Ax Men 伐木達人

 Regarded as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, loggers1 are at the forefront of the US$270-billion-a-year lumber2 industry. Everything from paper to building materials starts with the men who risk their lives bringing down towering3 trees. They work long hours with powerful tools like chainsaws4 and harvesting machines in remote areas. Oftentimes, loggers migrate to sites far from the comforts of civilization5 all for the sake of prime timber6.
在一年產值高達兩千七百億美元的林木業中，位處第一線的就是伐木工這個被視為世上最危險的行業之一。從紙張到建築材料等各種物品，一開始都要靠這群人冒著生命危險來把高大樹木砍倒。他們會在偏遠地區長時間工作，使用像是鏈鋸及採收機械等強而有力的工具。很多時候，伐木達人還會為了上等木材移居各處，遠離舒適便利的現代文明世界。
　　For over a century, the Pacific Northwest with its vast quantities of quality timber has been home to America's thriving logging industry. Over four billion feet of it were harvested in the state of Washington in 2000 alone. However, the situation has changed over the years. Gone is the reliance on axes7 and handsaws8. Equipment using advanced technology has taken their place and transformed life for modern Paul Bunyans.
長達一個多世紀以來，太平洋西北部因為擁有大量優質原木而一直是美國繁榮伐木業的大本營。光是在2000年，於華盛頓州採收的木材總長就超過了四十億英尺。不過近年來情況卻有所改變。過去人們所仰賴使用的長柄斧和手鋸已被淘汰。取而代之的是各種運用尖端科技的設備，而這也改變了現代樵夫的生活（編按：保羅‧班揚被視為伐木工的代名詞，是美國一位神話人物。傳說他是個力大無窮的巨人樵夫，伐木快如割草，且因體型巨大，只要往前走一小步就能跨越整整三條街的距離）。
　　This month, History Channel's "Ax Men" follows the remarkable stories of extraordinary characters, many of whom come from logging families, as they hunt down green gold. The series helps viewers better understand how loggers and the industry work in the present day.
本月份歷史頻道的《伐木達人》跟隨這些大多出生於伐木家庭的非凡人物角色，記錄他們砍伐這種綠色黃金的精彩故事。這一系列節目能讓觀眾更深入了解現今伐木工的工作內容，以及該項產業當前的運作概況。

@Building Your Vocabulary
Building Your Vocabulary》
1. remote　a. 遙遠的，偏遠的
That group of doctors volunteers their time to treat people living in remote towns.
那組醫師團隊自願花時間前往偏遠城鎮為民眾治療。
2. migrate　vi.（為找工作）移居；（鳥獸）遷移
Many species of birds migrate to warmer climates for the winter.
許多鳥類會遷徙到氣候較為溫暖的地區以度過寒冬。
3. prime　a. 上等的，最好的；首要的
My prime concern right now is finding the best vet for my injured dog.
我現在最掛心的事就是要為我受傷的狗找到最好的獸醫。
4. vast　a. 廣大的，巨大的
Google's servers are capable of holding vast amounts of information.
Google的伺服器能夠承載大量的資訊。
5. reliance　n. 依賴，依靠
Jonathan's reliance on everything electronic is out of control, not to mention expensive.
強納森對各種電子產品的依賴程度已走火入魔，更甭提它們有多貴。



@Phrase For Learning

1. be at/in the forefront of...　　位於……的最前列；處於……的領先地位
The Italian designer is known for always being at the forefront of fashion.
那位義大利設計師以永遠走在時尚尖端而聞名。
2. bring down...　　使……倒下∕向下
Strong winds brought down the farmer's storage shed.
強風吹倒了那位農夫儲物的棚子。
3. take + 所有格 + place/take the place of...　　取代某人∕物的位置
We hired Jill to take the place of our previous nanny.
我們雇用吉兒來接替前一位褓姆。

 

 

 

@Extra Words

1. logger　n. 伐木工人
　 log　vi. & vt. 砍伐（樹木）
2. lumber　n. 木材（尤指處理過的，本文中作形容詞用）
3. towering　a. 高聳的，高大的
4. chainsaw　n. 鏈鋸
5. civilization　n. 現代文明生活
6. timber　n. 原木；木材
7. ax　n. 長柄斧（亦常拼為axe，本文中亦作形容詞用）
8. handsaw　n. 手鋸

 

 

 

@GRAMMAR CHECK
Gone is the reliance on axes...
（過去人們所仰賴使用的長柄斧……已被淘汰。）
　　本句為一完全倒裝句，此類倒裝句是將形容詞（含可作形容詞的過去分詞或現在分詞）置於句首，主詞置於句尾（即主詞位置與形容詞對調），即可形成。故本句可還原為"The reliance on axes and handsaws is gone."。
The actresses who won back-to-back Oscars are noteworthy.
→Noteworthy are the actresses who won back-to-back Oscars.
（值得注意的是那些連續兩屆奪得奧斯卡獎的女演員。）