美語訓練班第104課:如何把生意外包到國外
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，我們要一起來聊聊如何把生意外包到國外，看看怎麼表達給一個地方注入新鮮血液，還要告訴你如何表達名譽掃地!
B: A lot of companies are outsourcing part of their operations to other countries these days.
A: I know! The other day I called my phone company and the operator had a slight accent. We chatted a bit and she told me she's working in Nairobi! I would have never guessed that a woman in Africa would be answering my questions about my phone in America!
B: Yep, the world just keeps getting smaller and smaller! Well, we will talk more about globalization later in the show. For now let's go ahead with our first segment:
A: Learn a word!
Learn A Word 1761 middle-aged
今天我們要學的詞是 middle-aged. middle-aged is spelled m-i-d-d-l-e, middle, and aged, a-g-e-d, aged, middle-aged. Middle-aged 中年的。美國政府的最新報告顯示，The suicide rates for middle-aged Americans climbed to a startling 28 percent in just a decade. 過去十年裏，美國中年人的自殺率驚人地上漲了28%。英國的一項研究發現，The biggest new adopters of social media in the UK are not teens, but their middle-aged parents. 在英國，新近開始使用社交媒體的最大的人羣不是十幾歲的青少年，而是他們的中年父母。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 middle-aged, middle-aged, middle-aged...
A: 父母爲了解孩子的生活，開始學習使用社交媒體。這真沒錯! 我媽媽現在打字打得特別快，就是爲了跟我在g-chat上聊天!
B: Yeah, most parents will do anything to keep up with their kids. But I personally would think twice before adding my parents on ...
A: 哈哈，I can see why you might want to censor the information that they get! (hey!) I'm so grateful that my parents are respectful to me, they never invade my privacy.
B: We are both lucky that we have great parents. My cousin isn't that lucky though. His dad always tried to sneak a peek into his journal when he was a teenager. He pretty much stopped trusting his dad once he found out!
A:I'm sure his dad was only trying to better understand his son, but a journal is a very private thing! Once you lose someone's trust, your name is mud with them.
B: Well said Yanglin! You also mentioned a very interesting idiom, your name is mud! Let's check out today's words and idioms!
Words and Idioms 841 ONE'S NAME IS MUD
美國習慣用語第841講
手機鈴聲
一定是我老公打電話來賠禮道歉，不接！今天是我們結婚十週年紀念日，我早上試探他，問他今天有什麼安排，他居然象沒事兒人一樣，好象根本就忘了結婚紀念日這回事，簡直氣死我了。我決定，今天就來教一個形容他目前處境的習慣用語，叫：
M: One's name is mud. Mud is spelled m-u-d. One's-name-is-mud.
在中文裏，name 是名字；mud 是泥巴。說一個人 His name is mud 可不是說他的名字叫泥巴，而是說此人失去信譽，名聲掃地。要讓我說，My husband's name is mud. 在我心目中，他的地位急劇下跌。下面例子裏的一位模範市民最近也遇到了麻煩。讓我們聽一聽。
M: "I really admired the charity work of my neighbor. For years, she had raised lots of money to help provide food and shelter for homeless people in the community. But now a criminal investigation has found her guilty of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors. These days HER NAME IS MUD. She should go to jail!"
這個人說：我的鄰居熱衷慈善事業，一直讓我十分欽佩。多年來，她籌集資金，爲社區裏無家可歸的人提供食物和住所，但如今，一起刑事案件的調查結果發現，她把募捐來的數萬美元都據爲了已有。現在她算是名聲掃地了。她真應該進監獄！
這就叫知人知面不知心。就在不久前，我還在報紙上讀到，一家著名的能源公司欺詐自己的顧客；更惡劣的是，這家公司還誤導自己的員工，讓他們把退休儲蓄都投資了公司股票，結果變得一文不值了。Today its name is mud. 這家公司現在已經名聲掃地了。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "I really admired the charity work of my neighbor. For years, she had raised lots of money to help provide food and shelter for homeless people in the community. But now a criminal investigation has found her guilty of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors. These days HER NAME IS MUD. She should go to jail!"
最近有一個牧師，挪用了教會數百萬美元的資產，過花天酒地的生活。很顯然，His name is mud. 在下面這個例子裏，一位父親顯然十分重視自己在孩子們心目中的形象。讓我們一起聽聽他是怎麼說的。
M: "The kids have been asking again when we're going to Disneyland. I realize I did promise them last summer that I'd take them. I'd better start making plans. If they don't get to go, MY NAME WILL BE MUD. I just can't disappoint them."
這個人說：孩子們最近又問我，什麼時候帶他們到迪斯尼去。我這纔想起，去年夏天曾經答應過他們。我最好馬上開始計劃，如果不帶他們去的話，我就會完全損失信譽，我可不能讓孩子失望。
One's name is mud. 這個習慣用語的出處有好幾種說法。有人說，確實曾經有個醫生姓 MUDD, M-U-D-D，此人因爲幫助刺殺林肯總統的兇手正骨，被叛同謀罪，因此名聲掃地。這種說法聽上去好象很有道理，但其實，one's name is mud 這個習慣用語在林肯時代以前就出現了。經考證，MUD 這個字是十八世紀初期的一個俚語，意思是“傻瓜”。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "The kids have been asking again when we're going to Disneyland. I realize I did promise them last summer that I'd take them. I'd better start making plans. If they don't get to go, MY NAME WILL BE MUD. I just can't disappoint them."
這是怎麼回事？剛剛有人把一束鮮花送進演播室，上面還有一個卡片。卡片上寫着：“親愛的，我要在結婚十週年這個特殊的日子給你一個驚喜。做完節目馬上下樓，我們要直奔機場，帶你去一個浪漫的地方。 ”Huh....我怎麼好象是搬起了石頭砸自己的腳，剛纔我說我先生的壞話都不算數，It looks like MY name is mud.
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: Yeah, everything is about reputation. You never want to do anything to damage it.
B: Exactly. Especially now with the Internet, anyone can write a review or comment for the whole world to see. Once your name is mud, it's definitely going to hurt your business.
A: True, true. In today's business etiquette, 公司總裁Dave就要和公司成員來挑選哪家公司值得業務外包，let's listen.
禮節美語OutsourcingPart I
公司執行總裁 Dave 召集董事會成員Helen和 Pete開會，討論業務外包和公司重組。
Dave: I've called this meeting to discuss a very important decision we need to make. In the interest of cost saving, it's been suggested that we outsource some of our operations.
Helen: I have a lot of concerns about this idea. What exactly are we talking about, here?
D: Well in my view there are benefits to outsourcing for both our company and for our customers. In our case, the cost savings are impressive. And from the customers' perspective, outsourcing means we can expand services at no additional cost to them.
執行總裁 Dave說，開會是要討論爲節省開支、將部分業務外包的問題，to outsource some of our operations. Helen 表示有顧慮。Dave 解釋說，外包對公司和客戶都有利，既可以爲公司省錢，也可以增加客戶服務 at no additional cost 而不必增加任何成本。
Pete: Can you give us an example of exactly which divisions you'd outsource?
D: I'd say accounting is a good place to start. It would mean that we would axe around 100 jobs but we'd be able to save up to a quarter million dollars a year.
H: Where are you thinking of moving the accounting department to?
D: We have a great offer from an Indian company. They handle a lot of big clients and have a solid reputation.
Pete希望瞭解外包的業務範圍。Dave表示，可以從財務開始，Accounting is a good place to start. 這就意味着 to axe 裁員100人，但是每年可以節省25萬美元。他們看中了一家印度公司。They handle a lot of big clients and have a solid reputation. 很多大公司都找他們，信譽很不錯。
P: Should we consider outsourcing customer relations? Many corporations are using Indian call centers, right?
D: has become a trend. But in our case, I'd recommend we do not switch to a call service overseas because many companies have experienced difficulties with accents and culture. It's created a backlash that I'd like to avoid.
H: But we could move our email customer service center overseas.
D: Yes, absolutely. We can also consider moving the development and managing of our web site to a firm in China. They have a great track record and their prices are very competitive.
Pete 提出，很多公司都把客戶服務 customer relations 外包給印度呼叫中心。Dave 承認，that has become a trend. 這已經成了一種潮流，但是因爲口音和文化的關係，出現了 backlash 負面的反彈，所以不準備把客戶服務外包到海外去。Helen提議把電子郵件服務外包出去。Dave 同意，並表示，考慮把網站的開發和管理外包給一家中國公司，they have a great track record and their prices are very competitive. 因爲他們的業績一貫不錯，價格也很有競爭力。
A: 公司總裁Dave表示，希望outsource some of the operations, 外包一些業務，以減輕公司負擔。他們希望從財務開始，axe about 100 jobs, 裁員100人，把業務外包到海外。這需要看海外公司是否有 a solid reputation, 好的信譽，competitive prices, 價錢也要便宜。
B: Yeah, outsourcing is very common these days.
A: 沒錯! 但是把業務外包，就意味着公司裁員，這會不會導致員工的不滿呢?
B: Let's keep listening.
禮節美語OutsourcingPart II
公司執行總裁 Dave 召集董事會成員 Helen和 Pete開會，討論業務外包和公司重組。
H: I guess one of the biggest questions here is how the general public might perceive these moves. Will we face a backlash for cutting some local jobs and moving some operations abroad?
P: Yes, it's entirely possible that we will get some negative press over this decision. We will need to do some damage control and try to explain as best as possible the reasoning behind our decision.
D: I'll have a chat with our public relations people and brief them on how to respond to media inquires.
Helen 擔心公司業務外包，裁減員工，會引起社會反響 face a backlash。Pete也表示，媒體很可能會有負面報道 negative press, 因此要儘量控制不良影響 do some damage control。執行總裁 Dave表示，會和公關部門討論，告訴他們如何回答媒體的問詢。
P: The logic is pretty simple; either we make some needed cuts or the company risks going under and even more jobs will be lost.
D: We also want to be responsible players here. Let's offer job counseling and let's be reasonably generous with severance packages.
H: The companies that we plan on contracting to work for us have all been vetted by an independent auditor, right?
D: Yes, and they all passed with flying colors.
Pete表示，公司重組理由很簡單，不裁員公司就可能破產，the company risks going under。Dave 建議爲遣散員工提供就業諮詢 job counseling，遣散費也多給點，be generous with severance packages. severance packages 是遣散員工時給的補貼。Helen問，外包公司是否都已經通過了獨立審計單位的審查，vet, v-e-t, vet 是審查的意思。Dave 表示，審查結果非常好，to pass with flying colors 意思是成功通過考查。
D: The law says sub-contracted firms must follow some basic guidelines such as no child labor, equal pay for men and women, etc. If they're not up to snuff, they have a certain number of days to rectify the situation. Otherwise, we have to find another firm.
H: So it's decided then. All in favor of outsourcing accounting and web maintenance please raise your hand.
P: Looks like it's a unanimous decision.
D: Thank you all for understanding. I'll write up a memo explaining this decision to everyone and send it out in a couple of days.
H+P: Sounds good.
D: All right, then. This meeting is adjourned.
Dave 表示，法律規定，如果分包公司達不到基本要求，If they're not up to snuff, 必須在特定時間內改正 to rectify the situation。Up to snuff, s-n-u-f-f, snuff, 意思是合格的，符合標準的。最後三人舉手表決，同意將財會和網站管理業務外包。It's a unanimous decision. 決定一致通過。Dave 準備寫一份備忘錄，幾天後宣佈。
A: 公司擔心外包業務裁員會face a backlash，遭到強烈反對，不僅要面對憤怒的員工，而且要面對negative press，媒體的負面報導。所以，公司要做一些damage control, 控制不良影響，爲員工提供job counseling，就業指導，而且be generous with severance package, 提供相當數額的遣散費。
B: It's a pretty hotly debated topic right now. With outsourcing, you are going to lose some jobs domestically. Most Americans think that outsourcing was one of the things that led to the 2008 economic crisis. Too many jobs were going out to the international market instead of staying in the United States.
A:但是美國人工實在太貴了! 我記得我去修個車，換個小零件，就要150美元!
B: I'm not going to debate that with you! Well, let's take a break from this serious topic and move on to another segment of our class!
Learn A Word 1765 open house
今天我們要學的詞是 open house. Open house is open, o-p-e-n, open, and house, h-o-u-s-e, house, open house. Open house 對外開放日。My gym is having an open house this weekend for nonmembers to come in and enjoy the facilities. 我參加的健身房本週末對非會員開放，所有人都可以來使用健身房的設施。More than 40 embassies in DC are scheduled to have open houses in Mid May so the public can have a taste of their culture. 華盛頓特區四十多個大使館五月中旬都安排了開放日，讓公衆可以前來感受一下他們的文化。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 open house, open house, open house......
A: I love the DC embassy open houses! Every embassy offers samples of its local food and has exhibitions that represent its culture, and its all for free!
B: Which tour did you like the best?
A: I would have to say the Turkish embassy. They offered us Turkish Kabobs and coffee, had a Turkish dance show, and you could also try on the traditional Turkish clothes! It was a blast! DC always gives me something new, I'm never bored!
B: Ain't that the truth. In today's last segment, we are going to learn a way to express new things. Let's listen!
美國習慣用語第 842 講
大家千萬不要誤會，我對傳統的事物並不反感，可我同時又很喜歡推陳出新。就拿我們的社區組織來說吧，每年都是同樣的人，組織同樣的活動，只有老鄰居搬走，卻沒人設法把新鄰居吸引進來。這種局面用我們今天要學的習慣用語來形容恰如其分，叫：
M: New blood. Blood is spelled b-l-o-o-d. New-blood. New blood.
New Blood 這個習慣用語指的是帶來生機和活力的新生力量。我覺得，我們的社區組織需要的就是 new blood, 新成員，有了新成員，大家才能集思廣益，舉辦更多吸引人的活動，增強社區的凝聚力。大家注意聽下面這個例子，看看一家公司管理層的人員變化給公司到來了什麼樣的影響。
M: "When our manager passed away, his daughter took over the company. Many employees were afraid of some of the changes she might make. Yet it's because of her ideas and energy that we've been able to adjust to today's economy. Frankly, she's exactly the kind of NEW BLOOD we needed to become profitable again."
這個人說：老闆去世後，公司由他的女兒接管。很多僱員都對她所做出的一些調整感到擔心，但是正因爲她提出的一些意見和她所帶來的能量，我們才得以採取措施，適應了今天的經濟，坦白講，她恰恰是讓公司轉虧爲盈所需要的新生力量。
很多人都認爲，阻礙變革最大的障礙來自老一代。英語裏有句話叫 You can't teach an old dog new tricks. 老狗學不會新把戲，意思是說老頑固很難接受新鮮事物。其實我覺得，抵制變革的並不一定是上年紀的人，而是那些習慣於現狀，不願意看到自己的生活和利益受到影響，發生變化的人。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "When our manager passed away, his daughter took over the company. Many employees were afraid of some of the changes she might make. Yet it's because of her ideas and energy that we've been able to adjust to today's economy. Frankly, she's exactly the kind of NEW BLOOD we needed to become profitable again."
我還記得姑奶奶兩年前曾經搬過來跟我們住過一段時間。雖然她當時已經年界七旬，但是由於她見多識廣，思路開闊，反而給我們這個家帶來了一股新鮮的氣息，跟她比起來，我倒成了老頑固。
如今，很多美國人都爲這個國家的前途感到擔心。下面這位評論人士認爲，美國未來的前途走向，在很大程度上要看第44位總統奧巴馬的表現。讓我們一起聽聽他是怎麼說的。
M: "President Obama came to Washington promising to take the U.S. in a different direction. His enthusiasm for addressing the problems of health care, energy and the economy represent bold thinking. He may be the NEW BLOOD that will move our nation forward in these difficult times."
他說：奧巴馬總統來到華盛頓，保證要帶領美國改變方向。他對解決醫療保健、能源和經濟問題的熱情代表着大膽的構想。他可能將成爲帶領我們在困境中前進的新生力量。
這位評論人士的話是否會兌現，只有時間能做出回答。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "President Obama came to Washington promising to take the U.S. in a different direction. His enthusiasm for addressing the problems of health care, energy and the economy represent bold thinking. He may be the NEW BLOOD that will move our nation forward in these difficult times."
你也許會問，new blood 這個習慣用語是什麼出現的呢？我的研究顯示，這種說法最早出現於1853年，指的是輸血時用的“新的、新鮮的”血液供給。大家可能在閱讀中遇到過 "fresh blood" 的說法，fresh blood 可以跟 new blood 通用。因此我可以說，我們社區組織需要一些 fresh blood, 也可以說奧巴馬總統也許恰恰是面對挑戰的美國所需要的 fresh blood.
好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束了。
M: Until next time.
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: e it's about time that we had some new blood in the show, instead of, you ....
B: I have thought about it more than once Yanglin, but then I realized that the show would wither and die without my artistic talents!
A:.....好了同學們，這次節目時間就到這裏了。
A: See you next time!
