Unit 4

Cultural Encounters

Susan Bassnett

1 We live in an age of easy access to the rest of the world.1 Cheap flights mean that millions of people are able to visit places their parents could only dream about, while the Internet enables us to communicate with the remotest places and the traditional postal services are now referred to almost mockingly as “snail mail.” When students go off backpacking, they can email their parents from Internet cafes in the Himalayas or from a desert oasis. And as for mobile phones — the clicking of text messaging at any hour of the day or night has become familiar to us all. Everyone, it seems, provided, of course, they can afford to do so, need never be out of touch.

2 Significantly also, this great global communications revolution is also linked to the expansion of English, which has now become the leading international language. Conferences and business meetings around the globe are held in English, regardless of whether anyone present is a native English speaker. English has simply become the language that facilitates communication, and for many people learning English is an essential stepping stone on the road to success.2

3 So why, you may wonder, would anyone have misgivings about all these wonderful developments, and why does the rise of English as a global language cause feelings of uneasiness for some of us? For there are indeed problems with the communications revolution, problems that are not only economic. Most fundamental is the profound relationship between language and culture that lies at the heart of society and one that we overlook at our peril.3

4 Different cultures are not simply groups of people who label the world differently; languages give us the means to shape our views of the world and languages are different from one another. We express what we see and feel through language, and because languages are so clearly culture-related,4 often we find that what we can say in one language cannot be expressed at all in another. The English word “homesickness” translates into Italian as “nostalgia,” but English has had to borrow that same word to describe a different state of mind, something that is not quite homesickness and involves a kind of longing. Homesickness and nostalgia put together are almost, but not quite, the Portuguese “saudade,” an untranslatable word that describes a state of mind that is not despair, angst (English borrowed that from German), sadness or regret, but hovers somewhere in and around all those words.

5 The early Bible translators hit the problem of untranslatability head-on. How do you translate the image of the Lamb of God for a culture in which sheep do not exist? What exactly was the fruit that Eve11 picked in the Garden of Eden? What was the creature that swallowed Jonah, given that whales are not given to swimming in warm, southern seas?5 Faced with unsurmountable linguistic problems, translators negotiated the boundaries between languages and came up with a compromise.6

6 Compromising is something that speakers of more than one language understand. When there are no words in another language for what you want to say, you make adjustments and try to approximate.7 English and Welsh speakers make adjustments regarding the color spectrum in the grey / green / blue / brown range, since English has four words and Welsh has three. And even where words do exist, compromises still need to be made. The word “democracy” means completely different things in different contexts, and even a word like “bread” which refers to a staple food item made of flour means totally different things to different people. The flat breads of Central Asia are a long way away from Mother’s Pride white sliced toasties, yet the word “bread” has to serve for both.

7 Inevitably, the spread of English means that millions of people are adding another language to their own and are learning how to negotiate cultural and linguistic differences. This is an essential skill in today’s hybrid world, particularly now when the need for international understanding has rarely been so important. But even as more people become multilingual, so native English speakers are losing out, for they are becoming ever more monolingual, and hence increasingly unaware of the differences between cultures that languages reveal. Communicating in another language involves not only linguistic skills, but the ability to think differently, to enter into another culture’s mentality and shape language accordingly.8 Millions of people are discovering how to bridge cultures, while the English-speaking world becomes ever more complacent and cuts down on foreign language learning programs in the mistaken belief that it is enough to know English.

8 World peace in the future depends on intercultural understanding. Those best placed to help that process may not be the ones with the latest technology and state-of-the-art mobile phones, but those with the skills to understand what lies in, under and beyond the words spoken in many different languages.9

Paragraphs 1-3

Words and Expressions

1. access n. entrance; way in; means of entering or the right to use or look at something

e.g. The only means of access to the building is along a muddy track.

到达那幢楼的唯一途径是沿着那条泥泞的小路前行。

The system has been designed to give the user quick and easy access to the required information.

Derivation:

accessible a.

2. communicate vi. share or exchange feelings, opinions, or information, etc.

e.g. He is a shy boy who can’t communicate very well.

Derivation:

communication n.

e.g. The Internet is the best means of communication among several partners at different locations.

communicative a.

3. remote a. distant in space or time

e.g. We can see remote stars through a telescope.

In the remote future, many new changes will take place.

The Beatles carried Liverpool’s fame to the remotest corners of the earth.

Derivation:

remoteness n.

e.g. They found the remoteness of the country a great problem.

Comparison: distant, far, remote

distant very far away esp. in distance

e.g. She could hear the distant sound of fireworks exploding.

far describe something that is not near, or the part of something that is most distant from the centre or from you

e.g. The station isn’t far — we could easily walk it.

remote describe an area, house or village that is a long way from any towns or cities

e.g. He lived in a remote mountain village.

Translation:

1. 我们很难观察月亮的另一边。

The far side of the moon is difficult for us to observe.

2. 邮车每周只到这个偏僻的村庄一次。

Mail comes to this remote village only once a week.

3. 这个朝圣者来自非常远的地方。

This pilgrim came from a very distant place.

4. mockingly ad. in a way in which sb. or sth. is made fun of

e.g. Andrienne raised her eyebrows mockingly — “What’s wrong, my dear? Don’t you understand?”

The boy who was once referred to mockingly as a country boy is now the CEO of a joint venture.

5. regardless of without taking account of or worrying about

e.g. I bought the book, regardless of the cost.

尽管价钱挺高，我还是买了这本书。

The law requires equal treatment for all, regardless of race, religion or sex.

6. facilitate vt. help; make easy or easier

e.g. The new underground railway will facilitate the journey to the airport.

An interface is a window environment designed to facilitate the interaction between the user and the system.

界面是一个窗口环境，其设计是用来促进用户和系统之间的交互作用。

Derivation:

facilitation n.

facilitative a.

7. stepping stone any of a row of large stones with a level top, which one walks on to cross a river or stream; figuratively, a way of improvement or gaining success

e.g. For some people, gaining power is an essential stepping stone to a successful life.

Temporary jobs can be a stepping stone out of unemployment.

8. have misgivings not be sure

e.g. I have many misgivings about taking the job.

我对是否接受那项工作顾虑重重。

9. fundamental a. basic

e.g. A knowledge of economics is fundamental to any understanding of this problem.

经济学知识对于理解这个问题是至关重要的。

There is a fundamental difference in attitude between these two politicians.

这两位政治家的态度有着根本的区别。

Derivation:

fundamentally ad.

e.g. I disagreed fundamentally with what they stood for.

10. profound a. intense; deep; very strongly felt

e.g. The book contains profound insight into human behavior.

The development was to have a profound effect on all our lives.

Derivation:

profoundly ad.

e.g. I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to meet you.

11. at one’s peril (used when advising sb. not to do sth.) with the near certainty of meeting great danger

e.g. You ignore this warning at your peril.

你若忽视这个警告，就得自担风险。

Activity: Fill in each blank with a suitable preposition.

1. Which companies was she referring ___when she spoke of competing firms? (to)

2. Bats communicate___ each other by ultrasonic messages. (with)

3. Citizens may have free access ____the library. (to)

4. It is rude to mock ____others’ shortcomings. (at)

5. I’d like to go back to teaching, but I am ___ touch with my subject now. (out of)

6. She is determined to do regardless ____all consequences. (of)

7. Food is essential ___ life. (to)

8. At the time, many doctors had serious misgivings ____ the new treatment. (about)

9. Any climber who neglects these simple precautions does so___ his peril. (at)

Sentences

1. We live in an age of easy access to the rest of the world. (Paragraph 1)

Translation: 我们生活在一个可以轻松到达世界其它角落的时代。

2. … for many people learning English is an essential stepping stone on the road to success. (Paragraph 2)

Explanation: … for many people the acquisition of English is basically a spring board towards their lifetime achievements.

A stepping stone is a means that helps you to progress towards achieving something especially in your work.

e.g. Students from various minority groups are intent on using education as a stepping stone to a better life.

3. Most fundamental is the profound relationship between language and culture that lies at the heart of society and one that we overlook at our peril. (Paragraph 3)

Paraphrase: There is a basic relationship between language and culture which is an essential part of society and one that it is dangerous if we ignore.

Translation: 最根本的是语言与文化之间的深远关系，它存在于社会的中心，忽视它必然会造成危险。

Paragraphs 4-7

Words and Expressions

12. label

v. fix or tie on sth. a piece of paper or other material that gives information about it; use a word

or phrase to describe sb. or sth.

e.g. I’ve just spent a whole day labelling all the items.

The bottle is labeled poison.

瓶上标明有毒。

n. a piece of paper or other material, fixed to sth., which gives information about what it is, where it is to go, who owns it, etc.

e.g. The labels were attached to the luggage.

13. longing n. strong wish; a strong feeling of wanting sth.

e.g. She felt a great longing for the sights, sounds and smells of home.

Nothing could quench her longing to return home again.

她重返家园的念头怎么也打消不掉。

14. despair n. complete loss of hope or confidence; sth. that causes this feeling

e.g. His failure in TOEFL drove him to despair.

He is the despair of his teacher because he refuses to study.

Synonym:

desperation n.

15. hover vi. be in an uncertain state; stay around one place, esp. in a way that annoys other people

e.g. A hawk hovered in the sky, waiting to swoop down on its prey.

I heard the noise of a helicopter hovering overhead.

16. head-on ad. & a. with the heads or front parts meeting, usu. violently

e.g. The motor cycle ran head-on into the lorry.

The government and the unions are set for a head-on confrontation.

17. not be given to not usually do sth.

e.g. It is the truth. We are not given to telling lies.

18. unsurmountable a. too large or too difficult to be dealt with

e.g. I don’t think there are any unsurmountable problems in this project.

The problems are not unsurmountable.

问题不是无法解决的。

Synonym:

insurmountable, insuperable

Antonym:

surmountable

19. negotiate vt. discuss sth. in order to reach an agreement, esp. in business or politics

e.g. Foreign Ministers are meeting at talks in Geneva to negotiate a treaty banning all chemical weapons.

We’ve decided to negotiate with the employers about our wage claim.

我们决定就工资问题与雇主谈判。

Derivation:

negotiation n.

e.g. Pay rates are fixed by negotiations between the trade union and employers.

negotiable a. (not used before a noun)

e.g. The contract is for a period of six months, and is not negotiable.

20. come up with produce; think of a plan, reply, etc.

e.g. No one have come up with a convincing explanation of why dinosaurs died out.

尚未有人能对恐龙的灭绝做出一个令人信服的解释。

He’s come up with a great idea.

他想出了一个绝好的办法。

21. compromise v. & n. settle an argument or difference of opinion by each side agreeing to some of the demands of the other; an agreement reached in this way that is acceptable to both sides

e.g. They refused to compromise their principles by doing a deal with the terrorists.

他们拒绝同恐怖分子做交易，以免原则受损。

Progress has been made towards a political compromise between the two nations.

两国之间的政治和解已经取得进展。

Collocation:

compromise on / with

e.g. Let’s compromise on a 10% reduction in price on this shipment.

让我们来个折衷办法，这批货减价10％吧。

Don’t try to threaten me. I won’t compromise with you.

不要威胁我，我不会向你妥协的。

22. adjustment n. changing slightly in order to make right or suitable for a particular purpose or

situation

e.g. We have to make some major adjustments to our scheme.

Some adjustment of the lens may be necessary.

可能有必要调节一下镜头。

Collocation:

make adjustments

23. regarding prep. as regards; concerning; on the subject of; in connection with

e.g. If you have any questions regarding any of our services, please feel free to call me.

She said nothing regarding your request.

她对你的要求闭口不答。

Synonym:

concerning, considering, in terms of

24. range n. the measurable limits within which variable amounts or qualities are included

e.g. He said it was outside his range of responsibility.

The new technology has opened up a very wide range of possibilities.

Comparison: scope, range

scope n. the limits within which sth. operates, exists, or is effective

e.g. There is not much scope for originality.

range n. the amount, number or type of something between an upper and a lower limit

e.g. The price range is from $100 to $500.

The product is aimed at young people in the 18─25 age range.

Translation:

1. 那是在我的范围之内。

It is within my scope.

2. 你提的问题已超出了这本书的范围。

Your question is beyond the scope of this book.

3. 这些孩子们的年龄在8岁到15岁之间。

The children’s ages range from 8 to 15.

25. inevitably ad. unavoidably; that which is certain to happen; that which cannot be prevented

from happening

e.g. Those who are created by publicity will inevitably be destroyed by it.

Inevitably, a quarrel followed between the two sides.

双方随后不可避免地争吵起来。

Derivation:

inevitability n.

Synonym:

unavoidably

26. unaware a. not having knowledge or consciousness of sth.

e.g. He seemed to be unaware of the trouble he was causing.

He was completely unaware that he was being watched.

Derivation:

unawareness n.

Collocation:

be unaware of

Antonym:

aware

27. reveal vt. show or allow sth. previously hidden to be seen; to make known sth. previously secret or unknown

e.g. The journalist did not want to reveal the identity of his informant.

那名记者不愿透露消息提供者的身份。

These few words fully revealed her noble quality.

这寥寥数语充分显示了她的高贵品质。

Synonym: uncover, unveil

Derivation: revelation n.

28. complacent a. pleased or satisfied with oneself or with a situation, often unreasonably; not worrying, even though one perhaps should be

e.g. He gave us a complacent smile.

Derivation:

complacency n.

29. cut down on reduce an amount done, eaten, etc.

e.g. He cut down on coffee and sugar and ate a more healthy diet.

Finally they have hired a new person. I hope this cut down on our work a little.

他们终于雇佣新人了。希望我们的工作能减少一些。

Activity: Translate each of the following sentences into English with the given word in the brackets:

1. 绝望之下，他放弃了尝试。（despair）

He gave up the attempt in despair.

2. 汽车迎面撞到树上。（head-on）

The car hit the tree head-on.

3. 在这个价格范围内，有好几种汽车可供选购。（range）

Several cars are available within this price range.

4. 现在我才知道有他这么个人。（unaware）

I was unaware of his existence until now.

5. 我们决不能满足于自己的成绩。（complacent）

We must not be complacent about our achievements.

Sentences

4. … languages are so clearly culture-related (Paragraph 4)

Paraphrase: Languages are so clearly connected with a specific civilization or the state of cultural development of a particular people.

5. … given that whales are not given to swimming in warm, southern seas. (Paragraph 5)

Paraphrase: … considering the fact that whales are not likely to swim in warm, southern seas.

6. Faced with unsurmountable linguistic problems, translators negotiated the boundaries between languages and came up with a compromise. (Paragraph 5)

Paraphrase: Faced with the unconquerable linguistic problems, translators managed to deal with the differences between languages and thought of a vision that was similar to the original in spirit.

Translation: 面对不可逾越的语言障碍，译者们对语言的界限进行揣摩，并最终达成一个折中的解决方案。

7. When there are no words in another language for what you want to say, you make adjustments and try to approximate. (Paragraph 6)

Translation: 当另外一种语言里没有词语来表达你想要说的话的时候，你就得做出调整，比较出尽量贴近你想要表达的意思。

8. Communicating in another language involves not only linguistic skills, but the ability to think differently, to enter into another culture’s mentality and shape language accordingly. (Paragraph 7)

Translation: 用另一种语言交流不仅需要语言技巧，还需要有换另一种方式思考的本领，也就是进入另一种文化思维状态并用相应的语言来表达的能力。

Paragraph 8

Sentences

9. Those best placed to help that process may not be the ones with the latest technology and state-of-the-art mobile phones, but those with the skills to understand what lies in, under and beyond the words spoken in many different languages. (Paragraph 8)

Translation: 最有助于促进世界和平进程的也许不是那些掌握最新技术或使用最时髦的移动电话的人，而是那些掌握了理解许多不同语言的字面含义、隐含意义与超越词语本身意义的技巧的人。

大学英语之基础英语综合教程第二册Unit 4 Language work