新视野大学英语视听说教程 4 Unit 10-5

IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1   Americans glorify¹ individualism.
Susan:  John, I was looking for you. Where have you been hiding all morning?
John:   Well, I caught Professor Brown’s lecture on American individualism.
Susan:  Oh, how did you find it?
John:   Enlightening. Americans glorify individualism. They believe individual interests rank above everything else.
Susan:  Sounds intersting. It’s a sharp contrast to the oriental collectivism Professor Wang talked about last semester.
John:   But you should know that the individualism in the United States is not necesssarily an equivalent for selfishness.
Susan:  Then what does it mean in the States?
John:   They believe all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals, so they emphasize individual initiative and independence.
Susan:  There could be something in that. Of course in oriental countries the interests of the group are more important than anything else.
John: I  So, it’s all the more necessary for foreigners to understand American culture, or they can’t hope to understand the importance of privacy in the West..
Susan:  Maybe that’s the reason nuclear families outnumber extended families in the United States.
John:   Right on! You’re catching² on fast!
Susan:  Now let me ask you a question.
John:   Shoot. Go ahead.
Susan:  Why do Americans cherish individualism more than oriental people?
John:   I don’t know. Anyway, Professor Brown didn’t say.
Susan:  One reason might be that American children stop sleeping with their parents at an early age. They learn independence early, so it’s deeply rooted.
John:   Wow, that’s an intelligent guess!

1 glorify   

vt.颂扬，赞美，使增光，美化

参考例句：

• Politicians have complained that the media glorify drugs.政治家们抱怨媒体美化毒品。
• We are all committed to serving the Lord and glorifying His name in the best way we know.我们全心全意敬奉上帝，竭尽所能颂扬他的美名。

2 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。