英语杂谈：“肥皂剧”的来历

 “肥皂剧”这个说法好像在中国流传也有好多年了，不过其来由为何却少人谈论。小编曾经臆想：难道是因为这些连续剧的集数像肥皂泡那么多，所以才叫“肥皂剧”的吗？

　　A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing¹, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial² format³ on television or radio. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials⁴ broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble as sponsors and producers. These early radio series were broadcast in weekday daytime slots when most listeners would be housewives; thus the shows were aimed at and consumed by a predominantly female audience。

　　肥皂剧(soap opera，有时简称soap)指在广播或电视中连续长期播放、情节虚构的故事剧集。之所以叫“肥皂剧”，是因为这些剧集播放之初都是由宝洁等洗涤用品生产商赞助或制作的。当时，这些连续剧都是在工作日白天时段播出的，大部分听众都是家庭妇女。所以，肥皂剧的受众主要为女性观众。

　　A crucial element that defines soap opera is the open-ended nature of the narrative⁵, with stories spanning several episodes. Each episode ends with a promise that the storyline is to be continued in another episode。

　　肥皂剧最主要的一个特征就是故事情节进展的开放性，一部剧通常有好多集。每一集结束的时候都会为下一集的故事发展留下空间。

1 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 serial   

n.连本影片，连本电视节目；adj.连续的

参考例句：

• A new serial is starting on television tonight.今晚电视开播一部新的电视连续剧。
• Can you account for the serial failures in our experiment?你能解释我们实验屡屡失败的原因吗？

3 format   

n.设计，版式；[计算机]格式，DOS命令:格式化(磁盘)，用于空盘或使用过的磁盘建立新空盘来存储数据；v.使格式化，设计，安排

参考例句：

• Please format this floppy disc.请将这张软盘格式化。
• The format of the figure is very tasteful.该图表的格式很雅致。

4 serials   

n.连载小说，电视连续剧( serial的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The computer can alter the serials librarian and produce a bindery notice. 计算机可提醒管理连续出版物的馆员，并制作装订通知。 来自辞典例句
• I realized I have started to like a few of their serials. 我意识到我已开始喜欢上了不少他们的连续剧。 来自互联网

5 narrative   

n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的

参考例句：

• He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
• Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。