VOA常速英语2014--世界杯庆祝在里约热内卢工人阶级社区遇冷（在线收听）

World Cup Celebrations Subdued in Rio Working Class Neighborhood 世界杯庆祝在里约热内卢工人阶级社区遇冷

RIO DE JANEIRO — Football fever is building as Brazil prepares to launch the 2014 World Cup on Thursday, but celebrations in some areas are subdued compared to previous years.

The weekly “feira,” or street market, in Vila Isabel, a working class neighborhood near Maracana Stadium. Shoppers look for bargains, but they say prices keep going up.

每周在马拉卡纳体育场附近工人阶级社区的维拉伊莎贝尔都有着被称为“feira”的街市。买主们在这里淘便宜,但是他们说价格一直在持续上涨。

This neighborhood was always known for its fierce football fans, according to vegetable vendor Luiz Henrique.

菜贩路易斯·恩里克称这个社区因为其狂热的足球迷们而远近闻名。

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“In the old days, there used to be a competition for the most decorated street, and this street won many times. There used to be so many people out on the street that you couldn't even get through.” He said people cannot afford the decorations anymore.

“过去这条街曾经竞争过最装修一新的街道,结果斩获多次殊荣。过去这条街上人多的你甚至过不去。”他表示现在人们已经不能再花钱装修了。

Retired schoolteacher Vera Lucia Gatti said many are angry with the government for spending billions of dollars on stadiums while hospitals and schools have been left to deteriorate.

退休教师维拉·露西亚·加蒂称许多人不满政府将数十亿美元浪费在体育场馆建设但忽视条件恶劣的医院和学校。

“So I think the money should have been spread around, some for the Cup, a little for the schools, a little for the hospitals.This was the way to go, but it wasn't done that way.”

“所以我认为钱应该被分散,一部分用于世界杯,一部分给学校和医院。这才是民心所向,但现实却适得其反。”

Some Brazilians have demonstrated against the World Cup and say they will boycott the games. Strikes by transit workers also threaten to disrupt the tournament that is expected to draw some 800,000 foreign visitors.

一些巴西人已经举行示威反对世界杯并且表示将抵制世界杯。运输系统工人的罢工还威胁要扰乱这一预计将吸引约800000名外国游客的赛事。

Some hope the international attention will lead to change in Brazil. Henrique doubts this.

一些人希望世界杯带来的国际关注会为巴西带来变革。恩里克对这一说法持有疑虑。

“You know, a country like this with so many corrupt people that you can't trust anyone, where even the most honest person in politics is on the take, there is no law. So for me, there is no solution.”

“你知道,身处这样的一个有这么多腐败之人的国家,你不能相信任何人,甚至是最诚实的人身陷政治圈中也会收受贿赂,律法根本无法介入。所以对我来说,没有解决方案。”

Gatti said Brazil's leaders need to change.

加蒂表示巴西的领导人需要改变。

“As far as the Cup goes, if Brazil wins, great. There'll be happiness. I will be, too, of course.But if those who govern do not change and begin to spread the wealth around, nothing will be solved.”

“随着世界杯如火如荼的展开,如果巴西最终夺冠,那就太好了。巴西人民会非常高兴。当然,我也会如此。但如果那些管理者不进行变革并开始将资金分散,就等于什么都没有解决。”

Almost everyone here believes Brazil will win the championship. There is little hope, however, that this World Cup will bring anything more than temporary joy.