VOA英语教学：美语训练班 090

 　　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，赶快来告诉大家今天都要学什么?
　　A: 没问题! 今天我们要聊聊继续深造需要考虑些什么，看看怎么表达如法炮制，还要告诉你现在最潮的个人设计师要怎么说!!
　　B: Having a personal stylist used to be limited to celebrities, but now a lot of ordinary woman are hiring their own personal stylist to look their best!
　　A: Yep. I've always been interested in the fashion industry. Being a personal stylist sounds like a fun job to me! You can appreciate all the new fashions without spending a dime! 哎呀，这才是我该进入的行业呀...
　　B: Hmm....yeah. We...will discuss that later. Now, let's go ahead with our first segment, learn a word!
　　Learn A Word - 1655 hi-tech
　　今天我们要学的词是 hi-tech, hi-tech is spelled h-i, hi, t-e-c-h, tech, hi-tech.  Hi-tech 高科技的。Hi-tech companies 高科技公司。Hi-tech gadgets are sure-fire gifts for the holidays. 过节送高科技产品的礼物一定不会错。上星期，The House of Representatives voted to make green cards accessible for foreign students graduating with advanced science and math degrees from U.S. Universities, a step strongly backed by the hi-tech industry. 美国国会众议院投票决定，允许从美国大学毕业，获取理工科高学位的外籍学生申请绿卡，这一做法得到了高科技工业的强烈支持。好的，今天我们学习的词是 hi-tech, hi-tech, hi-tech...
　　A: 说起高科技，我最近刚换了新的智能手机, 觉得生活都变了! GPS, 照相机，上网，发微博什么都能用手机，太方便了！
　　B: Yeah, the smart phone is a wonderful invention, and with everyone having a smart phone right now, related industries are booming! I have a friend who is a smart phone app developer. After working at Google for two years, he now has his own firm that is in full swing!!
　　A: 可不！现在IT人才真吃香！我再次感叹自己入错了行…
　　B: The important thing is that you have to be doing what you love. My friend loves hi-tech stuff, so for him, going to work is like having fun!
　　A: 对对对！找一份自己喜欢的工作，每天都高高兴兴的才是人生真谛！好了，你刚才提到了一个很好的词 in full swing, 咱们来听听今天的美国习惯用语，学学这个短语的意思！
　　Words and Idioms 806 IN FULL SWING
　　美国习惯用语第八百零六讲。我是杨晨。我是 Douglas Johnson。
　　我的一个朋友正在参加社区代表的选举。过去几个月来，为了帮他拉选票，我贡献了不少自己的时间，给选民打电话，还要登门拜访，分发资料。离投票的日子越近，我就越忙。形容目前的选举阶段，在英语里叫：
　　M: In full swing. Full is spelled f-u-l-l, and swing; s-w-i-n-g. In-full-swing. In full swing. Full 是全部的，彻底的意思，swing 是摇摆。In full swing 连在一起，就是进入高潮阶段，正在全力进行当中的意思。说到我朋友参加的选举，这个习惯用语恰如其分。The campaign is in full swing.
　　下面这位新郎的弟弟讲述了婚礼招待会的场面，让我们听听看。
　　M: "When the wedding reception began, it wasn't very lively. But it really picked up once the band started playing some popular favorites. Now everyone's out on the dance floor having a great time. The party is IN FULL SWING."
　　他说，"婚礼招待会刚开始的时候并不是很活跃，后来乐队开始演奏一些特别受欢迎的曲子，场面才开始热烈起来，大家都跑到舞池里面，蹁蹁起舞，尽情享受，使聚会进入了高潮。"
　　这不禁让我想起了参加1999年迈进2000年的跨世纪新年晚会的情景。晚会刚开始的时候，大家都很拘谨，但是随着午夜的临近，晚会的气氛越来越热烈，直到午夜钟声响起，The celebration was in full swing.  好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。
　　M: "When the wedding reception began, it wasn't very lively. But it really picked up once the band started playing some popular favorites. Now everyone's out on the dance floor having a great time. The party is IN FULL SWING."
　　据语言学家考察，in full swing 这个习惯用语大约是在十九世纪中期出现的。最早的时候，in full swing 是指身体的剧烈摇摆。
　　刚才我们提到了新年元旦晚会。除了新年以外，美国还有很多人尽皆知的日子。大家肯定知道十一月份最后一个星期四的感恩节，也就是火鸡大餐的日子、12月25号的圣诞节、7月四号以烟火表演著称的独立日，还有10月31号大鬼小鬼粉墨登场的万圣节，可是你知道4月15号是什么日子吗？如果你猜不到的话，就让我们一起来听听。
　　M: "As a tax accountant, my busiest time of year is between February and April. That's because working Americans must file their tax documents with the federal government by April 15th of every year. So when my office is IN FULL SWING, I'm expected to stay late and come in on weekends."
　　这个人说，"做税务会计的，一年里最忙的就是二月份到四月份这段时间，因为美国工薪阶层每年4月15号以前要向联邦政府报税。在这段时间里，我们公司要全力以赴，晚上和周末都要加班。"
　　美国著名的政治家和发明家富兰克林曾经说过一句很经典的话，叫 "The only things certain in life are death and taxes." 意思是说生命中只有死亡和税务是确定无疑的。让我们再听一下上面的例句。
　　M: "As a tax accountant, my busiest time of year is between February and April. That's because working Americans must file their tax documents with the federal government by April 15th of every year. So when my office is IN FULL SWING, I'm expected to stay late and come in on weekends."
　　报税确实是一件很让人头疼的事情，所以我宁可花点儿钱，也要请别人帮我报税，这就是社会分工的好处！
　　今天我们学到，在说起政治选举、社交聚会和工作进入高潮的时候，都可以用到 in full swing 这个习惯用语。如果你是我们节目的忠实听众的话，I bet your learning of new idioms is in full swing. 好的，这次[美国习惯用语]就到此结束。我是杨晨，我是 Douglas Johnson。这次节目的制作人是胡小玲。谢谢各位的收听。
　　M: Until next time.
　　M: This has been Words and Idioms.
　　A: 我也来造个句，with the presidential inauguration coming next Monday, the operations are all the news agencies are in full swing!
　　B: Exactly. Everyone in the building is busy preparing for the swear-in ceremony! Luckily with all the hi-tech cameras and phones out there, we can just ask the audience to send in clips of the event!
　　A: 没错，we need to make full use of our hi-tech devices! I don’t know if I want to go to the event myself though, it’s going to be freezing standing outside in 0 C temperatures.
　　B: Of course you want to go! This only happens every four years and you can’t guarantee you are going to be in DC next time! Come on!
　　A: 也是！而且，我也想看看Michelle Obama穿什么衣服！每次她出席这些场合的时候都好优雅, 不知道这次她的造型师是谁…
　　B: Exactly. Whatever the reason, you have to go!
　　A: 哈哈，好吧好吧。我刚才说到了造型师，咱们就再来听听这个词要怎么说！
　　Learn A Word - 1657 stylist
　　今天我们要学的词是 stylist, stylist is spelled s-t-y-l-i-s-t, stylist.  stylist 设计师，造型师。Monica is studying to become a hair stylist. Monica正在学习，想当一名发型设计师。"Twilight" actress Kristen Stewart's stylist says that Kristen has always been a "tomboy at heart." 暮光之城女主角克里斯汀.斯图尔特的造型师说，她本质上一直是个假小子。个人造型设计师如今已经不再是有钱人的特权。Many ordinary women are hiring their own personal stylist to look their best. 很多普通女性也开始雇佣自己的个人造型师，让自己以最好的形象示人。好的，今天我们学习的词是 stylist, stylist, stylist...
　　A: Maybe I should consider becoming a stylist…I love fashion and I’ve always been interested in … studying it!
　　B:  Well… From what I have seen, you are really just interested in shopping. Other than that, I don’t see enough talent…
　　(A: What? ) kidding kidding. Actually, you should consider doing it as a side-job! You have a good sense of fashion, why not use that to make others feel better?!
　　A: What? You are never this nice to me…I think I’m about to tear up…
　　B: 哈哈哈, this only happens once in a blue moon, so don’t get used to it! Now let’s go ahead with our show. Another words and idioms!
　　Words and Idioms 807 Beat Someone at Their Own Game
　　现在播送美国习惯用语第八百零七讲。我是杨晨。我是 Douglas Johnson。
　　如今互联网这么发达，什么东西只要一放到网上，就会一发不可收拾。如果你突然发现，朋友没有经过允许，就把你的一张很丑陋的照片放到了网上，你会怎么做？我的朋友 Jennifer 就被同事这么捉弄过一回。她也不示弱，立即找出一张同事更丢人的旧照片，发给了更多的人。这种做法在英语里叫：
　　M: Beat someone at their own game. Beat is spelled b-e-a-t, and game; g-a-m-e. Beat-someone-at-their-own-game. Beat someone at their own game.
　　beat 在中文里是打击的意思，game 是比赛，游戏。beat someone at their own game，就是以其人之道，还治其人之身的意思。我的朋友 Jennifer 如法炮制，把同事一些见不得人的照片放到网上，让更多的人都看到，就可以说是 She beat them at their own game.
　　如果说这是一场搞笑的恶作剧的话，那么在下面这个例子里两家餐馆之间的血拼大降价，就没有这么好笑了。让我们听听看。
　　M: "The restaurant across the street from ours was running a special. Guests who ordered a dinner entrée could receive another at half price. So we introduced an even better deal: buy one entrée, get the other free. Now our place is packed. We're BEATING THE COMPETITION AT THEIR OWN GAME."
　　其中一位老板说: "街对面的餐馆推出特价活动，点一道主菜，第二道菜半价。我们以其人之道，还治其人之身， 决定买一送一，结果现在我们餐馆里的生意特别红火。我们在这次较量中战胜了对手。"
　　如果是我，我也会光顾这家餐馆的。经济不好的时候，商家就更要想方设法地吸引顾客。商业竞争真是英语里常说的 "Dog-Eat-Dog"残酷无情。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。
　　M: "The restaurant across the street from ours was running a special. Guests who ordered a dinner entrée could receive another at half price. So we introduced an even better deal: buy one entrée, get the other free. Now our place is packed. We're BEATING THE COMPETITION AT THEIR OWN GAME."
　　刚才我们谈到了商业竞争的残酷无情。不过有的时候，beat someone at their own game 也会给生活增添不少乐趣。让我们一起来听听下面这对夫妻之间的小故事。
　　M: "I thought taking my wife sailing was a pretty cool birthday surprise. But, for my big day, she took me skydiving in Mexico. Every year is the same. No matter what gift ideas I come up with, hers are cleverer. She BEATS ME AT MY OWN GAME all the time."
　　这个人说: "我本来以为带妻子去航海是一个绝妙的生日礼物，但是我过生日的时候，她却计划好了一起到墨西哥去跳伞。每年都是这样，她总能想出更棒的生日礼物来，让我自愧不如。"
　　去年冬天，我跟老公学下国际象棋，怎么也赢不了他，结果我正好有机会采访了一位象棋高手，跟他学了几招，回家就把老公打败了。I finally beat him at his own game. 让我们再听一下上面的例句。
　　M: "I thought taking my wife sailing was a pretty cool birthday surprise. But, for my big day, she took me skydiving in Mexico. Every year is the same. No matter what gift ideas I come up with, hers are cleverer. She BEATS ME AT MY OWN GAME all the time."
　　最近美国经济不景气，很多公司都在裁员。我前些天做了一个梦，梦见早上去上班，结果接到通知，说我们被另外一家电台取代了。They beat us at our own game. 一下子惊醒过来，好在是个梦。
　　从上面的例子大家肯定已经看出，to beat someone at their own game 这个习惯用语里的 game 可以用来指任何努力和工作。这个习惯用语可以追溯到十三世纪中叶，真可以说是历史悠久了。
　　好的，这次[美国习惯用语]就到此结束。我是杨晨，我是 Douglas Johnson。这次节目的制作人是胡小玲。谢谢各位的收听。
　　M: Until next time.
　　M: This has been Words and Idioms.
　　A: Our previous host Kat is super creative. Whatever ideas I had, she would come up with a better one. She always beats me at my own game!
　　B: You sure that’s because Kat’s creative? Or is it because you are … a little bit slow in some aspect? (A:You…) Whoops…
　　A: Actually we were just chatting yesterday. She’s thinking about going back to college for graduate school and wanted my advice. I don’t know…just the idea of going back to school gives me a headache! It’s a huge commitment of time and money, and you don’t want to choose the wrong major!
　　B: True. In today’s Business Etiquette, Lisa is asking Shirley for advice about going to graduate school, let’s check it out!
　　BE 202 Continuing education I
　　Lisa请Shirley吃饭，有事征求Shirley的意见。
　　Lisa: Hey, Shirley! Want to join me for lunch...my treat!
　　Shirley: Wow! Sure!
　　Lisa: I must confess I have an ulterior motive for asking you to lunch.
　　S: Oh....that's OK....as long as you're buying!
　　L: I really want to pick your brain about something I've been thinking a lot about.
　　S: I'd love to help if I can.
　　请别人吃饭，可以说 my treat, 也可以说 it's on me. 原来，Lisa请Shirley吃饭别有用心，She has an ulterior motive. motive是动机，ulterior is spelled u-l-t-e-r-i-o-r, ulterior意思是暗藏的，别有用心的。Lisa告诉Shirley, I really want to pick your brain about something. to pick someone's brain意思是跟某人交谈，获取信息，征求意见。
　　L: Well, as you know, I have a Bachelor's degree in English literature and that's served me well so far, but I've always wanted to do some post-graduate work...maybe even get a Doctorate!
　　S: Wow! Just the idea of going back to school fills my head with pain.
　　L: But you have a Master's degree...hasn't that helped your career?
　　S: Yeah, I'd have to say it has. But I'm still paying for it, you know.
　　L: I know education is expensive, but it's been my lifelong dream. Call me crazy, but I've always wanted to have that PhD at the end of my name.
　　原来，Lisa是考虑要回去上学。她已经有了a Bachelor's Degree学士学位，想再拿个Master's Degree硕士学位，甚至是a Doctorate博士学位，这是她的lifetime dream这辈子梦寐以求的。Shirley承认，硕士学位确实对自己的事业有帮助，但是在美国接受高等教育很贵，I'm still paying for it.我上学的钱到现在还没有还清。Shirley还说，
　　S: Well, getting a Doctorate degree would mean close to a decade of school. Can you afford that? Can you survive that?
　　L: I certainly can't afford it, but I'm sure I could find some good student loans.
　　S: I think you need to separate the dream of having a PhD from the reality of years of more schooling. It's not as romantic as you might think.
　　L: Yeah....I keep thinking about what I'll do with a Master's or Doctorate. I love language but I don't think there are a lot of well-paying jobs out there for experts on Shakespeare.
　　S: Uh huh, that's for sure. You might find that your only career choice is teaching other graduate students.
　　Shirley劝Lisa不要把回去读书想得太好，要看自己经济上能否承担得起，Can you afford that? 还要看自己能不能坚持下来，Can you survive that?Lisa会不顾一切却追求梦想吗？我们下次继续听。
　　A: Lisa请Shirley吃饭，想要pick her brain，征求她的意见。Shirley觉得, 虽然继续深造是有帮助的，可是要想清楚自己经济能否负担。Shirley is still paying for her master degree, Shirley还在为自己的硕士学位买单。
　　B: Exactly. Higher education in the U.S. is really expensive. I know a lot of people who are still paying for it 7 or 8 years after they graduated.
　　A: You also want to be really careful when choosing your major. 你可能特别喜欢历史，可是市场上不需要那么多历史学家。
　　B: Let's see if Shirley can offer Lisa some good advice!
　　Lisa请Shirley吃饭，说自己想回学校去读个硕士或是博士学位，征求Shirley的意见。Shirley说，
　　Shirley: I got my Master's in Business Management. It's helped my career, but it took several years of hard studying. If I didn't have a supportive family and a husband with a good job, I don't think I could have done it.
　　L: So you're counseling me against this idea?
　　S: Not necessarily, but I do recommend taking a slow approach. Can you take some night classes or find some way to keep working while you go back to school?
　　L: Might be difficult.
　　Shirley念的商业管理硕士学位，她觉得，自己之所以能读下来，靠的是家人的支持，和老公的高收入。Lisa问Shirley是不是劝她放弃这种想法，so you're counseling me against it? to counsel someone against something意思是劝说某人不要做某事。Shirley说，not necessarily那也不一定。她建议Lisa慢慢来，take a slow approach, 看能不能边工作边选课。Lisa觉得不太实际。
　　S: Maybe you could get an MBA or something more marketable.
　　L: That's worth considering.
　　S: I got my BA from Brown University. My major was Environmental Studies but that hasn't been as useful as the business courses I took.
　　L: Or maybe I should just take some courses that I'm interested in, but skip the Master's.
　　S: That's another idea, but if you really have a dream, don't let anything stop you from going for it! Going back to school is hard, but it's not impossible.
　　Shirley劝Lisa考虑其他更容易找高薪工作的专业。不过，她同时也鼓励Lisa说，if you really have a dream, don't let anything stop you from going for it! 如果这真是你的梦想的话，那就不要让任何事情阻挡你。
　　L: You're right! I need to decide if this is truly what I want.
　　S: And take your time. You're still young. Maybe there's even a correspondence course you can take during your free time.
　　L: Yeah! Then I could slowly build up credits and maybe later transfer into a university program.
　　S: There you go! That's some clear thinking.
　　L: I guess I just love learning! I remember the day my SAT test scores came back....I was so excited!
　　S: (Chuckle) I don't remember loving school quite so much....most of the time I was either bored or totally stressed out. But like I said earlier, if you have a dream, don't let anything hold you back!
　　Shirley说，Lisa甚至可以抽空先选几门correspondence course函授课程，这样可以慢慢积攒一些学分credits, 以后如果真想读学位，也可以用得上。她再次强调说，If you have a dream, don't let anything hold you back. 意思是有梦想，就不要让任何事情拉你的后腿。
　　A: Don’t let anything hold you back!  不顾一切，去追求梦想。
　　B: What exactly is your dream? Buy…more clothes?
　　A: 当然是吃遍全世界了！
　　B: Actually, I second that!
　　A: Why I’m not surprised…哈哈， 好了同学们，这次节目时间就到这里了。 如果你有什么建议，或者想提什么问题，请发电子邮件到meiyu@voanews.com.
　　B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
　　A: See you next time!