英文原版对话1000个:634 Island Language

Joel: So I don't think we've met yet, what is your name?

Patricia: Patricia. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Joel: You too. Where are you from?

Patricia: I'm from Samoa.

Joel: Samoa? Where is that?

Patricia: It's in the South Pacific north of New Zealand.

Joel: Ok. Samoa. We call it Samoa in the United¹ States. How do you pronounce it?

Patricia: Samoa.

Joel: Samoa. Ok. Yeah, I've met a couple of people from Samoa.

Patricia: Oh, really.

Joel: They are very large people. Is that pretty typical?

Patricia: Samoa consists of 2 islands, there's American Samoa and Western Samoa which is now called Samoa where I'm from. The American Samoan people or more of the big physique than the Samoans on my island. So perhaps you might have met the American Samoans and mixed them up perhaps.

Joel: It must be. But you're English is very good so is English your native language?

Patricia: Yes. The thing with me is that I am "Halfcast" which means² that I'm European-blooded and Polynesian-blooded which means that most of the halfcasts individuals or families on the island, they should have 2 languages, speak two language or more. So probably our first language is English and then Samoan.

Joel: Ok. And what is the Samoan language--is it related³ to any other language like is it similar to Hawaian?

Patricia: Spanish, Hawaian, Malaysian. It's probably more closer to the Malaysian traditional...more...let's see...sorry...it's closer to the Indonesian and Malaysian language because we are supposed to be from Southeast Asia which is around the Indonesian and Malaysian area.

Joel: So you speak that language as well?

Patricia: Yes.

Part 3

Joel: And what did you learn in school though?

Patricia: In school I learned-- you mean by language-wise?

Joel: Yes.

Patricia: Ok, we have 2 sets of language courses. One is you take the Samoan your traditional or your native language as a second language itself while you're still a Samoan citizen or you take Samoan as a pure Samoan which is local pure but not Halfcast. And the course I took was Samoan as a second language which teaches you basically⁴ more conversation and more oral form of Samoan.

Part 4

Joel: And when do you have a chance to use that. Do you use that when you go shopping or in the home or...?

Patricia: Oh yes. Often. We can, at home, my parents speak both English and Samoan so we use Samoan only when you really want to make a point and English is more on a basis of everyday relaxing sort of thing.

Joel: I see. That's very interesting. Thanks Patricia.

Patricia: No worries.

 

1 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

2 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

3 related   

adj.有关系的，有关联的，叙述的，讲述的

参考例句：

• I am not related to him in any way.我和他无任何关系。
• We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。

4 basically   

adv.基本上，从根本上说

参考例句：

• His heart is basically sound.他的心脏基本上健康。
• Basically I agree with your plan.我基本上同意你的计划。