VOA英语教学：美语训练班 019

　　A+B: “美语训练班”上课啦!

B:我是Donny。

A: 我是杨琳! Donny, 今天咱们节目的开头很有气魄哈！

B: 咱们内容也很精彩啊。你给介绍一下！

A: 好！今天咱们要去长跑，锻炼一下耐力, 看看刚来美国的人对这个国家的印象，讨论更多在生活中给自己舒压的方法, 还要告诉大家怎么用美语说“菜鸟”和“没辙了”。

B:当然，咱们还是先花一分钟，学一个词。

Learn A Word Fast-paced

今天我们要学的词是fast-paced. Fast-paced is spelled f-a-s-t-p-a-c-e-d, fast-paced. Fast-paced, 快节奏的。 旧金山有家小店，专门将邮件转为手写的书信寄给收信者。店主说："We move in such a fast-paced world that, sometimes, that world can feel kind of cold and impersonal 1." 我们生活在一个如此快节奏的社会里，有时会让你感到冰冷和不近人情。Compared with fast-paced cities such as New York, I prefer to live in the suburbs. 与纽约这种快节奏的城市相比，我更喜欢住在郊区。In the fast-paced world of email and instant communication, the postal 2 service has experienced drastic 3 decline 4 in volume in recent years. 在电子邮件和即时通讯的快节奏社会，邮政业务量近年来急剧下降。好的，今天我们学习的词是fast-paced, fast-paced, fast-paced.

A: Fast-paced, 快节奏的。那么慢节奏的就是slow-paced 喽？

B：That's right. For example, a lot of Americans think Europeans live a slow-paced life.

A: 没错，去欧洲旅行过的好多朋友都跟我说，那里人的生活真是慢悠悠，可闲适了。

B: So do you prefer a fast-paced or slow-paced life,杨琳？

A:在工作的时候我希望节奏快，效率高，下了班我希望优哉游哉，慢慢享受人生！

B:你要求还挺高！好了，咱们继续听节目吧。

A:好，一起来听“流行美语”。

Popular American Glued to one's seat, at the end of one's rope

各位听众，现在播送《流行美语》。今天 Larry 和 Li Hua 一起去听讲座。上课前聊起了彼此的兴趣。 Li Hua 要学习两个常用语：Glued to one's seat 和 At the end of one's rope。

LH: Larry, 老师上次布置的作业你做了吗？第五题怎么写呀？

LL: Number 5...number 5...I didn't do that one either.

LH: 第五题你也不会啊，那怎么交差啊...

LL: Hey! We can ask Amy. She probably knows how to do this problem.

LH: Amy? 可你怎么知道她肯定会做呢? 搞不好她也跟我们一样。

LL: But she's always glued to her seat during the lectures. I'm sure she gets good grades because she pays so much attention.

LH: 你说她每次讲座都粘在椅子上？有人恶作剧吗？

LL: No, not literally 5 glued to her seat. To be glued to one's seat means to be so interested and involved with something that one doesn't move at all.

LH: 哦，我明白了，你的意思是说 Amy is always glued to her seat, 她上课听得特别专心，一动不动，所以学得一定不错，那我们真地可以去问她！

LL: That's right. That's exactly what I was trying to say, Li Hua.

LH: 那我可不可以说，如果我看到白马王子, I will be glued to my seat 吗? 我一定会深深地被他吸引，无法动弹的...

LL: Mmm...you really dream about meeting Prince Charming all day long, don't you? Usually, the term "to be glued to one's seat" is only used to describe an activity. For example, you can be glued to your seat when you're playing your favorite video game, or watching a suspenseful 6 movie etc.

LH: 是吗..所以这句话通常是用在形容对某件事情的热情，比如说，Larry is always glued to his seat when he reads children's books! 这样造句对吗?

LL: Yeah that's right. Except did you really have to mention children's books? I just like them because my mom used to read to me all the time.

LH: 哈哈，当然要提到你有多么爱读儿童故事书啊，这是我能想到的 Larry 唯一的嗜好，要不然你说说看，自己有更热爱的事情吗？

LL: Okay let me think! There's got to be something that better represents my intellectual interests...

LH: 想不出来吧？你还是放弃吧。

LL: Fine. I guess I'm at the end of my rope.

LH: 什么？你说 "I'm at the end of my rope" 是什么意思啊怎么连绳子都跑出来了？你可别想不开啊。

LL: To be at the end of your rope means to be out of options. It means you're stuck in a bad situation.

LH: 原来是指你无路可退的意思，你看，我比你自己还要了解你，儿童故事书是你的最爱，还是承认吧。

LL: OK, quit laughing. It's just a little hobby of mine that I read children's books. I doubt your interests are any better. Hmmm let me think...you like to dance, you like to go shopping, you like to...

LH: 哎，不用想了! 不管你怎么想，一定想不到一个跟读儿童故事书一样奇怪的兴趣。You're at the end of your rope Larry!

LL: You're right, I am at the end of my rope. But once again, reading children's books is just a good memory I have from childhood.

LH: 奇怪, 班上好安静喔.

LL: Class already started! Hey, what about that question on the homework? We have to turn it in today!

LH: 什么？？已经开始上课了？ 那我们的功课怎么办呢？

LL: I guess we're at the end of our ropes...

各位听众，今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语，一个是 glued to one's seat, 是指一个人非常专注于某件事情，集中精力，一动不动；另一个是 at the end of one's rope 意思是走头无路，没有其它的选择

A: Donny, 上次你帮我把电脑修好，我真得谢谢你！你太牛了！我自己弄了半天都弄不好，I was totally at the end of my rope! 我真没辙了！

B: You’re welcome！I can teach you some basic computer skills if you want.

A: 真的么？太好了。我对动手啊、技术啊完全不在行，I don’t think I could learn this stuff even if I was glued to my seat studying for hours !

B：没有那么难。我以前也不懂，也是菜鸟一个啊。

A:哈哈，说到菜鸟，咱们来听听这个词用美语怎么说！

How to say it in American English: Newbie

Donny 在北京学汉语，他的中国朋友要是遇到了不知道用美语怎么说的词，就会来请教他。今天是吴琼要问的：菜鸟。

WQ: Donny! 我买了最新的 iPhone耶！

Donny: Wow, you got the latest iPhone? How do you like it?

WQ: 很喜欢啊！就是不太会用。我还是个菜鸟。咦？菜鸟英文怎么说？

Donny: 菜鸟的英文是 newbie.

WQ: Newbie? New是新的，所以newbie就是菜鸟的意思。

Donny: That's right. But don't worry. Everyone has to start out as a newbie.

WQ: 我需要有个人指点我一下， give me...eh....give me....

Donny: A few pointers?

WQ: 没错，就是这个词。pointer is spelled p-o-i-n-t-e-r, pointer 是指点，建议的意思。I need someone to give me a few pointers on how to find the coolest iPhone apps. 我想知道怎么去找最酷的iPhone应用。

Donny: I have an iPhone. I can show you the ropes.

WQ: 你就有iPhone?太好了。不过，你刚刚说 You can show me the ropes. 意思是你可以教我对不对？

Donny: You guessed right! To show someone the ropes means to explain to someone how to do a job or activity.

WQ: 可是，这跟 rope 绳子又有什么关系呢？

Donny: A long time ago sailors had to learn how to control the ropes to set sail. Learning the ropes was a beginner's lesson for sailors. So to show someone the ropes means to show someone the basics of doing something.

WQ: 我明白了，以前新水手第一个要学会的就是如何操控绳子。所以，to show someone the ropes 就是教导新手做某件事情。

Donny: Yup! OK, now let's see what you've learned today.

WQ: 第一，菜鸟叫 newbie;

第二，指点某人是 to give somebody a few pointers;

第三，教初学者做某事可以说 to show someone the ropes!

B: So, 杨琳，when you first came to America, did anyone give you any pointers or show you the ropes about studying and living here?

A: 说实话，没有。我出国前就在电视和电影里看美国，到了之后才发现，真正的美国和美国人同电影里的不一样。

B: For example?

A: 在电影里，美国是个时髦的大都会，我以为大家都穿得特别fashionable, 可来到学校，发现同学们都是t-shirt加牛仔裤，非常朴实随意。

B: I’m sure there are other things that strike those who come to America for the first time.

A: 那，都是什么呢？

B: Let's find out in today's "Go English".

GoEnglish: Where are you from─Advanced

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

Professor: Kevin and Jose are new roommates who are meeting each other for the first time. Jose is from Mexico, and is telling Kevin about his experience coming to America. Winnie, in this first section, listen for the phrase "to strike someone," which means to really catch someone's attention.

Winnie: 哦，"to strike someone" 就是特别引起某人的注意。好，我仔细听。

Kevin: What were some of the things that really struck you when you first came to America?

Jose: Well, my first impression is that everything was really spread out.

Kevin: That's particularly true in the American southwest. Because there is so much space, many cities like Los Angeles grow outward rather than build taller buildings, like in New York.

Jose: Yeah, I hear that's why the traffic is so bad there.

Kevin: Yes, everything is far apart so everyone needs a car to get around, so there is lots of traffic.

Professor: Winnie, what struck Jose about America when he first arrived?

Winnie: 他的第一印象是美国所有东西都很分散，spread out.

Professor: That's right. And how has this affected 7 traffic conditions?

Winnie: 正是因为很多城市都铺得很开，所以人们的生活离不开汽车，造成了交通拥挤。

Professor: Exactly. In the next section, listen for the phrase "to stand out," which means to be very obvious or noticeable.

Kevin: What about the culture? Was there anything that really stood out about Americans when you first started interacting 8 with them?

Jose: Well, the thing that struck me was how casual Americans are. Even people who are strangers still call each other by their first names, as if they're friends.

Kevin: Yes, Americans also tend to be very casual in business relationships. Sometimes people from other countries who are used to being more formal find this rude.

Jose: Yeah, I bet some people have a hard time getting used to that.

Professor: So Winnie, what really stood out for Jose about American culture?

Winnie: 他觉得，美国人很随便，即使是在正式场合也经常对别人直呼其名。

Professor: Right. And does this sometimes cause problems?

Winnie: 美国人可能觉得这样很亲切，可是在某些文化看来，这可能是非常不礼貌的。

Professor: Right. In the next section, listen for the phrase "to keep someone at arm's length," which means to maintain a distant relationship with someone.

Jose: But you know, I find it interesting that even though Americans are very casual and friendly, they also value privacy 9 more than people in other cultures.

Kevin: You know, I think you're right. Even though Americans are friendly to strangers, some of them also like to keep people they don't know at arm's length.

Jose: Yeah, they really like to have time to themselves.

Kevin: I agree. If you're from a culture in which people are always together, Americans can seem very rude when they're trying to be left alone.

Winnie: 一点没错。我的美国邻居每次见面都特别友好地跟我打招呼，可从来不请我去她家作客。

Professor: That's pretty common. Americans like to be friendly in public, but they also like to have their own space.

Winnie: Hmm ... 没准她家特别乱，不敢让人去？

Professor: Could be. In the next section, listen for the word "punctual," which means "on time."

Jose: You know, I've also noticed that Americans really value punctuality and like to be on time.

Kevin: That's right. In some cultures, people aren't so worried about being on time. They have a hard time in the United States because Americans don't like for people to be late.

Jose: It's true. Sometimes when Americans come to Mexico for tourism, they get really mad when the bus doesn't leave on time. It's strange to always be in such a hurry, even on vacation.

Kevin: You know, I think when you go to another country, you have to go with the flow.

Winnie: 美国人喜欢守时，但是 Kevin 觉得，如果他们到那些并不重视时间观念的国家去，就应该 "go with the flow" 入乡随俗。

Professor: Yes, as the English expression says, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

A: 我也有Jose这样的感觉。我的美国同学喜欢随便坐在地上，草坪上，而且大家即使对教授都是直呼名字，这对我来说可真是culture shock!

B: 我到中国也经历了culture shock啊！比如，大街上的女生手拉手走路。 I think that’s really weird 10.

A：这有什么？我大学时还和好朋友手拉手一起去厕所呢！

B: 所以说是Culture shock --文化冲击嘛。对你来说是习以为常的，对别的文化的人来说，就很奇怪。

A:也有道理。好了，咱们换个话题，继续说纾解生活压力的事儿，来听今天的“礼节美语”

Business Etiquette 11: De-stressing III

Claire最近工作上压力很大，同事Jim和Tina给她出主意，如何减压。Tina说，

T: You really have to make an effort to relax, and each person is different. My husband swears by classical music. He goes and sits in his room, turns on his stereo 12 and listens to his favorite classical composers.

J: For me, sometimes I just need a good hard workout. I like to put on boxing gloves and hit a punching bag...makes me feel much better!

C: I've tried chanting and meditating 13 a couple times, but I couldn't stop my brain from thinking about work. I can't seem to get in the zone.

Tina说，她老公觉得听古典音乐特别管用。He swears by classical music. swear by something 意思是坚信某事的功效，用在人身上，to swear by somebody 则是很信任某个人。Jim说，他释放压力最行之有效的办法是去健身，I just need a good hard workout. Claire说，她也试过冥想，但就是无法get in the zone进入状态。

T: I saw a news article yesterday that says chocolate helps relieve stress. Maybe you just need a chocolate bar!

C: Now there's a therapy I can get behind!

J: I think the main thing to keep in mind here is that stress is a serious issue. You're not weak. You're not a loser. You just have to find what works for you. Everybody's different. Maybe rock music is what works for you.

Tina说，头天看报纸上说，吃巧克力可以减压，Claire开玩笑说，Now there's a therapy I can get behind. 意思是这种疗法我愿意尝试。不过言归正传，压力不是儿戏，身体对压力做出反应，并不意味着你脆弱，也不意味着你这人没用。每个人都需要找到对自己有效的减除压力的办法。

T: Speaking of rock music...there's a great concert happening downtown tomorrow night. We could all use a break. What do you say?

C: Sound like fun. and thanks.... you guys are true friends.

J: We're all in the same boat. Modern life is very stressful.

T: That's why we need friends.

C: You said it. See you tomorrow night!

T: It's a date!

Tina说，明晚有一场rock music摇滚音乐会，问Claire和Jim要不要一起去, We could all use a break. 意思是我们都需要放松一下。use在这里是享用的意思。比如 I could use a cup of coffee. 意思是我想喝杯咖啡。I could use some encouragement. 我需要点鼓励。Claire对朋友的帮助表示感谢，Jim说，We're all in the same boat. 我们的处境都一样，大家生活都很紧张，都需要学会放松。

A: Donny, what do you do to de-stress?

B: I run. I'm a serious runner. I do it every morning.

A: 啊？这么厉害？不会只跑两分钟吧？

B: 当然不是了，我和下面这个体育美语里讲的差不多，是长跑！

American sports English: jogging

P: Hey Yang Chen, what are you doing?

Y: I'm going jogging. 我要去跑步。You should come with me.

P: Are you insinuating 14 that I need to go for a run?

Y: Insinuating?

P: I-n-s-i-n-u-a-t-i-n-g, which means implying.

Y: 呵呵呵，我不用暗示，我是很明确地告诉你 you need to exercise more.

P: Ouch. I'll have you know that I exercise every day.

Y: Patrick, exercising your mouth and your remote finger don't count.

P: Hardy-har. I'll have you know I get up each morning, put on my running shoes, and jog for over three miles.

Y: 嗯，不错。每天早上跑三英里。我猜呀，三英里正好跑到了前面的ice cream shop。

P: After I run, I make sure to eat healthy, unlike some people I've seen snacking in the office.

Y: Now you're insinuating things.

P: Oh no, I'm not insinuating anything.

By the way, why the sudden interest in jogging anyways Yang Chen? Those look like some pretty new running shoes you've got there.

Y: Thanksgiving! 吃了好多火鸡。I need to run off my turkey weight.

P: Hmm, run off your turkey. Good idea.

Y:你不用幸灾乐祸，you need to run off your turkey too.

P:Oh, I don't even eat turkey. So are you training for the 5k?

Y: 5k?

P: 5 Kilometer race. Lots of places have them after Thanksgiving.

Y: 5公里?

P: Why? How far have you run in the past?

Y: Well, 我一般不跑5k， 我跑 5m.

P: 5m? What's a 5m?

Y: Oh you know, 5 meters!

P: You never cease to amaze me Yang Chen.

A: Training for a 5K?练习5公里长跑？天啊，That wouldn't reduce my stress at all! 听着就累！

B: Jogging can be very relaxing if you keep doing it everyday.

A: 啊？一天我都气喘吁吁，别说坚持了。

B: 杨琳，生命在于运动，Okay?

A: 好啦，别教育我了, Donny老师！ 今天的节目时间差不多了。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!

A：Bye!