外國人最想和你聊的文化話題：伏特加酒與芭蕾舞

　Realize Vodka and Ballet　認識伏特加和芭蕾舞
     1　伏特加和芭蕾舞的簡介
     Vodka is a mostly clear beverage rectified from any alcohol of agricultural origin, with the most common raw materials being relatively high in starch or sugar; for example grain, potatoes or molasses. The spirit is distilled up to around 96% ABV before being diluted with water to bottling strength, generally between 35% and 50% ABV. It is often flavored, and is one of the world's most popular spirits.
     The origin of vodka is famously disputed between Russia and Poland. Both countries can cite written references to the spirit as early as the 15th century, and both have the same etymological claim;"vodka" and "wódka" are the diminutive forms of "voda" and "woda"respectively, the latter two both meaning "water", thus the former two"little water". It is thought that vodka was initially for medicinal use, for rubbing on the body rather than consumption (the Polish distinguished between "wódka", originally designating a spirit for this purpose, and"gorzalka", which was for drinking). By the mid 16th century production of vodka intended for drinking in both countries was reaching significant levels; the Russians had imposed a monopoly and were producing enough to export; and in Poland King Jan Olbrecht had passed a law allowing the people to distil spirits, which were being taxed by the end of the century.
     All of you know ballet for sure. It is a very famous dancing which great stars practice. Not just for the dance itself, but you can look at it as a full-body training. You have probably already seen it on television or in the movies.
     It all started in 1661, this is when the first ever ballet school opened in France. Surprisingly, as opposed to modern standards, ballet was only practiced and danced by men. It was only until 20 years later, that women got allowed to practice ballet.
     Surprisingly, modern ballet still uses the same techniques as they used then. It is all about the perfect arm and leg positions as well as continuing to look graceful while doing so. Most of the ballet combinations still begin with "devant", "glissade", "barre", etc. To do these positions, the dancers have to "turn out" their legs and feet, this is a rotation of the leg so the knee and foot run outwards. This allows the dancers to further extend their leg, especially when raising it to the side or rear.
     A great way for the dancers to practice is by trains using a "barre", this is a wooden plint, positioned horizontally about 3 to 45 inches above the ground. They can use it in a variation of ways. They can put their leg onto the bar and stretch their legs by hooking their heel over it.
     2　伏特加的主要原料
     Rye　黑麥
     Rye is the most common raw material in Poland, and also finds its way into some Russian vodka. It tends to produce vodka with a nose reminiscent of rye bread, and has a pleasing sweet spiciness on the palate.
     Wheat　小麥
     Wheat is the most popular grain for vodka in general, and is the grain of choice in Russia. Wheat vodkas are frequently associated with a clean flavor and an aniseed finish, sometimes with an oily mouth feel.
     Potato　馬鈴薯
     It is easy to imagine a spirit made from potatoes being an inferior product, whereas in truth potato vodkas tend to be more expensive than their grain counterparts. The potatoes used for vodka production have a much higher level of starch than ordinary potatoes, yet the yield is still much lower than any of the other common raw materials, which drive the production costs up. Potato vodkas tend to have a creamy flavor and texture, with a weighty mouth feel.
     Corn　玉米
     Corn has the largest yield of the grains and is generally only used in western vodkas. It is associated with buttery.
     Barley 大麥
     Barley is the least common of the grains used in vodka, and is usually associated with Finland. It tends to have a smooth, slightly sweet flavor.
     伏特加酒在酒界享有很高的地位，它代表的是一種高貴與權勢，但它的口味并不是每個人都能接受。芭蕾舞被稱為世界上最美的舞蹈，不僅是因為那舞蹈的編排，而是舞者的飄逸和輕盈深深地吸引著觀眾。
Part 2　Key words ＆ Sentences　關鍵詞語全知道
     "Ballet" originated in Italy, flourished in France.
     "芭蕾"起源于意大利，興盛于法國。
     Ballet performs dramatic plot with music, dance and mime.
     芭蕾舞是用音樂﹑舞蹈和啞劇手法來表演戲劇情節(jié)。
     Ballet shoes produced by Russia's famous company "Gerry Vuk"are welcomed by more than thirty countries, from Africa to Mexico.
     俄羅斯著名的"格里什科"公司生產的芭蕾舞鞋從非洲到墨西哥，在三十多個國家受到歡迎。
     In history, the development of ballet has been influenced by two aesthetic points. One is "pure dancing" while the other is "dramatic dancing".
     在芭蕾發(fā)展史上，主要有兩種美學觀點一直在起作用。一個是純粹的舞蹈，另外一個是戲劇的舞蹈。
     The structure and form of ballet had developed to a high degree of standardization and stylization in the late 19th century, which affects and limits its further development.
     19世紀后期，芭蕾的結構形式已經高度規(guī)范化和程式化，這也影響和限制了芭蕾的進一步發(fā)展。
     Among the large number of works of ballet in the 20th century, people try and make new explorations and creations.
     在20世紀編導創(chuàng)作的大量芭蕾作品中，人們不斷嘗試新的探索和創(chuàng)造。
     Wheat vodka tastes more soft and smooth.
     小麥伏特加口感通常更加柔軟和平滑。
     The best-quality vodka is usually distilled several times and filtered through to remove impurities in it.
     品質最好的伏特加通常都經過多次蒸餾和過濾來去除酒中的雜質。
     At the beginning of World War II, the production technology of vodka spread from Russia to the United States, which enabled the latter to become a large vodka producer.
     在第二次世界大戰(zhàn)開始時，俄羅斯制造伏特加酒的技術傳到了美國，使美國也一躍成為生產伏特加酒的大國之一。
     Bereginka, Martini and Grey Goose are the most famous and luxury brands in the world of Vodka.
     波爾金卡、馬提尼、灰雁伏是世界上最出名也是最奢華的伏特加酒品牌。
     Russia is the main vodka-producing country, but countries like Germany, Finland, Poland, the United States and Japan are also able to brew high-quality vodka.
     俄羅斯是生產伏特加酒的主要國家，但德國、芬蘭、波蘭、美國、日本等國也都能釀制優(yōu)質的伏特加酒。
     Vodka is the base wine without any artificial additives, flavoring, seasoning and is also the originator of the world's major flavoring cocktails and wine.
     伏特加是沒有經過任何人工添加、調香、調味的基酒，也是世界各大調味雞尾酒的鼻祖和必用酒。
     Vodka is the most flexible, adaptable and flexible wine in the world.
     伏特加酒是最具有靈活性、適應性和變通性的一種酒。