精美英文欣赏:体育精神(下)

First or second graders may be more eager to talk about the fun they have in sports.

一般说来，体育竞赛中排名靠前的运动员总会更加积极地分享他们从运动中感受的乐趣。

As they move into more competitive¹ games, kids become more focused on winning.

在竞争更为激烈的比赛中，孩子们更看重输赢。

They often forget to have fun. Without constant reminders² and good examples,

却常常忽略运动的乐趣。在没有人正确指引的情况下，

they may also forget what behavior is appropriate before, during, and after a sporting event.

他们会经常忘记在比赛前，比赛中和比赛后，保持良好的举止。

If a child has a coach who cares only about being in first place,

如果他们的教练只在乎能否能得第一名，

the child picks up the message that it's OK to be ruthless³ on the field.

孩子们就认为在竞赛中为了获胜，举止野蛮也是可以理解的。

If parents are constantly pressing them to play better,

如果家长为了让孩子表现的更好而带给他们压力，

children get the message that they're only as good as their last good play --

孩子们会认为，与以往一样，

and they'll try any method of achieving one.

为了获得胜利可以不计任何代价。

Adults who emphasize good sportsmanship, however,

那些强调高尚体育精神的成年人，

see winning as just one of the several goals they'd like their kids to achieve.

却把获胜看做是希望于自己孩子完成的众多目标之一。

The help young athletes take pride in their accomplishments⁴, so that the kids see themselves as winners,

在比赛中取得成就的自豪感，使孩子们视自己为赢家，

even if the scoreboard doesn't show the numbers going in their favor.

即使他们的比分并不尽人意。

The best coaches -- and parents -- encourage their kids to play fair,

好的教练和家长鼓励孩子们在体育场上公平竞争，

to have fun, and to concentrate on helping⁵ the team.

感受快乐，注重对团队的贡献。

Remember the saying, "Actions speak louder than words"?

还记得“事实胜于雄辩” 这句老话吗？

That's especially true when it comes to teaching your kids the basics of good sportsmanship.

这句话在教育孩子们健康的体育精神时候格外受用。

Your behavior during practices and games will influence them more than any pep talk or lecture you give them.

成年人在孩子训练和比赛时，如果能够以身作则，其效果要比任何鼓舞士气的讲话和说教都好的多。

1 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。

2 reminders   

n.令人回忆起…的东西( reminder的名词复数 )；提醒…的东西；（告知该做某事的）通知单；提示信

参考例句：

• The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
• The strike has delayed the mailing of tax reminders. 罢工耽搁了催税单的投寄。

3 ruthless   

adj.无情的，冷酷的，残忍的，坚决彻底的

参考例句：

• Fascists is the most ruthless enemy of the people.法西斯是人民最残酷无情的敌人。
• The ruthless enemy killed the old lady.残忍的敌人杀害了那位老太太。

4 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。