A: 欢迎大家来到这期的美语训练班! 我是杨琳!

B: 我是Jo! 杨琳,赶快来告诉大家咱们今天都要学什么?  

A: 好! 今天,咱们要接着去看看Emily 和Peter的约会,探讨一下怎么要求升职加薪,还要告诉大家成功的窍门怎么说!

B: 加薪? Asking for a raise? That’s exactly what I need!! 快告诉我…

A: 咱们等会就来听听其中的奥秘!  现在,咱们还是言归正传,赶快来进入第一个单元,Learn a Word!

Learn A Word1546 outpour

今天我们要学的词是 outpouring. Outpouring is spelled o-u-t-p-o-u-r-i-n-g, outpouring. Outpouring 名词,是大量涌出的意思。The tragedy triggered an outpouring of concern and donations. 这起悲剧引起了外界大量的同情和捐款。CNN名主播Anderson Cooper出柜,承认自己是同性恋。Anderson Cooper received a huge outpouring of support after his announcement. Anderson Cooper 公开宣布后,得到了大量的支持。前段时间,纽约一位68岁的校车安全监督员受到学生的侮辱。The incident sparked a massive outpouring of sympathy for the bullied bus monitor. 这起事件引起了外界对这个被无故屈辱的校车监督员的同情。好的,今天我们学习的词是outpouring, outpouring, outpouring…

A: Speaking of outpouring, look at these pimples on my face!!! 看这青春美丽痘大的! 真烦人!

B: Well, at least that means you are young!!! Actually, I used to have the same problem and I know exactly what’s going to do the trick!
A: 啊? 你知道去除青春痘的窍门? 快说快说快说!

B: Most people breakout when they are under great stress. Try to relax, do some yoga, go shake your body, or simply a day outside in the park should do the trick!

A: That sounds nice! 那我得好好计划一下周末的远足了! 你刚才提到了一个很好的词儿,do the trick,咱们今天就来学学这个习惯用语的用法!

Words and Idioms 975

现在播送美国习惯用语第 975讲。我是杨琳。

M: 我是 Steve Baragona.

养狗的人都知道,一般小狗都会整天特别兴奋,跳上跳下的,有时候真让人没办法。那天我朋友来我家,看到我的小狗乖乖的趴在地上,不乱叫也不乱跑,特别羡慕,问我是怎么把狗训练的这么好的。我告诉她,其实我的诀窍就是每天早晨带小狗出去跑步,回来之后,它基本上就没有多余的精力上窜下跳了。用一句习惯用语来说,这就是:

M: Do the trick. Trick is spelled t-r-i-c-k. Do-the-trick. Do the trick.

Trick,诀窍。Do the trick, 其实就是取得想要的成果,获得成功的窍门。上面的例子里就是这样,如果你的小狗过于好动,Taking your dog for a run in the morning will do the trick. 只要每天早晨带它去跑跑步就好了。大家都很讨厌冗长的会议,下面的例子里,这名咨询顾问给了我们什么忠告呢? 我们来听听看:

M: “How often have you found yourself suffering in another lengthy meeting? Maybe you’ve asked the boss to shorten the agenda or encouraged colleagues to talk briefly. But nothing has worked. Next time, invite participants to stand instead of sit. I guarantee you, it DOES THE TRICK. Nobody will want to stay on their feet for long, so your meeting will be short. “

这段话是说:你是不是经常被困在冗长的会议中呢? 也许你曾经要求老板缩短会议,或者鼓励同事简短发言,但是似乎什么都不奏效。告诉你一个小窍门。下回,让大家站着,而不是坐着开会。我保证你能达到目的。没有人愿意老站着,所以会议也不会长。

这主意真不错! 每星期一早晨的员工例行会议特别让人头疼。经过一个周末后,很多人都有Monday blue 星期一沮丧症。所以很多公司都会在周一早晨提供donut, 甜面包圈。 For many workers, sweet donuts DO THE TRICK; they keep them awake and focused.  对于很多员工来说,甜面包圈就能把他们吸引过来,让他们保持清醒和精力集中。真希望我们公司也有面包圈提供呢! 好了,言归正传,我们再来听听刚才那段话:

M: “How often have you found yourself suffering in another lengthy meeting? Maybe you’ve asked the boss to shorten the agenda or encouraged colleagues to talk briefly. But nothing has worked. Next time, invite participants to stand instead of sit. I guarantee you, it DOES THE TRICK. Nobody will want to stay on their feet for long, so your meeting will be short. “

Do the trick, 达到目的的窍门。我相信对于所有人来说,纪念日都是很重要的。下面例子里的这个丈夫老是忘了自己的结婚纪念日,他做了什么来补救呢? 我们来听听看:

M: “I know I should remember my anniversary and other dates, but sometimes I forget. When I first got married, I’d send flowers as an apology. They always DID THE TRICK. These days, however, they don’t make my wife happy. Instead, she expects expensive jewelry. “

这段话是说: 我也知道我老是忘记结婚纪念日和其他重要的节日。刚结婚的时候,我会给妻子买花表示抱歉,每次她都会原谅我。但是现在,鲜花已经不能博取妻子的欢心了。她想要昂贵的珠宝。

我真不知道是该说这名丈夫健忘,还是这位妻子贪心呢? 其实,我觉得她应该把这些重要的节日都输入到她丈夫的智能手机里,这样手机就能自动提醒他啦! If she programs the important dates into her husband’s smart phone, he will get instant reminders. I think it will do the trick.  这应该就能解决忘记重要日子的问题了。好的,让我们再来听听刚才那段话:

M: “I know I should remember my anniversary and other dates, but sometimes I forget. When I first got married, I’d send flowers as an apology. They always DID THE TRICK. These days, however, they don’t make my wife happy. Instead, she expects expensive jewelry. “

今天我们学习的习惯用语是do the trick, 意思是“获得成功的窍门”。好的,这次[美国习惯用语]就到此结束,我是杨琳,我是 Steve Baragona。谢谢各位的收听。

B: No wonder my dog always has so much energy. All it needs is exercise.

A: Yeah, a morning run should do the trick! 其实我妈妈原来跟我说,她也是这么对付我的…She would let me play outside to burn out my energy….

B: Hahahaha, I think that’s a universal trick for all Moms! I was watching this movie last night when my son came over and climbed up on me, so I let him play for an hour in his tree house! Next thing I know, he’s sound asleep in his little bed and I could enjoy my chick flick!

A: Chick flick? 这是爱情片的意思对吧?

B: Yep! It’s one of my favorite move types. What kind of movie do you like?

A: 那当然是 comedy, 喜剧啦! 我觉得电影就该让人笑,不然怎么起到放松的作用啊!

B: Different people have different tastes . In today’s Go English, we will take a look at all the different types of movies!

A: Let’s listen!

Movie Dialogue: Advanced

大家好!今天我们为您播出“美语三级跳”节目“电影”单元的高级课程。

Professor: Today we’re going to learn some useful vocabulary for talking about movies.

太好了!Professor Bowman. 我特别喜欢看电影,正好学点新词汇!

Professor: Good, Winnie! Then listen closely to Emily and Peter discussing their favorite movies.

E: So Peter, do you have a favorite comedy?

P: Well that’s hard to say because there are so many good ones. I don’t think I could pick a favorite.

E: You know what comedy I really like?  “Ace Ventura, Pet Detective.” I think Jim Carrey is really funny.

P: Oh yeah, that’s one of my favorite flicks. I think Jim Carrey is one of the funniest comedians ever.

E: I agree. But even though I like comedies, I usually prefer more serious films. My favorite movie is “Titanic.”

Professor: Winnie, Did you hear the words “flick” and “film”? They both mean “movie,” but “flick” is slang for a movie that doesn’t have a lot of artistic value, but may be fun to watch anyway.

哦,flick 和film都是电影,但是flick指那些艺术价值不高,看来消遣的电影。

Professor: In the next segment, listen for the words “cheesy” and “special effects.”

P: You like Titanic? That movie is so cheesy.

E: It’s not cheesy! It’s romantic. When it first came out, I saw it in the theaters five times in one week.

P: Really? Well the special effects might have been good in 1997, but when you watch it today they make the film seem really cheesy.    

E: Alright, maybe it’s a little bit cheesy. But come on, isn’t it fun to go to a cheap flick once in a while?

P: Actually, I have to admit that you’re right. I like some pretty cheesy movies too. I love Arnold Schwarzenegger action flicks, especially “Terminator.”

E: Haha, that’s definitely a cheesy movie too. Did you watch it over and over again?

P: Well … I saw it only once, but for the next two months when I talked to people, I pretended I was the Terminator.

Professor: Winnie, Did you notice that a “cheesy” movie can easily be called a “flick”? They both mean that the movie is low quality or low-brow.

的确,不少flick都是为了迎合大众口味,比较俗气的片子,这种“cheesy”的电影一般就是消遣一下,看过就忘了。

Professor: But apparently Peter really got into the “Terminator” character! Now we’re going to learn about words to describe action movies and horror movies. Listen for the terms “gory,” “gross me out” and “freak me out.”

E: You talked like the Terminator for two months? Wow, I think you liked that movie even more than I liked “Titanic.” Why did you like “Terminator” so much?

P: Well, “Terminator” is a really great action movie, and I like action movies because they’re exciting.

E: Isn’t “Terminator” really violent? I usually don’t like gory movies because they gross me out.

P: It is pretty violent, but since it’s just robots fighting one another, it isn’t very bloody and so it won’t gross you out.

E: Hmm … I don’t know. Even though it may not be gory, I think it would still be scary enough to totally freak me out.

Professor: OK, Winnie, a movie is gory if it contains lots of death and blood. If you really don’t like to watch that kind of thing, you can say that you were “grossed out.”

没错,我一看血腥电影就觉得恶心,I’m totally grossed out by gory movies!

Professor: And you might be “freaked out” by some other movies, meaning you get scared when watching them.

In the next segment, we’re going to learn how to talk about movies we don’t like.

E: Well now that I know what kind of movies you like, tell me, what’s your least favorite kind of movie?

P: I don’t really like sci-fi movies because they’re always really weird.
E: I know! I don’t get them at all. But wait, isn’t “Terminator” a sci-fi movie?

P: Hmm … you’re right. Well, I guess “Terminator” is an exception to the rule.

Professor: Winnie, Did you also hear “exception to the rule”?

嗯,我猜这是“例外”的意思!

Prof: You’re right!

So do you think Emily and Peter are a good match?

嗯,我看他们聊电影聊得挺投机的!

A: Emily喜欢泰坦尼克号,可是Peter觉得这个电影 very cheesy, 很庸俗,而且the special effect is out of date 特技也过时了。而Emily觉得Peter最喜欢的终结者太过 gory,血腥,it will gross her out, 让她觉得恶心。

B: That’s my point: different strokes for different folks.

A: Yeah true. 我当然最喜欢不用动脑的喜剧,可是有人就会觉得电影就应该能发人深思呢!

B: Correct. I love comedies as well, especially when I need to take a break from all the stress at work.

A: Yeah, I notice you have been working late these days. You know what? You should ASK FOR A RAISE for all the extra effort you put in!!

B:I really want to. But I’m always a bit nervous  and I just don’t know how to ask. I’m definitely not the most assertive  person…

A: It won’t hurt to ask! 正好,今天的business etiquette 里就给了我们一些tips! 咱们赶快带着听众朋友一起去学学吧!

礼节美语 Asking for a raise

Kim 跟朋友 Anita 一起出去吃饭。

K: Hey, Anita! Great to see you!

A: Long time no see! I’m so glad you had time to meet for lunch!

K: I’ve missed you. How have you been?

A: Pretty good. The boys are doing well in school and John is enjoying his new job. You?

K: Pretty much the same. Still working killer hours and still angling for that promotion. I have a hunch I’m going to move up to vice president this year.

A: That’s great!

Kim 和 Anita 显然是很久没见了,互相询问近况。Kim 说,自己还是没日没夜地干,work killer hours;争取提升,angle for the promotion. Kim 还说,I have a hunch, h-u-n-c-h 有直觉,今年能升成公司副总。

K: How’s your career going? Last time we spoke you said you were trying to get a raise.

A: Yep. That’s the plan. I mean, I’ve certainly put in the hours. I’m definitely one of the most productive members of the company and I feel I contribute a lot.

K: So? What’s the problem? Why haven’t you gone in there and demanded a raise?

A: I just can’t work up the confidence to do it.  I know I need to, and I know I need it, but it’s tough.

Anita 想涨工资,可又不知道怎么开口。她说自己就是鼓不起勇气。I just can’t work up the confidence to do it. Kim 是怎么指点她的呢?

K: OK sister, we are going to figure this out together. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s asking for what I need.

A: I don’t even know where to begin. My son needs braces and his school tuition has just gone up. We really need to get a new car and even the dog has needs we can’t pay for.

K: OK, stop right there. You can’t base your salary request according to your needs. The company isn’t a charity and if you go in and say, “I need” it’s not going to work.

第一,不能跟老板说,我缺钱,因为公司不是慈善机构。Anita 说,儿子需要整牙,学费涨价,家里需要换新车,结果被 Kim 叫停。

A: I could probably make more money if I changed companies.

K: There you go…that’s a powerful argument. But leave any threats till the last minute. What you need to do is stress your value.

A: I do have to consider the current global economic slowdown. Our company has been taking quite a hit.

K: That’s true. You have to take those factors into account. But you also have to get paid at a fair rate.

Anita 说,如果换个工作,工资肯定会增加。Kim 觉得这是一个很好的理由,但建议说,应该 leave any threats till the last minute. 威胁是最后的杀手_。Kim 说,what you need to do is stress your value. 要强调自己对公司的价值。Anita 还是拿不定主意,因为 our company has been taking quite a hit. Take a hit 公司在全球经济紧缩中受到了打击。但是Kim认为,尽管如此,工资水平还是要合理才行。

A: Anita 表示, She’s been working killer hours 没日没夜的干,觉得自己应该涨公司。Kim觉得, Anita 需要 stress your value to the company, 强调自己对公司的价值,而且威胁一定要留在最后 leave any threats till the last minute.

B: Yeah, on most occasions, threatening are great….if you want to get fired. I think you really should emphasize on what you can bring to the company.    

A: 对啊! 可是,这又该从什么地方说起呢?

B: Like if you are extremely creative and had helped the company launch new projects, you should definitely mention that. Also if you have been with the company for a few years, you can play the loyalty card.

A: Jo, 你的建议不是挺好的吗? 那你就按照这样自己去说嘛!

B: 哎,到了自己的事情我就傻眼了!

A: 嗨,纸上谈兵呀!  那,咱们就接着去看看Kim给出了什么建议吧!

礼节美语 Asking for a raise II

Kim 跟朋友 Anita 一起去吃饭。Anita 想跟公司要求涨工资,可是不知道怎么开口,Kim 给她出主意。注意听,Anita 在这家公司干了几年?

A: I can present quite a bit of hard data to demonstrate my usefulness to the company.

K: That’s great! Then you have to figure out what a fair salary is for your position and your responsibilities. How long have you worked there?

A:This would be the third year.

K: Three years? Then your boss should be expecting you to ask for a raise. You can check online and find out what typical salaries for your position are.

Anita 在公司已经第三年了。Kim 说,那你要求涨工资,应该在老板的预料之中。Kim 建议 Anita 上网查一下,看她这样的工资到底应该是多少。

A: From the research I’ve done, I’m pretty sure others are making about 15% more than I am.

K: OK, so there is your target. A minimum 15% raise.

A: I’m still a little hesitant to go tooting my own horn and demanding higher pay…it’s just not my style.

K: Well…as the old saying goes, “Ask and you will receive.” You have to give it a shot. I’d recommend you ask for a 20% increase, that way there’s a little wiggle room for both of you to negotiate.

Anita 说,自己的工资比市价低15%。但她还是很犹豫。I’m still a little hesitant to go tooting my own horn. toot one’s own horn, 也可以说 blow one’s own horn 自吹自擂。Kim 劝 Anita,you have to give it a shot. give it a shot  试试看。她还建议 Anita 要求增加20%的工资,留下讨价还价的余地,wiggle room, w-i-g-g-l-e, wiggle room 回旋余地。

A: But what if they say no?

K: Well, you have several options. Option one: you say, “If not now, when will you consider giving me a raise?” If they say, “next year” you can consider waiting.

A: And option two?

K: Are you sure you can find another decent job with another company?

A: Yes…pretty sure. But I like my workplace. I like my co-workers…I even like the boss.

K: Then that’s option two. You tell them how much you like working for them and how much you value your job. But then you tell them that you will have to consider looking for a new position if you can’t come to some agreement on salary issues.

老板要说不,怎么办?Kim 说,有两种选择。Two options. 第一是问那要等到什么时候,如果是明年,可以考虑等;第二是告诉他们,虽然很喜欢这里的工作,但是,如果在工资上谈不拢,就要另谋差事。

A: So it’s sweetness first, then ultimatums?

K: You said it. But just make sure you can really make good on your threat if you need to.

A: Thanks for the pep talk, Kim. I’m going to ask for a raise on Monday!

K: You go girl!

So it’s sweetness first, then ultimatums? 先软后硬。ultimatum, u-l-t-i-m-a-t-u-m 最后通牒。不过,Kim 警告说,前提条件是真能找到新工作。Anita 谢谢 Kim 的 Pep talk 鼓励,决定星期一去找老板谈。

A: 想想看,我也在公司工作三年啦! 我看也是时候给我加薪了!
B: Well, day dreaming queen…but I think this time you are right! And we got some really good tips from the show!

A: 嘿嘿,那当然啦! 好啦同学们,这次节目时间就到这里。