英语听力：自然百科 圣河之旅 The Ganges 恒河—28

- People give whatever they can afford.-It sounds like a very difficult and upsetting job. Is it a job and a role that you find it difficult or do you enjoy it?

-It is a family tradition, and I see it as a duty. It's like a family business. It doesn't upset me. It's my way of practicing my faith as a Hindu. -Why does religion dictate¹ that you and your family do this job?

-A very long time ago, we were upper-caste priests, but then we were cursed by the gods. Now we do this job.

-So the legend is that your family were cursed, and that's why you have to do this job?

-Exactly.

In India's caste system, in which your job or role is often determined² from birth. The Don Raj's family belong to the lowest caste, the so-called untouchables.

-Is the caste system still alive in India?

-Well, we are developing. We are crawling up in a sense with more and more education, but the shadow is always there. You see, there are still people who would, if they even step in the shadow of the untouchable, would go to the Ganges and have a bath before they get back to their home.

1 dictate   

v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令

参考例句：

• It took him a long time to dictate this letter.口述这封信花了他很长时间。
• What right have you to dictate to others?你有什么资格向别人发号施令？

2 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。