纪录片《南太平洋》 第52期 四海为家（20）

The Lapita's first voyages into the unknown must have appeared suicidal.

为了完成向未知世界的处女航，拉皮塔人付出了巨大的牺牲

Although many were lost at sea, some Lapita DID reach new islands,

多亏了非凡的航海技能，即便有人葬身大海

thanks to their extraordinary navigation skills.

他们还是到达了新岛

This man can interpret the direction of land by reading wave and swell¹ patterns.

这个男人通过识别海浪就能说出陆地的方向

Like his ancestors, he carries in his head a complex wind map

像祖先那样，他将复杂的季风图熟记于心

detailing the various seasonal² winds that serve as a compass.

不会遗漏任何细节

And at night, he can navigate³ by the stars.

即使在夜间，他也能依靠星星导航

In craft like these, the Lapita reached the islands of Tonga, 2,000 miles

仅凭这种小船，拉皮塔人抵达了南太平洋的中心

east of New Guinea, in the heart of the South Pacific.

位于新几内亚以东1600海里的汤加群岛

Further east, the odds⁴ of a castaway making land drop steeply

如果东部的岛屿更加偏远

as the islands become fewer and even more isolated⁵.

那么漂流者登陆的可能性就会降低。

1 swell   

vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强

参考例句：

• The waves had taken on a deep swell.海浪汹涌。
• His injured wrist began to swell.他那受伤的手腕开始肿了。

2 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

3 navigate   

v.航行，飞行；导航，领航

参考例句：

• He was the first man to navigate the Atlantic by air.他是第一个飞越大西洋的人。
• Such boats can navigate on the Nile.这种船可以在尼罗河上航行。

4 odds   

n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别

参考例句：

• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？

5 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。