走遍美国第二课 介绍会面

ACT 1-1 “伍斯特大街83号该怎么走？”

【故事梗概】

Harry Bennett在曼哈顿岛闹市区的一条街上，拿着一束鲜花。今晚他与Susan Stewart有一个约会。那将是他们的第一次见面。他找不到Susan的公寓所在的伍斯特大街83号，于是他向路边的一个卖热狗的小贩问路。小贩的指点并未帮他找到目的地。他试图拨打Susan的电话，却打不通。之后，他又向一位女士第二次问路。

Harry: Excuse me. Can you help me?

Vendor: Sure, what do you want?

Harry: Where is 83 Wooster Street?

Vendor: That's easy. Walk to the corner. Then make a left turn. Then walk two blocks to the traffic light. Make another left to Wooster.

Harry: Thank you. To the corner and then a left?

Vendor: Yeah. A left. Hot dog? Only seventy-five cents.

Harry: No. Thank you. I have a dinner date.

Harry: 555-9470 ... and it's busy. ... Try again. 555-9470... and it's still busy. Excuse me, ma'am. I'm looking for 83 Wooster Street.

Woman: Yes. Wooster Street is two blocks, and 83 is to the right, about two houses. Harry: Thank you, thank you!

Woman: You're welcome.

【语言点精讲】

1. Excuse me. Can you help me?

劳驾，您能帮帮我吗？在想向旁人问路时，可以使用这句话来引起对方的注意。也可以只用"Excuse me."

2. Sure, what do you want?

这位小贩在这里用的是非正式的口语的读法"Sure, waddayawant."

因为人的身份和相互关系不同，说话的礼貌程度也不一样。"What do you want?"比较礼貌的说法是"What can I do for you?"

3. Where is 83 Wooster Street?

伍斯特大街83号该怎么走？问路时可以说"Where is...?"（某某地点该怎么走？）。也可以说"I'm looking for..."（我想找某某地点。）

4. Walk to the corner. Then make a left turn, then walk two blocks to the traffic light. Make another left to Wooster.

朝前走到转弯处，然后向左拐，走过两个街区，到红绿灯处，再往左拐就是伍斯特大街。

walk…make a left/ right turn…沿着……走，然后朝左／右拐。这是指路常用的套语。

block: 街，街区。traffic light: 红绿灯，交通信号灯。

5. Thank you. To the corner and then a left?

问路的时候，为了确保我们的理解是正确的，可以把听到的内容再重复一遍，就像这里Harry做得这样。

6. Yeah.

这是yes的非正规形式，常在口语中使用。

7. I have a dinner date.

dinner date是指晚餐约会。date通常是指男女社交性的约会。Susan和Harry原先彼此不相识，这是他们经别人安排的第一次会面，称为blind date。这种约会的目的是为男女双方创造机会交往，互相深入了解。这种约会在美国十分平常，往往由亲朋好友来安排。地点可选在餐馆，边吃边谈，所以叫dinner date。

8. Excuse me, ma'am.

ma'am是对年长女士的尊称。这个词的完整形式是madam，但是因为madam这个词实在是太正式了，美国人在口语中几乎是不使用的，倒是省略了"d"的发音的ma'am比较常用。另外，对年轻的女士可以称miss，对男士则称sir。

ACT 1-2 “让我介绍你认识一下我的嫂嫂。”

【故事梗概】

Harry终于找到了Susan的公寓。此时Marilyn也在Susan的公寓。Susan为他们做了相互介绍。

Susan: [at the intercom] Who is it?

Harry: Harry Bennett. Is this Susan?

Susan: Yes, it is. Come up. I'm on the top floor.

Susan: Hello, Harry. It's nice to meet you.

Harry: Nice to meet you, Susan. Sorry I'm late. The traffic. The parking. I was lost. Susan: What pretty flowers! Thank you. Oh, please come in. Don't worry about being late. It's fine. Excuse the mess. I just moved here. Oh, I'd like you to meet my sister-in-law Marilyn. Marilyn Stewart, this is Harry Bennett.

Harry: Pleased to meet you.

Marilyn: Nice to meet you, Harry.

Harry: Are we too late for our dinner reservation?

Susan: No, the restaurant will hold our table. I know the owner very well. I eat there a lot.

【语言点精讲】