英闻天下——611 France Approves Gay Marriage Law

 　　French lawmakers have voted to legalize same-sex marriage despite protests from conservative opponents.

 

　　The nation's lower house approved a marriage bill, which will also give same-sex couples the right to adopt.

 

　　However, opponents, including the UMP opposition¹ party are vowing² to block the bill in the constitutional council.

 

　　Herve Mariton, a member of the UMP party:

 

　　"the definition of wedding in France in our town halls which is very different to what exists in the rest of world, the definition of adoption³ in France which is very much different, adoption in France is a complete re-writing of the birth certificate, you're supposed to be born from the two parents that are adopting you, this means two fathers, two mothers, we believe this goes against constitutional principles."

 

　　Thousands of police armed with water cannons⁴ were earlier deployed⁵ near parliament to deal with any possible violence.

 

　　Although rallies opposing the change have been largely peaceful, there have been some clashes blamed on far-right elements.

 

　　Analysts⁶ say the bill is expected to be passed by the council, and signed into law by socialist⁷ President Francois Hollande.

 

　　France is now the 14th country to legalize gay marriage after New Zealand last week.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 vowing   

起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild its collapsed bridge. 布什总统承诺将帮助明尼阿波利斯重建坍塌的大桥。
• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild this collapse bridge. 布什总统发誓要帮助明尼阿波利斯重建起这座坍塌的桥梁。

3 adoption   

n.采用，采纳，通过；收养

参考例句：

• An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
• The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

4 cannons   

n.加农炮，大炮，火炮( cannon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Cannons bombarded enemy lines. 大炮轰击了敌军阵地。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One company had been furnished with six cannons. 某连队装备了六门大炮。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。