Travel美国旅游风尚 (转载)
(2006-12-26 08:00:50)
分类：英文精选
It's summertime, and the livin' is easy. For many Americans, this is the season to travel. Why? Because school is out. Because the weather is great. And most of all, because we all deserve a break. When Americans take a break, they often head for their favorite vacation spot.
夏天到了，生活很惬意。对很多美国人来说，这是个旅游的季节，为什么？因为学校放假，因为天气很好，但最重要的是，休个假是我们所应得的。美国人休假时经常会去他们最喜欢的渡假地点。
Throughout their history, Americans have been people on the move. The early immigrants had to travel to get to the New World. Once they arrived, they settled along the East Coast. But they weren't content to stay there. Explorers and traders journeyed to the unknown western territories. Later, settlers moved west to develop these new areas. As a result of this westward migration, Americans eventually occupied the whole
continent-from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Even today, Americans seem unable to stay put. Research says that the average American moves every five years.
纵观整个历史，美国人一直是个迁移的民族。早期的移民者必须长途跋涉才能抵达新大陆，他们一到达就沿着东岸定居，但却不满于长居那地，冒险家和商人旅行至未知的西部地区。稍后，移民者也向西迁移去开发这些新地区。由于向西迁移，美国人最后占据了整块新大陆--从大西洋到太平洋。即使到今天，美国人似乎仍然无法在一地久居。根据研究，美国人平均每五年要搬一次家。
Besides their habit of changing addresses, Americans are used to traveling. Some people make long-distance commutes to work daily. Their jobs may even require them to take frequent business trips. Most companies provide an annual vacation for their employees, and people often use that time to travel. Some people just visit friends or relatives in distant states. Others go on low-budget weekend excursions and stay in economy motels. Those with more expensive tastes choose luxurious resorts and hotels. Camping out in the great outdoors appeals to adventurous types. Some travel in recreational vehicles (RVs) to camp out in comfort, while others "rough it" by sleeping in tents.
除了搬家的习惯以外，美国人也很习惯旅行。有些人每天上下班得做长距离的通勤，工作上甚至经常需要因公旅行。大部分的公司每年会提供年假给员工，人们通常会利用这段时间去旅行。
有些人去远一点的别州拜访朋友或亲戚，有些则在周末有个经济的小假期，并住在花费不高的旅馆里。品味较昂贵的人选择豪华的渡假地点和饭店；绝佳的户外露营则吸引冒险型的人。有些人开着旅行车出游，以舒适的方式露营；有些人则睡帐篷尝试野外生活。
Most Americans prefer to travel within their nation's borders. Why? For one thing, it's cheaper than traveling abroad, and there's no language problem. But besides that, the vast American territory offers numerous tourist attractions. Nature lovers can enjoy beaches, mountains, canyons, lakes and a wealth of natural wonders. Major cities offer visitors a multitude of urban delights. The convenience of modern freeways, railways and airplanes makes travel in America as easy as pie.
大部分美国人比较喜欢在国内旅游，为什么呢？其中一个原因是，国内旅游比国外旅游便宜，也没有语言不通的问题。但除此原因以外，占地极广的美国国土提供了许多能吸引游客的地点。爱好大自然的人可以到海滩、山上、峡谷、湖泊和很多大自然奇景地区游览。大城市也提供给游客们很多都市型态的娱乐。现代高速公路、铁路和飞机使得在美国旅行很容易。
Many American vacations are as unique as the people who take them. Families often plan their trips with the kids in mind. More and more "family friendly" vacation resorts offer special programs for children. History buffs seek out famous historical sites and museums. Environmentalists prefer "green vacations." These trips allow them to observe flora and fauna
up-close without disturbing the sensitive balance of nature. Some people find sea cruises relaxing and refreshing. Others hit the water to go fishing, skiing or white-water rafting. Daring souls get the thrill of a lifetime on trekking expeditions and safaris in remote places from Africa to Asia.
很多美国假期非常特别，和参与此种假期的人一样特别。全家出游时通常会将孩子考虑在内，有愈来愈多「适合全家出游」的渡假地点为孩子提供特别的活动。对历史有兴趣的人会找一些著名的历史据点和博物馆。有环保意识的人喜欢「环保假期」，这样的旅行使他们能近距离观察动植物，并且不会扰乱了大自然敏感的生态平衡。有些人觉得海上旅游能使心情放松并感到清爽，有些人则到水边钓鱼、滑水或泛舟。胆子大的人到亚洲和非洲去探险狩猎作长途旅行，享受一辈子难得一次的刺激。
Americans aren't the only people in the world who travel. International business, mass communication and jet airplanes have created a world of globetrotters. People all over the world enjoy going abroad to travel. And no matter where they live, people enjoy visiting scenic spots in their own country. But being on the go makes Americans what they are: people on the move. In America, almost every-body is a tourist sometime.
美国人不是世上唯一爱旅行的人。国际企业、大众传播与喷射机创造了一个环游世界者的世纪。全世界的人都喜欢到海外旅游，不管住在那里，人们都喜欢去造访自己国家内风景优美的地区。不过好动的本性使美国人变成今天的模样：成为爱迁移的人。在美国，几乎每个人都有旅游的经验。
Language 美国语言(转载)
(2006-12-17 10:37:03)
分类：英文精选
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.
你如何称呼能说三种语言的人？三声带。能讲两种语言的人又如何称呼？双声带。那么，只会一种语言的人呢？美国人。
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.
对许多国家的人而言，说两种或三种语言，是家常便饭。但在美国，由于大多数人的母语为英语--一个世界上广泛通用的语言--因此美国人都不觉得有必要学习外语。此外，居住于美国大陆内地的人，较少与其它语言族群接触，因此外语能力更显得无关紧要。
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. Yet 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. In addition to old standbys like Spanish, German and French, more and more students are opting for Eastern European and Asian languages. Of course, not all students keep up their foreign
language abilities. As the old saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it." But still, a growing number of Americans are coming to appreciate the benefits of being multilingual.
事实上，在美国这块「移民之地」，一直住着来自不同国籍、说不同语言的人口。一九九○年的人口普查显示，几乎百分之十四的美国人，在家里不讲英语。只有百分之三的人宣称他们英语「说得不好」或「根本不会说」。这表示十分之一强的美国人可视为双声带。此外，许多中学生、大学生，甚至小学生在校的学科都必须加修一门外语。除了西班牙文、德文与法文等常选的第二语言外，愈来愈多的学生选修东欧和亚洲语言。当然，并非所有学生都能够学以致用。套句老话：「不用就会丢掉。」尽管如此，愈来愈多的美国人已经开始意识到会说多种语言的好处。
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. 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!
在主要大都市里，有许多族群居住的社区，都还保存着移民的文化传统和语言。有些当地人在生活上只讲母语就够了，根本不需要学英语。佛罗里达州南部以及美国西南部等区，有许多说西班牙语的社区。事实上，说西班牙语的人口超过一千七百万，是美国最大的非英语系族群。不过，还有中国、越南、意大利、波兰与其它很多种族的族群，更使美国语言增色不少。在许多外来民族的后裔社区里，由于外语的广泛使用，甚至会使访客有身置异国的感觉。
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. 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.
虽然有些美国人欢迎这种语言与文化多元化，也有些人担心英语已经受到威胁。从一九八○年代以来，「唯用英语」(English Only)运动即试着开始推动立法，将英语订为「官方语言」，并限制其它语言的使用。但有些团体，如「教导母语为其它语言学生的英语教师组织」（简称TESOL)，就反对这种「语言限制
主义」。他们提倡的「英语与外语」（English Plus)，建议美国人应尊重其它族群的母语以及文化，同时也推广英语教学，帮助其它族群融入社会主流。但是到目前为止，已有十九个州通过「唯用英语」一法；该议题也一直是辩论的焦点。
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. 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. 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.
无论英语是否是美国的「官方语言」，它仍是「广泛沟通的语言」。在美国，几乎每个人都了解，若想要出人头地，必须精通英语。为满足那些想精进英语能力的人的需要，教导英语为第二语言的机构（ESL）到处都是。拥有大批新进移民的一些大都市，都设有双语教学课程，在移民们加强英语能力的同时，用移民们的母语教授普通科目。语言教育学家对何种方法才能帮助学生更有效地学习英语--利用双语教学、ESL教学、或让学生完全浸入一个英语的环境（认输或强学--），都拥有强烈并分歧的看法。但这些教师都拥有共同使命：帮助学生流利地使用英语。
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.
美国人了解，英语就是一个实际的国际语言，若能操流利的英语，在许多国
际场合都能派得上用场。另一方面当国际间的距离越变越小时，拥有第二外语能力极为有利。外语能力可以建立文化交流的桥梁，并且使人们在不同的专业领域里，占得优势。的确，缺乏外语能力不仅限制个人的擢升，并且把个人限制在文化的死胡同内。很多美国人都逐渐发现，只会一种语言，不再是一件好事了。
Health & Fitness 美国人的健康与健美感(转载) (2006-12-17 10:33:05)
分类：英文精选
Picture this: Two very fat men enter an ice cream shop. They sit down and order two giant sundaes. After enjoying their rich desserts, they go to a health club and have a good workout. They're trying to work off all those calories they ate. Who would be so silly? Some Americans would. When it comes to health and fitness, Americans have mixed emotions. On the one hand, they are concerned about their health. On the other, they have some very unhealthy habits.
想象一下这个景象：两个大胖子进入一家冰淇淋店，他们坐下来点了两客大圣代。吃完高热量的甜点后，再去一家健身俱乐部好好地运动一番，想把吃进去的热量消耗掉。谁会这幺傻呢？有些美国人就是这幺傻。谈到健康与健美，美国人有矛盾的情结，他们一方面关心自己的健康，另一方面又有一些很不健康的习惯。
Americans know the benefits of having a healthy diet. In school, children learn to eat a variety of healthy foods. People grow up aware of the value of counting calories. They hear about the health dangers of chemicals added to packaged food. They realize they shouldn't eat too many sweets or fats. Many American consumers read labels carefully for nutrition information. That way they can compare products and eat the best foods.
美国人知道健康饮食的好处。孩子们在学校里学着吃各种健康食物。人们从小到大也非常注意计算食物的热量。他们听说了现成食品中所添加的化学物质会损害健康；也了解不该吃太多的甜食或富含油脂的食物。很多美国消费者仔细地研读卷标上的营养成份，以便能够比较产品而吃到最好的食物。
Keeping fit--or maybe getting in shape--is often high on the list of New Year's resolutions for Americans. In the past two decades, fitness
has become a fad. Many Americans have joined health clubs to work out with professional equipment. Sports stores sell athletic shoes and clothing for every possible exercise situation. People can even buy weights and equipment and set up their own exercise center at home!
保持健美——或者保持匀称的身材——通常是美国人新年新计划中高居前面的一项。过去20年来，健美已蔚为风尚。很多美国人加入健身俱乐部，使用专业的设备做运动。运动商品店里售有各种运动项目所需的运动鞋和服装。人们甚至买哑铃和训练的设备，在家里设置专属的运动中心！
Statistics give health experts good reason to be disappointed. Americans exercise less than they used to. The number of people taking part in fitness activities dropped from 41.7 million in 1991 to only 32 million in 1993. Among high school students, only 37 percent exercise three times per week. However, 70 percent of teenagers watch at least an hour of TV every day, and 38 percent watch over three hours. As a result, the average American gained eight pounds during the 1980's. At least one-third of Americans weigh 20 percent more than their ideal weight.
统计资料令健康专家们感到失望，美国人已不再像从前那么常运动了。参与健身活动的人数，从一九九一年的4，170万人到一九九三年已降为3，200万人；在高中生当中，只有37%的学生一星期运动三次，然而，却有70%的青少年每天至少看一个小时的电视，有38%则看超过三个小时。结果在1980年代，美国人的平均体重增加了八磅，至少有三分之一的美国人比理想体重超重20%。
Still, by many standards, Americans enjoy good health. Medical care in the United States, while expensive, is among the best in the world. The U.S. Government requires strict food inspections to ensure that food is of the highest quality. Food producers must label products accurately. Many resources, such as magazines, TV programs and even the Internet, allow people to find out how to improve their health. Americans know how to make themselves more healthy. They just need to do it.
不过从很多的标准来看，美国人仍然拥有健康。美国的医疗照顾虽然昂贵，但却是全世界最好的。美国政府要求严格的食品检验，以确保最佳的食物品质。食品制造者必须在产品上贴上精确的卷标。很多信息来源如杂志、电视节目、甚至网际网络都提供人们增进健康的方法。美国人知道如何让自己更健康，然而他们只需要实际行动。
Time 美国人的时间观(转载)
(2006-12-17 10:27:40)
分类：英文精选
What is time? Is it a thing to be saved or spent or wasted, like money? Or is it something we have no control over, like the weather? Is time the same all over the world? That's an easy question, you say. Wherever you go, a minute is 60 seconds, an hour is 60 minutes, a day is 24 hours, and so forth. Well, maybe. But in America, time is more than that. Americans see time as a valuable resource. Maybe that's why they are fond of the expression, "Time is money."
时间是什么？是一种像金钱一样可以节省、花用或浪费的东西吗？或者它像天气那样，是一种我们无法掌握的东西？全世界的时间是不是都一样呢？你会说，那是一个简单的问题，不管你去那里，一分钟都是60秒，一小时是60分钟，一天是24个小时，以此类推。嗯，也许是这样吧。但是在美国，时间的意义不只是如此而已。美国人视时间为一项重要的资源，也许这就是为什么他们喜欢说「时间就是金钱」的缘故。
Because Americans believe time is a limited resource, they try to conserve and manage it. People in the U.S. often attend seminars or read books on time management. It seems they all want to organize their time better. Professionals carry around pocket planners-some in electronic form-to keep track of appointments and deadlines. People do all they can to squeeze more life out of their time. The early American hero Benjamin Franklin expressed this view best: "Do you love life? Then do not waste time, for that is the stuff life is made of."
美国人认为时间是一项有限的资源，所以他们试着去爱惜时间且加以管理。美国人经常参加有关时间管理的研习会或阅读这方面的书籍，他们似乎都希望能把自己的时间安排得更好。专业人士随身带着口袋型记事本，有些甚至是电子的记事本，好随时留意所订的约会与工作截止日期。人们想尽办法要在有限的时间内挤出更多的时间来。早期的美国英雄班哲明?富兰克林将这种想法表达得最淋漓尽致：「你爱生命吗？如果爱就不要浪费时间，因为生命即是由时间组成的。」
To Americans, punctuality is a way of showing respect for other people's time. Being more than 10 minutes late to an appointment usually calls for an apology, and maybe an explanation. People who are running late often call ahead to let others know of the delay. Of course, the less formal the situation, the less important it is to be exactly on time. At informal get-togethers, for example, people often arrive as much as 30
minutes past the appointed time. But they usually don't try that at work.
对美国人来说，守时是一种尊重他人时间的表现。通常若约会迟到超过10分钟，就应该向对方道歉或解释原因。知道自己会迟到的人往往会先打个电话，让对方知道自己会晚一点到。当然，会面场合愈不正式，精确准时的重要性就愈小。举例来说，在非正式的聚会中，人们往往会在约定时间过后30分钟才到，不过，他们上班通常就不会这样做。
American lifestyles show how much people respect the time of others. When people plan an event, they often set the time days or weeks in advance. Once the time is fixed, it takes almost an emergency to change it. If people want to come to your house for a friendly visit, they will usually call first to make sure it is convenient. Only very close friends will just "drop by" unannounced. Also, people hesitate to call others late at night for fear they might be in bed. The time may vary, but most folks think twice about calling after 10:00 p.m.
美国人的生活型态表现出他们对别人的时间有多尊重。当人们在计划一项活动时，通常会在几天或几个星期前把时间定好。时间一旦决定，除非情况紧急，否则不会轻易改变。如果有人想到家里拜访你，他们通常会先打电话过来，以确定你是否方便，只有很熟的朋友才会未经通知就突然造访。同时，人们也不太喜欢太晚打电话给别人，因为怕对方已经上床睡觉了。何时才算太晚并不一定，不过，大部分的人若想在晚上10点钟以后打电话，都会再三考虑。
To outsiders, Americans seem tied to the clock. People in other cultures value relationships more than schedules. In these societies, people don't try to control time, but to experience it. Many Eastern cultures, for example, view time as a cycle. The rhythm of nature-from the passing of the seasons to the monthly cycle of the moon-shapes their view of events. People learn to respond to their environment. As a result, they find it easier to "go with the flow" than Americans, who like plans to be fixed and unchangeable.
对外人而言，美国人似乎很依赖时钟；其它文化背景出身的人则看重人际关系甚于时间表。在那些社会型态中，人们不会设法去控制时间，而是去经历享受它。举例来说，很多东方文化把时间视为一个周期。从季节的更替到每个月亮圆缺变化的周期，这些大自然的节奏塑造了他们对事情的看法。人们学习去因应环境的变化，因此他们比美国人更容易视情境而作弹性的应变；而美国人则喜欢将计划固定好不要更动。
Even Americans would admit that no one can master time. Time-like
money-slips all too easily through our fingers. And time-like the weather-is very hard to predict. Nevertheless, time is one of life's most precious gifts. And unwrapping it is half the fun.
不过连美国人都承认，没有人能够完全掌握时间。时间就像金钱一样，很容易就从我们的指间溜走；时间也像天气一样，是很难预测的。然而，时间是生命中最宝贵的礼物之一，而拆开（这项难以掌握和预料的）礼物本身就已经是一种乐趣了。
英国人的日常行为准则（双语）（转载）
(2006-10-17 08:42:04)
分类：英文精选
Do's and Don'ts (Taboos) in England UK 应该做的和禁忌的
Manners are Important 礼貌是重要的
In England...在英国Acceptable Behaviour 合意的行为
１、 Do stand in line: 一定要排队
（In England we like to form orderly queues (standing in line) and wait patiently for our turn e.g.. boarding a bus. It is usual to queue when required, and expected that you will take your correct turn and not push in front. 'Queue jumping' is frowned upon. ）
２、 Do say "Excuse Me": 当你想让别人给你让路时，一定要说“请原谅我的打扰”
（If someone is blocking your way and you would like them to move say excuse me and they will move out of your way. ）
３、Do Pay as you Go: 在酒吧或其它场所消费后，走时别忘了付账。
（Pay for drinks as you order them in pubs and other types of bars.）
４、Do say "Please" and "Thank-you": 随时要说“请”和“谢谢”
（It is very good manners to say "please" and "thank-you". It is considered rude if you don't. Whenever You will notice in England that we say 'thank you' a lot. ）
５、Do cover your Mouth: 当你打呵欠或咳嗽时一定要用手捂上嘴
When yawning or coughing always cover your mouth with your hand.
６、Do Shake Hands: 当你第一次被介绍给别人时，要同他们握手。
When you are first introduced to someone, shake their right hand with your own right hand.
７、 Do say sorry: 无意中碰撞别人时要说“对不起”
If you accidentally bump into someone, say 'sorry'. They probably will too, even if it was your fault! This is a habit and can be seen as very amusing by an 'outsider'.
８、Do Smile: 要微笑，一张微笑的脸总是受欢迎的。
A smiling face is a welcoming face.
９、Do Drive on the left side of the road 靠左行驶（这一条就不必学了，等到了香港、英国、日本再学吧。）
In England... 在英国禁忌的行为
１、Do not greet people with a kiss: 不能随便亲吻别人，我们只亲吻自己的亲人和关系密切的朋友
We only kiss people who are close friends and relatives.
２、Avoid talking loudly in public 避免在公共场所大声交谈或盯着别人看。
It is impolite to stare at anyone in public.
３、Privacy is highly regarded. 要高度尊重别人的隐私权
４、Do not pick your nose in public: 不要在公共场所挖鼻孔
We are disgusted by this. If your nostrils need de-bugging, use a handkerchief.
５、Avoid doing gestures such as backslapping and hugging 避免过分亲热的举动，例如拥抱。（这只是在好朋友之间才可以）。
（This is only done among close friends. ）
６、Do not spit. 不随地吐痰，在街上吐痰是很严重的坏习惯。
Spitting in the street is considered to be very bad mannered.
７、Do not burp in public 不要在公共场所打饱嗝。（大声打饱嗝可能会让你感到舒服，但会让别人感到不舒服，如果你实在控制不了，请用手捂住嘴并对其他人说“对不起”）
You may feel better by burping loudly after eating or drinking, but other people will not! If you can not stop a burp from bursting out, then cover your mouth with your hand and say 'excuse me' afterwards.
8、Do not pass wind in public 不要在公共场所放屁（找一个私人空间让它出来，如果你无意中在人群中放出来了，要说“原谅我”）
（Now how can we say this politely? Let's say that you want to pass wind. What do you do? Go somewhere private and let it out. If you accidently pass wind in company say 'pardon me'. ）
９、It is impolite speak with your mouth full of food 嘴里塞满食物时同别人说话是不礼貌的。
10、Do not ask personal or intimate questions 不要问别人私人的或隐私的问题（我们希望保留自己的隐私，请不要问一些问题例如：“你挣多少钱？”、“你体重多少？”、“你为什么不结婚？”）
（We like our privacy. Please do not ask questions such as "How much money do you earn?" "How much do you weigh?" or "Why aren't you married?". ）