pub talk 文字材料.doc

Writing typeExpositionWhat does the writer intend to explain?- the charm of a good conversationn Theme: The charm of conversation is that it does not really start from anywhere and no one has any ideas where it will go as it meanders or leaps and sparkles or just glows.聊天的吸引人之处就在于它的开始并不是一个设定好的主题；它可能迂回前行，可能奋勇向前，可能摩擦出火花，可能迸发出热情，话题的最终方向估计谁都无法预测。 How does the writer explain the charm of a good conversation? -illustration (examples) A pub talk about “ the kings English” To summarize The charm of a good conversation Supported by One example of a pub talk on “the kings English”About the titleIs it a good title? what do you think the essay may talk about after reading the title?-the relationship between pub talk and the kings EnglishIt is not an aptly chosen title.Can you think of a better one?-the Art of Good Conversation The Charm of Good ConversationPart I para.1-2n The writer puts forward the theses.n 1. Conversation is the most sociable of all human activities.n 2. The charm of conversation is that it does not really start from anywhere and no one has any ideas where it will go as it meanders or leaps and sparkles or just glows.part II para. 3-11n an example to support the thesis-a pub conversation with the topic of “the kings English”n no fixed topic - the Kings English - Australia - Saxon churls - the language barriersn The example has well explained where its charm lies.part III para.1217l more digressions. (what the writer thought about after the bar conversation the night before)n Para.12-15 He gives his personal reflection on the history and meaning of the Kings Englishn Para.16-17 By the mentioning of dictionaries and salons of 18th Paris, he reveals his attitude towards the Kings Englishn 1)should not be laid down as an edict and made immune to change from below n 2) should not be an ultimatumpart IV. Para. 18-21 conclusion the bane of a good conversation -talking sense- Those people who ruin the conversation by trying to talk sense are just like chimpanzees who are not capable of conversation.The Authorl Henry Fairlie 1924-l The editor of “The New Republic”l Masterpieces:l The Kennedy Promise l The life of Politics l The Spoiled Child of the Western World1. Conversation is the most sociable of all human activities.Sociable adj. Sb.or an occasion is , n - friendly; agreeable; esp. in an easy and informal wayn He is a sociable guy. (he enjoys spending time with others)n We spent a sociable evening drinking the other day. (happy, agreeable) Here, -conversation helps to establish a friendly and pleasant relationship among people.n Paraphrase- more than any other human activity, conversation helps to promote an agreeable, pleasant and informal relationship among people.2. And it is an activity only of humann - And conversation is an activity which is found only among human beings. n Animals and birds are not capable of conversation.Why is it an activity only of humans?What is language?What are the differences between human language and animal language?Languageis a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. -system: elements are arranged according to certain rules, can be learned and used consistently. -arbitrary: no intrinsic connection between the word and the thing it refers to. Different languages have different words for the same thing. -vocal: the primary medium is sound for all languages, no matter how well developed are their writing systems. Symbol: language is a set of systemic signs used to represent sth. else.signaling systemDifferences Human language Arbitrary(任意性)(No natural relationship between the symbol and the meaning)duality (双重性)Language can be divided into structures of sounds & meanings Creativity, (创造性) the ability to produce novel utterances, (we can use the symbols to create new meanings) displacement (位移性) refer to things which are not present; real or imagined in the past, present, future, in far away places Animal calls A fixed connection between the signal and the meaning. This system(connection) is mainly genetically inbuilt. Animal calls can not But animals only have limited signals and can not create new ones Animal calls can only refer to things that are present, they are stimulus instant.3. they do not indulge in anything that deserves the name o conversation.Indulge v. -allow yourself to have or do sth. you likee.g. Dont indulge yourself too freely -computer games. (A. with B. in)不要让自己过分沉溺于电脑游戏。 Occasionally he indulges -the luxury of a good cigar. (A. with B. in)他会偶尔享受一支好雪茄。 Indulge oneself with sth. / sb. indulge in sth. Here, -go in for, take part in 参与，参加Paraphrase-they do not go in for any activity which might rightly be called conversation.4. The charm of conversation is that it does not really start from anywhere and no one has any ideas where it will go as it meanders or leaps and sparkles or just glows.Meanders v. (a stream or river) flow slowly by following a winding and turning route (which is not straight or direct) 蜿蜒曲折前行Leaps v. flow swiftly or joyously onward 激流涌进Sparkle v. (fire, light) to burn brightly throwing off sparks 火花四射Glow v. （fire, light） to burn steadily without flame 发出微弱而稳定的光图片What is the figure of speech?-metaphor, a mixed metaphorCompare “conversation” to both “stream” and “fire”Paraphrase-n It does not need a special topic to start a conversation. Anything may start a good conversation. Anything can start a conversation. And once started, no one knows how or where it will end. That is why conversation is delightful and charming.4. paraphrase “Conversation is not for making a point.” make a point: if you make your point, or prove your point, you prove that something is true, either by arguing about it or by your actions or behavior. 立论； 证明观点e.g. I think you have made your point in this case.Paraphrase-Conversation is not for persuading others to accept our idea or viewpoint.In a conversation we should not try to establish the force of an idea or argument. 5. there is no wining in conversation-In a conversation one doesnt try to prove oneself right and the others wrong.We may argue but we neednt try to convince others that they are wrong and we are right.5. c.f. anecdote/storyanecdote: a short amusing story about a real person or event (esp. a famous person)story: can be real or imaginary/fictionale.g. She knows many anecdotes of Bacon.6. in/like a flash-in a second, very quickly and suddenlye.g. 四年的大学生活转瞬即逝。Four years of college life seemed to be over in a flash.7. what is the “Charm of a conversation”?n -no fixed topic, starting from nowhere and going nowhere, no point to maken -there is no winning or losing in conversation, for conversation is not for persuading others to accept our idea or point of view. What ruins a good conversation? -to have “something to say”, or try to make a point, to win an argument.7. Perhaps it is because of my up-bringing in English pubs of its own: up-bringing: the training and education that sb. received while growing up.e.g. translate-His upbringing explains a lot about his attitude towards women.他所接受的教育在很大程度上解释了他对待女人态度。他对女人的态度很大程度上取决于他接受的教育。Figure of speech?-hyperbole-This is an exaggeration of the author for he didnt really grow up in a pub. He was only a frequenter of pubs. Paraphrase-Perhaps it is because Ive spent so much of my time in English pubs that I think bar conversation has a special charm.8. their marriage may be on the rockson the rocks (idm)-(relationship, business) experience very sever difficulties and looks like to end or fail very soon; wrecked or ruined限于困境，濒临崩溃e.g. Mr. Jones business was on the rocks. = His business was losing money and almost ruined.Here, metaphor, comparing a marriage to a ship wrecked on the rocks; (to be in a condition of ruin or catastrophe)婚姻触礁9. (idm) get out of bed on the wrong side =get up on the wrong side of the bed (AmE.)- in a bad temper /mood and are easily annoyed all day, esp.for no particular reason 心情不好，闹情绪The origin of the expression- an ancient superstition 10. Alexandre Dumas (sr.) (1802-1870) - known as Dumas preOne of the most famous French writers of the 19th century, best known for the historical novels The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, both written within the space of two years, 1844-45.Alexandre Dumas, pre, born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (July 24, 1802 December 5, 1870) was a French writer, best known for his numerous historical novels of high adventure which have made him the most widely read French author in the world. Many of his novels, including The Count of Monte Cristo and the DArtagnan Romances, were serialized, and he also wrote plays, magazine articles, and was a prolific correspondent. Alexandre Dumas pre wrote stories and historical chronicles of high adventure that captured the imagination of the French public who eagerly waited to purchase the continuing sagas. A few of these works are: 三劍客；如果您有時間讀上三本，那麼請加上基督山恩仇記和瑪歌王后；如果您要讀五本，再加上二十年後和蒙梭羅夫人；如果您選擇十冊大仲馬的作品，那麼便再加上大野心家，四十五衛士，我的回憶錄，安東尼和波治倫子爵。o Twenty Years After, ans aprs, 1845) o The Vicomte de Bragelonne, sometimes called Ten Years Later, The Three Musketeers (Les Trois Mousquetaires, 1844) Twenty Years After (Vingt Ans Aprs, 1845) The Count of Monte Cristo (18451846) The Fencing Master (Le matre darmes, 1840) The Regents Daughter (1845) The Two Dianas (1846) the Valois romances Queen Margot (1845) La Dame de Monsoreau (1846) The Forty-Five Guardsmen (1847) o11. 小仲马 Alexandre Dumas, fils (July 27, 1824 November 27, 1895) was the son of Alexandre Dumas, pre, who followed in his fathers footsteps becoming a celebrated author and playwright. Alexandre Dumas fils was born in Paris, France, the illegitimate child of Marie-Catherine Labay, a dressmaker, and novelist Alexandre Dumas. In 1831 his father legally recognized him and ensured the young Dumas received the best education possible at the Institution Goubaux and the Collge Bourbon.In 1844 Dumas fils moved to Saint-Germain-en-Laye to live with his father. There, he met Marie Duplessis, a young courtesan who would be the inspiration for his romantic novel, La dame aux camlias (The Lady of the Camellias). Adapted into a play, it was titled in English as Camille and is the basis for Verdis 1853 opera, La Traviata. One of those children, a son named after him, whose mother was Marie-Laure-Catherine Labay (17941868), a dressmaker, would follow in his footsteps, also becoming a successful novelist and playwright. Because of their same name and occupation, to distinguish them, one is referred to as Alexandre Dumas, pre, the other as Alexandre Dumas, fils.12. 三个火枪手故事简介The Three Musketeers (Les Trois Mousquetaires) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, pre. In this story, it has everything you would ever want: romance, camaraderie, heroism, and, above all, adventure.It recounts the adventures of a young man named dArtagnan. DArtagnan is a young boy who dreams of becoming a famous musketeer, the soldier who protects the king of France in the 17th century. In order to achieve this dream, he leaves home and goes to Paris, where he runs in to three famous Musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. From them, he gets to know that the musketeers are already disbanded by the evil Cardinal (红衣主教)who hopes to undermine the Kings reign and rule France on his own. After becoming friends with them, DArtagnan joins the three musketeers and starts his adventures to protect the King and his throne. 三个火枪手的特征Three famous Musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, are inseparable friends who live by the motto, One for all, and all for one. Even though in the end they follow their own paths, you know they will always be able to rely on each other. It may remind us true friends come together in troubled times. Very interestingly, although they support with each other with their fortune and their lives, they show no curiosity in nor try to find out anything about each others private lives.(why the writer compares ., )?Because bar friends, likewise, do not probe deep into each others lives nor do they try to find out the innermost thoughts and feelings of their drinking companions.13. delve v. to dig, research, in order to find a thing; to investigate in order to find new informatione.g. she delved in the pocket for the penny.我们需要更深入挖掘，找出金融危机的根源。We need to delve more deeply to find the causes of the financial crisis.在恋爱中，过多地深究彼此的过去并非明智之举。In the relationships, it is unwise to delve too deeply into each others past.l What are the rhetorical devices used in the last sentence of Para.3?-simile, allusionAllusion-e.g. 1. English is his Achilles heel.It means that English is his weak point and probably a fatal weak point.Achilles heel refers to Achilles heel. Achilles is the hero in Greek mythology. Achilles mother, in order to make his son immortal, washes him in a magic river. But unfortunately, she forgets to wash his heel by which she holds. His heel becomes his weak spot. And Achilles eventually died of a wound after being hit by an arrow on that very heel.An Apple of Discord争斗之源；不和之因；祸根e.g. The dispute about inheriting estate formed an apple of discord between them.An apple of discord are references to the Golden Apple of Discord which, according to Greek mythology, the goddess Eris was not invited to attend the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, she was annoyed and carried a Golden apple with the words to the fairest on it to the wedding. This apple aroused a severe dispute among Hera, Athena and Aphrodite that eventually led to the Trojan War.Thus, apple of discord became a euphemism for the core, kernel, or crux of an argument, or for a small matter that could lead to a bigger dispute.apple of ones eye 掌上明珠ants and grasshoppers 勤勞與懶惰的人Bell the cat 不可能的任務catch 22 進退維谷Cinderella Complex 灰姑娘情結 -不切實際的幻想David and Goliath = David and Jonathan 管鮑之交Electra Complex 戀父情結Helen of Troy 絕世美女14. What is the function of paragraph 4?It may be used as a transitional paragraph. An example was given here, but in order to arouse the readers curiosity the writer didnt mention the topic until the next paragraph.15. It was on such an occasionas the conversation moved desultorily here and there, from the most commonplace to thoughts of Jupiter,that suddenly the alchemy of conversation took place.l Sentence structure:It wasthat-(an emphatic pattern)aswith no need for one,-an appositive clausel Desultorily adv. - (fml./ literary) aimlessly, at random, without a clear plan or purpose.漫无目的地Desultory adj. a conversation 漫谈，漫话 (on the history)a walk 漫步l alchemy n.- a type of chemistry, esp. from about 1100 to 1500, which dealt with trying to find a way to change ordinary metals into gold and with trying to find a medicine which would cure any disease. 炼丹术，炼金术-a literary and figurative use, meaning the power to do sth. so well that it seems mysterious and magical; a magic魔力 e.g. She has managed, by some extraordinary , to turn an unhappy family into a happy one almost overnight.她用了什么神奇的魔力，几乎在一夜之间使一个悲伤的家庭变成了一个快乐的家庭。-figure of speech Matophorl paraphrase-The conversation rambled(漫步）along aimlessly without a focal subject. They talked about the most common things and also made some remarks about the planet Jupiter. Then suddenly a magical transformation took place and there was a focal subject to talk about.Para. 5-short transition paragraph, introducing the focal subject of the conversationthe Kings English, 16. what is “the Kings English”?-is generally regarded by most people as referring to standard or correct English, i.e. good English which everyone should try to imitate. 17. How about the remarks about “the Kings English” given in the text?-term of criticism, now the speaker says that someone tells her this term refers to English that should not be used . Instead of praising, the term is now criticizing.18. The glow into flames: What is the figure of speech? -metaphor. Conversation is being compared to a fire. -meaning: the conversation became spirited（有生气的）and exciting.闲谈的氛围立刻就热烈沸腾起来。19. Understand “that would settle it”?By looking up reference books one could settle the right or wrong of the argument. The reference books would prove or refute the allegation陈词，说法 of the speaker that the Kings English is a term of criticism.20. Translate “There were affirmations and protests and denials, and of course the promise, made in all such conversation, that we would look it up on the morning.”有的人表示赞同，有的人极力反驳，有的干脆彻底否定。当然，如同处理其他谈话中的分歧的方法一样，我们约好第二天早晨去核查对错。如何处理抽象词的英译汉英汉对比研究连淑能著*用动词取代名词：These problems defy easy classification. 这些问题难以归类。*用范畴词使抽象概念具体化。He discussed greatness and excellence. 他探讨了伟大和杰出的涵义。*用具体词阐释抽象的词义。On March 1, Nixon internationalized his approach to China. 三月一日，尼克松把他对中国问题的看法扩大到国际范围里了。*用形象性词语使抽象意义具体化He was open now to charges of willful blindness. 这时人们指责他装聋作哑。 ardent loyalty 赤胆忠心 perfect harmony 水乳交融 offend public decency 伤风败俗21. Why do people say Australians are the descendants of convicts? -see note 6.22.