大學(xué)英語自學(xué)教程 unit 21

[00:00.00]Unit 21 text A [00:04.41]The Language of Uncertainty [00:06.69]語言的不確定性 [00:08.96]Uncertainty spreads through our lives so thoroughly [00:12.29]無法確定的事情在我們生活中無所不在， [00:15.62]that it dominates our language. [00:17.91]以致支配著我們的語言。 [00:20.19]Our everyday speech is made up in large part of words like probably many, [00:24.87]我們的日常講話很大一部分是由probaby(大概), [00:29.54]soon,great,little;What do these words mean? [00:33.97]soon(很快)great(很大)little（很小）一類的詞構(gòu)成的。這些詞是指什么意思呢？ [00:38.40]"Atomic war," declared a recent editorial in the London Times, [00:42.67]倫敦《泰晤士報》最近的一篇社論聲稱： [00:46.94]"is likely to destroy forever the nation that wages it." [00:50.77]倫敦《泰晤士報》最近的一篇社論聲稱： [00:54.60]How exactly are we to understand the word likely? [00:57.77]“我們?nèi)绾螠?zhǔn)確理解（很可能）這個詞呢？ [01:00.94]Lacking any standard for estimating the probability, [01:04.07]因為缺乏任何估計可能性的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)， [01:07.19]we are left with the judgment of the editorial writer. [01:10.06]我們只能聽任社論作者的判斷。 [01:12.93]Such verbal imprecision is not necessarily to be criticised. [01:16.56]這類言詞的不準(zhǔn)確性并非一定要予以責(zé)備。 [01:20.20]Indeed,it has a value just because it allows us to express judgments [01:24.38]甚至，它還有一定的價值， [01:28.56]when a precise quantitative statement is out of the question. [01:32.08]因為它容許我們在無法作出一個精確的定量表述時來表達(dá)判斷。 [01:35.61]The language of uncertainty has three main categories: [01:39.74]不確定的語言主要有三種分類： [01:43.86](1)words such as probably, possibly, surely, [01:48.29]（1）像probably（大概），possibly（可能）surely（肯定） [01:52.72]which denote a single subjective probability [01:56.05]之類的詞，表達(dá)某一主觀的， [01:59.38]and are potentially quantifiable; [02:02.20]可以量化的可能性； [02:05.02](2) words like many,often,soon,which are also quantifiable [02:09.71]（2）像many（很多）often（常常）soon（很快）這一類詞，也是可量化的， [02:14.40]but denote not so much a condition of uncertainty as a quantity imprecisely known; [02:19.42]但它們表示的與其說是不能肯定的狀態(tài)，不如說是一個知之不確的數(shù)量； [02:24.43](3) words like fat,rich,drunk, [02:28.11]（3）像fat（胖）rich（富）drunk（醉）一類的詞， [02:31.80]which can not be reducedto any accepted number [02:34.51]不能將其轉(zhuǎn)化為任何可接受的數(shù)字， [02:37.23]because they are given different values by different people. [02:40.31]因不同的人賦予它們不同的量值。 [02:43.40]We have been trying to pin down by experiments [02:46.18]我們一直想用實驗準(zhǔn)確說明， [02:48.96]what people mean by these expressions in specific contexts, [02:52.49]在特定語境下人們使用這些說法時所指的意思， [02:56.01]and how the meanings change with age. [02:58.73]以及這些意思如何隨年齡而變化。 [03:01.45]For instance, a subject is told " [03:03.67]比如，一名實驗對象被告知 [03:05.89]There are many trees in the park" [03:08.26]“公園里有很多樹，”， [03:10.64]and is asked to say what number the word many mean to him. [03:14.02]然后問他“很多”這個詞對他的意味著多少 [03:17.41]Or a child is invited to take "some" sweets from a bowl [03:20.93]或叫一個孩子從一個碗里拿出“一些”糧果， [03:24.46]and we then count how many he has taken. [03:27.09]然后我們數(shù)數(shù)他拿了幾顆。 [03:29.71]We compare the number he takes when he is alone with the number [03:32.99]我們拿他單獨在場時出的糖果的數(shù)目 [03:36.27]when one or more other children are present [03:39.14]和有一個或幾個孩子在場的， [03:42.01]and are to take some sweets after him, [03:44.34]隨后也要拿糖果情況下取出的糖果的數(shù)目進(jìn)行比較， [03:46.66]or with the number he takes when told to give"some" sweets to another child. [03:50.79]或者和叫他取一些糖果分給別的孩子的情況進(jìn)行比較。 [03:54.92]First,we find that the number depends,of course,on the items involved. [03:59.75]首先，我們當(dāng)然發(fā)現(xiàn)數(shù)目取決于涉及的事物。 [04:04.58]To most people some friends means about five, [04:07.86]對大多數(shù)人而言，“一些朋友”意味著大約5個， [04:11.14]while some trees means about twenty. [04:14.11]而“一些樹”則指大約20棵。 [04:17.07]However,unrelated areas sometimes show parallel values. [04:20.79]然而，同一數(shù)字在不相關(guān)的方面有時量值是相似的。 [04:24.52]For instance,the language of probability seems to mean about the same thing in predictions about the weather [04:29.19]比如，表示概率的語言在預(yù)報天氣 [04:33.87]and about politics:the expression is certain to (rain, or be elected) [04:38.44]和政治時似乎所指意思相同：“肯定要”（下雨或被選為） [04:43.01]signifies to the average person about a 70 per cent chance; [04:46.54]對一般人意味著70%的概率； [04:50.06]is likely to,about a 60 per cent chance; [04:53.09]“很可能”大約有60%的機(jī)會； [04:56.12]probably will, about 55 perscent. [04:59.01]“大概會”則大約有55%的可能性。 [05:01.90]Secondly, the size of the population of items influences [05:05.67]其次，事物總量的大小會影響 [05:09.45]the valueassigned to an expression. [05:12.08]一種表達(dá)方式被賦予的量值。 [05:14.72]Thus,if we tell a subject to take "a few" [05:17.54]因此，如果叫一名實驗者從盒子里取出“一些” [05:20.37]or "a lot of"glass balls from a box, [05:23.49]或“很多”玻璃球， [05:26.61]he will take more if the box contains a large number of glass balls [05:30.33]盒子里玻璃球數(shù)目多的時候，他取出的就多， [05:34.05]than if it has a small number. [05:36.33]反之他取出的就少。 [05:38.60]But not proportionately more: [05:40.94]但不是按比例增加的： [05:43.28]if we increase the number of glass balls eight times, [05:46.45]如果將玻璃球的數(shù)目增加7倍， [05:49.62]the subject takes only half as large a percentage of the total. [05:53.04]被試者也只按玻璃球總數(shù)比例的一半取出玻璃球。 [05:56.47]Thirdly, there is a marked change with age. [05:59.39]最后，取球數(shù)目隨年齡顯著變化。 [06:02.32]Among children between six and fourteen years old, [06:05.19]在6歲到14歲的孩子中， [06:08.07]the older the child,the fewer glass balls he will take. [06:11.10]年齡越大，孩子取出的玻璃球越少。 [06:14.13]But the difference between a lot and a few widens with age. [06:17.55]但“許多”和“一些”之間的差別隨年齡增長而變大。 [06:20.97]This age effect is so consistent that it might be usedas a test of intelligence. [06:25.36]這種年齡產(chǎn)生的效果是一貫的，以致都可用其作智商測驗。 [06:29.75]In place of a long test [06:32.07]我們可以叫實驗者 [06:34.40]we could merely ask the subjectto give numerical values to expressions such as nearly always [06:39.76]給在某一特定語境下的說法如nearly always [06:45.13] and very rarely in a given context, [06:48.16]和very rarely賦予數(shù)值意義， [06:51.19]and then meagre hi8 intelligence by the ratio of the number for [06:54.68]通過所得的 nearly always的數(shù)值與very rarely數(shù)值之間的比率， [06:58.17]nearly always to the one for very rarely. [07:01.45]來衡量實驗者的智商。 [07:04.72]We have found that this ration increases systematically [07:07.51]我們發(fā)現(xiàn)，這個比率隨著年齡 的增長有規(guī)律地變大， [07:10.29]from about 2 to 1 for a child of seven [07:13.41]從7歲小孩所給的約為2：1 [07:16.53]to about 20 to 1 for a person twenty--five years old. [07:19.95]增大到25歲成人所給的約為20：1。 [07:23.38]Text B [07:26.12]It Never Rains but It Pours! [07:28.69]“不雨則已，一雨傾盆” [07:31.27]An hour before midnight is worth two afteror so my mother used to tell me [07:35.24]“午夜前睡一小時能頂午夜后兩小時?！? [07:39.21]as I sat down to breakfast after a particularly late night. [07:42.03]過去如果我很晚才睡第二天坐下來吃早餐時母親 就總這么對我嘮叨。 [07:44.85]But is it really true that sleep before 12 p.m. [07:47.93]但真的是這樣嗎，晚上12點以前睡效果 [07:51.01]is twice as good for you as sleep after that hour.'? [07:53.53]比之后睡要好得多？ [07:56.06]At the time, like most young people, [07:58.54]可那時像大多數(shù)年輕人一樣， [08:01.02]I regarded this proverbas an old wive's tale with no relevance to my own life. [08:04.44]我對此不以為然，把它看成是與我生活不相關(guān)的無稽之談。 [08:07.86]I mean, an hour is an hour ... it's 60 minutes, a.m. or p.m. [08:11.59]我的意思是，一小時就是一小時，不管上午還是下午，都是60分鐘。 [08:15.31]However, now older and wiser, [08:17.65]但是，現(xiàn)在我長大了，也懂得多了， [08:19.98]I remember my mother's wordsas I scramble into bed at 11 o'clock. [08:23.26]晚上11點爬上床時總記起我母親的話。 [08:26.54]I am now a firm believer in the value of getting at least one hour's sleep before midnight! [08:30.56]現(xiàn)在我對午夜12點以前睡一小的作用篤信不疑。 [08:34.59]Advice about how to live a healthy life [08:37.56]一些公認(rèn)的智慧 [08:40.54]is one example of the type of received wisdom [08:42.97]濃縮成格言的形式世代相傳， [08:45.40]which is condensed and passed onto the next generation in the form of proverbs. [08:49.18]對如何過健康生活的建議就是一個例子。 [08:52.95]Proverbs also serve to express general truths in a short and coloufful way [08:56.82]格言也以簡短精煉，色彩豐富的方式起著表達(dá)普遍真理的作用。 [09:00.68]for example, There' s no smoke without fire, [09:03.22]比如，“無風(fēng)不起浪” [09:05.75]meaning that there is generally some truth in even the wildest rumours. [09:09.22]思是即使最茺誕的謠言一般也有某些真實之處。 [09:12.70]Another type of proverb acts as a reminder of the correct way to behave [09:16.38]另一類格言則起著提醒人們要正確行事的作用， [09:20.07]for example,Don't wash your dirty linen in public. [09:22.95]例如，“家丑不可外揚”， [09:25.84]This means don't discuss personal or family problems [09:28.66]指不要在生人面前或大庭廣眾下 [09:31.48]in front of strangers or in public. [09:33.70]談?wù)搨€人隱私或家事。 [09:35.92]Other proverbs are offered to peopleas means of comfort in times of trouble, [09:39.10]另一些格言則在人們陷入麻煩時起安慰作用。 [09:42.27]for example, It's no use crying over spilt milk. [09:45.25]例如，“為無可挽回的事悲傷無補”， [09:48.23]This proverb advises that it really is a waste of time [09:51.20]這句格言建議人們不要浪費時間， [09:54.18]to weep over mistakes that have already been made. [09:56.61]為已鑄成的錯誤痛哭流涕，悔恨不已， [09:59.04]Instead, it is much better to Make the best of a bad job [10:02.00]而應(yīng)該“在沒有法中想辦法”——不管情況如何， [10:04.97]to do your best whatever the situation. [10:07.19]盡力而為，這樣要好得多。 [10:09.41]Some English proverbs are native to Britain, [10:11.93]有些英語格言原本就是英國的， [10:14.45]for example,It never rains but it pours [10:17.09]比如，“不雨則已，一雨傾盆” [10:19.73]a reference to the joys of the British weather! [10:22.21]指的是英國天氣帶來的結(jié)果！ [10:24.69]This proverb means that when one thing goes wrong, [10:27.17]這條格言的意思是一件事出差錯， [10:29.66]many other things go wrong as well. [10:31.73]很多別的事也一起錯。 [10:33.81]Another home-grown proverb is Every dog is allowed one bite. [10:37.28]另一句土生土長的格言的意思是，“每條狗允許咬一次人”。 [10:40.76]This proverb is based on ma old English law dating back to the 17th century [10:44.48]這句格言基于一條可追溯到17世紀(jì)的古老法律。 [10:48.20]The law said that the flint time a dog bit somebody, [10:50.93]這條法律說，狗第一次咬人， [10:53.66]its owner did not have to pay compensation to the vietim [10:56.39]它的主人可以不給受害者賠償金， [10:59.12]because one bite did not prove that the dog was vieious. [11:01.90]因為僅這一咬不能證明狗就是條惡狗。 [11:04.69]Hence the idea carried in the proverb, [11:07.11]因此，格言的意思 [11:09.54]that everyone should be allowed to make a mistake without being punished for it . [11:12.87]應(yīng)允許任何人犯一次錯而不受懲罰。 [11:16.21]Other proverbs have come into the language from Latin or Greek. [11:19.18]另一些格言則源于拉丁文或希臘文。 [11:22.16]Lucretius, a classical Roman author, [11:24.64]盧克萊修，一位古羅馬作家， [11:27.12]reated the proverb One man' s meat is another man' s poison, [11:30.21]創(chuàng)作了這句格言，“ 一人的肉食可能是他人的毒藥”， [11:33.29]meaning that what is good for one person can be harmful to another. [11:36.57]意指對甲有利的東西可能對乙有害。 [11:39.85]And the proverb Let sleeping dogs lie [11:42.22]還有“別惹事生非”， [11:44.60]meaning don' t cause trouble when it can be avoided, [11:47.08]意思是能避開進(jìn)就別去惹麻煩。 [11:49.56]came into English from the French in the 14th century. [11:52.14]是14世紀(jì)時由法語傳入英語的， [11:54.71]As Britain came into convict with other counstries and cultures, [11:58.03]英國與別的國家交往以后，接觸到外來文化， [12:01.35]English became ached with the words and wisdom al different languages [12:04.27]英語吸收了不同語言的詞匯和智慧，因而變得豐富多采。 [12:07.20]From the Chinese,we borrowed the colourful proverb [12:09.87]我們借鑒了漢語中 [12:12.55]He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount [12:14.98]“騎虎難下”的格言， [12:17.41]meaning that if you start on a dangerous enterprise [12:19.84]意思是如果開始了某項危險的事業(yè)， [12:22.27]it is often easier to carry it through to the end than to stop halfway. [12:25.35]堅持到底比半途而廢要容易得多。 [12:28.43]Some proverbs have been in the language for 1,000 years, for example, [12:31.97]一些格言已有上千年的歷史，例如， [12:35.51]A friend in need is a friend indeed. [12:37.79]“患難知真交”，意 [12:40.06]The message here is that someonewho stays with you and helps you in times of trouble, [12:43.49]意思是在困難時幫助你， [12:46.93]rather than turning their back, is a true friend. [12:49.41]和你共患難而不是對你置之不理的人才是你真正的朋友。 [12:51.89]Other proverbs, however,are much more recent, [12:54.57]但另一些格言則年輕得多， [12:57.25]and reflect changes in the way that we live. [12:59.38]反映了我們生活方式的變化。 [13:01.51]From the United States come the following two pieces of new wisdom [13:04.89]以下兩條新的智慧格言來自美國。 [13:08.27]Garbage in--garbage out, from the computer world, [13:11.00]“無用輸入——無用輸出”來自電腦世界， [13:13.73]reminds people that computersare only as good as their programs. [13:16.55]提醒我們電腦實際上就是程序的作用。 [13:19.37]From big business we have. [13:21.66]從大企業(yè)那兒我們學(xué)到了 [13:23.94]There's no such thing as a free lunch,meaning nothing is free. [13:26.97]沒有免費的午餐”，意思 是沒有什么是白給的。 [13:30.00]If someone buys you lunch, they will expect a favour in return. [13:33.03]如果別人花錢請你吃午飯，就會指望你給他們回報。 [13:36.07]Some English people are reluctant to use proverbsin their everyday conversation [13:38.94]有些英國人在日常生活中不愿使用格言， [13:41.81]because they see them as vehicles of too much used wisdom. [13:44.59]把它們看成是陳詞濫調(diào)的表達(dá)手段。 [13:47.38]Nevertheless,proverbs are still quite oomrnon in both written and spoken English [13:51.01]然而，格言在書面英語和口頭英語中仍然都還很常見， [13:54.64]and continue to provide a homely commentary on life [13:57.62]它們繼續(xù)簡明扼要地點評生活， [14:00.59]and a reminder that the wisdom of our ancestors [14:03.23]并且提醒我們， [14:05.87]may still be useful to us today. [14:07.84]祖先的智慧也許今天對我們還有所裨益。

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