美語訓練班第107課:白色聖誕節 環保產品
A: 歡迎大家來到這期的美語訓練班! 我是楊琳!
B: 我是Mike! 楊琳，來告訴大家今天都要學什麼!
A: 嗯! 今天，我們一起來看看美國人怎麼一起過白色聖誕，看看如何說時斷時續，還要帶你來看最流行的環保產品!
B: Christmas is my favorite holiday! There's great food, presents, and most importantly you get the chance to spend time with you family! Talking, watching TV, eating food and opening me that's what Christmas means -family time.
A: 沒錯! 好了同學們，我們等會再來討論聖誕的傳統，現在，我們趕快先來進入第一個單元....
B: Learn a word!
Learn A Word 1780 eco-friendly
今天我們要學的詞是eco-friendly. eco-friendly is spelled eco, e-c-o, friendly, f-r-i-e-n-d-l-y, friendly, eco-friendly. Eco-friendly 有利環保的。2011年的一項研究顯示，Forty seven percent of travelers will take eco-friendliness into consideration when booking a vacation. 百分之47的遊客在預定渡假地時，都會把旅遊區設施是否環保的因素考慮進去。如今，環保已經成爲一種時尚。除了節水，省電，廢物再循環使用外，Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to be eco-friendly. 自己種水果，蔬菜也是環保的好辦法。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 eco-friendly, eco-friendly, eco-friendly...
B: Being eco-friendly is important, and it can be fun too!
A: 沒錯! Remember Bike to Work day? People seemed to be having a lot of fun! 既保護了環境，還能減肥! Mike, you should seriously consider doing it more often....
B: e she is, I was wondering where the real Yanglin was least I can ride a bike! Unlike some people I know!
A: I swear I learned how to ride a bike when I was little! But I only rode on again, off again.. and the result is not that pretty. They say that once you know how to ride a bike you will never forget, I'm the walking proof that's a lie.
B: Wouldn't that be "riding proof"? (laughs) Ok mentioned an interesting term, "On again, off again" let's check it out in today's words and idioms!
Words and Idioms 847 ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN
美國習慣用語第 847 講
我昨天收到了大學室友寄來的一張生日賀卡，讓我感慨萬千。一眨眼，大學畢業已經20多年了，雖然我們一直保持聯繫，但是大家都在爲生活奔波，所以每年也只有逢年過節纔會互通信息。這倒讓我想起了我們今天要學的習慣用語，叫：
M: On again, off again. Again is spelled a-g-a-i-n. On-again, off again.
On again, off again 這個習慣用語的意思是斷斷續續的。就好象我畢業後跟大學室友的聯絡一樣，on again, off again. 時斷時續。下面例子裏的這個遠足愛好者打算退出自己的遠足俱樂部，讓我們聽聽他是怎麼想的。
M: "I'm thinking of dropping out of my hiking club. It's not that I don't like getting out and exploring some of the great trails in the area. But one month there might be an outing every week, then the next there's only one. I'd prefer a schedule of hikes that's not so ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN."
這個人說：我正在考慮是不是要退出遠足俱樂部，這樣做並不是因爲我不喜歡跟大家一起去遠足，探索這附近很多有意思的山間小道，但是有時候一個月每星期都有活動，下個月卻可能只有一次。我真希望，俱樂部的遠足活動不要這麼時斷時續。
這倒讓我想起了我妹妹的那些男朋友，也許是因爲她住在加州，那裏的男人更不願意安定下來吧，她每次交男朋友，都是幾個月的熱度，然後男方就會失去興趣，但又藕斷絲連，過一段時間又回來給她打電話，讓我妹妹十分苦惱。這種 ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN 時斷時續的交往方式並不適合她。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "I'm thinking of dropping out of my hiking club. It's not that I don't like getting out and exploring some of the great trails in the area. But one month there might be an outing every week, then the next there's only one. I'd prefer a schedule of hikes that's not so ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN."
顯然，連續性對很多事情來說都很重要。我們一起來聽聽下面這位居民的看法：
M: "The last neighborhood committee never got much done. Perhaps it was because of all the ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN meetings they had. But now, the new leaders get together regularly. As a result, they've been able to improve public safety, organize civic events and accomplished a lot that's made our area a nicer place to live."
這個人說：上一屆居民委員會什麼都沒幹，也許是因爲他們開會太少、太沒準日子了吧。新一屆負責人走馬上任後，定期開會，結果有效地改善了小區的公共安全，組織了各種活動，還做了很多其它事情，結果顯著改變了我們這片地區的居住環境。
這倒讓我想起了原來用的那家手機公司，信號特別不穩定，我每次開車出去買東西、辦事情，手機的信號總是時斷時續，絲毫沒有保障，這種情況持續了不到一個月，我就忍無可忍了，換成了現在的這家手機公司。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "The last neighborhood committee never got much done. Perhaps it was because of all the ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN meetings they had. But now, the new leaders get together regularly. As a result, they've been able to improve public safety, organize civic events and accomplished a lot that's made our area a nicer place to live."
大家猜猜看，這個習慣用語是怎麼來的？有些語言學家說， on again, off again 這個習慣用語最早是指那些並不嚴重的火車事故，因爲火車剛剛出現的時候，經常會脫離軌道，過一會兒又會自己重新回到軌道上去，因此就有了 on again, off again 的說法。
好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束了。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: My contact with my best friends from college is on again, off again. 但是每次我們一見面，都有說不完的話! I guess true friendships are like that, they aren't faded by time or distance.
B: That's true. My best friend is in Australia right now, and last year I visited him during Christmas! Man it was nice! It was Christmas but in the summer, we just sat on the beach and enjoyed summer drinks!
A: Oh yeah, In Australia Christmas is in the summer! That'iguing! Actually, as long as you are with people you care about, it would be a great Christmas holiday.
B: In today's business etiquette, we will go take a look at how American families celebrate Christmas! Let's check it out!
禮節美語 Christmas in America Part I
來自中國的僱員 Dana 跟同事 Charlie 聊天兒，說自己要去美國朋友家過聖誕節。
Dana: Hey Charlie, you're from Boston right?
C: Yeah, I'm from Newton. It's a suburb of Boston.
D: I'm going to be visiting your hometown for Christmas.
C: Really? Boston is beautiful at Christmas time. Maybe you'll get to experience a real white Christmas! Are you going there for business?
D: Actually, I was invited by an old friend of mine. He was an exchange student in Beijing in the 1980s. We've known each other for over 20 years now.
Dana 要到 Charlie 的 hometown 家鄉 Boston 去過聖誕節。波士頓是美國東北部的大城市，冬天經常下大雪，所以 Charlie 說，Maybe you'll get to experience a real white Christmas. 沒準你能體驗一下真正的白色聖誕節呢！Dana 說，自己不是去波士頓出差，not for business, 而是去看一個認識很久的老朋友。
C: I see. So you're going to hang out with your friend for the holidays?
D: Yes, but I'm a little nervous.
C: Why would you be nervous?
D: Because I'm going to be staying with his family. I've never experienced an American Christmas. What if I say or do the wrong thing?
C: e's nothing to worry about. Christmas is a time of goodwill. People are supposed to forget about any differences and be nice to each other. Usually every one is in a really good mood.
跟老朋友 hang out 一塊兒過節，爲什麼還會緊張呢？原來，Dana 擔心自己不瞭解過聖誕節的風俗，會說錯話，或是做錯事。Charlie 安慰她說，沒什麼可擔心的，因爲 Christmas is a time of goodwill. 聖誕節是展現友好的時候。大家一般心情都很愉快、平和。Usually everyone is in a really good mood.
D: So give me a basic rundown. What are the Christmas traditions?
C: Each family is different, but basically you just go with the flow. If your friend's family is religious they might go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
D: I've never attended a church service sounds interesting.
C: The singing and music can be quite beautiful, but many American families just hang around at home on Christmas talking, watching TV, eating food and opening presents.
Dana 讓 Charlie 給她簡單講講美國人過聖誕節都有哪些傳統，a basic rundown of the Christmas traditions. Rundown is spelled r-u-n-d-o-w-n, rundown, 意思是概要。Charlie 說，每個家庭都不一樣，教徒一般聖誕前夜或是聖誕節早上會去教堂，但是很多美國家庭就待在家裏，聊天、看電視、吃東西、拆禮物。他建議 Dana, Basically you just go with the flow. 客隨主便就對了。美國人過聖誕，還有哪些傳統呢？我們下星期繼續聽。
A: Dana請Charlie給她a basic rundown of the Christmas traditions, 簡介聖誕節的傳統。Charlie說，Christmas is a time of goodwill，是大家展現友好的時候，除了去教堂，就是家人在家團聚， basically you just go with the flow，客隨主便就對了。
B: True. I invited some of my Chinese friends to my parent's house for Christmas when I was in college. It was so much fun introducing them to all of my family's Christmas traditions!
A: Yeah...I think Christmas is the toughest time for me during the year, since I always miss my family so much!
B: , if you are up for it, you can join my family for Christmas this year!
A: That's so nice of you! 一言爲定! Let's keep listening to Charlie and learn more about Christmas traditions!
禮節美語 Christmas in America Part II
來自中國的僱員 Dana 跟同事 Charlie 聊天兒，說自己要去美國朋友家過聖誕節，請 Charlie 給她講講美國人過聖誕的習俗。
D: Would you say Christmas is the most popular American holiday?
C: Definitely. It's a really big deal. Most people don't work on that day, and if you ask someone to work you have to pay them a lot of overtime.
D: Should I bring presents for all of his family members?
C: That's probably not necessary because you're a guest. You could bring a small souvenir or something from China for them. But one tradition is to bring a nice bottle of wine.
聖誕節是美國的重要節日。Charlie 說，It's a really big deal. 意思是說聖誕節確實非常重要。大家都放假，讓人加班，得付很多加班費。you have to pay them a lot of overtime. overtime 是加班費的意思。去朋友家過聖誕節，要給每個人買禮物嗎？Charlie 認爲不用，只要帶個中國紀念品就行了。但是美國人去朋友家作客，有帶葡萄酒的傳統。
D: Is there a lot of drinking during Christmas?
C: It depends on the family, but I'd say most people probably do enjoy alcoholic drinks. Have you ever tried eggnog?
D: No, what's that?
C: It's an alcoholic drink that sort of tastes like egg custard. It's sweet and warm and perfect for the cold winter season.
D: Sounds delightful. What's the traditional menu?
Charlie 說，美國人過聖誕節，most people do enjoy alcoholic drinks, 大多數人都喜歡喝一杯，其中一種很普遍的酒精飲料叫 eggnog, eggnog is spelled e-g-g-n-o-g, eggnog, 味道甜甜的，溫溫的，適合天氣冷的時候喝。聖誕節有什麼傳統菜餚嗎？
C: Probably roast chicken. During Thanksgiving most people eat turkey. Actually, we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. When New Year comes around, everybody makes a resolution to lose weight!
D: Are there fireworks or any kind of public events?
C: Not really. Usually in the town center there's a huge Christmas tree. All the streets are lined with Christmas 's really quite pretty.
Charlie說，聖誕節很多家庭會吃烤雞。他還說，美國人過節總會吃很多東西，we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. 所以新年一到，大家都會立志減肥。Charlie 還說，美國人過聖誕節，一般不放煙火，但是市中心往往會有一棵特別高大的聖誕樹，街道兩邊也都是聖誕節的彩燈，充滿節日氣氛。美國是不是所有人都慶祝聖誕節呢？我們下星期繼續聽。
B: That's true! I always over eat at Christmas.
A: You sure you only overeat at Christmas? (B: you...) Kidding kidding! Yeah things are the same in China! 春節7天猛吃，春節後開始減肥!
B: That's the holiday spirit. Calories doesn't count on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
A: Exactly! All right, let's move on with our class. Let's listen to another learn a word!
Learn A Word 1782 virus
今天我們要學的詞是virus. Virus is spelled v-i-r-u-s, virus. Virus 病毒。The head of the WHO warned the world of a new virus named MERS-CoV, which is found in Saudi Arabia. 世界衛生組織負責人對一種在沙特阿拉伯發現的病毒向全世界提出警告，這種新病毒被命名爲MERS-CoV病毒。The WHO has yet to learned how the new virus spreads, making it difficult to prevent infections. 世界衛生組織尚未研究出這種新病毒的傳播方式，這就給預防傳染增加了難度。The WHO is calling on all nations of the world to pull together their resources to study and tackle this new virus. 世界衛生組織呼籲世界各國集合資源，共同研究征服這種新病毒。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 virus, virus, virus...
A: That's why I choose to use a Mac. Since there are so few viruses for Macs, I don't have to worry about my personal information getting stolen.
B: Identity theft is a big deal these days. You can't be overly careful when you use online banking.
A: Exactly, the Internet is so convenient because it has tons of information on tap. But at the same time, it makes us more vulnerable to hackers!
B: And you just mention the idiom for our next segment: On tap. Let's check it out!
Words and Idioms 848 ON TAP
美國習慣用語第 848 講
上個週末特別熱，我不得不把夏天的短褲和涼鞋全都找出來穿上。天氣預報說，這段時間會有一股暖氣流北上，所以會一直晴朗炎熱。這倒讓我想起了今天要學的習慣用語，叫：
M: On tap. Tap is spelled t-a-p. On-tap. On tap.
Tap 有水龍頭的意思。On tap 這個習慣用語的意思是可以隨時使用的。就像剛纔說的，上週末一直晴朗無雲，with lots of sunny weather ON TAP，我充分享受了戶外活動的樂趣，又收拾花園、又去釣魚、還跟朋友在公園裏野餐。下面例子裏一羣志願工作者爲了一項有意義的事業而走到了一起。讓我們一起聽聽他們做了些什麼。
M: "When members of our church suggested holding an amateur talent show to raise money for charity, many of us were skeptical. But we were soon overwhelmed by all the people who volunteered, from singers to musicians, magicians to ing at all the performers we now have ON TAP, we could put on two shows!"
這個人說：我們教會有教友建議，可以舉辦一次業餘才藝表演，爲慈善事業集資，當時很多人對此表示懷疑。誰知道，後來居然有很多人表示願意參加，包括歌唱家、音樂家、魔術師和雜耍藝人，讓我們應接不暇，現在已經有的這些表演者足以組織兩臺演出。
我妹妹住的地方不久前遭水災，附近很多人都趕去救災，there was no shortage of help ON TAP. 前來幫忙的人源源不斷，讓那個城鎮沒有蒙受嚴重的損失。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "When members of our church suggested holding an amateur talent show to raise money for charity, many of us were skeptical. But we were soon overwhelmed by all the people who volunteered, from singers to musicians, magicians to ing at all the performers we now have ON TAP, we could put on two shows!"
互聯網的發展，給我們的生活帶來了很多方便。比如說，下面例子裏的這個網站，就給當地圖書館的服務帶來了一場革命。我們一起來聽聽網站的設計師是怎麼說的。
M: "The website I created for my local library has been a great success. Finally, patrons are linked to a variety of services, can locate and reserve books and other resources, and learn about sponsored events. They appreciate having so much information ON TAP; it's all readily available with just a few clicks of the mouse."
這個設計師說：我替本地圖書館設計的這個網站獲得了巨大的成功。用戶們終於可以通過網站得到一系列的服務了，包括查找資料、預定圖書，等等，還可以瞭解圖書館舉辦的一些活動。能隨時得到這麼豐富的信息，讓他們非常滿意，只要點擊幾下鼠標，就能找到所有想要得到的信息了。
也許我表姐應該辦個網站。她雖然是一名很出色的藝術家，但卻沒有多少固定的客戶。She doesn't have many clients ON TAP. 我想，如果她通過互聯網的方式推銷自己，一定會有很大的幫助。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "The website I created for my local library has been a great success. Finally, patrons are linked to a variety of services, can locate and reserve books and other resources, and learn about sponsored events. They appreciate having so much information ON TAP; it's all readily available with just a few clicks of the mouse."
On tap 這個習慣用語最早是十九世紀中葉出現的，指某種飲料，比如說啤酒，可以隨時從酒桶裏倒出來。
凡是我們的忠實聽衆都知道，雖然我不能提前預告下次要教的習慣用語，但是大家不用擔心，We have plenty of words and idioms on tap. 我們有足夠多的習慣用語可以跟大家分享。
好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束了。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
B: Ugh, I wish my parents didn't have so much good food on tap during the holidays.
A: I'm sure they wish you wouldn't eat all their good food during the holidays..........
B: Wha??? Yanlin, you finally had the last laugh!
A: 當然! 好了同學們，這次節目時間就到這裏了。
B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
A: See you next time!
