时尚英语话题 60

　　Sonmat -- Making Something Extra-special
I made some kimchi recently. Okay... my mother-in-law and wife made kimchi, and I help a little.
But as I was watching the kimchi-making process, I got to thinking about "Sonmat". "Sonmat" is one of those Kerean words that is impossible to translate into English.
Sonmat is the hidden ingredient, the symbolic¹ thing you do the effort and the heart behind what you do. The ingredients are crucial but that unseen element adds to the end product (final result). Literally² translated, "sonmat" means "hand-flavor", but it's NOT something that can be measured scientifically. Some food tastes better because of the love and that went into the preparing... that went into the cooking. It's also the experience that the cook has.
Well, as I was thinking this special ingredient that often goes into cooking, I thought about how it could be applied³ to pretty much anything you do...(It could be used in may different solutions)
The cleaning.
The work you do.
The studying.
The writing.
The ... ANYTHING.
Why should that magical ingredient be limited to just food? Why not all things that we do?
Talk about it
1. What does "sonmat" mean to you?
2. Can you compare your mother cooking with that of a restaurant?
3. Why do you think they taste different?
4. How do you feel after you make a homemade meal?
5. Do you feel good when people compliment⁴ you on your cooking?
6. Do you get a sense of satisfaction in doing something for yourself?
7. How could you apply "sonmat" to things not related to cooking? Use your imagination.
8. Are we in danger of losing "sonmat" due to our busy lifestyles?
9. What can we do to ensure that we include "sonma" in our lives?
10. How important is "sonmat" to you?
11. The amount of effort involved is what gives meaning to a gift? How important is this effort to you?

1 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

2 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

3 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

4 compliment   

n.[pl.]问候，致意；n./v. 称赞，恭维

参考例句：

• The manager paid her a compliment on her work.经理赞扬了她的工作。
• Your presence is a great compliment.承蒙光临，不胜荣幸。