2011公共英語：PETS三級閱讀與翻譯試題訓練2

　　2．What is an American? An American is someone who loves their country and the people in it, and believes in bettering their own lives as well as the lives of those around them. Does it really matter that these individuals may be of German or Chinese descent? No, not at all; their ethnic background has nothing to do with being American. To say that the majority of people in the United States have some sort of tie with an ethnic background from a different country would be a safe assumption. This is what makes our American Culture unique. Immigrants bring to our country strong family structures and strong morals. Foreigners also help our economy prosper. Immigrants are what help make America be America; by being a multicultural society standing united.

 

     美國人是什么？美國人是這樣的人：熱愛自己的國家，熱愛這個國家的人民，堅信自己的生活和周圍人的生活都會越來越好。如果這些美國人是德國或者中國的后裔情形會有所不同嗎？不，一點也不會。種族背景與成為美國人毫不相干。如果說大多數美國人都來自不同國家，有不同的種族背景，這種假設肯定成立。正是這點使得美國文化獨一無二。移民帶給這個國家堅固的家庭結構和強烈的道德觀，為經濟繁榮也做出了貢獻。正是移民幫助美國成為所謂的美國，使得一個多文化的社會聯合在一起。

　　In today’s American society it is not uncommon for people to be families broken up by divorce or other domestic disturbances. However, immigrants seem to have much stronger family values. For many immigrants, family comes first over everything; for many of them family is all they have. This is especially true of traditional developing societies. Many of these newcomers have strong traditions and beliefs which are strict and are instilled in their children. Immigrants coming to America with this type of beliefs and strong traditions sets good examples for our western civilization. By receiving new cultures to our society it is a chance to absorb their rules and respect they have for one another. This is ideal to help restore our family values. 

 

     今日美國社會，人們對于因離婚或其他家庭糾紛造成的家庭破裂早已司空見慣。但移民似乎具有更加強烈的家庭觀念。對許多移民而言，家庭重于一切，家庭就是他們擁有的全部。這種情況對于傳統的發(fā)展中的社會尤其真實。許多新來者帶著強烈的傳統和嚴格的信仰，并且會滲透到子女身上。具有這種類型信仰和傳統的移民來到美國，為西方文明樹立了良好的榜樣。通過接受新文化，美國社會有機會相互借鑒，彼此尊重。這對于恢復美國的家庭觀念非常有幫助。

　　It has been said that “immigration is a threat to our economy.” This statement is so absurd. Immigration increases purchasing thereby, increases demand for labor. Immigration not only takes jobs, but also creates them. (Wall Street Journal) For instance, a man comes to America from China. This man opens a small Chinese restaurant. The restaurant makes outstanding business. Ten years later this man owns twelve restaurants and employs three hundred Americans. Stories like that happen all the time, which help our economy.

 

     有人一直在說“移民對美國經濟是個巨大的威脅”，這種論調荒謬可笑。遷移能增加周圍的購買力，擴大勞動需求；不僅占據工作崗位，而且還創(chuàng)造工作機會（華爾街雜志）。例如，一個人從中國來到美國，開了一家小的中餐館，由于經營良好，10年之后擁有12家餐館，雇用300名美國人。類似這樣的故事層出不窮，對美國經濟大有裨益。

　　Immigrants are what help America be America. They say that America is just a melting pot. This is what makes our country unique. We have many cultures, many ideas, and traditions, but all of us have the same dream. That Dream is the American Dream. The same dream that keeps Americans in America and immigrants to come here. Diversity of cultures helps people understand and learn from each other. Taking immigration away would hurt this country more than economically, but, socially also.

 

     移民幫助美國成為美國。人們常說美國就是個熔爐，這是美國之所以獨一無二的原因。我們有許多不同的文化、觀念和傳統，但大家都有一個同樣的夢想：這就是美國夢。同樣的夢想，讓美國人堅守美國，讓各國移民紛至沓來，文化多樣性促進人們相互理解和學習。取締移民美國不只是經濟上遭受損失，社會生活也同樣受損。

　　Immigration, I feel is extremely important. Being an Italian American myself, I understand the importance of immigration. My family has traditions and beliefs that they teach me and I’ll teach my kids some day. And no one should be denied the opportunity my parents and I have to be a part of America.

　　我覺得人口遷移極其重要。作為意大利裔的美國人，我懂得移民的重要性。我的家庭把傳統和信仰教給我，有朝一日我會教給我的孩子。我的父輩和我努力成為美國的一部分，這種機會任何人都不應失去。