VOA英语2010年-Public Opinion Split as Estonia Prepares to

Estonia officially joins the Eurozone on January 1, becoming the 17th nation - the first in the Baltic region - to adopt the common European currency group. But with worries growing over Europe's ability to handle its debt crisis, many Estonians say the timing¹ is wrong. Others worry the currency change will result in higher prices.

Despite concerns in Estonia about the future of Europe's common currency, banks in the capital city Tallinn are having trouble keeping up with demand for euro coin start-up sets.

But there is a growing public debate as Estonians prepare to join the eurozone. One pensioner² calls it pointless.

"We don't need it," he said. "The size of notes is different and I don't have a suitable wallet for euros. What's the point of the euro? We're spending millions to bring it in while children in our schools don't have free lunches."

A new survey in Estonia shows public opinion evenly split, with some welcoming the currency conversion³, while others say it will hurt Estonian pocketbooks.

"Of course prices will rise," said one man. "Comparing salaries here and in other countries, the difference will hurt."

"It's very good, especially for younger people when they travel," a woman said. "They will not need to exchange money into euros any more."

The reluctance⁴ of many of Estonia's 1.3 million citizens to embrace the new currency is a worry for the Estonian government, which also is trying to explain a five percent rise in food prices. But economist⁵ Hardo Pajula says the higher prices have little to do with the euro.

"The increase in food prices has been more due to the exceptionally hot summer in Russia, among other things, and in other parts of the world. But, of course, it gets attributed to the euro," said Pajula.

Economists⁶ say the most vulnerable period will be the first two weeks of the new year, when the Estonian economy transitions from the familiar kroon to a currency - many here still don't trust.

1 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

2 pensioner   

n.领养老金的人

参考例句：

• The tax threshold for a single pensioner is$ 445.单身领退休年金者的纳税起点为445英镑。
• It was the pensioner's vote late in the day that influenced the election of Mr.Sweet.最后是领取养老金者的选票影响了斯威特先生的当选。

3 conversion   

n.转化，转换，转变

参考例句：

• He underwent quite a conversion.他彻底变了。
• Waste conversion is a part of the production process.废物处理是生产过程的一个组成部分。

4 reluctance   

n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿

参考例句：

• The police released Andrew with reluctance.警方勉强把安德鲁放走了。
• He showed the greatest reluctance to make a reply.他表示很不愿意答复。

5 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

6 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》