【英语趣味课堂】宿舍生活-Dorm Life

 Todd: Miki, when you were in college where did you live?

 

Miki: My first year I lived in the dormitory that was quite close to the campus. It was about a five minute walks so it was very convenient but I'm not sure that that many people actually enjoyed living in the dormitory because there were so many of us packed into such a small space that one did not get a sense of privacy¹ at all. I shared a room with two other girls and 24 hours a day there was always someone near you, next door, down the hall if not in your own room, and a very small space. In Japan perhaps this wouldn't have been such a large problem because the sense of personal space and privacy perhaps isn't as strong growing up, but really in the United States if you grow up with you own room, it you grow up with your own sense of self and if, you know, you have personal space that you define² just instinctively³ which, you know, maybe three feet in front of you, a meter, or if you have your own personal room itself, it's very difficult to move from that sort of sense of individuality and personal private space, to move into the dorms, and to have to share, all of that, and then always have a smile on your face, if you don't want to be considered a bitch.

 

Todd: Yeah, so what about food? What did you eat for food? Did you have a kitchen? Did you cook?

 

Miki: In the dormitories, no! We had a dining hall. I don't quite remember what it was called, but it was a common area where everyone went downstairs at the same time. It was only open, three hours in the morning, 3 hours in the evening, and we all shared our time together, kind of like a family, I suppose, and we must have eaten just normal American food. I don't remember.

Todd: Yeah! Yeah! How about your laundry? How would you wash your clothes?

 

Miki: That I forget! I think we had laundry machines every other floor in the dorm building. But I actually don't remember. Sorry!

 

Todd: And what would students do for fun? for socializing?

 

Miki: Oh, I think the bigger question is whether students did anything besides socialize, you know, right, I mean, if you're a freshman⁴ the chances of you actually doing work are actually quite small, especially in that sort of a social setting where,

 

Todd: Even at Beckley?

 

Miki: Oh, are you kidding me? Yes! Berkley is highly competitive⁵ but it's also highly, it's a highly social atmosphere, especially in the dorms, well, and then once you move into a communal⁶ area, if you're there with your friend, then I don't think a whole lot of studying goes on.

 

Todd: Wow! That's funny! Oh, thanks!

 

Miki: Surely!

 

学习内容：

 

private

 

There were so many of us packed into such a small space that one did not get a sense of privacy at all.

 

When something is 'private' it means that it is not made public or common knowledge and only certain people are allowed access to it. 

 

Notice the following:

 

We are not allowed to walk on there as it is private property. 

She is a very private person.

sense of self

 

If you grow up with your own room, if you grow up with your own sense of self.

 

To have a 'sense of self' means that you know your own mind and personality very well. You understand yourself and know who you are.

 

Notice the following:

 

She has a very good sense of self and she will not let others influence her. 

I grew up in a very large family, so I did not really get a sense of self until I was a lot older. 

instinct

 

You have personal space that you define just instinctively.

 

Your 'instinct' is a natural sense that you have. It a way that you will act without having to think about it. 

 

Notice the following:

 

I think in life you have to just follow your instincts sometimes. 

Animals act on their instincts a lot of the time. 

socialize

 

And what would students do for fun? for socializing?

 

When you 'socialize' it means that you meet and interact⁷ with other people on an informal level. 

 

Notice the following:

 

The best way to meet new friends is just to get out there and socialize. 

I think I would say that socializing is one of my main hobbies. 

communal

 

Once you move into a communal area, if you're there with your friend, then I don't think a whole lot of studying goes on.

 

When something is 'communal' it means that it is shared by lots of people. 

 

Notice the following:

 

We all share a communal kitchen and lounge⁸. 

I never liked doing sport at school because I did not like using the communal changing rooms. 

 

1 privacy   

n.私人权利，个人自由，隐私权

参考例句：

• In such matters,privacy is impossible.在这类事情中，保密是不可能的。
• She wept in the privacy of her own room.她在自己房内暗暗落泪。

2 define   

vt.解释，下定义，阐述，限定，规定

参考例句：

• Please define the words.请解释这些字的意义。
• It's hard to define exactly what has changed.很难解释清楚到底发生了什么变化。

3 instinctively   

adv.本能地

参考例句：

• As he leaned towards her she instinctively recoiled. 他向她靠近，她本能地往后缩。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He knew instinctively where he would find her. 他本能地知道在哪儿能找到她。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 freshman   

n.大学一年级学生(可兼指男女)

参考例句：

• Jack decided to live in during his freshman year at college.杰克决定大一时住校。
• He is a freshman in the show business.他在演艺界是一名新手。

5 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。

6 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。

7 interact   

vi.相互作用，相互影响，互通信息

参考例句：

• All things are interrelated and interact on each other.一切事物互相联系并相互作用。
• The policeman advised the criminal to interact with the police.警察劝罪犯与警方合作。

8 lounge   

n.休闲室，休息室，长沙发；v.闲荡，闲散地度过，混日子

参考例句：

• We had coffee in the lounge.我们在客厅里喝咖啡。
• Don't lounge away your working hours.不要消磨工作时间。