美语三级跳 Go English：016C 社会文化: 高级课程

 

016C 社会文化: 高级课程

Professor: Today we're learning¹ some words for talking about "affirmative action" programs in the US. Winnie, if a college or business has an affirmative action program, that means it gives preference to minority students, who have traditionally been underprivileged in American society.

嗯，这个我听说过。美国的"Affirmative action"， 平权法案，要求对少数族裔人口实行入学、就业方面的优惠政策。我想，这个政策应该是为了帮助少数族裔，改善他们的社会地位，可难免也会引发一些不满和争议吧？

Professor: Yes, it has been quite controversial². Let's see what Will and Jane have to say about it.

Will: So Jane, where do you go to college?

Jane: I'm at the University of California, in Los Angeles. It's a great school academically, but also because it gives me the chance to meet people of all different nationalities, races and backgrounds.

Will: Yeah, US colleges have become much more diverse³ ever since affirmative action policies were put in place. But even though that's a good thing, some people still gripe about them.

Jane: Of course, there has been a lot of controversy⁴ surrounding them. After all, affirmative action is a pretty blunt⁵ instrument for helping⁶ disadvantaged groups improve their lives.

Professor Bowman, 什么叫 gripe？

Professor: To gripe is to complain about something. For example, the employees at every company I've worked at have always griped about how rich the boss is, even though they make good salaries.

哦，gripe, g-r-i-p-e, gripe, 就是“抱怨”的意思。 Will说，虽然平权政策使很多少数族裔学生得到了上大学的机会，提升了美国大学校园的多样性，但还是有人对这个政策不满。对了，Jane说，平权法案是个blunt instrument，Professor, 这是什么意思呢？

Professor: Winnie, a "blunt instrument" is a method that uses too much force, so that, in achieving your aim, it also causes some harm or trouble. For example, "War is a very blunt instrument for settling disputes⁷ between countries. It's better to resolve⁸ them through careful negotiations⁹."

我明白了，blunt instrument就是“生硬的方法”，用这种方法做事，往往事倍功半，效果不佳。

Will: Why do you think some people are opposed to affirmative action?

Jane: A lot of people think we no longer need affirmative action, and that it's unfair. If two people apply for a job, should one be given better treatment because of his or her skin color?

Will: I see your point. But many of the poor people in American society are minorities. I think we should try to give them a leg up.

Jane: True, but there are lots of poor people who aren't minorities too. Shouldn't they get help too?

Will: I agree that it isn't a perfect solution, but it's a pretty good way of leveling the playing field.

听起来Will很支持平权法案，他说，美国很多穷人都是少数族裔，平权法案可以give them a leg up - 助他们一臂之力，使他们获得一些优势。

Professor: That's right. Will also says he thinks that affirmative action policies are a good way of "leveling the playing field".

对，level the playing field就是说为大家提供公平赛场，让所有人站在同样的起点上。Will觉得，平权法案虽然并不完美，但至少缩小了白人和有色人种之间的社会差距。

Jane: You know, I think one thing that everybody can agree on is that we should live in a world where affirmative action isn't necessary.

Will: I totally agree. When each person has the same opportunities in life, regardless of his or her skin color, the world will definitely¹⁰ be a better place.

Jane: Hey Will ..... just a suggestion, but can we talk about something less serious? All this talk of religion and discrimination isn't what I had in mind for a first date.

Will: Well sure .... we can talk about something light and fun. What do you think about global warming?

Jane: Waiter, can you bring the check please?

哈哈，Jane终于受不了了! Will尽和她谈这些严肃话题，让他换个轻松点的，他居然会想到 global warming - 全球暖化！怪不得Jane急着给钱走人!

Professor: Yup, sounds like Will made a pretty bad move.

 

这次的美语三级跳就播送到这里。

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 controversial   

adj.引起争论的，有争议的

参考例句：

• The topic of argument is controversial.这个议题是很有争议的。
• Immigration is a controversial issue in many countries.在很多国家，移民都是一个颇有争议的问题。

3 diverse   

adj.不同的；相异的；多种多样的；形形色色的

参考例句：

• Spain is a composite of diverse traditions and people.西班牙是一个汇集了多种传统和民族的国家。
• Society is now much more diverse than ever before.当今社会较之以往任何时候都要丰富多彩得多。

4 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

5 blunt   

adj.（刀子）钝的，不锋利的，迟钝的，直率的

参考例句：

• The axe is too blunt to cut down the tree.斧头太钝，砍不倒树。
• She is rather blunt in speech.她说话很直率。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 disputes   

n.辩论( dispute的名词复数 )；争端；（劳资）纠纷；罢工v.辩论，争论( dispute的第三人称单数 )；争夺；阻止；就…进行辩论

参考例句：

• a legalistic approach to family disputes 死抠法律条文解决家庭纠纷的方法
• a party riven by internal disputes 由于内部分歧而四分五裂的政党

8 resolve   

vt.解决，解除；决定，决心

参考例句：

• It's up to him to resolve this problem.这个问题应由他来解决。
• This did not shake his resolve.这事并未动摇他的决心。

9 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

10 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。