(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories.
On this program we explore common expressions in American English. Today we are going to talk about a favorite physical activity.
Swimming!
Whether outdoors or indoors, swimming is a fun way to stay in shape. And one of the great things about swimming is diving. For a very short time, a diver flies through the air like a bird. Then they land in the cool water below, usually with their hands and head leading the way.
But jumping into a body of water headfirst is just one meaning of the word "dive."
"To dive into something" can also mean to start working on a project with lots of energy but not, perhaps, a lot of planning.
Let's say two friends are really excited to dive into a new business together. They are so excited that they open their business without a clear idea of how to market their company or even who will buy their product. So, it was not a big surprise when the company went under a few months later. Friends told them that they had a good idea, but they simply dove in too quickly.
Adding the word "headfirst" adds importance. If you dive into something headfirst, you are even more excited and even less prepared!
For example, a man I know really wanted to learn basic home repair. He was very excited to begin on a home project. So, he dove in headfirst, knocking down walls and tearing out the floors. Unfortunately, he didn't know enough to rebuild his house. He ended up hiring a construction team for that.
"To dive into something" can also mean you are simply really excited to do it. Planning is not an issue or problem. And sometimes we add the word "right." This makes it sound more conversational.
For example, the children must have been very hungry after swimming all day. They dove right into the pizza the minute it was served!
But now, let's go back to the diving that relates to swimming. Sometimes divers dive off a mountain cliff. They are called cliff divers.
Some dive off the side of a pool. Others dive off a diving board. Diving boards are springy. They are made of a material that can bend. Diving boards are a kind of springboard. They are a board that springs you into the air!
In addition to diving, a springboard is useful in other situations. A springboard can be something that helps you start an activity or process. We can also call this a jumping off point, just as when you jump off a diving board.
For example, when preparing for this program, I often take note of the expressions my friends use. So, for me, these conversations are often springboards to new stories for this show.
The term "springboard" can also mean a point of departure.
Let's hear two co-workers use it this way.
A: Boy, Emanuel did not stay long at his job here, did he?
B: No. But I'm not surprised. I knew he'd move quickly from this job to the next.
A: How did you know that?
B: On his first day, he told me that this job was only a springboard to a better position.
A: I see. Well, at least he was honest.
Okay. So, besides cliff diving and diving off a diving board, there is another kind of diving -- scuba diving.
Scuba diving is an underwater activity. You swim underwater while wearing special equipment, including a tank, or container, filled with compressed air. Scuba is an acronym. It is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.
With tanks of air on their backs, scuba divers are able to dive deep into the sea. On a deep sea dive, you might see some very strange sea creatures!
On land, a deep dive is when you explore an issue in great detail. Oftentimes, the media coverage of some issues is too shallow, meaning it doesn't explain enough. But sometimes a news agency is able to do a deep dive on issues that people really care about.
You could say that on Words and Their Stories we dive deeper into the English language. Hopefully, this program will make you want to dive right into your English studies!
I'm Anna Matteo.
What would like to dive into? Let us know in the Comments Section.
重点解析
1.go under （企业）倒闭，垮掉;（项目）中止，失败;（船）沉没;（人）沉入水中
If one firm goes under it could provoke a cascade of bankruptcies.
如果一家公司倒闭，便有可能引发一连串的破产。
2.drive in 驶进；敲进；强行灌输
We had an economy drive in order to save money for our holiday.
为了度假积攒些钱，我们大家都处处节省。
3.dive off 从（某高处）头朝下跳入水中
I can dive off the top board.
我能从最高的跳台上跳水。
参考译文
现在是VOA学英语《词汇掌故》栏目时间。
本栏目探索美式英语里的常见表达。今天我们将探讨一项很受欢迎的体育运动。
游泳！
无论是在户外还是室内，游泳（swimming）都是一种保持身材的有趣方式。游泳中最有乐趣的就是跳水（diving）。跳水者像鸟儿一样划过空中。然后他们跳入冰凉的水下，通常他们的手和头会先入水。
但是“头朝下跳入水中”只是单词“dive”的含义之一。
“dive into sth（贸然投入）”也可以表示投入很大精力开始一项项目，但也许没有太多的规划。
假设两个朋友真得特别兴奋一起贸然开始一个新业务。他们是如此的兴奋以至于他们对于要怎么推广他们的公司乃至谁会购买他们的产品都没有很清楚的思路就开始了某项业务。所以，几个月之后这家公司就陷入困境（go under）这也并不奇怪。他们的朋友告诉他们说有个好主意，但是他们太快贸然投入了。
加上单词“headfirst”就增加了重要性。如果你“dive into sth headfirst”，那么你太过兴奋，而且准备不足！
例如，我认识的一个人想学习基础的家庭维修。他很激动地开始了一项家居工程。因此，他一头投入了进去，推到了墙壁，拆掉了地板。不幸的是，他还不太了解怎么重建房子。最终他为此雇了一支施工队。
“dive into sth”也可以表示你只是很激动做某事。规划不是什么问题。有时候我们会加上单词“right”。这使它听上去更加口语化。
例如，孩子们游了一天之后肯定很饿。他们在披萨一端上来的时候兴奋不已！
但现在，让我们回到含义和游泳有关的“diving”。有时候，跳水者从山崖跳水。这种被称作悬崖跳水。
有些人从泳池边跳水。其他的从跳水板上跳水。跳水板很有弹性。它们是由能弯曲的材料制成。跳水板是跳板的一种。那是一种能将你弹入空中的木板！
除了跳水，springboard（跳板）在其他场合里也很有用。“springboard”可以指帮助你开始一项活动或者进程的事物。我们也可以称此为“jump off point（起点）”，正如你从跳板上起跳一样。
例如，准备这个节目的时候，我经常记下我朋友用到的表达。因此，对于我来说，这些谈话往往是我这档节目新故事的基础。
单词“springboard”也可以指出发点，起点（a point of departure）。
让我们来听下两个同事运用这种用法。
A：伙计，伊曼纽尔在这里待不长久，对吗？
B：是的。但我对此并不惊讶。我知道他换工作会很勤。
A：你怎么知道的？
B：他第一天上班就和我说，这份工作只不过是他向更好职位发展的起点。
A：我明白了。好吧，至少他是诚实的。
好吧。那么，除了悬崖跳水喝跳板跳水，还有另一种跳水——潜水（scuba diving）。
潜水是一种水下活动。你穿戴着特殊装备在水下游泳，包括装满压缩空气的一个罐或容器。“scuba”是一种缩写形式。它是“self-contained underwater breathing apparatus（自给式水下呼吸器）”的缩写。
有了空气罐背在背上，潜水者可以潜入深海。深潜时，你也许能看见一些很奇怪的海洋生物！
在陆地上，“a deep dive（深入研究）”指的是你很细致探讨一个问题的时候。媒体对于一些问题的报道往往流于表面，意思是报道不够深入。但有时通讯社深入研究人们真正关心的问题。
你可以说，《词汇掌故》节目中，我们会深入些研究英语。希望这个节目能让你学英语的时候会很兴奋。
我是安娜·马特奥。
什么会让你产生想去探究一番的冲动呢？请在评论区告诉我们。
