Unit-2-Culture课文翻译大学体验英语四.doc

Unit 2 CulturePassage A Why Digital Culture Is Good for You? The news media, along with social and behavioral scientists, have recently sent out a multitude of warnings about the many dangers that await us out there in cyberspace. The truth of the matter is that the Web is no more inherently dangerous than anything else in the world. It is not some amorphous entity capable of inflicting harmful outcomes on all who enter. In fact, in and of itself, the Web is fairly harmless. It has no special power to overtake its users and alter their very existence. Like the old tale that the vampire cannot harm you unless you invite it to cross your threshold, the Internet cannot corrupt without being invited. And, with the exception of children and the weak-willed, it cannot create what does not already exist. (1) Like alcohol, the Web simply magnifies what is already there: Experts are concerned that the masking that goes on online poses a danger for everyone who is a part of the Digital Culture. Before we know it, the experts tell us, we will all use fake identities, become fragmented, and will no longer be sure of just who we are. Wrong. The only people who feel compelled to mask, and otherwise misrepresent themselves online are the same people who are mysterious and unfrank in real life.the Net just gives them one more tool to practice their deceit. As for the rest of us, getting taken in by these people is a low probability. We know who these folks are in the real world. The Internet does not cause people to disguise as something they are not. As for the Digital Culture getting cheated by these dishonest folks, well, there are just as many cues online to decipher deception as there are in the real world. The competent WebHead can recognize many red flags given off by the online behavior of others. Oftentimes the intentions of fellow users is crystal clear, especially over time. When someone is trying to deceive us online, inconsistencies, the essence that they are trying too hard or are just plain unbelievable, often come through loud and clear. Likewise, just like in the real world, a host of other unacceptable tendencies can be readily recognized online. Narcissism (its all about meeeee), those people who have nothing but negativity or unpleasant things to say about others, and those who feel compelled to undermine others and who think they must blow out the other guys candles in order for their own to shine can be spotted a cybermile away. (2) The Web can bring out the best in people: Gregarious, frank folks in real life usually carry these same traits over to their online life. Most are just as fun-loving online if not more so, as they are at a party, at work, or at the local bar. Though admittedly, some are not quite as much fun to be around without a stiff drink. Shy folks have a safer environment online than in the real world and can learn to express themselves more freely on the Net (youve never seen anyone stutter on e-mail, have you?) allowing them to gain confidence and communication skills that can eventually spill over into other aspects of their lives. Helpful people in real life are often just as willing to come to someones assistance online as anywhere else. (3) People are judged differently on the Web: On the Internet people are judged by their personality, beliefs and online actions, NOT by their physical appearance. This is good. It not only gives ugly folks an aid, but causes Beautiful People to have to say something worth listening to in order to get attention. (4) People open up more: Many people are opening up a whole lot more these days since they are not required to use their real name and provide their real identity in the Internet. (5) Were connected: Members of the Digital Culture know full well that there is a wealth of important information and life-changing opportunities out there in cyberspace. The Web has opened doors for many of us that otherwise would never have been an option. Research possibilities and networking are just two such opportunities. (6) We Learn the Power of Words and to be Better Listeners: With no facial expressions, body language, or physical appearance to distract us, members of the Digital Culture have learned the power of words . both their own, and others. We know very well how a simple string of words can harm, hurt and offend, or how they can offer humor, help, support and encouragement. Most experienced members of the online culture have learned to become wordsmiths, carefully crafting the words they use to convey exactly what they mean so as not to be misunderstood. Many of us have also learned to become far better listeners thanks to the Internet. Not only do we choose our words more carefully but we (especially those who communicate via email as opposed to chat rooms) are forced to wait until the other person finishes before we can speak or respond. A为什么数字文化对你有好处？最近，新闻媒体以及社会学家和行为学家们都发出大量警告指出：网络空间危险重重。其实，万维网与世界上其它任何事物一样并非天然地有害。它并非某种看不见摸不着的实体，能使危险降临进入它的每一个人。实际上，网络就其本身而言是相当无害的，它没有超越其使用者并改变他们的存在的特殊功能。正如古老的传说指出的一样，吸血鬼不请不会自入家门来伤害你，互联网也不会不请自来地使你堕落。除孩子和意志薄弱者外，它不可能造成本来就不存在的东西（1）如同酒精的作用一样，网络仅仅是将已有的事物放大： 专家们担心，网上盛行的隐藏装假对参与数字文化的人来说是危险的。他们告诉我们，我们不知不觉地全都会使用假身份，一个个变得残缺不全面目全非，以至于连自己都不敢肯定自己究竟是谁。全错。只有那些在“现实生活”中表现得诡秘莫测，毫不坦诚的人，才感到被迫要在网上伪装自己并用其它方法提供虚假情况。网络只不过为他们增添了一种实施欺骗的工具。 因为我们了解现实生活中的这些人，所以被这些人欺骗的可能性很小。因特网并不会“引起”人们去装扮成另一些人。至于数字文化中人被这些不诚实的家伙欺骗的问题，就如同“现实”生活中一样，网上同样有许多“信号”会揭露他们的骗术。有水平的网迷能识别在线人行为所发出的很多危险信号。尤其是经过一段时间之后，别的用户的意图常常是非常清楚的。 有人试图在网上欺骗我们时，常常会明白无误地表现为自我矛盾，这是力求取信而过分涂抹，甚至说话虚假、令人难信的必然迹象。同样，与在“现实世界”中一样，许多其它令人讨厌的倾向在网上也都能很容易地识别出来。孤芳自赏（一切围绕“我我我”）在网络上也老远就会被发现，因为他们都是些只说别人反话或坏话的人，认为只有吹灭他人的蜡烛自己才能闪光的人。（2）网络能让人展现其最好的一面：“现实生活”中爱好交往和直率的人在网上也会展现相同的个性。多数人网上和网下都一样爱找乐趣，即使不是有过之而无不及，也与他们平时在聚会上、在工作中和在当地的酒吧里一样喜欢寻找乐趣。然而无可否认，有些人没有烈性酒作伴，你和他们在一起就不会那么欢乐。 害羞的人在网上比在“现实世界”中会得到更为“安全的”环境，并且在网上能学会更自由地表达自己（你从未见到过有人会在电子邮件上结结巴巴地说话，对吗），网络会使他们增强信心，获得交际技能，而这些又最终会扩大到他们生活的其它方面。现实生活中喜欢帮助他人的人常常在网上也愿意尽力帮助他人。 （3）网上评价人的方式不同： 在互联网上，对人的评价是看他们的个性、信念和网上行为，而不是看他们的外表长相。这很好，因为它不仅会给其貌不扬的人机会，也会使长相漂亮的人必须要说话值得一听才会引起别人注意。 （4）人们更加坦率： 由于在互联网上不必使用真名并提供真实身份，许多人近日来更加坦诚，畅吐心曲。 （5）我们联到一起了： 参与数字文化的人都非常了解，网上有大量重要信息，并能提供许多改变他们生活的机遇。网络为我们中间的许多人打开了许多大门，这种选择是他们在其它面所不能得到的。从事研究的可能和上网与人联系就是两个这样的机会。 （6）我们懂得了语言的威力并学会了更善于倾听：没有面部表情、身体语言或外表长相的干扰，数字文化的成员已学会了词语的威力，包括他们自己的和他人的词语。我们透彻地懂得将词语简单地组合起来就能损害、伤害和冒犯他人，也可以表现幽默和提供帮助、支持和鼓励。多数富有经验的网络成员已经修炼成为语言大师，他们慎重地措词，准确地表达自己的意思以避免被人误解。 由于互联网的缘故，我们中的许多人已经学会更好地倾听。我们不但要更慎重地斟词酌句，我们（尤其是那些通过电子邮件而不是聊天室交流的人）还必须等待，等待他人结束后我们才能说话或者回答。Passage B Cultural Differences In 1993, I had my first opportunity to visit Russia as a representative of the University of California. I was there to provide some technical assistance in the area of agricultural labor management. Russians are a very polite people, I had been tutored before my arrival. One of my interpreters, once I was there, explained that a gentleman should pour the limonad (a type of juice) for the ladies and show other courtesies to them. Toward the end of my three-week trip I was invited by my young Russian host and friend Dmitri Ivanovich and his lovely wife Yielena out to dinner. At the end of a wonderful meal Yielena asked if I would like a banana. I politely declined and thanked her, and explained I was most satisfied with the meal. But the whole while my mind was racing: What do I do? Do I offer her a banana even though they are as close to her as they are to me? What is the polite thing to do? Would you like a banana? I asked Yielena. Yes, she smiled, but made no attempt to take any of the three bananas in the fruit basket. What now? I thought. Which one would you like? I fumbled. That one, she pointed at one of the bananas. So all the while thinking about Russian politeness I picked the banana Yielena had pointed at and peeled it half way and handed it to her. Smiles in Yielena and Dmitris faces told me I had done the right thing. After this experience I spent much time letting the world know that in Russia, the polite thing is to peel the bananas for the ladies. Sometime during my third trip I was politely disabused of my notion. Oh no, Grigorii Davidovich, a Russian graciously corrected me. In Russia, when a man peels a banana for a lady it means he has a romantic interest in her. How embarrassed I felt. And here I had been proudly telling everyone about this tidbit of cultural understanding. Certain lessons have to be learned the hard way. Some well meaning articles and presentations on cultural differences have a potential to do more harm than good and may not be as amusing. They present, like my bananas, too many generalizations or quite a distorted view. Some often-heard generalizations about the Hispanic culture include: Hispanics1 need less personal space, make less eye contact, touch each other more in normal conversation, and are less likely to participate in a meeting. Generalizations are often dangerous, and especially when accompanied by recommendations such as: move closer when talking to Hispanics, make more physical contact, dont expect participation, and so on. Differences between people within any given nation or culture are much greater than differences between groups. Education, social standing, religion, personality, belief structure, past experience, affection shown in the home, and a myriad of other factors will affect human behavior and culture. Sure there are differences in approach as to what is considered polite and appropriate behavior both on and off the job. In some cultures yes means, I hear you more than I agree. Length of pleasantries and greetings before getting down to business, level of tolerance for being around someone speaking a foreign (not-understood) language, politeness measured in terms of gallantry or etiquette (e.g., standing up for a woman who approaches a table, yielding a seat on the bus to an older person, etc.) and manner of expected dress are all examples of possible cultural differences and traditions. In Mexico it is customary for the arriving person to greet the others. For instance, someone who walks into a group of people eating would say provecho (enjoy your meal). In Chile, women often greet both other women and men with a kiss on the cheek. In Russia women often walk arm in arm with their female friends. Paying attention to customs and cultural differences can give someone outside that culture a better chance of assimilation or acceptance. Ignoring these can get an unsuspecting person into trouble. There are cultural and ideological differences and it is good to have an understanding about a cultures customs and ways. Aaron Pun, a Canadian ODCnet correspondent, wrote: In studying cross-cultural2 differences, we are not looking at individuals but a comparison of one ethnic group against others. Hence, we are comparing two bell curves3 and generalizations cannot be avoided. Another correspondent explained the human need to categorize. True, but the danger comes when we act on some of these generalizations, especially when they are based on faulty observations. Acting on generalizations about such matters as eye contact, personal space, touch, and interest in participation can have serious negative consequences.B文化存在差异吗？1993年，我第一次有机会作为加利福尼亚大学的代表访问俄罗斯，为他们提供有关农业劳工管理方面的技术帮助。在我到达之前，人们告诉我说：“俄罗斯是一个非常有礼貌的民族”。我到那里后，有一次一位翻译向我解释说：男士要为女士们倒柠檬汁，要对她们彬彬有礼。 三个星期的行程快结束时，我那位年轻的俄罗斯主人及朋友德米特里?伊万诺维奇和他那可爱的妻子叶列娜邀请我到外面就餐。美餐完毕后，叶列娜问我是否想吃香蕉，我有礼貌地谢绝了，并解释说：我对晚餐非常满意。但此刻我一直在想，“我该做点什么呢？虽然我和她的座位离放香蕉的地方一样近，我要不要为她送上一个香蕉呢？怎样做才显得有礼