VOA英语教学：美语训练班 108

 　　A: 欢迎大家来到这期的美语训练班! 我是杨琳!

　　B: 我是Mike! 杨琳，来告诉大家今天都要学什么!

　　A: 好! 今天，我们要一起来聊聊绿色环保，看看怎么表达沉重的负担，还要告诉你怎么说像纽约这样的大熔炉!

　　B: Yep, everyone should do what they can to protect the environment. You should always recycle your garbage, always choose to go paperless with bank and utility statements, and....stop using disposable chopsticks! (Eyeing at Yanglin)

　　A: Who are you referring to?

　　B:Nobody!

　　A: 算了，不跟你计较! 同学们肯定等着急了，咱们赶快来进入第一个单元吧!

　　B: Let's listen to learn a word!

　　Learn A Word 1754 in recent memory

　　今天我们要学的词是 in recent memory. In recent memory, recent is spelled r-e-c-e-n-t, and memory, m-e-m-o-r-y, memory, in recent memory. In recent memory 意思是在最近的记忆中。We just had the longest and coldest winter in recent memory. 刚过去的冬天是我们能记得起来的最漫长，最寒冷的一个冬天。与此同时，Skiing resorts had the best conditions  in recent memory for the month of March. 滑雪渡假地三月份的雪况也是近年来最好的。Brittney Griner, one of the most dominant female basketball players in recent memory, came out as being gay. 我们能想得起来的最厉害的女篮球选手之一布兰妮.格瑞娜宣布，自己是同性恋。好的，今天我们学习的词是 in recent memory, in recent memory, in recent memory...

　　A: We just had the longest spring in recent memory for DC! I love spring, it's the best season! 总觉得一切都充满生机呢!

　　B: Not for me! I anything less then 75 degrees is too cold! I've even been avoiding going out with my friends because its been so cold.夏天怎么这么慢来?

　　A: HAHA，aw.... you poor thing! Sounds like a real millstone around your neck! I'm sorry Mike...Look at the bright side, at least you are working with me!

　　B: Exactly! (Sarcastically) But you did mention a interesting idiom "millstone around one's neck". Let's check out today's words and idioms!

　　Words and Idioms 837 Millstone Around One's Neck

　　美国习惯用语

　　我有个表兄，说起来挺可怜的。他从小就立志要做律师。几年前如愿以偿，从法学院毕业，加入了一家律师事务所。如今，他一天从早忙到晚，周末都不能跟家人在一起。可是因为上法学院欠下的一屁股债，所以又不能放弃律师的工作。他面临的进退两难的局面，倒是让我想起了今天要学的习惯用语，

　　M: Millstone around one's neck. Millstone is spelled m-i-l-l-s-t-o-n-e. Millstone-around-one's-neck. Millstone around one's neck.

　　在中文里，Millstone 是磨石、磨盘的意思。Millstone around one's neck 脖子上挂着磨盘，意思是沉重的负担，就象我表兄眼下的工作，虽然他不愿意没日没夜地干，但又无法放弃这份工作，成了负担。It's a millstone around his neck.

　　虽然收入丰厚，又有社会地位，但是不开心的律师绝不只我表兄一个，如果在选择发展方向之前就知道做律师的辛苦，可能很多人都会选择其他职业。

　　在美国，除了住宅外，很多人家还有专门渡假用的别墅，但有的时候，别墅也会成为负担。让我们听听下面这段话。

　　M: "Imagine having your own vacation property; a place you can go whenever you want to relax! Before you invest, make sure you understand what you're getting involved in. The reality is that a second home can often be a tremendous demand on your time, energy and resources. Do you really want a MILLSTONE AROUND YOUR NECK?"

　　这个人说：想象一下，如果有自己渡假用的屋子，随时可以去放松精神。但是投资前，你可得考虑周全，现实情况是，保养别墅需要占用你很多时间、精力和金钱。你想承受这样的负担吗？

　　我的邻居曾经有一艘私人游艇。他后来告诉我说，卖掉游艇的那一天是他除了结婚以外，这辈子最开心的一天，因为保养游艇需要太多的时间和精力。It was a MILLSTONE AROUND HIS NECK. 好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。

　　M: "Imagine having your own vacation property; a place you can go whenever you want to relax! Before you invest, make sure you understand what you're getting involved in. The reality is that a second home can often be a tremendous demand on your time, energy and resources. Do you really want a MILLSTONE AROUND YOUR NECK?"

　　繁重的工作、游艇和别墅，别以为只有这些事情才会成为负担，听了下面的例子，你就会发现，有时候，某个人也会成为负担。

　　M: "My wife and I looked forward to hosting my nephew while he looked for a job. But now it's been weeks since he arrived. We'd probably be more understanding if he offered to help out around the house instead of playing video games all the time. Frankly, he's become a MILLSTONE AROUND OUR NECKS. We can't endure him much longer."

　　这个人说：我侄子找工作的时候，我和太太非常愿意让他跟我们住在一起。但是现在，他已经待了好几个星期了，如果他主动帮助做些家务，而不是成天玩电子游戏的话，我们或许还能理解，说实话，他已经成了我们的负担，我们实在受不了了。

　　这个人也真不懂事。在英语里，这叫 overstay your welcome 已经变成了不受欢迎的人。有些人就是不自觉。我的一位同事自愿提出，招待一个实习生在家住。一开始还很愉快，但是这个实习生的要求越来越多，He became a MILLSTONE AROUND HER NECK 成了负担。我同事最后只好请他出去住。我们再听一下上面的例句。

　　M: "My wife and I looked forward to hosting my nephew while he looked for a job. But now it's been weeks since he arrived. We'd probably be more understanding if he offered to help out around the house instead of playing video games all the time. Frankly, he's become a MILLSTONE AROUND OUR NECKS. We can't endure him much longer."

　　MILLSTONE AROUND ONE'S NECK 这个习惯用语最早可以在圣经里找到。好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。

　　M: This has been Words and Idioms. Until next time.

　　A: I don't know how you can work full time and have an internship as well! From what you have been telling me it sounds like your internship has become a millstone around your neck. Why don't you just quit?

　　B: Well...I made a promise to them that I'm going to stay there for 10 weeks. I don't want to break my promise, plus I want to build some business contacts there as well.

　　A: Ehh, that sounds like a dilemma! Well...take it as an opportunity to learn how to manage your time better! You will benefit from it in the long term.

　　B: That's true. In today's business etiquette, we are going to talk about something that we can all benefit form in the long term as well. Go green and protect our environment!

　　A: Let's check it out!

　　礼节美语 Go Green part I

　　公司总裁 Tim 召集部门经理开会，讨论公司可以采取哪些节能环保的措施。对话中经常出现的 going green 走环保之路。

　　Tim: Good morning folks, thanks for joining us. In light of the recent economic downturn, we thought we should pow-wow some ways we can conserve energy. This is Henry Peterson, a consultant with GreenOffices Inc.

　　Henry: Hi everyone. As Tim mentioned, not only is saving energy good for the environment, it's also a good way to keep costs down...and that's a win-win situation for everyone. I'm sure some of you have suggestions for ways we could become "greener." Anyone?

　　总裁 Tim 说，今天召集大家开会，商量如何节省能源开支。 pow-wow 源于北美印第安人的语言，意思是开会。参加会议的还有节能专家 Henry Peterson. Henry 说，节能既环保，又能减少开支，是双赢之举，a win-win situation. 办公室节能有哪些措施呢？

　　Faith: I think we could easily cut down on "vampire power." Our computers and other electronic devices actually continue to suck power, even when they are switched off.

　　H: Good one! The online encyclopedia Wikipedia claims that "vampire power" or "standby power" is responsible for using as much as 10% of electricity consumption.

　　Dana: We could unplug the equipment or put in power strips that can completely turn off power.

　　T: Just imagine...we could save 10 or 15 % on our energy bill just by unplugging our computers! That's incredible!

　　Faith 提议削减 vampire power 吸血鬼功率，又称 standby power 备用功率。因为即使电脑关机，只要电源不拔，电脑就会继续耗电，Henry 补充说，备用功率耗电量高达用电量的百分之十。Dana 建议拔掉电源或是采用可以切断电源的接线板 Power strip。

　　H: And that's just the beginning! You see these lights above us? These use LED bulbs that are 10 times more efficient as the bulbs you are using in the rest of the office.

　　F: But they're pretty pricey, aren't they?

　　H: Yes, they cost more, but you'll find that they pay for themselves.

　　Henry 建议使用 LED 灯泡，比普通灯泡节能十倍。Faith 问 LED 灯泡是不是很贵，pricey, p-r-i-c-e-y。Henry 承认，LED 灯泡价格确实要贵一些，但是 they pay for themselves 非常划算。

　　D: I've got one that will require a bit of sacrifice. We really don't need to use bottled water for meetings. We could also get rid of paper cups for the water cooler and everyone could use their own mug instead.

　　F: Ahhh.... I love bottled water.... but I agree, Dana's idea is certainly more environmentally friendly.

　　H: Yep. Sometimes going green does require that we change our mindset. It's funny how many of us are very conscientious at home. We recycle and reuse, but when we get to the office, we sometimes become very wasteful.

　　Dana 建议公司取消瓶装水，不用纸杯子，得到大家的认可。Henry 指出，工作场所节能需要改变思维 change our mindset。大家在家都很注意省电、回收，可一到办公室就好象忘得一干二净了。

　　A: 公司总裁Tim开会要求大家注意节能，因为这样公司既能省钱，又能保护环境，it's a win-win situation, 双赢的局面。这需要大家change our mindset, 改变思维，多用节能的东西，LED灯泡，自己的杯子等等。最开始的投入可能稍微多一点，but they pay for themselves, 非常划算。

　　B:That's true. Two months ago I changed all light in my apartment to LED bulbs. I saved almost 50 bucks on my electricity bill! They are a little pricey to begin with, but they sure end up paying for themselves.

　　A: Exactly! 要看长远嘛! 这样还为你的儿子，还有你的儿子的儿子，你的儿子的儿子做了好事!

　　B: OKOK....enough for showing off your Chinese...Let's keep listen and learn some other tips about how to save energy!

　　礼节美语 Go Green part II

　　公司总裁 Tim 召集部门经理开会，讨论节能措施。

　　T: I've recently noticed how much paper I use on a daily basis and I've been trying to cut down. I've found that I very rarely actually need to print emails. Also, by utilizing my fax-modem, I don't ever need to print a hardcopy for faxing.

　　H: That's gonna add up! In the end you'll find it makes a huge positive difference!

　　D: But you know, even with all these good ideas and strategies, I feel like it counts for nothing when you factor in air travel. Our people make a lot of international trips each year and flying puts tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

　　总裁 Tim 说，他最近一直注意节省纸张，尽量不打印电子邮件和传真。节能专家 Henry 表示，That's gonna add up! 日积月累，一定会有成效。Dana 提出，尽管这些想法很好，但是 it counts for nothing when you factor in air travel. 如果考虑到出差坐飞行释放的二氧化碳，那么这些措施都无异于杯水车薪。

　　H: Ah! Good point! Well, for starters, with teleconferencing and instant email one would hope business travel could be reduced. Did you know an economy class flight from Baltimore to Taipei makes you responsible for just over four tons of CO2? If you fly business class the number jumps to 12 tons.

　　Henry 说，这个问题提得好。Good point! 从巴尔的摩到台北一张 economy class 经济舱机票相当于释放四吨二氧化碳，business class 商务舱更可怕，相当于排放12吨二氧化碳。

　　T: But sometimes there's just no alternative. We have to check out factories,

　　locations and in some countries, you really have to look the person in the eye and physically shake their hand.

　　H: This is true. So I'd like you all to consider buying carbon credits.

　　总裁 Tim 提出，有些时候，除了出差，没有其他办法 sometimes there's just no alternative。Henry 因此建议大家考虑购买 carbon credits 碳信用额。

　　F: Ah, I've heard about that. You can actually calculate how much carbon your trip is likely to put into the environment and you can offset that by paying to plant some trees.

　　H: That's right! There are web sites such as CarbonPlanet.com. They can help you work out our carbon debt, and then direct you to where you can buy carbon credits that go toward planting new trees.

　　D: That would make me feel a lot less guilty.

　　H: Well, it's great that you are all so willing to do your part to make a difference. Let's get back together in two weeks for another brainstorming session.

　　碳信用额就是把飞行里程折合成对环境的伤害，然后出钱种树，作为补偿。Henry 告诉他们，可以到 CarbonPlanet.com 等网站上寻找帮助。大家决定两周后 have another brainstorming session 再开会，继续集思广益。

　　A: 我也觉得咱们该多用电子版的东西! Do you know how many scripts we print out each week? It's such a waste!

　　B: I totally agree. I think we could print out just one copy and hold on to it, instead of printing out new ones every other day.

　　A: 好嘛，互相监督! 希望大家也一样，为了我们的地球，节省能源，环保靠大家!

　　B: Haha, I forget how much you love slogans! All right, now let's continue our class! Let's listen to another learn a word!

　　Learn A Word 1755 on the basis of

　　今天我们要学的词是 on the basis of. On the basis of, basis is spelled b-a-s-i-s, on the basis of. On the basis of 根据某种原因。The study drew its conclusions on the basis of hard data. 这项研究是根据硬数据得出研究结论的。He was denied employment on the basis of nationality. 他因为国籍不符合要求，没有被录用。美国童子军正在讨论取消禁止同性恋加入的规定，如果通过的话，No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation. 任何年轻人都不能因为性取向的理由被拒于童子军的大门之外。好的，今天我们学习的词是 in on the basis of, on the basis of, on the basis of...

　　B: So Yanglin, what is your favorite place you have been to so far?

　　A: Based on my person preferences, DC is my favorite city besides my hometown Beijing!

　　B: Oh really? Why is that?

　　A: I love learning different cultures, meeting different people, and DC is the place to offer that! The city is so diverse, the next person you meet might be from Sweden, or Nigeria, or Sri Lanka! The city is a mixed bag, and I love it for that.

　　B: Ha, I feel the same way! And you mentioned a very good idiom: a mixed bag! Let's check out today's words and idioms!

　　Words and Idioms 838 A Mixed Bag

　　美国习惯用语第 838 讲

　　我姐姐刚在一个高尚社区买了房子，那里住的都是医生、律师这一类的高薪单身贵族，跟我住的地方截然不同。我们这里有单身汉、有年轻父母、有双职工、也有不上班的专职妈妈；有白领，也又蓝领；而且还有不同国家、不同种族的人。这在英语里叫

　　M: A mixed bag. Mixed is spelled m-i-x-e-d, and bag; b-a-g. A-mixed-bag. A mixed bag.

　　在中文里，mixed 是混合的意思。A mixed bag 是指各式各样的人、东西或是活动。用 A mixed bag 来形容我的邻居的组成简直是再贴切不过了，they are a mixed bag. 在下面这个例子里，一位记者在介绍为美国新总统奥巴马举办的音乐会时，就用到了这个习惯用语，让我们一起听听看。

　　M: "Did you happen to see the concert for the new president on TV? It featured so many different styles of music, from pop to country, hip-hop to rock and roll. In addition to the talented singers, many famous actors also made presentations. The event represented such A MIXED BAG that viewers of every age and taste seemed to enjoy it."

　　这位记者说：你看电视里为新总统举办的音乐会了吗？音乐会里有各种风格的音乐，从流行到乡村、从嘻哈到摇滚，除了著名歌唱家以外，很多演员也到场献艺，这次音乐会的节目五花八门，让任何年龄段、任何品味的观众都能欣赏。

　　那场表演我也看了，绝对一流。说到音乐，我的MP3播放机里就有各种各样的音乐，有上榜金曲，有怀旧老歌，还有古典音乐。I like listening to A MIXED BAG. 否则的话，听不了多久就会感到千篇一律。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。

　　M: "Did you happen to see the concert for the new president on TV? It featured so many different styles of music, from pop to country, hip-hop to rock and roll. In addition to the talented singers, many famous actors also made presentations. The event represented such A MIXED BAG that viewers of every age and taste seemed to enjoy it."

　　不知道大家有没有出于兴趣而去选修课程的经历，就是不为学分、学位，单纯是因为喜欢，花钱去上课。在美国，这种情况十分常见。让我们一起听听下面这个人是怎么说的。

　　M: "My girlfriend and I have been looking through the catalog of courses that our community offers. We thought there'd only be a few choices, but there's quite A MIXED BAG. Among the assortment are classes in many areas, such as cooking, dancing, computers, arts and crafts, recreational activities and foreign languages! We may have to take a couple."

　　这个人说：我和我的女朋友一起查看社区学校开设的一些课程，本来以为可能只有几种选择，结果发现，各种课程琳琅满目，涉及的领域包括烹调、舞蹈、电脑、艺术和手工、还有外语等等。我们可能得选上好几门呢。

　　尝试新鲜事物，才能永远年轻，不是吗？我记得去年，我曾经拉着我先生一起去学瑜珈，结果，其他人还在热身的时候，他就睡着了，看来，瑜珈不仅能让他放松，还能起到催眠的效果。最近，他又拽着我去学木工，虽然很辛苦，可还真是满有意思的。我们再听一下上面的例句。

　　M: "My girlfriend and I have been looking through the catalog of courses that our community offers. We thought there'd only be a few choices, but there's quite A MIXED BAG. Among the assortment are classes in many areas, such as cooking, dancing, computers, arts and crafts, recreational activities and foreign languages! We may have to take a couple."

　　A mixed bag 这种说法早在二十世纪上半叶就已经出现了。闭上眼睛想象一个大口袋，里面装满了各式各样的东西，保证你一定能够记住这个字。

　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。我是蔚然，我是 Douglas Johnson。这次节目的制作人是胡小玲。别忘了，美国之音中文部除了英语节目以外，还有新闻、时事、音乐、文化各种其他节目，种类繁多。Now that's a mixed bag you don't want to miss!

　　M: This has been Words and Idioms. Until next time.

　　A: I feel like our agency is a mixed bag! We have people from all over the world!

　　B: Yep! luckily everyone seems to be hard workers, well except for you......

　　A:.....好了同学们，这次节目时间就到这里了。