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VOA慢速英语--新的土地,新的习俗

时间:2016-02-16 15:46:40

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(单词翻译)

New Land, New Customs 新的土地,新的习俗

As refugees2 and migrants flood Europe, Finland is teaching3 its new arrivals about appropriate behavior.

Over 1 million migrants arrived in Europe in 2015. Most were fleeing struggling economies and war in places like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and East Africa.

Many of these people arrive in new countries like Germany, Sweden or Finland and expect life to become easier almost immediately, a recent news story by the BBC explained.

After all, they just traveled months by foot and by boat just to get to a new country and start fresh.

But when they arrive, the migrants face a world that can be confusing in many ways.

Melissa Fogg is the program manager for the Philadelphia Refugee1 Mental Health Collaborative (PRMHC). The PRMHC is an organization that helps refugees entering the U.S. build their lives in their new country. The PRMHC teaches the refugees skills and helps them adjust to living in a different environment.

Fogg told VOA that weather, language and safety issues are only some of the things that can cause problems.

"A lot of immigrants4 and refugees … when they come, they have a very idealized version5 of the United States from movies, magazines, the media … And a lot of that is just not true. … Generally, our country is very welcoming and very accepting of immigrants. But it can be a tough environment to come into, with a lot of barriers."

What seems normal in one country might be illegal in another country. For example, men and woman have equal rights under the law in Finland and the U.S.

One male student from Mali told the BBC, "It's quite amazing. … In my country a woman should not go out without her husband or brother."

There are laws about gender6 equality in many countries. These laws can be hard for new arrivals to understand. But that is not the only confusing thing about being in a different country.

Some laws and rules are written down. You can learn about them before you arrive. But there are lots of "unwritten rules," too.

Unwritten rules are behaviors that no one talks about, but that most people understand. People in a host country might think their behavior is normal, while newcomers might find it offensive7 or inappropriate.

Fogg said that these differences can make becoming part of a new culture seem impossible.

"When people come to a new country, at first they’re very excited... Shortly after that, there is reality that sets in. America’s not a perfect country."

But, after some time and a lot of work, most new arrivals begin to feel like they belong, Fogg said.

Also, it is important to know that not all differences are major.

Often there can be small differences between places that share a border and a language. A person from Canada might find people in the United States are less polite. Likewise8, Americans might find Canadians too reserved.

Fogg and VOA worked together to create a list of five important issues any new arrival to the U.S. should know about.

Be "on time." In some cultures, time is not a big issue. If you tell your friend to meet you at 2 p.m. and you arrive at 2:45 p.m., there is no problem. In the U.S., people feel that being on time is a sign of respect. If you are late by more than a few minutes, people will think you do not care. They will feel you are wasting their time. They will take your lateness as an insult9. Being on time is even more important in a professional or formal situation, such as a job interview or when you plan to see a doctor.

Be sure you always "tip." In many countries, after you eat at a restaurant, you only pay the amount shown on the bill. But, in the U.S., people who work in restaurants and bars often earn a low hourly wage. So, they try to provide excellent service, hoping the customer will give them a “tip,” meaning a little extra. Tips are extra money you pay above the cost of the meal. People in the U.S. tip between 15 percent and 20 percent of the bill. You also give tips to taxi drivers, hotel employees and the people who cut your hair.

Be careful what you say. Any place you go there will be some things that are appropriate to talk about and some things that are not. Would you talk about how good you feel with a person who is very sick? Probably not. In addition, many people in the U.S. can feel strongly about some topics that people in other cultures have no problem discussing. Assuming10 that people have the same beliefs as you is a bad idea. In the past decade, people in the U.S. have become more open about discussing strong political and religious views. But it is still best to listen to people share their opinions first and then decide about sharing your own. Also, there are several topics you should avoid asking questions about: how much money a person makes and if they are married. But if a person offers this information, then there is no problem.

Be aware of "personal space." Physical contact is the best way to show someone they are your friend or loved one in some cultures. Other cultures feel that showing affection11 in public is highly12 inappropriate. People in the U.S. fall somewhere in the middle on this issue. Two people usually do not kiss when saying “Hello,” unless they are family members or very close friends. Shaking hands is the most common thing to do when meeting someone. Also, people in the U.S. dislike it when strangers stand very near them.

Be polite for the situation. People in the U.S. define13 being polite in very special ways. For example, waiting in line involves a strong set of rules in this country. You must wait until the people in front of you have done what they are waiting to do. When going through a door, the person behind you expects you to hold the door for them. Also, it is common for people you do not know to say some form of hello to you when passing you. But this does not always mean they are inviting14 you to stop and talk for a long time! Many times the person is just being friendly. If you don’t say hello back to them they may think you are being unfriendly. You should examine the situation and think about what you want to do next.

Words in This Story

appropriate – adj. right or suited for some purpose or situation

migrant(s) – n. a person who goes from one place to another especially to find work

confusing – adj. difficult to understand

adjust – v. to change in order to work or do better in a new situation

idealized - adj. someone or something that people think of as being perfect

tough – adj. very difficult to do or deal with

quite – adv. to a very noticeable15 degree or extent16

amazing – adj. causing great surprise or wonder

set(s) in – p.v. to begin to be present or show something unpleasant or unwanted that often lasts for a long time

polite – adj. having or showing good manners or respect for other people

newcomer(s) – n. a person who has recently arrived somewhere

reserved – adj. not openly expressing feelings or opinions

customer – n. someone who buys goods or services from a business

assuming – v. thinking that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 refugee lCEyL     
n.难民,流亡者
参考例句:
  • The refugee was condemned to a life of wandering.这个难民注定要过流浪的生活。
  • The refugee is suffering for want of food and medical supplies.难民苦于缺少食物和医药用品。
2 refugees ddb3b28098e40c0f584eafcd38f1fbd4     
n.避难者,难民( refugee的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The UN has begun making airdrops of food to refugees. 联合国已开始向难民空投食物。
  • They claimed they were political refugees and not economic migrants. 他们宣称自己是政治难民,不是经济移民。
3 teaching ngEziT     
n.教学,执教,任教,讲授;(复数)教诲
参考例句:
  • We all agree in adopting the new teaching method. 我们一致同意采取新的教学方法。
  • He created a new system of teaching foreign languages.他创造了一种新的外语教学体系。
4 immigrants 5567ded20d0822e7a8dbcdb0836717a9     
n.移民( immigrant的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Illegal immigrants were given the opportunity to regularize their position. 非法移民得到了使其身份合法化的机会。
  • Immigrants from all over the world populate this city. 这个城市里生活着来自世界各地的移民。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 version FiJwT     
n.版本;型号;叙述,说法
参考例句:
  • His version of the events is pure supposition.他对这件事的说法纯属猜测。
  • What is your version of this matter?你对这件事情的看法 怎么样?
6 gender slSyD     
n.(生理上的)性,(名词、代词等的)性
参考例句:
  • French differs from English in having gender for all nouns.法语不同于英语,所有的名词都有性。
  • Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender.妇女有时仅仅因为性别而无法获得种种机会。
7 offensive OI9xc     
adj.令人不快的,侮辱的,攻击用的;n.进攻
参考例句:
  • His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
  • If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行,我将采取攻势。
8 likewise i1SxY     
adv.同样地,照样地;也,又
参考例句:
  • The explorers had to undergo much suffering.探险者不得不忍受很多困苦。
  • The planes have to undergo rigorous safety checks.飞机必须经过严密的安全检查。
9 insult T5xxs     
vt.侮辱,凌辱;n.侮辱的言词或行为
参考例句:
  • You will insult her if you don't go to her party. 你要是不去参加她举办的聚会,就对她太无礼了。
  • I can't sit down with that insult.我不能忍受那种侮辱。
10 assuming 49b349d929f953b2d5a0ad544fbbe185     
如果
参考例句:
  • You were mistaken in assuming it. 你这样臆断是错了。
  • The country's industry is assuming a new aspect. 该国的工业正在呈现新的面貌。
11 affection LxGzj     
n.喜爱;爱慕,感情;倾向,意向
参考例句:
  • The handsome young man excited affection in a girl.那位英俊的年轻男子引起了一个女孩的爱慕之情。
  • He has a deep affection for his old friend.他对老朋友感情很深。
12 highly XdFxR     
adv.高度地,极,非常;非常赞许地
参考例句:
  • It is highly important to provide for the future.预先做好准备非常重要。
  • The teacher speaks very highly of the boy's behaviour.老师称赞这个男孩的表现。
13 define 4x5xE     
vt.解释,下定义,阐述,限定,规定
参考例句:
  • Please define the words.请解释这些字的意义。
  • It's hard to define exactly what has changed.很难解释清楚到底发生了什么变化。
14 inviting CqIzNp     
adj.诱人的,引人注目的
参考例句:
  • An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
  • The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人,使人感到亲切温馨。
15 noticeable h5Qz9     
adj.显而易见的;值得注意的
参考例句:
  • The effect of the medicine is not yet noticeable. 药的效果还不显。
  • There's been a noticeable improvement in his handwriting.他的书法有了明显的进步。
16 extent rmVxT     
n.程度,范围,限度;广度,宽度,大小
参考例句:
  • The new race track is nearly six miles in extent. 这条新跑道将近六英里长。
  • What's the extent of the damage? 损坏的程度如何?

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