B2U1T1 A World Empire by Other Means
文本细读
商务英语综合教程
- empire:group of countries or states under a single ruler or ruling power 帝国: the Roman Empire 罗马帝国
- means:action by which a result is brought about; method(s) 手段; 方法: use illegal means to get a passport 用非法手段获取护照 * This money wasn't earned by honest means. 这笔钱来路不正
- 标题直译就是:以其他方式[实现]世界帝国
It is everywhere. Some 380 million people speak it as their first language and perhaps two-thirds as many again as their second. A billion are learning it, about a third of the world's population are in some sense exposed to it and by 2050, it is predicted, half the world will be more or less proficient in it. It is the language of globalisation — of international business, politics and diplomacy. It is the language of computers and the Internet. You'll see it on posters in Côte d'Ivoire, you'll hear it in pop songs in Tokyo, you'll read it in official documents in Phnom Penh. Deutsche Welle broadcasts in it. French business schools teach in it. It is the medium of expression in cabinet meetings in Bolivia. Truly, the tongue spoken back in the 1300s only by the "low people" of England has come a long way. It is now the global language.
Some 380 million people speak it as their first language and perhaps two-thirds as many again as their second.
- some: (used with numbers 与数词连用) approximately 大约; 近於: He spent some twelve years of his life in Africa. 他在非洲度过了近十二个年头. * Some thirty people attended the funeral. 参加葬礼的约有三十人.
- half as many again as: 是……的一倍半,比……多一半/50%;two-thirds as many again as: 比……多三分之二,是……的一又三分之二倍
- as their second [language]
- 约有3.8亿人将它作为第一语言,而且可能有比3.8亿还多三分之二的人口(约为6.33亿人)以它为第二语言。| 从这一句可以看出作者要将的是“英语”这一门语言。
A billion are learning it, about a third of the world's population are in some sense exposed to it and by 2050, it is predicted, half the world will be more or less proficient in it.
- in some sense: 在某种意义上
- expose:~ sth/sb/oneself (to sth) uncover or leave sb/sth/oneself uncovered or unprotected 显露或暴露某人[某事物/自己]; 处於无遮蔽或不受保护的状态: * The baby was left exposed to the wind and rain. 婴儿被离弃於风雨之中. * (fig 比喻) expose oneself to criticism, ridicule, mockery, etc 遭受批评﹑ 嘲笑﹑ 嘲弄等. | 本句指的是世界中三分之一的人口都在某种意义上暴露于英语当中(即被动接受英语的输入)
- more or less:mostly, very nearly
- proficient:~ (in/at sth/doing sth) doing or able to do sth in a skilled or an expert way because of training and practice 精通的; 熟练的: a proficient driver 开车的好手 * proficient in theuse of radar equipment 精通雷达设备之使用的
It is the language of globalisation — of international business, politics and diplomacy.
- diplomacy:management of relations between countries by each country's representatives abroad; skill in this 外交; 外交手段; 外交手腕; 外交术: International problems must be solved by diplomacy, not war. 国际问题应通过外交途径来解决, 不应诉诸战争.
You'll see it on posters in Côte d'Ivoire, you'll hear it in pop songs in Tokyo, you'll read it in official documents in Phnom Penh.
- poster:海报
- Côte d'Ivoire:科特迪瓦(国名直译就是Ivory Coast 象牙海岸,关于科特迪瓦的介绍,可以看这里)
- pop song:pop[ular] song 流行歌曲
- Phnom Penh:金边(柬埔寨首都,简介看这里)
Deutsche Welle broadcasts in it.
- Deutsche Welle:德国之声(按德国公法设立的国际化公共媒体)
It is the medium of expression in cabinet meetings in Bolivia.
- medium of expression:表达的媒介、表达的方式
- cabinet meeting:内阁会议;大臣会议
- Bolivia:玻利维亚(南美洲西部国家,简介看这里)
Truly, the tongue spoken back in the 1300s only by the "low people" of England has come a long way.
- truly:indeed 确实
- tongue:language 语言: He speaks English, but his native tongue is German. 他会说英语, 但他的母语是德语.
- (of time) ago; into the past (指时间)以前, 上溯: (way) back in the Middle Ages 上溯到中世纪 * That was a few years back. 那是几年以前的事.
- low people:地位低下的人,低等人
- England:英格兰(此处并不是泛指英国)
- come a long way: 直译就是走过了漫长的道路,引申为“取得巨大进步/进展/成就”
- 关于英语的历史,可以看这个网易公开课了解一下。
How come? Not because English is easy. True, genders are simple. But the verbs tend to be irregular, the grammar bizarre and the match between spelling and pronunciation a nightmare. English is now so widely spoken in so many places that umpteen versions have evolved, some so peculiar that even "native" speakers may have trouble understanding each other.
How come?
True, genders are simple.
- gender:这里讲的是语法意义上的词性。英语的名词大多是不分性的,学起来比较方便;但是比如法语,每个名词都分阴阳性,因此搭配的冠词等也都不一样,学起来就麻烦的多。
But the verbs tend to be irregular, the grammar bizarre and the match between spelling and pronunciation a nightmare.
- 动词不太规则,语法古怪,而且拼写和发音之间的匹配像个噩梦(拼写和发音的匹配规则太复杂或者几乎无规律可循,无法单纯依据发音就能拼写出单词)。
English is now so widely spoken in so many places that umpteen versions have evolved, some so peculiar that even "native" speakers may have trouble understanding each other.
- umpteen:(infml 口) too many to count; numerous 数不清的; 无数的: Umpteen of them left. 他们许多人都走了. * have umpteen reasons for being late 迟到有许多理由
- umpteen versions:英语在不同的地方有许多版本,日本英语、印度英语等等
- evolve:(cause to) develop naturally and (usu) gradually (使)逐渐形成: The American constitution was planned; the British constitution evolved. 美国宪法是精心制定的, 英国宪法是约定俗成的. * He has evolved a new theory after many years of research. 他经过多年的研究, 逐渐总结出了新的理论.
- some so peculiar ...: some [versions are] so peculiar that ...
- native speaker 说母语的人,说本族语的人
- have trouble doing ... 做……有麻烦
As a language with many origins — Romance, Germanic, Norse, Celtic and so on — English was bound to be a mess. But its elasticity makes it messier, as well as stronger. When it comes to new words, English puts up few barriers to entry. Every year publishers bring out new dictionaries listing neologisms galore. The past decade, for instance, has produced not just a host of Internettery, computerese and phonebabble ("browsers", "downloading", "texting" and so on) but quantities of teenspeak ("fave", "fit", "pants", "phat", "sad"). All are readily received by English, however much some fogies may resist them.
As a language with many origins — Romance, Germanic, Norse, Celtic and so on — English was bound to be a mess.
- origin:starting-point; source 起点; 开端; 来源: the origins of life on earth 地球上生命的起源 * words of Latin origin 拉丁语源的词 * The origins of the custom are unknown. 该风俗起源不详.
- Romance:of those languages (the Romance languages) which are descended from Latin, eg French, Italian, Spanish 罗曼语(由拉丁语演变而成的语言, 如法语﹑ 意大利语﹑ 西班牙语)
- Germanic:relating to the family of languages that includes English, German, Dutch, and other northern European languages 日耳曼语
- Norse:(also Old Norse) language of ancient Scandinavia, esp Norway 古代斯堪的纳维亚语; (尤指)古代挪威语
- Celtic:A subfamily of the Indo-European language family comprising the Insular and the Continental branches. 凯尔特语
- be bound to ...:be certain to ...
- mess:difficult or confused state or situation; disorder 困难或紊乱的状态或局面; 杂乱
But its elasticity makes it messier, as well as stronger.
- elasticity:the quality or state of being flexible 灵活性、适应性、弹性
When it comes to new words, English puts up few barriers to entry.
- when it comes:在……方面、就……而论、谈到……
- put up barrier:设置障碍;put up few barrier:几乎不设置什么障碍
- entry:进入(这里指的就是新词进入到英语当中,作为其中的一员)
Every year publishers bring out new dictionaries listing neologisms galore.
- bring out:to publish; produce (something) 出版、生产 * The publishing house brought out another revised edition of the book. 出版社推出这部书的又一个修订版。
- list:动词 put (things) on a list 编(事物)的列表;列出: The books are listed alphabetically. 这些书是按字母顺序编入目录的.
- neologism:newly-invented word 新创造的词; 新词
- galore:(usu approv 通常作褒义) (following ns 用於名词之後) in plenty 很多: to have books, food, friends, money galore 有很多书﹑ 食物﹑ 朋友﹑ 金钱.
The past decade, for instance, has produced not just a host of Internettery, computerese and phonebabble ("browsers", "downloading", "texting" and so on) but quantities of teenspeak ("fave", "fit", "pants", "phat", "sad").
- a host of:a very large number of things grouped together
- internettery: language (words and phrases) related to the Internet 互联网用语、网络语言(作者新造的词)
- computerese:电脑用语(作者新造的词)
- babble: 糊不清地说、唠唠叨叨、喋喋不休
- text:动词 to text message 发(文字)消息,发短信
- quantities of:a large quantity of 大量
- teenspeak:A dialect of the English language used by teenagers (normally between the ages of 13 and 18, though there has recently been a leap in speakers).
- fave:short for "favorite": * That's my fave!!
- fit: Extremely good looking, synonymous with "hott" and "sexy". British slang, relatively unknown in US. * Whoa, that model is FIT!
- pants: rubbish, bad * "The first half of the movie was pants but I stayed until the end and it was actually a great film."
- phat: Pretty Hot And Tempting * "That girl is phat! Did you see that?" (这个词已经过时了,没人用了)
- sad:这个词在不同语境下可以表示很多种意思,有一些不太文明。此处举一个文明一点的例子吧,sad可以表示pathetic * "It's sad that Mark still lives with his mom, even though he's 35."
All are readily received by English, however much some fogies may resist them.
- fogy:An old-fashioned person who is reluctant to change or innovate 顽固守旧者;赶不上时代的人
- resist: regard (a plan, an idea, etc) unfavourably 抵制, 抗拒(计画﹑ 主张等): resist the call for reform 抗拒实行改革的号召.
- 所有这些词都已经被英语接受了,不论有些守旧分子多么抵制它们。
English-speakers have not always been so angst-free about this laisser-faire attitude to their language. In the 18th century three writers — Joseph Addison (who founded the Spectator), Daniel Defoe (who wrote Robinson Crusoe) and Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels) — wanted to see a committee set up to regulate the language.
English-speakers have not always been so angst-free about this laisser-faire attitude to their language.
- angst:A troubled or anxious state of mind 忧虑 | angst-free:free from angst 无忧无虑,一点也不忧虑、不愁
- laisser-faire: (French 法) policy of freedom from government control, esp for private commercial interests 自由放任政策(尤指政府不干涉私人商业利益者): [attrib 作定语] a ,laisser-faire e`conomy 自由放任的经济. | 法语laisser相当于英语中的let;faire相当于do,所以直译为英文就是 let do,即放任自流
In the 18th century three writers — Joseph Addison (who founded the Spectator), Daniel Defoe (who wrote Robinson Crusoe) and Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels) — wanted to see a committee set up to regulate the language.
- Joseph Addison:约瑟夫·艾迪生 英国散文家、诗人、辉格党政治家 (简介看这里)
- found:创建
- Spectator:《旁观者》杂志,由约瑟夫·艾迪生创办(介绍看这里)
- Daniel Defoe:丹尼尔·笛福 英国作家。英国启蒙时期现实主义丰富小说的奠基人 《鲁滨逊漂流记》(Robinson Crusoe)的作者(简介看这里)
- Jonathan Swift:乔纳森·斯威夫特 英国作家,政论家,讽刺文学大师,《格列佛游记》(Gulliver's Travels)的作者(简介看这里)
- see a committee set up:中的set是过去分词
- regulate: control or direct (sth) by means of rules and restrictions (以规章制度)控制或管理(某事物): regulate one's conduct, expenditure, lifestyle 约束行为、限制消费、节制生活方式 * regulate the traffic 管理交通 * The activities of credit companies are regulated by law. 信贷公司的业务受法律制约.
Fortunately, the principles of free trade triumphed. The success or failure of a language has little to do with its inherent qualities "and everything to do with the power of the people who speak it."
Fortunately, the principles of free trade triumphed.
- triumph:be successful or victorious 获得成功或胜利: Common sense triumphed in the end. 人的理智终於战胜了一切. * triumph over one's difficulties, ie overcome them 战胜困难.
- 幸运的是,自由贸易的原则胜出了。
The success or failure of a language has little to do with its inherent qualities "and everything to do with the power of the people who speak it."
- have little to do... 与……关系甚小,与……没太有关系
- inherent: existing as a natural or permanent feature or quality of sb/sth 内在的; 固有的; 本来的: an inherent distrust of foreigners 天生对外国人的不信任 * an inherent weakness in a design 设计本身存在的弱点 * the power inherent in the office of President 总统任内固有的权力.
- everything to do也是跟在前面的has之后的 have everything to do ... 与……密切相关
- 一门语言的成与败与其内在性质没太有关系,而与说这门语言的人的力量密切相关。
English moved with the times, and by the 19th century the times were such that it had spread across an empire on which the sun never set. It thus began its rise as a global language.
English moved with the times, and by the 19th century the times were such that it had spread across an empire on which the sun never set.
- moved with the times:可以理解为与时俱进吧
- such:~ as to do sth; ~ that... (referring forward 用以预指後文): The pain in her foot wasn't such as to stop her walking. 她脚疼, 但还不至於不能行走. * The damage was such that it would cost too much money to repair. 损坏得很严重, 要用很多钱才能修好.
- an empire on which the sun never set 日不落帝国
**It thus began its rise as a global language. **
- thus:in this way; like this 以此方式; 如此; 这样
- rise:upward movement or progress 崛起; 上升; 升起; 进展; 振兴: His rise to power was very rapid. 他很快掌握了大权. * the rise and fall of the British Empire 大英帝国的兴衰.
That could be seen not just by the use of English in Britain's colonies, but also by its usefulness much farther afield. When, for instance, Germany and Japan were negotiating their alliance against America and Britain in 1940, their two foreign ministers held their discussions in English. But however accommodating English might be the real reason for the latter day triumph of English is the triumph of the English-speaking United States as a world power. Therein lies a huge source of friction.
That could be seen not just by the use of English in Britain's colonies, but also by its usefulness much farther afield.
- That:指的就是前面说的 its rise as a global language
- colony: 殖民地
- far/farther/further afield: far, etc away, esp from home; to or at a distance 远离(尤指家乡); 到远方; 在远处: Some villagers have never been further afield than the neighbouring town. 有些村民从未远离过附近的市镇. * To find the causes of the problem we need look no further afield than our own department. 要找出问题所在, 不必超出我们本部门的范围.
When, for instance, Germany and Japan were negotiating their alliance against America and Britain in 1940, their two foreign ministers held their discussions in English.
- alliance:action or state of being joined or associated 结合; 结盟
- foreign minister:外交部长,外交大臣
- hold discussion
But however accommodating English might be[,] the real reason for the latter day triumph of English is the triumph of the English-speaking United States as a world power.
- accommodating:helpful and easy to work with 有帮助的、乐于助人的、与人方便的、灵活通融的、适应新环境的
- latter day: modern, recent
- world power: 世界强国、世界大国
Therein lies a huge source of friction.
- adv. (fml or law 文或律) (a) inthat place 在那里; 在其中: the house and all the possessionstherein 那所房子及其中一切财产. (b) in that respect 在那方面; 在那一点上: Therein lies the crux of the matter. 问题的关键就在那里.
- source of friction: 矛盾的来源
- 在那其中蕴含着巨大的矛盾来源。(究竟是在哪其中?指的应该是前句的 英语取得全球语言地位的真正原因是以英语为母语的美国作为世界大国的胜利。这会造成巨大的问题。问题是什么,在后面就会讲到。)
The merit of English as a global language is that it enables people of different countries to converse and do business with each other. But languages are not only a medium of communication, which enable nation to speak unto nation. They are also repositories of culture and identity. And in many countries the all-engulfing advance of English threatens to damage or destroy much local culture. This is sometimes lamented even in England itself, for though the language that now sweeps the world is called English, the culture carried with it is American.
The merit of English as a global language is that it enables people of different countries to converse and do business with each other.
- merit:优点、长处、好处
- converse with:与……交谈
- do business with: 与……做生意
But languages are not only a medium of communication, which enable nation to speak unto nation.
- medium of communication: 沟通媒介
- unto:(old use) to | speak unto: speak to
They are also repositories of culture and identity.
- repository: 仓库、存放物品之所,这里可以理解为,语言中包含着文化与身份。
- identity:the qualities and attitudes that a person or group of people have, that make them different from other people * Children need continuity, security, and a sense of identity. * Travelling alone can lead to a loss of identity. * national/cultural/social etc identity: (=a strong feeling of belonging to a particular group, race etc) * Our strong sense of national identity has been shaped by our history.
And in many countries the all-engulfing advance of English threatens to damage or destroy much local culture.
- engulf:surround (sth) or cause (sth) to disappear; envelop (指海洋﹑ 火焰等)包围(某物)或使(某物)消失; 包住; 吞没: a boat engulfed in/by the waves 被浪涛吞没的小船 * (fig 比喻) engulfed in silence, misery 陷入寂静﹑ 痛苦之中. | all-engulfing:吞没所有的、吞噬一切的 | all-engulfing advance of English:英语的吞噬一切的发展/前进,就是说英语的发展,可以吞噬掉原来的文化、身份特征等等,所以是all-engulfing
This is sometimes lamented even in England itself, for though the language that now sweeps the world is called English, the culture carried with it is American.
- lament:(a) [I, Ipr, Tn] ~ (for/over sb/sth) feel or express great sorrow or regret for (sb/sth) 为(某人[某事物])感到悲痛; 哀悼; 痛惜: lament loudly 哀嚎 * lament (for) a dead friend 哀悼亡友 * lament (over) one's misfortunes 悲叹自己的不幸 * lament the passing of old ways 浩叹古风的沉沦. (b) [I, Tn] complain (about sth) 抱怨(某事): She's always lamenting the lack of sports facilities in town. 她总是抱怨伦敦缺少体育设施.
- sweep the world:席卷世界
- 有时候,甚至英国/英格兰本身也会颇有怨言,因为尽管现在席卷世界的这门语言被称为英语,但是它所携带的文化却是美国文化。| the culture carried with it is American [culture]
On the whole the Brits do not complain. Some may regret the passing of the "bullet-proof waistcoat" (in favour of the "bullet-proof vest"), the arrival of "hopefully" at the start of every sentence, the wholesale disappearance of the perfect tense, and the mutation of the meaning of "presently" from "soon" to "now". But few mind or even notice that their old "railway station" has become a "train station", the "car park" is turning into a "parking lot" and people now live "on", not "in", a street.
On the whole the Brits do not complain.
- on the whole: 总体上说
- Brits:英国人
Some may regret the passing of the "bullet-proof waistcoat" (in favour of the "bullet-proof vest"), the arrival of "hopefully" at the start of every sentence, the wholesale disappearance of the perfect tense, and the mutation of the meaning of "presently" from "soon" to "now".
- passing:n. process of going by 经过、逝去: the passing of time, the years 时间﹑ 年月的流逝
- bullet-proof:防弹的 | -proof: (in compounds 用以构成复合词) that can resist sth or protect against sth specified 抗...的; 防...的; 耐...的: leak-proof batteries 防漏电池 * Are these batteries leak-proof? 这些电池能防止漏电吗? * bullet-proof glass 防弹玻璃 * a sound-proof room 隔音的房间 * waterproof clothing 放水服、雨衣
- waistcoat:Chiefly British. A short, sleeveless, collarless garment worn especially over a shirt and often under a suit jacket; a vest. | bullet-proof waistcoat, bullet-proof vest: 防弹背心
- in favor of: support, approve, or agree something such as a plan, idea, or system 支持、偏向
- wholesale: (a) of, involving or engaged in wholesale as a method of trading 批发(的); 趸批出卖(的): We buy our supplies wholesale. 我们以批发交易方式进货. (b) (often derog 常作贬义) on a large scale 大规模(的): the wholesale slaughter of innocent people 大批屠杀无辜百姓. | 这里取第二个意思“大规模的”
- the perfect tense 完成时
- mutation:change; alteration 变化; 转变; 突变; 变异
- presently: NOTE ON USAGE 用法: When presently means “soon” it usually comes at the end of the sentence * presently作‘立即’解时通常位於句末: She'll be here presently. 她马上就来. When it means “after a short time” it sometimes comes at the beginning 作‘很短时间之後’解时有时位於句首: Presently I heard her leave the house. 不一会儿我就听到了她离开屋子的声音. Increasingly in British as well as US English it means “now” or “currently” and is placed with the verb 不仅在美式英语中, 而且在英式英语中也逐渐广泛用以指‘现在’或‘当前’, 位置紧靠动词: She's presently working on her PhD. 她目前在攻读哲学博士学位.
Others, however, are not so relaxed. Perhaps it is hardest for the French. Ever since the revolution in 1789, they have aspired to see their language achieve a sort of universal status, and by the end of the 19th century, with France established as a colonial power second only to Britain and its language accepted as the lingua franca of diplomacy, they seemed to be on their way to reaching their goal. As the 20th century drew on, however, and English continued to encroach, French was driven on to the defensive.
Ever since the revolution in 1789, they have aspired to see their language achieve a sort of universal status, and by the end of the 19th century, with France established as a colonial power second only to Britain and its language accepted as the lingua franca of diplomacy, they seemed to be on their way to reaching their goal.
- they have aspired中的they指的就是前一句中的the French 法国人
- aspire:~ after/to sth desire strongly to achieve sth; have ambition for sth 渴望成就某事物; 对某事物有雄心或野心: aspire after knowledge 渴求知识 * aspire to become an author 热望成为作家 * Aspiring musicians must practise many hours a day. 有抱负的音乐家每天要练习很多小时.
- a sort of sth (infml 口) vague, unexplained or unusual type of sth 说不清的﹑ 难以解释的或不寻常的某类事物: I had a sort of feeling he wouldn't come. 我隐约觉得他不会来.
- universal status:universal:普遍的、全世界的、共同的;status:地位 | 这里的universal status指的就是法国人希望法语成为世界通用的语言
- establish:用于被动式,表示确立、安顿、树立地位等:* She's now firmly established (in business) as an art dealer. 她已稳固地奠定了艺术品商的地位.
- colonial:of, relating to or possessing a colony(1a) or colonies 殖民地的; 占有殖民地的: France was once a colonial power. 法国一度是占有殖民地的强国. * Kenya was under (British) colonial rule for many years. 肯尼亚曾多年受(英国)殖民统治. | colonial power:殖民的强国
- second to ... 仅次于……位列第二
- and its language ...中的its指的是前面的France,its language就是法语
- lingua franca: 通用语;混合语;共通语
- diplomacy: 外交
- they seemed to be ... 中的they指的与本句开头的they相同,即法国人
- on one's way to ... 在去……的路上,在……的途中,在……的过程中
As the 20th century drew on, however, and English continued to encroach, French was driven on to the defensive.
- draw on:to come near in time 临近,到来 * As midnight drew on, the party became more boisterous. 快到半夜时,晚会更吵了。 * As time drew on, all stood in readiness. 时间来临时,所有的人都整装待发。
- encroach:go beyond what is right or natural or desirable; intrude 超出正当的﹑ 自然的或适当的程度; 侵入; 侵害: encroach on sb's property 侵占某人的财产 * encroach on the liberty of the individual 侵犯个人自由 * The sea is gradually encroaching (on the land), ie washing the land away. 海水渐渐浸蚀了陆地. | 这里指的是英语一直在蚕食、侵占法语的地位
- drive: 本意有驱赶的意思,被驱赶也就是被逼迫、迫不得已。|French was driven on the defensive 法语被迫采取防守。(即,在英语的蚕食下,法语原来的通用语地位的优势已经荡然无存,转为守势)
- on the defensive expecting to be attacked or criticized 进行防御; 采取守势: The team was thrown on(to) the defensive as their opponents rallied. 该队在对手重整旗鼓後, 被迫采取守势. * Talk about boy-friends always puts her on the defensive. 一谈到男朋友, 她总是戒心十足.
French-speakers are far from alone. A law went into effect in Poland last year obliging all companies selling or advertising foreign products to use Polish in their advertisements, labelling and instructions. Even Germany, now the preeminent economic and political power in Europe, feels it necessary to resist the spread of Denglisch.
French-speakers are far from alone.
- far from:远非、远远不是、完全不是 not at all
- 说法语的人不是一个人在战斗。(远不仅只有讲法语的人感受到的英语的侵蚀。)
A law went into effect in Poland last year obliging all companies selling or advertising foreign products to use Polish in their advertisements, labelling and instructions.
- go into effect 生效、实施
- oblige:compel or require (sb) by law, agreement or moral pressure to do sth (按法律﹑ 协议或道义)强迫或要求(某人)做某事物: The law obliges parents to send their children to school. 法律上要求父母送子女入学. * They were obliged to sell their house in order to pay their debts. 他们被迫卖房还债. * You are not obliged to answer these questions, but it would make our task easier. 这些问题并非非答不可, 但答问对我们大有助益.
- labelling:贴标签
- instruction:说明、指南
Even Germany, now the preeminent economic and political power in Europe, feels it necessary to resist the spread of Denglisch.
- preeminent:superior to or notable above all others; outstanding
- eonomic and political power: 经济和政治强国
- resist:抵抗、抵制
- spread:扩张、扩散、散布、传播
- Denglisch:deutsch: 德国的 | 这个单词明显是deutsch和english的合体,徳式英语
In India some people see English as an oppressive legacy of colonialism that should be exterminated. For the Indians, the pain felt at the encroachments of English may be tempered by the pleasure of seeing their own words enriching the invading tongue: Sir Henry Yule's 1886 dictionary, Hobson-Jobson, lists thousands of Anglo-Indian words and phrases. But for many peoples the triumph of English is the defeat, if not outright destruction, of their own language. Of the world's 6,000 or 7,000 languages, a couple go out of business each week.
In India some people see English as an oppressive legacy of colonialism that should be exterminated.
- see ... as ... 将……视为
- oppressive: 压迫的;沉重的;压制性的;难以忍受的
- legacy: (fig 比喻) thing passed to sb by predecessors or from earlier events, etc 先人或过去遗留下来的东西: the cultural legacy of the Renaissance 文艺复兴时期的文化遗产 * His weak chest was a legacy of a childhood illness. 他那瘦弱的胸脯是儿时患病的後遗症
- colonialism: 殖民主义
- exterminate:[Tn] destroy completely (a race or group of people or animals); wipe out 彻底毁灭(一种族﹑ 一群人或动物); 消灭; 根除; 灭绝: exterminate all the inhabitants of the village 灭绝村中所有的生灵 * exterminate rats to prevent the spread of disease 为防止疾病传播而灭鼠
For the Indians, the pain felt at the encroachments of English may be tempered by the pleasure of seeing their own words enriching the invading tongue: Sir Henry Yule's 1886 dictionary, Hobson-Jobson, lists thousands of Anglo-Indian words and phrases.
- encroachment:encroach的名词形式 蚕食、侵占
- temper: ~ sth (with/by sth): moderate or soften the effects of sth; mitigate sth 调和或减轻某事物的作用; 使某事缓和: temper justice with mercy, ie be merciful when punishing sb justly 法外施恩(惩罚某人时公正而仁慈).
- enrich: 使丰富
- invading tongue:侵略(入侵的)的语言
- Sir Henry Yule:亨利·玉尔爵士(简介看这里,1820-1889,當時全英最著名的東方學家)
- Hobson-Jobson:词典名称 《霍布森-乔布森》词典(介绍看这里)
- Anglo-Indian: 英印的
But for many peoples the triumph of English is the defeat, if not outright destruction, of their own language.
- But for many peoples the triumph of English is the defeat [of their own language], if not outright destruction of their own language.
- people: [C] (all the persons belonging to a) nation, race, tribe or community 民族; 种族; 部落; 人民: the English-speaking peoples 说英语的民族 * The Spartans were a warlike people. 斯巴达人是尚武的民族.
- 但是对很多人来说,英语的胜利就是他们本族语言的落败,如果说本族语言还没有被完全毁灭的话。
- triumph: [U] (joy or satisfaction at) being successful or victorious 成功或胜利(的喜悦或满足): shouts of triumph 胜利的欢呼声 * The winningteam returned home in triumph. 获胜的队奏凯而归.
- defeat:defeating or being defeated 击败; 失败: suffer defeat 遭到失败 * I never consider the possibility of defeat. 我从未考虑有失败的可能性.
- if not:perhaps; indicating possibility of being more remarkable (greater or better or sooner) than; "will yield 10% if not more"; "pretty if not actually beautiful"; "let's meet tonight if not sooner"
- outright:clearly and completely 完全彻底地: He won outright. 他赢得乾脆.
- destruction: destroying or being destroyed 破坏; 摧毁; 毁灭: the total destruction of a town by an earthquake 地震对一小镇之彻底毁坏.
Of the world's 6,000 or 7,000 languages, a couple go out of business each week.
- 在世界的六七千门语言中,每周都会有几个消亡。
- go out of business 歇业、停业、破产、倒闭
Yet the extinction of most languages is probably unstoppable. Television and radio, both blamed for homogenisation, may, paradoxically, prolong the life of some by narrow-casting in minority tongues. And though many languages may die, more people may also be able to speak several languages: multilingualism, a commonplace among the least educated peoples of Africa, is now the norm among Dutch, Scandinavians and, increasingly, almost everyone else. Native English-speakers, however, are becoming less competent at other languages: only nine students graduated in Arabic from universities in the United States last year, and the British are the most monoglot of all the peoples of the EU. Thus the triumph of English not only destroys the tongues of others; it also isolates native English-speakers from the literature, history and ideas of other peoples. It is, in short, a thoroughly dubious triumph. But then who's for Esperanto? Not the staff of The Economist, that's for sure.
Yet the extinction of most languages is probably unstoppable.
- yet: conj but at the same time; nevertheless 然而; 而; 但是: slow yet thorough 虽然慢但是彻底 * She trained hard all year yet still failed to reach her best form. 她全年艰苦训练, 然而仍未达到自己的最佳状态.
- extinction: action of making extinct; state of being extinct 灭绝; 绝种: We may live to see the extinction of the whale. 人类或许能亲眼见到鲸的灭绝. * a tribe threatened by/with extinction 受到绝种威胁的部落.
- unstoppable: (esp infml 尤作口语) that cannot be stopped or prevented 无法停止的; 不能防止的: The Tories in their third term will be unstoppable. 保守党势必接连第三届执政.
Television and radio, both blamed for homogenisation, may, paradoxically, prolong the life of some by narrow-casting in minority tongues.
- blame: ~ sb (for sth)/~ sth on sb consider or say that sb is responsible for sth done (badly or wrongly) or not done 责备; 责怪; 指责; 埋怨; 归咎於: I don't blame you, ie I think your action was justified. 我不怪你(我认为你做得有道理).
- homogenisation: the act of making something homogeneous or uniform in composition 均质化、均匀化 | homogenise: to change something so that its parts become similar or the same | 电视和广播,两者都被人诟病会引起均质化(因为电视和广播的普及面很广,那么很多人所接收的信息、语言、文化等都是电视和广播上那些同质的东西,例如,国内看美国大片,听欧美音乐的比比皆是,确实是会让文化变得趋同)
- paradoxical:If something is paradoxical, it involves two facts or qualities which seem to contradict each other. 自相矛盾的、悖论的
- prolong:make (sth) longer, esp in time; extend 延长(某事物)(尤指时间); 使延伸: drugs that help to prolong life 延年益寿的药物 * They prolonged their visit by a few days. 他们把访问时间延长了几天.
- prolong the life of some [languages]
- narrow-casting: 窄播,与broadcasting相对,表示的意思应该就是针对比较小的一部分受众而播放
- minority tongue:language spoken by minority groups 小语种
- 电视和广播都被人诟病会引起均质化,[然而]矛盾的是,[它们]通过用小语种针对小众人群播放节目,有可能会延长某些语种的寿命。
And though many languages may die, more people may also be able to speak several languages: multilingualism, a commonplace among the least educated peoples of Africa, is now the norm among Dutch, Scandinavians and, increasingly, almost everyone else.
- multilingual:using, speaking, or written in several different languages 多语的 | multilingualism:多语制、多语言、多语能力
- commonplace:event, topic, etc that is ordinary or usual (普通的或寻常的)事情﹑ 主题等: Air travel is a commonplace nowadays. 现在坐飞机是平常事. 老生常谈;司空见惯的事;普通的东西
- the least educated peoples of Africa 非洲那些最没受过教育的种族
- a commonplace among the least educated peoples of Africa是multilingualism的同位语
- the norm 可以看到与 a commonplace对应的,都是代表常见的事情,标准、正常现象
- Dutch: 荷兰人
- Scandinavian: 斯堪的纳维亚的(人)(即丹麦﹑ 挪威﹑ 瑞典﹑ 冰岛的)
Native English-speakers, however, are becoming less competent at other languages: only nine students graduated in Arabic from universities in the United States last year, and the British are the most monoglot of all the peoples of the EU.
- competent: ~ (as/at/in sth); ~ (to do sth) (of people) having the necessary ability, authority, skill, knowledge, etc (指人)有能力﹑ 权力﹑ 技能﹑ 知识等的; 能胜任的; 能干的: a highly competent driver 技术高超的司机 * competent at/in one's work 能胜任工作的 * He's not competent to look after young children. 他没有看小孩的本事.
- graduated in Arabic:毕业于阿拉伯语系/专业
- monoglot:A person who knows only one language
Thus the triumph of English not only destroys the tongues of others; it also isolates native English-speakers from the literature, history and ideas of other peoples.
- thus:as a result of this; accordingly 其结果是; 因此; 於是; 所以: He is the eldest son and thus heir to the title. 他是长子, 因此是头衔的继承人.
- isolate:~sb/sth (from sb/sth) put or keep sb/sth entirely apart from other people or things; separate sb/sth 使某人[某事物]与他人他事物完全隔离; 孤立某人[某事物]: isolate a problem, ie in order to deal with it separately 将一问题剔出(以便单独处理) * When a person has an infectious disease, he is usually isolated (from other people). 人患传染病时通常要(与他人)隔离. * Several villages have been isolated by heavy snowfalls. 下过大雪後有几个村子与外界隔绝了.
It is, in short, a thoroughly dubious triumph.
- in short:in a few words; briefly 总之; 简言之: Things couldn't be worse, financially: in short, we're bankrupt. 在财务方面已经糟得不能再糟了: 总之一句话, 我们破产了.
- thoroughly:completely * She sat feeling thoroughly miserable. * thoroughly cooked meat
- dubious:of which the value is doubtful; questionable 价值可疑的; 有问题的; 有争议的: a dubious compliment, ie a disguised insult 明褒实贬的恭维 * She had the dubious honour of being the last woman to be hanged in England. 她是英国最後一个受绞刑的女子, 这也算是有此殊荣吧.
- | 简言之,究竟是胜还是败,还真不好说。(言下之意,英语打败了其他语言,看上去是胜利了,但是其他民族学会了多种语言,接触到多元的文化,但是讲英语的人却只会一种语言,对于其他文化也都不太了解,所以这种胜利究竟是好是坏,还很难讲。)
But then who's for Esperanto?
- for:支持、拥护
- Esperanto:世界语(简介看这里)
Not the staff of The Economist, that's for sure.
- The Economist:《经济学人》(简介看这里)
- staff:员工、职工、职员
- that's for sure 那是肯定/一定的