英语畅谈中国文化50主题 08

Eight: Two Boats in the Yangtze River

M: A Norwegian was told by his Chinese friend that figuratively the Yangtze River has two boats, one called fame, and the other wealth. He said that Chinese students are in the busy pursuit of fame and wealth, while their western counterparts are more interested in an ordinary life.

F: Although many westerners are critical of the obsession¹ with fame and wealth by young Chinese people, few westerners understand the reason behind it. In traditional Chinese culture, fame and wealth were two indicators² of a family's glory. Every man had an obligation to both their immediate³ and extended families as well as to the entire village. His action would either glorify⁴ or defame his family.

M: Why is that?

F: Well, China is a developing country with scarce resources and opportunities, which means that one has to be very successful in order to live a quality life. For example, in rural areas, in order for someone in the family to go to university, his brothers and sisters may have to drop out of school to save costs. After graduation, the student would do everything he can to gain fame and wealth in the hope of lifting his family out of poverty. Such is a popular story line of a number of movies. But Gao Jianlin in a 1980's movie called "Life" is probably the most well-known. He has to do everything he can in order to live in a city, even though it is achieved at the expense of giving up his hometown sweatheart.

M: To be further, there are also many young Chinese who are less interested in fame and wealth, and are more focused on the life style they can enjoy.

F: Correct. Chinese economic progress has made it possible for these young people to choose that sort of life style. Young people of different time periods have different pursuits. In the 1950s and 1960s, shortly after the People's Republic was founded, people truly believe there wouldn't be any personal wealth without building a prosperous country in the first place. So they devoted⁵ themselves to the construction of a new China. The economic reforms in the 1980s and 1990s gave people an opportunity to focus on their personal prusuits. Today, thanks to increased disposable income, people are able to constantly upgrade their life style. However, many people have begun to worry about China's future, because they see a diminishing sense of family and social responsibility among the young generation.

M: I'm not too worried though. As people become more affluent⁶, their sense of responsibility will become stronger, and they will make decisions which best reflect their values. Many young people in the west have chosen to do voluntary work in Asia, Africa and other underdeveloped areas. As a matter of fact, more and more young Chinese people have also signed up as volunteers.

1 obsession   

n.困扰，无法摆脱的思想(或情感)

参考例句：

• I was suffering from obsession that my career would be ended.那时的我陷入了我的事业有可能就此终止的困扰当中。
• She would try to forget her obsession with Christopher.她会努力忘记对克里斯托弗的迷恋。

2 indicators   

（仪器上显示温度、压力、耗油量等的）指针( indicator的名词复数 )； 指示物； （车辆上的）转弯指示灯； 指示信号

参考例句：

• The economic indicators are better than expected. 经济指标比预期的好。
• It is still difficult to develop indicators for many concepts used in social science. 为社会科学领域的许多概念确立一个指标仍然很难。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 glorify   

vt.颂扬，赞美，使增光，美化

参考例句：

• Politicians have complained that the media glorify drugs.政治家们抱怨媒体美化毒品。
• We are all committed to serving the Lord and glorifying His name in the best way we know.我们全心全意敬奉上帝，竭尽所能颂扬他的美名。

5 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

6 affluent   

adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的

参考例句：

• He hails from an affluent background.他出身于一个富有的家庭。
• His parents were very affluent.他的父母很富裕。