纪录片《南太平洋》 第16期 大洋小岛（16）

It's a tradition that tests the mettle¹ of the most courageous² men.

这个传统仪式用来考验最勇敢的男子气概

Having a head for heights is only the start.

爬上高处只是开始

Forest vines are tied around his ankles. They will be his lifeline.

他将树藤系在脚踝上。这也是他的救命绳索

For centuries, Pentecost men have been leaping head first

数世纪以来，这个岛上的男人一直保持着

from wooden scaffolds with only forest vines to break their fall

从高处跳下的传统

a tradition that inspired modern bungee jumping.

他们是蹦极运动的始祖

The jumps may look like acts of madness,

此举看似疯狂

but the festival's origins have a serious side.

却有着十分重要的意义

They celebrate the annual harvest of their staple³ crop.

他们在庆祝当年的丰收

And with up to nine cyclones⁴ pounding the South Pacific a year,

在南太平洋，每年有多达9次的飓风侵袭

a successful harvest is worth celebrating.

好收成是值得庆祝的

1 mettle   

n.勇气，精神

参考例句：

• When the seas are in turmoil,heroes are on their mettle.沧海横流，方显出英雄本色。
• Each and every one of these soldiers has proved his mettle.这些战士个个都是好样的。

2 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

3 staple   

n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类

参考例句：

• Tea is the staple crop here.本地产品以茶叶为大宗。
• Potatoes are the staple of their diet.土豆是他们的主要食品。

4 cyclones   

n.气旋( cyclone的名词复数 )；旋风；飓风；暴风

参考例句：

• The pricipal objective in designing cyclones is to create a vortex. 设计旋风除尘器的主要目的在于造成涡旋运动。 来自辞典例句
• Middle-latitude cyclones originate at the popar front. 中纬度地区的气旋发源于极锋。 来自辞典例句