英文原版对话1000个:968 Speaking of Switzerland

Todd: Now, also your country is really famous for having different regions¹, correct? You have three main regions?

Anja: We have four.

Todd: Four?

Anja: Actually.

Todd: Could you talk about them?

Anja: Yes, we have four regions and this actually concerns the languages, which we have four official languages. It's German, French, Italian, and Romansh. And actually, the last one, Romansh, it became an official language just like twelve years ago, and only a little part the Swiss population can speak Romansh actually, but it just sort of became a national, an official language some years ago. And yeah, well, the country's really small and we sometimes have some troubles communicating to each other, but usually people talk like at least two languages, so it works² out most of the time.

Todd: So, in your country, you don't have the one uniform language that everybody speaks?

Anja: No, we don't. Like we have Swiss, but Swiss is only being used in the German speaking part of Switzerland, which means like we don't actually use German when we talk. It's only for writing, but when we talk to each other, to our parents, to our teachers, we use Swiss.

Todd: So Swiss is closest to German? It's Germanic?

Anja: Yes, you can say that but it's very difficult for German people to understand us when we're talking actually because it's really fast and a really cute language, apparently³. Yes.

Todd: Now, what is the percentage breakdown⁴, like what percentage is French, Italian, etc?

Anja: I couldn't tell you the percentage but the biggest part is German, followed by French, Italian, and yeah Romansh is only zero point five percent of the population, so.

Todd: And just out of curiosity⁵, Romansh, what does that sound like? Does that sound like Italian or?

Anja: It's a mix of the three main languages I would say, like a mix of German, French, and Italian and, I can catch a word here or there but, yeah, I don't really understand it.

Todd: And lastly, what part are you from in Switzerland?

Anja: I'm from the German part.

Todd: OK.

Anja: Yes.

Todd: Oh, thanks Anja.

Anja: Oh, you're welcome.

 

1 regions   

n.地区( region的名词复数 )；[数学]区域；（艺术、科学等的）领域；行政区

参考例句：

• A flying doctor service operates in remote regions. 在偏远地区有飞行医生服务。
• More powers are gradually being devolved to the regions. 正逐步向地方下放更多的权力。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

3 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

4 breakdown   

n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌

参考例句：

• She suffered a nervous breakdown.她患神经衰弱。
• The plane had a breakdown in the air,but it was fortunately removed by the ace pilot.飞机在空中发生了故障，但幸运的是被王牌驾驶员排除了。

5 curiosity   

n.好奇心，新奇的事物，珍品

参考例句：

• He gave in to curiosity and opened my letter.他抑制不住好奇心，拆开了我的信。
• The children are dying of curiosity to see what's in the parcel.孩子们出于好奇，迫不及待地想看看包裹中是什么东西。