英语听力—环球英语 1341 Talking About Other People

 　　Voice 1

 

　　Welcome to Spotlight¹. I’m Joshua Leo.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　And I’m Christy VanArragon. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　In 2005, the government of a small town in Colombia made an unusual law. They began giving punishments for gossip² - including fines and prison sentences.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Gossip is common everywhere in the world. Most people love to share private information about other people. But gossip can cause serious damage. Today’s Spotlight is on gossip.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　So why did the government of Icononzo make a law against gossip? They were hoping to fight a very serious problem. In this area, there is a long conflict between the government and the rebel³ group FARC. For many years, FARC has hoped to change the government by attacking normal people. They kidnap⁴ people from throughout the country. Sometimes they ask for money. Sometimes they make demands of the government.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　This conflict causes fear and anxiety among normal people. In the town of Icononzo, it also caused gossip. Gossip about the conflict was causing even more problems for normal people. Ignacio Jimenez was the town leader. He described the problem to the BBC. Some gossip says that particular people support the FARC. Other gossip may say that a person has been giving information to the government. This gossip may be complete lies. But these lies have serious effects on people’s lives. People avoid their normal activities. Because of gossip, the government may even arrest innocent⁵ people. Or the FARC may attack and kill citizens. Mr Jimenez said,

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　‘It is a tradition for gossip to spread through small towns. It is a part of life. But it is worrying that people are going to prison or being murdered because of gossip’.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　For that reason Mr. Jimenez has established punishments for people guilty of gossip. He has established fines and prison sentences. People found guilty of gossiping could go to prison for four years. Mr Jimenez said that the people of Icononzo will have to think more before accusing other people of anything! Hopefully they will see that there is no such thing as an innocent piece of gossip.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　For most people, gossip does not threaten their lives.  But it can still cause a lot of hurt. So why do people share gossip? Why is gossip so common?

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　There is an English expression, “There is nothing like a juicy bit of gossip!” People love to pass secret information to each other - about other people’s lives. The information they spread is called a ‘rumour⁶.’ A rumour may have a base of truth. But often it does not. Rumours⁷ can be complete lies. But this does not matter to the people who gossip!

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Doctor Ann McGee Cooper is a writer and business advisor⁸. She helps people find creative solutions to problems - such as gossiping at work. In her work, she describes some of the reasons people like to gossip.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　First, gossip is about other people’s lives - not our own. This can make the gossipers feel safe. Gossip does not seem to affect us.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Second, sharing secret stories is a way of connecting to people. When people share gossip, they feel closer. As the gossip spreads, new people may add extra information. This makes them feel even closer. They feel important, because they know a secret. It becomes like an unspoken agreement, “We are so good, and they are so bad!”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　While sharing gossip, people may feel safe. But after sharing the gossip, a person may feel worried. The closeness is gone. So a person will look for more gossip to spread. They will try to share the gossip with other people. And so the rumours grow and grow. People usually do not stop to find out if the information is true or not.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　This brings us to the third reason. People who are listening to gossip feel included. Dr. McGee says that this is a feeling everyone wants! No one wants to be the last to know a particular piece of information. Information is power. And we all like to have a piece of this power. It is not difficult to excuse gossip, even when you know it is wrong. At first, it may even seem like the information is something important - something we need to know.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　But what about the person who the gossip is about? No one wants people to spread gossip about them. And it is very difficult to stop a rumour.  Maybe you have been the target of gossip. Maybe you have heard that a particular person is saying bad things about you. There are some things you can do. Dr McGee also has some good suggestions for this situation.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　First, find out if the person has been talking about you or not. Be careful not to report information as a fact. For example, you could talk to the person sharing the rumour. You could say,

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　‘I heard a false rumour about me yesterday! Have you heard this story? Please help me to understand why people are saying these things about me.’

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Dealing⁹ with issues respectfully¹¹ and openly can often solve them faster.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　When you hear gossip, question the person who shared it with you - in a respectful¹⁰ way. For example, you could say,

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　‘That does not sound like something Angela would say. Before we accept this as true, can we ask Angela? I want to understand exactly what she meant.’

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　This makes others see that we do not want to be a part of gossip. And it helps them to find out the truth.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Ending gossip may be difficult. But it is important to stop it. Even a small piece of gossip can have big effects. Gossip has been a problem for thousands of years. There is even a letter in the Christian¹² Bible¹³ that warns about gossiping! The writer tells his friends to be careful:

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　‘The tongue is a very small part of the body... Think about how one very small fire can create a big forest fire.’

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Through carelessness, one small fire can destroy a whole forest. In the same way, careless talk can destroy a person’s name and character. If you are tempted¹⁴ to share gossip, stop and think. By ending the gossip, you may be preventing hurt and broken relationships.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　The writer of this program was Marina Santee. The producer was Michio Ozaki. The voices you heard were from the United States. All quotes were adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. You can listen to this program again, and read it, on the internet at http://www.radioenglish.net This .program is called, ‘Talking About Other People’.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 gossip   

n.流言蜚语，爱说长道短的人；vi.传播流言

参考例句：

• She broadcast the gossip all over the town.她将这个流言传遍全镇。
• They spread a lot of tacky gossip about his love life.关于他的爱情生活，他们散播了许多不堪的闲言闲语。

3 rebel   

n.叛徒，起义者；vi.造反，反抗，反感；adj.造反的，反抗的，反叛者的

参考例句：

• The rebel army is attempting to subvert the government.反叛军队企图颠覆政府统治。
• The rebel army has readjusted its strategy.叛军已经重新调整了策略。

4 kidnap   

v.拐，绑架，劫持（某人）

参考例句：

• A pair of robbers were trying to kidnap his wife.两个强盗正试图绑架他的妻子。
• They were intelligent and educated,yet they chose to kidnap and kill.他们聪明且有教养，却选择去绑架和杀人。

5 innocent   

adj.无罪的，清白的；无害的；天真的，单纯的

参考例句：

• I'm not quite so innocent as to believe that.我还不至于简单到相信那种事的地步。
• I was very young,and very innocent.我那时非常年轻，幼稚无知。

6 rumour   

n.谣言，谣传，传闻

参考例句：

• I should like to know who put that rumour about.我想知道是谁散布了那谣言。
• There has been a rumour mill on him for years.几年来，一直有谣言产生，对他进行中伤。

7 rumours   

n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传

参考例句：

• The rumours were completely baseless. 那些谣传毫无根据。
• Rumours of job losses were later confirmed. 裁员的传言后来得到了证实。

8 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

9 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

10 respectful   

adj.恭敬的，对...表示尊敬的

参考例句：

• He is respectful to his elders.他对长辈很尊敬。
• She received guests with a respectful attitude.她恭恭敬敬地接待了客人。

11 respectfully   

adv.恭敬地；此致敬礼

参考例句：

• People respectfully called him the venerable Zhu.人们尊称他为朱老。
• We respectfully request your guidance.敬祈指导。

12 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

13 bible   

n.《圣经》；得到权威支持的典籍

参考例句：

• According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam.根据《圣经》所说的，我们都是亚当的后裔。
• This dictionary should be your Bible when studying English.学习英语时，这本字典应是你的主要参考书。

14 tempted   

v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）

参考例句：

• I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
• I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。