VOA慢速英语2014 研究发现在土耳其仇外情绪上涨

 

AS IT IS 2014-11-20 Study Finds Rising Xenophobia in Turkey 研究发现在土耳其仇外情绪上涨

A recent survey of Turkish public opinion found a major rise in xenophobia -- the dislike or fear of foreigners. The American-based Pew Research Center reported the findings. They come at a time when Turkey faces war on its border and unsettled relations with some neighbors and allies. It is also a time when the country is asking to join the European Union.

Semih Idiz writes about diplomacy¹ for the Turkish newspaper Taraf and Al Monitor website. He says feelings against foreigners are not limited to Western countries, as traditionally they were. 

“They are almost universal. I mean, 70 seventy percent of those surveyed said they were anti-American. But an equal 70 percent said they were anti-Russian. And then we find that most Turks are against Saudi Arabia and China, they are against NATO, they are against the EU. So you know there is this kind of national de-formation that, you know, everybody hates us.”                                

The apparent change of attitude is happening at a time when Turkey has tense or no diplomatic relations with three of its neighbors. They are Syria, Iraq and Iran.      

Cengiz Aktar is a political scientist with Suleyman Shah University in Istanbul. He says differences with Western allies over the conflict in Syria and the struggle against the Islamic State have added to Turkish feelings of isolation². 

“The government is pumping this idea of splendid isolation, which they call “worthy loneliness” – a bit like Russia, by the way. Turkey is isolating³ itself. It is still trying to making its case, but of course no avail.”

Observers say suspicion and even hostility⁴ to the world are nothing new for Turkey. For much of the 20th century, Turkish school children were taught that enemies surrounded their country. Children also learned that Western countries working with Arabs caused the collapse⁵ of the Ottoman Empire.                                                   

Political scientist Cengiz Aktar says those conditions and the European occupation of Turkey after World War One still shape the way Turks think. 

“It goes back to the early 20th century, when Turkey was reborn from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire and the country was occupied. Mustafa Kemal and his friends ended the state of affairs and created a new country. So there is a huge suspicion of anything which comes from the West, a sense of being surrounded by enemies all over. Of course, it’s very worrisome.”                   

Mr. Idiz says that means Turkish politicians will seek to use public fears and increased nationalism to win support in general elections. The voting is to take place by June of next year. He said there is a feeling that Turkish leaders are guarding the country against plans by hostile outsiders. 

“It is fact that politicians in Turkey also use this to their advantage. There is a perception that they are guarding Turkey against nefarious⁶ outside plans. Erdogan himself was reviving imagery pertaining⁷ to the First World War, so as you see we have this being utilized⁸ at the highest level of the policy in Turkey.”                                                          

Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Western interference in the area was like Lawrence of Arabia, the famous World War One British army officer. This man led an Arab rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. I’m Bob Doughty⁹.

Words in This Story

universal - adj., done or experienced by everyone

attitude - n., the way you feel about someone or something

isolation - n., the state of being in a place that is separate from others; the condition of being isolated¹⁰

nationalism - n., a feeling that people have of being loyal to and proud of their country, often with the belief that it is better and more important than other countries.

nefarious - adj., evil or immoral

1 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

2 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

3 isolating   

adj.孤立的，绝缘的v.使隔离( isolate的现在分词 )；将…剔出（以便看清和单独处理）；使（某物质、细胞等）分离；使离析

参考例句：

• Colour filters are not very effective in isolating narrow spectral bands. 一些滤色片不能很有效地分离狭窄的光谱带。 来自辞典例句
• This became known as the streak method for isolating bacteria. 这个方法以后就称为分离细菌的划线法。 来自辞典例句

4 hostility   

n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争

参考例句：

• There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
• His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。

5 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

6 nefarious   

adj.恶毒的，极坏的

参考例句：

• My father believes you all have a nefarious purpose here.我父亲认为你们都有邪恶的目的。
• He was universally feared because of his many nefarious deeds.因为他干了许多罪恶的勾当，所以人人都惧怕他。

7 pertaining   

与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to)

参考例句：

• Living conditions are vastly different from those pertaining in their country of origin. 生活条件与他们祖国大不相同。
• The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school. 视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。

8 utilized   

v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In the19th century waterpower was widely utilized to generate electricity. 在19世纪人们大规模使用水力来发电。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The empty building can be utilized for city storage. 可以利用那栋空建筑物作城市的仓库。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 doughty   

adj.勇猛的，坚强的

参考例句：

• Most of successful men have the characteristics of contumacy and doughty.绝大多数成功人士都有共同的特质：脾气倔强，性格刚强。
• The doughty old man battled his illness with fierce determination.坚强的老人用巨大毅力与疾病作斗争。

10 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。