2012年1月2日 星期一
2012年1月1日 星期日
Marriage
“I do.” To Americans those two words carry great meaning. They can even change your life. Especially if you say them at your own wedding. Making wedding vows is like signing a contract. Now Americans don't really think marriage is a business deal. But marriage is serious business.
「我願意」這句話對美國人而言具有重大意義，它甚至可以改變你的生命，特別是當
你在自己的婚禮上說出這句話時，在婚禮中所發的誓言就如同簽訂契約一樣，美國人
並不是真把婚姻當做商業交易，但是，結婚確實是件嚴肅的事情。
It all begins with engagement. Traditionally, a young man asks the father of his
sweetheart for permission to marry her. If the father agrees, the man later proposes to her. Often he tries to surprise her by “popping the question” in a romantic way. Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married.
結婚是從訂婚開始，在傳統上，年輕人會請求他的女朋友的父親允許他娶她，如果女方
的父親答應，之後方可向女方求婚。通常男方會試著以羅曼蒂克的方式「蹦出這個問題」
以帶給女方驚喜。有時候雙方會覺得現在結婚正是時候。
The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful, long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” The groom wears a formal suit or tuxedo. Several close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor.
雙方可能邀請上百人或者只是一些熟朋友，婚禮的顏色風格，佈置和音樂都由他們自己
決定，但有些事是不太會變的；新娘通常都穿著美麗的白色結婚禮服，傳統上她必需穿
的衣服上包括了：一些舊的，一些新的，一些借來的，及一些藍色的東西。新郎則穿著
正式的西裝或燕尾晚禮服，幾位熟朋友參與婚禮並協助幫忙，包括了伴郎和伴娘。
As the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the
audience. Music signals the entrance of the bride’s attendants, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows. Traditionally, they promise to love each other “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” But sometimes the couple has composed their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment: “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!”
當典禮開始時，新郎和伴郎和牧師站在一起，面對觀眾，音樂一起，表示伴娘入場，
後面就跟著美麗的新娘。年輕的男女雙方緊張地跟著說出他們的誓言，傳統上而言，
他們會承諾要彼此相愛，「不論好、壞、貧、富、生病時或健康時」，但是有時候，
他們也可能自己編一套自己的誓言，他們互贈金戒指表示結婚的委身，最後牧師宣佈
這重大的時刻：「我現在宣佈你們成為夫妻，你可以親吻你的新娘！」
At the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding
cake and feed each other a bite. Guests mingle while enjoying cake, punch and
other treats. Later the bride throws her bouquet of flowers to a group of single girls. Tradition
says that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry.
在結婚宴會上，新娘新郎向賓客問候．然後切結婚蛋糕並互相餵對方一口。賓客們在
享受蛋糕、飲料及其他的食物時就混在一起交談。之後新娘將捧花投向一群單身女孩
，傳統說接到捧花的女孩會成為下一位新娘。
Almost every culture has rituals to signal a change in one’s life. Marriage is one of the most basic life changes for people of all cultures. So it’s no surprise to find many traditions about getting married... even in America. Yet each couple follows the traditions in a way that is uniquely their own.
幾乎每一種文化都有儀式來表示一個人生命中的改變。結婚對於所有文化的人而言是
最基本的生命改變之一，所以會有這麼多婚禮的習俗就不足為奇了，美國也不例外。
然而每對新人都以自己認為獨特的方式來跟隨傳統。
@Word Bank
vow (n) 誓言
engagement (n) 訂婚
propose (v) 求婚
「我願意」這句話對美國人而言具有重大意義，它甚至可以改變你的生命，特別是當
你在自己的婚禮上說出這句話時，在婚禮中所發的誓言就如同簽訂契約一樣，美國人
並不是真把婚姻當做商業交易，但是，結婚確實是件嚴肅的事情。
It all begins with engagement. Traditionally, a young man asks the father of his
sweetheart for permission to marry her. If the father agrees, the man later proposes to her. Often he tries to surprise her by “popping the question” in a romantic way. Sometimes the couple just decides together that the time is right to get married.
結婚是從訂婚開始，在傳統上，年輕人會請求他的女朋友的父親允許他娶她，如果女方
的父親答應，之後方可向女方求婚。通常男方會試著以羅曼蒂克的方式「蹦出這個問題」
以帶給女方驚喜。有時候雙方會覺得現在結婚正是時候。
The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful, long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” The groom wears a formal suit or tuxedo. Several close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor.
雙方可能邀請上百人或者只是一些熟朋友，婚禮的顏色風格，佈置和音樂都由他們自己
決定，但有些事是不太會變的；新娘通常都穿著美麗的白色結婚禮服，傳統上她必需穿
的衣服上包括了：一些舊的，一些新的，一些借來的，及一些藍色的東西。新郎則穿著
正式的西裝或燕尾晚禮服，幾位熟朋友參與婚禮並協助幫忙，包括了伴郎和伴娘。
As the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the
audience. Music signals the entrance of the bride’s attendants, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows. Traditionally, they promise to love each other “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” But sometimes the couple has composed their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment: “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!”
當典禮開始時，新郎和伴郎和牧師站在一起，面對觀眾，音樂一起，表示伴娘入場，
後面就跟著美麗的新娘。年輕的男女雙方緊張地跟著說出他們的誓言，傳統上而言，
他們會承諾要彼此相愛，「不論好、壞、貧、富、生病時或健康時」，但是有時候，
他們也可能自己編一套自己的誓言，他們互贈金戒指表示結婚的委身，最後牧師宣佈
這重大的時刻：「我現在宣佈你們成為夫妻，你可以親吻你的新娘！」
At the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding
cake and feed each other a bite. Guests mingle while enjoying cake, punch and
other treats. Later the bride throws her bouquet of flowers to a group of single girls. Tradition
says that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry.
在結婚宴會上，新娘新郎向賓客問候．然後切結婚蛋糕並互相餵對方一口。賓客們在
享受蛋糕、飲料及其他的食物時就混在一起交談。之後新娘將捧花投向一群單身女孩
，傳統說接到捧花的女孩會成為下一位新娘。
Almost every culture has rituals to signal a change in one’s life. Marriage is one of the most basic life changes for people of all cultures. So it’s no surprise to find many traditions about getting married... even in America. Yet each couple follows the traditions in a way that is uniquely their own.
幾乎每一種文化都有儀式來表示一個人生命中的改變。結婚對於所有文化的人而言是
最基本的生命改變之一，所以會有這麼多婚禮的習俗就不足為奇了，美國也不例外。
然而每對新人都以自己認為獨特的方式來跟隨傳統。
@Word Bank
vow (n) 誓言
engagement (n) 訂婚
propose (v) 求婚
tuxedo (n) 無尾禮服
best man (n phr) 男儐相
maid of honor (n phr) 女儐相
best man (n phr) 男儐相
maid of honor (n phr) 女儐相
compose (v) 作曲
pronounce (v) 宣布
pronounce (v) 宣布
mingle (v) 混合、在宴會等場合中彼此交談
punch (n) 酒水等調以檸檬香料的飲料
ritual (n) 典體；儀式
punch (n) 酒水等調以檸檬香料的飲料
ritual (n) 典體；儀式
@The Day's Phrase
A winter vacation in Sweden offers more than just snow
到瑞典過寒假不只是玩雪而已Let's go someplace special tonight to celebrate your birthday.
我們今晚找個特別的地方為你慶生吧。
到瑞典過寒假不只是玩雪而已Let's go someplace special tonight to celebrate your birthday.
我們今晚找個特別的地方為你慶生吧。
Can I have a non-smoking table by the window please?
可以給我坐在非吸煙區靠窗的座位嗎？
可以給我坐在非吸煙區靠窗的座位嗎？
People talk a lot about giving, but isn't receiving important too?
大家在給予方面談的很多，但接受不是也同樣重要嗎？
大家在給予方面談的很多，但接受不是也同樣重要嗎？
I'm going to the restroom to wash my hands.
我要去洗手間洗個手。
我要去洗手間洗個手。
Can you prepare this dish without MSG?
可以請你這道菜不要加味精好嗎？
可以請你這道菜不要加味精好嗎？
Could these hungry high rises be the solution to pollution?
這些飢餓的高樓大廈能解決空氣污染嗎？
這些飢餓的高樓大廈能解決空氣污染嗎？
We would like two orders of stir-fried vegetables.
我們要兩份炒青菜。
我們要兩份炒青菜。
A unique art event with something for everyone
獨一無二的藝術節，滿足每個人的需求
獨一無二的藝術節，滿足每個人的需求
I'm so full; can you finish this for me?
我好飽；你可以幫我把這吃完嗎？
我好飽；你可以幫我把這吃完嗎？
AUSTRALIA'S WOODFORD FESTIVAL
unique art event with something for everyone
獨一無二的藝術節，滿足每個人的需求
獨一無二的藝術節，滿足每個人的需求
You don't need to rush through your meal. We have lots of time
你不用急著吃完。我們時間很多。
你不用急著吃完。我們時間很多。
An Imagination Running Wild 羅爾德‧道爾的異想世
Roald Dahl's heroic stories filled with fascinating characters impress and delight both young and old readers
When legendary author Roald Dahl passed away at the age of 74 in November 1990, he was given a Viking's1 funeral. This meant that he was buried with items he could use in the afterlife2, such as bottles of wine, chocolate, snooker cues3, pencils, and even a saw4. This just goes to show that the author of many classic children's books, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "James and the Giant Peach," and "Matilda," was no ordinary individual.
當鼎鼎大名的作家羅爾德‧道爾在1990年十一月年屆七十四歲去世時，人們為他舉行了一場北歐式葬禮。這意味著他在死後的世界可能會用到的東西會與他一起陪葬，當中包括好幾瓶酒、巧克力、司諾克撞球桿、鉛筆，甚至是一把鋸子（編按：司諾克撞球也稱為英式撞球）。這恰好顯示出這位創作出《巧克力工廠的秘密》、《怪桃歷險記》以及《瑪蒂爾達》等眾多經典童書的作者可不是一位平凡無奇的人物。
Dahl became known as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, but he was not always an author. Instead, he started his career as a fighter pilot5 in the British Royal Air Force6 during World War II. After the war ended, a magazine printed his first article, which described the time he was shot down over Libya.
道爾是二十世紀一位家喻戶曉的偉大作家，但他並非一直都以寫作為職。他一開始的職業是二次世界大戰時英國皇家空軍的戰鬥機飛官。在戰爭結束後，某本雜誌刊載了他的第一篇文章，這篇文章描述的是當時他在利比亞上空遭擊落的事件。
His first book, "The Gremlins7," was published in 1943 and centered on the make-believe creatures that the RAF blamed for their airplane problems. Dahl then went on to create more children's books and had a highly successful career. He continued to write many different kinds of fiction until he died. To this day, Dahl makes both young and old readers happy with his heroic stories filled with fascinating characters.
他的第一本書《小頑皮》於1943年出版，主要是在描寫一種虛構的生物，英國皇家空軍將他們軍機所發生的問題都怪在這種生物上。道爾接著創作了更多的童書，而他的寫作事業也非常順利。他到過世前都還在持續創作許多不同種類的故事。時至今日，道爾以其筆下各種充滿有趣角色的英雄故事，讓老老少少的讀者都讀得津津有味。
@Building Your Vocabulary
1. legendary a. 非常有名的；傳奇的
Achilles is a legendary hero from Greek mythology.
阿基里斯是希臘神話裡的一位傳奇英雄。
2. make-believe a. & n. 假想（的），虛構（的）
Unicorns are creatures that only exist in the world of make-believe.
獨角獸是一種只存在於虛構世界的生物。
3. blame vt. 歸咎於；責怪
Everyone is careless at times, so I don't blame you for the mistake.
每個人有時都會粗心大意，所以我不怪你犯下這個錯誤。
@科技新知
@Extra Words
@More To Know
When legendary author Roald Dahl passed away at the age of 74 in November 1990, he was given a Viking's1 funeral. This meant that he was buried with items he could use in the afterlife2, such as bottles of wine, chocolate, snooker cues3, pencils, and even a saw4. This just goes to show that the author of many classic children's books, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "James and the Giant Peach," and "Matilda," was no ordinary individual.
當鼎鼎大名的作家羅爾德‧道爾在1990年十一月年屆七十四歲去世時，人們為他舉行了一場北歐式葬禮。這意味著他在死後的世界可能會用到的東西會與他一起陪葬，當中包括好幾瓶酒、巧克力、司諾克撞球桿、鉛筆，甚至是一把鋸子（編按：司諾克撞球也稱為英式撞球）。這恰好顯示出這位創作出《巧克力工廠的秘密》、《怪桃歷險記》以及《瑪蒂爾達》等眾多經典童書的作者可不是一位平凡無奇的人物。
Dahl became known as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, but he was not always an author. Instead, he started his career as a fighter pilot5 in the British Royal Air Force6 during World War II. After the war ended, a magazine printed his first article, which described the time he was shot down over Libya.
道爾是二十世紀一位家喻戶曉的偉大作家，但他並非一直都以寫作為職。他一開始的職業是二次世界大戰時英國皇家空軍的戰鬥機飛官。在戰爭結束後，某本雜誌刊載了他的第一篇文章，這篇文章描述的是當時他在利比亞上空遭擊落的事件。
His first book, "The Gremlins7," was published in 1943 and centered on the make-believe creatures that the RAF blamed for their airplane problems. Dahl then went on to create more children's books and had a highly successful career. He continued to write many different kinds of fiction until he died. To this day, Dahl makes both young and old readers happy with his heroic stories filled with fascinating characters.
他的第一本書《小頑皮》於1943年出版，主要是在描寫一種虛構的生物，英國皇家空軍將他們軍機所發生的問題都怪在這種生物上。道爾接著創作了更多的童書，而他的寫作事業也非常順利。他到過世前都還在持續創作許多不同種類的故事。時至今日，道爾以其筆下各種充滿有趣角色的英雄故事，讓老老少少的讀者都讀得津津有味。
@Building Your Vocabulary
1. legendary a. 非常有名的；傳奇的
Achilles is a legendary hero from Greek mythology.
阿基里斯是希臘神話裡的一位傳奇英雄。
2. make-believe a. & n. 假想（的），虛構（的）
Unicorns are creatures that only exist in the world of make-believe.
獨角獸是一種只存在於虛構世界的生物。
3. blame vt. 歸咎於；責怪
Everyone is careless at times, so I don't blame you for the mistake.
每個人有時都會粗心大意，所以我不怪你犯下這個錯誤。
@科技新知
1. run wild （想法）馳騁；（行為）為所欲為
The naughty boy runs wild when his dad isn't home.
只要爸爸不在家，那個頑皮的男孩就會為所欲為。
2. pass away 過世，逝世
The child became an orphan when both her parents passed away.
那個孩子的雙親去世後，她就成了一位孤兒。
3. This/That/It (just) goes to show... （某件事、經驗等）恰恰證明……
As Sam hurried to catch the bus, he fell down. It goes to show that haste makes waste.
山姆在趕公車時跌了一跤。這恰恰證明了欲速則不達的道理。
4. go on to + 原形動詞 進而∕繼續（做）……
After washing the dishes, my mother went on to do the laundry.
在洗完盤子後，我媽又繼續去洗衣服。
5. to this day 至今
Joshua is still deeply in love with his first girlfriend to this day.
喬舒亞至今仍深愛著他的初戀女友。
The naughty boy runs wild when his dad isn't home.
只要爸爸不在家，那個頑皮的男孩就會為所欲為。
2. pass away 過世，逝世
The child became an orphan when both her parents passed away.
那個孩子的雙親去世後，她就成了一位孤兒。
3. This/That/It (just) goes to show... （某件事、經驗等）恰恰證明……
As Sam hurried to catch the bus, he fell down. It goes to show that haste makes waste.
山姆在趕公車時跌了一跤。這恰恰證明了欲速則不達的道理。
4. go on to + 原形動詞 進而∕繼續（做）……
After washing the dishes, my mother went on to do the laundry.
在洗完盤子後，我媽又繼續去洗衣服。
5. to this day 至今
Joshua is still deeply in love with his first girlfriend to this day.
喬舒亞至今仍深愛著他的初戀女友。
@Extra Words
1. Viking n. 北歐人
2. afterlife n. 死後的世界
3. snooker cue n. 司諾克撞球桿
4. saw n. 鋸子
5. fighter pilot n. 戰鬥機駕駛員
6. air force n. 空軍
7. gremlin n. 小妖精
2. afterlife n. 死後的世界
3. snooker cue n. 司諾克撞球桿
4. saw n. 鋸子
5. fighter pilot n. 戰鬥機駕駛員
6. air force n. 空軍
7. gremlin n. 小妖精
@More To Know
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre位於英國白金漢郡的一個村莊裡，原為道爾的故居，在他去世後，由他的家人、出版商和慈善團體等出資重建為博物館，於2005年開放給世人參觀。這裡雖然不大，但是十分溫馨可愛。館內收藏了道爾大部分的創作手稿和私人信件，並且將他平常用以寫作的工作室原封不動地呈現在世人眼前。這間博物館除了介紹道爾的生平、他在發想故事的創作過程，還常常會舉辦很多有助於人們激發創意和寫作能力的活動。
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre位於英國白金漢郡的一個村莊裡，原為道爾的故居，在他去世後，由他的家人、出版商和慈善團體等出資重建為博物館，於2005年開放給世人參觀。這裡雖然不大，但是十分溫馨可愛。館內收藏了道爾大部分的創作手稿和私人信件，並且將他平常用以寫作的工作室原封不動地呈現在世人眼前。這間博物館除了介紹道爾的生平、他在發想故事的創作過程，還常常會舉辦很多有助於人們激發創意和寫作能力的活動。
這本書 overpriced ！
說法比一比：★★★★學校：It was too expensive.
（太貴了。）
老外：It was overpriced.
（太貴了。）
實境對話
A：That was good, wasn't it?
（還不錯，對吧？）
B：Yeah, but I think it was overpriced.
（是阿，可是我覺得貴了點。）
老外還會這麼說
ex：That was a rip-off.
（那簡直是坑人。）
ex：That was a really good deal.
（真的很划算。）
ex：I can't believe how reasonable that was.
（我不敢相信會這麼公道。）
（太貴了。）
老外：It was overpriced.
（太貴了。）
實境對話
A：That was good, wasn't it?
（還不錯，對吧？）
B：Yeah, but I think it was overpriced.
（是阿，可是我覺得貴了點。）
老外還會這麼說
ex：That was a rip-off.
（那簡直是坑人。）
ex：That was a really good deal.
（真的很划算。）
ex：I can't believe how reasonable that was.
（我不敢相信會這麼公道。）
trademark 代表公司的形象 ！
技術挑戰指數：★★★下星期有外國客戶要來公司參觀，沒想到居然被老闆指定接待他們，這時候真後悔平常不多唸一點英文！首先，一定要介紹公司的基本資料，接著是公司各部門、公司特質、營運方向.....等！既然英文不夠流暢，那單字至少要說對吧！來臨時抱佛腳一下，背一些相關單字和句型！
來聽老美怎麼說？
ex：Our trademark consists of our company name with a rainbow above it.
（我們的商標包括我們公司的名稱及其上方的彩虹圖案。）
ex：Our warehouse is on the south side of the city.
（我們的倉庫位於市區的南邊。）
ex：Our company is very innovative.
（我們公司非常有創新力。）
ex：Our source our materials from countries in Southeast Asia.
（我們的原料來自東南亞國家。）
俚語小解析．source 向....採購
source當名詞時，有”水源、來源、提供消息或證據者、出處”的意思。相關詞有source book
(資料書、史料)；source code(電腦原始碼)。
來聽老美怎麼說？
ex：Our trademark consists of our company name with a rainbow above it.
（我們的商標包括我們公司的名稱及其上方的彩虹圖案。）
ex：Our warehouse is on the south side of the city.
（我們的倉庫位於市區的南邊。）
ex：Our company is very innovative.
（我們公司非常有創新力。）
ex：Our source our materials from countries in Southeast Asia.
（我們的原料來自東南亞國家。）
俚語小解析．source 向....採購
source當名詞時，有”水源、來源、提供消息或證據者、出處”的意思。相關詞有source book
(資料書、史料)；source code(電腦原始碼)。
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