美语训练班第73课

  • 美国之音

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美语训练班第73课


A: 欢迎大家来到这期的美语训练班! 我是杨琳!

B: 我是Mike! 杨琳,来告诉大家今天都要学什么?

A: 没问题! 今天,我们要带你去看看在美国看病有什么不同,聊聊怎么为工作面试做准备,还要告诉你怎么说精挑细选!

B: Yep. You were complaining about going to hospitals in China, but actually I think here is way worse. It's significantly more expensive, especially if you don't have insurance.

A: 可不是嘛! 有一回等我约到医生,病都好了! 不过这个咱们等会再讨论,现在我们先来进入第一个单元,Learn a Word!

Learn A Word - 1570 outsell

今天我们要学的词是 outsell. outsell is spelled o-u-t-s-e-l-l; outsell. Outsell 销量超过。“格雷的50道阴影”这套书热卖。The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy is outselling the seven Harry Potter books to become the best selling book series on Amazon.co.uk.“格雷的50道阴影”三部曲销量超过哈里.波特的七本书,成为英国亚马逊网站上销量最好的系列书籍。Outsell 的过去时是 outsold. 电子书ebook的销量继续呈上升趋势。Publishers are reporting that in 2011, e-book versions of novels aimed at adults outsold hard covers for the first time. 出版商说,2011年,成年人小说类书籍的电子版销量首次超过精装本销量。好的,今天我们学习的词是 outsell, outsell, outsell....

A: 说起outsell,最该提的就是iphone5了! iPhone 5 outsold all other smart phones! 我也特想要一部呢!

B: Yeah, Apple said it got 2 million pre-orders for the iPhone 5 in just 24 hours. That nearly doubles the sales record of the previous version!

A: 正好,你不是前两天在健身房马大哈把手机摔了吗? 你也去换个新的嘛!

B: Well as you know, I like to be unique. I don't want to use the same phone as everybody else. So I've been trying to ferret out which smart phone I should get by reading all the comments on tech web sites.

A: Oh you're so smart! 你刚才提到了一个很好的词儿 ferret out, 咱们来听听这个习惯用语的用法吧!

Words and Idioms-983

现在播送美国习惯用语第 983讲。我是杨琳。

M:我是Steve Baragona.

最近我想去剪个新发型。虽然发廊很多,但是因为刚来到这个新城市,对哪家发廊好一点都没有概念。幸好有互联网,只要到特定的网站去搜索一下,哪些发型师的评价好就一目了然了。在美语里,我们可以用一个习惯用语来形容这种情形:

M: Ferret out. Ferret is spelled f-e-r-r-e-t. Ferret-out.

Ferret 作为动词,意思是搜寻,寻找。Ferret out 作为一个词组,是通过全面查找而搜寻出来的意思。在上面的例子里,通过网上的顾客评论: I can FERRET OUT the poor service providers from the good ones. 我能很容易找到好的和差的服务。在下面的例子里,一名男子坚持要参加训练最严酷的特种部队,我们来听听他爸爸是怎么说的:

M: "I support my son wanting to enlist in the military. But he's determined to join one of the toughest units in the world. Their basic training involves physical, mental and emotional challenges that nearly impossible to endure. They FERRET OUT the weaker candidates within days."

这段话是说:[我支持儿子想去参军的打算。但是他坚决要参加世界上训练最严酷的军种之一。他们的基本训练包括对体能,精神和情绪的极限挑战。他们在几天内就能把不够强壮的候选人淘汰掉。]

这人说的一定是那些在泥里爬,冰水里游泳,然后每天只睡四个小时的特种部队。我真不明白人类怎么能忍受这些。我记得,原来我去参加一个钢琴比赛的选拔,The judges quickly FERRETED OUT everyone but the most exceptional talents. 评委们很快就挑选出了最杰出的人才。好了,让我们再来听听刚才那段话:

M: "I support my son wanting to enlist in the military. But he's determined to join one of the toughest units in the world. Their basic training involves physical, mental and emotional challenges that nearly impossible to endure. They FERRET OUT the weaker candidates within days."

在工作中,大家都讨厌那种干活拖拉,或者光拿钱不干事的人。在下面例子里,一间工厂就发生了这种事。让我们来听听他们的发言人是怎么说的:

M: "It was announced that some workers got paid overtime that they hadn't worked. The accounting department is reviewing all recent records. They're FERRENTING OUT any fraud. The employees responsible can expect to be punished."

[这段话是说:据称有些工人没加班就擅自领取加班费。现在会计部门正在审核所有纪录。他们将撤查任何舞弊行为。那些应当对此负责的人将受到惩罚。]

干了缺德事,总是会被发现的。我记得原来大学在一间旅游公司实习,人们发现一些导游强行多收了游客的钱。It didn't take long for the boss to FERRET OUT abuses and fire those employees. 老板没过多久就发现了这种行为,炒了那些导游的鱿鱼。好的,让我们再来听听刚才那段话:

M: "It was announced that some workers got paid overtime that they hadn't worked. The accounting department is reviewing all recent records. They're FERRENTING OUT any fraud. The employees responsible can expect to be punished."

今天我们学习的习惯用语是ferret out, 意思是“搜寻出来,查找出来”。好的,这次[美国习惯用语]就到此结束,我是杨琳,我是Dan Markus。谢谢各位的收听。

B: Speaking of ferret out, one of the reasons medical care is so costly in America is because medical school is so hard and expensive. It's extremely hard to get in, and they are constantly trying to ferret out the weaker candidates during the four years of study.

A: 这样才能保证最后出来的医生都是最优秀的呀! 不过我觉得美国呢,尖端医学确实特别发达,可是普通人要去看病可太贵啦!

B: For sure. The worst part is that even with insurance sometimes the cost of medical care can be in the thousands.

A: 就是! 记得吗,上回Helen也不想看医生,可病一点没好,所以这回不得不去了。咱们跟着她去看看美国医生有什么高招!
B: Let's listen!

Health: Intermediate

大家好!今天我们为您播出“美语三级跳”节目“医药”单元的中级课程。

Helen因为头疼和胃疼到药店买了一些药,可是不管用。所以她今天约了医生看病.

Professor: That's right, Winnie. In this first part, Helen is describing her symptoms to the doctor. Let's listen.

Helen: I hope you can help me doctor. I really haven't been feeling well the past few days.

Doctor: I see. Can you describe your symptoms for me?

Helen: I've had a persistent pain in my stomach, and I've been getting really bad headaches too.

Doctor: Can you describe the stomach pain? Is it a dull pain or a sharp pain?

Helen: It's mostly a dull pain. No matter what I do, nothing seems to make it go away.

Professor, Helen说她的头疼和胃疼都是persistent是什么意思?

Professor: You can call a symptom persistent if it won't go away. For example, "I get a persistent headache every afternoon as soon as my children come home from school."

哦,persistent pain就是持续的疼痛。

Professor: Exactly. And do you know what sharp and dull pains are?

我知道,dull pain就是隐隐作痛,而sharp pain是剧烈疼痛。

Doctor: Do you have a history of these kinds of symptoms?

Helen: Well I've had stomach aches and headaches before, but never this serious and for so long.

Doctor: Right. How long have you been feeling ill? Is it every day?

Helen: It's been on-and-off for a few months. I've tried taking aspirin to lessen the pain, but it doesn't help.

Professor: So Winnie, how long has Helen had these symptoms?

她说已经疼了几个月了,不过,她说这些症状是on-an-off,这是什么意思呢?

Professor: That means that sometimes she has them, and sometimes she doesn't.

哦,on-and-off 就是说有时候疼,有时候不疼,时好时坏。

Professor: Right. You can use this phrase for other things too. For example, "Chris and Tammy keep breaking up, but then getting back together. Their relationship has been on-and-off for the past year."

哦,形容恋人的关系是on-and-off,就是说他们总是分分合合。Professor, 医生还问Helen是不是有a history of these symptoms,这就是问她是不是有这个病史,是不是老毛病吧?

Professor: Right again! The doctor might also ask if you have a "family history" of a disease, meaning that other people in your family have had the same thing.

Family history of a disease? 也就是家族病史。

Doctor: I'm not sure what the problem is. I need to do some tests before I can diagnose you.

Helen: How long will that take?

Doctor: It will take about a week for the test results to come back. Until then, I can give you some pain killers to help alleviate the pain.

Helen: Thanks doctor. I think that would be really helpful.

看来,医生一时也不能判断Helen到底有什么病,所以要 do some tests 做一些化验,看看结果再说。

Professor: Yes, Winnie. And what does the doctor say he will do to help Helen alleviate the pain while they are waiting for the test results?

医生说先给Helen开一些pain killers--止痛药,希望这样能alleviate--缓解她的疼痛。

Doctor: I have just one last question. Have there been any big changes in your life that have affected your mental health?

Helen: Actually, my dog died a couple of weeks ago, and I've been really sad about it.

Doctor: You know, sometimes when you are under a lot of mental stress, it can cause physical health problems. Have you thought about talking to a therapist?

Helen: No, I haven't. Do you think that would help?

Doctor: It might. You should think about it.

原来,Helen的狗几个星期前死了,医生说,心理压力也可能引起身体不适,所以建议Helen去看看therapist--治疗师。

Professor: That's right. Usually when Americans mention "therapist", they refer to someone who you talk to about your mental health, but a "physical therapist" is someone who helps people recover from physical injuries.

哦,therapist一般指心理治疗师, “physical therapist”,就是物理治疗师了。Professor, 你说Helen会去看therapist么?

Professor: Let's listen next time to find out!

A: 医生问Helen身体有什么不适,她说她一直have a dull pain in her stomach, 肚子隐隐作痛,而且几个月来一直on and off, 时好时坏。医生问她有没有 a history of these symptoms, 家族病史。了解到没有之后,医生说得做些检察,先给了Helen一些止痛药来 alleviate the pain, 减轻疼痛。

B: Yeah, she also mentioned that she's under a lot of mental stress. I guess that also contributed.

A:我也是这么觉得,在美国要是生了病我可懒得去看医生,还得预约,太麻烦了!

B: Not necessarily, a lot of cities have special clinics call "Urgent Care Centers" where you can just walk in and see a doctor. No one wants to get sick, especially when you have something important to do. I remember once I got really sick before an important interview, and it nearly killed me! I was too dizzy to follow what the interviewer was saying!

A: 啊? 要是我肯定就先取消了嘛!

B: Well, sometimes you get sick suddenly and there is no time to cancel or maybe the interview is extremely important and you can't cancel.

A: 也对也对! 在今天的Business Etiquette里, David得到了他一直梦寐以求的面试机会,咱们去看看他是怎么准备的!

礼节美语-Prepare for Job Interview-part I

MC: David 兴高彩烈地来找 Peter。让我们听听他有什么好消息。

David: Peter! Have I got news for you!

Peter: Wow, Dave...I've never seen you so excited. What's the occasion?

D: Ok...you've known me for years, right?

P: Uh huh.

D: What's the one job I've been dreaming of having my whole life?

P: You've always wanted to work as a writer for PLAYERS Magazine.

David 说,Have I got news for you! 在这里不是问句,而是要加强语气,意思是我有事要告诉你!So What's the occasion? 是什么重大消息呢?Peter 故意卖关子,暗示 David ,跟他多年来的理想有关,那就是给 Players 杂志撰稿。

D: That's right!! And I landed a job interview with them!!! I go in to meet the boss next Tuesday!!

P: Wow, man! I'm so happy for you! Good for you!

D: But, truth be told...I'm terrified of the interview. How can I ace it?

David 喜出望外地告诉 Peter, I landed a job interview with them. 他得到了面试的机会。Land, l-a-n-d, 在这里是动词,意思是得到。但是 David 承认,truth be told,说实话,他很怕,所以让 Peter 给他出主意,怎样才能 ace it. Ace it 是一种很口语化的说法,意思是得满分,一举拿下这次面试。

P: Awww, everyone is terrified of job interviews, but there are some things you can do to help prepare.

D: Such as?

P: Well, for starters, you should do as much research as possible on PLAYERS Magazine.

D: Yeah...I'll need to review some of their older issues and brush up on the magazine's history. I need to know that company inside and out!

P: That's right. Bosses like the guy who does his homework.

如何为面试做准备?Peter 说,for starters, 首先,要对 Players 杂志有一个彻底的了解。David 说,他准备回去 brush up on the magazine's history. 重温一下这份杂志的历史,brush up on something 的意思是温故知新. David 还说,I need to know that company inside and out. 意思是把这家杂志从里到外了解个底儿透。Peter 表示赞成,因为 bosses like the guy who does his homework. 老板都喜欢认真的人。do one's homework 做好功课,就是事先做好准备工作的意思。

D: I was thinking about asking you to play the role of the interviewer so I can rehearse my performance. I've already done it front of a mirror like a hundred times.

P: (chuckle) Sure...I'll play the boss. But you know...you're going to have to fight to stay calm. It doesn't look good if you go into the interview too hyper. You gotta look calm and in control.

David 让 Peter 扮演面试考官,play the role of the interviewer, 帮他模拟面试,so I can rehearse my performance. Rehearse, r-e-h-e-a-r-s-e, 是彩排的意思。Peter 建议 David 不能过于激动 too hyper, h-y-p-e-r, hyper 是高度兴奋的意思。You gotta look calm and in control. 要显得镇定自若。

A: David得到了梦寐以求的面试机会,他决定好好准备,brush up on the magazine's history, 熟悉杂志的历史,know the company inside and out, 透彻了解这家公司。Peter 说去面试的时候不能hyphy hyh hyper,过于兴奋,要 look calm and in control, 镇定自若。

B: Those are all good tips. I think preparation is key. If you are fully prepared, you will have more confidence, and it will show through your gestures and words.

A: Yep. 而且我觉得穿着和举止也特别重要! 一定得穿自己最舒服最自信的衣服,一走进去就让面试官感觉到你的自信!

B: Yep, it's better to be over-dress than under-dress! Let's continue to listen and see what kind of advice that Peter has for David!
B:


礼节美语-Prepare for Job Interview-part II

David 要去面试,他准备穿什么呢?我们一起听听他跟好朋友 Peter 的对话。

D: I'm going to get there early and make sure I have my best outfit all washed and ironed way ahead of time. If I wait for the last minute, I know I'll panic!

P: Yeah, preparation is key. Remember to call the interviewer by their name. People like to hear their name spoken out loud. But don't over-do it. Ok...so what are you planning on wearing next Tuesday?

D: Well, I want to look good, but I don't want to look too stuffy. I was thinking about nice jeans and a sports coat.

David 准备提前到达面试地点,早早把要穿的衣服洗好、熨好。way ahead of time 意思是早早的。If I wait for the last minute, 如果等到最后一分钟的话,就会 panic, p-a-n-i-c, 意思是感到慌乱。Peter 提醒 David 要称呼面试官的名字,但是 don't over-do it. 不要做得太过头。David 说,他不想显得乏味,古板,too stuffy, s-t-u-f-f-y, 所以想穿牛仔裤和休闲西装上衣去面试。

P: Ummm...I'd recommend erring on the conservative side when it comes to clothes. I read somewhere that 55% of another person's perception of you is based on how you look. I'd say go with a suit and tie.

D: 55% huh? Then I guess it's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.

P: Yeah. I'd say a dark suit with a conservative tie.

Peter 建议 David 选择相对正式的西装和领带。to err on the conservative side, 意思是宁可保守一点,因为别人对你的印象有百分之55都是根据你的外表得出的。It's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. 宁可穿得过于正式 over-dressed,也不要穿得过于随便 under-dressed。

P: But the one main thing that I can't stress enough is confidence. Look the person in the eye. If you need a clarification on something, speak up and ask...but don't turn into a blabbermouth.

D: Do you think I should tell him how terrible it is working at Shimomatsu Publishing? I bet he'd get a kick out of that!

Peter 强调说,要 look the person in the eye 看着对方的眼睛。有什么问题尽管问,但不要喋喋不休 don't turn into a blabbermouth. B-l-a-b-b-e-r-m-o-u-t-h 是多嘴多舌的意思。David 想告诉面试官自己对现在的工作不满意。I bet he'd get a kick out of that. 我想他听了一定很高兴。

P: Actually, when I interview people, I hate it when they badmouth previous employers. I think it's bad form and I also think "Is this what you're going to do to me one day?"

D: Good point. Peter, you are a true friend and I value your input.

P: Call me right after the interview and tell me how it went, OK?

D: Absolutely.

Peter 觉得,最好不要 badmouth previous employers 说以前老板的坏话, badmouth 是说别人坏话的意思,因为 it's bad form 这是一种粗鲁的表现,form 在这里是举止行为的意思。

A: 听到没有,绝对不能说老板或者同事的坏话! So you need to stop being mean to me!

B: I'm not being mean, I'm just being honest...

A: There will be some serious consequences for your action mister! You just wait and see!

B: HA! ok, I'll be waiting right here.

A: a切! 好了同学们,这次节目时间就到这里了。