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全新版大学英语综合教程（第二版）综合教程2 翻译部分答案Unit 1背离传统需要极大的勇气。
（departure，enormous）It takes an enormous amount of courage to make a departure from the tradition.汤姆过去就很腼腆，但这次却非常勇敢在当观众面前上台表演了。
(performance,bold)Tom used to be very shy, but this time he was bold enough to give a performance in front of a large audience.很多教育家认为从小培养孩子的创新精神是很可取的。
(creative, desirable)Many educators think it desirable to foster the creative spirit in the child at an early age.假设那幅画确实是名作，你觉得值得购买吗？(Assuming that, worthwhile)Assuming that this painting is really a masterpiece, do you think it’s worthwhile to buy it?如果这些数据在统计上是站得住脚的，那它将会帮助我们认识正在调查的问题。
(throw light on, investigate, valid)If the data is statistically valid, it will throw light on the problem we are investigating.要提高我们的英语水平，关键是多读、多写、多听、多说。
另外，尽可能多背熟一些好文章也十分重要。
若果你的脑子里没有存储大量好的英语文章，你就不能用英语自由的表达自己的思想。
（完整版）新目标大学英语综合教程2翻译综合教程2课后翻译UNIT11）爱人者有仁爱之心，自爱，爱亲人以及他人。
（a loving person,who)A loving person is a person who is kind-hearted, loves himself, loves his family and all the other people.2)所谓“和而不同”，是指君子之间保持相互尊重、和谐、友爱的关（harmony but not sameness, gentleman)“Harmony but not sameness” means that a gentleman keeps mutually respectful, harmonious and friendly relations with other people.3)中国人庆祝春节与西方人过圣诞的方式基本相同，大量购物，互赠礼物，大快朵颐。
（in much the same way that)The Chinese people observe the Spring Festival in much the same way that the Westerners do Christmas, doing a lot of shopping ,exchanging presents, and having big meals.4)我们需要改变的不一定是自己的生活方式，或者物质条件，而是我们对待生活的态度。
（not··· but rather)What we need to change is not necessarily our lifestyle, or our physical conditions, but rather our attitude toward life.5)与自然世界和谐相处是风水(feng shui)的一项原则，这一点从房屋建筑、景观(landscape)设计和家具陈列(lay out)中都可以反映出来。
全新版大学英语(第二版)综合教程2课文及翻译哎呀，你看这道题目，简直就是让人头疼啊！不过，别担心，我这个“英语大神”可不会让你失望的。
今天，我们就要一起来聊聊全新版大学英语(第二版)综合教程2课文及翻译。
让我们来看看这本教材的封面吧。
哇塞，这是什么鬼？一只穿着西装的猫？这也太搞笑了吧！不过，说实话，这本书的内容还是非常不错的。
它包含了各种各样的话题，从生活到科技，从文化到历史，应有尽有。
而且，每个话题都有详细的讲解和生动的例子，让我们在轻松愉快的阅读中提高英语水平。
我们来看看这本书的目录。
哇哦，这个目录真是太丰富了！有这么多章节，我们要学习的东西简直太多了。
不过，没关系，只要我们认真学习，一定能够掌握这些知识的。
现在，让我们开始正式的学习吧！我们来学习一下这本书的第一课。
这一课的主题是“家庭”，里面讲述了很多关于家庭成员和家庭生活的内容。
比如说，我们可以学到如何用英语表达“爸爸”、“妈妈”、“哥哥”、“姐姐”等词汇；还可以通过一些例子了解不同家庭的文化差异。
这一课让我们对家庭有了更深入的了解。
我们来学习一下这本书的第二课。
这一课的主题是“友谊”，里面讲述了很多关于朋友和人际关系的内容。
比如说，我们可以学到如何用英语表达“朋友”、“好朋友”、“交朋友”等词汇；还可以通过一些例子了解如何处理人际关系中的冲突和矛盾。
这一课让我们学会了如何与人相处。
我们来学习一下这本书的第三课。
这一课的主题是“爱情”，里面讲述了很多关于恋爱和婚姻的内容。
比如说，我们可以学到如何用英语表达“男朋友”、“女朋友”、“结婚”等词汇；还可以通过一些例子了解不同文化的婚礼习俗。
这一课让我们对爱情有了更深入的认识。
以上就是我对全新版大学英语(第二版)综合教程2课文及翻译的一些简单介绍。
希望对你有所帮助吧！不过，记住哦，学好英语最重要的还是要多读、多听、多说、多写。
只有这样，才能真正掌握这门语言。
加油吧！。
Unit 11.Thanks to the modern technology, the film about that ancient battlegives the audience the illusion of being on the battlefield themselves.2.That ancient city was devastated by the fire, but fortunately the stonetablet survived.3.The videotape and the story by the women filled them with sympathyfor the child who had become an orphan in the earthquake.4.in that earthquake, we heard many stories of teachers who had refusedto leave their students behind and laid down their lives.5.the construction of the Yu Yuan Garden began in 1558, but it was notcompleted until 1578 because building went off and on for lack ofmoney.6.in 1980, when I met up with her,, she had just returned from abroadwith a master's degree.7.It was my first visit to New York, but I managed to find my way tothe little firm.8.It is hard to make it to the top in the movie industry, but as a directorXie Jin did it.Unit 21.many vain young people are obsessed with fancy cars despite the factthat they are not yet rich enough to afford them.2.their marriage finally fell apart when his affair with another womanwas found out by his wife.3.for artistic inspiration, the artist lived in the country for three years,where he denied himself many comforts of life.4.I'm not sure if we can have the excursion to Chongming Islandtomorrow. It's at the mercy of the weather.5.when he was young he went to Japan to learn medicine, but after hereturned to China he changed his mind and pursued a career as a writer all his life.6.She's taken up with a man old enough to be her father, which is adisgrace to her parents.7.since 1978, our economy has witnessed a rapid development; incontrast that of some developed countries has declined.8.the earthquake isolated the city from other areas. Their food supplieswill not hold out through the winter.Unit 31.the fans waited anxiously in the rain for two hours before the ‘supergirl' finally showed up.2.they had been in love for 8 years and gone through many agonies,before they finally got married.3.I was upset by the loss of my wallet, but I could only console myself-it could have been worse. What if I had lost my passport at theairport?4.given that he was young and inexperienced, his performance in hisfirst movie was excellent.5.every time he left on business, the manager would authorize hisassistant to act for him, as the business of the company couldn't wait.6.the poor old man did not have much to eat, but he kept healthybecause he believed in the benefit of doing exercise.7.of all the ancient civilization, only that of China endured through theages and is still full of vitality.8.like many other writers, this young writer focuses on the eternaltheme of love. What sets him apart from others is his keen observation of rural life in China.Unit 41.children may swim here provided that they are accompanied byadults,2.this American journalist made a fool of himself over hisremarksabout China, because he's been out of touch with what's been happening in the country in the past three decades,3.every person has the right to education, regardless of his familybackground, sex, and age.4.the invention of the Internet, despite the fact that it has given rise tosome problems,, has greatly facilitated almost every aspect of our life,including education, medicine, and business.5.never overlook your travel insurance when you are planning to spendyour holiday abroad; otherwise you might find yourself in great trouble if any accident should occur,6.in the movie that billionaire was faced with a dilemma-either divorcehis wife, who would then carve out half of his financial empire, ormurder her at the risk of being found out by the police,7.as the husband lost his job in the financial crisis, the new couple hadto cut down on a lot of things-furniture, clothes, records, books, andso on.8.over 30 years ago, right after the Cultural Revolution, Deng Xiaopingtold the people that the only way out laid in reform and opening up tothe outside world.Unit 51.this film actor is more inclined than most people to help the handicapped because he himself suffered a stroke ten years ago.2.the old man is afflicted with rheumatism, but he still goes jogging andclimbs mountains every day.3.some of the flaws in the American financial system, which had neverreceived due attention, eventually led to disastrous consequences.4.he held on to his shares of that company when the prices were dropping sharply last year. Now he has made a fortune.5.just dismiss the idea from your mind-it's crazy and not worth thinkingabout at all.6.we were all set to leave for the holiday in New York when the 9/11incident shook the world.areyou problem, the solve to formula magic a have I think you if 7.bound to be disillusioned.8.that Japanese company succeed in penetrating the US TV market.Unit 61.our group was assigned to decorate the garden while the others werepreparing the food in the kitchen.2.on the battlefield the young man was delighted to meet a long-lostbrother who came out of the blue.3.who has used up the milk? There is none to put in my coffee.4.rumor has it that this painting is fake and that the original one wasstolen three years ago.5.one person may not be able to change much, but workingtogetherwe'll be able to make a great difference to our country.6.many burglaries took place because the owners failed to take theprecaution of locking their doors and windows.7.the minster flew to the front to negotiate with the rioters in an effortto prevent a civil war.8.I assumed you knew each other because I saw you talking to eachother at the party.Unit 71.he was hospitalized with acute appendicitis, with the result that hemissed the final exam.2.as many more people came to the lecture than expected, there werenot enough handouts to go round.3.no matter what a long day he may have, he makes a point of checkinghis e-mail inbox before going to bed.4.unemployment is found in all countries in the world, butgovernmentsvary in their way to handle the problem.5.anyone who has come to a foreign country for the first time is apt tofind everything around him both strange and interesting.6.the football fans were very disappointed at the performance of theplayers of both teams.7.never take what he says at face value. Think it over yourself.8.the doctor's words removed his fears about the operation. Unit 81.after months of negotiation, the two company finally came up with asolution, which was in essence our original proposal.2.the people of that African tribe worship the moon in much the sameway that our ancestors worshipped the sun.3.it is still a puzzle as to how the ancient Egyptian pyramids were builtover 4000 years ago. Some people speculate that they were built bysupernatural beings.4.the illegal use of inferior building materials eventually resulted in thecollapse of the hotel.5.at present, many countries are taking action to mitigate the impact ofthe financial crisis on their economy.whichquarrels, incessant of years after divorced finally couple the 6. had resulted from a lack of understanding.7.the government of the two countries agreed to set up a militaryhotline to reduce the risk of war due to incorrect information.8.some Chinese students were not very successful in American universities because they failed to adapt to the environment there.Unit 91.in October, 1935, the Chinese Red Army, having endured all thehardships and sacrifices, finally made their way to the north of ShanxiProvince.2.in the economic crisis, the government released a statement,upon the people to buy local products as far as possible.3.the politicians in various countries are trying to harness nuclearenergy and restore the safe environment for the human race.4.he didn't hear the doorbell because he was rapt in his work.5.this country suffers from frequent riots because of widespread extreme poverty, as well as people's inherent distrust of the corruptgovernment.6.in his lecture on the current economic situation, the economist used alot of figures on the PPT to underline the seriousness of the crisis.7.he answered with a smile, ‘Not at all. I did this as much for you as formyself.8. a man is measured not by what ha says, but by what ha does for hiscountry and people.Unit 101.he can't even draw a distinction between French and Spanish,say speaking them.2.in a craze for cultural relics in the 1990s, old chinaware, such as thosehanded down from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, were much soughtafter by collectors.3.despite the opposition of most of his advisors, the general decided totake his chances on the battle and suffered a total defeat in the end.4.the Chinese nation has stood up to the vicissitudes of thousands ofyears and is now in the process of rejuvenation.5.I wish you would confine your talk to the facts rather than spreadword about the biased report in that newspaper.6.the first thing he did after his arrival in Paris was to convert all hismoney into Euros.7.that Shakespearean play was tailored to the taste of the Chineseaudience when it was put on the Chinese stage, so much so that it wasmore like a Chinese play than an English one,8.you must abandon your native language for some time,if you reallywant to acquire a good competence in English.Unit 111.as my article was over 10,000 words, I finally had to cut out severalparagraphs to satisfy the requirements of the academic journal. theto up face must we so facts, the from away running no is there 2.truth and pay for our mistakes.3.that year, despite the car accident, he was promoted to the next gradeafter he passed all the exams required by the school.4.the intellectuals of that country were very critical of the government'snew social welfare policy because, according to them, it would bringdown the living standards of the working people.5.it is, to be sure, difficult to remove the resentment between them, butit is at least worth trying.6.the government is taking all possible measurement to bring down theprices lest inflation should get out of control7.as the murderer denied all the charges, we had to convince the jurywith more evidence that he was guilty.8.finally he managed to forgive his wife for her infidelity and wasreconciled with her after years of separation.Unit 121.his father died when he was only nine years old, leaving the wholefamily helplessly at the mercy of others.2.her story stirred many beautiful memories of my childhood, which Ihave always cherished in my heart.3.the two countries held several rounds of negotiation to settle theirdifferences.4.more and more students are opting for his course because of hishumor and energy as well as his effective way of teaching.5.in his speech the premier vowed to address the serious problem ofunemployment and to boost the income of the common people.6.the former Nazi officer who was arrested last year in Argentina wasprosecuted for the crimes that he had committed during the SecondWorld War.7.the great value of this book rests in the fact that it has influenced andencouraged a whole generation of young people in their struggle against imperialism and feudalism.8.with regard to the silent students, the teacher should try to enhancetheir self-confidence and encourage them to voiace their idea in class.。
1- We’ve been hitAdam Mayblum 过去很享受看着暴风雨抽打他办公室窗户的场景：你认为这就是权力吗？Mayblum 可能会讥笑。
我在世界贸易中心的87楼。
这就是权力。
百叶窗上的拉绳看起来像在轻轻地摇晃，但它只是一种假象。
虽然它是在距离地面1,040 英尺的高空中，但是世贸中心还是相当稳固的。
在9 月的那个早上，当Mayblum感觉到毁灭性的隆隆声时，他瞥了一眼拉绳。
他们被疯狂坠入 3 英尺的任一方向。
那天早上，有数千人将被卷入一场惊心动魄的灾难，Mayblum也是其中的一员。
尽管多达25,000人找到了他们安全逃生的方式，但另外的5,000 人却没有逃脱得了这场灾难。
对于有些人来说，生死攸关的是此时此刻他们所在的地理位置---不仅是哪幢楼，哪一层，更重要的是在大楼的哪个角落。
对于有些人来说，选择使用哪一个楼梯是最基本的。
其他人所面对的则是终极的道德困境：拯救自己，还是拯救他人。
在名为戴维斯的金融服务公司里，Adam Mayblum 办公室内的混乱持续了几秒钟。
他知道他需要逃离那里。
他把T恤撕成碎片，浸泡在水中，并分发给同事，用来捂住他们的脸。
其中：有一个是戴维斯的首席交易员---哈里·拉莫斯。
Mayblum 曾与拉莫斯断断续续一起工作了14 年之久。
当他在楼梯上急速奔跑时，火花溅在了他的脚踝上。
当他冲下一段楼梯之后，他才意识到他的贸易伙伴，朱红还落在后面。
他又跑上楼，此时这个地方充满了烟和燃烧的喷气燃料。
看不到朱红的影子。
Mayblum又冲下楼梯，成功到达了78 楼，这里恰好是有一部电梯和一个楼梯的中转大厅。
他看到了一个令人放心的景象，拉莫斯已经淌进混乱的场面中，协助恐慌的工人转到安全的楼梯间。
Mayblum继续往下跑，他小腿的肌肉因抽筋而收缩。
在53层。
他碰见了一个身材粗壮的男人，他的腿无法移动了。
“你想自己过来，还是你想要我们来帮助你？”Mayblum大声喊道。
全新版（第二版）大学英语综合教程第二册课文翻译（最新全）Unit 1 Text A哈佛大学教育学教授霍华德·加德纳回忆其中国之行，阐述他对中西方不同的学习方式的看法。
Learning, Chinese-Style1987年春，我和妻子埃伦带着我们18个月的儿子本杰明在繁忙的中国东部城市南京住了一个月，同时考察中国幼儿园和小学的艺术教育情况。
然而，我和埃伦获得的有关中美教育观念差异的最难忘的体验并非来自课堂，而是来自我们在南京期间寓居的金陵饭店的大堂。
我们的房门钥匙系在一块标有房间号的大塑料板上。
酒店鼓励客人外出时留下钥匙，可以交给服务员，也可以从一个槽口塞入钥匙箱。
由于口子狭小，你得留神将钥匙放准位置才塞得进去。
本杰明爱拿着钥匙走来走去，边走边用力摇晃着。
他还喜欢试着把钥匙往槽口里塞。
由于他还年幼，不太明白得把钥匙放准位置才成，因此总塞不进去。
本杰明一点也不在意。
他从钥匙声响中得到的乐趣大概跟他偶尔把钥匙成功地塞进槽口而获得的乐趣一样多。
我和埃伦都满不在乎，任由本杰明拿着钥匙在钥匙的槽口鼓捣。
他的探索行为似乎并无任何害处。
但我很快就观察到一个有趣的现象。
饭店里任何一个中国工作人员若在近旁，都会走过来看着本杰明，见他初试失败，便都会试图帮忙。
他们会轻轻握紧本杰明的手，直接将它引向钥匙的槽口，进行必要的重新定位，并帮他把钥匙插入槽口。
然后那位“老师”会有所期待地对着我和埃伦微笑，似乎等着我们说声谢谢——偶尔他会微微皱眉，似乎觉得我俩没有尽到当父母的责任。
我很快意识到，这件小事与我们在中国要做的工作直接相关：考察儿童早期教育（尤其是艺术教育）的方式，揭示中国人对创造性活动的态度。
因此，不久我就在与中国教育工作者讨论时谈起了钥匙槽口一事。
TWO DIFFERENT W AYS TO LEARN我的中国同行，除了少数几个人外，对此事的态度与金陵饭店工作人员一样。
既然大人知道怎么把钥匙塞进槽口——这是处理槽口一事的最终目的，既然孩子还很年幼，还没有灵巧到可以独自完成要做的动作，让他自己瞎折腾会有什么好处呢？他很有可能会灰心丧气发脾气——这当然不是所希望的结果。
Unit 1中国式的学习风格霍华德·加德纳1987年春，我和妻子埃伦带着我们18个月的儿子本杰明在繁忙的中国东部城市南京住了一个月，同时考察中国幼儿园和小学的艺术教育情况。
然而，我和埃伦获得的有关中蓁教育观念差异的最难忘的体验并非来自课堂，而是来自我们在南京期间寓居的金陵饭店的大堂。
我们的房门钥匙系在一块标有房间号的大塑料板上。
酒店鼓励客人外出时留下钥匙，可以交给服务员，也可以从一个槽口塞入钥匙箱。
由于口子狭小，你得留神将钥匙放准位置才塞得进去。
本杰明爱拿着钥匙走来走去，边走边用力摇晃着。
他还喜欢试着把钥匙往槽口里塞。
由于他还年幼，不太明白得把钥匙放准位置才成，因此总塞不进去。
本杰明一点也不在意。
他从钥匙声响中得到的乐趣大概跟他偶尔把钥匙成功地塞进槽口而获得的乐趣一样多。
我和埃伦都满不在乎，任由本杰明拿着钥匙在钥匙的槽口鼓捣。
他的探索行为似乎并无任何害处。
但我很快就观察到一个有趣的现象。
饭店里任何一个中国工作人员若在近旁，都会走过来看着本杰明，见他初试失败，便都会试图帮忙。
他们会轻轻握紧本杰明的手，直接将它引向钥匙的槽口，进行必要的重新定位，并帮他把钥匙插入槽口。
然后那位“老师”会有所期待地对着我和埃伦微笑，似乎等着我们说声谢谢——偶尔他会微微皱眉，似乎觉得我俩没有尽到当父母的责任。
我很快意识到，这件小事与我们在中国要做的工作直接相关：考察儿童早期教育(尤其是艺术教育)的方式，揭示中国人对创造性活动的态度。
因此，不久我就在与中国教育工作者讨论时谈起了钥匙槽口一事。
两种不同的学习方式我的中国同行，除了少数几个人外，对此事的态度与金陵饭店工作人员一样。
”既然大人知道怎么把钥匙塞进槽口——这是处理槽口一事的最终目的，既然孩子还很年幼，还没有灵巧到可以独自完成要做的动作，让他自己瞎折腾会有什么好处呢?他很有可能会灰心丧气发脾气——这当然不是所希望的结果。
为什么不教他怎么做呢?他会高兴，他还能早些学会做这件事，进而去学做更复杂的事，如开门，或索要钥匙——这两件事到时候同样可以(也应该)示范给他看。
Unit 1 Learning, Chinese-Style中国式的学习风格Howard Gardner 霍华德•加德纳1 For a month in the spring of 1987, my wife Ellen and I lived in the bustling eastern Chinese city of Nanjing with our 18-month-old son Benjamin while studying arts education in Chinese kindergartens and elementary schools. But one of the most telling lessons Ellen and I got in the difference between Chinese and American ideas of education came not in the classroom but in the lobby of the Jinling Hotel where we stayed in Nanjing.1987年春，我和妻子埃伦带着我们18个月的儿子本杰明在繁忙的中国东部城市南京住了一个月，同时考察中国幼儿园和小学的艺术教育情况。
然而，我和埃伦获得的有关中美教育观念差异的最难忘的体验并非来自课堂，而是来自我们在南京期间寓居的金陵饭店的大堂。
2 The key to our room was attached to a large plastic block with the room number on it. When leaving the hotel, a guest was encouraged to turn in the key, either by handing it to an attendant or by dropping it through a slot into a box. Because the key slot was narrow, the key had to be positioned carefully to fit into it.我们的房门钥匙系在一块标有房间号的大塑料板上。
The Jeaning of AmericaThis is the story of a sturdy American symbol which has now spread throughout most of the world. The symbol is not the dollar. It is not even Coca-Cola. It is a simple pair of pants called blue jeans, and what the pants symbolize is what Alexis de Tocqueville called "a manly and legitimate passion for equality---" Blue jeans are favored equally by bureaucrats and cowboys; bankers and deadbeats; fashion designers and beer drinkers. They draw no distinctions and recognize no classes; they are merely American. Yet they are sought after almost everywhere in the world -- including Russia, where authorities recently broke up a teen-aged gang that was selling them on the black market for two hundred dollars a pair. They have been around for a long time, and it seems likely that they will outlive even the necktie.本文讲述了美国一个坚实的象征物，如今已经遍及世界大部分地区。
Unit59The runway felt different this time. It startled him for a brief moment. Then it all hit him like a wet bale of hay. The bar was set at nine inches higher than his personal best. That's only one inch off the National record, he thought. The intensity of the moment filled his mind with anxiety. He began shaking the tension. It wasn't working. He became more tense. Why was this happening to him now, he thought. He began to get nervous. Afraid would be a more accurate description. What was he going to do? He had never experienced these feelings. Then out of nowhere, and from the deepest depths of his soul, he pictured his mother. Why now? What was his mother doing in his thoughts at a time like this? It was simple. His mother always used to tell him when you felt tense, anxious or even scared, take deep breaths.10 So he did. Along with shaking the tension from his legs, he gently laid his pole at his feet. He began to stretch out his arms and upper body. The light breeze that was once there was now gone. He carefully picked up his pole. He felt his heart pounding. He was sure the crowd did, too. The silence was deafening. When he heard the singing of some distant birds in flight, he knew it was his time to fly.Uint78 Two centuries ago an English judge in India noticed that several words in Sanskrit closely resembled some words in Greek and Latin. A systematic study revealed that many modern languages descended from a common parent language, lost to us because nothing was written down.9 Identifying similar words, linguists have come up with what they call an Indo-European parent language, spoken until 3500 to 2000 B.C. These people had common words for snow, bee and wolf but no word for sea. So some scholars assume they lived somewhere in north-central Europe, where it was cold. Traveling east, some established the languages of India and Pakistan, and others drifted west toward the gentler climates of Europe. Some who made the earliest move westward became know10 New words came with the Germanic tribes -- the Angles, the Saxons, etc. -- that slipped across the North Sea to settle in Britain in the 5th century. Together they formed what we call Anglo-Saxon society.11 The Anglo-Saxons passed on to us their farming vocabulary, including sheep, ox, earth, wood, field and work. They must have also enjoyed themselves because they gave us the word laughter.。
Unit 2 Bards of the Internet 1. 电话的发明，产生了一个始料不及的后果，书写过时了。诚然，全职的写字工仍然存在，包括记者、学者以及职业写手。大型商业中心仍然很有必要保留一些能草拟备忘录、会议纪要、新闻稿或者合同的人。但是在举笔和拿起话筒之间选择的话，大多数人都会走便道，让手指——有时还有大脑——休息片刻。 2. 与之相比，当前计算机网络上发生的现象就更为惊人了。每个夜晚，当人们本应该看电视的时候，成千上万的计算机用户坐在键盘前，点击进入“电脑服务”、“奇才”、“美国在线”或互联网，并开始打字 —— 发电子邮件、发布信息、聊天、夸夸其谈、谩骂，甚至创作短篇小说和诗歌。当麦克卢汉所说的媒介正在淘汰莎士比亚时代的媒介时，网络世界正经历着18世纪以来信件书写最为迅猛的发展。 3. “我确信电子邮件和网上会议正在教会整整一代人写文章是多么有用，可以灵活到何种程度，”《旧金山纪事报》的专栏 作家乔恩·卡洛尔这样写道。石山图书出版社的编辑帕特里克·尼尔森·海顿把当今的电子公告板比作18世纪末19世纪初的“文字盒”：这是个小盒子，盒内的文章在多人间传递，每人经 手时都会增加一些句子。来自亚利桑那大学的副主编大卫·塞维尔则将网络写作喻为马克·吐温在19世纪60年代在旧金山所发现的文学景象，“当时人们将新闻报道嫁接到夸张的民俗传统故事之中，创造了新的新闻报道方式 ”。更有甚者，有人想起了汤姆·潘恩和美国革命时期政治小册子作家，甚至还想起了伊丽莎白一世时期，古腾堡活字印刷术的发明，令一代英国作家沉迷在语言之中。 4. 可是这种比较又引出一个问题：如果说当今的网络写作代表了某种复兴，但为何这么多网络作品又如此糟糕呢？网络写作可能会低劣不堪：文体拖沓、漫无边际、愚蠢幼稚、不合语法、拼写糟糕、结构不当，有时甚至毫无内容可言，正如网络上典型的短信息所示：“嗨！！！1！我觉得金属乐队酷毙了！1 ！！！” 5. 当然，原因之一就是电子邮件不同于常规写作。“你得把它看成是‘写下来的话’，”康涅狄格州西港镇的文学作品经纪人杰勒德·凡·德·勒恩如是说，此人是最近在网络上窜红的文体家,“这种东西和咖啡屋里的闲谈相差无几，但和书信相差甚远。它们不用储存保留，而是要删除遗忘。”许多网络 公告内设“实况”计时系统，利用计算机系统中基本的文字处理器，这类公告以分钟收费，往往一小时后不给提示就自动关闭。 6. 这并不是说，所有的网络作家多花一点时间都能生产出惊世之作。网上许多小说和诗歌都属二流水平或者更差，这倒并不足为怪，因为入这行的门槛太低了。“在现实世界中，”芝加哥诗人玛丽·安妮·穆罕拉吉说，“文学作品要出版，要做非常辛勤的劳动，这自然就剔除了大量的垃圾。而在网络世界，区区几次按键就可以将自己的作品发给成千上万的读者。” 7. 但是尽管劣质诗歌充斥泛滥，网络上仍有珍宝可寻。以笔名“记忆术”发贴的华盛顿律师迈克·戈德温讲述了乔·格林的故事。格林是克雷公司的技术文档撰写人员，他通过犀利地批评在一个名为“娱乐·艺术·诗”讨论组上发现的诗作，将这个行将湮灭的讨论组变成了名符其实的诗歌创作工作坊。这触怒了一些人。他们说，如果他是个诗神，为什么不在组内发表自己的诗作？”戈德温回忆说，“他不但发表了自己的诗作，而且把他们彻底镇住了。”还有格林的《缘定明尼苏达》，一部记录他与一位网 络写手会面的仿史诗作品，则成了互联网上备受尊崇的经典之作。该书开篇写道：“实际上我去见马克的时候，打扮得像《坎特伯雷故事集》中的人物。您一定认为这太难了，但我想 给人留点印象 。” 8. 与此同时，在那些平庸点的技术与政治讨论组，大量写手纷纷涌入，频频鼓噪，以期夺人耳目，于是达尔文适者生存的法则开始应验。芝加哥的软件设计师乔恩·巴格说：“网络上竞争激烈 ，要想脱颖而出，就必须在风格上下功夫。”网上的好作品通常风格明快、机智简练。不列颠哥伦比亚省温哥华市卡毕兰诺大学的写作教师克劳福德·基利莲说，“网络媒介偏爱简洁。它的思想单元就是简短的段落、公告式的标题和单行的句子。” 9. 有些最为成功的网络作品是在网上会议中产生的。写手们通力协作，思想相互碰撞，最后擦出火花。最好的例子或许可以首推加州索萨利托市颇受记者青睐的社区网站“井”的公告板。此处讨论的水准通常很高，包括《纽约时报》和《华尔街日报》在内的好几家出版机构都曾经节选刊登过“井”上的内容。 10. 奇怪的是，在网络上行得通的事在纸上未必也能行得通。网络写手可随意用奇怪的缩写和用标点符号构成的“笑脸”——那些表达日常交谈中的眨眼、笑容和怪相的笑脸——点缀自己的文章，而且行文十分流畅。另一方面，从书本和杂志上复制的美文贴到网络公告板上，却往往显得冗长虚假。职业作家如不根据这种新媒介与时俱进，作出调整，要与反应敏捷的网络写手一争高下，只能沦为自以为是的吹牛狂人。在华盛顿《传播日报》负责报道网络文化的记者布洛克·米 克斯说：“网上有一帮黑客青年，他们的串字水平远远高于那些出身名校的同龄人，这是因为他们总是在线，不停地写啊、写啊、写啊。” 11. 网络技术蕴含着某种民主的 —— 甚至是革命性的 —— 因素。它不仅赋予数以千计的未来作家发言权，否则他们也许永远不会从事这个行业，而且它也把以前从未有谋面的不同阶 层的人们齐聚一堂：学生、科学家、老市民、电脑迷、公告 板狂热草根（通常为蓝领）以及最近加盟的在职新闻工作者。 12. “这种事很容易搞得荒唐琐碎，”石山图书出版社的尼尔森·海顿说，“毕竟我们每个人大部分的生活都是荒唐琐碎的。我意思是说，真的，难道“笑脸”不荒唐琐碎吗？登陆名为“雌狐”的得梅因家庭主妇难道也不荒唐琐碎吗？” 13. 可是话说回来，无视电脑信息板的存在，或者低估一辈子匆匆撰写电邮的生活对青年一 代作家的影响，都将是错误的。电脑网络或许不是布鲁克农场或环球剧院，但它确实代表了无数人的生活方式 ，一种鲜活的文字生活。不难猜想，当年的吟游诗人倘若遇到互联网，也可能会立即上线并且永不下线。 Unit 4 Matriculation Fixation 1. 两年前的一天，我坐在费城一所医院的大厅里焦急地等待着，一位素不相识的人突然向我讲述了他女儿的大学就读计划。由于那天下午我79岁的老母亲刚动了大手术，还没醒过来，我无法全神贯注地听他的叙述。但是随着他讲述的深入，我却记住了其中的大部分与话题有关的细节。 2. 这位女生虽然算不上出类拔萃，但还算出色，她已经被一所一流名牌大学接受，不过没有助学金。与此同时，一所当地的二大学也录取了她，并承诺全免学费。由于家里还有几个孩子排在后面将上大学，经济自然有些紧，这位父亲便说服 女儿接受了第二所大学的录取通知。现在，他担心她某天会 懊 悔 这个决定，因为她将来毕业的学校名气较小，结交不广，为她敞开的大门也少些。虽然她的学位证书使她离通往 成功的黄金大道并不遥远，但却不会把她直接放在这条大道上。 3. 我本世俗百姓，对一些陌生人的婚姻、职业和嗜好最为私密的细枝末节耳熟能详，因此很早便掌握了调解这类危机的必备技巧。我告诉这位男士，我许多高中同学都毕业于这所 二流大学，但他们都过上了丰富而充实的生活。 4. 我告诉他，我自己就毕业于费城一所二流大学，和她女儿要就读的学校并无二致，而我也已在世上为自己找到了一小块立足之地。我还告诉他，我的大学岁月是我人生中最快乐的时光，教授们既有才识又很敬业，对他们的教诲和启发我永怀感恩之心。他又追问我的个人情况，我解释说我是个自由 作家，我扼要罗列了自己的资历，还告诉他我对自己的职业生涯也很满意。 5. 这位父亲从来没有听说过我，也没有读过我的作品。尽管他对我那可怜的履历佯装兴趣，我依然看出他已经崩溃了。他女儿也计划从事新闻行业，如果走上和我一样的学术道路，最终也会像我一样失败。 6. 我始终没有弄明白他为什么去那医院。 7. 我之所以提及此事，是因为它折射了在该送孩子上大学的时刻到来时家长们神经质到了什么程度。我知道我在说什么。明年秋天，我的女儿就要上大学了；三年之后，我的 儿子也要跟着上大学。看着他们离开家门，我会难过。这些年，他俩带给了我无尽的欢乐。但是事情总是有两面性的。我的孩子离家后，我将不必再加入到那些令人头脑麻木的讨论，探讨我自己的孩子或者哪个朋友或邻居的孩子上哪所 大学啦，为什么要上那所大学啦。在这个话题上，我已经 彻底落伍了。 8. 我对此不感兴趣，并非因为我自私，也不纯粹是因为我瞧不起别人的子女，而是因为我发现，这类关于择校的谈话几乎都很庸俗乏味，不是自吹自擂，就是自我贬损。与此相比，我宁愿聊聊怎么打纸牌。 9. 最令人愤慨的是，在有些讨论中，家长显然是想替孩子做主，决定孩子的职业，并从中得到情感上的满足。这些人相信，进入一流大学等于拿到了通向成功的无限期护照和一生财运亨通的保证。这些一心往上爬的傻瓜家长们，在宣告自己孩子的归宿并庆贺自己干了件好事的同时，也流露出了一副普鲁士式的好斗，低声挖苦那些子女天赋不高的父母。天赋不高的父母。对他们而言，抚养孩子最艰难的部分已经熬过去了。孩子初中毕业上了对头的预备学校，交上对头的朋友，参加了对头的活动，现在又瞄准了对头的大学。现在我们可以闪人离开这儿搬到托斯卡纳了。 10. 但在现实中，人生并非止步于17岁，也不止步于21岁！在现实生活中，有些孩子虽然接受了最好的教育，但人生却糟糕无比。做我这行的，不少人虽上对了名校，但最终却入错了行。那些最有可能成功的少男少女之中，有些最终将靠福利救济生活，或者沦落于贫民区，需要父母的接济。父母的责任并不止于孩子离开家门之时，父母的责任永远不会完结，这就是为什么大自然赋予你当父母的职责。 11. 第二类人是数目更为庞大的强迫症患者，他们突然意识到，自己平庸的孩子将不会有出息。17年没有好好读过书，没有参观过博物馆，没有修过的高级预备课程，现在终于酿成恶果，那些步入阿默斯特学院、巴德学院和杜克大学宏伟的演讲大厅之梦瞬间化为乌有。这些家长们羞愧难当，无地自容，咕哝着那些名不见经传的学校名字，他们的孩子正 要灰溜溜地到那儿读书了。毫无例外，这些学校在人们闻所未闻且都无人知晓的小镇上，连它们所在州的首府也只有那些《勇闯险关》节目的多次获 胜者才知道。脸色凝重的家长似乎在说，市场说了算，我的孩子是笨蛋 ！ 12. 然而，现实总能打乱老鼠和门萨策划得最糟糕的计划。有些孩子开窍较晚，有些孩子则在竞争不太激烈的环境中表现更优秀。许多人虽然没有名校的学位，但在社会上照样成就斐然。同样，你也不应该仅仅因为孩子没跨过人生第一道、甚至第二十道栏杆，就不认他。马蒂斯40多岁才成名，比尔·盖茨、大卫·格芬、迈克尔·戴 尔、格雷顿·卡特和麦当娜 都曾在大学中途辍学 。罗纳德·里根曾就读的是很小的尤里卡学院，沃伦·巴菲特上的则是内布拉斯加州林肯市的足球学校。即便你可能读过弗·斯科特·菲茨杰拉德（其本人于1917年从普林斯顿退学）小说中的故事，人生并非一出独幕剧，通常还有第二幕和第五幕，更不要说续篇了。上述择校问题之荒唐程度，莫过于人们按规定参观大学校园时看到的景象了。家长们根本不清楚自己想要什么，特别是在那些引人注目、名声在外的学校。最近我们到麻省理工学院参观，我看了30秒钟招生办公室摄制的视频，该段视频自嘲地说该校是个书呆子工厂。随后，我妻子和女儿继续观看视频，听它向申请的学生保证说，麻省理工学院生产的是人间难觅的书呆子，而我则在校园漫步。我真的看到了很多书呆子。我这么说并非指责他们什么。 13. 那天早晨晚些时候，一位导游带我们一群人参观了校园。走到一处，她指给我们一个餐厅说，学生可以在那里买到便宜的快餐。“一顿多少钱？”一位母亲兴奋地问。“八美元，”导游回答道。这位妇女不禁打了个哆嗦，说每天晚餐八美元实在太贵了。 14. “你得花四万美元才能送你的孩子到这里上学，”我插了一句，“请先不要担心晚餐的价格 。” 15. 自从今年秋天参观了这个校园之后，这件事就成了我的一个重要的保留话题。现在，每当我被卷入有关大学择校的无休止的讨论时，我就表示校园餐厅价格的持续监管，尤其是帕尼尼三明治的价格，也应成为大学择校的一项重要参考指标。那些听过我的类似言论的人，也无从判别我到底是感觉迟钝，脾气乖戾，还是纯粹是个白痴。不过，我们可以这么说：我从来就不是上麻省理工学院的那块料。
