大学英语能力进阶阅读教程第二册
大学英语精读第二册翻译题答案
引导语：下文内容是大学英语精读第三版(上海外语教育出版社 董亚芬主编)第二册Book2Unit1~Unit10 翻译答案，希望能够帮助到您，谢谢您的阅读。
Book2 Unit1 翻译
1.她砰地关上门，一声不吭地走了，他们之间那场争执就此结束。
Their argument ended when she slammed the door and left without a word.
2. 出席晚宴的客人对那个美国人威严的语气感到有点意外。
The guests at the dinner party were slightly surprised at the commanding tone of the American.
3. 约翰尼已长大成熟，不再害怕独自呆在家里了。
Johnny has outgrown the fear of staying at home alone.
4. 当全部乘客都向出口处 (exit) 走去时，他却独自留在座位上，好像不愿意离开这架飞机似的。
While all the other passengers made for the exit, he alone remained in his seat as if unwilling to leave the plane.
5. 这封信必须交给威尔逊博士本人。
The letter is to be handed to Dr. Wilson himself.
6. 南希虽然很想参加辩论，但腼腆得不敢开口。
While she felt like joining in the argument, Nancy was too shy to open her mouth.
7. 你觉得什么时候最有可能在家里找到他?
What do you think is the likeliest time to find him at home?
8. 猎人一看见有只狐狸从树丛中出现并向他设下 (lay) 的陷阱 (trap) 方向跑去，脸上顿时闪出了兴奋的表情。
The hunter’s face lit up with excitement as soon as he saw a fox emerge from among the bushes and run in the direction of / make for the trap he had laid.
Book2 Unit2 翻译
1) 会上有人建议任命一个十一人委员会来制定新章程。
It was suggested at the meeting that a committee of eleven be appointed to make a new constitution.
2) 这些青年科学家通过现场观察，获得了研究工作所需的第一手资料。
By making on-the-spot observations, the young scientists obtained first-hand information they needed in their research work.
3) 他很可能会因视力不好而被拒收入伍。
It is very likely that he will be rejected by the army because of his bad eyesight.
4) 委员会成员在新机场最佳选址 (location) 这一问题上持有不同意见。
The committee members have conflicting opinions as to the best location of the new airport.
5) 亨利创作的艺术品在许多方面比他兄弟的要好。
Henrys works of art are superior in many respects to those of his brothers.
6) 我们产品质量的稳步提高在很大程度上是由于设备有所改进。
The steady rise in the quality of our procts owes much to the improvement of our equipment.
7) 吉姆本想按照自己的判断行事，但他没有这样做，因为作为军人他得服从命令。
Jim would have preferred to act on his own judgment, but he didnt because as a soldier he had to obey the order.
8) 如果让我来决定我们是要一个没有自行车的城市呢，还是要一个没有汽车的城市，我会毫不犹豫地选择后者。
Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a city without bikes or one without cars, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.
Book2 Unit3 翻译
1. She got a post as a cashier at a local bank. But she was soon fired because she proved to be incompetent.
她在当地一家银行找到一份出纳员的工作，但不久因不称职而被解雇了。
2. It is obviously/clearly his young assistant who is running the book store.
很明显是他的年轻助手在经营这家书店。
3. No sooner had the proposal been announced at the meeting than she got to her feet to protest.
这项建议在会上一宣布，她就站起来提出异议。
4. Bill has applied to Harvard University for a teaching assistantship, but his chances of getting it are slim.
比尔已向哈佛大学申请助教职位，但他得到它的可能性很小。
5. Being short of funds, they are trying to attract foreign capital.
由于缺乏资金，他们正在想办法吸引外资。
6. The room smells of stale air. It must have been vacant for a long time.
这个房间有股霉味，一定是好久没人住了。
7. As far as hobbies are concerned, Jane and her sister have little in common.
就业余爱好而言，珍妮和她妹妹几乎没有什么共同之处。
8. It is self-evident that the ecation of the young is vital to the future of a country.
不言而喻，青年人的教育对于一个国家的未来是至关重要的。
Book2 Unit4 翻译
1) 那小女孩跑得太快，身体一下失去平衡，跌倒了。
The little girl ran so fast that she was thrown off balance and fell over / down.
2) 他致力于研究工作的精神 (devotion to research) 给我留下了很深印象，但我对他那些深奥的理论丝毫不感兴趣。
I was impressed by his devotion to research but I did not have the slightest interest in his profound theories.
3) 千万别说可能会被人误解的话。
Be sure not to say anything capable of being misunderstood.
2. 大学英语精读第二册YOURSELF阅读翻译
虽然托马斯杰佛逊才开始努力设计佛吉尼亚大学直到晚年，教育的普通人occupiedhis思想几十年。他认为无知（无知）是自由的敌人，他想纠正他所认为是弱点的学校（机构）仿照欧洲设置。他想，“academicalvillage”周围绿树成荫的草坪将提供一个理想的环境，追求更高的教育。这样的一个中心村是一个庙，将房子大学图书馆知识。当佛吉尼亚决定成立一个州立大学的1818，退休的美国总统，最终能够把自己的人才，时间，和精力创造这一新的教育机构。由时间，他完成了他的设计，杰佛逊发明了一种全新的美国设置的高等教育：大学校园。1812，杰佛逊决定开始建立他的“学术村，“弗吉尼亚大学，在夏洛茨维尔，弗吉尼亚州，远离城市中心。他打算在这个地方促进学习因为它是自然景观，并远离任何可能干扰或伤害学生。该大学由2排房屋，每边五个，导致一个主要建筑。主建筑，大厅，成为最重要的大学的一部分，因为它包含了图书馆。通过把整个机构的图书馆，而教堂周围，杰佛逊改变了美国大学建筑学院。杰佛逊的目标是创建一个新的体制形式，他的理想的教育系统，一个系统，他认为应该给每个公民，他需要的信息进行日常业务。这种新方法的公民教育要求的新型大学，一个在学生和教授可以共存和分享想法。他试图创造这种环境相结合的教授和学生的教室，和联系的所有建筑覆盖的人行道，部门之间的知识交流得以顺利进行。杰佛逊也承认的重要性，学生的生活，并给出了许多想法和计划的学生，生活，和运动设施（设施）。
3. 请问全新版大学进阶英语 综合教程2 课文翻译有吗
全新版大学进阶英语综合教程2课文原文及翻译：
Howard Gardner, a professor of ecation at Harvard University, reflects on a visit toChina and gives his thoughts on different approaches to learning in China and theWest.
哈佛大学教育学教授霍华德·加德纳回忆其中国之行,阐述他对中西方不同的学习方式的看法。
Learning, Chinese-Style
Howard Gardnereastern Chinese city of Nanjing with our 18-month-old son Benjamin while studyin1 For a month in the spring of 1987, my wife Ellen and I lived in the bustlingarts ecation in Chinese kindergartens and elementary schools.
But one of the mostelling lessons Ellen and I got in the difference between Chinese and American ideas of ecation came not in the classroom but in the lobby of the Jinling Hotel where we stayed in Nanjing.
中国式的学习风格
霍华德·加德纳，1987年春,我和妻子埃伦带着我们18个月的儿子本杰明在繁忙的中国东部城市南京住了一个月,同时考察中国幼儿园和小学的艺术教育情况然而,我和埃伦获得的有关中美教育观念差异的最难忘的体验并非来自课堂,而是来自我们在南京期间寓居的金陵饭店的大堂。
The key to our room was attached to a large plastic block with the room number on it. When leaving the hotel, a guest was encouraged to turn in the key, either by handing it to an attendant or by dropping it through a slot into a box. Because the key slot was narrow, the key had to be positioned carefully to fit into it.
我们的房门钥匙系在一块标有房间号的大塑料板上酒店鼓励客人外出时留下钥匙,可以交给服务员,也可以从一个槽口塞入钥匙箱。由于口子狭小,你得留神将钥匙放准位置才塞得进去。
Benjamin loved to carry the key around, shaking it vigorously. He also liked to try to place it into the slot. Because of his tender age and incomplete understanding of the need to position the key just so, he would usually fail.
Benjamin was not bothered in the least. He probably got as much pleasure out of the sounds the key made as he did those few times when the key actually found its way into the slot.
本杰明爱拿着钥匙走来走去,边走边用力摇晃着。他还喜欢试着把钥匙往槽口里塞。由于他还年幼,不太明白得把钥匙放准位置才成,因此总塞不进去。
本杰明一点也不在意。他从钥匙声响中得到的乐趣大概跟他偶尔把钥匙成功地塞进槽口而获得的乐趣一样多。
(3)大学英语能力进阶阅读教程第二册扩展阅读：
英语翻译技巧：
1、词义的选择和引伸技巧
英 汉两种语言都有一词多类和一词多义的现象。一词多类就是指一个词往往属于几个词类，具有几个不同的意义；一词多义就是同一个词在同一词类中又往往有几个不 同的词义。
在英译汉的过程中，我们在弄清原句结构后，就要善于运用选择和确定原句中关键词词义的技巧，以使所译语句自然流畅，完全符合汉语习惯的说法；选择确定词义通常可以从两方面着手。
2、词类转译技巧
在英译汉过程中，有些句子可以逐词对译，有些句子则由于英汉两种语言的表达方式不同，就不能逐词对译，只能将词类进行转译之后，方可使译文显得通顺、自然；对词类转译技巧的运用须从四个方面加以注意。
4. 新视野大学英语读写教程第二册课后翻译句子答案
Unit1
1.她连水都不愿喝一口,更别提留下来吃饭了.
She wouldn't take a drink, much less could she stay for dinner.
2.他认为我在对他说谎,但实际上我讲的是实话.
He thought I was lying to him,whereas I was telling the truth.
3.这个星期你每天都迟到,对此你怎么解释?
How do you account for the fact that you have been late every day this week?
4.他们利润增长的部分原因是采用了新的市场策略.
The increase in their profits is e partly to their new market strategy.
5.这样的措施很可能会带来工作效率的提高.
Such measures are likely to result in the improvement of work efficiency.
6.我们已经在这个项目上投入了大量时间和精力,所以我们只能继续.
We have already poured a lot of time and energy into the project, so we have to carry on.
Unit3
1.你再怎么有经验碧冲,也得学习新技术.
You are never too experienced to learn new techniques.
2.还存在一个问题,那就是派谁去带领历慧并那里的研究工作.
There remains one problem,namely,who should be sent to head the research there.
3.由于文化的不同,他们的关系在开始确实遇到了一些困难.
Their relationship did meet with some difficulty at the beginning because of cultural differences.
4.虽然他历经沉浮,但我始终相信他总有一肢迹天会成功.
Though he has had ups and downs,I believed all along that he would succeed someday.
5.我对你的说法的真实性有些保留看法.
I have some reservations about the truth of your claim.
6.她长得不特别高,但是她身材瘦,给人一种个子高的感觉.
She isn't particularly tall,but her slim figure gives an illusion of height.
Unit4
1.有朋自远方来,不亦乐乎?
It is a great pleasure to meet friends from afar.
2.不管黑猫白猫,能抓住老鼠就是好猫.
It doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white as long as it catches mice.
3.你必须明天上午十点之前把那笔钱还给我.
You must let me have the money back without fail by ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
4.请允许我参加这个项目,我对这个项目非常感兴趣.
Allow me to take part in this project: I am more than a little interested in it.
5.人人都知道他比较特殊：他来去随意.
Everyone knows that he is special:He is free to e and go as he pleases.
6.看她脸上不悦的神色,我觉得她似乎有什么话想跟我说.
Watching the unhappy look on her face,I felt as though she wishes to say something to me.
Unit5
1.他说话很自信,给我留下了深刻的印象.
He spoke confidently,which impressed me most.
2.我父亲太爱忘事,总是在找钥匙.
My father is so forgetful that he is always looking for his keys.
3.我是十分感谢你给我的帮助.
I'm very grateful to you for all the help you have given me.
4.光线不足,加上地面潮湿,使得驾驶十分困难.
The bad light,coupled with the wet ground,made driving very difficult.
5.由于缺乏资金,他们不得不取消了创业计划.
Being starved of funds,they had to cancel their plan to start a business.
6.每当有了麻烦,他们总是依靠我们.
They always lean on us whenever they are in trouble.
Unit6
1. 就像机器需要经常运转一样,身体也需要经常锻炼.
(Just) as a machine needs regular running, so does the body need regular exercise.
2. 在美国学习时,他学会了弹钢琴.
He learned to play the piano while studying in the United States.
3. 令我们失望的是,他拒绝了我的邀请.
To our disappointment, he turned down our invitation.
4. 真实情况是,不管是好是坏,随着新科技的进步,世界发生了变化.
The reality is that, for better or worse, the world has changed with advance of new technologies.
5.我班里大多数女生在被要求回答问题时都似乎感到不自在.
Most of the female students in my class appear to be ill at ease when (they are) required to answer questions.
6. 当地 *** 负责运动会的安全.
The local government took charge of the security for the sports meeting.
Unit7
1.在会上,除了其他事情,他们还讨论了目前的经济形势.
At the meeting they discussed, among other things, the present economic situation.
2.我对大自然了解得越多,就越痴迷于大自然的奥秘.
The more I learned about the nature,the more absorbed I became in its mystery.
3.医生建议说,有压力的人要学会做一些新鲜有趣、富有挑战性的事情,好让自己的负面情绪有发泄的渠道.
The doctor remends that those stressed people should try something new,interesting and challenging in order to give their negative feelings an outlet.
4.那个学生的成绩差,但老师给他布置了更多的作业,而不是减少作业量.
The teacher gives more homework to the student who has bad grades instead of cutting it down.
5.相比之下,美国的父母更趋向于把孩子的成功归因于天赋.
By contrast,American parents are more likely to attribute their children's success to natural talent.
6.教师首先要考虑的事情之一是唤起学生的兴趣,激发他们的创造性.
One of a teacher's priorities is to stimulate students' interests and their creativity.
Unit8
1. 她一点也不知道这幅画有一天居然会价值100多万美金.
Little did she know that this picture would one day be worth more than a million dollars.
2. 虽然我理解你说的话,但是我不同意你在这个问题上的看法.
While I understand what you say, I don’t agree with you on the issue.
3. 我认为警察的职责就是保护人民.
I think the police are meant to protect people.
4. 昨天我去看他,却发现他已于几天前出国了.
I went to see him yesterday, only to find that he had gone abroad several days before.
5. 在每周例会上,每个人的发言都不能偏离会议议题.
At the weekly meeting, everyone must confine their remarks to the subject.
6. 要是我没说那些愚蠢的话该多好啊!那时我太年轻,不能明辨是非.
If only I hadn’t said those silly words! I was too young then to distinguish right from wrong.
Unit9
1. 我确信自己一定会有出息,即使至今我还没做出大的成绩.
I am sure that I will make something of myself, even though I have not achieved any major success so far.
2. 我这么多年来如此努力,我觉得自己应该有个好的前途.
I have been working hard for so many years; I feel I am entitled to a good future.
3. 当她丈夫离她而去,只留给她生活的残局去收拾时,她的心智失常了.
When her hu *** and deserted her, leaving her with nothing but scattered pieces of life to pick up, she went insane.
4. 从我的立场看,母亲当时过于严厉,并没有顾及我的感受.
From my standpoint, Mother was too hard on me then, without taking my feelings into account.
5. 当我登上事业的顶峰时,常萦绕在我心头的是母亲说过的话：“面对生活,不放弃.”
I reached the summit of my professional career, mother's words "Never be a quitter in face of life" were constantly in my mind.
6. 你应该知道的,不能在大街上踢足球.
You should know better than to play football in the street.
5. 大学英语阅读教程2的课文翻译
告诉你三个方法，一是自己去买本阅读教程的译本，一般都有的。二是自己把课文打上来，我们帮你翻译。三是你去找个课文的链接发上来，我们帮你。
我大学时学的阅读教程和你的不一样。
6. 新通用大学英语进阶阅读2翻译
Unit 1
1. 许多人认为国际旅游对经济发展有积极作用。(proce … effect on)
Many people believe that international tourism proce positive effects on economic growth.
2. 高年级学生可以与新生一起分享他们的经历：如何克服遇到的困难，如何适应新的环境。(adjust …to)
The senior and junior students could share their own experience about how to overcome the difficulty they have ever met, how to adjust to the new environment with the new students.
3. 该是有关当局采取适当的措施来解决交通问题的时候了。(It is time …, concerned, take steps)
It is time the authorities concerned took proper steps to solve the traffic problems.
4. 现在，越来越多的人认识到法制教育的重要性。(be aware that …, be of … )
Today an increasing number of people have been aware that law ecation is of great importance.
5. 应该鼓励年轻人和他们的同龄人交往，发展他们的交际能力。 (communicate with… ) Young people should be encouraged to communicate with their peers and develop their interpersonal skills.
Unit 2
1. 据报道，有人设计出新型电脑游戏，不会对儿童行为有任何负面影响。（be reported that …, have … influence on …）
It is reported that new video games have been designed not to have negative influence on kids’ behavior in any way.
2. 当意识到所有现有的机器已被新的设计所取代时，校领导发起脾气来。（lose one’s temper, be replaced with …）
The head of the school lost his temper when he realized that all the existing machine had been replaced with new designs.
3. 史蒂文听说他对新项目的提议被当成荒谬之词而遭到断然否决，十分恼火。 （be upset to do …, be rejected as …）
Steve was very upset to hear that his proposal for the new project had been rejected as ridiculous.
4. 现代社会的孩子很难想像一个没有电视和电脑的时代。（find it difficult to do …, conceive of）
The modern child finds it difficult to conceive of a time when there was no TV or Computer.
5. 面试官忘了问我现在老板的名字，他好像对细节不大感兴趣。（neglect to do …, be concerned with）
The interviewer neglected to ask about the name of my present boss; he seemed not to be concerned with the details.
Unit3
1. 由于这份工作提供良好的提升机会，我琢磨不透汤姆为什么要辞掉它。(offer, promotion prospects, figure out )
As the job offers excellent promotion prospects, I can’t figure out why Tom quit it.
2. 我们已经向一个慈善组织提出申请，要求它为这个项目提供资助。(apply to … for …, grant )
We have applied to a charitable organization for a grant for the project.
3. 他的论文非常有助于我们对这个困难问题的了解。(enormously, contribute to )
His thesis has contributed enormously to our understanding of this difficult subject.
4. 毫无疑问许多国家将要参加2008年奥林匹克运动会。(there is no doubt, participate in )
There is no doubt that many countries will be participating in the Olympic Games in 2008.
5. 这家公司已经投资几百万美元编写新的程序满足发展需求。(invest, writing new programs, meet the requirements of…)
The company has invested millions of dollars in writing new programs to meet the requirements of the development.
Unit 4
1.在这种情况下约翰尼急切地抓住了难得的机会。 (jump at the chance)
In this case Johnny jumped at the rare chance to apply for the post.
2. 现在说是由于天气关系才耽搁了航班还为时过早。(It is too early to say…)
It is too early to say that the weather is responsible for the delay of the flight.
3. 现代英语中许多词汇来源于拉丁文。 (be derived from)
In modern English many words are derived from Latin.
4. 我们也许不能理解75%的女性下班后要继续照顾孩子。 (It might not …)
It might not be understood that 75 percent of women have to take care of their kids after work.
5. 平均来说，我们每天要在电脑前工作十小时。(on average)
On average, we spend almost ten hours a day working with computer.
Unit 5
1.除了伦敦的公寓，杰克还在意大利有一座别墅，在苏格兰有一座城堡。（in addition to）
In addition to his flat in London, he has a villa in Italy and a castle in Scotland.
2. 他试图和妻子开个玩笑，但得到的反应只是沉默。（attempt to, be received）
He attempted to make a joke with his wife, but it was received in silence.
3. 史密斯先生总是每天拨出些时间给孩子们读故事。（set aside）
Mr. Smith always sets some time aside every day to read stories to his children.
4. 这实际上是一种朋友之间的交流，而不是吵架。（kind of, rather than）
It is really a kind of communication between friends, rather than a quarrel
5. 由于提前接受了训练，因此他在最新的影片中的特技效果极为出色。（as a result of, special effect）
As a result of being trained in advance, the special effects in his latest film are brilliant.
Unit 6
1. 保护也适用于文化遗产，因此也包括有历史意义的事物，比如古建筑、古战场、历史传
说等。(apply to, cultural heritage)
Conservation is also applied to cultural heritage, thus including things of historical importance, such as old buildings, battlefields and oral traditions.
2. 任何人无权侵犯“他人”权利以获取自身利益，不管这个“他人”是人，还是动物。(violate one’s right, as a result of)
No one has a right to benefit as a result of violating another's rights, whether that "other" is a human being or some other animal.
3. 1998年12月11--13日，在云南昆明召开了第三届全国生物多样性保护及可持续利用研讨会。(biodiversity conservation, sustainable)
The Third National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Using was held in Kunming,Yunnan on December 11-13, 1998.
4. 很多电影明星对于自己的私生活受到公众监视非常反感。(resent doing sth., under scrutiny)
Many film stars resent their private life being under public scrutiny.
5. 我们每天的事情很多，只有把最重要的优先安排才能保证有时间完成。(give priority to, ensure)
We have many things to do each day and we must give priority to those most important to ensure we have time for them.
Unit 7
1. 除了在大学的工作以外， Bob现在还在经营自己的公司。(in addition to)
Bob Trivisonno is now running his own research company—that is in addition to his job at the university.
2. 每天平均有650个读者来到大英博物馆阅览室利用该馆的100万册藏书。(repair to, an average of, draw upon)
An average of 650 readers daily repair to the British Museum Reading Room to draw upon a store of 100, 000 volumes.
3. 最让我感兴趣的事是Black先生的口音。这是哪里的口音？(what fascinate…most) What fascinates me most is about Mr. Black accent. Where does it come from?
4. 这一地区的入室盗窃案件似有增无减。(to be on the increase) The number of burglaries in the area seems to be on the increase.
5. 今天我要把节食计划置之脑后，想吃什么就吃什么。（inlge oneself）
I shall forget about dieting today. I am going to inlge myself, i.e. eat and drink what I like.
7. 全新版大学英语综合教程第二册第7单元课文详解
全新版大学英语综合教程第二册第7单元课文详解
导语：英语是世界上最广泛的第一语言，因此我们从小就开始学习英语，下面是一篇关于学习英语的英语课文，欢迎大家来学习。
Learning about English
Part I Pre-Reading Task
Listen to the recording two or three times and then think over the following questions:
1. What is the passage about?
2. What's your impression of the English language?
3. Can you give one or two examples to illustrate(说明)the messiness of the English language?
4. Can you guess what the texts in this unit are going to be about?
The following words in the recording may be new to you:
eggplant
n. 茄子
pineapple
n. 菠萝
hamburger
n. 汉堡牛肉饼，汉堡包
Part II
Text
Some languages resist the introction of new words. Others, like English, seem to welcome them. Robert MacNeil looks at the history of English and comes to the conclusion that its tolerance for change represents deeply rooted ideas of freedom.
THE GLORIOUS MESSINESS OF ENGLISH
Robert MacNeil
The story of our English language is typically one of massive stealing from other languages. That is why English today has an estimated vocabulary of over one million words, while other major languages have far fewer.
French, for example, has only about 75,000 words, and that includes English expressions like snack bar and hit parade. The French, however, do not like borrowing foreign words because they think it corrupts their language. The government tries to ban words from English and declares that walkman is not desirable; so they invent a word, balladeur, which French kids are supposed to say instead — but they don't.
Walkman is fascinating because it isn't even English. Strictly speaking, it was invented by the Japanese manufacturers who put two simple English words together to name their proct. That doesn't bother us, but it does bother the French. Such is the glorious messiness of English. That happy tolerance, that willingness to accept words from anywhere, explains the richness of English and why it has become, to a very real extent, the first truly globallanguage.
How did the language of a small island off the coast of Europe become the language of the planet — more widely spoken and written than any other has ever been? The history of English is present in the first words a child learns about identity (I, me, you); possession (mine, yours); the body (eye, nose, mouth); size (tall, short); and necessities (food, water). These words all come from Old English or Anglo-Saxon English, the core of our language. Usually short and direct, these are words we still use today for the things that really matter to us.
Great speakers often use Old English to arouse our emotions. For example, ring World War II, Winston Churchill made this speech, stirring the courage of his people against Hitler's armies positioned to cross the English Channel: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender."
Virtually every one of those words came from Old English, except the last — surrender, which came from Norman French. Churchill could have said, "We shall never give in," but it is one of the lovely — and powerful — opportunities of English that a writer can mix, for effect, different words from different backgrounds. Yet there is something direct to the heart that speaks to us from the earliest words in our language.
When Julius Caesar invaded Britain in 55 B.C., English did not exist. The Celts, who inhabited the land, spoke languages that survive today mainly as Welsh. Where those languages came from is still a mystery, but there is a theory.
Two centuries ago an English judge in India noticed that several words in Sanskrit closely resembled some words in Greek and Latin. A systematic study revealed that many modern languages descended from a commonparent language, lost to us because nothing was written down.
Identifying similar words, linguists have come up with what they call an Indo-European parent language, spoken until 3500 to 2000 B.C. These people had common words for snow, bee and wolf but no word for sea. So some scholars assume they lived somewhere in north-central Europe, where it was cold. Traveling east, some established the languages of India and Pakistan, and others drifted west toward the gentler climates of Europe, Some who made the earliest move westward became known as the Celts, whom Caesar's armies found in Britain.
New words came with the Germanic tribes — the Angles, the Saxons, etc. — that slipped across the North Sea to settle in Britain in the 5th century. Together they formed what we call Anglo-Saxon society.
The Anglo-Saxons passed on to us their farming vocabulary, including sheep, ox, earth, wood, field and work. They must have also enjoyed themselves because they gave us the word laughter.
The next big influence on English was Christianity. It enriched the Anglo-Saxon vocabulary with some 400 to 500 words from Greek and Latin, including angel, disciple and martyr.
Then into this relatively peaceful land came the Vikings from Scandinavia. They also brought to English many words that begin with sk, like sky and skirt. But Old Norse and English both survived, and so you can rear a child (English) or raise a child (Norse). Other such pairs survive: wish and want, craft and skill, hide and skin. Each such addition gave English more richness, more variety.
Another flood of new vocabulary occurred in 1066, when the Normans conquered England. The country now had three languages: French for the nobles, Latin for the churches and English for the common people. With three languages competing, there were sometimes different terms for the same thing. For example, Anglo-Saxons had the word kingly, but after the Normans, royal and sovereign entered the language as alternatives. The extraordinary thing was that French did not replace English. Over three centuries English graally swallowed French, and by the end of the 15th century what had developed was a modified, greatly enriched language — Middle English — with about 10,000 "borrowed" French words.
Around 1476 William Caxton set up a printing press in England and started a communications revolution. Printing brought into English the wealth of new thinking that sprang from the European Renaissance. Translations of Greek and Roman classics were poured onto the printed page, and with them thousands of Latin words like capsule and habitual, and Greek words like catastrophe and thermometer. Today we still borrow from Latin and Greek to name new inventions, like video, television and cyberspace.
As settlers landed in North America and established the United States, English found itself with two sources — American and British. Scholars in Britain worried that the language was out of control, and some wanted to set up an academy to decide which words were proper and which were not. Fortunately their idea has never been put into practice.
That tolerance for change also represents deeply rooted ideas of freedom. Danish scholar Otto Jespersen wrote in 1905, "The English language would not have been what it is if the English had not been for centuries great respecters of the liberties of each indivial and if everybody had not been free to strike out new paths for himself."
I like that idea. Consider that the same cultural soil procing the English language also nourished the great principles of freedom and rights of man in the modern world. The first shoots sprang up in England, and they grew stronger in America. The English-speaking peoples have defeated all efforts to build fences around their language.
Indeed, the English language is not the special preserve of grammarians, language police, teachers, writers or the intellectual elite. English is, and always has been, the tongue of the common man.
New Words and Expressions
messiness
n. 杂乱状况
messy a.
massive
a. large in scale, amount, or degree 大量的，大规模的
vocabulary
n. 词汇(量)
snack▲
n. a small meal 快餐，点心
snack bar
快餐柜，小吃店
parade
n. 游行;阅兵队列
hit parade
a weekly listing of the current best-selling pop records 流行唱片目录
corrupt▲
vt. cause errors to appear in; cause to act dishonestly in return for personal gains 讹用，使(语言)变得不标准;腐蚀，贿赂
ban
vt. forbid (sth.) officially 禁止，取缔
walkman
n. a small cassette player 随身听
strictly speaking
严格地讲
invent
vt. 发明
invention n.
fascinating
a. of great interest or attraction 迷人的，有极大吸引力的
manufacturer
n. 制造商
proct
n. 产品
tolerance
n. 容忍，宽容;忍耐
to a (very real, certain, etc.) extent
to the degree specified 在(极大，某种)程度上
necessity
n. 必需品;必要(性)
Anglo-Saxon
n. 盎格鲁—萨克逊人
arouse
vt. provoke (a particular feeling or attitude) 唤起，激起
channel
n. 海峡;渠道;频道
surrender
v. give in 投降
virtually
ad. for the most part, almost 差不多，几乎
invade
vt. enter with armed forces 侵入，侵略
Celt
n. 凯尔特人
inhabit▲
vt. live in (a place) 居住于
Welsh
a., n. 威尔士语(的)，威尔士人的
mystery
n. 神秘的事物
Sanskrit
n. 梵语
resemble
vt. be like or similar to 与…相似
Greek
n. 希腊语
Latin
n. 拉丁语
systematic
a. done according to a system 有系统的
descend
vi. come down (from a source); go down 起源于;下来
linguist
n. a person who studies languages 语言学家
Indo-European
a. 印欧语系的
wolf
n. 狼
scholar
n. 学者
establish
vt. cause to be, set up 建立，确立
drift
vi. move or go somewhere in a slow casual way 漂泊
climate
n. (an area or a region with) a regular pattern of weather conditions 气候(区)
Germanic
a. 日耳曼(人)的，日耳曼语的，德国(人)的
tribe▲
n. 部落
pass (sth.) on to (sb.)
hand or give (sth.) to (sb.) 将…传给…
influence
n. 影响
Christianity
n. 基督教
Christian
a. 基督教的
n. 基督教徒
disciple
n. 信徒，门徒
martyr
n. 殉难者，烈士
Norse
n. (古)斯堪的纳维亚语
addition
n. a person or thing added 增加的人(或物)
Norman
n., a. 诺曼人(的.)，诺曼语(的)，诺曼文化的
conquer
v. take possession and control by force; defeat 征服
kingly
a. 国王(般)的
royal
a. 国王或女王的;皇家的
sovereign▲
a. (of power) without limit, highest; (of a nation) fully independent 拥有最高统治权的，至高无上的;拥有主权的
alternative
n. one of two or more possibilities 供选择的东西
modify
vt. change slightly 修改，更改
enrich▲
vt. make rich or richer; improve 使富裕，使丰富
Renaissance▲
n. (欧洲14-16世纪的)文艺复兴
translation
n. 译本，译文;翻译
Roman
a. 古罗马的，拉丁语的
classic
n. a work of art recognized as having lasting value 经典作品
capsule▲
n. 密封小容器;胶囊;航天舱
habitual
a. done as a habit, regular, usual 惯常的
catastrophe▲
n. a sudden great disaster 大灾难
thermometer
n. 温度计
video
n., a. 录像(的)
cyberspace
n. the notional environment in which communication over computer networks occurs 网络空间，虚拟空间
independent
a. not controlled by other people or things 独立的，自主的
source
n. 源，来源
out of control
失去控制，不受约束
academy
n. 学会，学院，研究院
fortunately
ad. by good luck 幸运地，幸亏
put into practice
将…付诸实施
Danish
a. 丹麦(人)的，丹麦语的
liberty
n. freedom 自由
strike out
create, proce 创造，开创
cultural
a. of or involving culture 文化的
nourish▲
vt. 滋养，培育
preserve
n. 独占的地区或范围;禁猎地
vt. keep from harm, damage, etc., protect; save 保护，保存
grammarian
n. 语法学家
intellectual
n., a. 知识分子(的)
elite▲
n. the group regarded as the best (总称)出类拔萃的人，精英
Proper Names
Robert MacNeil
罗伯特·麦克尼尔
Winston Churchill
温斯顿·丘吉尔(1874 — 1965，英国政治家、首相)
Hitler
希特勒(1889 — 1945，纳粹德国元首)
Julius Caesar
尤利乌斯·凯撒(100 — 44BC，古罗马将军、政治家)
Britain
英国
India
印度
Pakistan
巴基斯坦
Viking
(8 — 10世纪时劫掠欧洲西北海岸的)北欧海盗
Scandinavia
斯堪的纳维亚
England
英格兰
William Caxton
威廉·卡克斯顿(英国印刷商、翻译家)
Otto Jespersen
奥托·叶斯柏森(1860 — 1943)
Language sense Enhancement
1. Read aloud paragraphs 17-19 and learn by heart.
2. Read aloud the following poem:
Languages
Carl Sandbury
There are no handles upon a language
Whereby men take hold of it
And mark it with signs for its remembrance.
It is a river, this language,
Once in a thousand years
Breaking a new course
Changing its way to the ocean.
It is a mountain effluvia
Moving to valleys
And from nation to nation
Crossing borders and mixing.
3. Read the following quotations. Learn them by heart if you can. You might need to look up new words in a dictionary.
The English language is the sea which receives tributaries from every region under heaven.
—— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Language ought to be the joint creation of poets and manual workers.
—— Georqe Orwell
England and America are two countries separated by the same language.
—— Georqe Bernard Shaw
4. Read the following joke and see if you can tell what caused the misunderstanding of the technician's words by the woman. You might need to look up new words in a dictionary.
An office technician got a call from a user. The user told the technician that her computer was not working. She described the problem and the technician concluded that the computer needed to be brought in and serviced.
He told her to "Unplug the power cord and bring it up here and I will fix it."
About fifteen minutes later she showed up at his door with the power cord in her hand.
;8. 大学英语精读第二册第2课内容讲解
TEXT
A heated discussion about whether men are braver than women is settled in a rather unexpected way.
The Dinner Party
I first heard this tale in India, where is told as if true -- though any naturalist would know it couldn't be. Later someone told me that the story appeared in a magazine shortly before the First World War. That magazine story, and the person who wrote it, I have never been able to track down.
The country is India. A colonial official and his wife are giving a large dinner party. They are seated with their guests -- officers and their wives, and a visiting American naturalist -- in their spacious dining room, which has a bare marble floor, open rafters and wide glass doors opening onto a veranda.
A spirited discussion springs up between a young girl who says that women have outgrown the jumping-on-a-chair-at-the-sight-of-a-mouse era and a major who says that they haven't.
"A woman's reaction in any crisis," the major says, "is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what really counts."
The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. She motions to the native boy standing behind her chair and whispers something to him. The boy's eyes widen: he quickly leaves the room.
Of the guests, none except the American notices this or sees the boy place a bowl of milk on the veranda just outside the open doors.
The American comes to with a start. In India, milk in a bowl means only one thing -- t for a snake. He realizes there must be a cobra in the room. He looks up at the rafters -- the likeliest place -- but they are bare. Three corners of the room are empty, and in the fourth the servants are waiting to serve the next course. There is only one place left -- under the table.
His first impulse is to jump back and warn the others, but he knows the commotion would frighten the cobra into striking. He speaks quickly, the tone of his voice so commanding that it silences everyone.
"I want to know just what control everyone at this table has. I will count three hundred -- that's five minutes -- and not one of you is to move a muscle. Those who move will forfeit 50 rupees. Ready?"
The 20 people sit like stone images while he counts. He is saying "...two hundred and eighty..." when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the cobra emerge and make for the bowl of milk. Screams ring out as he jumps to slam the veranda doors safely shut.
"You were right, Major!" the host exclaims. "A man has just shown us an example of perfect self-control."
"Just a minute," the American says, turning to his hostess. "Mrs. Wynnes, how did you know that cobra was in the room?"
A faint smile lights up the woman's face as she replies: "Because it was crawling across my foot."
NEW WORDS
heated
a. with strong, excited, and often angry feelings 热烈的;激烈的
unexpected
a. not expected 意外的
naturalist
n. one who makes a special study of plants or animals outdoors 博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者)
shortly
ad. Soon; (in) a little time 不久，马上
colonial]
a. of or related to a colony or colonies 殖民地的`
spacious
a. big; having much space 广阔的;宽阔的
dining
n. 餐厅
bare
a. not covered (with a carpet); empty 不铺地毯的;赤裸的;光秃的
marble
n. 大理石
rafter
n. one of the sloping beams that support 椽
onto
prep. to a position or point on 到...之上; 向...之上
veranda
n. 阳台
spirited
a. full of spirit; lively
outgrow
vt. leave behind, as one grows older or more mature 长大得使...不再适用; 成长得不再要
mouse
n. 鼠
era
n. 时代，年代
major
n. 少校
crisis
n. time of difficulty, danger, etc. 危机
ounce
n. 盎司;少量
argument
n. discussion by persons who disagree; dispute 争论;辩论
hostess
n. 女主人
muscle
n. 肌肉
contract
vi. become shorter or smaller 收缩
contraction
n.
slightly
ad. a little 稍微地
slight
a.
motion
vi. give a signal by moving the hand or head 打手势;点(或摇)头示意
widen
v. make or become wider
t
n. food used to attract fish, animals, or birds so that they may be caught 诱饵
cobra
n. poisonous snake found in India and Africa 眼镜蛇
likely
a. probable 可能的
impulse
n. sudden wish to do sth. 冲动
commotion
n. noisy confusion or excitement 混乱;骚动
tone
n. quality of voice or music 语气;音调
commanding
a. authoritative 威严的
forfeit
vt. suffer the loss of (sth.) as a punishment (作为惩罚而)失去
rupee
n. monetary unit of India, Pakistan, etc. 卢比
image
n. statue 雕像
emerge
vi. come or appear (from somewhere)
emergence
n.
slam
vt. shut loudly and with force 砰地关上
host
n. man who receives guests 男主人
faint
a. weak, indistinct 微弱的;不明显的
crawl
vi move slowly by pulling the body along the ground 爬行