VOA英语教学：美语训练班 111

 　　A: 欢迎大家来到这期的美语训练班! 我是杨琳!

　　B: 我是Mike! 杨琳，来告诉大家今天都要学什么!
　　A: 嗯! 今天，我们要一起来聊聊如何讨价还价，看看怎么说假警报，还要告诉大家怎么说消灭在萌芽状态!
　　B: Bargaining! That's the most important skill I picked up in China!
　　A: 哈哈没错! 我原来也特喜欢砍价，好像占了多大便宜似的，特别高兴!
　　B: Yeah, that sounds like you...(A:Hey!) Ok Ok, we will introduce you to more bargaining tips later in the show, for now let's go ahead with our first segment:
　　A: Learn a word!
　　Learn A Word 1769 record-breaking
　　今天我们要学的词是record-breaking. record is spelled r-e-c-o-r-d, record, and breaking, b-r-e-a-k-i-n-g, breaking, record-breaking. Record-breaking 破记录的。A record-breaking heat wave is raising the risk of fire in the Seattle area. 西雅图出现破记录的热浪天气，增加了火灾的风险。The annual celebration is drawing a record-breaking crowd. 一年一度的庆祝活动吸引了众多参观者，人数冲破了往年的记录。Iron Man 3 had a record-breaking opening weekend around the globe. 钢铁侠第三集上映的第一个周末，创下了票房新高。好的，今天我们学习的词是 record-breaking, record-breaking, record-breaking......
　　A: Have you watched Iron Man 3? Gosh it is definitely the best movie I've watched this year so far! It's about....
　　B: Wowowoww, 杨琳，no spoilers! Don't ruin a film for me again!
　　A: Again? What do you mean again? Anyways...so the bad person is called the Mandarin...
　　B: (Interrupt) Stop it! Remember last weekend when you told me the whole plot of Game of Throne? You ruined it for me! Ruined it!
　　A: 我是让你做好心理准备嘛!
　　B: Oh gosh you are enjoying this... I should have nipped this in the bud....
　　A: 哈哈! All right, all right, I will behave this time! But you just mentioned a very good idiom, nip in the bud! Let's check out today's words and idioms and see what it means!
　　Words and Idioms 843 NIP (STH) IN THE BUD
　　美国习惯用语第 843 讲
　　我们办公室新来了个制片助理。这个女孩子刚走出大学校园，带着浓厚的工作热情，而且很有创意。美中不足的是，喜欢工作时间聊大天。为此，老板今天把她叫去谈话，希望尽早纠正她的这个坏习惯。这个例子用我们今天要学的习惯用语来描述十分贴切，叫：
　　M: Nip something in the bud. Nip is spelled n-i-p, and bud; b-u-d. Nip-something-in-the-bud. Nip something in the bud.
　　Nip 是掐断的意思。Bud 是花蕾，萌芽的意思。nip something in the bud 这个习惯用语意思是将一件事物消灭在萌芽状态，防微杜渐。你现在一定明白了，老板找我们新来的那位制片助理谈话，就是要尽早把她喜欢聊天的坏毛病扳过来。He wants to NIP her behavior IN THE BUD. 以防日后发展到不可收拾的地步。
　　多年前，美国制药业曾经遭受过一次沉重打击，业界人士迅速采取行动，才在最短时间内恢复了元气。让我们一起听听有关介绍。
　　M: "In 1982, someone poisoned bottles of aspirin, killing seven consumers. Fear spread across the country. Fortunately, drug manufacturers recalled all remaining stock and changed the packaging of their products to prevent tampering in the future. By NIPPING the crisis IN THE BUD, their sales rebounded within a year."
　　这段话说：1982年，有人在阿司匹林的药瓶里下毒，造成七名消费者死亡，引起全国恐慌。好在制药公司召回了全部存货，采用新的包装方式，防止产品再被人下手脚。正是因为他们及时采取措施，把危机消灭在萌芽阶段，销售量才在短短一年内出现了反弹。
　　现在药瓶瓶口上的铝箔封口和塑料包装就是为了让用户对产品的安全放心。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。
　　M: "In 1982, someone poisoned bottles of aspirin, killing seven consumers. Fear spread across the country. Fortunately, drug manufacturers recalled all remaining stock and changed the packaging of their products to prevent tampering in the future. By NIPPING the crisis IN THE BUD, their sales rebounded within a year."
　　虽然下面这个例子听上去比较轻松，但是很多看似无关紧要的小事，也不能掉以轻心。让我们一起来听听。
　　M: "Like a lot of puppies, mine liked to beg for food every time I sat down to eat. If I'd let her continue, she would have become uncontrollable. My friend suggested that I fill a can with coins and shake it whenever she started to bark at me. That really NIPPED IT IN THE BUD. She soon learned to stay quiet. Since then, Lucy has developed into a very well-behaved dog."
　　这个养狗的人说：跟其他小狗一样，每次我坐下吃东西，Lucy 就来要吃的。如果我听其自然，肯定早就管不了了。我朋友建议我拿一罐硬币，她一叫，就摇罐子，这招还真管用，改掉了她的坏毛病，让她学会安静。从那以后，Lucy 已经成了一只很懂规矩的狗。
　　这招还真灵，因为狗不喜欢噪音，所以用摇硬币的办法来驯狗十分奏效。另外还有驯狗师建议，往狗脸上喷水也是驯狗的好办法。好的，我们再来听一下上面那个例句。
　　M: "Like a lot of puppies, mine liked to beg for food every time I sat down to eat. If I'd let her continue, she would have become uncontrollable. My friend suggested that I fill a can with coins and shake it whenever she started to bark at me. That really NIPPED IT IN THE BUD. She soon learned to stay quiet. Since then, Lucy has developed into a very well-behaved dog."
　　我真希望有什么好办法能让我侄子知趣点。自从上个月搬来我家住，他就一直无所事事，整天看电视，我暗示他出去找个工作，但是至今，I haven't been successful at NIPPING his laziness IN THE BUD. 我还是没能把他懒散的坏毛病改掉。看来只好改变策略。
　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。
　　M: Until next time.
　　M: This has been Words and Idioms.
　　A: My mom always tells me to nip any sign of sickness in the bud. Whenever you feel under the weather, take the day off, let your body relax before it turns into something more severe.
　　B: Really? Sounds like you should nip your laziness in the bud. (A: Say that again?) Ok kidding kidding. You are one of the most hardworking people I've ever met!
　　A: 这还差不多!
　　B: Well, let's continue with our class!
　　A: In today's business etiquette, 公司主管Fred要来跟客户讨价还价! Let's listen and check out some useful bargaining tips!
　　礼节美语Raising PricesPart I
　　MicroMax 公司销售部主管Fred 给客户Tom打电话，讨论涨价的事情。
　　Susan (secretary): Hello, Tom Grossman's office. How may I help you?
　　Fred Lim: Hi, Susan. This is Fred Lim from MicroMax. Is Tom available for a second?
　　Susan: One moment, please. I'm connecting you now.
　　Tom: Hey, Fred. What's up?
　　F: Well, I was going to send you an email, but I thought it might be better for me to call.
　　T: Uh, oh. Sounds serious.
　　秘书Susan帮Fred接通Tom的电话。Tom拿起电话来问，Hey, Fred, What's up?这是熟人之间见面，或是打电话一上来很常见的说法。直截了当，又很亲切。Fred 说，本想发个电子邮件，后来觉得还是电话里说好，是什么重要的事呢？
　　F: It's about the last order your company placed with us.
　　T: Let's see...you mean the order for six containers of chipboards?
　　F: Yep, that's the one. Now I know we originally agreed on the price, but there's a little problem. Yesterday one of our major suppliers notified us that they are raising prices.
　　T: That's never good.
　　原来是关于最近一批订货，订货要用动词 place, to place an order. 供货商昨天电话通知Fred的公司，要涨价 They are raising prices.这可不是好消息。
　　F: Also, due to recent jumps in energy prices, our shipping agent is also upping fees. I guess what I'm getting at is that we just can't offer our product at the original price anymore.
　　T: But Fred, this order is already in! I made it two weeks ago! You can't change prices on me like this.
　　F: I understand your position, Tom. But if we fill your order as is, we lose money. If we can't find some kind of compromise, I'm afraid our company might have to cancel the order all together.
　　涨价也可以说 to up the fees。Fred 抱怨说，油价贵了，运费也水涨船高，What I'm getting at is that....归根结底要涨价。Tom 不同意，因为 The order is already in. 货已经定好了，怎么还能涨价呢？Fred 表示，if we fill your order as is, 如果按原样供货，就会赔钱。如果谈不拢，就只好 cancel the order 取消定单。
　　T: Well, how much more are you asking for?
　　F: We need to ask for another 25%.
　　T: 25%! That's a huge increase, Fred!
　　F: Tom, you are one of our most valued customers. Your business is important to us, but this situation is out of our hands.
　　T:  I understand that your company needs to make a profit. But it's going to be very hard for me to pass on these increases to our customers.
　　Tom 听说要取消定单，口气软了下来，但觉得涨25%还是太多。Fred解释说，the situation is out of our hands. 目前的情况已经不是我们所能控制的了。Fred和Tom接下来如何讨价还价，我们下次再听。
　　A: 销售主管Fred给客户Tom 打电话，表示订单需要涨价。Tom说，the order was placed two weeks ago, 两周前就下了订单，涨价太不合理了。Fred说，由于油价飞涨，everyone is upping the fees, 各方都在涨价，所以the situation is out of their hands, 他们也控制不了。
　　I can't believe these people...they just pushed their responsibilities on to others and left the customers hanging there!
　　B: That's true for some bad companies, but some companies has great customer service.  My iPhone and kindle both broke this week. Amazon fixed my kindle within 48 hours and Apple replaced my phone in 20 minutes flat. I'm remarkably impressed with both companies for how quickly they got their devices back into my hands.
　　A: Wow that's great! Maybe some of that good karma is coming back to you...
　　B: Ha, maybe! Well, let's keep listening to Tom and Fred, and learn how the bargaining goes in the business world!
　　礼节美语Raising PricesPart II
　　MicroMax 公司销售部主管Fred 给客户Tom打电话，讨论涨价的事情。Fred要涨25%，Tom嫌太多。
　　F: I feel your pain, Tom. We are also in hot water these days. The global financial crisis is hitting all of us hard.
　　T: Is there anyway we could cut costs in other areas? Could we find a new shipping agent?
　　F: Yes, we could do that. But in the end it still comes down to protecting our bottom line.
　　对别人表示理解，可以说 I feel your pain. 不过，Fred话锋一转说，We are also in hot water. 我们日子也不好过。in the end it still comes down to protecting our bottom line.归根结底我们还是要保证公司利润。the bottom line 意思是赢利。
　　T: Look, I understand that prices for everything are going up these days. It's a tough time to be in business. My company had to lay off over 100 employees last summer; but 25% is just too much.
　　F: You and I go a long way back, Tom. I'll do everything in my power to be flexible....how about 22%?
　　T: It's still too high. Our board of directors is already going to give me a hard time over this. Can you do better?
　　Tom同意涨价，但不肯接受25%. Fred跟Tom拉关系，You and I go a long way back.咱俩可是老交情了，然后问Tom22%怎么样。Tom还是嫌多，说董事会会give me a hard time绕不了我。
　　F: Tom, seeing as I've known you for over 10 years and because this price increase really came out of the blue, I think I can go down to 20%. But that's really the best I can do.
　　T: How about this: I'll pay 15% more for this shipment. Then for the next order we'll boost it up to 18%.
　　F: You certainly know how to drive a hard bargain. Ok....how about 18% for this one and a 21% increase for next time?
　　T: I think I can do that. Ok....Fred, you've got yourself a deal.
　　Fred降到20%，并表示，That's really the best I can do.不能再低了，他肯这样做，是因为the increase really came out of the blue这次涨价的要求确实很突然。Tom 还是不肯点头。Fred 说，you certainly know how to drive a hard bargain. 意思是真会杀价。最后两人同意这批货涨18%，下批货涨21%。 Tom 说，Fred, you've got yourself a deal. 意思是成交。成交后当然还要寒暄一下。
　　F: I appreciate your understanding, Tom. And I'm sorry for the trouble this has caused you.
　　T: Ah, that's all right. I know it's not your fault. Prices for everything these days are insane.
　　F: Still, I appreciate your understanding. Let's get together for lunch next time you're in town.
　　T: Sure thing. And say hi to your lovely wife, Katrina.
　　F: Will do. Thanks again, Tom.
　　A: Fred向Tom解释说, we are also in hot water, 处境也不容易。Tom说，如果这么涨价，董事会会 give me a hard time, 绕不了我。两个人谈了很久，Tom同意这次涨价20%. Fred说Tom，You drive a hard bargain, 意思是你很会砍价。
　　B: That's something I learned at 秀水街 in China. You start by asking for half the price and bargain up from there, and it usually works!
　　A: You know what? This is why Chinese people are good at numbers, because we started practicing when we were kids!
　　B: I can't argue with that! You definitely are better at calculating tips than me...
　　A: Haha, ok! Let's move on to another segment of our class now!
　　Learn A Word 1771 false alarm
　　今天我们要学的词是false alarm. False is spelled f-a-l-s-e; and a-l-a-r-m, alarm。False alarm的意思是乌龙，假警报。美国德州遭受龙卷风袭击，据说，On average, roughly 70% of all tornado warnings are false alarms. 平均来说，大约有百分之70的龙卷风警报都是虚惊一场。报假火警会浪费公用资源，Some cities in the U.S. are considering starting to issue fines for false alarms. 美国的一些城市在考虑，对报假火警的人予以罚款。美国联邦参议员莱文的办公室收到可疑信件，Preliminary FBI testing shows that the letter was not contaminated with poison and was a false alarm. FBI 的初步化验显示信件并没有被下毒，是虚惊一场。好的，今天我们学习的词是 false alarm, false alarm, false alarm...
　　A: I think 80% of the fire alarms in my apartment building are false alarms, so I never actually go downstairs...I just wait for the alarms to stop.
　　B: Woo...you don't want to risk that. What if there really is a fire? Life is too precious to risk on something silly like that!
　　A: OK OK professor....Let's now...continue with our class!
　　Words and Idioms 844 NEITHER HERE NOR THERE
　　美国习惯用语>第 844 讲我特别喜欢去电影院看电影，可是有时也会遇到一些不愉快的事情。比如说上个周末，我们后面坐的三个女孩子，从电影一开始就旁若无人地聊天。我后来实在忍无可忍，回头请她们保持安静，谁知其中一个女孩说，我们可是比你先坐在这儿的，让我哭笑不得，因为英语里说：
　　M: Neither here nor there. Here is spelled h-e-r-e, and there; t-h-e-r-e. Neither-here-nor-there. Neither here nor there.
　　Neither here nor there 这个习惯用语的意思是无关紧要。我之所以这么说，是因为在电影院里保持安静是最起码的礼貌，先来后到其实并不重要。换句话说，那个女孩子提出是她们先到的，完全就是 It was NEITHTER HERE NOR THERE.
　　在下面这个例子中，一名政客擅自挪用税款，欺骗选民。让我们一起听听他在为自己做出辩护的时候是怎么说的。
　　M: "Our senator was found guilty of taking tax money to pay for his summer home. When confronted, he reminded reporters that he had been serving the citizens for over 40 years.  That remark was NEITHER HERE NOR THERE; he'd broken the law! Did he think that he could divert our attention from his crime?"
　　这段话说：我们的参议员已经被认定有罪，罪名是挪用税款，给自己盖夏季别墅。被问到这个问题时，他居然提醒记者说，他已经为大众服务四十多年了。从政多少年并不重要，重要的是，他违反了法律。他难道以为这样说，就能让我们不再注意他的罪行吗？
　　这倒让我想到一件好笑的事情。每次我老公做错事，只要我嗓门稍微一升高，他马上就会夸我看上去年轻漂亮。What he's saying is NEITHER HERE NOR THERE. 他这么说明摆着就是在转移视线，避重就轻。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。
　　M: "Our senator was found guilty of taking tax money to pay for his summer home. When confronted, he reminded reporters that he had been serving the citizens for over 40 years.  That remark was NEITHER HERE NOR THERE; he'd broken the law! Did he think that he could divert our attention from his crime?"
　　我好几个朋友的孩子都曾前往伊拉克作战。最近，我跟一个马上准备回来的孩子聊天，才发现，在这些军人的心目中，什么才是最重要的。让我们一起听听他是怎么说的。
　　M: "My tour of duty is nearly over and my mom's busy planning my favorite meals. I really appreciate her thinking of me. But whatever she makes seems NEITHER HERE NOR THERE. It just isn't that important. What I care about is being home with my family again."
　　这个人说：我驻防的任务马上就要结束了，妈妈正在准备做那些我最喜欢吃的菜。她能这么惦记我，我当然高兴，可其实，她做什么饭菜并不重要，最让我高兴的是，我又能跟家人团聚了。
　　看来，战场的磨炼还真能让人成熟。我哥哥的女儿其实跟上面这个男孩子差不多大。可她现在最关心的，却是怎么才能让老爸给她买辆新车。她还专门把各款跑车的介绍从网上打印下来，拿给我哥看。不过，我哥说，她的这番努力是 NEITHER HERE NOR THERE 根本没用。能开上家里那辆十年的旧车，就已经算她好运了。好的，我们再来听一下上面那个例句。
　　M: "My tour of duty is nearly over and my mom's busy planning my favorite meals. I really appreciate her thinking of me. But whatever she makes seems NEITHER HERE NOR THERE. It just isn't that important. What I care about is being home with my family again."
　　说到年纪，NEITHER HERE NOR THERE 这个习惯用语最早出现是在1583年。如果大家有任何问题，即使你觉得可能是 NEITHER HERE NOR THERE 无关紧要，也不妨跟我们联系，电子邮件可以寄到 MEIYU@VOANEWS.COM。
　　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: Mike, stop making excuses for eating all my snacks...and stop pretending  you are trying to help me lose weight or something, it's neither here nor there...
　　B: Really? Because I'm pretty sure if you put on any more weight,  Lingdao isn't going to let you appear on camera.......
　　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!