2012年4月25日 星期三

Language

What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks one language? An American.
你如何稱呼能說三種語言的人?三聲帶。能講兩種語言的人又如何稱呼?雙聲帶。
那麼,只會一種語言的人呢?美國人。
To people in many countries, being bilingual or even trilingual is a way of life. But since the mother tongue of most Americans is English—a language widely spoken around the world—they often don't feel the need to learn a foreign language. Moreover, people who live in the heartland of America have little contact with other linguistic groups, making foreign language skills irrelevant.
對許多國家的人而言,說兩種或三種語言,是家常便飯。但在美國,由於大多數人的
母語為英語——一個世界上廣泛通用的語言——因此美國人都不覺得有必要學習外語
。此外,居住於美國大陸內地的人,較少與其他語言族群接觸,因此外語能力更顯得無關緊要。
Actually, though, this “land of immigrants” has always had people of many different nationalities—and languages. The 1990 census indicates that almost 14% of Americans speak a non-English language at home. Ye t only 3% reported that they spoke English "not well” or “not at all.” That means that slightly more than one out of 10 Americans could be considered bilingual. Besides that, many high school and college students—and even some elementary school students—are required to take a foreign language as a part of their curriculum.
事實上,在美國這塊「移民之地」,一直住著來自不同國籍、說不同語言的人口。
一九九○年的人口普查顯示,幾乎百分之十四的美國人,在家裡不講英語。只有百
分之三的人宣稱他們英語「說得不好」或「根本不會說」。這表示十分之一強的美
國人可視為雙聲帶。此外,許多中學生、大學生,甚至小學生在校的學科都必須加
修一門外語。
Ethnic enclaves, found particularly in major metropolitan centers, have
preserved the language and culture of American immigrants. Some local residents can function quite well in their native language, without having to bother learning English. Regions such as southern Florida and the Southwest have numerous Spanish-speaking neighborhoods.
在主要大都市裡,有許多族群居住的社區,都還保存著移民的文化傳統和語言。有些當
地人在生活上只講母語就夠了,根本不需要學英語。佛羅里達州南部以及美國西南部等
區,有許多說西班牙語的社區。
In fact, Spanish speakers—numbering over 17 million—compose the largest non-English
linguistic group in America. But Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, Polish and many other ethnic groups add to the linguistic flavor of America. Foreign languages are so commonly used in some ethnic neighborhoods that visitors might think they are in another country!
事實上,說西班牙語的人口超過一千七百萬,是美國最大的非英語系族群。不過,
還有中國、越南、義大利、波蘭與其他很多種族的族群,更使美國語言增色不少。
在許多外來民族的後裔社區裡,由於外語的廣泛使用,甚至會使訪客有身置異國的
感覺。
Although some Americans welcome this linguistic and cultural diversity,
others have begun to fear that the English language is being threatened. Since the 1980s, the“English Only” movement has sought to promote legislation which would establish English as the “official language” and restrict the use of non-English languages.
雖然有些美國人歡迎這種語言與文化多元化,也有些人擔心英語已經受到威脅。從
一九八○年代以來,「唯用英語」(English Only)運動即試著開始推動立法,將英語訂
為「官方語言」,並限制其他語言的使用。
However, some groups, including TESOL, the organization for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, object to such “language restrictionism.” Their view, known as“English Plus,” suggests that Americans should have respect for people’s native language and culture, while promoting the teaching of English to help them fit into the mainstream of society. But so far, 19 states have passed English Only legislation, and the topic is the focus of an ongoing debate.
但有些團體,如「教導母語為其他語言學生的英語教師組織」(簡稱T E S O L ),就反對
這種「語言限制主義」。他們提倡的「英語與外語」(English Plus),建議美國人應尊重其他族
群的母語以及文化,同時也推廣英語教學,幫助其他族群融入社會主流。但是到目前為止,
已有十九個州通過「唯用英語」一法;該議題也一直是辯論的焦點。
Whether or not English is the official language of the United States, it remains the "language of wider communication.” Nearly everyone recognizes the need to develop proficiency in English in order to do well in America.
無論英語是否是美國的「官方語言」,它仍是「廣泛溝通的語言」。在美國,幾乎每個
人都了解,若想要出人頭地,必須精通英語。
To help those who want to brush up on their English skills, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes abound. Cities with large numbers of recent immigrants often set up bilingual education programs to teach students content subjects in their native language while they improve their English.
為滿足那些想精進英語能力的人的需要,
教導英語為第二語言的機構(E S L )到處都是。擁有大批新進移民的一些大都市,都設
有雙語教學課程,在移民們加強英語能力的同時,用移民們的母語教授普通科目。
Language educators often have strong and divergent views as to which approach helps learners achieve better results: a bilingual approach, an ESL approach—or even a pure immersion (“sink or swim”) approach. However, all these teachers share a common commitment: to help students function well in English.
語言教育學家對何種方法才能幫助學生更有效地學習英語——利用雙語教學、E S L
教學、或讓學生完全浸入一個英語的環境(認輸或強學——),都擁有強烈並分
歧的看法。但這些教師都擁有共同使命:幫助學生流利地使用英語。
Americans recognize that English is the de facto international language, and people with good English skills can get by in many international settings. On the other hand, in a world growing increasingly smaller, second language skills can be a great boon. They can build cross-cultural bridges and give people an edge in a variety of career fields. Indeed, lack of foreign language proficiency can limit one’s chances for advancement—and keep one in a cultural cul-de-sac. As many people in America are discovering, being monolingual is no laughing matter.
美國人了解,英語就是一個實際的國際語言,若能操流利的英語,在許多
國際場合都能派得上用場。另一方面當國際間的距離越變越小時,擁有第二外
語能力極為有利。外語能力可以建立文化交流的橋樑,並且使人們在不同的專
業領域裡,佔得優勢。的確,缺乏外語能力不僅限制個人的擢升,並且把個人
限制在文化的死胡同內。很多美國人都逐漸發現,只會一種語言,不再是一件
好事了。

@Word Bank
bilingual (adj) 能說二種語言的
mother tongue (n phr) 母語
linguistic group (n phr) 語言族群
curriculum (n) 課程
enclave (n) 被包領土
cultural diversity (n phr) 文化多樣化
language restrictionism (n phr) 語言限制主義
divergent (adj) 分歧的;差異的
immersion (n) 浸入
de facto (adv) 實際地;事實上
boon (n) 恩賜;益處
cul-de-sac (n) 窮途末路;死路;死巷

@The Day's Phrase
Decisions! Decisions! The constant need to decide may be affecting
the quality of your decisions
做決定!做決定!如果持續不斷地需要做決定,可能會影響到決定的品質
Did you win the race? Pretty good guess.
你賽跑贏了嗎?猜的一點沒錯。
Creating a cool, successful product is not as easy as you might think
創造暢銷的酷產品其實沒有你以為得那麼容易
I don't recognize you John. You’ve changed a lot.
我認不出你了,約翰,你變了好多。
Look below the surface to learn about these giant islands
深入了解這些巨大的冰之島
Was he happy to see you? Yes and no.
他看到你很高興嗎?可以說是,也可以說不是。
What's for dinner? You’ll see.
晚餐吃什麼呢?你會知道的。
This week the world remembers the famous ship's historic journey
全世界在本週要紀念這艘著名船隻的歷史性旅程
Let's hear it for R.O.C. Happy double ten day!
我們來恭賀中華民國雙十節快樂!
Meet a man who changed the way the world thinks
一探這位改變世人思考方式的人
Do you want me to make you some tea? I’d like that.
要不要我替你沏杯茶?好呀。
Do you want me to make you some tea? I’d like that.
要不要我替你沏杯茶?好呀。
Some English words and expressions have interesting origins
一些英文字詞用語的起源相當耐人尋味
After the police finally caught "Mean Marvin", they locked him up.
警察終於抓到壞蛋馬文,並將他關起來。
Chen takes next step in getting acclimated to US.
要適應美國,陳偉殷要再跨一步
No win, but Chen looks like a winner
沒拿到勝投陳偉殷還是贏家
CROATIA'S DALMATIAN COAST
Try something new - Croatia's seaside escape
試試新景點──克羅埃西亞海濱逍遙遊
Do you like taking the MRT? I suppose so.
你喜歡搭捷運嗎?我想是吧。
HOW NOT TO GET HIRED: BRING YOUR COCKATOO TO THE INTERVIEW
If you see yourself here, it might be time to change your ways
如果你在本文中發現自己的身影,那麼也許是改變作法的時候了
Let's go out. I'm tired of cooking at home.
我們出去吃吧!我懶得在家做飯。
Forgiveness can wait. Right now all Ozzie Guillen asks for is a second chance from Cuban - Americans.

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