Unit Five How to Celebrate Holidays Teaching Period 10(1-2) Reference book:(New)Integrated Course3 Student's and Teaching's book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice To understand the read ing material (Text A) Important Point: Understanding the read ing material Difficult Point: Training the Ss reading ability Processes: STEP ONE Organization STEP TWO Revision STEP THREE Introduction (15’) a Pre-reading task on P156 Some questions from the teacher b. Theme of the unit text a Overcoming Obstacles STEP FOUR. Text A on p156-P161 a. Pre-read ing Background Knowledge b While-reading 1. Go through the Text paragraph by paragraph 2. Point out the important structures and long sentences for further explanation later c. Post-read ing 1. Text Organization and Text Questions Part One: (Para 1-9) Part Two: (Paral0-16) Part Three: (Para 17-23) Part Four:(Para 24-26) a) What should I thank my parents/teachers/ friends for? b) If the answer to the question is yes, what have you done? c)If the answer to the question is no, what do you plan to do? d) are holidays a good time to express gratitude? e) Which holidays are the most appropriate? 3. Summarize the main idea The main Idea
Unit Five How to Celebrate Holidays Teaching Period : 10 (1-2) Reference Book: (New) Integrated Course3 Student’s and Teaching’s Book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice Objective: To understand the reading material (Text A) Important Point: Understanding the reading material (Text A) Difficult Point: Training the Ss’ reading ability Processes: STEP ONE: Organization ( 1’ ) STEP TWO: Revision ( 0’ ) STEP THREE: Introduction ( 15’ ) a. Pre-reading task on P156 Some questions from the teacher: b. Theme of the unit: & Text A: Overcoming Obstacles STEP FOUR: New Lesson ( 75’ ) Text A on P156-P161 Comprehension a. Pre-reading 1. Background Knowledge b. While-reading 1. Go through the Text paragraph by paragraph 2. Point out the important structures and long sentences for further explanation later c. Post-reading 1. Text Organization and Text Questions Part One: (Para 1-9) Part Two: (Para10-16) Part Three: (Para 17-23) Part Four: (Para 24-26) 2. Discussion a) What should I thank my parents/ teachers/ friends for? b) If the answer to the question is yes, what have you done? c) If the answer to the question is no, what do you plan to do? d) Are holidays a good time to express gratitude? e) Which holidays are the most appropriate? 3. Summarize the main idea The Main Idea
STEP FIVE: Consolidation (8) b. Practice STEP SIX. meor a. Oral: 1. Review the understand ing of the text and preview the language items of the text Comprehension(P163-P164) b Written: Nothing Teaching Period 10 (3-4) Reference book: (New) Integrated Course 3 Student 's and Teaching' s book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice Objective: To grasp some useful words and phrases and have a better understanding of Text A Important Point: Grasping the useful words and phrases in the text Difficult Point: Putting the words and phrases into practical use Processes: STEP ONE. Organization STEP TWO Revision a Revising the understanding of Text A Retell the story b. Check the homework STEP THREE Introductio a. Tell the Ss that in these two periods, we are going to learn some useful words and STEP FOUR: ew lesso (80) 1. under way: in motion or operation, having started and making progres E.g. 1) The nationwide med ical reform is now under way 2)Preparations for the 100% anniversary celebration are now well under ay. 2. put away: remove(sth)to a place where it is usually stored E. g. 1)The kids are asked to put all the toys away in the cupboard 2)You wash the dishes and I'll put them away in the cupboard 3. get to sth /doing sth: begin to give serious attention to or deal with E.g 1) Recently I've got to wondering why I am doing the part-time job 2)I'll get to the accounts as soon as I can 4. and the rest and so on e.g. 1)The patient can have apples, apple juice, apple sauce, and the rest 2) The citizens are interested in the governments policies on sucl important issues as health, education, tax, and the rest 5. in quest of: seeking e.g. 1) Tony went to the school library in quest of Mark Twain's novels
STEP FIVE: Consolidation ( 8’ ) a. Summary b. Practice STEP SIX: Homework ( 1’ ) a. Oral: 1. Review the understanding of the text and preview the language items of the text; Comprehension (P163-P164) b. Written: Nothing Teaching Period : 10 (3-4) Reference Book: (New) Integrated Course 3 Student’s and Teaching’s Book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice Objective: To grasp some useful words and phrases and have a better understanding of Text A Important Point: Grasping the useful words and phrases in the text Difficult Point: Putting the words and phrases into practical use Processes: STEP ONE: Organization ( 1’ ) STEP TWO: Revision ( 10’ ) a. Revising the understanding of Text A 1. Retell the story b. Check the homework STEP THREE: Introduction ( 1’ ) a. Tell the Ss that in these two periods, we are going to learn some useful words and phrases. STEP FOUR: New Lesson ( 80’ ) 1. under way: in motion or operation, having started and making progress. E.g. 1) The nationwide medical reform is now under way. 2) Preparations for the 100% anniversary celebration are now well under way. 2. put away: remove (sth) to a place where it is usually stored. E.g. 1) The kids are asked to put all the toys away in the cupboard. 2) You wash the dishes and I’ll put them away in the cupboard. 3. get to sth./ doing sth: begin to give serious attention to or deal with. E.g 1) Recently I’ve got to wondering why I am doing the part-time job. 2) I’ll get to the accounts as soon as I can. 4. and the rest: and so on e.g. 1) The patient can have apples, apple juice, apple sauce, and the rest. 2) The citizens are interested in the government’s policies on such important issues as health, education, tax, and the rest. 5. in quest of: seeking e.g. 1) Tony went to the school library in quest of Mark Twain’s novels
2)He has traveled half way round the country in quest of the truth about his son's death 6. reverse: turn around to the opposite direction; exchange the position of e.g. 1) They have made it clear that they will not reverse the decision to increase prices 2)Why don't you reverse the order so that I play first and she plays 7. turn over: think about. consider e.g. 1) Even when she didnt say anything you could see her turning things over in her mind 2)I sat quietly, turning over the problem 8. repay: pay back, reward e.g. 1)Peter's previous work with us has played an important role in our success, and we will repay him for his efforts some day 2)The graduate failed to repay the loan and the finance company decided to take legal action 9. sincere: not pretending, honest e.g. 1) Any readers who feel annoyed please accept my sincere apologies 2)Id like to express my sincere thanks and love to my family for all their help and support 10. swallowing hard: If you swallow, you make a movement in your throat as if you are swallowing sth, often because you are nervous or frightened Here the author tried to control his sad emotions by doing it 11. gratitude: being thankful, thankfulness( followed by to sb. /for sth e.g. 1)I should like to express my gratitude to all members of the laboratory ast and present for their contribution to the breakthrough 2)What she felt for David was not love but gratitude 12. statement: sth that is said or written, esp. formally and officially e.g. 1) The trade union issued a statement opposing racial discrimination 2)In his newly-published book, Williams made a number pf statements about modern life 13. specific: relating to one thing and not others; particular e.g. 1) The new system made it easier for employees to recruit workers based 2)Do you have any specific skills that will be of use to you in the job you apply ing for 14. on ones behalf/ on the behalf of sb. For sb: in the interests of sb: as the representative of sb e.g 1)On the behalf of my parents, I would like to express my gratitude to you for your help 2)He delivered a speech on the behalf of all the graduates on Graduation D 15. Impress a fix in sbs mind make the importance of sth very clear to sb. (used in the
2) He has traveled half way round the country in quest of the truth about his son’s death. 6. reverse: turn around to the opposite direction; exchange the position of e.g. 1) They have made it clear that they will not reverse the decision to increase prices. 2) Why don’t you reverse the order so that I play first and she plays second? 7. turn over: think about, consider e.g. 1) Even when she didn’t say anything you could see her turning things over in her mind. 2) I sat quietly, turning over the problem. 8. repay: pay back, reward e.g. 1) Peter’s previous work with us has played an important role in our success, and we will repay him for his efforts some day. 2) The graduate failed to repay the loan and the finance company decided to take legal action. 9. sincere: not pretending, honest e.g. 1) Any readers who feel annoyed please accept my sincere apologies. 2) I’d like to express my sincere thanks and love to my family for all their help and support. 10. swallowing hard: If you swallow, you make a movement in your throat as if you are swallowing sth, often because you are nervous or frightened. Here the author tried to control his sad emotions by doing it. 11. gratitude: being thankful, thankfulness( followed by to sb./ for sth.) e.g. 1) I should like to express my gratitude to all members of the laboratory past and present for their contribution to the breakthrough. 2) What she felt for David was not love but gratitude. 12. statement: sth. that is said or written, esp. formally and officially. e.g. 1) The trade union issued a statement opposing racial discrimination. 2) In his newly-published book, Williams made a number pf statements about modern life. 13. specific: relating to one thing and not others; particular e.g. 1) The new system made it easier for employees to recruit workers based on specific needs. 2) Do you have any specific skills that will be of use to you in the job you are applying for? 14. on one’s behalf/ on the behalf of sb.: For sb; in the interests of sb; as the representative of sb. e.g 1) On the behalf of my parents, I would like to express my gratitude to you for your help. 2) He delivered a speech on the behalf of all the graduates on Graduation Day. 15. impress :a. fix in sb’s mind: make the importance of sth very clear to sb. (used in the
patterns; impress upon/ on sb that; impress upon/on sb. sth e.g. 1)I have always impressed upon my students that if they work hard they will succeed in life 2)The teacher tried to impress on his students the necessity of being b cause sb to feel admiration or respect e.g. 1)Most students liked to talk a lot because they thought it would impress the professors 2)Wanting to impress his girl friend, Dustin bought a suit for their first 16. diminish: make or become smaller or less e.g. 1) Her patience with the children diminished as the hours went by 2)Time will not diminish our friendship 17. expose: leave uncovered; make accessible to(often used in the pattern: be exposed to) g 1) The immigrants children exposed to American pop culture often rebel when their parents try to impose the conservative values they brought witI them 2)It is feared that people living near the power station may have been exposed to radiation 18. immerse: cover completely in a liquid absorb deeply e.g. 1) I held my breath and completely immersed myself in the water, try ing to stay under for as long as possible 2)John was so immersed in play ing the computer games that he was unaware of things happening round him 19. marvelous: causing wonder, excellent e.g. 1)I have got some marvelous news for you -- you're going to be promoted 2)It's marvelous that we can at last buy our own house 20. assemble a. bring to call together into a group e.g. 1) The members of the tour group assembled at the airport for departure 2)Delegates were assembling in Geneva for the conference b. fit together the parts or piece of e.g. 1) It took me less than an hour to assemble the bookcase 2)It's one of those beds that you have to assemble yourself c. get and put together sth such as proof or information in an organized e.g. 1)We will let you have the report as soon as we have assembled all the 2)The lawyer is assembling evidence concerning a murder case STEP FIVE: Consolid ation b. Su b. Practice
patterns; impress upon/ on sb that; impress upon/on sb. sth.) e.g. 1) I have always impressed upon my students that if they work hard they will succeed in life. 2) The teacher tried to impress on his students the necessity of being honest. b. cause sb. to feel admiration or respect e.g. 1) Most students liked to talk a lot because they thought it would impress the professors. 2) Wanting to impress his girl friend, Dustin bought a suit for their first date. 16. diminish: make or become smaller or less e.g. 1) Her patience with the children diminished as the hours went by. 2) Time will not diminish our friendship. 17. expose: leave uncovered; make accessible to (often used in the pattern: be exposed to) e.g. 1) The immigrants’ children exposed to American pop culture often rebel when their parents try to impose the conservative values they brought with them. 2) It is feared that people living near the power station may have been exposed to radiation. 18. immerse: cover completely in a liquid; absorb deeply e.g. 1) I held my breath and completely immersed myself in the water, trying to stay under for as long as possible. 2) John was so immersed in playing the computer games that he was unaware of things happening round him. 19. marvelous: causing wonder, excellent e.g. 1) I have got some marvelous news for you --- you’re going to be promoted. 2) It’s marvelous that we can at last buy our own house. 20. assemble: a. bring to call together into a group e.g. 1) The members of the tour group assembled at the airport for departure. 2) Delegates were assembling in Geneva for the conference. b. fit together the parts or piece of e.g. 1) It took me less than an hour to assemble the bookcase. 2) It’s one of those beds that you have to assemble yourself. c. get and put together sth such as proof or information in an organized way e.g. 1) We will let you have the report as soon as we have assembled all the data. 2) The lawyer is assembling evidence concerning a murder case. STEP FIVE: Consolidation ( 7’ ) b. Summary b. Practice
STEP SIX Homework a. Oral C Writt, nguage Focus P168-P12 econd part of the words and phrases 2. Review .. and preview the Nothing Teaching Period 10 (5-6) Reference book: (New) Integrated Course 3 Student 's and Teaching's book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice Objective: To grasp some useful words and phrases and have a better understanding of Text A Important Point: Grasping the useful words and phrases in the text Difficult Point: Putting the words and phrases into practical use Processes: STEP ONE Organization STEP TWO Revision a. Review the first part of the words and phrases b. Check the homework STEP THREE Introduction a. Tell the Ss that in these two periods, we are going to learn some useful words and STEP FOUR. New lesson (803) 1. considerate: thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others; marked by careful thought( following by e.g. 1) Friendly and considerate, he invariably consults with people around him before taking decisions 2)Management should be considerate of the well-being and interests of employees 2. .. the equal of which I had not found since: since then I hadnt found any cooking as good as her e.g. 1)Sprinkle the meat with salt and place it in the pal r in small drops 3. sprinkle: scatter( drops or particles of sth)on sth; scatte 2)Unfortunately, the textbook is sprinkled with errors 3)Cheese can be sprinkled on egg or vegetable dishes 4. unload: remove(the load or cargo) from a ship, car, etc e.g. 1)Unload everything from the boat and clean it thoroughly 2) My son helped me unload the 5. accord nt e.g. 1)The headmaster accorded me permission to attend the seminar. 2)In Islamic law men and women are not
STEP SIX: Homework ( 1’ ) a. Oral: 2. Review … and preview the second part of the words and phrases 3. Language Focus P168-P172 c.Written: Nothing Teaching Period : 10 (5-6) Reference Book: (New) Integrated Course 3 Student’s and Teaching’s Book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice Objective: To grasp some useful words and phrases and have a better understanding of Text A Important Point: Grasping the useful words and phrases in the text Difficult Point: Putting the words and phrases into practical use Processes: STEP ONE: Organization ( 1’ ) STEP TWO: Revision ( 10’ ) a. Review the first part of the words and phrases b. Check the homework STEP THREE: Introduction ( 1’ ) a. Tell the Ss that in these two periods, we are going to learn some useful words and phrases. STEP FOUR: New Lesson ( 80’ ) 1. considerate: thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others; marked by careful thought ( following by of) e.g. 1) Friendly and considerate, he invariably consults with people around him before taking decisions 2) Management should be considerate of the well-being and interests of employees 2. …the equal of which I had not found since: since then I hadn’t found any cooking as good as hers. 3. sprinkle: scatter( drops or particles of sth) on sth; scatter in small drops e.g. 1) Sprinkle the meat with salt and place it in the pan. 2) Unfortunately, the textbook is sprinkled with errors. 3) Cheese can be sprinkled on egg or vegetable dishes. 4. unload: remove(the load or cargo) from a ship, car, etc e.g. 1) Unload everything from the boat and clean it thoroughly. 2) My son helped me unload the 5. accord: a. grant e.g. 1) The headmaster accorded me permission to attend the seminar. 2) In Islamic law men and women are not
accorded the same right b. be in agreement(followed by with) e.g. 1)His behavior doesn t accord with his principle 2)His version of events does not accord with witnesses statement 6. successive: following one after the other g. 1)After four successive election defeats, the Labour Party once again faces he painful task of reconstruction 2) The Brazilian mens soccer team has won three successive games so 7. in turn: one by one e.g. 1) Peter passed the diary to the clerk of the court, who in turn passed it to 2) The freshmen called out their manes in turn 3) For years he struggled in turn as a farmer, an agent, and an accountant 8. amid in the middle of, among e.g. 1)The children were changing classrooms amid laughter and shouts 2)Amid the confusion, the two men slipped away quietly without being noticed 9. undergo: go through, experience e.g. 1) No one can force you to undergo a medical examination 2)Two designers from the Shenzhou lli project said that 12 astronauts now are undergoing intensIve training 10. swift: rapid, prompt e.g. 1)Because of the swift, enormous growth of the urban areas many farmer left their villages in quest of work 2)The Olympic motto is Citius-Altius-Fortius. These words mean Swifter, igher, Str 11. appreciate: recognize the quality or significance of, value e.g. 1) Professor Smith's general comments may help students to appreciate the theories in the textbook 2)I like and appreciate your honesty and frankness 3) You cant fully appreciate foreign literature in translation 12. bring back cause to return to the mind e.g. 1)The lyric always brought back good memories of my childhood 2)The old photographs brought 13. in a flash: instantly e.g. 1)The answer to the math question came to him in a flash over in a 14.. representing my Grandma's recent hours invested in expressing her ng grat Being proof that my Grandma has spent hours recently in expressing her loving gratefulness to me 15. go about move around, behave in society, keep busy doing sth. set about
accorded the same right. b. be in agreement(followed by with) e.g. 1) His behavior doesn’t accord with his principle. 2) His version of events does not accord with witnesses’statement. 6. successive: following one after the other e.g. 1) After four successive election defeats, the Labour Party once again faces the painful task of reconstruction. 2) The Brazilian men’s soccer team has won three successive games so far. 7. in turn: one by one e.g. 1) Peter passed the diary to the clerk of the court, who in turn passed it to the judge. 2) The freshmen called out their manes in turn. 3) For years he struggled in turn as a farmer, an agent, and an accountant. 8. amid: in the middle of , among e.g. 1) The children were changing classrooms amid laughter and shouts. 2) Amid the confusion, the two men slipped away quietly without being noticed. 9. undergo: go through, experience e.g. 1) No one can force you to undergo a medical examination. 2) Two designers from the Shenzhou III project said that 12 astronauts now are undergoing intensive training. 10. swift: rapid, prompt e.g. 1) Because of the swift, enormous growth of the urban areas many farmers left their villages in quest of work. 2) The Olympic motto is Citius –Altius- Fortius. These words mean Swifter, Higher, Stronger. 11. appreciate: recognize the quality or significance of , value e.g. 1) Professor Smith’s general comments may help students to appreciate the theories in the textbook. 2) I like and appreciate your honesty and frankness. 3) You can’t fully appreciate foreign literature in translation. 12. bring back: cause to return to the mind e.g. 1) The lyric always brought back good memories of my childhood. 2) The old photographs brought back many pleasant memories of my college life. 13. in a flash: instantly e.g. 1) The answer to the math question came to him in a flash. 2) The ceremony was all over in a flash. 14. …representing my Grandma’s recent hours invested in expressing her loving gratefulness to me: Being proof that my Grandma has spent hours recently in expressing her loving gratefulness to me 15. go about: move around, behave in society, keep busy doing sth.; set about
g. 1) Some people go about telling untrue stories 2)It's unprofessional to go about criticizing your colleagues 3)Despite the threat of war, people went about their work as usual 4) You are not going about the job in the right way 16. in secret: secretly e.g. 1) The negotiations were meeting in secret for several months before the eace agreement was reached 2)We found that Mary had been meeting her boyfriend in secret 17. quote: repeat or copy the words of(another) e.g. 1) To close, I would like to quote Benjamin Franklin, One should eat to live. not live to eat 2)Nothing gives an author greater pleasure than to find his works respectfully quoted by other authors STEP FIVE Consolidation b. Practice STEP SIX Homework a. Oral 1. Review.. and preview the structures and long sentences of the text 2. Language Focus P168-175 b. Written 1. nothing Teaching Period 10(7-8) Reference book: (New) Integrated Course 3 Student's and Teaching's book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice Objective To grasp some useful structures, understand some difficult sentences and check the exercises in part li Important Point: Grasping some useful structures and understand ing some difficult sentences Difficult Point: Practising the usage of the structures Processes STEP ONE STEP TWO Revision a. Revising the words and phrases of Text A (Usage) b. Check the homework STEP THREE: Introduction a. Tell the Ss that in these two periods, we are going to deal with some important structures and difficult sentences in Text A and check the exercises of part II
e.g. 1) Some people go about telling untrue stories. 2) It’s unprofessional to go about criticizing your colleagues. 3) Despite the threat of war, people went about their work as usual. 4) You are not going about the job in the right way. 16. in secret: secretly e.g. 1) The negotiations were meeting in secret for several months before the peace agreement was reached. 2) We found that Mary had been meeting her boyfriend in secret. 17. quote: repeat or copy the words of (another) e.g. 1) To close, I would like to quote Benjamin Franklin,” One should eat to live, not live to eat.” 2) Nothing gives an author greater pleasure than to find his works respectfully quoted by other authors. STEP FIVE: Consolidation ( 7’ ) a. Summary b. Practice STEP SIX: Homework ( 1’ ) a. Oral: 1.Review … and preview the structures and long sentences of the text; 2.Language Focus P168-175 b. Written: 1. nothing Teaching Period : 10 (7-8) Reference Book: (New) Integrated Course 3 Student’s and Teaching’s Book Teaching Method: Combining explanation and practice Objective: To grasp some useful structures, understand some difficult sentences and check the exercises in Part II Important Point: Grasping some useful structures and understanding some difficult sentences Difficult Point: Practising the usage of the structures Processes: STEP ONE: Organization ( 1’ ) STEP TWO: Revision ( 7’ ) a. Revising the words and phrases of Text A (Usage) b. Check the homework STEP THREE: Introduction ( 1’ ) a. Tell the Ss that in these two periods, we are going to deal with some important structures and difficult sentences in Text A and check the exercises of Part II
STEP FOUR. New lesson a Important structures and difficult sentences in Text A The Translation of each paragraph Alex Haley served in the Coast Guard during World War Il. On an especially lonely day to be at sea--Thanksgiving Day -he began to give serious thought to a holiday that has become, for many Americans, a day of overeating and watching endless games of football. Haley decided to celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving by writing three very special letters 亚历克斯·黑利二战时在海岸警卫队服役。出海在外,时逢一个倍感孤寂 的日子一一感恩节,他开始认真思考起这一节日的意义。对许多美国人而言,这 个节日已成为大吃大喝、没完没了地看橄榄球比赛的日子。黑利决定写三封不同 寻常的信,以此来纪念感恩节的真正意义 Writing three thank-You letters Alex Haley 1 It was 1943, during World War II, and I was a young U.s. coastguardsman My ship, the USS Murzim, had been under way for several days. Most of her holds contained thousands of cartons of canned or dried foods The other holds were loaded with five-hundred-pound bombs packed delicately in padded racks. Our destination was a big base on the island of Tulagi in the South Pacific 写三封感谢信 亚利克斯·黑利 那是在二战期间的1943年,我是个年轻的美国海岸警卫队队员。我们的 船,美国军舰军市一号已出海多日。多数船舱装着成千上万箱罐装或风干的食品 其余的船舱装着不少五百磅重的炸弹,都小心翼翼地放在垫过的架子上。我们的 目的地是南太平洋图拉吉岛上一个规模很大的基地。 2 I was one of the Murzim s several cooks and, quite the same as for folk ashore this Thanksgiv ing morning had seen us busily preparing a traditional dinner featuring roast turkey 我是军市一号上的一个厨师,跟岸上的人一样,那个感恩节的上午,我们 忙着在准备一道以烤火鸡为主的传统菜肴。 3 Well, as any cook knows, it's a lot of hard work to cook and serve a big meal, and clean up and put everything away. But finally, around sundown, we finished at last 当厨师的都知道,要烹制一顿大餐,摆上桌,再刷洗、收拾干净,是件辛 苦的事。不过,等到太阳快下山时,我们总算全都收拾停当了。 decided first to go out on the Murzim s afterdeck for a breath of open air. I made my way out there breathing in great, deep draughts while walking slowly about still wearing my white cook's hat 我想先去后甲板透透气。我信步走去,一边深深呼吸着空气,一边慢慢地 踱着步,头上仍戴着那顶白色的厨师帽。 5 I got to thinking about Thanksgiving, of the pilgrims, Ind ians, wild turkeys, pumpkins, corn on the cob, and the rest 我开始思索起感恩节这个节日来 想着清教徒前辈移民、印第安人、野火鸡、南瓜、玉米棒等等」
STEP FOUR: New Lesson ( 80＇ ) a. Important structures and difficult sentences in Text A The Translation of each paragraph: Alex Haley served in the Coast Guard during World War ll. On an especially lonely day to be at sea -- Thanksgiving Day -- he began to give serious thought to a holiday that has become, for many Americans, a day of overeating and watching endless games of football. Haley decided to celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving by writing three very special letters. 亚历克斯·黑利二战时在海岸警卫队服役。出海在外，时逢一个倍感孤寂 的日子――感恩节，他开始认真思考起这一节日的意义。对许多美国人而言，这 个节日已成为大吃大喝、没完没了地看橄榄球比赛的日子。黑利决定写三封不同 寻常的信，以此来纪念感恩节的真正意义。 Writing Three Thank-You Letters Alex Haley 1 It was 1943, during World War II, and I was a young U. S. coastguardsman. My ship, the USS Murzim, had been under way for several days. Most of her holds contained thousands of cartons of canned or dried foods. The other holds were loaded with five-hundred-pound bombs packed delicately in padded racks. Our destination was a big base on the island of Tulagi in the South Pacific. 写三封感谢信 亚利克斯·黑利 那是在二战期间的 1943 年，我是个年轻的美国海岸警卫队队员。我们的 船，美国军舰军市一号已出海多日。多数船舱装着成千上万箱罐装或风干的食品。 其余的船舱装着不少五百磅重的炸弹，都小心翼翼地放在垫过的架子上。我们的 目的地是南太平洋图拉吉岛上一个规模很大的基地。 2 I was one of the Murzim's several cooks and, quite the same as for folk ashore, this Thanksgiving morning had seen us busily preparing a traditional dinner featuring roast turkey. 我是军市一号上的一个厨师，跟岸上的人一样，那个感恩节的上午，我们 忙着在准备一道以烤火鸡为主的传统菜肴。 3 Well, as any cook knows, it's a lot of hard work to cook and serve a big meal, and clean up and put everything away. But finally, around sundown, we finished at last. 当厨师的都知道，要烹制一顿大餐，摆上桌，再刷洗、收拾干净，是件辛 苦的事。不过，等到太阳快下山时，我们总算全都收拾停当了。 4 I decided first to go out on the Murzim's afterdeck for a breath of open air. I made my way out there, breathing in great, deep draughts while walking slowly about, still wearing my white cook's hat. 我想先去后甲板透透气。我信步走去，一边深深呼吸着空气，一边慢慢地 踱着步，头上仍戴着那顶白色的厨师帽。 5 I got to thinking about Thanksgiving, of the Pilgrims, Indians, wild turkeys, pumpkins, corn on the cob, and the rest. 我开始思索起感恩节这个节日来， 想着清教徒前辈移民、印第安人、野火鸡、南瓜、玉米棒等等
6 Yet my mind seemed to be in quest of something else - some way that I could ally apply to the close of Thanksgiving. It must have taken me a half hour to ksgiving"-at least that suggested a verbal direction, "Giving thanks, e word that maybe some key to an answer could result from reversing th 可我脑子里似乎还在搜索着别的事什么一一某种我能够赋予这一节日以 个人意义的方式。大概过了半个小时左右我才意识到,问题的关键也许在于把 Thanksgiving这个字前后颠倒一下一一那样一来至少文字好懂了: Giving thanks 7 Giving thanks --as in praying, thanking God, I thought. Yes, of course Certainly 表达谢意一一就如在祈祷时感谢上帝那样,我暗想。对啊,是这样,当然 是这样。 8 Yet my mind continued turning the idea over 可我脑子里仍一直盘桓着这事 9 After a while like a dawns brightening, a further answer did come- that there were people to thank, people who had done so much for me that I could never possibly repay them. The embarrassing truth was Id always just accepted what they'd done, taken all of it for granted. Not one time had I ever bothered to express to any of them so much as a simple, sincere"Thank you 过了片刻,如同晨曦初现,一个更清晰的念头终于涌现脑际一一要感谢他 人,那些赐我以诸多恩惠,我根本无以回报的人们。令我深感不安的实际情形是, 我向来对他们所做的一切受之泰然,认为是理所应当。我一次也没想过要对他们 中的任何一位真心诚意地说一句简单的谢谢 0 At least seven people had been particularly and lastingly helpful to me realized, swallowing hard, that about half of them had since died -so they were forever beyond any possible expression of gratitude from me. The more I thought about it, the more ashamed I became. Then I pictured the three who were still alive and within minutes i was down in my cabin 至少有七个人对我有过不同寻常、影响深远的帮助。令人难过的是,我意 识到,他们中有一半已经过世了一一因此他们永远也无法接受我的谢意了。我越 想越感到羞愧。最后我想到了仍健在的三位,几分钟后,我就回到了自己的舱房 11 Sitting at a table with writing paper and memories of things each had done, I tried composing genuine statements of heartfelt appreciation and grat itude to my dad Simon A. Haley, a professor at the old Agricultural Mechanical Normal College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; to my grandma, Cynthia Palmer, back in our little hometown of Henning, Tennessee; and to the rev. Lonual Nelson, my grammar school princ ipal retired and living in ripley, six miles north of Henning 我坐在摊着信纸的桌旁,回想着他们各自对我所做的一切,试图用真挚的 文字表达我对他们的由衷的感激之情:父亲西蒙·A·黑利,阿肯色州派因布拉 夫那所古老的农业机械师范学院的教授;住在田纳西州小镇亨宁老家的外祖母辛 西娅·帕尔默;以及我的文法学校校长,退休后住在亨宁以北6英里处的里普利 的洛纽尔·纳尔逊牧师。 12 The texts of my letters began something like, "Here, this Thank sgiv ing at sea I find my thoughts upon how much you have done for me, but I have never stopped and said to you how much I feel the need to thank you -"And briefly I recalled for
6 Yet my mind seemed to be in quest of something else -- some way that I could personally apply to the close of Thanksgiving. It must have taken me a half hour to sense that maybe some key to an answer could result from reversing the word "Thanksgiving" -- at least that suggested a verbal direction, "Giving thanks." 可我脑子里似乎还在搜索着别的事什么――某种我能够赋予这一节日以 个人意义的方式。大概过了半个小时左右我才意识到，问题的关键也许在于把 Thanksgiving 这个字前后颠倒一下――那样一来至少文字好懂了：Giving thanks。 7 Giving thanks -- as in praying, thanking God, I thought. Yes, of course. Certainly. 表达谢意――就如在祈祷时感谢上帝那样，我暗想。对啊，是这样，当然 是这样。 8 Yet my mind continued turning the idea over. 可我脑子里仍一直盘桓着这事。 9 After a while, like a dawn's brightening, a further answer did come -- that there were people to thank, people who had done so much for me that I could never possibly repay them. The embarrassing truth was I'd always just accepted what they'd done, taken all of it for granted. Not one time had I ever bothered to express to any of them so much as a simple, sincere "Thank you." 过了片刻，如同晨曦初现，一个更清晰的念头终于涌现脑际――要感谢他 人，那些赐我以诸多恩惠，我根本无以回报的人们。令我深感不安的实际情形是， 我向来对他们所做的一切受之泰然，认为是理所应当。我一次也没想过要对他们 中的任何一位真心诚意地说一句简单的谢谢。 10 At least seven people had been particularly and lastingly helpful to me. I realized, swallowing hard, that about half of them had since died -- so they were forever beyond any possible expression of gratitude from me. The more I thought about it, the more ashamed I became. Then I pictured the three who were still alive and, within minutes, I was down in my cabin. 至少有七个人对我有过不同寻常、影响深远的帮助。令人难过的是，我意 识到，他们中有一半已经过世了――因此他们永远也无法接受我的谢意了。我越 想越感到羞愧。最后我想到了仍健在的三位，几分钟后，我就回到了自己的舱房。 11 Sitting at a table with writing paper and memories of things each had done, I tried composing genuine statements of heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to my dad, Simon A. Haley, a professor at the old Agricultural Mechanical Normal College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; to my grandma, Cynthia Palmer, back in our little hometown of Henning, Tennessee; and to the Rev. Lonual Nelson, my grammar school principal, retired and living in Ripley, six miles north of Henning. 我坐在摊着信纸的桌旁，回想着他们各自对我所做的一切，试图用真挚的 文字表达我对他们的由衷的感激之情：父亲西蒙·A·黑利，阿肯色州派因布拉 夫那所古老的农业机械师范学院的教授；住在田纳西州小镇亨宁老家的外祖母辛 西娅·帕尔默；以及我的文法学校校长，退休后住在亨宁以北 6 英里处的里普利 的洛纽尔·纳尔逊牧师。 12 The texts of my letters began something like, "Here, this Thanksgiving at sea, I find my thoughts upon how much you have done for me, but I have never stopped and said to you how much I feel the need to thank you -- " And briefly I recalled for
each of them specific acts performed on my behalf. 我的信是这样开头的:“出海在外度过的这个感恩节,令我回想起您为我 做了那么多事,但我从来没有对您说过自己是多么想感谢您一一”我简短回忆了 各位为我所做的具体事例。 13 For instance, something uppermost about my father was how he had impressed upon me from boyhood to love books and reading. In fact, this graduated into a family habit of after-dinner quizzes at the table about books read most recently and new words learned. My love of books never d iminished and later led me toward writing books myself. So many times I have felt a sadness when exposed to modern children so immersed in the electronic med ia that they have little or no awareness of the marvelous world to be discovered in books 例如,我父亲的最不同寻常之处在于,从我童年时代起,他就让我深深意 识到要热爱书籍、热爱阅读。事实上,这一爱好渐渐变成一种家庭习惯,晚饭后 大家围在餐桌旁互相考查近日所读的书以及新学的单词。我对书籍的热爱从未减 弱,日后还引导我自己撰文著书。多少次,当我看到如今的孩子们如此沉迷于电 子媒体时,我不由深感悲哀,他们很少,或者根本不了解书中所能发现的神奇世 14 I reminded the Reverend Nelson how each morning he would open our little country town,s grammar school with a prayer over his assembled students. I told him that whatever positive things I had done since had been influenced at least in part by his morning school prayers 我跟纳尔逊牧师提及他如何每天清晨和集合在一起的学生做祷告,以此开 始乡村小学的一天。我告诉他,我后来所做的任何有意义的事,都至少部分地是 受了他那些学校晨祷的影响。 15 In the letter to my grandmother, I reminded her of a dozen ways she used to teach me how to tell the truth to share. and to be forgiving and considerate of others I thanked her for the years of eating her good cooking, the equal of which I had not found since. Finally, I thanked her simply for having sprinkled my life with stardust 在给外祖母的信中,我谈到了她用了种种方式教我讲真话,教我与人分享, 教我宽恕、体谅他人。我感谢她多年来让我吃到她烧的美味菜肴,离开她后我从 来没吃过那么可口的菜肴。最后,我感谢她,因为她在我的生命中撒下美妙的遐 想 16 Before I slept, my three letters went into our ship,s office mail sack. They got mailed when we reached Tulagi Island 睡觉前,我的这三封信都送进了船上的邮袋。我们抵达图拉吉岛后都寄了 出去。 We unloaded cargo, reloaded with something else, then again we put to sea in the routine familiar to us, and as the days became weeks, my little personal experience receded. Sometimes, when we were at sea, a mail ship would rendezvous and bring us mail from home, which, of course, we accorded topmost priority 我们卸了货,又装了其它物品,随后我们按熟悉的常规,再次出海 天又一天,一星期又一星期,我个人的经历渐渐淡忘。我们在海上航行时,有时 会与邮船会合,邮船会带给我们家信,当然这是我们视为最紧要的事情。 18 Every time the ship's loudspeaker rasped, Attention! Mail call! "two
each of them specific acts performed on my behalf. 我的信是这样开头的：“出海在外度过的这个感恩节，令我回想起您为我 做了那么多事，但我从来没有对您说过自己是多么想感谢您――”我简短回忆了 各位为我所做的具体事例。 13 For instance, something uppermost about my father was how he had impressed upon me from boyhood to love books and reading. In fact, this graduated into a family habit of after-dinner quizzes at the table about books read most recently and new words learned. My love of books never diminished and later led me toward writing books myself. So many times I have felt a sadness when exposed to modern children so immersed in the electronic media that they have little or no awareness of the marvelous world to be discovered in books. 例如，我父亲的最不同寻常之处在于，从我童年时代起，他就让我深深意 识到要热爱书籍、热爱阅读。事实上，这一爱好渐渐变成一种家庭习惯，晚饭后 大家围在餐桌旁互相考查近日所读的书以及新学的单词。我对书籍的热爱从未减 弱，日后还引导我自己撰文著书。多少次，当我看到如今的孩子们如此沉迷于电 子媒体时，我不由深感悲哀，他们很少，或者根本不了解书中所能发现的神奇世 界。 14 I reminded the Reverend Nelson how each morning he would open our little country town's grammar school with a prayer over his assembled students. I told him that whatever positive things I had done since had been influenced at least in part by his morning school prayers. 我跟纳尔逊牧师提及他如何每天清晨和集合在一起的学生做祷告，以此开 始乡村小学的一天。我告诉他，我后来所做的任何有意义的事，都至少部分地是 受了他那些学校晨祷的影响。 15 In the letter to my grandmother, I reminded her of a dozen ways she used to teach me how to tell the truth, to share, and to be forgiving and considerate of others. I thanked her for the years of eating her good cooking, the equal of which I had not found since. Finally, I thanked her simply for having sprinkled my life with stardust. 在给外祖母的信中，我谈到了她用了种种方式教我讲真话，教我与人分享， 教我宽恕、体谅他人。我感谢她多年来让我吃到她烧的美味菜肴，离开她后我从 来没吃过那么可口的菜肴。最后，我感谢她，因为她在我的生命中撒下美妙的遐 想。 16 Before I slept, my three letters went into our ship's office mail sack. They got mailed when we reached Tulagi Island. 睡觉前，我的这三封信都送进了船上的邮袋。我们抵达图拉吉岛后都寄了 出去。 17 We unloaded cargo, reloaded with something else, then again we put to sea in the routine familiar to us, and as the days became weeks, my little personal experience receded. Sometimes, when we were at sea, a mail ship would rendezvous and bring us mail from home, which, of course, we accorded topmost priority. 我们卸了货，又装了其它物品，随后我们按熟悉的常规，再次出海。 一 天又一天，一星期又一星期，我个人的经历渐渐淡忘。我们在海上航行时，有时 会与邮船会合，邮船会带给我们家信，当然这是我们视为最紧要的事情。 18 Every time the ship's loudspeaker rasped, "Attention! Mail call!" two
