VOA常速英语2014--Iranians Prepare For Traditional New Year Celebrations 伊朗民众为庆祝传统新年做准备

Iranians Prepare For Traditional New Year Celebrations 伊朗民众为庆祝传统新年做准备

WASHINGTON — Iranians around the world are preparing to celebrate their traditional new year, Nowruz, which falls on Thursday. The ancient tradition is also celebrated¹ by Kurds and marks the arrival of spring.

Iranians are shopping for traditional food and other items ahead of the Nowruz holiday, or Persian New Year.

伊朗人正为即将到来的诺鲁孜节或波斯新年采购传统食品，添置其他物品。

Celebrations will start on Thursday night, with music, dance and elaborate meals.

庆祝活动将会在周四晚上举行,届时人们将载歌载舞,还有精美的餐食。

A festive² table traditionally includes seven dishes, known as " haft-seen," or “seven S's,”

这一传统节日餐桌包含七道菜，也就是熟知的“haft-seen”,或“seven S's”七喜桌。

because their names start with the letter "S" in Persian.

因为它们的名字在波斯语中是以“S”开头。

伊朗新年.jpg

"The haft-seen table setting includes hyacinth, samanu, sabze, colored eggs,

“《古兰经》记载，七喜桌应包括风信子,甜麦布丁,扁豆豆芽,彩色鸡蛋、

sumac, wheat, garlic, senjed, bread, cheese, green herbs, health and above all, the Quran," explained a Tehran resident.

漆树、小麦、大蒜、干野生橄榄,面包,奶酪,绿色药草,还有最重要的健康。”一位德黑兰居民解释道。

Nowruz is a secular³ holiday, embraced by people from diverse ethnic⁴ communities and religious backgrounds.

诺鲁孜节是一种民俗节日,而且受到不同民族和宗教背景的人欢迎。

Tehran resident Amirali Hosseini said it symbolizes⁵ renewal⁶.

德黑兰居民阿米拉里?荷塞尼称这一节日象征着再生。

"I am here to buy trail mix and cookies.

“我来到这里买干果和饼干。

For me, Nowruz brings about change in everything.

对我来说, 诺鲁孜节为一切带来了改变。

Nowruz means renewal and rebirth,

诺鲁孜节的意思是再生和重生,

not only in nature but also in one's behavior and relationships," said Hosseini.

不仅存于自然界,还有个人的行为和关系,”荷塞尼说道。

Nowruz is believed to have its roots in the Zoroastrian religion of ancient Persia.

诺鲁孜节被认为来源于古代波斯的琐罗亚斯德宗教。

The tradition includes lighting⁷ fires on the last Tuesday before the new year.

传统包括在新年前的最后一个周二进行点火仪式。

Zoroastrians considered fire a purifier of souls.

琐罗亚斯德教认为火是灵魂的净化器。

For most Iranians, it is a time to get together and rejoice.

对大多数伊朗人来说,这是聚在一起庆祝的时刻。

"This is a new year for continuing our tradition of haft-seen.

“这是我们继续七喜桌传统新的一年。

And also for friendships to grow closer and become better in time.

愿友谊更加亲密，地久天长。

That's it. And also to wish for good health," said a Tehran local.

就是这样。同时也希望身体健康,”伊朗当地一位居民说道。

The United Nations in 2010 recognized the International Day of Nowruz,

2010年联合国将诺鲁孜节定为国际节日,

describing it as a spring festival of Persian origin, which has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years.

 

称它为一种起源于波斯的春节,而且已经有3000多年的历史。

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

3 secular   

n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的

参考例句：

• We live in an increasingly secular society.我们生活在一个日益非宗教的社会。
• Britain is a plural society in which the secular predominates.英国是个世俗主导的多元社会。

4 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

5 symbolizes   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The use of light and dark symbolizes good and evil. 用光明与黑暗来象征善与恶。
• She likes olive because It'symbolizes peace. 她喜欢橄榄色因为它象征着和平。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

7 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。