Girl Geek Dinners

BBC Learning EnglishPeople and PlacesGirl Geek DinnersAmber: Hello, I’m Amber¹ and you’re listening tobbclearningenglish.com.
　　In People and Places today, we go to a London bar with agroup of people who are all passionate² about technology –you know, the kind of people who have an in-depth knowledgeof computers, the internet, electronics and, well, anything‘techie’ – anything technical. (We also have the noun ‘a techie’ – meaning someone who is good at technicalsubjects.)The meeting is organised by a group of women called GirlGeek Dinners. (A‘geek’ is an informal word for someone who thoroughlyunderstands a particular subject area – very often it’s atechnical subject, but not always.)We hear first from software developer Sarah Blow. She’sthe founder³ of Girl Geek Dinners, which is now one of themost popular technical events for women in England. (Menare allowed to attend but they have to be invited by awoman!) The dinner begins, and then Sarah defines the word‘geek’ for us. She says it’s now ‘cool’, it’sfashionable, to be a geek.
　　As you listen, try to catch when Sarah became a geek –before or after it became cool?
　　Sarah BlowMC: Hello and welcome to London Girl Geek Dinners. Thisis London Girl Geek Dinner number eleven and I’d like tointroduce you to our first speaker. [APPLAUSE] Voice: I’
　　ve been involved in Wikipedia since the start of 2003 and[FADE]
　　Sarah Blow: I define ‘a geek’ as someone that has apassion for their subject area, be that technology orsomething else, and has a depth of knowledge in thatsubject area. And I do think it has become cool to become ageek. And I was a geek before it became cool,unfortunately!
　　Amber: So Sarah says she became a geek before it wasfashionable!
　　But now, Girl Geek Dinners is thriving. Any womaninterested in technology or the internet can sign up onlineand join in.
　　Here’s journalist Angela Saini reporting from the dinner.
　　She says the idea of women who work in technology gettingtogether ‘has blossomed’ – it’s developed in a pleasingway. The women come from ‘diverse’, very different,backgrounds.
　　As you listen, try to catch the noun Angela uses todescribe the latest small, clever devices.
　　Angela SainiNow, the idea has blossomed and regularly attracts dozensof women from a diverse background - from glamorous⁴ PRwomen who market the latest gadgets⁵, to video gamedesigners and the most technical software developers. Theycome to discuss anything ‘techie’, whether it’s a newinternet development or how to get ahead in their careers.
　　Amber: So the word for a small, clever device is a‘gadget’. Listen again.
　　Angela SainiNow, the idea has blossomed and regularly attracts dozensof women from a diverse background - from glamorous PRwomen who market the latest gadgets, to video gamedesigners and the most technical software developers. Theycome to discuss anything ‘techie’, whether it’s a newinternet development or how to get ahead in their careers.
　　Amber: Now, Eileen Brown, who works for Microsoft, talksabout the value of the Girl Geek Dinners. She says ‘femalenetworking’ is very important, it’s a powerful tool forwomen in technical ‘roles’, or jobs. ‘Networking’ meansbuilding up relationships with people whose friendshipcould bring advantages, such as job or businessopportunities.
　　She says many women work ‘right at the heart of’
　　technology – in the most important part of technology. AndGirl Geek Dinners stop them from feeling‘isolated⁶’ – or alone – surrounded by men! And it givesthem ‘role models’ – people they can admire and copy.
　　And it creates an opportunity for ‘peer mentoring⁷’ – forhelping each other.
　　Eileen BrownWe really believe in the power of female networking. Thereare about 12 percent of women in technical roles, deeplytechnical women, operating right at the heart of oursoftware environment in the UK. Quite often women workingin technology feel very isolated, so the opportunity tofind role models and peer mentoring is something we reallybelieve in at Microsoft.
　　Amber: Now let’s recap the language we focused on. atechie – someone competent in technologya geek – someone who thoroughly understands a particularsubject area – very often it’s a technical subject, butnot alwaysblossomed – developed in a pleasing way diverse – verydifferentgadgets – small, clever devicesnetworking – building up relationships with people whosefriendship could bring advantages, such as job or businessopportunitiestechnical roles – technical jobs isolated – alonerole models – people you can admire and copy

1 amber   

n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的

参考例句：

• Would you like an amber necklace for your birthday?你过生日想要一条琥珀项链吗？
• This is a piece of little amber stones.这是一块小小的琥珀化石。

2 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

3 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

4 glamorous   

adj.富有魅力的；美丽动人的；令人向往的

参考例句：

• The south coast is less glamorous but full of clean and attractive hotels.南海岸魅力稍逊，但却有很多干净漂亮的宾馆。
• It is hard work and not a glamorous job as portrayed by the media.这是份苦差，并非像媒体描绘的那般令人向往。

5 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

6 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。

7 mentoring   

n.mentoring是一种工作关系。mentor通常是处在比mentee更高工作职位上的有影响力的人。他/她有比‘mentee’更丰富的工作经验和知识，并用心支持mentee的职业（发展）。v.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• One of the most effective instruments for coaching and mentoring is the "role rehearsal" . 辅导和教学的最有效的手段之一是“角色排练。” 来自辞典例句
• Bell Canada called their mentoring system a buddy-buddy system. 加拿大贝尔公司称他们的训导系统是伙伴—伙伴系统。 来自互联网