* 用英语自身来理解和学习英语是最好的方式，《英读廊》是《满庭说英语》中的拓展阅读系列，这一系列的文章力求帮助大家在英语阅读能力上有所提升，并树立英语思维；* 推荐的阅读的方法是：先原文，适当看解析阅读，还有疑惑再看双语对照。* 解析中英语单词的音标使用Dictcom和IPA双音标标注，如果需要了解Dictcom音标，请参看我们的《dictionary.com所用的音标体系》一文。* 本篇文章难度系数12.1，由《小仙英语伴读》人工智能难度分析系统提供评分。
#英语思维#
#英语#
#我们一起学英语#
【编者按】似乎是我们有史以来最难的一篇英语篇章了，但其实不用害怕，实际上没那么难。送几个字：未见先怕，不难也难；静心以观，难也不难。
Considering Chinese is a tonal language, how are lyrics understood or sung when a song's melody defines the tone?【译】考虑到汉语是一种声调语言，当一首歌的旋律定义了音调时，歌词是如何理解或唱出来的？【单词】tonal ['tohn-l]['təʊnl] adj. 音调的；音色的；色调的【单词】lyrics 原型：lyric ['lir-ik]['lɪrɪk] n. 歌词【单词】sung 原型：sing [sing][sɪŋ] v. 唱；鸣叫；歌颂【单词】song [sawng, song][sɒŋ] n. 歌曲【单词】melody ['mel-uh-dee]['melədi] n. 旋律；曲子；曲调；美妙的音乐【单词】defines 原型：define [dih-'fahyn][dɪ'faɪn] v. 规定；限定；定义；解释【单词】tone [tohn][təʊn] n. 语气；音调；调子【专有名词】Chinese [chahy-'neez, -'nees][ˌtʃaɪ'niːz] n. 中国人；汉语；中文
It's a combination of several things:【译】这是几方面的结合：【语法】此句式为 it be 名词 that从句。其中that从句为句子真正的主语，it为形式主语。如：It's a shame (that) you're sick. 真遗憾你病了。 【单词】combination [kom-buh-'ney-shuhn][ˌkɒmbɪ'neɪʃn] n. 结合；结合到一起的事物或人；密码
Context.【译】上下文。【单词】Context 原型：context ['kon-tekst]['kɒntekst] n. 上下文；环境；背景
Like most languages, you can understand the meaning of a phrase even if you don't understand every word in it, so long as you understand the overall context.【译】像大多数语言一样，你可以理解一个短语的意思，即使你不明白其中的每一个单词，只要你了解整个上下文。【词法】even if是“即使，纵然”的意思，为连词，用于引导让步状语从句。如：Even if it rains tomorrow, we won't change our plan. 即使明天下雨，我们也决不改变计划。【短语】take over 表示“接管；接收”。如：I intend you to take over. 我打算让你来接管。【单词】phrase [freyz][freɪz] n. 短语；习语；措辞；[音]乐句【单词】overall ['oh-ver-awl][ˌəʊvər'ɔːl] adj. 全部的；总体的
Syntax.【译】语法。【单词】Syntax 原型：syntax ['sin-taks]['sɪntæks] n. 句法
I'm not perfectly fluent in Mandarin, so I may be a bit wrong here, but there are different ways to portray the same meaning, and the language itself gives way to a lot of word play.【译】我的普通话不是很流利，所以我在这里可能不一定对，但是有不同的方式来表达同样的意思，语言本身也让位于大量的文字游戏。【单词】perfectly ['pur-fikt-lee]['pɜːfɪktli] adv. 完全地；无瑕疵地；完整地；完美地；圆满地【单词】fluent ['floo-uhnt]['fluːənt] adj. 流利的；流畅的【单词】portray [pawr-'trey, pohr-][pɔː'treɪ] vt. 描写；描绘；饰演【专有名词】Mandarin ['man-duh-rin]['mændərɪn] n. 国语，普通话
Careful structuring of syntax allows the singer to portray the same meaning when the words are not necessarily set up in the same order you would use them in other situations.【译】仔细安排的句法结构，可以让歌手在单词的排列顺序与其他情况不同时，表达出相同的意思。【短语】not necessarily表示“未必；不一定”。如：Frustrations are not necessarily bad things in life.【单词】singer ['sing-er]['sɪŋə] n. 歌手
【单词】necessarily [nes-uh-'sair-uh-lee, -'ser-][ˌnesə'serəli] adv. 必然地；必定地；必需地
You see this a lot in certain Chinese poetry where everything is 4 characters and can portray a whole litany of ideas and thoughts.【译】你可以在某些中国诗歌中看到这一点，每个短句都是4个字，可以描绘出一系列的思维和想法。【单词】poetry ['poh-i-tree]['pəʊətri] n. 诗歌；诗意；诗集【单词】characters 原型：character ['kar-ik-ter]['kærəktə] n. 这里是“字符”的意思【单词】litany ['lit-n-ee]['lɪtəni] n. 连祷；冗长的陈述；连续
Tones Context.【译】音调 上下文。
Chinese is definitely a tonal language, but it's not necessarily rigid.【译】汉语绝对是声调语言，但不一定是死板的。【单词】definitely ['def-uh-nit-lee]['defɪnətli] adv. 肯定地；当然地；明确地【单词】rigid ['rij-id]['rɪdʒɪd] adj. 坚硬的；严格的；固执的；僵硬的；刻板的
If you listen to some Chinese rap, the tones of some words (by themselves at least) feel almost flat or different from what the lyrics says it should be.【译】如果你听一些中国说唱歌曲，有些词的音调（至少是他们自己）感觉几乎是平淡的或与歌词所说的不一样。【短语】at least 至少；例句：At least, I asked him not to. 至少，我告诉过他不要这样做。【单词】rap [rap][ræp] n.说唱音乐【单词】tones 原型：tone [tohn][təʊn] n. 语气；音调；调子【单词】least [leest][liːst] adj. 最小的；最少的 n. 最小；最少【单词】flat [flat][flæt] adj. 平坦的；扁平的；单调的；[音乐]降音的；气不足的
However, put into context of every character around it, the listener can understand the word itself and by extension the line.【译】然而，把它放在周围每个字符的上下文中，听者可以理解单词本身，并通过延伸线（周围的词）来理解单词。【单词】listener ['lis-uh-ner]['lɪsənə] n. 听者；听众【单词】extension [ik-'sten-shuhn][ɪk'stenʃn] n. 延长；伸展；延期；扩充
I suppose the closest analogy I can make to this is taking out vowels in the English language.【译】我想我能做的最接近的类比就是去掉英语中的元音。【单词】suppose [suh-'pohz][sə'pəʊz] vt. 假设；假定；认为；想；应该；让(虚拟语气) vi. 推测【单词】analogy [uh-'nal-uh-jee][ə'nælədʒi] n. 类比；相似；类似【单词】vowels 原型：vowel ['vou-uh l]['vaʊəl] n. 母音；元音
So long as some of what you are familiar with is still there, a few adjustments here and there makes no difference to your understanding.【译】只要你所熟悉的东西还在，在这里稍作调整，对你的理解就没有什么不同。【单词】familiar [fuh-'mil-yer][fə'mɪliə] adj. 熟悉的；不拘礼节的；熟知的 【单词】adjustments 原型：adjustment [uh-'juhst-muhnt][ə'dʒʌstmənt] n. 调整；调节
For Mandarin Chinese at least, each "tone" isn't actually a tone/pitch.【译】至少对普通话来说，每个“音”实际上并不是一个音调/音高。
【单词】pitch [pich][pɪtʃ] n. 音调；音高
Each syllable's "tone" is actually primarily determined by the relative change in pitch during the syllable.【译】每个音节的“音调”实际上主要是由音节中音高的相对变化决定的。【单词】syllable ['sil-uh-buhl]['sɪləbl] n. 音节 vt. 分音节【单词】primarily [prahy-'mair-uh-lee][praɪ'merəli] adv. 主要地；起初地【单词】determined 原型：determine [dih-'tur-min][dɪ'tɜːmɪn] v. 决定；决心；确定；测定【单词】relative ['rel-uh-tiv]['relətɪv] adj. 相对的；比较的；相关的
So the four tones are (primarily): constant, rising, falling-then-rising, and falling.【译】所以这四个音调（主要是）：恒定的（阴平），上升的（阳平），下降然后上升的（上声），下降的（去声）。【单词】constant ['kon-stuhnt]['kɒnstənt] adj. 不变的；经常的 n. 常数；恒量
It's of course slightly more nuanced than that (e.g. the "constant" tone's pitch is expected to be somewhat high relative to the average of the syllables).【译】当然，它的音高要比这稍有细微差别（例如，相对于音节的平均值，“恒定”音调的音高可能会稍高一些）。【短语】of course 当然【短语】be expected to ... 有望做某事；被期待做某事；预计；例句：He is expected to get through to the finals. 我们期待他进入决赛。【单词】slightly [slahyt]['slaɪtli] adv. 些微地；稍微；瘦小地【单词】nuanced ['noo-ahnst]['njuːɑːnst] adj. 有细微差别的；微妙的【单词】somewhat ['suhm-hwuht]['sʌmwɒt] adv. 稍微；有些；多少；几分【单词】average ['av-er-ij, 'av-rij]['ævərɪdʒ] n. 平均数；平均水平
Also.. there are a lot of different Chinese dialects.【译】并且，中国有很多不同的方言。【单词】dialects 原型：dialect ['dahy-uh-lekt]['daɪəlekt] n. 方言；地方话
There seems to be a lot of variation in how crucial tone is to people of each dialect.【译】对于每种方言的人来说，声调的重要性似乎有很多变化。【单词】variation [vair-ee-'ey-shuhn][ˌveəri'eɪʃn] n. 变种；变奏曲；变动；变化【单词】crucial ['kroo-shuhl]['kruːʃl] adj. 决定性的；关键的
For some dialects, they hardly care at all and they're very flexible -- and the words are such that they're more uniquely discernible even without consideration of tone.【译】对于某些方言来说，它们根本不在乎，而且它们非常灵活——而且这些词即使不考虑声调，也能更独特地辨别出来。【单词】hardly ['hahrd-lee]['hɑːdli] adv. 几乎不；简直不；刚刚【单词】flexible ['flek-suh-buhl]['fleksəbl] adj. 柔韧的；灵活的；易弯曲的；可变通的【单词】uniquely [yoo-'neek][ju'niːkli] adv. 独特地；唯一地；珍奇地【单词】discernible [dih-'sur-nuh-buhl][dɪ'sɜːnəbəl] adj. 可辨别的【单词】consideration [kuhn-sid-uh-'rey-shuhn][kənˌsɪdə'reɪʃn] n. 考虑；考虑因素
"Standard" Mandarin (similar to Beijing dialect, but with fewer gratuitous "R" sounds added to the ends of syllables) happens to be (as far as I can tell) one of the most particular when it comes to tone.【译】就我所知，“标准”普通话（与北京方言相似，但音节末尾附加的“R”音较少）恰好是（据我所知）最为特殊的声调之一。【单词】gratuitous [gruh-'too-i-tuhs][ɡrə'tjuːɪtəs] adj. 无缘无故的；无必要的；免费的【单词】added 原型：add [ad][æd] v. 加；增加；补充【单词】happens 原型：happen ['hap-uhn]['hæpən] vi. 发生；碰巧；出现；偶遇【专有名词】Beijing 地名 ['bey-'jing]['beɪ'dʒɪŋ] n. 北京（中华人民共和国首都）
However, people in Beijing seem to be pretty flexible about letting the last syllable or two of a sentence deviate from what the formal tone would be expected to be (sometimes, it just kind of trails off - and that's fine).【译】然而，北京人似乎很灵活地让句子的最后一两个音节偏离预期的正式语调（有时，它只是有点偏离——效果还很好）。【单词】pretty ['prit-ee]['prɪti] adv. 相当地【单词】sentence ['sen-tns]['sentəns] n. 句子【单词】deviate ['dee-vee-eyt]['diːvieɪt] v. 偏离；脱离【单词】formal ['fawr-muhl]['fɔːml] adj. 正式的；正规的【单词】trails 原型：trail [treyl][treɪl] n. 踪迹；小径；尾；一系列
In songs, people often take liberties with the syllables and they're not exact.【译】在歌曲中，人们经常随意使用音节，而且音节并不精确。【单词】liberties 原型：liberty ['lib-er-tee]['lɪbəti] n. 自由；自由权【单词】exact [ig-'zakt][ɪɡ'zækt] adj. 精密严谨的；确切的
Similar to as is the case in English, it may make things more difficult to understand, but people don't necessarily care.【译】与英语中的情况类似，它可能会使事情更难理解，但人们并不一定在意。【专有名词】English ['ing-glish]['ɪŋɡlɪʃ] n. 英语
Also, individuals may happen to prefer people with unusual accents - like Singaporean or whatever (similar to how many Americans might personally feel that British people tend to have nicer singing voices even though they talk funny).【译】此外，个人可能更喜欢那些口音不太寻常的人，比如新加坡人或其他人（类似于许多美国人个人感觉英国人虽然说话很有趣，但他们往往有更好的歌声）。【用法】tend to表示“朝某方向；趋向；偏重”，后面接动词原形。如：We tend to make mistakes when we do things in a hurry.忙中不免出错。【单词】happen ['hap-uhn]['hæpən] vi. 发生；碰巧；出现；偶遇【单词】prefer [pri-'fur][prɪ'fɜː] vt. 宁可；较喜欢【单词】unusual [uhn-'yoo-zhoo-uhl][ʌn'juːʒuəl] adj. 异常的；独特的；与众不同的【单词】accents 原型：accent ['ak-sent]['æksent] n. 重音；口音；强调【单词】personally ['pur-suh-nl-ee]['pɜːsənəli] adv. 就个人而言；亲自地；个别地；作为个人【单词】nicer 原型：nice 形容词比较级【单词】funny ['fuhn-ee]['fʌni] adj. 可笑的；有趣的；滑稽的；奇怪的；非法的【专有名词】Singaporean [ˌsɪŋə'pɔːriən] n. 新加坡人【专有名词】Americans n. 美国人；美洲人【专有名词】British ['brit-ish]['brɪtɪʃ] adj. 英国的；不列颠的；英国人的 n. 英国人；英式英语
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