义工，可我老公不同意，因为他知道，I have a soft spot for kittens. 我特别喜欢小猫咪，一定会带一堆回家。不过，如果我女儿提出养猫，那就另当别论了，因为 My husband has always had a soft spot for our daughter. 我老公特别疼爱女儿，对她百依百顺。好的，我们再来听一下上面那个例句。

　　M: "My wife started an adoption service for dogs. What started out with finding a home for one unwanted puppy became a full-time occupation. Thanks to her, over 200 dogs have been rescued. She could have chosen a job that's easier and higher paying. But she HAS A SOFT SPOT for dogs in need. It's very fulfilling."

　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。

　　M: Until next time.

　　下次节目再见。

　　M: This has been Words and Idioms.

　　A: I totally have a soft spot for cute doggies! When they look at me with their watery eyes, my heart just melts! But then comes the responsibility of feeding them, petting them, and taking them out for walks...

　　B: I know! A lot of people get puppies when they don't have the time or energy to take care of them. But I guess you can do it now since you got your own place!

　　A: 呵呵，I think I should focus on paying off my mortgage for now.

　　B: Yeah...loans, gah and numbers are so complicated!

　　A: Not for Asians! (笑) Actually in today's business etiquette, we will discuss this exact topichow to take out a loan!

　　B: Let's check it out!

　　礼节美语 Taking Out a Loan I

　　三角洲通讯公司老板John Smith到银行申请贷款，接待他的是银行负责人 Ted Johnson。

　　Ted Johnson: Hello, Mr. Smith. Thanks for stopping by.

　　Smith: Hello, and call me John.

　　Ted: Sure...but only if you call me Ted.

　　J: Done.

　　T: So you are the CEO of Delta Communications. What exactly does your firm make?

　　J: We are the leading supplier of walkie-talkie radios and other shortwave communication devices.

　　John Smith 和 Ted Johnson 相互问候，彼此坚持要对方用 first name 称呼自己，以便拉近距离，不会显得太客气。史密斯是三角洲通讯公司的CEO, Chief Executive Officer 首席执行官，这家公司主要生产对讲机等短波通讯工具。walkie-talkie 是中文里说的对讲机。

　　T: Ah...I see. How's business these days?

　　J: Actually, not bad. We landed a couple of major contracts in Southeast Asia recently and in spite of the recession, we're humming along quite nicely.

　　T: That's good to hear. It's been a rough couple of years. I've had to deny hundreds of loan applications and we've had to take legal action to recover loans as well.

　　史密斯说，他们公司的业务没有受到经济危机的影响，刚在东南亚签了几个重要合同。we're humming along quite nicely. 生意蒸蒸日上。 hum is spelled h-u-m, hum 有忙忙碌碌的意思。Ted 则抱怨说，最近两年贷款很不好做 It's been a rough couple of years，rough, r-o-u-g-h, rough 在这里是困难的意思。不仅很多贷款申请不符合标准被退回，而且还不得不采取法律手段追缴贷款。

　　J: That sounds tough.

　　T: It is! No one wants to be the bad guy and people have a stereotype of bankers as unfeeling and cruel. But contracts are contracts and I have to run my business, right?

　　J: Yeah. You know what they say: business is business-it's not personal.

　　T: Well, I do sympathize with people's difficulties. But there's really nothing I can do.

　　Ted 说，No one wants to be the bad guy 谁都不想当恶人，大家对银行家有成见，成见 stereotype is spelled s-t-e-r-e-o-t-y-p-e, stereotype，普遍认为银行家冷血，不尽人情 unfeeling and cruel，但是做生意是为了赚钱，contracts are contracts合同就是合同，或者说，business is business. It's not personal. 这是做生意，不是针对任何人。Ted 同时也表示，他很理解和同情大家的难处，但又没有办法。这里用的 sympathize is spelled s-y-m-p-a-t-h-i-z-e, sympathize 是同情。

　　A: Ted说，现在经济危机， It's been a rough couple of years, 近几年来生意不好做，他们需要对很多人追债。大家都对银行家有成见，people have a stereotype of bankers, 但是 business is business, it's not personal, 生意就是生意，不是针对任何人。

　　B: Guilty, I often think of businessmen as being heartless and cruel, but it's a stereotype, and it's not fair to everyone.

　　A: Yep, 亲兄弟明算账嘛! Let's keep listening to John and see how he's going to ask for a loan!

　　礼节美语 Taking Out a Loan II

　　三角洲通讯公司老板John Smith到银行申请贷款，接待他的是银行负责人Ted Johnson，Johnson 抱怨最近两年经济危机，贷款很难做，经常会迫不得已走法律程序，追缴贷款。

　　T: I do sympathize with people's difficulties. But if I don't foreclose on mortgages or call in bad loans. I'll go bankrupt, too!

　　J: Yep...that's just how it goes.

　　T: So John, you mentioned in your email that you're thinking about taking out a loan.

　　J: Yes. You see, my company has been expanding quite rapidly and I'd like to construct a new warehouse.

　　Ted 说，他很同情大家的困难，但是如果他不去没收贷款抵押的财产权，不清理呆帐，自己就会破产。上面说的 foreclose is spelled f-o-r-e-c-l-o-s-e, foreclose 是银行没收抵押产权的意思，to call in 意思是收回，bad loan 指无力偿还的呆账。俩人的对话接下来切入主题。John因为公司扩大规模，打算加盖一个仓库，所以需要贷款。

　　T: Well, you came to the right bank. We have a long tradition of supporting young entrepreneurs like yourself. What kind of figure are we looking at here?

　　J: I think 200,000 dollars is the estimate for construction costs.

　　T: Well, that shouldn't be a problem. Your company is worth a lot more than that amount.

　　Ted 说，他们银行一贯支持象史密斯这样的年轻创业者，entrepreneur is spelled e-n-t-r-e-p-r-e-n-e-u-r, entrepreneur 是企业家的意思。John Smith 说，工程费大约需要二十万。Ted 觉得，that shouldn't be a problem. 应该没问题，因为史密斯公司的价值要远远超过这个数字。

　　J: Yes, but because we're a public company with shareholders, it's hard to get proposals passed. I was thinking of taking out a personal loan.

　　T: Ah...a personal loan. That is a bit more complicated. Can I ask what kind of collateral you could offer?

　　J: Well, I have my personal stock in the company and our family has a yacht as well.

　　T: Sounds like that should cover it. I'll need you to bring in the original deeds and certificates.

　　J: Sure. I can stop by on Friday.

　　原来，John的公司是上市公司，a public company, 让股东们通过提案太麻烦，所以他希望以个人身份贷款，to take out a personal loan. 个人贷款需要 collateral is spelled c-o-l-l-a-t-e-r-a-l collateral抵押物品。John 说自己手里有公司股份，还有一艘私人游艇，yacht, y-a-c-h-t yacht. Ted 觉得这些就够了，让John把产权证拿来, deed is spelled d-e-e-d deed 是产权、所有权证书的意思。

　　A: Ted说，他们的银行 have a long tradition of supporting young entrepreneurs，一项支持年轻的企业家，John说，他想以个人的身份贷款，take out a personal loan, 以 personal stock in the company, 手里的公司股份，和yacht，游艇，来做collateral，抵押物品。

　　B:That's why your credit score and credit history is so important if you live in America. It determines what kind of interest rate you can get for a loan, or if you can get a loan at all!

　　A: That's true. 咱们接着来看看John和Ted谈得怎么样吧!

　　礼节美语 Taking Out a Loan III

　　三角洲通讯公司老板John Smith到银行申请贷款，接待他的是银行负责人Ted Johnson。史密斯想申请个人贷款，用来修建公司的新仓库。Ted Johnson说，除了需要物品抵押外，还有一个要求。

　　T: I know this can be a problem, but we generally require at lease one guarantor.

　　J: Hummm....what kind of person would be best, a relative or a business associate?

　　T: Either one is OK, but most people pick a relative because it's usually a little easier.

　　J: Ok...I'm sure my brother won't mind helping me out.

　　Ted 说，一般情况下，银行还要求至少要有一个贷款担保人，guarantor, g-u-a-r-a-n-t-o-r guarantor 是担保人的意思，可以是 a relative 亲属，也可以是 a business associate 生意上的伙伴。John 想了想了说，I'm sure my brother won't mind helping me out. 我哥哥一定不介意帮我。mind doing something 是介意做某事的意思;to help someone out 指帮某人的忙。

　　T: Good. So finally we need to discuss the terms of the loan.

　　J: What kind of interest do you charge?

　　T: It depends on how long you take the loan out for. If you plan to pay it back within two years, the interest rate is six percent. A four-year deal works out to seven and a half percent.

　　贷款申请符合要求后，就该具体谈谈贷款的条款了，the terms of the loan. John 想知道，what kind of interest do you charge? 贷款利率多少。Ted回答说，贷款利率高低取决于贷款时间的长短。如果是两年还清，利率只要百分之六，如果是四年还清，则要百分之七点五。

　　J: I think two years should be fine. But six percent is a bit high. Is there any way to get a better rate?

　　T: Well, you've been a customer here for over a decade. I can't make any promises, but I'll try to get it down to five percent. How's that sound?

　　J: Five percent works for me. Ted, I can't thank you enough for your help.

　　T: Don't mention it! See you Friday.

　　John 说，贷款两年就应该可以还清，这一点没有问题，但是他嫌百分之六的利率太高。John 是银行的老客户，使用这家银行的服务有十几年了，Ted 表示，对老客户可以关照，I can't make any promises, 虽然不能保证做到，但是他会试试看把利率从百分之六降低到百分之五。John 听了很高兴，说 Five percent works for me. 百分之五我可以接受，并对 Ted 表示感谢，贷款就这样谈成了。

　　A: 个人贷款需要 guarantor, 担保人，这既可以是a relative 亲属，也可以是a business associate 生意上的伙伴。John说，他觉得他哥哥可以help him out, 帮他的忙。他们讨论了terms of the loan, 贷款的条款，把interest rate, 利率订在了5%。

　　B: Interest rates have been on the rise, but they are still pretty low these days. A lot of people are trying to get mortgages and financing before it rises again!

　　A:Yeah, I love now that I have a nice condo, but getting the Financing squared away was not fun at all.

　　B: I bet! But no pain, no gain! Aaaand, you just mentioned an idiom, square away, let's check it out in today's words and idioms!

　　Words and Idioms 874 Square Away

　　美国习惯用语第 874 讲

　　下个月我要跟老公一起去加勒比海坐豪华游轮，我现在是翘首以待，终于可以暂时逃离华盛顿的严寒，奔往阳光和海水了。让人头疼的是，出发前有太多的事情需要处理，包括完成手头的项目，付好所有账单，租车开到佛罗里达去等等。这也让我想起一个习惯用语可以跟大家分享，那就是：

　　M: Square away. Square is spelled s-q-u-a-r-e, and away; a-w-a-y. Square-away.

　　大家都知道，square 是正方形的意思。to square away 意思是处理安排妥当。比如说，He is trying to get all his legal troubles squared away as soon as possible. 他努力把所有法律上的麻烦搞定。就好象刚才提到的，在启程前往佛罗里达渡假之前，There is a lot I need to square away. 我有很多事情需要处理。

　　在下面这个例子里，一个怕冷的人想换个工作，搬到温暖的地方去，可是走之前，有很多事情需要处理。

　　M: "My job interview went so well that I was offered the job in Arizona. I would love to move away from the long cold winter weather here in New York. But it's not that easy. To begin with, I'd have to get out of my contract with my company, and then sell my condo. It's only after I SQUARE those AWAY that I can focus on relocating."

　　这个人说：我的求职面试非常成功，他们马上让我去亚利桑那上班。我也很想离开纽约这里没完没了的寒冷冬天，但要走又没那么容易。首先，我必需解除跟公司的合同，然后还得把我现在的公寓卖掉。只有等这些事情都处理妥当了，我才能专心准备搬家。

　　起码，这个人听起来好象没有拖家带口，来去一身轻，说搬就可以搬，否则，不说别的，就算只有个女朋友，也不是那么容易就能 square away 的。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。

　　M: "My job interview went so well that I was offered the job in Arizona. I would love to move away from the long cold winter weather here in New York. But it's not that easy. To begin with, I'd have to get out of my contract with my company, and then sell my condo. It's only after I SQUARE those AWAY that I can focus on relocating."

　　Square away 这个习惯用语常用于被动语态。在接下来的例子中，一位老先生提出了如下建议。我们一起听：

　　M: "Take my advice. Don't wait until you're old to organize your will. What if something tragic happened, such as a fatal accident? Without a legal document to explain your wishes after you die, your loved ones could suffer unnecessarily. Make sure your plans are SQUARED AWAY."

　　他说：听听我的建议吧。不要等老了再去定自己的遗嘱，万一遇到车祸之类的意外事件呢?如果没有法律文件说明你死后的愿望，你的亲人们就要受不必要的罪。所有最好是尽快把遗嘱处理好。

　　虽然谁都不愿意去想死的事，但老人这番话确实有道理。我一个同事的祖母去世时就没有留下遗嘱，结果一家人不得不走法律程度，跟法院打了很长时间的交道。好的，我们再来听一下上面那个例句。

　　M: "Take my advice. Don't wait until you're old to organize your will. What if something tragic happened, such as a fatal accident? Without a legal document to explain your wishes after you die, your loved ones could suffer unnecessarily. Make sure your plans are SQUARED AWAY."

　　我侄子那天开着新车来看我。他前一段时间一直怕申请不到贷款。如今看他开着新车，不用问就知道，他一定是拿到了贷款。He must have managed to square away the financing.

　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。

　　M: Until next time.

　　下次节目再见。

　　M: This has been Words and Idioms.

　　A: Have you gotten everything squared away for your trip back to Ohio?

　　B: Meh, there's no rush. I've still got a couple hours before I leave. I'll just pack right before I leave.

　　A: 唉呀! Mike, Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance!

　　B: Prior Planning Prevents Fun!

　　A: 好了同学们，这次节目时间就到这里了。

　　B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!

　　A: See you next time!