英语小达人 39 The village

 　　The village

　　部落

　　When Sandra and Doug gave birth to a little Down syndrom baby 6 years ago, they made a pact¹: "We will bring the world to our little girl, as much as we will bring her to the world."

　　六年前，当珊卓拉和道格生下一个唐氏综合症的小宝宝时，他们达成一个协定：“我们把小女儿带到这个世上，因此我们也将同样把这个世界带给她。”

　　In a short time, they understood and took on the African saying—It takes a village to raise a child—nurturing communal² support while promoting³ independence. They looked for a community of people who had children with special needs.

　　没多久他们便体会到非洲的俗语：要有一村人才能养个孩子，并面临要培养社区的支持，同时又能促进独立。

　　They had little success. There were discussion⁴ groups, but little else to offer people who wanted a sense of community.

　　他们想找同样有特殊需求孩子的社区人士，可是却不成功，虽然有讨论群，可是能带给需要社区支持力量的人的帮助却很少。

　　With the help of another family, Sandra and Doug began The Willage, a support group for families with special needs. The Village was so popular that in its first year it had 300 memebers. Families could meet for activities, discussion groups and support.

　　珊卓拉和道格在另外一个家庭的协助下，成立了“部落”，一个针对有特殊需求家庭的支持团体。“部落”大受欢迎，头一年就有三百个会员，这些家庭可以聚会办活动、讨论和寻求支持。

　　The Village is in its 5th year now and has 900 memeber. Sandra and Doug found a way to offer something that was clearly needed in their community. Making for a safer and more supportive environment for families who are a bit different.

　　现在“部落”已经成立五年，拥有九百个会员，珊卓拉和道格找到方法，提供社区确实需要的资源，使稍微不同的家庭能有更安全与更支持的环境。

1 pact   

n.合同，条约，公约，协定

参考例句：

• The two opposition parties made an electoral pact.那两个反对党订了一个有关选举的协定。
• The trade pact between those two countries came to an end.那两国的通商协定宣告结束。

2 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。

3 promoting   

促进( promote的现在分词 )； 提升； 推销； 使 （学生）升级

参考例句：

• The company are promoting their new products on television. 这家公司在电视上宣传他们的新产品。
• They are promoting a boxing match. 他们正在筹划一次拳击比赛。

4 discussion   

n.讨论，谈论；论述

参考例句：

• It is certain he will come to the discussion.他肯定会来参加讨论。
• After months of discussion,a peace agreement is gradually taking shape.经过几个月的商讨，和平协议渐渐有了眉目。