新编大学英语2 6-10单元课文翻译
新编大学英语第二册课文翻译

Unit 1 善良之心,久久相依当时我没有意识到,是爸爸帮我保持平衡奥古斯塔斯? J ? 布洛克1 随着我渐渐长大,当别人看见我和爸爸在一起,我会觉得很尴尬。
他身材矮小,走起路来跛得很厉害。
我们一起走时,他要把手搭在我的肩上才能保持平衡,人们就会盯着我们看。
对这种不必要的注意我觉得非常难堪。
他也许曾注意到,或着觉得烦恼,但他从来没有流露出来。
2 要协调我们的步伐并不容易,他(的步子)一瘸一拐的,我(走起来)则缺乏耐心。
因此,我们走路的时候并不怎么说话。
但出发时,他总是说:“你定步伐,我会尽量跟上。
”3 我们通常在家和地铁之间来往,这是他上班的必由之路。
不论生病还是碰到恶劣的天气他都去上班,几乎没有旷过一天工。
即使别人无法上班,他也要去办公室。
对他来说这是一种自豪。
4 当地上有冰或雪的时候,即使有人帮忙他也无法走路。
这时,我或者我的姐妹就用孩子玩的雪撬拉着他,穿过纽约布鲁克林的街道,直到地铁的入口处。
一到那儿,他就能紧紧抓住扶手一直走下去, 地铁道里比较暖和,下面的楼梯不结冰。
曼哈顿的地铁站正好是他办公楼的地下室,因此除了从布鲁克林我们去接他的地方到回家为止,他都不用再出去。
5 一个成年男子要有多少勇气才能承受这种屈辱和压力,我现在想来惊讶不已。
他从没有痛苦或抱怨,他是怎么做到这一步的我感到不可思议。
6 他从不把自己当作同情的对象,也从不对更幸运的或更能干的人表示任何嫉妒。
他在别人身上所寻找的是一颗“善心”。
如果他找到了一颗善心,那么有这么颗心的人对他来说就是一位大好人了。
7 由于年龄的增长,我相信那是一种用来判断人的恰当的标准,尽管我还不能精确地知道什么是一颗“善心”。
但是,当我自己没有的时候,我是知道的。
8 尽管很多活动我爸爸不能参加,但他还是尽量用某种方式参与。
当本地的一支棒球队发现缺经理的时候,他使它维持下去。
他是一个很懂行的棒球迷,经常带我去埃贝茨球场看布鲁克林的道奇队打球。
他喜欢参加舞会和聚会,就是坐在一旁观看,也很开心。
Unit 10 Agriculture新编大学英语第二版第一册课文翻译

Unit 10 AgricultureFarming for the Future[1] Every year, more people face poverty and hunger and more of the earth's resources are ruined. The problems are enormous, but many experts believe that the situation is not hopeless. The solution will require big changes in how we think about agriculture, food, and our planet.[2] First of all, farmers everywhere need to develop methods that are less destructive to the environment. The change from single crop farming to a mixed crop system would be one important step. The planting of several different crops improves the soil and helps prevent erosion. Erosion could also be prevented by planting trees to protect the fields from the wind. Another way farmers could improve the soil is to avoid deep plowing. In fact, only a slight plowing is necessary if proper methods are used.[3] If the soil were treated better, farmers would not need to use chemical fertilizers. They could use natural animal and vegetable products instead. With mixed crops, farmers would need fewer toxic chemical insecticides. They could use biological methods of controlling insects and disease.[4] Farmers could also help save the earth's precious supplies of water and petroleum. To save water, they could plant more water-efficient plants instead of the standard types of wheat or corn. They could also use watering systems that are much less wasteful. To save petroleum, farmers could make use of bio-gas generators which could be fueled by the vegetable and animal wastes of the farms. In less-developed countries, bio-gas generators could reduce the need for firewood and so help save forests, as well.[5] In less-developed countries, the small farmers need help. They need to learn more about crops that are better suited to local conditions. They need to learn how to limit erosion and make the best use of their resources. These farmers will never be successful without land and economic reform. This should be the aim of governments and international agencies. The current industrial and cash crop policies are only making the situation worse.[6] Industrialized countries could use their economic resources to help bring about these changes. They could make some changes in their own policies. At present, much food is wasted in these countries for political reasons. In Europe and in North America, tons of fruit and dairy products are thrown away every year. Eating habits, too, could be changed in these countries. For example, people often eat foods from distant places instead of local foods. The transportation of the imported foods adds to the global pollution problem. People in industrialized countries also eat a lot of meat, especially beef.In fact, a large percentage of the grain grown in these countries is used for feeding cattle. If people in these countries ate less meat, there would be more grain to feed the hungry people of the world.[7] The ideal agricultural system would be sustainable; that is, its level of productivity could be continued indefinitely and the damage to the environment much less. This is a war which must be won because it would have only winners for both farmers and consumers of farm products.未来农耕1 现在面临贫困和饥饿的人一年比一年多,地球资源遭到的破坏也一年比一年严重。
Unit6Food新编大学英语第二版第二册课文翻译

Unit 6 FoodFood and Culture[1] We all have ideas about what kinds of foods are good to eat. We also have ideas about what kinds of foods are bad to eat. As a result, people from one culture often think the foods that people from another culture eat are disgusting or nauseating. When the famous boxer Muhammad Ali visited Africa, for example, one member of his group became quite sick when he saw someone pick up a butterfly and eat it. Many people would find it disgusting to eat rats, but there are forty-two different cultures whose people regard rats as appropriate food.[2] Some people in Africa think African termites make a delicious meal. Many other people would probably be sick if they had to eat termites, but one hundred grams of termites contain more than twice as many calories and almost twice as much protein as one hundred grams of cooked hamburger.[3] However, food likes and dislikes do not always seem related to nutrition. For example, broccoli is first on a list of the most nutritious common vegetables, but it is twenty-first on a list of vegetables that Americans like most to eat. Tomatoes are sixteenth on the list of most nutritious vegetables, but they are first on the list of vegetables that Americans like most to eat.[4] But dislike is not the only reason why some cultures will not eat a certain food. In some cultures, certain foods are taboo. Taboo is a word from the language of the Fiji Islands that is used to describe something that is forbidden. Some foods are taboo in certain religions, but there are also other food taboos that are not connected to a religion. We do not usually think about why certain things are taboo in our culture. We may not even know why they are taboo. Anthropologists try to discover the hidden reasons for taboos. For example, the sacred cows of India are well known. Cows can go wherever they want to in the streets of India, and they can eat anything they want from the supplies of the foodsellers on the street. As a result, the cows are a problem. However, no one in India will kill them or eat them. It is taboo to do so. This custom seems strange to other people, but anthropologists believe that there are reasons for it. First, cows are valuable because the farmers need them to help plow their fields. Second, cow manure is used as a fertilizer on the fields. In India, many farmers cannot afford to spend money on fertilizer. Third, the cow manure can be dried and burned to make cooking fires. Therefore, farmers that kill their cows for meat soon find that they cannot plow or fertilize their fields or make a cooking fire.[5] Another example is that Americans do not eat dogs, although people from someother cultures regard them as good food. In the United States, dogs are very important to people as pets. They are usually regarded as part of the family, almost like a child in some cases. In addition, dogs have value as protection against criminals. Thieves will not usually enter a house where there is a dog because the dog will bark and possibly attack a stranger who is trying to get into a house. Apparently, the dog's place in society as a companion and as protection against criminals makes the dog taboo as food.[6] The taboo against eating pork occurs in more than one culture. There is some evidence that some ancient Egyptians did not eat pork. The ancient Israelites also regarded pork as taboo. One explanation for the pig-eating taboo is that pork that is not cooked sufficiently may spread a disease called trichinosis. However, most people no longer think that this is a good explanation for the pork taboo. Another explanation is that the Israelites were nomads—they were always moving from place to place. People have to stay in one place to raise pigs. The Israelites did not want to stay in one place because they did not want to change their culture. As a result, they did not eat pigs.[7] Anthropologists believe that most food likes and dislikes are a result of the ways of life of different people. Some people live in areas where there are both large animals and many insects. It is difficult for these people to kill large animals, and it requires a lot of energy. It is easier for them to use insects for food because it is not difficult to catch insects and it does not require a lot of energy. Nomadic people who move around will not want to keep pigs for food. People will not eat pets such as dogs. Americans eat a lot of beef because there is plenty of land for raising cattle and their meat can be shipped cheaply for long distances by railroads.饮食与文化1 对于什么样的食物好吃,我们都有自己的主见。
新编大学英语二2(第二册)课后翻译

Unit 1Translation1. He walks slowly because of his bad leg.2. He came to the meeting despite his serious illness.3. He saw to it that the same mistake didn't happen again.4. Now that they've got to know each other a little better, the get along just fine.5. Then I found myself surrounded by half a dozen boys.6. I send you my best wishes on this happy occasion.Unit 2Translation1. I went to the dentist yesterday to have a bad/decayed tooth pulled out.2. The development of things depends fundamentally on internal causes.3. All roads lead to Rome.4. I meant/intended to give you that book today, but I forgot to bring it with me.5. I was on the verge of accepting his advice.6. Divorce is not a matter you can afford to take lightly.Unit 3Translation1. Lack of confidence contributed to his failure.2. She has shown great courage in the face of her seriousillness.3. We came to the conclusion that she was telling the truth.4. His secretary failed to tell him about the meeting.5. Learning languages isn't just a matter of memorizing words.6. Once she has made her decision, no one can hold her back.7. It'll be difficult to live up to the standards set by our captain.8. The scientist referred to this discovery as the most exciting new development in this field.Unit 4Translation1) All I can say is that we are extremely sorry.2) In many cases regulations alone will not work.3) He is highly likely to succeed because of his intelligence and diligence.4) She stared at me as if I were a stranger.5) It is reported that three people were injured in the traffic accident yesterday.6) I feel angry at the way he (has) treated me.7) The patient is much the same this morning as he was yesterday.8) I'd like to stay (at) home this evening rather than go out. Unit 5Translation1 You will see that what I am saying now will come true.2 The lecture was so boring that half (of) the students fell asleep.3 The problem of unemployment is tied up with the development of new technology.4 His appearance has changed so much that you may well not recognize him.5 The castle dates back to the 14th century.6 She has never done anything for them, whereas they have done everything they can for him.Unit 6Translation1. We regard him as one of the best players in the game.2. The scientist picked up those little pieces of rock and carefully put them into a box.3. The population of China is almost five times as large as that of the United States.4. The reason why grass is green was once a mystery to the little boy.5. She was standing by the window, apparently quite calm and relaxed.6. Profits have declined as a result of the recent drop in sales.7. She put on dark glasses as a protection against the strong light.8. He could no longer be trusted after that incident.Unit 7Translation1. If you sing the song several times, your children will (begin to) pick up the words.2. We tried to assure the nervous old man that flying/air travel was safe.3. An inadequate supply of vitamin A may lead to night blindness.4. I can use a computer, but when it comes to computer repairing, I know nothing about it.5. Many a mother tries to have her dreams realized by her daughter.6. The bad weather discouraged people from attending the parade.7. I gave him some pills to ease his pain.8. The job involves traveling/working abroad three months each year.Unit 8Translation1. I feel I should point out how dangerous it is.2. Their opinion will not affect my decision.3. When it comes to modern art, few people know more than Tom does.4. When asked, she confirmed that she was going to retire.5. The cough medicine tastes nice, but it doesn't do me much good.6. If we can't sell more goods, we'll have to cut back on the production.7. The film is all but three hours long.8. I assure you that it is true, lest anyone (should) think my story strange.Unit 9Translation1. All the arrangements should be completed prior to your departure.2. Such behavior may result in the executive being fired/asked to leave.3. Our products compete with those of other factories in terms of quality, reliability and aboveall, variety.4. The team's performance was greatly affected by the heavy rain.5. I appreciate your reasons for objecting to the proposal.6. To some extent, she should be responsible for the accident.7. I'm uneasy at/deeply troubled by the thought that life is just too comfortable.8. Women tend to live longer than men.Unit 10Translation1. We can go to the seven o'clock performance or theeight-whichever suits you best.2. Men are generally supposed to be strong, but most women know that the reverse is often true.3. He was released from prison after serving two years of a five-year sentence.4. You look equally nice in both dresses-I don't know which one to advise you to buy.5. This candidate has an impressively diverse range of interests and experience.6. The child suddenly let go of her hand and ran across the street.7. The result of the competition will depend largely on theopinions of the judges.8. I'm tired of you telling me what to do all the time。
新编大学英语2第四册课文翻译

新编大学英语2第四册课文翻译Unit 1课内阅读参考译文享受幽默——什么东西令人开怀?1 听了一个有趣的故事会发笑、很开心,古今中外都一样。
这一现象或许同语言本身一样悠久。
那么,到底是什么东西会使一个故事或笑话让人感到滑稽可笑的呢?2 我是第一次辨识出幽默便喜欢上它的人,因此我曾试图跟学生议论和探讨幽默。
这些学生文化差异很大,有来自拉丁美洲的,也有来自中国的。
我还认真地思考过一些滑稽有趣的故事。
这么做完全是出于自己的喜好。
3 为什么听我讲完一个笑话后,班上有些学生会笑得前仰后合,而其他学生看上去就像刚听我读了天气预报一样呢?显然,有些人对幽默比别人更敏感。
而且,我们也发现有的人很善于讲笑话,而有的人要想说一点有趣的事却要费好大的劲。
我们都听人说过这样的话:“我喜欢笑话,但我讲不好,也总是记不住。
”有些人比别人更有幽默感,就像有些人更具有音乐、数学之类的才能一样。
一个真正风趣的人在任何场合都有笑话可讲,而且讲了一个笑话,就会从他记忆里引出一连串的笑话。
一个缺乏幽默感的人不可能成为一群人中最受欢迎的。
一个真正有幽默感的人不仅受人喜爱,而且在任何聚会上也往往是人们注意的焦点。
这么说是有道理的。
4 甚至有些动物也具有幽默感。
我岳母从前经常来我们家,并能住上很长一段时间。
通常她不喜欢狗,但却很喜欢布利茨恩——我们养过的一条拉布拉多母猎犬。
而且,她们的这种好感是相互的。
布利茨恩在很小的时候就常常戏弄外祖母。
当外祖母坐在起居室里她最喜欢的那张舒适的椅子上时,布利茨恩就故意把她卧室里的一只拖鞋叼到起居室,并在外祖母刚好够不到的地方蹦来跳去,一直逗得外祖母忍不住站起来去拿那只拖鞋。
外祖母从椅子上一起来,布利茨恩就迅速跳上那椅子,从它那闪亮的棕色眼睛里掠过一丝拉布拉多式的微笑,无疑是在说:“啊哈,你又上了我的当。
”5 典型的笑话或幽默故事由明显的三部分构成。
第一部分是铺垫(即背景),接下来是主干部分(即故事情节),随后便是妙语(即一个出人意料或令人惊讶的结尾)。
新编大学英语第二版第三册第6单元课文翻译

新编大学英语第二版第三册第六单元课文翻译浙江大学外语教学与研究出版社人和动物的好斗性人肯定是所有动物中最好斗和最残忍的。
我们会说暴徒的行为“就像野兽”,然而事实上,没有任何一种动物像人类那样残暴。
当地盘性的动物或鸟类侵入别的同类动物的领地时,后者只会做一些表示敌意的姿态来吓跑入侵者。
而且,万一有争斗,任何一方都不会受重伤,因为败方只要做出姿态表示投降便可保全性命。
一般情况下,动物之间只会为了争食而杀戮,同类动物之间自相残杀是极少见的。
然而,如果动物发现自己处于异常环境下,它会表现出不同寻常的攻击性。
有一只老虎从丛林跑到村庄来,袭击了人。
后来人们发现原来它的爪子受了伤,使它显然不能像平时那样去猎食。
如果不是受了伤,这只虎毫无疑问还会呆在丛林里,并像往常那样去猎取食物。
关在动物园笼子里的动物,往往会比在野外时更加好斗。
比如说,关在笼子里的狮子一旦能自由自在地徜徉在非洲的大草原上,那么它会一直活力充沛,长途跋涉,与家族同类一起追捕食物。
在动物园里,也许它吃得更好,能得到精心的照料,但是,由于离群索居,它显然会感到倦怠,情绪沮丧。
一些动物学家和心理学家把现代人比喻成笼子里的狮子。
他们认为,人们生活在拥挤不堪的城市里,生活条件与动物园里的动物很相似,这种状况使得这些居民特别地好斗。
如果人口增长速度不是这样快,人们就会有更多的空间和自由。
在史前时代,60人左右的群体会有数公里的空间来活动和觅食。
假如现在还有这样的条件,人类就不会比其他动物更加好斗。
实际情况是,在同一栋办公大楼里工作的人,有可能多达3万人。
在这种条件下,人们之间变得寻衅好斗也就不足为奇了。
实际上,要他们不这样几乎是不可能的。
这些年来,随着世界人口的增长,人类肯定是更加好斗了。
然而,好斗本身并不一定是坏事。
一些心理学家认为好斗是一种必须得到满足的基本的人类本能。
如果没有建设性的手段来满足这一本能,人类就会采用破坏性的手段。
人类坚持自己的权利和主张的冲动使其能够在这充满危险的世界上生存下来;然而,具有讽刺意义的是,人类有可能自我毁灭,除非能找到其他非暴力的、能发泄其好斗本性的方法。
新编大学英语第二版第三册第10单元课文翻译

新编大学英语第二版第三册第十单元课文翻译编著:浙江大学出版社:外语教学与研究出版社世纪日记想想自己年已五十,感觉会如何?惊奇。
对自己活了那么久感到惊奇,对五十年一晃而过感到惊奇,对自己仍旧默默无闻感到惊奇,对惊异于自己的默默无闻感到惊奇。
我这一生,求知欲一直促动着我。
我也不知道为什么这样,因为我的母亲求知欲并不强。
虽然我出生前外祖父就已经过世,但是从别人的谈论里,还有看到的关于他的故事,以及他留下来的书籍,我可以断定,我的求知欲有可能是从他那里遗传来的。
外祖父出生在英国,父母都是威尔士人,他年仅十六岁就独自闯荡到美国。
五十岁时,我的脑子比从前更好使,奇怪啊,真是太奇怪了!我可以注意力非常集中,其强度就好像用放大镜聚焦一束太阳光一样。
因为歉疚或热情导致的分心远远不如以前那么频繁了。
渐渐地,我对自己经历过或阅读过的万物之间的关系也能开始理解了,分析和判断力也较以前更准确了,同时我的求知欲更强,曾经令人迷惑的问题也豁然开朗起来。
但是,每个新的答案又会产生大量新问题,我们知道的知识和不知道的相比,简直就是沧海一粟。
我没法确定世上有什么是绝对的,即便我相信自己还活着,但“活着”是什么意思,我也说不清。
那些组成我身体的原子在我出生前就存在,在我死后也同样会继续存在。
有些人会认为我很自我,其实不然,我是很谦卑的。
我运气还算不错,出生时智力不错,这么多年来,我一直在磨练这项遗传来的工具。
我承认,面对无知时我总是焦躁不安,但是,我了解自己的缺点更甚于对自己能力的了解。
有时候,我会对自己的无知丧气。
我找不到生活的意义。
我相信,只有通过表现爱心和选择自己的工作才能体现个人的生命意义所在。
我的妻子就比我更有价值,因为她对他热门的关爱是无尽的,在这方面,她是天才。
可是我却一无所长。
以后她如果去世了,会有万千眼泪为她而流,我会因此而崇拜她,而不是嫉妒她。
当我还是个14岁的孩子时,就像日后当名记者,继而成为一名作家。
现在我已经是名资深记者,我的第一本书也将于明年秋出版。
新标准大学英语综合教程2 Unit 6课文翻译

Unit 6Active reading (1)梦想成真当夜幕降临悉尼时,雨也开始悄悄地从夜空中飘落。
几百盏灯把澳大利亚体育场照得灯火通明,场内的声音震耳欲聋。
走向跑道时我看了一眼四周看台上无数的脸,但我的注意力还是很集中。
再过几分钟奥运金牌的归属就要见分晓了,它悬挂在远处,很诱人。
我心在剧烈地跳动,口干舌燥,肾上腺素猛增。
童年的梦想就要实现了,这种感觉真是太奇妙了:令人非常兴奋,又胆战心惊。
我知道,为了确保能梦想成真我必须强迫自己超越已知的极限。
我极力保持镇静,告诫自己不要紧张,要坚持按原计划做,按自己的节奏跑。
我知道那些俄罗斯姑娘起跑很快——这场比赛我落后俄罗斯运动员叶莲娜·普罗科霍洛娃不能超过十秒。
如果我做到这一点,冠军就是我的了。
我望着四百米跑道的起跑点,屏住了呼吸。
这些年来,在世锦赛、英联邦锦标赛以及欧洲锦标赛的八百米赛跑中我屡战屡败,饱受挫折。
现在,它再次横在我与奥运冠军头衔之间。
我的英国支持者在为我欢呼,声音特别大,就好像看台上只有他们是粉丝。
我听到他们喊我的名字,为我鼓劲加油,听到他们充满希望的呐喊。
宽阔美丽的体育场上到处飘扬着大不列颠联合王国的国旗,我感觉自己和观众融为了一体:我们有着同样的期盼,同样的梦想。
几个小时前,我的脚踝在跳远时受了伤,缠上了绷带,但是我忘掉伤痛,尽量把注意力集中在观众身上。
他们的叫喊声势浩大,使我精神振奋,我感到镇定自若。
我知道自己会全力以赴,拼尽全力跑完全程。
我感觉自己已经进入最佳状态。
我只要跑两圈就行了,就两圈。
跑完这两圈,过去两天以及28 年来所有情感和身体上的辛苦付出就将被胜利或者失败所淹没。
这一跑真是生死攸关。
我不断地告诉自己:也就是跑两分钟,谁都能跑两分钟。
发令枪响了,比赛正式开始。
第一圈还好,我跟其他人跑得一样快,但我觉得比平时要累得多,比我预想的要累得多。
这次锦标赛赛前长达数周的艰苦训练以及这两天激烈的比赛所带来的疲劳在我的赛跑过程中显现出来了。
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第六单元饮食与文化1 对于什么样的食物好吃,我们都有自己的主见。
对于什么样的食物不好吃,我们也有自己的看法。
因此,某种文化背景的人常常会觉得另一种文化背景的人吃的食物难以忍受或者令人作呕。
比如,在著名的拳击手穆罕默德·阿里访问非洲时,团里的一名成员看到有人抓起一只蝴蝶就吃了下去时便恶心得想呕吐。
许多人会发觉吃老鼠肉令人恶心,但世界上有42种不同文化的人认为鼠肉是合适的食物。
2 在非洲有些人认为非洲白蚁可以做成美餐。
对于许多其他人来说,如果非吃(白蚁)不可的话,他们很可能会呕吐。
但是,如果拿100克的白蚁和100克制作好的汉堡包相比,前者所含的热量是后者的两倍多,其所含的蛋白质也几乎是后者的两倍。
3 不过,对食物的好恶似乎并不一定与营养有关。
例如,花椰菜在营养最丰富的常见蔬菜中排名第一,但它在美国人最喜欢的蔬菜中仅名列第二十一位。
西红柿在营养最丰富的蔬菜中排名十六,但它在美国人最喜欢的蔬菜中却名列榜首。
4 但不喜欢并不是某些文化(中人们)不吃某种食物的唯一原因。
在有些文化中,有些食物是禁忌。
“禁忌”一词来源于斐济群岛的语言, 用来表示禁止做的事。
有些食物在某些宗教中被列为禁忌,但也有一些饮食禁忌与宗教无关。
通常我们不去考虑为什么在我们的文化中有些东西是禁忌。
我们也许甚至不知道它们为什么是禁忌。
人类学家试图发现禁忌背后隐藏的原因。
例如,印度“圣牛”为人们所熟知。
牛可以在印度的大街上到处走,它们可以吃街上食品摊主所供应的食物中任何它们想吃的东西。
结果,牛就成了问题。
可是,在印度没人会去杀牛或吃牛肉。
杀牛或吃牛肉是禁忌。
这种习俗在其他人看起来似乎很奇怪,但人类学家相信这自有其原因。
首先,牛是很宝贵的,因为农民需要它们帮助犁地。
其次,牛粪可作地里的肥料。
在印度,许多农民买不起肥料。
还有,牛粪弄干后可用来烧火做饭。
因此,杀牛食肉的农民很快发现他们无法犁地,无法给庄稼施肥,或者无燃料做饭。
5 再比如,美国人不吃狗肉, 尽管其他一些文化背景的人视狗肉为佳肴。
在美国,狗作为宠物对人们极为重要。
通常它们被视为家庭的一部分,有时甚至还把狗当成自己的孩子。
此外,狗的价值还在于防范罪犯。
盗贼一般不进入有狗的住宅,因为狗会吠叫,而且可能会袭击试图进入屋子的陌生人。
显而易见,狗在社会中作为伙伴及防范罪犯的卫士的角色使吃狗肉成为禁忌。
6 不止一种文化忌食猪肉。
有迹象表明一些古埃及人不吃猪肉。
古代以色列人也视猪肉为禁忌。
对禁食猪肉的一种解释是,未被煮透的猪肉可能会传播一种疾病,叫旋毛虫病。
但大多数人不再认为这能很好地解释禁食猪肉的原因。
另一种解释是以色列人原属游牧民族——他们总是居无定所。
要养猪,人们就得在某地定居下来。
从前以色列人不愿在一个地方定居,因为他们不想改变自己的文化。
正因如此,他们便不食猪肉。
7 人类学家相信,对食物的好恶大多是不同人不同生活方式的结果。
有些人生活在既有大型动物又有许多昆虫的地区。
他们杀死大型动物有困难,需要花很大的力气。
对他们来说,以昆虫为食要容易些,因为捕捉昆虫既不困难又不需花太大的力气。
四处流动、过游牧生活的人不愿意为吃肉而养猪。
人们也不吃像狗那样的宠物。
美国人牛肉吃得很多,因为有大量的土地可用来养牛,而且牛肉可以通过铁路以低廉的价格进行长途运输。
第七单元美国的进餐习俗每个国家都有自己独特的进餐习惯。
美国人认为,作为一名有礼貌的客人,第一条规矩就是守时。
如果一个人被邀请去赴六点半钟的宴会,女主人期待他在六点半或稍后几分钟到,因为通常是她做饭,她算好时间,以便客人到时热面包卷、咖啡和肉正好最好吃。
如果客人来迟了,饭菜就不那么好吃了,女主人会感到失望的。
如果客人不能按时到,就应打电话给男女主人,说明理由,并告诉他们什么时候能到。
根据具体情况,客人有时会带一盒糖果或一些鲜花送给女主人以表谢意。
随着客人们的陆续到来,女士进屋时,在场的男士们起身等女士入座后再坐下,这通常被视为是一种礼貌的行为。
然而,多数年轻人和一些年纪再大一些的人,他们重视男女平等,不再遵守这一习俗。
来访的客人应留意各种情况,跟着在场的美国人去做。
客人在餐桌就坐时,按照习俗男士应帮助女士入座。
有些美国人现在已不再这样做了,所以来访者必须留心别人的做法,并照着他们的做法去做。
如果宴会是在个人的家里举行的,在开始吃饭前,要避免(说话)尴尬,客人可以(自己不说)让别人聊。
有些家庭习惯于在饭前祈祷感谢上帝,有些家庭则没有这样的习惯。
如果要做祷告,每个人都静静地低头坐着,直到祷告结束。
如果主人家没有这种习惯,聊天则无需中断。
美国人与欧洲人使用刀叉的习惯不同。
欧洲人右手拿刀,左手拿叉,吃东西时两手都用。
美国人则相反,尽可能只用一只手,另一只手放在膝盖上。
他们要切肉时通常把叉换到左手。
在不往嘴里送食物时,喝咖啡或在面包上涂黄油时,他们把叉放在自己的盘子上。
欧洲人更习惯于饭后喝咖啡,没吃完饭时刀叉就一直拿在手里。
由于美国人进餐时经常会放下刀叉等金属餐具,因此也形成了一些习惯。
把勺子留在汤碗里、咖啡杯里或其他任何菜盘子里都被看作是不好的举止。
勺子应该放在可以放平的地方(如咖啡勺放在杯托上,汤勺放在汤碗旁边的托盘上,等等),但不放在桌布上。
这样做就不大会把金属餐具碰到地板上或把食物碰撒出来。
另一个不同的习俗是美国人和欧洲人都从勺子的侧边喝东西而不是前端。
美国人吃面包时不用刀叉,而是用手拿,通常先把面包掰开。
美国人用手拿着吃的东西还有玉米棒、芹菜、萝卜和橄榄。
在美国,人们不用手来抓生菜吃,也不捧起汤碗喝碗底剩下的汤。
如果客人在就餐时因故不得不离开餐桌的话,他(她)应该向女主人说:“对不起,我要离开一会儿,行吗?”饭吃完后,客人们把餐巾放在桌上,然后起身。
客人不用按原样把餐巾折好,除非是主人自己家里的客人,他们要住下来不止吃一顿饭。
饭后,客人通常再呆两三个小时,但客人要考虑周到,注意不要因呆得太久而不受欢迎。
出于礼貌男女主人也许会劝客人多呆一会,但多数请客聚会十一点钟左右就结束了。
按照习俗,客人临走时应感谢女主人使他们度过一个愉快的夜晚。
你可以说一些感谢的话。
通常的说法有:“再见,你让我来参加宴会真是太好了”,或“再见了,今晚过得开心极了”,或“谢谢,我过得真快活。
”对于那些比宴会更大的款待,如在主人家过夜或度周末,按习俗应给主人寄一封感谢信。
第八单元伊莱亚斯:一则寓言一对老夫妇从前是这个地区最富有的,现在他们成了仆人,一无所有,只好相依为命。
乌法省住着一位名叫伊莱亚斯的人。
婚后一年他父亲就去世了,他沦为了穷人。
那时伊莱亚斯的全部财产仅为七匹母马,二头牛和二十只羊,但他既然当家作主了,便开始改善自己的境况。
他和妻子从早到晚拼命干活,整整干了三十年,逐年富裕了起来。
伊莱亚斯有两个儿子和一个女儿,他都恰如其分地给他们办了婚事。
在他贫困时,两个儿子与他一起干活;但富裕时,他们就开始沉迷于荒唐的玩乐之中。
特别是其中的一个开始酗酒。
最终,长子在斗殴中丧命,次子由于违背父命而被赶出家门。
伊莱亚斯在把儿子赶出家门的同时还给了他房子和牛。
这样他的财富就相应地减少了。
不久他的羊染上了疾病,死了许多。
接着是一年大旱,寸草不长,结果那年冬天饿死了许多牛。
然后,来了吉尔吉斯人,偷走了他最好的马匹,他的财产就更少了。
到他七十岁的时候,他还剩有的全部家当就只有他身上穿的衣服以及他的老伴儿,萨姆·萨玛姬,她也同他一样老了。
被他赶出去的儿子已远走他乡,女儿去世了,所以没人能帮助这对老人了。
不过他们以前的一位邻居,名叫穆罕默德,很同情他们。
他家境小康,生活朴素,受人尊敬。
他想起了在伊莱亚斯家做客的日子,就邀请老夫妇来他家和他同住,如果愿意,帮他干点活儿。
伊莱亚斯谢过这位好邻居,就和老伴搬过来做了穆罕默德的仆人。
起先落到这一地步他们感到悲哀,不过一段时间之后也渐渐地习惯了,安心住下来了,尽其所能地劳动。
因为老夫妇曾经是主人,知道怎么干活,所以穆罕默德有他们服侍自己,感到称心如意。
再者,他们从来不偷懒,只是尽量把事情做得尽善尽美。
倒是穆罕默德看到他们从当初那么高的地位沦落到如此困境,常常感到十分惋惜。
一天,穆罕默德的几个朋友来他家做客。
当他们知道伊莱亚斯曾是这一带最富有的人,而现在仅是主人的佣人时,感到十分吃惊,便询问起老夫妻以前的生活。
“老人家,”一位客人问道,“眼下,在你瞧着我们的时候,想想以前曾经拥有的财富,看看现在悲惨的生活,你是不是很悲伤?”伊莱亚斯笑着回答:“如果要我来回答你这个关于快乐还是悲哀的问题,你也许不会相信我。
你还是问问我妻子吧。
她既有女人的心肠,又有女人的口才,会如实告诉你们的。
于是这位客人就对坐在帘子后面的老妇大声询问,“老太太,请你告诉我,你对以前的幸福生活和现在的悲惨境况有什么想法?”萨姆·萨玛姬从帘子后面回答道:“我是这样认为的:原先,我和我丈夫一起生活了五十年,一直在寻求幸福却未能找到;而现在,尽管我们身为仆人,这也只是我们沦为穷人的第二年,但我们已经找到了真正的幸福,没有别的奢望了。
”客人们和主人听了萨姆的话都很吃惊,特别是主人,他惊讶得起身拨开帘子望着老妇。
她坐在那儿,双手交叉抱在胸前,面带微笑,凝视着年迈的丈夫,丈夫也以微笑回报。
然后她接着说:“我是在说实话,并没有开玩笑。
半个世纪了,我们都在寻求幸福,而只要我们有钱,我们就难以找到;而现在我们一贫如洗,与下人生活在一起,我们却找到了无与伦比的幸福。
”“那么,你们的幸福体现在哪里呢?”客人又问。
“当我们富有的时候,我丈夫和我有那么多的事要操心,以至于没时间交谈、或想想我们的心灵深处、或向上帝祈祷。
如果有客人和我们一起,我们就完全忙着考虑如何款待他们。
而且,客人到来了,我们还得照顾他们的仆人。
不仅如此,我们还成天担心狼会咬死鸡鸭和牛犊,担心窃贼盗走马匹。
我们晚上躺在床上,彻夜难眠地在担心,惟恐母羊压在了小羊羔的身上,于是,我们一次次地起床,以确保一切平安。
等我们上床休息时,发现又有其他的事情要操心,比如怎么弄到过冬的饲料啦,等等。
此外,我和我丈夫总是意见相左。
他会说这件事必须这样做,而我说必须那样做,于是我们就开始争吵。
这种生活只能使我们整日忧心忡忡,毫无幸福可言。
“那么现在呢?”客人问道。
“现在,”老妇回答道,“当我和我丈夫早晨醒来的时候,我们都要互相问候,恩爱和睦。
我们生活得安宁,无忧无虑。
我们唯一关心的是怎样尽心地把主人伺候好。
我们尽心尽意,量力而行,这样,主人能从我们的劳动中获益。
还有,我们进门就会发现饭菜都替我们准备好了。
天气一冷,我们就可以烤火暖身,有羊皮衣服可穿。
而且我们有时间相互交谈,思考我们的灵魂深处,并向上帝祈祷。
我们五十年苦苦寻求,直到现在才找到幸福。
”客人哄堂大笑,伊莱亚斯叫道;“不要笑,高尚的先生们。