(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
From VOA Learning English, this is Words and Their Stories! On this program, we talk about origins and usage of common expressions in American English.
Today we explore the word "spirit." Spirit is one of those words that has many different definitions. We will first talk about a simple definition with an interesting word origin.
Spirits are strong alcoholic drinks, such as vodka, gin, tequila and rum. Language experts say this expression first appeared in Europe hundreds of years ago. Back then, people explained the effects of strong alcohol as the work of an evil spirit -- the devil.
Speaking of evil spirits, there are more complicated definitions of the word "spirit" that involve religion and the after-life.
Spirit is part of a human that is not part of the physical body. Our spirit is connected to our thoughts and emotions. Meriam Webster's online dictionary defines it as "the force within a person that is believed to give the body life, energy, and power."
So, religious or spiritual people may believe that the spirit remains alive after death. In this way, "spirit" is similar to the word "ghost."
However, in a non-religious way, the human "spirit" is simply a non-physical energy in each person that makes us who we are. Again, Meriam Webster's online dictionary calls it the "inner quality or nature of a person." So, even people who don't believe in life-after-death, can believe in this type of spirit.
Besides in religious ceremonies, how do we use this type of spirit in conversation?
Well, if you can't physically be somewhere, you can still be there in spirit. Let's say you have been invited to a friend's birthday party, but are unable to go. You tell your friend, "I'm so sorry I'll miss the party. But I'll be there in spirit." This means that while you cannot go, you will still be thinking of that person as they celebrate.
Spirit can also mean your outlook on life. So, if you are happy about life, you can say you are in high spirits. And if you're not, you can say you are in low spirits.
If you are in low spirits, it's important to do things to lift your spirit. For many people, listening to music, taking a long walk or hanging out with friends are great spirit-lifters!
Sometimes, though, we simply don't feel like doing something. So, we may use tricks to get into the spirit. If I must go to a social event but don't want to, I may play music while I'm getting ready to get into the spirit. And if I finally agree to join an activity or do something that I don't want to do, someone may say to me, "That's the spirit!"
Now, the expression if the spirit moves you is a bit tricky. We use it in a situation where I say I will do something when I want to do it -- not when others think I should. Basically, it's up to me.
For example, let's say another person invites you to a birthday party (because you're a very popular person). The host asks you to bring a story about her and share it with everyone if the spirit moves you. She means that you can share a story if you really want to but you don't have to. Maybe the spirit will never move you and you share nothing.
Spirit can also mean a feeling of belonging to a group, like a sports team or a school. If a student is active at school and sets a good example for others, we say they show great school spirit.
Another way to say this is with a French expression: esprit de corps. This means belonging to a group and having feelings of intense energy and loyalty for members of that group.
"Esprit de corps" is a fancy way of saying team spirit. "Team spirit" is much more common and you can use it in any situation, whether formal or informal, fancy or not fancy.
"Spirit" can also mean to do something with high energy levels. Here are two examples:
"He performed the piano piece with spirit."
"She gave a spirited legal defense in the courtroom."
There are two very common "spirit" expressions that describe people.
Free spirits think and act freely. They do not follow the usual rules of society. Free spirits do their own thing.
Free spirit or not, most people like being with kindred spirits. A kindred spirit is someone who understands and agrees with you on a very deep level. Kindred spirits share the same beliefs, dreams, goals and thoughts.
Now let's hear some of these examples in a short story.
Veronica is a talented musician. She is also a free spirit. She has never owned a credit card, a car or a house. And she doesn't have a steady job. She often travels around the world singing at festivals and teaching English on the side.
To save money, Veronica lives in a group house with other artists. She really likes living with such kindred spirits. They all understand that each artist needs time alone and time to practice their art.
However, artistic types can also be emotional – happy one minute, angry or sad the next. Veronica isn't like that. She is usually in high spirits. And when her housemates are in low spirits, she does something to lift their spirits.
A guaranteed spirit-lifter is a party with good food, lively music and interesting conversation. If the spirit moves them, her housemates can join in the fun. And they always do! Even the grumpiest housemate, Felton, gets into the spirit and has fun by the end of the night! Sometimes he even plays the piano for people. That's the spirit, Felton!
And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
On VOA's Learning English website, you can find many kindred spirits: other people who want to learn English.
I'm Anna Matteo.
重点解析
1.outlook on life 人生观
I adopted a positive outlook on life.
我开始抱持积极向上的人生观。
2.set a good example for 树立榜样
I will set a good example for my child.
我要为我的孩子树立榜样。
3.school spirit 校风；学校精神；各见其能；校园精神
The school boasts an excellent school spirit.
这所学校以具有良好的校风闻名。
4.legal defense 合法抗辩;法律辩护事由;合法辩护;合法防卫;正当防卫
And I will have the biggest legal defense you ever saw.
会有最厉害的律师给我辩护。
参考译文
这里是VOA学英语的《词汇掌故》节目！在节目里，我们谈论美式英语里常用表达的来源与用法。
今天，我们要探索单词“spirit”。“spirit”是意义繁多的单词之一。我们从这个单词的其中一个有有趣来源的简单释义开始聊起。
“spirits（烈酒）”是酒精浓度高的饮品，像伏特加，杜松子酒，龙舌兰酒和朗姆酒。语言专家说这个意思是几百年前第一次在欧洲出现。那时候，人们认为烈酒带来的效果是邪恶神灵的杰作——魔鬼。
提及邪恶神灵，单词“spirit”的意义涉及到宗教和来世的时候，它有更多复杂的含义。
“spirit（精神）”是人的一部分，但却不是人肉体的一部分。我们的精神和我们的思想和情感相连。韦氏词典对它的定义是“被认定能给予人的身体生命，能量和动力的一种力量。”
所以，宗教或者注重精神境界的人也许相信人的精神在人死后仍然存在。从这方面来说，“精神（spirit）”有点类似于单词“魂灵（ghost）”。
然而，但从无神论的角度说，人类的“spirit”仅仅是一种造就你我他的无形能量，同样，韦氏词典称这种精神为“一个人的内在品质或者人的本性”。所以，即使人们不相信来生说，也会相信这种形式的精神。
除了宗教仪式，在交流中我们怎么运用这种意义类型的“精神（spirit）”呢？
嗯，你可以身在曹营心在汉。假设你被邀请参加一个朋友的生日派对。但你没法去。你告诉你的朋友，“错过你的生日派对我很抱歉。但我的心与你同在。”这意思是尽管你不能去，但是当他们庆祝的时候你仍然会想着你朋友的。
“spirit”也有人生观的意思。所以，如果你过得很开心，你可以说你情绪高昂（in high spirits）。如果你过得不开心，你可以说你情绪低落（in low spirits）。
如果你闷闷不乐，做一些让你能振奋起来（lift your spirit）的事情很重要。对于很多人来说，听音乐，散散步或者和朋友一起出去玩都是很棒的振奋精神的好方法！
有时候，虽然我们不想做一些事情，但是我们也许可以用融入氛围（get into the spirit）的技巧。如果我必须去一个我不想去的社交场合，当我准备好融入氛围的时候，我也许会放音乐。当我最终同意加入一个活动或者做我不想做的事情，有人也许会和我说，“这就对了（That's the spirit）！”
然而“if the spirit moves you”这个表达有点难懂了，用在我想做才会去做的情况下，而不是其他人认为我应该这么做时，可以说由你来决定。
例如，比方说另一个人邀请你参加一个生日聚会（因为你是一个很受欢迎的人）。主人翁让你准备一个和她有关的故事，如果你愿意的话，可以把这个故事分享给大家。她的意思是如果你真得愿意的话，你可以分享故事，但你没必要必须分享。或许你没有意愿这么做，那你就什么都不用分享。
“spirit（精神）”也有一种归属团体的感觉的意思，比如一个运动队或者一个学校。如果一个学生在学校表现积极并且为其他人树立了榜样，我们说这个孩子彰显了学校的优良校风。
用一个法语表达来表达这个意思就是：集体荣誉感（esprit de corps）。意思是说归属于一个团体，并且对于该团体成员有着浓烈的情感和很高的忠诚度。
“集体荣誉感（Esprit de corps）”是表达团队精神（team spirit）的一种别致方式。“团队精神”这种说法更为常见，你可以在任何情境下使用这个表达，不论正式或者非正式，别致或者不别致的场合。
“spirit”也有热情高涨地做某事的意思。这儿有两个例子：
“他饱含深情地演奏了那首钢琴曲。”
“她在法庭上作了有力的法律辩护。”
有两个非常常见的形容人的“spirit”的表达。
有主见的人（free spirits）自由地思考和行动。他们不遵从普通的社会规则。有主见的人做自己的事情。
有主见或者没主见的人喜欢和志趣相投的人在一起。志趣相投的人（a kindred spirit）指的是非常理解和特别赞同你的人。志趣相投的人拥有相同的信仰，梦想，目标和想法。
现在，让我们来听听一个包含一些表达的短故事。
维罗妮卡是一个天才音乐家。她也是个有主见的人。她没有信用卡，没有车或者房子。她也没有一份稳定的工作。她经常在世界各地的节日上唱歌，还兼职教英语。
为了省钱，维罗妮卡和其他艺术家住在一个合住的房子里。她真得很喜欢和这些志同道合的人住在一起。他们都懂得每个艺术家都需要独处的时间以及练习艺术的时间。
但是，艺术家也是情绪化的人——前一分钟开心，下一分钟就会生气或是悲伤。维罗妮卡不喜欢这样。她通常情绪高昂。当她的室友情绪低迷的时候，她会做一些事情振奋他们的精神。
一剂可靠的“精神振奋剂（spirit-lifter）”就是一个有美食，欢快的音乐和有趣的交谈。如果他们愿意的话，她的室友们可以加入一起玩。他们确实也总是这样做的！即使是性情最暴躁的室友，费尔顿，到了深夜也会融入派对，开心玩乐！有时候他甚至为大家弹奏钢琴。那就对了，费尔顿！
到了节目的尾声了。
在VOA学英语网站，你可以发现许多志同道合的人：他们是其他也想学英语的人。
我是安娜·马特奥。
