美語訓(xùn)練班108

A: 歡迎大家來到這期的美語訓(xùn)練班! 我是楊琳!

B: 我是Mike! 楊琳，來告訴大家今天都要學(xué)什么!

A: 好! 今天，我們要一起來聊聊綠色環(huán)保，看看怎么表達沉重的負擔，還要告訴你怎么說像紐約這樣的大熔爐!

B: Yep, everyone should do what they can to protect the environment. You should always recycle your garbage, always choose to go paperless with bank and utility statements, and....stop using disposable chopsticks! (Eyeing at Yanglin)

A: Who are you referring to?

B:Nobody!

A: 算了，不跟你計較! 同學(xué)們肯定等著急了，咱們趕快來進入第一個單元吧!

B: Let's listen to learn a word!

Learn A Word 1754 in recent memory

今天我們要學(xué)的詞是 in recent memory. In recent memory, recent is spelled r-e-c-e-n-t, and memory, m-e-m-o-r-y, memory, in recent memory. In recent memory 意思是在最近的記憶中。We just had the longest and coldest winter in recent memory. 剛過去的冬天是我們能記得起來的最漫長，最寒冷的一個冬天。與此同時，Skiing resorts had the best conditions in recent memory for the month of March. 滑雪渡假地三月份的雪況也是近年來最好的。Brittney Griner, one of the most dominant female basketball players in recent memory, came out as being gay. 我們能想得起來的最厲害的女籃球選手之一布蘭妮.格瑞娜宣布，自己是同性戀。好的，今天我們學(xué)習(xí)的詞是 in recent memory, in recent memory, in recent memory...

A: We just had the longest spring in recent memory for DC! I love spring, it's the best season! 總覺得一切都充滿生機呢!

B: Not for me! I anything less then 75 degrees is too cold! I've even been avoiding going out with my friends because its been so cold.夏天怎么這么慢來?

A: HAHA，aw.... you poor thing! Sounds like a real millstone around your neck! I'm sorry Mike...Look at the bright side, at least you are working with me!

B: Exactly! (Sarcastically) But you did mention a interesting idiom "millstone around one's neck". Let's check out today's words and idioms!

Words and Idioms 837 Millstone Around One's Neck

美國習(xí)慣用語

我有個表兄，說起來挺可憐的。他從小就立志要做律師。幾年前如愿以償，從法學(xué)院畢業(yè)，加入了一家律師事務(wù)所。如今，他一天從早忙到晚，周末都不能跟家人在一起?？墒且驗樯戏▽W(xué)院欠下的一屁股債，所以又不能放棄律師的工作。他面臨的進退兩難的局面，倒是讓我想起了今天要學(xué)的習(xí)慣用語，

M: Millstone around one's neck. Millstone is spelled m-i-l-l-s-t-o-n-e. Millstone-around-one's-neck. Millstone around one's neck.

在中文里，Millstone 是磨石、磨盤的意思。Millstone around one's neck 脖子上掛著磨盤，意思是沉重的負擔，就象我表兄眼下的工作，雖然他不愿意沒日沒夜地干，但又無法放棄這份工作，成了負擔。It's a millstone around his neck.

雖然收入豐厚，又有社會地位，但是不開心的律師絕不只我表兄一個，如果在選擇發(fā)展方向之前就知道做律師的辛苦，可能很多人都會選擇其他職業(yè)。

在美國，除了住宅外，很多人家還有專門渡假用的別墅，但有的時候，別墅也會成為負擔。讓我們聽聽下面這段話。

M: "Imagine having your own vacation property; a place you can go whenever you want to relax! Before you invest, make sure you understand what you're getting involved in. The reality is that a second home can often be a tremendous demand on your time, energy and resources. Do you really want a MILLSTONE AROUND YOUR NECK?"

這個人說：想象一下，如果有自己渡假用的屋子，隨時可以去放松精神。但是投資前，你可得考慮周全，現(xiàn)實情況是，保養(yǎng)別墅需要占用你很多時間、精力和金錢。你想承受這樣的負擔嗎?

我的鄰居曾經(jīng)有一艘私人游艇。他后來告訴我說，賣掉游艇的那一天是他除了結(jié)婚以外，這輩子最開心的一天，因為保養(yǎng)游艇需要太多的時間和精力。It was a MILLSTONE AROUND HIS NECK. 好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。

M: "Imagine having your own vacation property; a place you can go whenever you want to relax! Before you invest, make sure you understand what you're getting involved in. The reality is that a second home can often be a tremendous demand on your time, energy and resources. Do you really want a MILLSTONE AROUND YOUR NECK?"

繁重的工作、游艇和別墅，別以為只有這些事情才會成為負擔，聽了下面的例子，你就會發(fā)現(xiàn)，有時候，某個人也會成為負擔。

M: "My wife and I looked forward to hosting my nephew while he looked for a job. But now it's been weeks since he arrived. We'd probably be more understanding if he offered to help out around the house instead of playing video games all the time. Frankly, he's become a MILLSTONE AROUND OUR NECKS. We can't endure him much longer."

這個人說：我侄子找工作的時候，我和太太非常愿意讓他跟我們住在一起。但是現(xiàn)在，他已經(jīng)待了好幾個星期了，如果他主動幫助做些家務(wù)，而不是成天玩電子游戲的話，我們或許還能理解，說實話，他已經(jīng)成了我們的負擔，我們實在受不了了。

這個人也真不懂事。在英語里，這叫 overstay your welcome 已經(jīng)變成了不受歡迎的人。有些人就是不自覺。我的一位同事自愿提出，招待一個實習(xí)生在家住。一開始還很愉快，但是這個實習(xí)生的要求越來越多，He became a MILLSTONE AROUND HER NECK 成了負擔。我同事最后只好請他出去住。我們再聽一下上面的例句。

M: "My wife and I looked forward to hosting my nephew while he looked for a job. But now it's been weeks since he arrived. We'd probably be more understanding if he offered to help out around the house instead of playing video games all the time. Frankly, he's become a MILLSTONE AROUND OUR NECKS. We can't endure him much longer."

MILLSTONE AROUND ONE'S NECK 這個習(xí)慣用語最早可以在圣經(jīng)里找到。好的，這次美國習(xí)慣用語就到此結(jié)束了。

M: This has been Words and Idioms. Until next time.

A: I don't know how you can work full time and have an internship as well! From what you have been telling me it sounds like your internship has become a millstone around your neck. Why don't you just quit?

B: Well...I made a promise to them that I'm going to stay there for 10 weeks. I don't want to break my promise, plus I want to build some business contacts there as well.

A: Ehh, that sounds like a dilemma! Well...take it as an opportunity to learn how to manage your time better! You will benefit from it in the long term.

B: That's true. In today's business etiquette, we are going to talk about something that we can all benefit form in the long term as well. Go green and protect our environment!

A: Let's check it out!

禮節(jié)美語 Go Green part I

公司總裁 Tim 召集部門經(jīng)理開會，討論公司可以采取哪些節(jié)能環(huán)保的措施。對話中經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)的 going green 走環(huán)保之路。

Tim: Good morning folks, thanks for joining us. In light of the recent economic downturn, we thought we should pow-wow some ways we can conserve energy. This is Henry Peterson, a consultant with GreenOffices Inc.

Henry: Hi everyone. As Tim mentioned, not only is saving energy good for the environment, it's also a good way to keep costs down...and that's a win-win situation for everyone. I'm sure some of you have suggestions for ways we could become "greener." Anyone?

總裁 Tim 說，今天召集大家開會，商量如何節(jié)省能源開支。 pow-wow 源于北美印第安人的語言，意思是開會。參加會議的還有節(jié)能專家 Henry Peterson. Henry 說，節(jié)能既環(huán)保，又能減少開支，是雙贏之舉，a win-win situation. 辦公室節(jié)能有哪些措施呢?

Faith: I think we could easily cut down on "vampire power." Our computers and other electronic devices actually continue to suck power, even when they are switched off.

H: Good one! The online encyclopedia Wikipedia claims that "vampire power" or "standby power" is responsible for using as much as 10% of electricity consumption.

Dana: We could unplug the equipment or put in power strips that can completely turn off power.

T: Just imagine...we could save 10 or 15 % on our energy bill just by unplugging our computers! That's incredible!

Faith 提議削減 vampire power 吸血鬼功率，又稱 standby power 備用功率。因為即使電腦關(guān)機，只要電源不拔，電腦就會繼續(xù)耗電，Henry 補充說，備用功率耗電量高達用電量的百分之十。Dana 建議拔掉電源或是采用可以切斷電源的接線板 Power strip。

H: And that's just the beginning! You see these lights above us? These use LED bulbs that are 10 times more efficient as the bulbs you are using in the rest of the office.

F: But they're pretty pricey, aren't they?

H: Yes, they cost more, but you'll find that they pay for themselves.

Henry 建議使用 LED 燈泡，比普通燈泡節(jié)能十倍。Faith 問 LED 燈泡是不是很貴，pricey, p-r-i-c-e-y。Henry 承認，LED 燈泡價格確實要貴一些，但是 they pay for themselves 非常劃算。

D: I've got one that will require a bit of sacrifice. We really don't need to use bottled water for meetings. We could also get rid of paper cups for the water cooler and everyone could use their own mug instead.

F: Ahhh.... I love bottled water.... but I agree, Dana's idea is certainly more environmentally friendly.

H: Yep. Sometimes going green does require that we change our mindset. It's funny how many of us are very conscientious at home. We recycle and reuse, but when we get to the office, we sometimes become very wasteful.

Dana 建議公司取消瓶裝水，不用紙杯子，得到大家的認可。Henry 指出，工作場所節(jié)能需要改變思維 change our mindset。大家在家都很注意省電、回收，可一到辦公室就好象忘得一干二凈了。

A: 公司總裁Tim開會要求大家注意節(jié)能，因為這樣公司既能省錢，又能保護環(huán)境，it's a win-win situation, 雙贏的局面。這需要大家change our mindset, 改變思維，多用節(jié)能的東西，LED燈泡，自己的杯子等等。最開始的投入可能稍微多一點，but they pay for themselves, 非常劃算。

B:That's true. Two months ago I changed all light in my apartment to LED bulbs. I saved almost 50 bucks on my electricity bill! They are a little pricey to begin with, but they sure end up paying for themselves.

A: Exactly! 要看長遠嘛! 這樣還為你的兒子，還有你的兒子的兒子，你的兒子的兒子做了好事!

B: OKOK....enough for showing off your Chinese...Let's keep listen and learn some other tips about how to save energy!

禮節(jié)美語 Go Green part II

公司總裁 Tim 召集部門經(jīng)理開會，討論節(jié)能措施。

T: I've recently noticed how much paper I use on a daily basis and I've been trying to cut down. I've found that I very rarely actually need to print emails. Also, by utilizing my fax-modem, I don't ever need to print a hardcopy for faxing.

H: That's gonna add up! In the end you'll find it makes a huge positive difference!

D: But you know, even with all these good ideas and strategies, I feel like it counts for nothing when you factor in air travel. Our people make a lot of international trips each year and flying puts tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

總裁 Tim 說，他最近一直注意節(jié)省紙張，盡量不打印電子郵件和傳真。節(jié)能專家 Henry 表示，That's gonna add up! 日積月累，一定會有成效。Dana 提出，盡管這些想法很好，但是 it counts for nothing when you factor in air travel. 如果考慮到出差坐飛行釋放的二氧化碳，那么這些措施都無異于杯水車薪。

H: Ah! Good point! Well, for starters, with teleconferencing and instant email one would hope business travel could be reduced. Did you know an economy class flight from Baltimore to Taipei makes you responsible for just over four tons of CO2? If you fly business class the number jumps to 12 tons.

Henry 說，這個問題提得好。Good point! 從巴爾的摩到臺北一張 economy class 經(jīng)濟艙機票相當于釋放四噸二氧化碳，business class 商務(wù)艙更可怕，相當于排放12噸二氧化碳。

T: But sometimes there's just no alternative. We have to check out factories,

locations and in some countries, you really have to look the person in the eye and physically shake their hand.

H: This is true. So I'd like you all to consider buying carbon credits.

總裁 Tim 提出，有些時候，除了出差，沒有其他辦法 sometimes there's just no alternative。Henry 因此建議大家考慮購買 carbon credits 碳信用額。

F: Ah, I've heard about that. You can actually calculate how much carbon your trip is likely to put into the environment and you can offset that by paying to plant some trees.

H: That's right! There are web sites such as CarbonPlanet.com. They can help you work out our carbon debt, and then direct you to where you can buy carbon credits that go toward planting new trees.

D: That would make me feel a lot less guilty.

H: Well, it's great that you are all so willing to do your part to make a difference. Let's get back together in two weeks for another brainstorming session.

碳信用額就是把飛行里程折合成對環(huán)境的傷害，然后出錢種樹，作為補償。Henry 告訴他們，可以到 CarbonPlanet.com 等網(wǎng)站上尋找?guī)椭４蠹覜Q定兩周后 have another brainstorming session 再開會，繼續(xù)集思廣益。

A: 我也覺得咱們該多用電子版的東西! Do you know how many scripts we print out each week? It's such a waste!

B: I totally agree. I think we could print out just one copy and hold on to it, instead of printing out new ones every other day.

A: 好嘛，互相監(jiān)督! 希望大家也一樣，為了我們的地球，節(jié)省能源，環(huán)保靠大家!

B: Haha, I forget how much you love slogans! All right, now let's continue our class! Let's listen to another learn a word!

Learn A Word 1755 on the basis of

今天我們要學(xué)的詞是 on the basis of. On the basis of, basis is spelled b-a-s-i-s, on the basis of. On the basis of 根據(jù)某種原因。The study drew its conclusions on the basis of hard data. 這項研究是根據(jù)硬數(shù)據(jù)得出研究結(jié)論的。He was denied employment on the basis of nationality. 他因為國籍不符合要求，沒有被錄用。美國童子軍正在討論取消禁止同性戀加入的規(guī)定，如果通過的話，No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation. 任何年輕人都不能因為性取向的理由被拒于童子軍的大門之外。好的，今天我們學(xué)習(xí)的詞是 in on the basis of, on the basis of, on the basis of...

B: So Yanglin, what is your favorite place you have been to so far?

A: Based on my person preferences, DC is my favorite city besides my hometown Beijing!

B: Oh really? Why is that?

A: I love learning different cultures, meeting different people, and DC is the place to offer that! The city is so diverse, the next person you meet might be from Sweden, or Nigeria, or Sri Lanka! The city is a mixed bag, and I love it for that.

B: Ha, I feel the same way! And you mentioned a very good idiom: a mixed bag! Let's check out today's words and idioms!

Words and Idioms 838 A Mixed Bag

美國習(xí)慣用語第 838 講

我姐姐剛在一個高尚社區(qū)買了房子，那里住的都是醫(yī)生、律師這一類的高薪單身貴族，跟我住的地方截然不同。我們這里有單身漢、有年輕父母、有雙職工、也有不上班的專職媽媽;有白領(lǐng)，也又藍領(lǐng);而且還有不同國家、不同種族的人。這在英語里叫

M: A mixed bag. Mixed is spelled m-i-x-e-d, and bag; b-a-g. A-mixed-bag. A mixed bag.

在中文里，mixed 是混合的意思。A mixed bag 是指各式各樣的人、東西或是活動。用 A mixed bag 來形容我的鄰居的組成簡直是再貼切不過了，they are a mixed bag. 在下面這個例子里，一位記者在介紹為美國新總統(tǒng)奧巴馬舉辦的音樂會時，就用到了這個習(xí)慣用語，讓我們一起聽聽看。

M: "Did you happen to see the concert for the new president on TV? It featured so many different styles of music, from pop to country, hip-hop to rock and roll. In addition to the talented singers, many famous actors also made presentations. The event represented such A MIXED BAG that viewers of every age and taste seemed to enjoy it."

這位記者說：你看電視里為新總統(tǒng)舉辦的音樂會了嗎?音樂會里有各種風格的音樂，從流行到鄉(xiāng)村、從嘻哈到搖滾，除了著名歌唱家以外，很多演員也到場獻藝，這次音樂會的節(jié)目五花八門，讓任何年齡段、任何品味的觀眾都能欣賞。

那場表演我也看了，絕對一流。說到音樂，我的MP3播放機里就有各種各樣的音樂，有上榜金曲，有懷舊老歌，還有古典音樂。I like listening to A MIXED BAG. 否則的話，聽不了多久就會感到千篇一律。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。

M: "Did you happen to see the concert for the new president on TV? It featured so many different styles of music, from pop to country, hip-hop to rock and roll. In addition to the talented singers, many famous actors also made presentations. The event represented such A MIXED BAG that viewers of every age and taste seemed to enjoy it."

不知道大家有沒有出于興趣而去選修課程的經(jīng)歷，就是不為學(xué)分、學(xué)位，單純是因為喜歡，花錢去上課。在美國，這種情況十分常見。讓我們一起聽聽下面這個人是怎么說的。

M: "My girlfriend and I have been looking through the catalog of courses that our community offers. We thought there'd only be a few choices, but there's quite A MIXED BAG. Among the assortment are classes in many areas, such as cooking, dancing, computers, arts and crafts, recreational activities and foreign languages! We may have to take a couple."

這個人說：我和我的女朋友一起查看社區(qū)學(xué)校開設(shè)的一些課程，本來以為可能只有幾種選擇，結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)，各種課程琳瑯滿目，涉及的領(lǐng)域包括烹調(diào)、舞蹈、電腦、藝術(shù)和手工、還有外語等等。我們可能得選上好幾門呢。

嘗試新鮮事物，才能永遠年輕，不是嗎?我記得去年，我曾經(jīng)拉著我先生一起去學(xué)瑜珈，結(jié)果，其他人還在熱身的時候，他就睡著了，看來，瑜珈不僅能讓他放松，還能起到催眠的效果。最近，他又拽著我去學(xué)木工，雖然很辛苦，可還真是滿有意思的。我們再聽一下上面的例句。

M: "My girlfriend and I have been looking through the catalog of courses that our community offers. We thought there'd only be a few choices, but there's quite A MIXED BAG. Among the assortment are classes in many areas, such as cooking, dancing, computers, arts and crafts, recreational activities and foreign languages! We may have to take a couple."

A mixed bag 這種說法早在二十世紀上半葉就已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)了。閉上眼睛想象一個大口袋，里面裝滿了各式各樣的東西，保證你一定能夠記住這個字。

好的，這次美國習(xí)慣用語就到此結(jié)束了。我是蔚然，我是 Douglas Johnson。這次節(jié)目的制作人是胡小玲。別忘了，美國之音中文部除了英語節(jié)目以外，還有新聞、時事、音樂、文化各種其他節(jié)目，種類繁多。Now that's a mixed bag you don't want to miss!

M: This has been Words and Idioms. Until next time.

A: I feel like our agency is a mixed bag! We have people from all over the world!

B: Yep! luckily everyone seems to be hard workers, well except for you......

A:.....好了同學(xué)們，這次節(jié)目時間就到這里了。