VOA标准英语2010年-South Africa Flea Market Vendors Alway

The Bruma Flea¹ Market is located in a suburb of Johannesburg, on the site of a former drainage basin.  Now, six days a week, locals and tourists alike come looking for bargains.

Local artists sell traditional African arts and crafts.  But like most of South Africa, the market these days is in the midst of World Cup fever. Prices are always negotiable, so I decided² to give it a try.

VENDOR³: "This one here is going down because South Africa is not going through that's why the price [is so low]."
REPORTER: "So you'll give me a good deal on it?"
VENDOR: "No problem as long as you talk nicely your going to get a better price."
REPORTER: "Well I'm very nice."
VENDOR: "I can see. I can see. I can see."
REPORTER: "How much do you think I should pay for this?"
VENDOR: "For this jersey⁴ I'm selling for 200 [Rand], but I'm going to give you a good price.  I'm going to sell for [this] 150 [Rand]."

The currency conversion⁵ of 150 Rand is approximately $20.  Some seasoned shoppers might have been able to get a better price but it seemed good to me.

REPORTER: "And that's your best price?
VENDOR: "That's the best price.  That price you can't find in the market.  That's the best price.   I'm [basically] going to give it to you."

With the afternoon Johannesburg sun beating down, I decided I needed to shop for a cap

REPORTER: "So the special Voice of America price for these hats is what?"
VENDOR: "Ah, the special Voice of America for this hat, OK, I'm gonna give you a 10 Rand discount I'll give you for 90 Rand each. This is original FIFA 2010 World Cup hat."

REPORTER: "And you've paid the license⁶ fee to FIFA?"
VENDOR: "Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes. I did pay the license if I didn't pay the license they [would] to take it from me, confiscate⁷ it but I paid the license yes."

Expert shoppers might have been able to get better prices, but I'm satisfied with my deals.
 

1 flea   

n.跳蚤

参考例句：

• I'll put a flea in his ear if he bothers me once more.如果他再来打扰的话，我就要对他不客气了。
• Hunter has an interest in prowling around a flea market.亨特对逛跳蚤市场很感兴趣。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 vendor   

n.卖主；小贩

参考例句：

• She looked at the vendor who cheated her the other day with distaste.她厌恶地望着那个前几天曾经欺骗过她的小贩。
• He must inform the vendor immediately.他必须立即通知卖方。

4 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

5 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。

6 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

7 confiscate   

v.没收(私人财产)，把…充公

参考例句：

• The police have the right to confiscate any forbidden objects they find.如发现违禁货物，警方有权查扣。
• Did the teacher confiscate your toy?老师没收你的玩具了吗？