VOA英语教学：美语训练班 031

　　A: 美语训练班上课啦! 我是杨琳！

　　B: 我是Kat! 杨琳，今天教什么呢？

　　A：今天咱们要去海边冲浪, 要去看一场糟糕的情侣约会，要谈谈出席社交活动的礼仪, 还要告诉大家怎么用美语说“小心眼儿”。

　　B: 听着不错！

　　A: Of course！不过节目一开始，咱们还是先来学个词儿！

　　Learn A Word #1373 like-minded

　　今天我们要学的词是like-minded. Like-minded is spelled l-i-k-e-m-i-n-d-e-d, like-minded. Like-minded, 意思是想法和目标相同的。维基解密的创始人阿桑奇频频登上新闻头条。He founded WikiLeaks with a group of like-minded people in 2006. 他在2006年与一群志向相似的人共同创办了维基解秘。Occupy Washington protesters encourage like-minded people to join them on the street. 占领华盛顿的示威者们邀请跟他们目标一致的人加入他们的行列。The speed dating agency brings like-minded single people together for social events. 这家速配机构给志同道合的单身男女创造社交的机会。好的，今天我们学习的词是like-minded, like-minded, like-minded.

　　A: like-minded志趣相投的，If you want to start a business, you'd better find a like-minded partner. 如果想做买卖，最好找个志趣相投的合伙人。 这样说对不对？

　　B: That's correct. But if you really want to make a wise decision, you should listen to all kinds of opinions, including those that are different from your own.

　　A: 对，兼听则明嘛，如果只听和自己看法一样的意见，那就可能会出现group thinking──群体性思维，也就是单一固定的思维模式。

　　B: Exactly. Don't brush off other people's ideas. They may be good, even if they are different from yours.

　　A：对，在下面的"美国习惯用语"中，咱们就来教这个brush off.

　　Words and idioms 948 Brush off

　　女：各位听众，现在播送<美国习惯用语>第 948讲。我是杨琳。

　　M：我是 Douglas Johnson.

　　女：我有个朋友最近想买车，她看中了一辆敞篷车，可是这车的车评并不好。我给她看了关于这辆车耗油和需要维修的车评，可她竟然听都不听，就想买这辆车！忽略这些可是买车的大忌，这也让我想到一个习惯用语，那就是:

　　M：Brush off. Brush is spelled b-r-u-s-h, and off, o-f-f. Brush off.

　　女: Brush是刷的意思，Brush off, 刷掉，引伸出来就是“忽略，不理睬”的意思。上面的例子中， My friend shouldn't BRUSH OFF the poor ratings of the convertible. 我朋友不应该忽略这辆敞篷车很差的车评。在下面的例子里，这对夫妇可真不应该忽略检查人员给他们的忠告！到底发生了什么呢? 我们来听一听:

　　M: "The homeowners were told by inspectors that they ought to move their home further from the river. Instead, they went ahead with plans to add a second story. When a terrible storm hit a year later, the river flooded. And the house was destroyed. If the couple hadn't BRUSHED OFF those safety warnings, they wouldn't have lost their property."

　　[这段话是说：检查人员告诉屋主说，他们应该把屋子建在离河边更远的地方。但是屋主非但没有听取这个意见，还又加盖了第二层。一年之后下了一场暴雨，河水上涨淹没了房屋。如果这对夫妇没有忽略那些安全警告，他们也许不会失去自己的财产。]

　　女：俗话说，小心使得万年船，千万不能忽略任何可能发生的危险隐患。不过有的时候，又要有主见，不能人云亦云，受别人影响。比如我有个好朋友，是个服装设计师，特有才，但是刚开始创业的头几年，很多人都说她肯定不会成功，好在，She brushed off all the bad reviews. 她对这些负面评论根本不予理睬，结果才有了今天。好了，我们再来听听刚才那段话：

　　M: "The homeowners were told by inspectors that they ought to move their home further from the river. Instead, they went ahead with plans to add a second story. When a terrible storm hit a year later, the river flooded. And the house was destroyed. If the couple hadn't BRUSHED OFF those safety warnings, they wouldn't have lost their property."

　　女: 谁都希望有个体贴，疼你的丈夫或者男朋友，不过啊，可不是每个人都那么幸运。要是碰上下面例子里的这位Phil，可就倒霉喽! 我们来听听看Phil是个什么样的人:

　　M: "Phil hasn't had many steady girlfriends. That's because they don't like the way he treats them. After a couple of nice dates, he expects them to always be available for him. Yet he rarely makes the effort to return their calls or text messages. Why should they want to stay with a guy who BRUSHES them OFF? "

　　[这段话是说：菲利普一直没有什么稳定女友，这是因为她们都不喜欢他对待她们的方式。几次约会之后，他就认为这些女孩子应该随叫随到，可他自己却很少尽快回她们的电话或短信。为什么要跟一个经常忽略自己的人在一起呢?]

　　女: 这些女孩子做得对！不值得跟一个整天不把自己当回事的人在一起。大家可能已经发现了，这句话中说 Phil often brushes them off. Brush somebody off, 就是忽略某人的意思。比如，I've been telling my husband to see a dentist for his bad teeth, but he keeps brushing me off. 我让我老公赶紧去看看那颗烂牙，可他却把我的话当耳边风。好了，我们再来听听刚才那段话:

　　M: "Phil hasn't had many steady girlfriends. That's because they don't like the way he treats them. After a couple of nice dates, he expects them to always be available for him. Yet he rarely makes the effort to return their calls or texts. Why should they want to stay with a guy who BRUSHES them OFF? "

　　女：各位听众，今天我们学习的习惯用语是brush off，意思是“忽略，不理睬”。好的，这次[美国习惯用语]就到此结束。

　　A：我有个做生意的朋友，他创业的时候，大家都不看好他，都劝他放弃，but he brushed off all the pessimistic buzz, and stayed focused on the business.最后人家还真成功了！

　　B: Good for him!

　　A：而且他很大度，知道那些当初劝他放弃生意的人也是出于好心，所以没有嫉恨这些人。

　　B：He has a big heart!

　　A: 对！心胸开阔，不小心眼儿！

　　B: what's 心眼儿？

　　A: 啊？这个还真不好解释，大概就是thoughtfulness, 或者consideration for others.

　　B：So小心眼儿就是lack of consideration for others?

　　A: 差不多！听听下面的"美语怎么说"，你就更明白了！

　　How to say it: petty

　　Jessica 在北京学汉语，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。今天是吴琼要问的：小心眼。

　　Jessica: 吴琼, are you coming to my birthday party tomorrow?

　　WQ: En...I'm afraid not.

　　Jessica: Why not? You're my best friend!

　　WQ: 我不是不想去参加你的生日派对，可是你请了王贝贝，我可不想见她。

　　Jessica: Why? I thought you two were friends.

　　WQ: 你不知道，两年前，我们去唱K。 她走调了，我心直口快说了出来，结果她记仇，这两年没少说我坏话！太小心眼了！ 小心眼在英文里怎么说？

　　Jessica: You can say a person is petty. petty is spelled p-e-t-t-y, petty. It means narrow-minded and mean.

　　WQ: 哦，petty 就是心胸狭窄，小心眼。You have no idea, Jessica, you don't know how petty she is. 她一定还在记仇, hold....hold....记仇是 hold 什么来着？

　　Jessica: hold a grudge. grudge is spelled g-r-u-d-g-e. hold a grudge 记仇。but 吴琼, I don't think Beibei still holds a grudge against you.

　　WQ: Hmm, I don't know. 她表面上也和我过得去，but I think she still has a secret grudge against me! 她还在心里暗暗记仇呢!

　　Jessica: Oh, come on! It's been two years! I'm sure she has gotten over it!

　　WQ: Get over it 就是“不再计较”的意思，对不对?

　　Jessica: Exactly. To get over it means to forget about it.

　　WQ: You know what, Jessica, you're right. 我决定明天去参加你的party! I want to show Beibei that I'm not a petty person and it's time for her to get over it, too.

　　Jessica: That's the spirit! Now let's see what you've learned today.

　　WQ: 第一：形容某人小心眼，用 petty;

　　第二：记仇则是hold a grudge against someone;

　　第三：不计较了，可以说 get over it;

　　B：Oh, 小心眼儿就是petty! 杨琳， did you know petty can also mean “small, trivial”?

　　A：知道。Petty也可以表示微小。比如，petty cash就是零钱。

　　B: That's right!

　　A：话说回来，我经常听见男生抱怨，Oh, my girlfriend is petty sometimes! 我女朋友有时候心眼儿特小！I' tired of her petty jealousy. 她心胸狭窄的嫉妒真让我烦恼。

　　B: Yeah. Guys complain about us, but they have to admit sometimes it’s their fault!

　　A: 对啊，怪女朋友爱生气，心眼儿小，不如反省一下你们自己的行为。

　　B: Exactly! Remember the terrible boyfriend who spent 1000 dollars on his own suit but only set a 20-buck budget for his girlfriend' birthday gift?

　　A：对！就是美语三级跳里面的那个Kevin!说到他，今天咱们就来听听他的女朋友看到这些廉价的生日礼物会是什么反应。

　　GoEnglish: Shopping (advanced)

　　各位听众，大家好！今天我们为您播出“美语三级跳”节目“购物”单元的高级课程。

　　Professor: Christine and Kevin are dating, and today is Christine's birthday. Kevin bought himself a $1,000 suit so that he would look good for their special date, but then only had $20 left to spend on Christine's present. He has come to her apartment to give it to her.

　　MC: 这件礼物肯定是Kevin去折扣店买的便宜货。我估计，这次之后，他女朋友一定不会再理他了！

　　Professor: Well, let's listen and find out.

　　Christine: Wow, Kevin, you look amazing! What a nice suit! Is it new?

　　Kevin: That's right baby, it was a big sacrifice on my part because it cost $1,000, but I was willing to do it for you because I know you want your boyfriend to look good.

　　Christine: Hmm ... so you did something nice for me by spending $1,000 on yourself? That's an interesting way of looking at it ... But never mind, let's go out for our dinner date.

　　Kevin: Wait a minute! Before we go out you should open your present. Something tells me you're going to want to wear it to the restaurant.

　　Christine: Alright!

　　MC: Kevin居然还敢把自己花1000块买衣服的事拿来炫耀，可怜的Christine，一定以为自己收到的是一份超级大礼。

　　Christine: Umm ... Kevin, what size do you think I wear?

　　Kevin: Well you know, I wasn't sure so I just kind of guessed. I didn't worry about getting the size exactly right because you look so great in everything.

　　Christine: Well do you think I'm really fat? This shirt is an extra-extra-extra large. This shirt would never fit me.

　　Kevin: Yeah, but that's why it was such a steal! They couldn't find anybody to buy it, so they had to lower the price to $8. But don't worry, I think baggy clothing is really popular right now.

　　Christine: I don't think I would call this clothing. This looks like a sail for a sailboat.

　　MC: 啊？Kevin花8块钱给Christine买了件没人要的超超超大号衬衫！Christine说，这哪是衣服，简直就是船帆！可Kevin居然还说，自己是捡了个大便宜！

　　Professor: That sounds more like a rip-off to me.

　　Christine: Alright Kevin ... thank you for such a lovely shirt ... But hey, it looks like you got me some really nice pants! Wow, are these Prada? Thanks!

　　Kevin: No problem. You know I spare no expense when I'm buying you things, right Christine?

　　Christine: Oh, you're the best boyfriend a girl ... wait a minute, one leg of these pants is longer than the other. Kevin, did you get me a pair of defective pants for my birthday?

　　Kevin: Well you don't think I could afford a real pair of designer pants, do you? A regular pair of designer pants would have put me back like $100. These pants cost only $11.

　　MC: 啊？没想到，除了抹布衬衫，Kevin还准备了其它烂礼物!

　　Professor: Yes, he bought a pair of designer pants, but they were defective.

　　MC: 对啊，虽然是designer pants--名牌裤子，但却是defective--残次品！裤腿不一边长！Professor Bowman, Kevin 还说 put him back, 这是什么意思呢？

　　Professor: To "put you back" means to cost you. For example, an expensive sports car will put me back $50,000.

　　MC: 哦，put you back 意思就是 "花多少钱”。好，到现在为止，Kevin的预算--20块，已经花出去19块了，剩下1块钱，不知道他还买了什么恶心的礼物！

　　Christine: Alright Kevin, there better be something really good at the bottom of this box. Otherwise you're going to be single in about 30 seconds.

　　Kevin: Don't worry, take a look.

　　Christine: Hmm ...oh wow! This is such a cute hat. It totally makes up for all your other bad presents ... wait, there's a hole in it!

　　Kevin: But it's just a little hole! It was so cheap because somebody returned it and I thought ...

　　Christine: You got me a used hat? Well, Kevin, I hope you really like that suit, because you're going to need it to find a new girlfriend!

　　Professor: Ouch! It seems like Christine got really mad!

　　MC: 那可不！要我说，Kevin是自作自受。

　　B: Yeah! Great finale!

　　A：呵呵，这一巴掌可够解恨的！An unflattering shirt, a pair of defective pants and a hat with a hole in it! 这些礼物烂透了！

　　B: They are even worse when you compare them with Kevin’s fancy suit.

　　A: 可不是，I don’t blame Christine for snapping.

　　B: Neither do I. 不过，说到买衣服，杨林，还记得black－tie event么？

　　A: 记得，就是特别正式的社交场合嘛！上次节目说参加这种活动,男士要穿tuxedo──燕尾服，女士要穿evening gown─晚礼服。不知道还有什么别的要求么？

　　B: Listen to today's business etiquette and you'll know!

　　Business Etiquette: black tie event II

　　Jim要去参加一次公司庆典活动，特别正式。他问同事Gary，参加这种社交活动有哪些注意事项。

　　J: Have you ever been to a black-tie event?

　　G: Twice actually....and to be honest, it was a bit boring both times.

　　J: Aside from the tuxedo is there anything else I need to wear or take with me?

　　G: I suggest keeping all other accessories to a minimum.

　　J: I see. Any other tips or suggestions?

　　G: Keep your eyes open and just sort of do what everybody else does. And...don't get drunk or talk too loud or draw any attention to yourself!

　　J: Okay, good points.

　　Gary说，自己参加过两次这种要穿礼服打领结的 black-tie event, 觉得很无聊。他建议Jim, 最好 keep all other accessories to a minimum尽量少带装饰品，accessory is spelled a-c-c-e-s-s-o-r-y, accessory 是指手表、手袋等饰物，他还告诉Jim, 睁大眼睛看别人怎么做，特别要注意 don't get drunk 不要喝醉，don't talk too loud 说话声音不要太大，don't draw any attention to yourself 不要让别人注意到自己。

　　G: You and Henry are acting as representatives of the company so you're kind of like ambassadors.

　　J: Wow. Now I'm really stressed!

　　G: It's not that hard. Just be a good conversationalist and even more importantly, be a good listener. If someone makes a humorous remark, chuckle mildly; even if the comment isn't very funny. And remember, always smile!

　　Gary说，Jim跟Henry这次去参加晚宴，代表的是公司，you're kind of like ambassadors. 是公司使节。Jim听后表示，压力很大，Now I'm really stressed. Gary告诉他说，其实这项任务也不难完成，他们只要会聊天 be a good conversationalist，做个好听众就行了，别人讲笑话，就算不好笑，也要chuckle跟着笑两声，脸上要随时随地保持笑容。

　　J: Can I rent the tux in New York?

　　G: Absolutely. Do some research before you go and find a good rental company. They will probably deliver it to your hotel. Make sure the tuxedo fits well....otherwise; you can end up looking pretty silly.

　　J: How much should I expect to pay to rent a tux?

　　G: I'd say roughly $100. You could probably find some cheaper options, but you want to look good.

　　J: Thanks Gary.... I really appreciate your help.

　　G: Not at all. It should be an interesting experience for you.

　　J: I hope so.

　　Jim想知道能不能到纽约去租tux, tux is spelled t-u-x, tux, tux是 tuxedo 的简称。Gary建议Jim事先查一下，找一家服务周到、能送货上门的租赁公司，They can deliver it to your hotel. 他们可以把燕尾服送到 Jim下榻的旅店。Gary还建议Jim一定要穿上试试看，otherwise, you can end up looking pretty silly. 否则如果不合适的话，那你看上去会很傻的。Gary最后还告诉Jim, 燕尾服的租金应该在100美元上下。

　　A: 这社交活动还真不轻松，听见没有，如果别人讲了个笑话，就算笑话不好笑， 你也得笑两声，还得mildly，不能放肆地大笑！

　　B: No wonder Gary said black-tie events were boring.

　　A：对啊，This so-called party isn't fun at all. It's part of work.

　　B：So now let's take a break─Let's go surfing!

　　American sports English: surfing

　　P: I can't believe we are in Hawaii, Yang Chen!

　　Y: I can't believe it, either. 夏威夷的沙滩好美，我们是不是要在沙滩上晒太阳? Patrick, did you bring your bikini?

　　P: Let me check. Oh, wait. I don't wear bikini,. Yang Chen., could you be serious for just one moment?

　　Y: OK. I'm all serious.

　　P: I'm going to teach you how to surf. Look at the wave. The waves are huge─and just perfect for surfing!

　　Y: 噢，你要教我冲浪。Surfing in Hawaii. Awesome!

　　P: So, Yang Chen ... are you ready to try surfing?

　　Y: Yes. Aye aye, Captain! I'm ready to try surfing!

　　P: Let's take our surfboards out into the water and ride some waves, Yang Chen.

　　Y: Ok, here we go!

　　P: Not yet, Yang Chen. First, you lie down on your stomach on your surfboard and paddle with your arms out to where the waves are.

　　Y: Okay, lying down on my stomach, 爬在冲浪板上，paddle with my arms两手向前滑。

　　P: I think this is far enough, Yang Chen.

　　Y: 我会冲浪了! Surfing is soooooooo easy.

　　P: Well, to really surf you have to stand up on the surf board, while riding a wave. So, you still think it's easy?

　　Y: 光爬着不行，还要站起来? Are you crazy, Patrick?

　　P: Not in the slightest, Yang Chen. That is what surfing is: Standing up on a surfboard and riding a wave.

　　Y: Well, you can try standing up on your surfboard and riding some waves, Patrick. But-- I'm staying right here! Michael Phelps will save me!

　　P: Aw, there is nothing to be afraid of, Yang Chen. Don't be a chicken. Bawk, Bawk, Bawk!

　　Y: I am NOT a chicken, Patrick. Look, I'm standing up! Patrick, see you later!

　　A: Stand up on a surfboard and ride the waves! 听着可够难的，我八成儿是学不会。

　　B: Come on! Have faith in yourself, Yanglin!

　　A: 算了，我要是到了夏威夷，宁可去学跳草裙舞！

　　B：Hula dance? Not a bad choice!

　　A：那当然！好了，节目时间又到了，这次的撰稿人是晓北，编辑是蔚然。同学们，我们下次的美语训练班再见!

　　B: Bye!