美語三級跳: 016C 社會文化高級課程

所屬教程:美語三級跳

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Professor: Today we're learning some words for talking about "affirmative action" programs in the US. Winnie, if a college or business has an affirmative action program, that means it gives preference to minority students, who have traditionally been underprivileged in American society.

嗯，這個我聽說過。美國的"Affirmative action"，平權(quán)法案，要求對少數(shù)族裔人口實行入學(xué)、就業(yè)方面的優(yōu)惠政策。我想，這個政策應(yīng)該是為了幫助少數(shù)族裔，改善他們的社會地位，可難免也會引發(fā)一些不滿和爭議吧？

Professor: Yes, it has been quite controversial. Let's see what Will and Jane have to say about it.

Will: So Jane, where do you go to college?

Jane: I'm at the University of California, in Los Angeles. It's a great school academically, but also because it gives me the chance to meet people of all different nationalities, races and backgrounds.

Will: Yeah, US colleges have become much more diverse ever since affirmative action policies were put in place. But even though that's a good thing, some people still gripe about them.

Jane: Of course, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding them. After all, affirmative action is a pretty blunt instrument for helping disadvantaged groups improve their lives.

Professor Bowman, 什么叫 gripe？

Professor: To gripe is to complain about something. For example, the employees at every company I've worked at have always griped about how rich the boss is, even though they make good salaries.

哦，gripe, g-r-i-p-e, gripe, 就是“抱怨”的意思。 Will說，雖然平權(quán)政策使很多少數(shù)族裔學(xué)生得到了上大學(xué)的機會，提升了美國大學(xué)校園的多樣性，但還是有人對這個政策不滿。對了，Jane說，平權(quán)法案是個blunt instrument，Professor, 這是什么意思呢？

Professor: Winnie, a "blunt instrument" is a method that uses too much force, so that, in achieving your aim, it also causes some harm or trouble. For example, "War is a very blunt instrument for settling disputes between countries. It's better to resolve them through careful negotiations."

我明白了，blunt instrument就是“生硬的方法”，用這種方法做事，往往事倍功半，效果不佳。

Will: Why do you think some people are opposed to affirmative action?

Jane: A lot of people think we no longer need affirmative action, and that it's unfair. If two people apply for a job, should one be given better treatment because of his or her skin color?

Will: I see your point. But many of the poor people in American society are minorities. I think we should try to give them a leg up.

Jane: True, but there are lots of poor people who aren't minorities too. Shouldn't they get help too?

Will: I agree that it isn't a perfect solution, but it's a pretty good way of leveling the playing field.

聽起來Will很支持平權(quán)法案，他說，美國很多窮人都是少數(shù)族裔，平權(quán)法案可以give them a leg up - 助他們一臂之力，使他們獲得一些優(yōu)勢。

Professor: That's right. Will also says he thinks that affirmative action policies are a good way of "leveling the playing field".

對，level the playing field就是說為大家提供公平賽場，讓所有人站在同樣的起點上。Will覺得，平權(quán)法案雖然并不完美，但至少縮小了白人和有色人種之間的社會差距。

Jane: You know, I think one thing that everybody can agree on is that we should live in a world where affirmative action isn't necessary.

Will: I totally agree. When each person has the same opportunities in life, regardless of his or her skin color, the world will definitely be a better place.

Jane: Hey Will ..... just a suggestion, but can we talk about something less serious? All this talk of religion and discrimination isn't what I had in mind for a first date.

Will: Well sure .... we can talk about something light and fun. What do you think about global warming?

Jane: Waiter, can you bring the check please?

哈哈，Jane終于受不了了! Will盡和她談這些嚴(yán)肅話題，讓他換個輕松點的，他居然會想到 global warming - 全球暖化！怪不得Jane急著給錢走人!

Professor: Yup, sounds like Will made a pretty bad move.

這次的美語三級跳就播送到這里。