公告YKYG-6 每日英语频道,每天更新2-3篇精悍短小的英语文章。

How to Understand Copyright Basics

发布时间:2008-7-2 8:00:00 来源:维基每日一问

维基每日一问Have you ever uploaded an image or a video to a website, only for it to be deleted because of copyright issues? While some areas of copyright law can be complicated enough to cause copyright lawyers sleepless nights, the basics are very simple. Armed with some simple principles, you can save yourself from running afoul of copyright law.

【资源推荐】英语沙龙十年精选

发布时间:2008-7-2 0:00:23 来源:每日英语

每日英语    英语沙龙杂志社隶属世界知识出版社,以中英双语对照的出版物为特色。由于主管部门为中华人民共和国外交部,其在国际关系、时事外交领域的选材优势独树一 帜。自1994年《英语沙龙》创刊以来,杂志社又陆续推出《英语文摘》、《英语沙龙》(实战版)、《英语沙龙音带版》等期刊和上百种语言和文化学习类图 书。本着“帮助中国人在中国的环境中学好外语”的宗旨,英语沙龙在出版和服务上一直以语言知识和文化内涵并重、知识性、实用性、趣味性并重,如今已成为国 内影响力最大的外语学习类期刊品牌。

  《英语沙龙》,英汉对照,以滋润身心、开阔视野的多题材阅读欣赏类文章为主,适合词汇量2000-5000之间的中学生、大学生和各年龄层中等以上英语水平的社会人员。

    今天为大家推荐的是《英语沙龙》十年精选-172篇经典美文,word打印格式,有中文翻译、词汇注释,在传授语言的同时,多角度地介绍了人文、社会、自然、生活、科技等方面的知识与信息,文章难度适中、形式多样,是学习英语,增长知识的最佳选择。

    【下载地址】:
  
     直接下载
    
   

Joke of Today

Did you see that?

    Two guys are out hunting deer. The first guy says, "Did you see that?"

    "No," the second guy says.

    "Well, a bald eagle just flew overhead," the first guy says.

    "Oh," says the second guy.

    A couple of minutes later, The first guy says, "Did you see that?"

    "See what?" the second guy asks.

    "Are you blind? There was a big, black bear walking on that hill, over there."

    "Oh."

    A few minutes later the first guy says: "Did you see that?"

    By now, the second guy is getting aggravated, so he says, "Yes, I did!"

    And the first guy says: "Then why did you step in it?" 

作者: 每日英语       下载每日英语       每日英语 QQ 群: 63154207

RSS 订阅地址: http://english-feed.beanwoo.com

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How to Chill a Drink Quickly

发布时间:2008-7-1 20:00:00 来源:维基每日一问

维基每日一问Have you ever forgotten to stock your refrigerator with your favorite soda or beer? All you are left with is that room temperature beverage. Fortunately, it is possible to chill canned and bottled drinks quickly.

How to Fold a Dollar Bill to Make a Finger Ring

发布时间:2008-7-1 8:00:00 来源:维基每日一问

维基每日一问Looking for an easier way to impress people with your money? Try folding your dollar bill into a finger ring. This ring will put the number facing out as the "gem" and stay together on its own. Any US-denomination bill will work, but if you have a choice, try to find a crisp, new bill rather than an older one.

学习英语是一辈子的事

发布时间:2008-7-1 0:00:06 来源:每日英语

每日英语    作者:吴心柳

    大多数中国人学英文的过程都有一种「磨难」之感。也许有极少数的人自幼即得天独厚,没有感受到背生字、记文法、苦练发音等等是一桩苦事,相信那绝对是少数。

  我没有研究过别的国家的年轻人在学外国语文时会不会跟我们学英文一样苦,但是我认识几位必须修拉丁文的英国同学,其苦况和我在大学读楚辞和尚书时的感受非常之相像——文字既看不懂;内容也很陌生。若从这个角度来看问题,凡学一种外国语文,首先必须看清它的应用层面有二:

  (一)它是一种工具-一种认知其他「实质内容」的一种工具或手段,也可以说,它是本国语文以外的另一种专供传播用的「符号」。

  (二)它是一种「内容实体」。例如读英文版的「低温物理学」、「神经生理学」,文字与语言所占的角色是很次要的。

  偶然也有第三种层面出现-例如两位外交官在密商一件条约;或两位剧作家在讨论一个剧本(当然是国籍不同,而一方或双方都必须使用其母语以外的语文 时),这时候,被使用的那种外国文字就必须在第一和第二两个层面都能发生作用才行。这是第一与第二两种层面的重叠使用,是「外文」的最高境界。

  可恼的是;当我们做学生,开始学英文时,从来不曾有老师给过我们这么清楚的导向。绝大多数的大学二年级的学生,虽然从初一到大一业已苦读了七年英文, 可是既不能流利的讲,更谈不上写。能读的也不多。如果有少数几个能够把他所「熟悉的内容」翻译成中文的,那就很了不起了。我之所以特别提出「熟悉的内容」,因为他实在没有能力翻译他所不熟悉的内容。

  这种现象多年以来已引起广泛的讨论-众信我们的英文教学方法可能有了问题。照说,教学的目的应该不难厘定-至少从初中到高中这六年,学英文应该「首 重」其「工具价值」-易言之,就是教学生学习怎样去使用「英文」这个工具。至于这个工具在学习的当时能够表达什么样的「内容实体」,那是次要的问题。

  事实上,问题并不这么单纯。因为任何语言文字都会「同时」显露一种「意义」。如果教材中容蓄的内容过于浅薄或十分深奥,都会挫折学生的学习兴趣。学英文不能像声乐,老师可以强迫学生天天练唱一些毫无意义的音阶,用来磨练发声。因此,不论读英文会话或文选,其「内容」(也就是教材)也相当重要。否则学生 不仅没有乐趣学,就是年年考一百分的学生,到头来他还是不能「使用」英文。这正如同今天的初高中国文课本中不乏许多经典之作的文言文,学生在考国文时都背 得滚瓜烂熟,而所有背诵的文章无不辞章雅丽,内容精邃,或大气磅礴。可是,通常大多数的高中毕业生,不仅作文程度欠佳,有些连一封信都写不通。这便是中国 国文的教材和教学上有了问题。其实,英文也是一样。

  除了「教材」(也就是「内容实体」)的问题外,教学法也是可以研究的重点之一。比方说:英文老师若是用中文上课、讲解,在五十分钟一节课中有四十分钟 说中文,十分钟说英文。这时候,英文就「被」变成了「内容实体」,就自然而然成为一种所要表达的事物。如果老师从头到尾五十分钟都用英文来讲,这时候的英 文才会成为一种表达的工具。这就是为什么一些教会中学,由外籍教师担任初一英文的学生往往英文程度好过一般中学的基本原因。

  学英文的功用有四:读、讲、译、写。我把「读」放在第一位,大致上是根据国内一般情形而定的。对大多数学过英文的人来说,能够读-熟读英文书报杂志、 相关资料的人,受益最大。因为英语世界中的出版品不仅种类繁多,水准高的也很多。一个人要想追求较多、较深,甚至较快的知识资讯,不从先进国家的出版品中 去发掘是不行的。其次是「讲」,这只有对某些特别需要以语言为沟通工具的人,才显得重要,其情况和「译」与「写」差不多。拿我个人来说,大半生学英文, 说、写、讲俱不够格,也受益不多;唯独在「读」这方面,确实获益匪浅,它扩大了我的知识采撷领域;也让我有机会经常接触得到第一流人物的智慧与笔锋。

  事实上,学「读」也不是容易事。因为英文天地里天天有新字,如果靠中文字典,根本无济于事。因此,不但要懂得利用英文字典,而且还得知道哪一本字典最 新?以及有什么特别。不久以前,我读到light-headed一个字,就在字典上查不到,虽然猜想它可能是heavy-headed的反义字,可是没有 字典就是没有把握。我请教英文中国日报总编辑朱良箴兄,他说没见过这个字;再请教中央社总编辑冷若水兄,他终于在一本一九八三年出版的字典里查出来了。字典对于学英文的人,是非常重要的。

  因此,我常常感觉到:学英文是一辈子的事。一辈子都不能停。因为除了它的「工具」性能外,事实上它是一种「文化整合」的工具。我们中国文化和西方文化 有许多不尽相同的地方。有些观念常常不是对等的。有的情形中文的形意较大;有的英文较大;在这「大小有别」的情况下来辨识一个字的内容,那是绝顶困难的 事。因为那时候便已超越了语文的阶层,而发展到「学问」的领域来了。例如Sonata这个字,无论译成奏鸣曲或者是「朔拿大」,如果没研究过音乐的人,都 不会懂。其他像 perspective, comprehensive 这些英文中的常用字,也都不是一个中文字词所能涵盖的。这正如外国人学中文一样,像「太极」这个字,有人译成 absolute,根本不能表达太极这个字的整个内涵。

  因此,我常常自勉:学英文是一辈子的事。天天会遇见新字,新的「内容实体」,要天天查字典,或请教高明。这其中,苦乐参半,不过若算总帐,用功的总是比较划算的。

Joke of Today

Boarding from what gate?

     At the airport for a business trip, I settled down to wait for the boarding announcement at Gate 35. Then I heard the voice on the public address system saying, "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Delta Flight 570 will board from Gate 41."

    So my family picked up our luggage and carried it over to Gate 41. Not ten minutes later the public address voice told us that Flight 570 would in fact be boarding from Gate 35.

    So, again, we gathered our carry-on luggage and returned to the original gate. Just as we were settling down, the public address voice spoke again: "Thank you for participating in Delta's physical fitness program.

作者: 每日英语       下载每日英语       每日英语 QQ 群: 63154207

RSS 订阅地址: http://english-feed.beanwoo.com

本文地址: http://blog.beanwoo.com/english/33/2008/07/01/629

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How to Pair Program

发布时间:2008-6-30 20:00:00 来源:维基每日一问

维基每日一问Pair programming is a method of programming in which two people work together at one keyboard. One person, "the driver", types at the keyboard. The other person, "the observer" (or "navigator") reviews each line of code as it is typed, checking for errors and thinking about the overall design. Some benefits you can expect: better code (simpler design, fewer bugs, more maintainable), higher morale (more fun!), shared knowledge throughout your team (both specific knowledge of your codebase and general programming knowledge), better time management, higher productivity.

How to Trigger Green Traffic Lights

发布时间:2008-6-30 8:00:00 来源:维基每日一问

维基每日一问If you or someone you know owns a motorcycle, a scooter or even a small car, you've probably noticed that it's easy to get stuck at traffic lights. An understanding of why it happens can reveal some methods that will help turn and red light to green. This will save time, gas and frustration by you not having you wait what seems like forever at a red light that has no ongoing traffic.[1]

【商务英语】请求休假

发布时间:2008-6-30 0:00:04 来源:每日英语

每日英语    Asking for vacation 申请休假

    办公室里,白领们工作时精神高度集中,常常为了赶一个任务忙得疲惫不堪。大家都企盼能有时间好好休息休息,这期我们就来谈谈关于休假的用语吧。

    【基本句型】:

    1、I feel very tired.我觉得很疲惫。表示精疲力竭,过度劳累时可以说:exhausted、fatigued、burnt-out.

    例句:The project went on for over two years and by the end of it I was just burnt-out.

    工程足足进行了两年多,到最后我精疲力竭。

    2、I am sick and tired of it!工作时发牢骚说“烦透了”,

    例句:I'm sick and tired of junk mail.表示我对那些垃圾电子邮件真是厌倦透啦!

    3、Do you think it's because of insomnia? 你认为这是因为失眠吗?

    Insomnia:失眠,失眠症。

    例句:I know some one with insomnia who only gets two hours of sleep each night.我认识一个患有失眠症的人,他每天晚上只能睡上两个小时。

    4、It's time for me to apply for some leave.现在该是我申请休假的时候了。

    Leave:Official permission to be absent from work or duty请假、休假、假期、准假。

    例句:He had six weeks' leave.他有六个星期的休假。

    The human resources department is responsible for approving leave applications from staff.人力资源部负责批准员工的休假申请。

    无限扩展:

    It's time for sb to do sth是做…的时候了。比如:It's time for us to knock off.是我们下班的时候了。

    5、He is going on holiday tomorrow.他明天要去度假。

    On holiday等于on vacation,表示度假。

    比如接到一个找正在休假的同事的电话时,就可以做出如下回答:He's on vacation this week.他本周休假。He is on vacation until next Wednesday.他休假到下周三。

    无限扩展:也可以用to be off。比如He is off today.他今天休假。

    6、I feel a little bit homesick. I want to take a home leave and be with my family for a week.我有点想家了。我想休息一周与我的家人团聚。

    7、I’m afraid I can’t come to work today. I’m not feeling well.我恐怕今天不能上班了。我觉得很不舒服。

    8、I’ve been really busy for a long time. I need some rest.我忙了好长一段时间,我需要休息。

    9、I’m asking for a week’s leave to prepare for my wedding.我要请一周假,因为我要结婚了。

    【实战对话】:

    对话一:

    A:Do you feel tired these days,Billy?这些天你觉得累吗,比利?

  B:I sure do. Do you think it's because of insomnia?我确实觉得很累,你认为这是因为失眠吗?

  A:No. I know exactly why we are so tired.不是,我知道为什么我们这么累的确切原因。

  B:And your answeris?答案是?

  A:We are very fatigued, burnt-out!我们非常疲劳,筋疲力尽!

  B:That's because we work so hard every day.那是因为我们每天工作很辛苦的原因。

  A:It's time for me to apply for some leave.现在是我申请休假的时候了。

  B:That's a great idea! We can apply together and then go on holiday.好主意!我们可以一起申请,然后去度假。

  A:But if we both apply for leave on the same day, the company might say no to both of us!可是如果我们俩在同一天申请休假的话,公司可能会对我们俩说不!

    对话二:

    Employee: I would like to take my vacation next month.我想下个月休假。

    Boss: How long did you have in mind?你想休多长时间?

    Employee: I would like to take my two weeks  vacation time.我想休两周的假。

    Boss: Seeing as next month is our slow season, that should not be a problem.下个月是淡季,应该没有问题。

    Employee: Great. I will make my reservations as necessary.太好了。我要去做旅行准备了。

    Boss: Just make sure to turn in all the necessary paperwork to ensure there are no problems with the days you want to take off.一定把必要的文件交上来,这样可以确保你休假的日子里不出问题。

    资料来源于申江服务导报和可可听力网

Joke of Today

I am going to Shop

    "Cash, check or charge?" I asked after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I notice a remote control for a television set in her purse.

    "Do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked.

    "No," she replied. "But my husband refused to come shopping with me, so I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him." 

作者: 每日英语       下载每日英语       每日英语 QQ 群: 63154207

RSS 订阅地址: http://english-feed.beanwoo.com

本文地址: http://blog.beanwoo.com/english/36/2008/06/30/611

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How to Pray

发布时间:2008-6-29 20:00:00 来源:维基每日一问

维基每日一问Generally, to pray is to attempt to commune with a spirit or deity. It's something that hunter-gatherers, ancient Egyptians and Greeks, and followers of today's major religions share in common. While the rituals and conventions of prayer may vary widely, the intention is the same--to renew one's spiritual connection with a power outside of oneself.

How to Make a Note into an Envelope

发布时间:2008-6-29 8:00:00 来源:维基每日一问

维基每日一问Here's a creative way to save paper: Instead of putting a note in an envelope, why not fold the note itself into an envelope? That way, there's no additional paper to tear open and throw out. Plus, by using sheets of paper with various designs on one side, you can make some pretty original envelopes!