(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Welcome to Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
On this program we explore the origin and history of American expressions and teach you how to use them.
Today we focus more on history than usage. We are going to answer an age-old question that may have been keeping you awake at night. Well, perhaps not. But it's still an interesting word story!
The pronunciation of some words can cause trouble for people learning English. For example, words such as "circle," "sir," "certainly" and "surprise" all sound as if they begin with the same letters. But they don't.
Knowing language of origin for an unknown or new word – its roots – can help you pronounce the word the right way. Just ask any student who has ever competed in a spelling bee. One question that spelling bee contestants can ask the judges during the event is, "What is the language of origin?"
Nyctinasty
Nyctinasty. Will you please give me the language of origin?
It's made up of Greek elements that were probably first combined in German.
Nyctinasty. N-y-c-t-i-n-a-s-t-y. Nyctinasty.
Correct.
The development or evolution of a word over time can also play a part in how we say it. In fact, both origin and evolution are involved in the pronunciation of the word "colonel."
First, what does "colonel" mean?
A colonel is a military official. In the United States, it can mean an officer in the Army, Air Force or Marine Corps.
Colonel is spelled c-o-l-o-n-e-l. So, why do Americans say colonel as if it is spelled k-e-r-n-e-l? Adding to the confusion is that "kernel" is a word of its own and one that has several meanings.
But, let's get back to "colonel" ... the c-o-l-o-n-e-l one.
We know that many languages borrow and even steal words from other languages. The English language is probably the biggest thief of them all! It stole "colonel" from at least two countries – maybe even three.
First, let's talk about Italy.
By the 15th century, Italian forces were known for being good at war. So, many Italian war terms spread across Europe, including the word "colonel." It comes from the Italian word 'colonnello.' This is the position given to the officer responsible for a small force or column of soldiers.
Then there's the influence of France on "colonel."
The French also took this word from the Italians. But when they added it to their language, they changed the word "colonnelo" to "coronel." Language experts say this is because the French wanted to have the "r" sound in the word, instead of the two "l" sounds.
Finally, let's not forget Spain.
At the same time, the Spanish were also pronouncing c-o-l-o-n-e-l as k-e-r-n-e-l. It is possible that both the French and the Spanish pronunciation affected the English version of the word.
In addition to country of origin, there is something else at play in the word history of "colonel": written versus spoken language.
From the very beginning, when this word came into English in the 1500s, there were two versions of spelling and two pronunciations.
By around the 17th century, the word began appearing in military treaties across Europe. So, the written form of the word (colonel) and the spoken ("kernel") were both being used.
In English, a combination won out. Colonel was spelled c-o-l-o-n-e-l but pronounced "kernel."
Please let me apologize from the bottom of my heart for our crazy and sometimes confusing English pronunciations!
That's all for this Words and Their Stories. Join us again next week when we talk about more words and expressions in American English.
I'm Anna Matteo.
重点解析
1.spread across 传遍；席卷；蔓延
The model of an elected parliament to which the executive is accountable has now spread across much of the globe.
行政长官对由选举产生的议会负责的模式，目前已传播至全球大部分地区。
2.from the very beginning 从一开始
He was wrong from the very beginning.
他从一开始就错了。
3.win out （经过比赛或斗争）获胜，胜出
Sometimes perseverance does win out.
有时候坚持就是胜利。
参考译文
欢迎来到VOA学英语《词汇掌故》节目。
我们的节目探索美语表达的来源与历史，而且会教你这些表达的使用方法。
今天的节目相较于表达的用法，我们会更专注于表达的历史渊源。我们要解答一个也许让你夜不能寐的古老问题。嗯，也许不是那样。但它仍然是一个有趣的词汇掌故！
一些单词的发音可能会给学英语的人带来困难。例如，如单词“circle（圆圈）”，“sir（先生）”，“certainly（当然）”以及“surprise（惊喜）”，这些单词的开头全都听起来像是一样的字母。实则不然。
了解一个不认识或者新的单词的来源，也就是它的根源，能帮助你正确发音。你可以随便问任何一个参加过拼写大赛的人。拼写选手在比赛期间能提问评委的一个问题就是：“这个单词的词源是什么？”
Nyctinasty（感夜性）。
Nyctinasty（感夜性）。你能告诉我这个单词的来源吗？
这个单词是由希腊元素组成。这些希腊元素很大可能是第一次用德语组合而成的。
Nyctinasty（感夜性）。N-y-c-t-i-n-a-s-t-y。Nyctinasty。
回答正确。
单词随着时间的推移而发展或者演变也对其发音方法起着重要作用。实际上，单词的来源和演变都影响了单词“colonel（上校）”的发音。
首先，“colonel”是什么意思？
“colonel”指的是军事官员。在美国，它可以指陆军、空军或海军陆战队的长官。
“colonel”的拼法是“c-o-l-o-n-e-l”，但是为什么美国人在说“colonel”的时候发出来的却像是“k-e-r-n-e-这个音？而且“kernel”也是一个有好几个意思的独立单词。
但让我们继续说回“colonel”······c-o-l-o-n-e-l的那个。
我们知道许多语言从其他语言里借词甚至窃词。英语也许是这类语言里窃取其他语言最多的那个。英语从至少两个国家，也许甚至是三个国家窃取来了单词“colonel”。
首先，我们来聊下意大利。
15世纪的时候，意大利军队以善战闻名。因此，许多意大利战争词汇传播到了欧洲，包括单词“colonel”。它出自意大利词“colonnello（上校）”。这是给负责一小支军队或者一小队士兵的长官的职位。
然后还有法语对“colonel”的影响。
法语的这个词也是取自意大利语。但是当法国人把这个词化为己用的时候，他们将“colonnelo”变成了“coronel”。语言学家说这是因为法国人想把单词里两个“l”的发音用“r”的发音代替。
最后，不要忘了还有西班牙语的影响。
与此同时，西班牙人发“c-o-l-o-n-e-l”也发成“k-e-r-n-e-l”。也许法语和西班牙语的发音都影响了这个词的英语版本。
除了国家方面的历史渊源，还有其他方面参与进了“colonel”的历史根源：书面语对阵口语。
从一开始，当这个词在15世纪进入英语体系的时候，有两个拼写版本和两种发音方式。
到大约17世纪的时候，这个单词开始出现在全欧洲的军事条约里。因此，这个单词的书面形式（colonel）和口语形式（kernel）都有在使用。
在英语里，组合体胜出。“colonel”拼写是“c-o-l-o-n-e-l”，但是发“kernel”音。
请让我发自内心为我们的疯狂，有时候混乱的英语发音表示歉意！
这就是这期《词汇掌故》的全部内容了。下周我们讨论更多美式英语里的词汇与表达的时候，继续加入我们哦！
我是安娜·马特奥。
