A slender, delicate, immaculately dressed Englishman was explaining to the visiting American about British law. 一位身材修长，举止文雅，穿着光鲜的英国人向来访的美国人解释英国法律。

"You know, homosexuality was once considered so heinous in Britain that it was punishable by execution. “你知道吗?在英国，同性恋从前被认为是罪大恶极，可判处极刑，

Only 100 years ago, it was reduced to a misdemeanor, 一百年前，被减为行为失检之轻微罪刑。

and about 50 years ago, decriminalized altogether. . . 大约五十年前则完全不触犯刑法……。

Personally, I shan't be satisfied till it's mandatory! " 不过就我个人而言，非要等到法令强制大家都得同性恋时，我才会开心。”

1.explain tosb 向...解释

例句：If he were here I could explain to him myself.

要是他在这里, 我就可以亲自向他解释了。

2.immaculately 考究的；讲究的

例句：He kept his hands and nails immaculately clean.

他的双手和指甲都非常干净。

3.punishable by execution 处以极刑；处于死刑

例句：China mulls less crimes punishable by execution.

中国斟酌减少适用死刑罪行。

4.reduced to 降低；沦为

例句：The building was reduced to a heap of rubble.

那栋建筑物已成了一片瓦砾、废墟。