美國文化經(jīng)典美文雙語
美國是一個高度發(fā)達的資本主義國家，因其較為健全的法律制度、健康的生活環(huán)境、頂尖的教育資源等，吸引著世界各地的人來這里追逐美國夢。那么你想多了解一下有關美國的文化嗎?下面是學習啦小編為大家?guī)碛嘘P美國文化經(jīng)典美文雙語，歡迎大家閱讀欣賞!
美國文化經(jīng)典美文：美國選舉
Suprises often come in boxes. Birthday presents wrapped in colorful paper, brown paper packages mailed from a friend. No matter what kind of box it is, people like to open it up and see what's inside. In America, and in many other countries, one special kind of box contains the future. It's called a ballot box. What people put into the box on election day can change the course oflustory
驚奇常常是在箱子里出現(xiàn)：包在彩色包裝紙里面的生日禮物……朋友寄來牛皮紙包的包裹……不論是怎樣的箱子，人們喜歡打開來看看里面是什么。在美國以及其他許多國家，有一個特殊的箱子關系著一個國家的未來，它被稱為投票箱。人們在選舉日投在箱子里的東西可以改變歷史的走向。
Elections are the lifeblood of a democracy. The word democracy literally means "the people rule", an important concept in America's history. In the mid-1700s, England began passing laws that made the American colorues angry. The colonists had to pay more and more taxes and enjoyed less and less freedom. They felt the govemment of England didn't represent their interests. On July 4, 1776, the colonies declared their independence from England. They wanted to establish a democracy where people could have a voice in government.
選舉是民主的原動力。民主這個字照字面的意思是人民自主竹，是美國歷史中一個重要的觀念0 18世紀中期，英國開始通過一些使美國殖民地憤怒的法律。殖民地人民必須交付愈來愈多的稅，而享有愈來愈少的自由。他們感到英國政府沒有代表他們的權益1776年月4日，殖民地宣布從英國獨立出去。他們想要建立民主制度，使人們在政府中有發(fā)言權。
An effective democracy holds regular elections. In Amcrica, elections are held every two years for members of Congress. In these elections, all seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate seats are up for grabs. In addition, every four years, voters go to the poUs to elect the nation's president and vice-president. Voters also regularly cast their ballots for state and city government leaders and local school board members. Sometimes they also have to vote on a proposed law.
有效的民主制度定期舉行選舉。在美國，每兩年選一次國會議員。在這些選舉中，人們可以爭取所有眾議院的席位和1/3的參議院席位。除此以外，選民每4年要去投票選出國家的總統(tǒng)和副總統(tǒng)。選民也定期投票選出州長、市長及當?shù)貙W校的董事會成員。有時，他們也必須投票決定提議的法律。
In the American electoral system, people don't really vote for presidential c:indldates. Instead, voters cast their ballots for "electors”who support each candidate. Each state has as many electors as the total number of its representatives in Congress. This equals two senators per state plus the number ofits representatives in the House (which is based on the state's population). The candidate who has the most votes in a state wins all of the state's electors.To win the presidentrial election, a candidate must Sain at least 270 0f the 538 total electoral votes.
在美國的選舉制度中，人們并不直接投票給總統(tǒng)候選人，而是由選民給支持各個候選人的"選舉"投票。每一州的選舉人人數(shù)和代表此州的國會議員人數(shù)相同，等于每一州的兩位參議員加上眾議院的眾議員人數(shù)(以各州的人口為基準)。在一個州里擁有最多票數(shù)的候選人就贏得了那一州所有選舉人的票數(shù)。要贏得總統(tǒng)大選，候選人必須至少獲得總共538個選舉人中的270張票。
Over the years, the U.S. has made a number of election reforms.Some early reforms outlawed cheating, giving bribes and threatening voters. They also limited the amount of money candidates could receive from donors and spend on theircampaigns. In 1870, black people gained the right to vote, and in 1920, that right was extended to women. In recent decades, laws against unfair rules for voting have been passed.No longer do people have to pay a special tax or pass a test in order to vote.In 1971, the voting age was lowered t0 18. Other reforms made votmg easier for the blind, the disabled and people who couldn't read. In some areas, ballots had to be printed in languages besides English.
多年來，美國在選舉方面做了一些改革。早期有些改革禁止作弊、收受賄賂或威脅選民。他們也限制候選人從捐贈者那兒獲得的金額數(shù)目及花在競選宣傳上的費用.1870年，黑人獲得選舉權0 1920年，選舉權利延伸至婦女那里.近幾十年來，通過了一些反對不公平選舉規(guī)則的法律. 人們不再需要付特殊的稅或通過測驗才能選舉。1971年，投票的年齡降至18歲。其他的改革減輕了盲人、殘障者及文盲投票的困難。在某些地區(qū)，選票上面除了英文以外，還必須印上別的文字。
In November, Americans will again elect those who will represent them in government.Although some citizens aren't even registered to vote-and some registered voters don't bother to go to the polls-most Americans exercise their right to vote. They realize that their future is wrapped up in a special package-the ballot box. It's a package that must definitely be "handled with care".
1 1月5日，美國人要再一次選出在政府中代表他們的人，雖然有些市民甚至不是法定投票人——有些法定投票人懶得去投票—但是大多數(shù)的美國人都會行使他們投票的權利。他們了解他們的未來包在一個特別的箱子里——投票箱。它的確是一個必須“小心處理”的箱子。
美國文化經(jīng)典美文：美國的待客之道
An American friend has invited you to visit his family. You've never been to an American's home before, and you're not sure what to do.Should you take a gift? How should you dress? What time should you arrive? What should you do when you get there? Glad you asked. When you're the guest, you should just make yourself at home. That's what hospitality is all about: making people feel at home when they're not.
一位美國朋友邀請你去他家。你以前從未去過美國人的家，你不確定該怎么做。該帶一個禮物嗎?該怎么穿?該幾點到?到了那里該做什么?很高興你發(fā)問。你若是客人，只要使自己感到自在就好了.待客之道就是這樣：雖然不是在家里，卻使客人有賓至如歸之感。
The question of whether or not to bring a gift often makes guests squirm. Giving your host a gift is not just a social nicety in some cultures-it's expected. But in American culture , a guest is not obligated to bring a present, Of course, some people do bring a small token of appreciation to their host. Appropriate gifts for general occasions might be flowers, candy or-if the family has small children'toys. If you choose not to bring a gift, don't worry. No one will even notice.
是否帶禮物的問題常使客人不安。在某些文化中，送主人禮物不只是社交禮節(jié)——還是必要的。但是在美國文化中，客人并不一定要帶禮物。當然，有些人的確會帶個表示感謝的小禮物給他們的主人.一般情況下，可以帶花或是糖果.如果這家人有小孩，玩具應當是恰當?shù)亩Y物。如果你選擇不帶禮物，不要擔心，沒有人會注意到的。
American hospitality begins at home-especially when it involves food. Most Americans agree that good home cooking beats restaurant food any day. When invited for a meal, you might ask, "Can I bring anything?"Unless it's. a potluck, where everyone brings a_dish, the host will probably respond, "No,just yourself." For most informal dinners, you should wear comfortable, casual clothes. Plan to arrive on time, or else call to inform your hosts of the delay. During the dinner conversation:it's customary to compliment the hostess on the wonderful meal. Of course, the biggest compliment is to eat lots of food!
美國人的待客之道從家里開始——尤其是和食物有關。大多數(shù)美國人都同意，無論如何，好的家常菜勝過餐館的菜。受邀吃飯時，你或許問："我可以帶些什么嗎?" 除非是每人帶道菜的聚餐，否則主人很可能會回答： 不用，你來就可以了. 大多數(shù)非正式的聚餐，你應該穿舒適、輕便的衣服。設法準時到，否則打電話告訴主人你會晚點到。用餐時，習慣上，人們會稱贊女主人烹調(diào)的美食。當然，最大的贊美是多吃!
When you've had plenty, you might offer to clear the table or wash the dishes. But since you're the guest, your hosts may not let you. Instead, they may invite everyone to move to the living room for dessert with tea or coffee. After an hour or so of general chitchat, it's probably time to head for the door. You don't want to wear out your welcome. And above all,don't go snooping around the house. It's more polite to wait for the host to offer you a guided tour. But except for housewarmings, guests often don't get past the living room.
當你吃得差不多時，或許可以主動表示要幫忙清理桌子或洗碗盤，但你既是客人，你的主人可能不會讓你這樣做。他們或許會邀請大家到客廳吃點心、喝茶或咖啡。聊個大約一小時或許就該離去了，你可不希望變得不受歡迎吧。還有最重要的是不要在屋子里四處窺探，等主人邀請你參觀才較有禮貌?？墒浅藛踢w喜宴之外，客人通常都只待在客廳里。
Americans usually like to have advance notice when people come to see them. Only very close friends drop by unannounced. This is especially true if the guests want to stay for a few days. Here's a good ruleof thumb for house guests: Short stays are best. As one 19th century French writer put it, "The first day a man is a guest, the second a burden, the third a pest." Even relatives don't usually stay for several weeks at a time.While you're staying with an Amencan family, try to keep your living area neat and tidy. Your host family will appreciate your consideration.And they may even invite you back!
美國人通常喜歡訪客事先通知他們，只有非常親密的朋友才可能不請自來，尤其在客人要待好幾天時更是如此。最好不要久留——這是給訪客的經(jīng)驗之談。就像19世紀一位法國作家所寫的那樣：“第一天是客人，第二天是負擔，第三天就是討厭鬼了."既使是親戚通常不會一次待上幾個星期. 當你住在美國人家里時，設法使你住的地方保持整齊清潔。你的主人_家都會感謝你這么體貼，他們甚至會再邀請你!
Most Americans consider themselves hospitable people. Folks in the southem United States, m particular, take pride in entertaining guests.In fact,southern hospitality" has become legendary. But in all parts of America, people welcome their guests with open arms. So don't be surprised to find the welcome mat out for you. Just don't forget to wipe your feet.
大多數(shù)美國人都認為他們是好客之人。尤其是美國的南方人更以款待客人自豪，事實上，"南方的款待"是人們所津津樂道、口口相傳的。不過在美國各地，人們都張開雙臂歡迎他們的客人，所以當你發(fā)現(xiàn)有WELCOME字樣的鞋墊時，不要驚訝，只是別忘了把你的腳擦干凈就是了.
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