苏格兰独立

 　　Rob: Welcome to 6 Minute English with me Rob…

　　Neil: …and me Neil.

　　Rob: Today we're talking about national independence - that's when one nation is free from control by another country. Neil, can you think of any countries that have become independent?

　　Neil: Well, Scotland is talking a lot about this at the moment.

　　Rob: Yes, it is. It's a big political issue which we'll talk more about soon. And of course we'll be looking at some words related to independence. But let's start with a question. How well do you know your history? The Declaration¹ of Independence was made by thirteen American colonies that were fighting for freedom from the British Empire. But do you know what year that declaration - or announcement - was made? Was it:

　　a) 1776

　　b) 1786

　　c) 1796

　　Neil: I am pretty sure it's a) 1776.

　　Rob: You sound quite confident, don't you, but I'll let you know the answer later on. Let's talk more about independence. We often hear about groups of people campaigning or fighting for independence from the country that rules them.

　　Neil: Yes, like the Basque people in Spain, or the Kurds in Iraq. This is when a certain group of people want their own homeland to preserve - that's keep alive - their culture or beliefs.

　　Rob: And sometimes, a whole nation wants to break away from the country that rules it because it feels it would be better for its people. That's what's happening in Scotland right now, isn't it Neil?

　　Neil: Well, not quite. Not everyone in Scotland wants to break away from the United Kingdom. This is a plan suggested by the ruling political party in Scotland - the Scottish National Party. But they are asking people to vote on the decision.

　　Rob: And this vote on a single issue - or referendum - is happening in September. Politicians who want Scotland to be separate from the UK are trying to persuade the public to vote in favour of independence. Other politicians are trying to persuade people to vote 'no'.

　　Neil: Independence would mean Scotland would be able to control things like its tax system, its immigration policy and people would have a Scottish passport.

　　Rob: Well, let's hear from Alex Salmond, the Leader of the Scottish National Party, talking when he first announced there would be a referendum. What words did he use to describe how he wanted the debate - or discussion - on independence to be?

　　Alex Salmond, Leader of the Scottish National Party

　　Divergent views are the very essence² of democracy; robust³ debate is part of what makes us Scottish. The exchanges, the criticism and the debate must be passionate⁴ - how else could it be in Scotland? But let these contributions be based on fact, reason, logic⁵, rather than smears⁶, or allegations or misinformation.

　　Neil: Alex Salmond said divergent views are the very essence of democracy - so all different views are important and that is what makes a democracy.

　　And he encouraged debate about independence.

　　Rob: Yes and he said the debate should be robust - so strong, firm and determined…

　　Neil: …and it should be passionate - expressing powerful emotions.

　　Rob: But most importantly, the debate should be based on real information - facts - not misinformation or what he calls smears - in other words, lies.

　　Neil: Well, Scottish people will go to the ballot⁷ box in a few months' time to vote. And if they vote 'yes' for independence, we, Rob, might have to show our passports if we cross the border from England into Scotland.

　　Rob: Imagine that! And the Scottish people might lose the BBC - the British Broadcasting Corporation - and get their own smaller Scottish Broadcasting Corporation.

　　Neil: Of course, there's always been a - let's say - friendly rivalry⁸ between the two countries. And we are used to our nations competing independently in football and rugby tournaments.

　　Rob: Of course, being an Englishman I know who's best! But seriously, the idea of an independent Scotland isn't that strange. The Act of Union, which brought Scotland together with England and Wales, only came into being in 1707. Before that, Scotland was independent.

　　Neil: And only last century, Ireland fought for its independence from Britain.

　　Rob: And in 1947, India succeeded in becoming independent from British rule, a day that's now commemorated⁹ - or remembered - as a national holiday.

　　Neil: But, while some countries aim to have self-rule - another word for independent rule - others want to share things which are usually unique to a country. For example, the member states of the European Union work together in trade and some share the same currency - the Euro.

　　Well, this brings us back to your question Rob, when some American states declared independence from British rule.

　　Rob: Yes, that was the Declaration of Independence - but what year was it?

　　Neil: I said a) 1776.

　　Rob: And of course, you were right. It was 1776. This was the beginning of a new nation that became the USA - and Independence Day is now celebrated¹⁰ every year on the 4th of July. I wonder if Scotland will be celebrating its own independence day in just a few years' time? OK Neil, please could you remind us of some of the independence-related words that we've heard today.

　　Neil: OK, here we go:

　　independence

　　declaration

　　campaigning

　　referendum

　　in favour of

　　debate

　　divergent views

　　robust

　　passionate

　　smears

　　rivalry

　　commemorated

　　self-rule

　　Rob: Thanks Neil. We hope you've enjoyed today's 6 Minute English. Please join us again soon for another programme.

　　Neil: Goodbye.

　　Rob: Bye.

1 declaration   

n.宣布，宣告，宣言，声明（书），申报

参考例句：

• We read the declaration posted on the bulletin board.我们读了贴在布告板上的声明。
• At the recent convention a declaration was adopted.在最近举行的大会上通过了一项宣言。

2 essence   

n.本质，实质，精华，精粹

参考例句：

• We must try to get to the essence of things.我们必须想法抓住事物的本质。
• The two things are the same in outward form but different in essence.这两件东西外表形式一样，但实质不同。

3 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

4 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

5 logic   

n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性

参考例句：

• What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？
• I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。

6 smears   

污迹( smear的名词复数 )； 污斑； （显微镜的）涂片； 诽谤

参考例句：

• His evidence was a blend of smears, half truths and downright lies. 他的证词里掺杂着诽谤、部份的事实和彻头彻尾的谎言。
• Anything written with a soft pencil smears easily. 用软铅笔写成的东西容易污成一片。

7 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

8 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。

9 commemorated   

v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Lincoln commemorated the soldiers killed in the battle in his address. 林肯在演说中表扬阵亡将士。 来自辞典例句
• You'll be commemorated for killing a spy, and be specially discharged. 你们每杀一个间谍将会被记录到特殊档案。 来自电影对白

10 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。