1、Gift is music to her ears最浪漫的事：老人拾荒圆妻子钢琴梦It may have taken him two decades, and the income saved from tons of recycled trash, but Wu Zheng finally fulfilled his wish to buy his wife a piano.尽管老人吴政花了近 20年时间，倾尽靠回收垃圾攒下的积蓄，但他终于圆了妻子的钢琴梦。“It was not just an instrument, but a witness of the love from my hu
2、sband,“ said his wife, Xie Guizhi, who has made the piano the centerpiece of her narrow and crowded guestroom.“这不仅仅是一件乐器，也见证了老伴对我的爱。”他的妻子谢桂枝说。钢琴已成为了拥挤狭小的客厅中最重要的物件。“I clean the piano every day and dont allow other people to touch it,“ said Xie, 58, a retired worker in Luoyang, Henan province.“我每天都会把钢
3、琴擦得干干净净的，不许别人碰它。”58 岁的谢桂枝说，她是河南洛阳的一名退休工人。Wu, 68, said he made up of his mind to buy his wife a piano long ago, even though their life was poor.68岁的吴政说，尽管家境并不富裕，但他很久以前就下定决心要为老伴买架钢琴。“My wife enjoys music and loves piano very much,“ Wu said. “I dreamed of buying her a piano as early as 38 years ago whe
4、n we fell in love with each other.“我老伴特别热爱音乐，喜欢钢琴。”吴政说。“早在 38年前我们谈恋爱的时候，我就梦想着给她买一架钢琴。”Yet the cost of the piano - at 22,550 yuan ($3,500) - was a big sum for the family. His wife suffered from backbone problems for years and Wus salary at the rural credit cooperative could only cover the basic expen
5、ses of food and medicine for the whole family.然而一架 22550元的钢琴对这个家庭来讲是笔不小的支出。吴政的妻子常年饱受脊椎病的折磨，而吴政在城关信用社的收入仅仅能够支撑整个家庭食品和药品的基本支出。To make more money to support the family, Wu decided to pick up recyclable waste after work in the early 1990s.“It was a hard decision because there were lots of prejudices tow
6、ard waste recyclers at that time,“ he said. “Most people thought that collecting recyclable stuff from the dustbins was shameful.“为了多挣些钱养家，吴政从上世纪 90年代初就决定利用业余时间捡破烂。“这是个艰难的决定，因为当时人们对拾荒者持有偏见。”他说，“大多数人觉得从垃圾桶里捡破烂是件丢脸的事。”By collecting all kinds of wastes including rubber shoes, plastic bottles, glasses a
7、nd newspapers, Wu could earn about 4,000 yuan per year and save about 1,000 of that.通过回收胶鞋、塑料瓶、玻璃和报纸等各种废品，吴政每年能有 4000元的收入，从中能存下 1000元。“Some young men would rather break the glass bottles in front of me on purpose, and it felt like breaking my heart,“ he said.“有的年轻人甚至故意当着我的面把玻璃瓶摔破，当时我特别痛心。”他说。He had
8、to travel around the city twice every day for more than 10 kilometers to find as much stuff as possible.为了尽可能多地回收废品，他每天要在城里走上两圈，能走 10多公里的路。Since Wu has fulfilled the dream of buying his wife a piano, he does not go out to pick up waste any more, though he still keeps the habit of saving his familys
9、recyclable waste.如今吴政已经实现了给老伴买钢琴的梦想，不用再出门拾荒了。但他仍旧保留着收集家中废品的习惯。“There are no differences between so-called noble or humble jobs,“ said Wu Yuanhong, the couples 36-year-old daughter, adding that she felt proud of her parents.“工作没有所谓的高贵、低贱之分。”两位老人 36岁的女儿吴艳红（音译）说，她为自己的父母感到自豪。“People deserve to be respec
10、ted if they are dedicated to their dreams and dont rely on others.“ For Xie, the piano was a surprising gift - she had never played the piano before and she is trying hard to study how to play.“不依赖别人，为自己的梦想而奋斗的人，理应得到尊重。”对谢桂枝来说，这架钢琴是一份令人惊喜的礼物。之前从未弹过钢琴的她目前正在努力学习。“The most romantic thing I can imagine
11、is to get older slowly with you,“ Wu sang to the melody of the piano.吴政老人随着钢琴的美妙旋律唱道：“我能想到最浪漫的事，就是和你一起慢慢变老。”Cuisine documentary offers food for thought舌尖上的中国不只是美味There are many TV programs on Chinese cuisines, but few are like A Bite of China. The latest seven-part high-definition documentary offers
12、 insights into the geographical, historical and cultural dimensions of what Chinese eat.关于中国美食的电视节目数不胜数，但很少有像舌尖上的中国这样的节目。这部最新的七集高清纪录片，从地域、历史以及文化这几个方面深入探讨了中国人的饮食。Helmed by award-winning documentary maker Chen Xiaoqing, A Bite of China is filled with mouthwatering images of food ranging from haute cui
13、sine to local delicacies, the documentary captures the beautiful and refined process of food-making. The program is sure to attract both food buffs and ordinary audiences.舌尖上的中国由曾拿过大奖的纪录片制作人陈晓卿执导，从珍馐佳肴到地方小吃，用影像为观众呈现出各种令人垂涎欲滴的食物，同时该纪录片也用镜头记录下各种菜肴精致悦目的制作过程，理所当然地会吸引美食家以及普通观众的关注。Television is filled wit
14、h food these days, especially introductions by top-notch chefs and close looks at the complicated and refined cooking processes of haute cuisine, Chen says.陈晓卿表示，如今电视上充斥着各色美食，尤其是一些顶级大厨的推荐菜式和近距离观察高级菜肴复杂精细的烹饪过程。“We have some appetite-boosting shots of food-making, but how to create dishes is only one
15、aspect of food culture,“ Chen says.“如今有许多令人食欲大增的美食节目，但如何做菜只是我们饮食文化中的一方面。”陈晓卿说。“The program tries to bring something new by presenting more cultural elements related to dishes, such as eating habits and the ethics of eating.“我们的节目则别出心裁，试图呈现出更多有关菜肴的文化元素，如饮食习惯和饮食道德。”The bonus is, the show is not only a
16、bout dishes. Every episode will highlight different people, who will tell stories about their adventures with food.这部纪录片带给我们的额外惊喜是，它并不仅仅展现美食。每一集都聚焦于不同的人群，讲述着人们和食物的美食奇遇。To get enough good stories, the production team spent three months doing research and interviews in about 60 cities before they star
17、ted shooting last July. Filming lasted about nine months.为了获取足够的优秀素材，制作团队于去年七月开始拍摄之前，花了三个月时间，走遍大约 60座城市进行调查采访。拍摄过程长达 9个月。An episode about pickles, for instance, revolves around a white-collar woman in Beijing, who returns to her hometown in Jilin province and makes pickles for the first time for her
18、 lonely mother.例如，在讲述腌制食品的一集中，故事围绕一位北京白领女性展开。女孩回到吉林老家，第一次为孤单的母亲腌制泡菜。A Bite of China captures social transformations while presenting food cultures, such as showing the dispersion of extended families that leave the elderly in their hometowns while other members work outside - cases in which food ser
19、ves as reminders of happy times and centerpieces of reunions.舌尖上的中国在展现美食文化的同时，也捕捉到了社会的变革，例如大家庭中成员分散在各处，大家都在外工作，留下空巢老人在家乡生活。这种情况下，美食可以提醒人们去追忆美好时光，也成为家庭团聚时的餐桌佳品。One in seven thinks end of world is coming全球 1/7人相信世界末日将至Nearly 15 percent of people worldwide believe the world will end during their lifeti
20、me and 10 percent think the Mayan calendar could signify it will happen in 2012, according to a new poll.根据一项新调查，全世界有近 15%的人相信世界末日将在自己有生之年到来，10%的人认为玛雅日历预示着世界将在 2012年终结。The end of the Mayan calendar, which spans about 5,125 years, on December 21, 2012 has sparked interpretations and suggestions that
21、it marks the end of the world.跨越 5125年的玛雅日历终止于 2012年 12月 21日，这引发了各种关于世界末日的解读和联想。“Whether they think it will come to an end through the hands of God, or a natural disaster or a political event, whatever the reason, one in seven thinks the end of the world is coming,“ said Keren Gottfried, research ma
22、nager at Ipsos Global Public Affairs which conducted the poll for Reuters.益普索全球公共事务部为路透社开展了这一调查。该部门的调研主管凯伦戈特弗里德说：“或是认为世界会在上帝手里终结，或是认为世界将因自然灾害或政治事件毁灭，不论是何种原因，全球有七分之一的人认为世界末日即将来临。”“Perhaps it is because of the media attention coming from one interpretation of the Mayan prophecy that states the world e
23、nds in our calendar year 2012,“ Gottfried said, adding that some Mayan scholars have disputed the interpretation.戈特弗里德说：“也许是因为媒体高度关注对玛雅预言的一种解读，认为世界将在公历 2012年终结。”她补充说，一些玛雅学者对这种解读提出了质疑。Responses to the international poll of 16,262 people in more than 20 countries varied widely with only six percent of
24、 French residents believing in an impending Armageddon in their lifetime, compared to 22 percent in Turkey and the United States and slightly less in South Africa and Argentina.这一跨国调查涵盖了 20多个国家的 16262个人，各国受访者的应答有很大差别。只有 6%的法国人认为有生之年将会见到世界末日，与此同时，有 22%的土耳其人和美国人，以及比例略低的南非人和阿根廷人相信末日将至。But only seven pe
25、rcent in Belgium and eight percent in Great Britain feared an end to the world during their lives.只有 7%的比利时人和 8%的英国人担心世界会在自己有生之年终结。About one in 10 people globally also said they were experiencing fear or anxiety about the impending end of the world in 2012. The greatest numbers were in Russia and Po
26、land, the fewest in Great Britain.此外，全球约有十分之一的人称自己为 2012年即将到来的世界末日而感到恐惧或焦虑。有这种担忧的俄罗斯人和波兰人最多，英国人最少。Gottfried also said that people with lower education or household income levels, as well as those under 35 years old, were more likely to believe in an apocalypse during their lifetime or in 2012, or ha
27、ve anxiety over the prospect.戈特弗里德还说，教育程度或家庭收入低的人，以及那些 35岁以下的人，更倾向于认为有生之年或 2012年世界末日会来临，更容易因“末日”将至感到焦虑。Classic costume becoming chic for graduates那些年，我们一起拍过的毕业照College graduates posing for photos in baccalaureate gowns are always a sight on campuses in early summer in China.大学毕业生们身着学士服拍照永远是校园初夏的一道靓丽
28、风景。Perhaps even more eye-catching than them, though, are their classmates in traditional costume.而那些身着传统服饰拍照的同学或许比他们更抓人眼球。Zhou Jing, a female student who will receive a diploma from Ginling College of Nanjing Normal University this summer, decided to pose for her graduation photos wearing a costume
29、students often wore between 1911 and 1949.这个夏天，周静（音译）就要拿到南京师范大学金陵女子学院的学士学位了，她决定穿一身 1911-1949年时的学生装拍毕业照。“I saw a picture online of that time and I thought the costumes were very beautiful and represented knowledge and wisdom,“ Zhou said. “So I planned to pose for my graduation photos in that costume.
30、“我在网上看过一张那个时代的照片，觉得那时的衣服很漂亮，代表了知性与智慧。”周静说，“所以我打算穿着这种衣服拍毕业照。”They rented 36 costumes from her college for 20 yuan ($3) each a day. Before donning them and stepping in front of the cameras, they had already had photos taken of themselves in baccalaureate gowns.于是她们以每套每天 20元的价格从学校里租来了 36套服装。在拍摄民国学生照之前，
31、她们已经拍下了学士服毕业照。The photos they posed for on May 26 were the subject of praise and admiration and even attracted the medias notice.而这些她们拍摄于 5月 26日的照片广受好评，甚至引起了媒体的注意。“I just wanted to have a good way to remember wearing the costume, and had never thought our pictures would become popular,“ Zhou said.“之
32、所以选择这套服装，我只是想找到一个更好的方式来合影留念，没想到照片竟如此受欢迎。”周静说。“The female students in traditional costume have become the most beautiful and refreshing sights on campus,“ Chen said.“这些身着传统服饰的女生已成为校园里最靓丽的风景线。”陈婧说。Male students have also taken to wearing a traditional outfit, the Zhongshan suit, which was introduced t
33、o the country by Sun Yat-sen, the leader of the 1911 Revolution in China. Chen, though, said she thinks female students are more likely than male to wear traditional costumes.男生也开始迷恋上了传统的中山装，这种服饰由辛亥革命领导者孙中山先生引入中国。然而，陈靖认为与男生相比，女生更喜欢穿着传统服装。Besides posing for graduation photos in baccalaureate gowns an
34、d coat-skirt costumes, Xie Jingran, a student at the Nanjing-based Southeast Universitys art school, also had a picture taken of herself wearing a cheongsam, or Qipao in Chinese, a tight-fitting dress introduced in the 1920s in Shanghai.除了穿着学士服和裙装拍毕业照以外，东南大学艺术学院的谢婧然（音译）则选择身着上世纪 20年代引入上海的旗袍拍照。”Beyond
35、 Nanjing, students in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shenyang and other places have taken up the practice in recent years of posing for graduation photos in traditional costumes. Some students even wear types of dress that were common in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 907).除南京以外，近年来，上海、广州、武汉、沈阳等地的学生中也刮起一股复
36、古毕业照的风潮。有些同学还穿起了唐装。“Im happy to see graduates wearing traditional costumes when they pose for photos, because that can fully show the students individuality,“ said Feng Lei, a teacher at Beijing International Studies University. “College students should not be restricted by rules or conventions.“我很高
37、兴看到毕业生们能够穿着传统服饰拍照，因为这样能充分彰显他们的个性。”北京第二外国语大学教师冯磊（音译）说，“大学生不应受到规定和惯例的制约。”Fewer friends trendE时代的校园“好友荒”Zhang Yeju, a law student at China University of Political Science and Law was greeted by another student on his way to class. The problem was Zhang, 19, did not know the guy at all.19岁的张宇杰（音译）就读于中国政
38、法大学法律专业，在去上课的路上，有位同学跟他打招呼。可问题是，他根本不知道他是谁。While they talked about the weather Zhang tried hard to recall the strangers name before the duo enter the same classroom.当他们谈论天气时，张宇杰试图在两人走进教室之前回忆起这位陌生同学的名字。“I felt a bit embarrassed when I chatted with him without knowing his name,” said Zhang.“当我们聊天而又不知道他名
39、字的时候，我觉得有点尴尬。”张宇杰说。According to Zhang this was not the first time hes had a “stranger encounter” on campus.张宇杰说在学校里这已不是他第一次邂逅“最熟悉的陌生人”了。There are 60 people in his class, but Zhang knows the names of fewer than 30 of them after a year of study.他所在的班里一共 60人，但在度过一年的学习生活后，张宇杰认识的还不到 30人。According to a re
40、cent survey conducted by MyCOS HR Digital Information Co, a consulting firm on higher education, about 40 percent of students in university admitted that they have problems with interpersonal relationships.高等教育咨询机构麦可思人力资源数据公司的一项最新调查显示，约四成大学生承认自己的人际关系存在问题。Zhang Jitao, associate professor of sociology
41、 at Hubei University, sees a new trend on campus: to have smaller circles of friends who are more diverse and unique.湖北大学社会学副教授张继涛注意到校园中的一种新趋势：学生多元化的朋友圈变小，有独特个性的朋友变少。“Having your life revolve around a small group of friends might have a negative impact on ones future career after school,” said Zhang
42、 to Chutian Metropolitan Daily.张继涛在接受楚天都市报采访时表示：“以狭小的交际圈为生活中心，这对学生毕业后的前途会有负面影响。”However, students seem not to worry about it at all.然而，学生们对此似乎毫不担心。Qin Yuanyuan, 20, a junior biology major at Guangxi University sees no need to expand his social circle when he has access to the Internet.20岁的秦元元（音译）是广西
43、大学生物学专业的一名大三学生，他认为如果可以上网的话，就没必要拓宽自己的社交圈。“The Internet has developed so well that I can get nearly everything online. I dont need to gain knowledge, get information or have fun with friends around. Instead, I can make friends online,” said Qin.“网络已十分发达，网上的东西几乎应有尽有。我不需要同身边的朋友们一起获取知识，交流信息，共同玩乐。我可以在网上交友
44、。”秦元元说。The more time students spent on the Internet, the less they paid attention to those around them, said Li Zixun, of the psychology department of Beijing-based China-Japan Friendship Hospital.北京中日友好医院心理医生李子勋表示，学生们上网花费的时间越多，对身边人的关注就越少。But Li considers it is not always a bad thing for students to
45、 live independently in campus.但李子勋认为学生在学校里独立生活并不一定是件坏事。“This generation does not rely on social contacts to make them feel secure. They can live independently without having any relationships. It is an advantage in cultivating diverse thoughts among young people,” said Li.“这代人不再依赖社交接触来获得安全感。他们不需要任何人
46、际关系便能够独立生活。这对于培养年轻人的多样性思维是个优势。”李子勋说。He Xiao, a freshman at Hubei University, agrees. He thinks as long as one enjoys friendships and share similar interests and attitudes, it is not necessary to have a wide range of acquaintances.对此，湖北大学大一新生何晓（音译）表示赞同。他认为只要你可以感受到友情带来的快乐，与人分享共同的爱好和观念，就没必要广交朋友。“For me
47、, having several friends to play basketball with and have midnight snacks with are enough. I think the most important thing is that you can have fun,” said the 19-year-old computer science major.作为一名计算机专业学生，19 岁的何晓说：“对于我来说，只要有三五好友同我一起打篮球、吃宵夜就足够了。我觉得最重要的是开心就好。”According to psychologist Li Zixun from
48、Beijing, heavy pressure on students is fueling the estrangement on campus.来自北京的心理学家李子勋表示，学生身上的繁重压力使得校园里人际关系日益疏远。“When young people spend so much time and energy studying, it is common to pay less attention to others,” said Li. “Socializing also requires time and energy.”“当年轻人将大量时间和精力花在学习上时，通常都会减少对他人的关注。”李子勋说，“社交活动也需要花费时间和精力。”
