VOA慢速英语2013 IN THE NEWS - Americans Making Final Preparations for Super Bowl Sunday

 

IN THE NEWS - Americans Making Final Preparations for Super Bowl Sunday

新闻报道 - 美国人为周日的超级碗决赛做最后准备

From VOA Learning English, this is IN THE NEWS in Special English.

这里是美国之音慢速英语新闻报道。

This Sunday, people around the world will witness two teams as they battle for the championship of American professional football. The Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers are in New Orleans, Louisiana, to prepare for the 47th Super Bowl. Over one hundred million people are expected to watch the game on television, with computers or other devices.

本周，世界各地的人们将见证两支球队争夺美国职业橄榄球总冠军。巴尔的摩乌鸦队和旧金山49人队正在美国路易斯安那州新奥尔良市备战第47届超级碗决赛。预计会有超过1亿观众通过电视、电脑和其它设备观看比赛。

The Ravens were formed in 1996 when the owner of the Cleveland Browns decided to move his team to Baltimore, Maryland. In 2001, the Ravens won their only Super Bowl game. The 49ers were established in 1946 as a member of the All-American Football conference. The team joined the National Football League in 1950.

1996年，克里夫兰布朗队的老板决定将球队搬到马里兰州的巴尔的摩，乌鸦队就此成立。2001年，乌鸦队赢得了唯一的一次超级碗决赛。49人队成立于1946年，是全美橄榄球联合会的一员。1950年，该队加入了美国国家橄榄球联盟（简称NFL）。

They have won five Super Bowl championships.

49人队获得过5次超级碗冠军。 

VOA reporter Jim Stevenson will be going to the game on Sunday.

美国之音记者吉姆·史蒂文森将去观看周日的决赛。

“This is a really good match up. Most people thought that the 49ers were one of the favorites to reach the super bowl. They have an exceptional defense, explosive offense. Baltimore has always been known for its defense, very tough, physical, hard hitting team.” 

“这是一场非常势均力敌的决赛。多数人都认为49人队是超级碗的夺冠热门之一，他们的防守非常出色。巴尔的摩乌鸦队也一直因防守出名，这是一支非常顽强、身体出色、充满活力的球队。”

This Super Bowl game is unusual because the head coaches of the two teams are brothers. Baltimore’s John Harbaugh is the older of the two. Younger brother Jim formerly played for several professional teams, including the Ravens. He was a college football coach before moving to the NFL last year to lead the 49ers. 

这场超级碗决赛不同寻常的地方还包括两只球队的主教练是亲兄弟。乌鸦队主教练约翰·哈博是哥哥，弟弟吉姆曾在包括乌鸦队在内的几只专业球队中效力。他在去年进入NFL率领49人队之前是大学橄榄球队教练。

The Super Bowl is not only a popular event to watch, but it also increases economic activity in the United States. Many people hold Super Bowl parties, spending lots of money on food, drinks and activities. Officials estimate the game will bring $434 million to the Louisiana economy and increase the number of visitors to the state.

超级碗不仅是一项热门赛事，它还能增进美国的经济活动。许多人会举办超级碗派对，在食品、饮料和各类活动上大肆消费。有关人员估计这场比赛将为路易斯安那州经济带来4.34亿美元收入，并增加到访该州的游客人数。

A major part of the economic activity is coming from large companies that plan to advertise their products on television during ‘commercial’ breaks. Companies are spending up to $400 million for a single 30 second advertisement. But businesses would not spend this much money if they did not think it would lead to increased sales. The head of Volkswagen America told the Reuters news agency that the company’s recent Super Bowl ads have resulted in a doubling in the size of its business. 

经济活动的一个主要部分来自于计划在比赛休息期间投放电视广告宣传产品的大型企业。各企业为一条30秒的广告花费4亿美元。但如果不是因为企业认为这会提高销售，他们不会花这笔钱。大众公司的负责人对路透社表示，该公司上次的超级碗广告使其业务规模扩大了一倍。

This year, companies are recognizing the importance of social media. They know that many people will not only be watching the television broadcast, but will be near their computer or mobile phone. Coca Cola wants people to take part in its advertising. On Sunday, the company will be asking viewers to vote in an online competition between three groups competing for a Coke. Pepsi and Toyota are planning to use personal photographs in their ads. 

今年，各公司都认识到社交媒体的重要性。他们知道许多人不仅会看电视直播，还会使用电脑和手机。可口可乐公司希望人们参与到广告中来。本周日该公司将要求访客在一项三组人争夺一罐可乐的网上竞赛中投票（决定让谁获胜）。百事可乐和丰田公司计划在广告中使用（用户上传的）个人照片。

In the past, Super Bowl ads were closely-guarded secrets. But over the past few years, more and more companies have been making their ads public before the game. This year more than 20 companies have already released their ads. However, not everyone enjoys seeing the ads early. Some people like to be surprised. Because advertising during the Super Bowl is just as competitive as the game itself, some companies could change their ads at the very last minute. 

在过去，超级碗广告是高度机密。但在过去几年里，越来越多的企业在比赛之前公布自己的广告。今年已经有超过20家公司发布了他们的广告。然而，并非每个人都喜欢提前看到这些广告，有些人喜欢获得惊喜。由于超级碗期间的广告和比赛本身一样竞争激烈，一些公司可能会在最后时刻改变自己的广告。

For those of you planning to watch the game, which team do you think will win? You can tell us on Facebook, Twitter or send a comment.

对那些计划观看比赛的人来说，你认为哪只球队会获胜？你可以通过Facebook、Twitter或评论告诉我们你的看法。