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现代大学英语精读(第2版)第二册:U9B Understanding Society and Culture Through Eating(2)

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In all societies, both simple and complex, eating is the primary way of initiating and maintaining human relationships. In fact, the English word "companion" is derived from French and Latin words that mean "one who eats bread with another." The Bantu of southern Africa regard exchanging food as the formation of what amounts to a temporary covenant between individuals—a "clanship of porridge," as they call it. For most Chinese, social transactions are almost inseparable from eating transactions. The giving and sharing of food is the prototypic relationship in Chinese society, as if the word were literally made flesh. Only a Chinese living alone and in abject poverty would sit down to a solitary meal. It is usual to eat with one's family or kin; when these are unavailable, people eat in teashops or at work rather than by themselves. No important business transaction and no marriage arrangement is ever concluded without the sharing of food. The quality of the meal and its setting convey a more subtle social message than anything that is consciously verbalized; attitudes that would be impolite if stated directly are communicated through the food channel.

在所有不论简单还是复杂的社会中,饮食都是创造和维系人际关系的一个主要方法。实际上,英文单词“companion”源自法语和拉丁语,意思是“和别人一起吃面包的人”。非洲南部的班图人将交换食物看作人与人之间订立了等同于临时契约的协议——他们称之为“一起喝粥的同宗关系”。对多数中国人来说,社会交往与请客吃饭几乎是不可分割的。请吃饭或一同用餐是中国社会典型的社会关系,上文中提到的词义好像在这里得到了忠实的诠释与再现。只有那些离群索居、一贫如洗的人才可能孤独地一个人坐下来用餐。人们通常是和家人或亲戚一起吃;不能一起吃时,就在茶室或工作的地方吃,而不是自己一个人吃。没有任何一次重要的生意往来和婚约是在不共同用餐的情况下达成的。一顿正餐的质量和用餐环境比任何能够清楚地用言语表达的信息都更能传递出微妙的社会信息;那些如果直接表述会让人觉得失礼的意见也可以通过用餐这一渠道来传递。

重点单词   查看全部解释    
quality ['kwɔliti]

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n. 品质,特质,才能
adj. 高品质的

 
companion [kəm'pænjən]

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n. 同伴,同事,成对物品之一,(船的)甲板间扶梯(或扶

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primary ['praiməri]

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adj. 主要的,初期的,根本的,初等教育的

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formation [fɔ:'meiʃən]

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n. 构造,编队,形成,队形,[地]地层

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temporary ['tempərəri]

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adj. 暂时的,临时的
n. 临时工

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covenant ['kʌvinənt]

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n. 盟约,契约 v. 立书保证

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consciously ['kɔnʃəsli]

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adv. 有意识地,自觉地

 
convey [kən'vei]

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vt. 传达,表达,运输,转移
vt.

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setting ['setiŋ]

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n. 安装,放置,周围,环境,(为诗等谱写的)乐曲

 
poverty ['pɔvəti]

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n. 贫困,贫乏

 

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