THIS IS AMERICA - New Year Traditions

THIS IS AMERICA - New Year Traditions
By Jerilyn Watson

Broadcast: Monday, December 27, 2004

(THEME)

VOICE ONE:

On December thirty-first, Americans and other people around the world welcome the New Year. I'm Mary Tillotson.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Steve Ember. We tell about New Year celebrations² and traditions on our report today on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.

 
Times Square
(THEME)

VOICE ONE:

It is December thirty-first in New York City. Hundreds of thousands of people are gathered in Times Square. They stand close together, waiting in the cold darkness for midnight. That is the time when the old year dies and the New Year is born.

The people count the seconds until the New Year arrives. "Ten…nine…eight…" A huge glass New Year's Ball falls through the darkness. Someone says the ball looks like thousands of burning stars. Someone else say it looks like a huge, bright piece of snow.

When the ball reaches the ground, the New Year has begun. People shout "Happy New Year!" They throw tiny pieces of colorful paper into the air. They dance. They sing a traditional New Year song of friendship called "Auld³ Lang Syne⁴."

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

Each year, people arrive in Times Square while it is still daylight. After dark, at about six o'clock, the New Year's Eve ball is raised to its highest position. By this time thousands of people are gathered for the celebration¹ ahead. They say "ooh" and "aah" when the electric company turns on the thousands of little lights in the ball. Then everyone waits for the beautiful object to fall. Families and friends attend this event together. People who have not met talk as if they had known⁵ each other all their lives. Many in the crowd jump around to keep warm.

VOICE ONE:

The first New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square took place in nineteen-oh-four. The owners of a building on Times Square held that first party on top of their building. Three years later, a New Year's ball was dropped from the top of the building for the first time.

The ball has been dropped every year except for two years during World War Two. In nineteen-forty-two and nineteen-forty-three, crowds still gathered in Times Square. They observed a moment of silence. After that, bells rang from a vehicle⁶ in Times Square.

 
Graphic⁷ Image
(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

People do not pay to attend the Times Square celebration. But other New Year's Eve celebrations can be costly⁸. Many Americans observe the holiday at public eating and drinking places.

Some people like to see the New Year arrive while traveling by boat. For example, people in Chicago, Illinois can choose from several special holiday trips on Lake Michigan. These cruises⁹ include dinner and dancing to music performed by a band. In San Diego, California¹⁰, a ship company offers New Year's Eve on the Pacific Ocean. It costs more than one-hundred dollars for each person.

Other Americans have parties at home and invite all their friends. Many of these events are noisy. People shout and sing. They often blow on small noisemakers when the New Year arrives at midnight. They kiss their husband or wife or the person they are with. They dance to music. Other Americans spend a quiet evening at home. They drink Champagne¹¹ at midnight to welcome the New Year. Here, the Persuasions¹² sing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Some people drink too much alcohol¹³ at New Year's Eve celebrations. This can lead to tragic¹⁴ results if a person drinks too much and then drives a car. The National Safety Council¹⁵ says hundreds of people die in road accidents during the holiday.

In recent years, the danger of accidents has resulted in a new tradition called the "designated¹⁶ driver." One person among a group of friends drinks little or no alcohol during New Year's Eve celebrations. Then this designated driver can safely drive the other people home. Many American cities also offer free taxi service on New Year's Eve to take people home safely.

VOICE TWO:

Other Americans observe the coming of the New Year at events without alcohol. More than two-hundred-twenty American cities hold these First Night celebrations. Artists in Boston, Massachusetts started the tradition of First Night celebrations in nineteen-seventy-six. They wanted to observe the coming of a New Year. But they did not want to hold noisy drinking parties. So they organized music, art and other events to observe the holiday.

People in Boston can choose among two-hundred-fifty performances and exhibits¹⁷ around the city. People can look at huge statues made of ice. Families can watch fireworks early in the evening. Later, fireworks light the midnight sky over Boston Harbor¹⁸.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

After the celebrations of New Year's Eve, New Year's Day is often a quiet day for many Americans. Many people spend the first day of the New Year at home. Some watch football games on television. Some of the top university teams play in these games.

The most famous of these Bowl games is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Tournament¹⁹ of Roses parade²⁰ includes many vehicles²¹ called "floats." The floats are covered completely²² with paper or flowers. Businesses, social groups, universities and the city government pay thousands of dollars to build these floats. Millions of people watch the colorful event on television.

VOICE TWO:

Another famous parade takes place on the opposite side of the nation, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This city holds a yearly²³ Mummers Parade on New Year's Day. The Mummers make unusual costumes²⁴ to wear. They cover their faces with masks. They march through the city and play musical instruments.

 
Graphic Image
VOICE ONE:

Sometimes families invite friends to visit them on New Year's Day. They serve drinks and food at these open houses and wish everyone a good year.

In some parts of the country, American children and adults still follow an ancient custom on January first. They go from house to house singing to friends and neighbors. Americans borrowed this tradition from ancient peoples in what is now Britain and Europe. One popular song wishes people love and joy in the New Year.

VOICE TWO:

Many Americans follow traditions meant to bring good luck in the New Year. Some people wear special clothes or eat special foods. For example, men and women who want to find their true love wear yellow clothing. Others carry silver in hopes of finding²⁵ money.

People in many parts of the United²⁶ States celebrate the New Year by eating black-eyed peas²⁷. Cabbage is another vegetable that people eat to bring good luck and money. In the South, people prepare and eat a traditional food called Hoppin' John. It contains peas, onions, bacon²⁸ and rice. It has this unusual name because long ago children were said to like it so much they hopped²⁹ around the room while waiting for it to cook.

Asian-Americans sometimes make traditional fortune cookies. These sweets contain small pieces of paper telling about a person's future. Some Americans from Spanish-speaking families follow a tradition for the New Year that involves fruit. On January First, they stand on a chair and eat grapes.

Whatever you do celebrate the New Year, we wish you a very happy one.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by Cynthia Kirk. I'm Mary Tillotson.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Steve Ember. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.

1 celebration   

n.庆祝，庆祝会；典礼

参考例句：

• The celebration passed off successfully.庆祝活动圆满结束。
• The celebration of Christmas is a custom.庆祝圣诞节是一种习俗。

2 celebrations   

n.庆祝( celebration的名词复数 )；庆祝会（仪式）

参考例句：

• The mayor was there to dignify the celebrations. 市长的光临为庆祝活动增辉。
• Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations 维多利亚女王登基50周年庆典

3 auld   

adj.老的，旧的

参考例句：

• Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?怎能忘记旧日朋友，心中能不怀念？
• The party ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Sync.宴会以《友谊地久天长》的歌声而告终。

4 syne   

adv.自彼时至此时，曾经

参考例句：

• The meeting ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.大会以唱《友谊地久天长》结束。
• We will take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.让我们为了过去的好时光干一杯友谊的酒。

5 known   

adj.大家知道的；知名的，已知的

参考例句：

• He is a known artist.他是一个知名的艺术家。
• He is known both as a painter and as a statesman.他是知名的画家及政治家。

6 vehicle   

n.车辆，交通工具，运载工具；媒介，表现手段

参考例句：

• Air is the vehicle of sound.空气是声音传播的媒介。
• The power plant burns used vehicle tyres as fuel.这家电厂用废弃轮胎作燃料。

7 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

8 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

9 cruises   

v.乘船巡游( cruise的第三人称单数 )；以快而平稳的速度长距离行驶；巡航；轻而易举赢得（或获得）

参考例句：

• Cruises on the Thames in London, have become an annual attraction. 在伦敦泰晤士河上的巡航已成为一年一度的引人注目的事。 来自辞典例句
• Throughout the year traders and recruiters arrive from far, dry cruises. 一年到头，总有商人和募工者经过干渴的长途航行来到这里。 来自辞典例句

10 California   

n.加利福尼亚(美国)

参考例句：

• He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。
• We were driving on a California freeway.我们正沿着加利福尼亚的一条快车道驾车行驶。

11 champagne   

n.香槟酒；微黄色

参考例句：

• There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
• They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。

12 persuasions   

n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰

参考例句：

• To obtain more advertisting it needed readers of all political persuasions. 为获得更多的广告，它需要迎合各种政治见解的读者。 来自辞典例句
• She lingered, and resisted my persuasions to departure a tiresome while. 她踌躇不去，我好说歹说地劝她走，她就是不听。 来自辞典例句

13 alcohol   

n.酒精，乙醇；含酒精的饮料

参考例句：

• The law forbids shops to sell alcohol to minors.法律禁止商店向未成年者出售含酒精的饮料。
• The alcohol is industrial.这些酒精是供工业用的。

14 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

15 council   

n.理事会，委员会，议事机构

参考例句：

• The town council passed a law forbidding the distribution of handbills.市议会通过法律，禁止散发传单。
• The city council has declared for improving the public bus system.市议会宣布同意改进公共汽车系统。

16 designated   

a.指定的，特指的

参考例句：

• Smoking is allowed in designated areas.允许在指定区域内吸烟。

17 exhibits   

v.陈列，展览( exhibit的第三人称单数 )；表现；显示；[法律]当庭出示（证件、物证等）

参考例句：

• Many exhibits with characteristics of the Chinese art are on display. 许多具有中国艺术特色的展品陈列出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One is dazzled by the endless array of beautiful exhibits. 展品琳琅满目，美不胜收。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

18 harbor   

n.海港，港口；vt.庇护，藏匿；心怀(怨恨等)

参考例句：

• The harbor lies to the south of the city.港口在城市的南边。
• At that time,our ship was tied up at this harbor.当时我们的船停靠在这个港口。

19 tournament   

n.比赛，竞赛，锦标赛

参考例句：

• He was the best boxer in the tournament.他是本届联赛的最佳拳手。
• The Council resolved that the next tournament should be held in Shanghai.理事会决定下次比赛在上海举行。

20 parade   

n.游行，炫耀，阅兵，检阅，阅兵场；v.游行，炫耀，夸耀，（使）列队行进

参考例句：

• She is on parade in her new dress in the street.她穿着新衣服在大街上走来走去。
• The boys loved watching the soldiers on parade.男孩子们爱看士兵们列队行进。

21 vehicles   

n.运载工具；传播媒介；（为展露演员才华而）特意编写的一出戏（或电影等）；[画]展色剂；交通工具( vehicle的名词复数 )；车辆；传播媒介；手段

参考例句：

• There is not much clearance for vehicles passing under this bridge. 车辆在这座桥下通过时没有多少余隙。
• to carry out random spot checks on vehicles 对车辆进行抽检

22 completely   

adv.完全地，十分地，全然

参考例句：

• She never completely gave up hope.她从不完全放弃希望。
• I feel completely in the dark on this question.这件事使我感到茫然。

23 yearly   

adj.每年的，一年一度的；adv.一年一次地

参考例句：

• The flower show is a yearly event in our town.我们镇上的花展一年举行一次。
• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。

24 costumes   

n.服装；装束

参考例句：

• The costumes and lighting in the play were restrained. 这出戏的服装和灯光都很朴实。
• The waitresses are all done up in costumes. 女服务生都穿着制服。

25 finding   

n.发现，发现物；调查的结果

参考例句：

• The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
• That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。

26 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

27 peas   

豌豆

参考例句：

• My little sister picked up many green peas in the field. 小妹从田野里拾到许多豌豆。
• The twin brothers are as like as two peas. 那两个兄弟毫无二致。

28 bacon   

n.咸肉，熏肉

参考例句：

• He is frying the bacon.他在煎咸肉。
• This bacon is too salty for me.这块熏咸猪肉我觉得太咸了。

29 hopped   

跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花

参考例句：

• He hopped onto a car and wanted to drive to town. 他跳上汽车想开向市区。
• He hopped into a car and drove to town. 他跳进汽车，向市区开去。