日志档案

发表于 2008-4-7 23:29:42

1

标签： 无标签

Holiday English 节庆英语秀

学习各节庆的典故与庆典活动，让您更深入认识西方文化与生活．
在节庆英语学习区中，发现乐趣，增长见闻！

系统分类: 设计狂人   |   用户分类: 五月英语,英语五月   |   来源: 转贴

    阅读(254)    回复(7)  

最新评论

  • mayyiu

    2008-4-7 23:30:43

    History and Traditions

    In 1621, after a hard and devastating first year in the New World, the Pilgrims’ Fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. There were corn, fruit, and vegetables, along with fish which was packed in salt, and meat that was smoke cured over fires. They found that they had enough food to put away for the winter，the Pilgrims had beaten the odds. Their Governor, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving that was to be shared by all of the colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians. In the 1860s, it became a national holiday, and today it is a time for family reunions, watching sports on TV, and having a relaxing 4-day weekend.

    Dialogue

    A: Boy, does that turkey smell good. How soon can we eat?
    B: After I finish making the stuffing and setting the table. Can you make sure grandpa has a seat?
    A: He’s as old as the Pilgrims. I bet he has some interesting stories to tell.
    B: He always does. I love listening to his stories, too, but I hope he stays awake long enough to eat my pumpkin pie!
    A: I’m sure he’ll love it. He might even have two pieces!

    Vocabulary & Phrases

    Devastate 荒芜的
    To destroy or cause a lot of damage

    Pilgrims
    Settlers who came from England in the 1500s and settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts

    Proclaim 宣告; 公佈
    To make known publicly

    Colonist 僑民
    A group of people from the same country or with the same interests

    Pumpkin Pie 南瓜派
    Pie usually made from canned pumpkin sauce and served with whipped cream

     

    历史及传统

    1621年，在新大陆经历了艰难和灾难重重的一年之后，新教徒们终于迎来了秋天丰收的季节。有玉米、水果、蔬菜，还有盐腌制的咸鱼和熏制的肉。他们发现有足够的食物留下来过冬。新教徒们战胜了意想不到的困难。他们的总督威廉姆斯·布拉德福宣布了一个感恩的日子，由侨民和当地的土著印弟安人共同庆祝。到了十九世纪六十年代，它成为一个全国性的节日。今天它又成为一个全家团圆，看电视体育节目，享受4天周末的日子。

  • mayyiu

    2008-4-7 23:33:15

    History and Traditions

    “Boo!” This scary noise is often said again and again on Halloween, October 31st, to frighten people. Originally, this holiday was celebrated 2000 years ago in Europe as a way to remove evil spirits and monsters from people’s lives – this time of year, when the days got shorter, was seen as an evil time. In those days this was a serious matter; people were frightened of wild animals and sickness, and scientific knowledge was very limited. Later on, Halloween was celebrated as a Christian holy day, but this well-known holiday is now used as an opportunity to tell scary stories, have parties with friends, and enjoy the darkening autumn days and cooler weather.

    Dialogue

    A: Happy Halloween! What are you dressed as?
    B: I’m a zombie, can’t you tell? Are you going to the costume party tonight?
    A: Yeah, I’m going to carve a pumpkin and dress as a witch. I hope we can go bobbing for apples.
    B: Right, but we have to get back home in time to ‘trick or treat’.
    A: And then later tonight we can tell some ghost stories.
    B: Boo! I’m scared already!

    Vocabulary & Phrases

    Scary 可怕的
    Causing fear

    Evil 邪恶的
    Very bad, esp. in thought or behavior, harmful

    Monster 怪物
    An animal or thing of unusually great size or strange form

    A costume party 化妆派对
    People dress like ghosts, witches, or monsters at this party

    Trick or treat! 不给糖就捣蛋
    Children go to a house to say “trick or treat”; the meaning is: “Give me candy or I’ll play a trick on you”

     

    历史及传统

    “嘣!”，人们会在10月31日万圣节这一天一次又一次地听到这吓唬人的声音。这一节日起源于2000年前的欧洲，目的是从人们的生活中赶走邪恶的灵魂及妖魔鬼怪。每年的这个时候，当白昼逐渐变短，人们认为是邪恶的开始。那个年代人们对野兽和疾病惊恐万分，而科学还不为人知。以后，万圣节就成为基督徒的节日，而今天的人们在这个家喻户晓的节日到来之际讲述惊恐的故事，与朋友一起联欢，享受秋天的夜幕和凉爽的天气。

  • mayyiu

    2008-4-7 23:33:56
     

    History and Traditions

    "Happy New Year!" That greeting will be said and heard for at least the first couple of weeks as a new year gets under way. But the day celebrated as New Year's Day in the modern world was not always January 1st . It was first celebrated in Babylon 4000 years ago, when the first new moon appeared in the sky. It was the beginning of spring, when things start to grow. In 153 BC, the Romans declared January 1st to be the beginning of the new year. After Christianity appeared in Europe, New Year celebrations disappeared for a while. They soon reappeared, though, and Western nations have celebrated January 1st as a holiday for about the past 400 years.


    Dialogue

    A: Happy New Year! Did you make a New Year’s resolution?
    B: Yes, I promised myself that I would stop smoking, and you?
    A: I’m going to lose 5 kg this year. Don’t break your resolution!
    B: I know. Are you going to the park for the New Year’s countdown?
    A: Yeah, my friends and I will sing Auld Lang Syne and see some fireworks there. Want to come?
    B: Sure! See you there. Don’t forget to bring the champagne!

    Vocabulary & Phrases

    Declare 宣告
    To make known publicly or officially according to rules, custom, etc.

    New Year's resolutions 新年矢志
    A promise you make to improve your life in the coming year

    Promise 承诺
    A statement, which someone else has a right to believe and depend on, that one will or will not do something, give something, etc.

    Countdown 倒数
    The act of counting backwards from 5, 10, or some higher number down to to zero

    Champagne 香檳酒
    A French white wine containing a lot of bubbles, usually drunk at special occasions

     

    历史及传统

    “新年快乐！”人们在新年来临的前几周就开始相互问候。但是在当今的社会，人们庆祝新年并不总是在1月1日。在4000年前的古巴比伦，当第一轮新月出现在天空的时候，人们开始庆祝新年。这是春天万物生长的开始。公元前153年，罗马人宣布把1月1日作为新的一年的开始。在欧洲，当基督出现的时候，对新年的庆祝消失了一段时间，不久又恢复了。西方国家把1月1日当作节日来庆祝已有400多年历史了。

  • mayyiu

    2008-4-7 23:34:27

    History and Traditions

    Unlike most holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it came from celebrations involving the first day of spring about 500 years ago. Originally, Fool’s day was celebrated at the end of March or April 1st, but then the day changed to January 1st. Some people in the countryside didn’t get the news and continued to celebrate New Year’s on April 1st. People began to call these people “April fools.” Today it is a lighthearted celebration when people play jokes on each other.

    Dialogue

    A: Ok, who set my alarm one hour early? I went to work early today, and everyone laughed at me.
    B: April Fool! It was me. Can’t you take a joke?
    A: Yeah, I’m a sucker. But watch out, because I’ll be sure to pull a prank on you next time.
    B: It had better not be a practical joke like last year, when you painted my face red while I was sleeping.
    A: Ha ha, that was a good one. Let’s go see if any of our friends made a fool on anyone today.

    Vocabulary & Phrases

    Pinpoint 明确指出
    To find or describe the exact nature or cause of something

    Lighthearted 轻松愉快的
    Cheerful, happy

    To make a fool of someone 愚弄
    Make someone look stupid or foolish

    To pull a prank 捉弄
    To play a trick on someone

    “April Fool’s!”
    The phrase we shout after we have played a trick on someone

    Practical jokes 无伤大雅的玩笑
    A physical joke, such as tying your friend’s shoes together after he puts them on, so that when he stands up he immediately falls down

     

    历史及传统

    与其它大多数节日不同，愚人节，有时也称作万愚节，它的来历并不详实，在日历上也很难精确指出哪天为愚人节。有人认为它的来历与500年前人们庆祝春季来临的第一天有关。最初，人们在3月底或4月1日庆祝新年到来，但是后来这天又被 改在了1月1日。边远地区的人们并不知道这一变化并继续在4月1日这天庆祝新年。因此，人们开始把这些人称作“四月愚人”。而今的这一天，人们相互开对方玩笑，以愉快的心情来庆祝这一节日。

  • mayyiu

    2008-4-7 23:35:10
     

    History and Traditions

    People don’t only feel love on February 14th, but in Western countries, this is considered to be the most romantic day of the year. Although it is celebrated as a lovers' holiday today, with the giving of candy, flowers, or other gifts between couples in love, it originated in 5th Century Rome as a tribute to St. Valentine, a man who risked his life for love. Valentine was a man who secretly married young couples in Rome, at a time when marriage was forbidden. For this action he was killed, and later recognized as a saint (a holy man). Today, we still retain this day as a tribute to St. Valentine’s heroism.

    Dialogue

    A: Will you be my Valentine?
    B: Of course I will, dear. What did you get for me?
    A: A dozen roses, a box of chocolates, and a dinner reservation at your favorite restaurant.
    B: I always knew you had a romantic side. I was struck by a Cupid’s arrow the first day I met you.
    A: Well, I can’t say it was love at first sight for me, but I had a crush on you for a long time before we had a relationship.
    B: Happy Valentine’s day, dear. Give me a kiss.

    Vocabulary & Phrases

    Tribute 赞颂
    Something done, said, or given to show respect or admiration for someone

    Struck by Cupid’s Arrow 被爱神的剑射中
    To fall in love with someone

    To have a crush 暗恋
    To have a secret love

    Romantic 浪漫的
    Belonging to or suggesting a story of love

    Reservation 订位
    An arrangement in advance to do something, like eating in a restaurant

     

    历史及传统

    人们不仅在2月14日感受爱情，在西方国家，人们也把这一天看作一年当中最浪漫的日子。尽管今天相爱的夫妇们以赠送糖果、鲜花或其它礼物的方式来庆祝这个节日，而它却起源于5世纪古罗马对圣瓦伦丁，一位一生为了爱而甘愿冒险的人的赞颂。在古罗马，当婚姻一时被禁止之际，瓦伦丁秘密地为年轻夫妇举办婚礼，他因此被害而亡。后来，他被人们公认为圣人。现在，我们仍把这一天当作对圣瓦伦丁英雄主义的赞扬。

  • mayyiu

    2008-4-7 23:35:49

    The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years through a continually evolving series of colorful legends and traditions. One of the most famous legends is that of Nian, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast, which the Chinese believe, eats people on New Year's Eve. To keep Nian away, red-paper couplets are pasted on doors, torches are lit, and firecrackers are set off throughout the night, because Nian is said to fear the color red, the light of fire, and loud noises. Early the next morning, as feelings of triumph and renewal fill the air at successfully keeping Nian away for another year, the most popular greeting heard is gongxi, or "congratulations".

    Dialogue

    A: Happy Chinese New Year!
    B: Thank you. Did you get any red envelopes this year?
    A: Yeah, I got $88 from my grandfather, pretty lucky. Do you want to see a dragon dance later?
    B: Sorry, I have a family reunion dinner later; all of my relatives will attend, and I’ll get a chance to eat my aunt’s sticky cakes, something I don’t plan to miss.
    A: I understand. Make sure to call me tomorrow then, and we’ll set off some firecrackers together!

    Vocabulary & Phrases

    Legend 传说
    An old story from ancient times which is probably not true

    Ferocious 凶恶的
    Fierce, cruel, and violent

    Triumph 胜利成功
    (The joy caused by) a complete victory or success

    Hand out red envelopes 发红包
    Giving red envelopes full of money to children and young adults

    "Congratulations and prosperity" 恭喜发财
    A translation of a typical Chinese New Year greeting

     

    历史及传统

    春节的来历可追溯到几千年前，充满着多彩的传说和传统习俗。其中一个最有名的传说就是人们相信有一种叫做“年”的非常残忍、凶恶的野兽，会在春节头一天出来吃人。为了赶走“年”，人们在门框上贴出红纸的对联、点起火把、整夜的燃放炮竹，因为人们听说“年”非常惧怕红色、火光和巨大的噪音。第二天一大早，，人间充满了驱走“年”的胜利喜悦和万物更新的景象，这时最为常见的问候就是“恭喜”。

  • mayyiu

    2008-4-7 23:36:18

    The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before Jesus Christ was born. Every family gathers together at Christmas time to exchange gifts and spend the holiday season with one another. It’s a time of giving and spreading Christmas cheer. Christmas celebrates the story of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas), a fat, bearded man who wears red and carries gifts throughout the world for all well-behaved boys and girls. The Santa Claus story, combined with an amazing retailing phenomenon that has grown in the past century, has made gift giving a central focus of the Christmas tradition.

    Dialogue

    A: “Merry Christmas, Sandy!”
    B: “Happy Holidays, Betty! I got you a present.
    A: “You didn’t have to bring me a Christmas gift. That’s very thoughtful of you.”
    B: “Oh, it’s my pleasure. Plus, this is the season for giving.”
    A: “Well, I got you a little gift too.”
    B: “Oh, my. It’s such a lovely gift.”
    A: You know what they say: “T’is the season to be jolly.”

    Vocabulary & Phrase

    Tradition 传统
    The passing down of opinions, beliefs, practices, customs, etc., from the past to the present

    Celebrate 庆祝
    To mark (an event on special occasion) with public or private rejoicings

    Santa Claus 圣诞老人
    Santa Claus is the symbol of Christmas. He is supposed to fly around the world in a sleigh drawn by eight flying reindeer delivering gifts to all good boys and girls

    Phenomenon 现象
    A fact or event in nature, esp. one that is unusual and/or of scientific interest

    Merry Christmas 圣诞快乐
    A greeting wishing someone a wonderful Christmas

     

    历史和传统

    圣诞节的历史可追溯到4000多年前。许多圣诞节传统在基督诞生之前就已经沿续了几个世纪。圣诞来临之际许多家庭都聚集在一起互换礼物并共度圣诞节。这是一个传播圣诞祝福的日子。人们在圣诞节迎接圣诞老人，一位胖胖的，脸上满是胡须的男人。他穿着红色的衣服，拿着礼物走遍全世界，赠送给那些乖乖听话的男孩和女孩。圣诞老人的故事，以及本世纪不断增长的惊人的礼物购买现象，已使赠送礼物成为圣诞节的重要习俗。

标题
姓名  
主页
验证码：