VOA英语教学：美语训练班 046

 　　A: 大家好! 我是杨琳, 欢迎来到这期的美语训练班!

　　B: 大家好，我是Kat! 杨琳，赶快来介绍一下今天的节目内容吧！
　　A: 没问题! 今天，咱们要去参加美国的高中派队，玩玩功夫游戏，聊聊戒烟有什么好办法，还要告诉大家怎么用美语说“大众情人”。
　　B: 大众情人! Jay Chou ,周杰伦!
　　A: 哈哈，看来你还是周杰伦的歌迷呢?
　　B: 嘿嘿，没错! 听他的歌，又能看帅哥，又能学绕口令!
　　A: 哈哈，You are too funny, Kat! 不过在节目一开始，咱们还是先花一分种，学一个词儿！
　　Learn A Word Binge Drinking
　　今天我们要学的词是Binge Drinking, binge is spelled b-i-n-g-e, binge; and drinking, d-r-i-n-k-i-n-g, drinking. Binge 是名词，放纵，binge drinking 意思是狂饮，酗酒。欧洲的研究人员发现，The more scenes of alcohol use teens watched on the big screen, the greater their risk of binge drinking. 对青少年来说，看电影中喝酒的剧情越多，自己出去暴饮买醉的可能性就越大。最近美国各地学校都在放春假，Highway safety organizations warn that Spring Break binge drinking can lead to dangerous drivers on the road. 高速公路安全组织警告说，春假期间的暴饮可能会让路上出现马路杀手。好的，今天我们学习的词是binge drinking, binge drinking, binge drinking.
　　B: Remember that one time at our house party when you binged and ended up singing and dancing all night?
　　A: What? 你说我喝酒喝到在party上乱唱乱跳! 才不是! 你知道我酒量特别小的! I only had one bottle of beer!
　　B: 哈哈，真的吗?
　　A: 当然是真的! 我记得那次忘了邀请我的好朋友Sam一起去，她还挺生气的...
　　B: Oops, that's not good. Did you guys clear the air later?
　　A：We did! 幸好她通情达理，I invited her out for coffee, and explained that I forgot to invite her only because I had too much work that week. 她也就没放在心上了!
　　B： That's great! 在今天的words and idioms里，我们就要来教你怎么跟你别人"Clear the air"!
　　A: Let's listen and find out!
　　Words and Idioms
　　现在播送<美国习惯用语>第 959讲。我是杨琳。
　　我是 Douglas Johnson.
　　今天我想问问听众朋友，当你跟别人发生分歧的时候，你会怎么处理? 是装做没有事情发生? 是自己生闷气? 是就此跟朋友绝交? 还是跟对方坐下来好好谈谈，努力解决分歧呢? 如果你选择最后一个解决方案，Bingo! 这就是我们今天要教的习惯用语：
　　M：Clear the air. Clear is spelled c-l-e-a-r; and air, a-i-r. Clear-the-air.
　　女: Clear 清除，air 空气，连起来 to clear the air 清除两人间不愉快的气氛，其实就是“消除隔阂”的意思。每次我要是和朋友有什么不愉快我都会这么做，clear the air. 坦诚的谈谈问题，其实你们会发现，没有什么是不能解决的。说到这，你是不是也有写电子邮件被误解的时候? 下面的例子里，一个领导要告诉我们，如果下属误解了他的邮件他会怎么做，让我们来听听看:
　　M: "One of my assistants got really upset with me over an e-mail I wrote her. She felt that I was criticizing her for not doing her job right. But my intent was to offer some helpful suggestions. I've invited her out for coffee this afternoon. I'd like to CLEAR THE AIR. I'm hoping to explain what I meant, so that she doesn't feel upset anymore."
　　[这段话是说: 因为我写的一封电子邮件，我的一名助理很不高兴。她以为我是在批评她工作做得不好，但实际上我只是想给她提一些建议。我邀请她下午一起去喝咖啡。我想跟她消除隔阂，解释一下我真正的意思，希望她不再难过了。]
　　女：这就是为什么我对写email特别小心。很多时候一个词，你写的是一个意思，别人看就是另一种语气。所以对我来说，I prefer face-to-face conversation over e-mail. 比起电子邮件，我更喜欢面对面的谈话。好了，让我们再来听听刚才那段话:
　　M: "One of my assistants got really upset with me over an e-mail I wrote her. She felt that I was criticizing her for not doing her job right. But my intent was to offer some helpful suggestions. I've invited her out for coffee this afternoon. I'd like to CLEAR THE AIR. I'm hoping to explain what I meant, so that she doesn't feel upset anymore."
　　上面我们说到消除隔阂，其实，家庭成员之间的关系特别微妙，也特别难控制。由于接触的太多，我们很多时候可能不经意就伤害了自己在乎的人。下面就是这样一个例子，我们来听一听:
　　M: "When mom asked me if she could move in with me after dad died, I told her I needed to think about it. It's not that I don't love her. It's just that I live so far away that she wouldn't be able to see her friends or enjoy her life like before. Fortunately, over dinner last night, we CLEARED THE AIR. She realized that her happiness is very important to me."
　　[这段话是说: 爸爸过世后，妈妈问我能不能搬来和我一起住。我告诉她我需要考虑一下。其实，我不是不爱妈妈，而是我住得太远，搬来跟我一起住，她就没法向以前那样去见朋友，像以前那样享受生活了。还好，昨天吃晚饭时我们消除了隔阂。她意识到，她的快乐对我来说是非常重要的。]
　　女: 真高兴听到这母女俩能消除隔阂。在很多文化里，子女是要照顾年长的父母的。但其实，有时候让老人离开她熟悉的环境并不是一件好事。Both parties should be willing to have a frank conversation, it could save everyone from CLEARING THE AIR later on. 双方应该开诚布公地谈谈，这样日后就不用再去消除隔阂了。好的，我们再来听听刚才那段话:
　　M: "When mom asked me if she could move in with me after dad died, I told her I needed to think about it. It's not that I don't love her. It's just that I live so far away that she wouldn't be able to see her friends or enjoy her life like before. Fortunately, over dinner last night, we CLEARED THE AIR. She realized that her happiness is very important to me."
　　今天我们学习的习惯用语是CLEAR THE AIR，意思是“消除隔阂”。
　　A: 我觉得，只要大家都肯心平气和地坐下来好好谈谈，没有什么是不能解决的。
　　B: I agree with the boss in the show. I personally don't like emails, because it's hard to see other peoples' reactions through emails or even over the phone. Face to face communication is the best way to clear the air.
　　A: Definitely! 好了，学会了怎么消除隔阂，咱们是不是该来点轻松好玩的了? 我们要带大家去看看大众情人用美语怎么说!
　　How to say it in American English: Lady Killer
　　Jessica 在北京学中文，她的中国朋友要是遇到了不知道用美语怎么说的词，就会来请教她。今天是怡茹要问的：大众情人。
　　Jessica：Hey 怡茹, what's your plan for the weekend?
　　YR: 我原来大学的同学组了个乐队，今晚在酒吧表演，怎么样？要不要一起来？
　　Jessica: 那，得看乐队成员帅不帅呀?
　　YR: 那你一定得来! 我这些同学都是大学里的校草级人物，主唱更是人帅脾气好，大学的时候简直是大众情人啊!
　　Jessica: Ha! Sounds like a lady killer to me!
　　YR: Lady killer? 女性...杀手?
　　Jessica: No! A lady killer refers to a man who's extremely charming and women just throw themselves at him. These guys are usually very good-looking.
　　YR: 这简直就是我那个同学的写照！Every girl dreamt of dating him in college. He's such a lady killer! 尽管如此，他人却特别随和，一点也不难伺候! 不像我男朋友，动不动就不高兴，我简直受够了!
　　Jessica: Hmm, I didn't know that your boyfriend is a high-maintenance guy.
　　YR: High maintenance? 高级维修?我倒不用维修我男朋友...
　　Jessica: Haha Yiru, when you say someone is high-maintenance, it means he or she is really hard to satisfy.
　　YR: 哦，我懂了，就是难伺候！My boyfriend is definitely high-maintenance. He's constantly complaining, and can easily get upset!
　　Jessica: I'm sorry Yiru. You know what? Maybe you will have a shot with that lady killer classmate.
　　YR: 我？我可配不上他。对了，这个“配不上”用美语怎么说？
　　Jessica: You can say A is out of B's league. 意思就是A配不上B。But Yiru, a nice girl like you deserves someone awesome! I don't think any guy is out of YOUR league!
　　YR: 呵呵，谢谢你 Jessica! 那你晚上跟我一起来哦!
　　Jessica: Sure. I'll go with you. Before we get ready for the party, tell me what you've learned today!
　　YR: 第一，大众情人叫做 lady killer;
　　第二，形容某人难伺候可以用 high-maintenance;
　　第三，配不上，叫做 out of someone's league!
　　A: High-maintenance guys...ehhh 我可不想有个难伺候的男朋友...
　　B: 对啊! I try to avoid high-maintenance people in general. They are so hard to deal with.
　　A: 怎么? 看起来你有亲身经历?
　　B: Yeah...I knew this girl in high school who drove me crazy. She always wanted to be the center of everything and the focus of attention for every handsome guy. If she didn't get her way, she would just throw a fit and ruin the fun for all of us.
　　A: 啊! 就是那种什么都要争风头的人，真难搞。不过说起来，我高中的时候光学习了，都没参加什么派对。你呢，Kat?
　　B: I actually had some really great parties in high school! Especially the theme parties主题派对，where people dressed up according to certain themes. It's a great way to shop for new clothes, and meet new people!
　　A：今天的美语三级跳里，我们的主人公Heather 和Jeremy就要讨论怎么准备去参加PARTY.
　　B: Let's listen!
　　GoEnglish: High School: Intermediate
　　今天我们为您播出“美语三级跳”节目“高中生活”单元的中级课程。
　　Heather和Jeremy是高中同学。Heather把作业借Jeremy抄，Jeremy请她去参加派对。今天，Heather 去问Jeremy，去参加派对，自己要作什么准备。
　　Professor: That's right, Winnie. But don't you think it's strange that Heather needs help preparing to go to a party?
　　对啊，有派对去就是了，还准备什么呢？
　　Heather: Wow Jeremy, I'm so excited to go to your party this weekend! I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun.
　　Jeremy: That's great. I'm really excited too. But I hope a lot of people don't crash the party. My house is only big enough for the people I invited.
　　Heather: That's really rude! But Jeremy, can I ask you a few questions about the party? You see, I've never been to a party before.
　　Jeremy: What? You've never been to a party before?
　　哦，原来 Heather从来没参加过朋友的派对，所以才去问Jeremy应该作哪些准备。不过，Professor Bowman, Jeremy说，希望别人不要“crash the party”，难道他怕有人来捣乱么？
　　Professor: Winnie, you can say that someone "crashes" a party if he goes without being invited.
　　哦，crash a party 就是未经邀请擅自闯进派对，做不速之客。Professor, 美国人都喜欢这么做么?
　　Professor: If it's a small party and everybody knows you weren't invited, crashing the party is rude. If it's a huge party and nobody notices ... well ...
　　Jeremy: What do you mean you've never been to a party? How is that possible?
　　Heather: Well .... I usually spend my weekends studying. So what time do you think the party will start? 6pm? 7pm?
　　Jeremy: Are you kidding? Parties don't start until late, like 10pm.
　　Heather: 10pm??? But my curfew is at 10pm.
　　Jeremy: Just make up an excuse. Tell your parents you're sleeping at a friend's house.
　　Jeremy真够可以的，抄别人作业，还让别人对父母撒谎! 他叫Heather编个理由骗父母，说她在朋友家住一晚，其实偷偷跑出来参加party!
　　Professor: Exactly. But Winnie, do you know what a "curfew" is?
　　curfew, 我猜就是“宵禁”，一到这个时间，就必须回家睡觉。
　　Professor: Right. So Heather says she is supposed to be home just when the party is starting.
　　Heather: Well Jeremy, what do you think I should wear? Should I wear something formal or casual?
　　Jeremy: Uh, Heather? We're in high school. I don't think anybody even has any formal clothes in their wardrobe.
　　Heather: Ok, so you think I should dress down? Should I wear jeans and a tee-shirt?
　　Jeremy: Yeah, definitely wear something casual. It's not going to be a very fancy party, so there's no reason to dress up.
　　Heather问Jeremy，应该穿得formal--正式” ，还是 casual--“随意”，也就是说，是要dress up--穿正装，还是dress down--随便穿。
　　Professor: Exactly. And what does Jeremy say?
　　当然是随意穿了。他们还是高中生，在他们的wardrobe--衣橱里，根本就没有什么正装!
　　Professor: Exactly. The word "wardrobe" can mean the collection of clothing belonging to one person. For example, "I had to buy a whole new wardrobe because I gained 20 pounds over the winter."
　　哦，wardrobe除了表示放衣服的衣橱，还可以指“某人所有的衣服”。
　　Heather: Alright Jeremy, I think I'm ready. I promise you, I'm going to be the life of the party. I'll be there at 10pm.
　　Jeremy: Actually, there is one more thing I have to teach you. You have to be fashionably late.
　　Heather: What? You mean I should be late to the party?
　　Jeremy: That's right. You have to make people think you are so cool, and have so many other exciting things to do, that you couldn't be there on time.
　　Heather: Wow .... so the later I come, the more people think I am really cool?
　　Jeremy: Yeah. And if you really want to look cool, don't go to the party at all!
　　Jeremy教Heather，她在party时故意晚到，以显示自己的社交生活丰富而繁忙! 对了，professor, The life of the party is the most fun and exciting person there, who makes the party fun for everyone else.
　　哦，就是派对上的焦点人物! 啊...我估计Heather当不了这个life of the party!
　　Professor: Well, listen next time to find out!
　　A: Heather 从来没参加过party, 所以Jeremy 给了她一些小贴士。他说高中派对可以dress down随便穿，而且要be fashionably late 故意晚到，显示自己社交生活丰富，这样才能 be the life of the party 成为派对焦点!
　　B: Haha, I'm telling you, being fashionably late is a good trick to get attention at parties.
　　A: Really? Sounds like somebody is very experienced!
　　B：哈哈，我可不是个party animal! 但是我喜欢跟朋友一起去派对，又热闹又好玩！But sometimes parties aren't so great. 上星期我就去了一个party, 结果那里好多人都在吸烟！ I couldn't even breathe!
　　A: 没错，我也很不喜欢烟味，其实我知道很多吸烟的人都想戒烟，但是想要一下子戒掉烟瘾，真的很难!
　　B：对啊! 今天的business etiquette里介绍了一些戒烟的好方法，咱们一起去听一听!
　　礼节美语 Quit Smoking II
　　Daisy和Kathy听说同事Johnny戒烟，很替他高兴。Kathy问Johnny是怎么戒的。
　　K: What's worked so far?
　　J: Well, for starters, I saw a doctor who specializes in helping people quit smoking. The doctor recommended a therapy group that meets twice a week.
　　D: So everyone in the group is trying to quit smoking?
　　J: yep...we were all in the same boat. We have a buddy system....if we need help, we call each other.
　　K: That's really great!
　　J: Also, the doctor recommended getting some exercise so I started doing some cycling. I could barely make it down the street for the first couple of days, but now I'm riding as much as 10 kilometers!
　　原来，Johnny专门找了个医生，指导他如何戒烟，医生建议他加入一个 therapy group 治疗小组，小组成员都是想戒烟的烟民，同病相怜，they were all in the same boat. in the same boat是一个很常用的短语，意思是处境相同。另外，医生还建议Johnny锻炼身体，骑自行车。
　　D: When you quit smoking you also have to change your lifestyle. I had to stop drinking too much beer, because when I drank, it made me want to smoke. I started eating more fruits and vegetables and I cut down on red meat.
　　K: Yeah, that makes sense. Change your diet...change your lifestyle...start a new you!
　　J: So far the toughest time is when I'm hanging out with friends in clubs, bars or KTVs.
　　D: I guess you'll just have to chew a lot of gum.
　　J: Yeah...the doctor told me to keep my mouth and hands busy! Chew gum, drink water, whistle, draw, hold a pencil...just try to distract my mind.
　　Daisy说，戒烟的一部分是要改变生活习惯，比如他自己，原来爱喝啤酒，一喝啤酒就自然而然地想抽烟，所以为了戒烟他索性连酒也少喝了，开始多吃蔬菜水果，并且 cut down on red meat. 少吃红肉。to cut down on something 是减少的意思，red meat 红肉，包括猪肉，牛肉，羊肉等，跟 red meat 相对的是鸡肉和鱼肉等 white meat. Johnny说，最痛苦的时候是跟朋友到夜总会和酒吧那种地方去，周围抽烟喝酒的人太多，诱惑太大，医生曾建议他，不要让自己的嘴和手闲着，嚼口香糖，喝水，吹口哨，或者干脆手里拿根笔，都行。
　　K: I applaud your efforts to quit! I'm sure you'll be much happier in the long run.
　　D: Yeah...a couple of years from now, you look back and wonder how you could've ever been a smoker!
　　J: I hope so...because it's been pretty tough.
　　D: Don't worry; there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
　　K: Keep up the good work!
　　J: Thanks, guys!
　　最后，Kathy 和Daisy都鼓励Johnny一定要坚持，Daisy说，there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 隧道尽头能看到光明，类似中文里说的曙光就在前面。
　　A: Nice! 原来，Johnny 和与他同病相怜的人建立了一个buddy system, 兄弟互助系统，每次想抽烟的时候就互相鼓励；他还cut down on red meat, 减少红肉的摄取量，而且keep his mouth and hands busy, 随时都不让自己的嘴和手闲着。
　　B: Those are really good pointers for quitting smoking. For some people, quitting requires a lot of effort, but for others, they can quit cold turkey! 一下子就戒掉了!
　　A: 每个人都不一样，不过要是抽太多烟，身体肯定变差。说到这，咱们赶快去健康一下，练练功夫吧!
　　ASE Kung Fu
　　Y: Patrick，What are you doing?
　　P I'm playing Kung fu video games.
　　Y Kung fu 电动游戏多没劲，Let me teach you some real Kung fu moves.
　　P: You know Yang Chen, I think Kung fu may be the only sport where you have the upper hand on me.
　　Y: 在功夫大师面前，你是不是害怕了?
　　P: I'm not scared. I have lots of experience playing Kung fu video games by myself at home.
　　Y: Only losers play Kung fu video games by themselves at home.
　　P: You really don't pull your punches, do you, Yang Chen?
　　Y: What do you mean 'pull my punches'?
　　P: When you pull your punches, that means you hit someone only lightly so you really don't actually hurt them.
　　Y: You mean 手下留情。Don't worry.
　　P: That's what I was afraid of. You know, you can use "pull your punches" when you're talking about criticizing people too. For example, I didn't pull any punches when I criticized my boss's new plan to reduce everyone's salary.
　　Y: Oh 你敢批评老板? 而且还didn't pull any punches 。勇气可嘉。But I'm worried about you. Do you still have a job?
　　P: Nope. He got mad and fired me. That's why I'm trying to become a professional Kung fu master for my new career.
　　Y: Well, 学点儿功夫也好。 教训一下你的老板。Maybe he'll hire you back.
　　P: That's the plan.
　　Y:That's a good plan.
　　P:Now let me show you some of the Kung fu moves I've learned from watching Bruce Lee movies.
　　Y: That's the worst Kung fu I've ever seen.
　　P: I can see you're not pulling your punches when you make fun of me!
　　Y: Don't feel bad. At least you can scream even better than Bruce Lee.
　　A: I can scream better than Bruce Lee. Hai! 看招!
　　B: Did you not realize that you are talking to a kung fu master? 接招!
　　A: 哈哈，现在录节目没法比，等会出去咱俩比试比试!
　　B: 没问题啊! 谁怕谁!
　　A: 好了， 这次节目时间就到这里。这次的剪辑是小北，编辑是蔚然。同学们，我们下次的美语训练班再见！
　　B: Tune in next time to find out who wins our Kong Fu competition! It will be me!
　　A: It will be me!
　　B: It will be me! .....