纪录片《卧底企鹅帮》 第43期 成长的烦恼(8)

Faced by the trickiest¹ jump of all, they decide better of it.

面对着最有挑战性的跳跃，它们决定还是绕道为妙

It was a wise decision, the Atlantic swell² is massive today.

这是个明智的选择，今天大西洋海浪滔天

There is another route, but it's rarely used.

还有另外一条不常走的路

And for a good reason.

原因很简单

There's just enough room for one at a time.

每次只能通过一只企鹅

With a full stomach, it's quite a squeeze.

对刚刚饱餐的企鹅来说，这里实在有点窄

Rockhoppercam watches those that make it through.

跳岩企鹅摄像机则看着它们一个个通过

But back at the entrance, a queue starts to form.

但在入口处，企鹅开始排起了长队

More are backing up behind, it's getting crowded.

越来越多的企鹅蜂拥而来，拥挤不可避免

And this penguin³ doesn't like queue-jumpers at all.

这只企鹅一点都不喜欢加塞者

While he tries to control the crowds, some sneak⁴ past and take his place.

它想控制企鹅群，有人则趁机过去，占据了它的位置

But he seems more concerned with managing the gatecrashers than missing his turn.

不过它好像更在意管理好混乱的企鹅，错过自己的机会也无所谓

It's like trying to keep back the tide.

可惜它是螳臂当车

He finally gives up and goes through himself.

它最终放弃了，自己穿过了通道

With the penguins⁵ reduced to single file,

由于企鹅们逐只通过岩隙

it will be hours before they all arrive back at the colony.

它们得花好几小时才能都回到巢中

Most chicks will have a long wait for their supper.

大多数小企鹅得等很久才能吃到晚餐

The first parents to arrive are immediately besieged⁶ by chicks trying to blag a meal.

第一批父母刚到达便被乞食的小企鹅围作一团

Like emperors, the adults must identify their own chicks among the crowds.

和帝企鹅一样，成年跳岩企鹅也得在企鹅群中辨认自己的孩子

Imposters are soon sent packing.

凡有冒名顶替者便被驱逐出群

Each parent uses a distinct call that the chick can recognise.

每个成年企鹅都有能被自己孩子识别的独特叫声

In turn, the adult knows the unique chirrup of its offspring.

反之，它们也能识别出自己孩子的独特叫声

1 trickiest   

adj.狡猾的( tricky的最高级 )；（形势、工作等）复杂的；机警的；微妙的

参考例句：

• Many believe this is the trickiest area to navigate. 很多人认为这是最难驾驭的领域。 来自时文部分
• Establishing confidence in a new monetary system was the trickiest part. 建立对新货币体系的信心是其最棘手的部分。 来自互联网

2 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。

3 penguin   

n.企鹅

参考例句：

• The penguin is a flightless bird.企鹅是一种不会飞的鸟。
• He walked with an awkward gait like a penguin.他走路的步子难看得就像企鹅。

4 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

5 penguins   

n.企鹅( penguin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Why can penguins live in cold environment? 为什么企鹅能生活在寒冷的环境中？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Whales, seals, penguins, and turtles have flippers. 鲸、海豹，企鹅和海龟均有鳍形肢。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 besieged   

包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Paris was besieged for four months and forced to surrender. 巴黎被围困了四个月后被迫投降。
• The community besieged the newspaper with letters about its recent editorial. 公众纷纷来信对报社新近发表的社论提出诘问，弄得报社应接不暇。