6
1.3 Summary Once, at a dinner, my mother whispered to me confidentially: “Sau-sau pretends too hard to be a polite __________! Why bother with such nominal ___________? In the end, she always takes everything.” My mother no longer patient with old taboos and courtesies.
I read an article in The New York Times Magazine, where the author mentioned that the interwoven _______________ of Chinese language and culture renders its speech indirect and polite. Chinese people are so “_________ and modest”, that there aren’t even words for “yes” and “no”.
If I consider my upbringing carefully, I find there was nothing discreet about the Chinese language I grew up with, no ____________ for the sake of politeness. Having listened to both Chinese and English, I’m ______________ comparisons between the two languages, as I notice the reciprocal challenges they each present. Even more dangerous is the temptation to view the _____ between different languages and behavior in translation. There is no one word for “yes” or “no”, but not _________________ to be discreet. ____________, I would say the Chinese equivalent of answering “yes” or “no” is specific to what is asked.
Keys: recipient, courtesy, configuration, discreet, censorship, suspicious of, gulf, out of necessity, If anything.
2. Language Focus: 2.1 Practical Phrases
1). be attached to: 与……有联系
举例: 不要担心，因为这仅是意外，学生不应该受到指责。
译文：Don’t worry because it was an accident and no blame is attached to students.
2). on the side: 作为副业；作为兼职
举例: 她的丈夫是个医生，业余时间做些雕塑。
译文: Her husband is a doctor who makes sculptures on the side.
3). get / come to the point: 切入主题
举例: 我们时间不多，所以我就直入主题吧。
译文: We don’t have much time, so I’ll come straight to the point.
4). hedge … in with / by …：以……限制某人（的自由、机会等）； 包围；围住 举例: 很明显，政客们通常受到本身利益的制约。
译文: It is clear that politicians are often hedged in with their own interests.
5). be representative of: 有代表性的；代表……的
举例: 这些短篇小说代表了20世纪具有主导性的文学主题。
译文: These short stories are representative of the dominant literary themes of the 20th century.
6). if anything: 如果有什么不同；甚至正相反；甚至还不如说
7
举例: 小明看上去对输掉比赛并不是太失望。相反，他好像因为比赛都已结束而感到如释重负。
译文: Xiao Ming didn’t seem too disappointed at losing. If anything, he seemed relieved that it was all over.
2.2 Functional Patterns
1). 原文：Why bother with such nominal courtesy? 译文：何必费劲讲究形式上的客套呢？ 功能：用于含蓄地表达观点。 句型：why + v. / n. / prep. phrase
举例：你可以在电脑上看电视节目，何必费劲买个电视机呢？
译文：You can watch TV programs on the computer, so why a television?
2). 原文：If I consider my upbringing carefully, I find there was nothing discreet about the Chinese language I grew up with.
译文：仔细想想自己的成长过程，我发现，我从小到大所接触到的中文并不是什么特别谨慎的语言。
功能：用于表达“通过个人经历而形成的对某人/事的正确认识”。
句型：If I consider my upbringing carefully, I find there was nothing discreet / difficult about sth. / sb. I grew up with….
举例：仔细想想自己的成长过程，我发现，我从小到大所接触到的英文并不是什么特别难的语言。
译文：If I consider my upbringing carefully, I find there was nothing difficult about the English language I grew up with.
3). 原文：At this junction, I do agree in part with The New York Times Magazine article.
译文：在这一点上，我的确在某种程度上同意《纽约时报杂志》的那篇文章。 句型：At this junction, I do agree in part with sth. 功能：用于表达“部分认同”。
举例：在这一点上，我的确在某种程度上同意女孩要富养的理念。
译文：At this junction, I do agree in part with the idea that daughters should be raised in richness and happiness.
3. Language Application: Essay Writing:
Write a narrative with direct dialog
A narrative essay tells a story. Important elements that make up a story include a setting (the location), a theme (the basic idea), a mood (the feeling or atmosphere), characters (people), and a plot (the sequence of events). One way to present these elements is to use dialog. A good narrative essay often employs vivid dialog, through which it can bring characters to life and effectively arouse readers’ emotional responses.
When writing direct dialog, we should follow the standard conventions of punctuation and formatting. The basic principles are as follows:
8
1. Use quotation marks to indicate the exact words spoken by characters. 2. Begin a new paragraph whenever the speaker changes.
3. Make sure readers always know who is speaking. Dialog tags (e.g. “He said”) are sometimes used to identify the speaker.
4. Use correct punctuation marks and capitalization.
Example:
“Clean up your room,” Mother said, “or you’re not going to the movie!” Jim shouted, “That’s not fair! It’s Ben’s room too!”
“Ben will be home later to take care of his half. Now, are you going to get started?” Mother scolded.
“I guess so,” muttered Jim. “Why doesn’t Ben ever have to do anything around here?” “He does plenty,” Mother said.
Jim said, “I never see him do much of anything but study.” “Well,” answered Mother, “you’re never around very much.”
写作练习
Directions: Write a narrative essay of no less than 200 words on one of the following topics. Your essay should include one or more direct dialogs. One topic has an outline that you can follow.
Part III Reflection
1. Critical Thinking: 1.1 Questions
1) Do you know of any stereotype of a foreign country, its people, or its language? Have you
ever met anyone who either fits or contradicts this image, and in what way? Tips: ?Yes.
French people are romantic, and the French language is beautiful; Italians are fashionable, and Italy has the best cuisine in the world. I have watched many movies in which French people are indeed romantic, although I have never met any French in person. A common scene in the movies is that a French man gives flowers to his girlfriend or wife, or two persons meet by chance and fall in love quickly. ? No.
I think people in different countries or cultures of the world have more similarities than
9
differences. For instance, we all consider such values as honesty, diligence and patriotism important qualities of being a good man or a good citizen. Hence, I think there are no essential differences between peoples or cultures, and I don’t have any stereotype of any foreign country, its people, or its language.
2) If you are going to live in a foreign country for a number of years, what would you prefer to do: to adapt your behavior and manners to the culture of that country, or to stick to the norms of your own culture? Tips:
? I will try to adapt my habits to local norms. For example, I will follow their rules of dining, body language and gift giving.
? I would prefer to maintain Chinese traditions. Modern people value cultural diversity, so, I think people of the foreign country I live in will respect my choice.
2.2 Watch & discuss
Watch a video clip and discuss the following question: What would you suggest as good ways for people to avoid misunderstandings of foreign cultures? Tips:
? Look for information about those cultures;
? Visit foreign countries, which will enable us to experience their cultures in person and understand them better;
? Make friends with foreigners who are traveling or are living in our country; Communicating with them in daily life will help us know their customs.
2. Review:
10