Unit 6 Section A As His Name ls. so is hel I Background Information he passage reveals the relationship between one's personality and one's name. Names can greatly affect peoples life. On the one hand, good names give people more self-confidence, establish favorable images and promote social status. On the other hand, names result in prejudices against people both in their daily contacts with others and in classroom activities. So if your name doesnt suit you, you should change it as soon as possible. For this reading, we have many proper names, which contain cultural background. The following is a brief introduction and explanation of the names that appeared in the reading passage 1)Debbie represents the personality characteristics of generous, understanding, honest, creative and intense. It is a short name of Deborah originally from a Hebrew name for a woman described in the old Testament history of the bible 2)Lynne or Lynn represents the personality characteristics of sensitive, deeply artistic and creative,intense, and nature-lover and comes from Welsh meaning"lake"or is a short form of Linda (Spanish), or Belinda(ltalian), both meaning"beautiful 3)Webster represents the personality characteristics of original, inventive, friendly, positive outspoken, and procrastinator and comes from Old English, meaning"weaver 4)Joe represents the personality characteristics of spontaneous, social, easy-going, warm, generous, lacking in initiative and is short form of Joseph, ori from a hebrew name of a famous man in the old Testament history of the bible 5)Adrian represents the personality characteristics of diplomatic, friendly, lacking in energy confidence and initiative, and procrastinator. This name is the English form of Hadrian, the name of a roman emperor who built a wall across Northern britain 6) Susan represents the personality characteristics of pleasant, easy-going, friendly, patient social cautious and is a short form of Susanna. It is from the hebrew shoshanna name for a woman in the old Testament history of the bible 7) Harry represents the personality characteristics of individual, reserved, serious, stubborn, alone, loyal, and thoughtful. It is the Medieval English form of Henry, the name of eight kings of
Unit 6 Section A As His Name Is, So Is He! I Background Information he passage reveals the relationship between one’s personality and one’s name. Names can greatly affect people’s life. On the one hand, good names give people more self-confidence, establish favorable images and promote social status. On the other hand, names result in prejudices against people both in their daily contacts with others and in classroom activities. So if your name doesn’t suit you, you should change it as soon as possible. For this reading, we have many proper names, which contain cultural background. The following is a brief introduction and explanation of the names that appeared in the reading passage. 1) Debbie represents the personality characteristics of generous, understanding, honest, creative, and intense. It is a short name of Deborah originally from a Hebrew name for a woman described in the Old Testament history of the Bible. 2) Lynne or Lynn represents the personality characteristics of sensitive, deeply artistic and creative, intense, and nature-lover and comes from Welsh meaning “lake” or is a short form of Linda (Spanish), or Belinda (Italian), both meaning “beautiful”. 3) Webster represents the personality characteristics of original, inventive, friendly, positive, outspoken, and procrastinator and comes from Old English, meaning “weaver”. 4) Joe represents the personality characteristics of spontaneous, social, easy-going, warm, generous, lacking in initiative and is short form of Joseph, originally from a Hebrew name of a famous man in the Old Testament history of the Bible. 5) Adrian represents the personality characteristics of diplomatic, friendly, lacking in energy, confidence and initiative, and procrastinator. This name is the English form of Hadrian, the name of a Roman Emperor who built a wall across Northern Britain. 6) Susan represents the personality characteristics of pleasant, easy-going, friendly, patient, social, cautious and is a short form of Susanna. It is from the Hebrew Shoshanna name for a woman in the Old Testament history of the Bible. 7) Harry represents the personality characteristics of individual, reserved, serious, stubborn, alone, loyal, and thoughtful. It is the Medieval English form of Henry, the name of eight kings of
8)Nigel represents the personality characteristics of imaginative, creative, inconsistent, insecure gullible, talkative and is an Italian form of Neil, or a French name meaning"hero". It is sometimes associated with the Latin niger, meaning "black 9) Bertha represents the personality characteristics of idealistic, generous, kind, caring, possessive and comes from German, meaning"bright, famous". Bertha is well known in German legends as a haracter who sneaks into nurseries and rocks children to sleep 10)Pope Mel is a humorous reference, meant to show how foolish it would be to put the two names together. "Pope"is a title given to the highest authority of the roman Catholic Church in Rome. "Mel "is possibly a short form of either Melvin, or Melanie or Mellissa, and is a playful name which has no meaning in and of itself. 11)Julian represents the personality characteristics of patient, careful, cautious, conservative intense and comes from Julius, the name of the last Roman emperor 12)Rory represents the personality characteristics of practical, logical, analytical, systematic particular, and serious and comes from the Irish Ruaidhri, meaning"red king". It is the name of the last high king of Ireland who reigned in the 12n century 13)Elmer represents the personality characteristics of shrewd, aggressive, decisive, self-centred and independent and comes from Old English, meaning"noble, famous 14)Hubert represents the personality characteristics of pleasant, diplomatic, sensitive, passive, and procrastinator and comes from German, meaning bright heart. The Saint Hubert who lived in the 8th Century is the patron saint ofhunter 15) Michael represents the personality characteristics of clever, responsible, serious elf-confident and independent and is from the Hebrew name Mikhael meaning"who is like God". The New Testament of the bible identifies michael as the archangel who leads heavens armies. He is the patron saint of soldiers 16) Linda represents the personality characteristics of hard worker, careful, patient, independent, reliable, and practical and comes from Spanish or Italian, meaning"beautiful 17) Diane represents the personality characteristics of clever, responsible, friendly, serious, eliable, and independent and comes from the French form of Dianna, originally from the Roman goddess of nature and fertility
England. 8) Nigel represents the personality characteristics of imaginative, creative, inconsistent, insecure, gullible, talkative and is an Italian form of Neil, or a French name meaning “hero”. It is sometimes associated with the Latin niger, meaning “black”. 9) Bertha represents the personality characteristics of idealistic, generous, kind, caring, possessive and comes from German, meaning “bright, famous”. Bertha is well known in German legends as a character who sneaks into nurseries and rocks children to sleep. 10) Pope Mel is a humorous reference, meant to show how foolish it would be to put the two names together. “Pope” is a title given to the highest authority of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome. “Mel” is possibly a short form of either Melvin, or Melanie or Mellissa, and is a playful name which has no meaning in and of itself. 11) Julian represents the personality characteristics of patient, careful, cautious, conservative, intense and comes from Julius, the name of the last Roman emperor. 12) Rory represents the personality characteristics of practical, logical, analytical, systematic, particular, and serious and comes from the Irish Ruaidhri, meaning “red king”. It is the name of the last high king of Ireland who reigned in the 12th century. 13) Elmer represents the personality characteristics of shrewd, aggressive, decisive, self-centred, and independent and comes from Old English, meaning “noble, famous”. 14) Hubert represents the personality characteristics of pleasant, diplomatic, sensitive, passive, and procrastinator and comes from German, meaning “bright heart”. The Saint Hubert who lived in the 8th Century is the patron saint of hunter. 15) Michael represents the personality characteristics of clever, responsible, serious, self-confident and independent and is from the Hebrew name Mikha’el meaning “who is like God”. The New Testament of the Bible identifies Michael as the archangel who leads heaven’s armies. He is the patron saint of soldiers. 16) Linda represents the personality characteristics of hard worker, careful, patient, independent, reliable, and practical and comes from Spanish or Italian, meaning “beautiful”. 17) Diane represents the personality characteristics of clever, responsible, friendly, serious, reliable, and independent and comes from the French form of Dianna, originally from the Roman goddess of nature and fertility
18)Barbara represents the personality characteristics of sensitive, artistic, unstable, and If-conscious and comes from the Greek barbaros, meaning"foreign".Saint Barbara was a woman killed by her father, who was then killed by a bolt of lightening. She is the patron of architects, geologists, stonemasons and artillerymen. 19)Carol represents the personality characteristics of quiet, practical, clever, methodical, creative, inventive, analytical, studious, and moody and is an English feminine form of Carolus meaning song"or"hymn"in English. Note that Carol used to be a masculine name as well but now it is for girls only 20) Cindy represents the personality characteristics of idealistic, proactive, impressionable, eceptive, candid, self-centered, sensitive, imaginative, visionary, and perfectionist. Cindy is a short form of Cynthi which comes from the Greek "Kynthos'", the name of the Greek moon goddess Artemis who was named after the mountain Kynthos on which she and her twin brother Apollo were presumably born II Text analysis Generally speaking, the text can be divided into three Part I( paral-3)A woman known as Debbie changed her name and consequently won success, thus suggesting that names affect one's life Devices for developing it: Citation Part Il(para4-7)Names really help shape favorable images and promote interpersonal relationshi However, names also cause prejudices both in people's characters and in lass- work evaluation Devices for developing it: Exemplification(例证法), Contrast(对比法) Part Ill(para8)If you find your name doesn't fit you, the smartest thing for you to do is to get a better substitute for it Devices for developing it: Suggestion- advancing(建议法) I Language points 1. to feel like sth. doing sth . have a whish or inclination for eg: If you don't feel like reading this book, just put it aside! 2. to substitute A for B: put or use A to replace B
18) Barbara represents the personality characteristics of sensitive, artistic, unstable, and self-conscious and comes from the Greek barbaros, meaning “foreign”. Saint Barbara was a woman killed by her father, who was then killed by a bolt of lightening. She is the patron of architects, geologists, stonemasons and artillerymen. 19) Carol represents the personality characteristics of quiet, practical, clever, methodical, creative, inventive, analytical, studious, and moody and is an English feminine form of Carolus meaning “song” or “hymn” in English. Note that Carol used to be a masculine name as well but now it is for girls only. 20) Cindy represents the personality characteristics of idealistic, proactive, impressionable, receptive, candid, self-centered, sensitive, imaginative, visionary, and perfectionist. Cindy is a short form of Cynthi which comes from the Greek “ Kynthos”, the name of the Greek moon goddess Artemis who was named after the mountain Kynthos on which she and her twin brother Apollo were presumably born. II Text Analysis Generally speaking, the text can be divided into three parts. Part I ( para1-3)A woman known as Debbie changed her name and consequently won success, thus suggesting that names affect one’s life. Devices for developing it: Citation Part II(para4-7)Names really help shape favorable images and promote interpersonal relationship. However, names also cause prejudices both in people’s characters and in class-work evaluation. Devices for developing it: Exemplification (例证法); Contrast (对比法) Part III (para8) If you find your name doesn’t fit you, the smartest thing for you to do is to get a better substitute for it. Devices for developing it: Suggestion-advancing (建议法) III Language Points 1.to feel like sth./ doing sth. : have a whish or inclination for eg: If you don’t feel like reading this book, just put it aside! 2. to substitute A for B: put or use A to replace B
eg: She substituted her middle name for her first name 3. to take sth /sb. seriously (L. 7)treat sth / sb in a serious way eg: Don't joke with her. She takes everything too seriously 4. for better or worse(L. 20)whether the result is good or bad eg: For better or worse, you won t feel regret as long as you have done everything in your ower 5. to convey to (L. 23)make(ideas, feelings, etc. )known to another person eg: My little New Year card conveys to you my true feelings and good wishes 6 to attach…to….(L24) to connect sth. with sth eg: Their victory is closely attached to their unity and cooperation 7. to turn down(L. 34)refuse to consider eg: Her application had been turned down repeatedly, but she never gave up 8 to press for(L 35)to make repeated and demanding request for sth eg:On hearing the signal of pressing for help, they immediately sent a large number of policemen to the spot of the accident to set about rescue work 9. to be ill at ease(L. 37)to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed eg: Attending such a formal party for the first time, she felt ill at ease 10. free from.(L. 38)not influenced or damaged by sth dangerous eg: Troubles are always inevitable in your life, but how to keep your mind free from them depends on what attitudes you hold towards them 11. to be guilty of.(L. 39)be to blame for eg: He was guilty of the trouble he made. 12. to take charge of .(L. 42)to take control of; to become responsible for eg: Those who took charge of the project would be severely punished because of the fatal 13. to stick with . /to be stuck with..(L 58)to keep staying with sth, cannot get rid of eg: As long as you stick with your efforts, you are bound to succeed 14. latter a. being the second of two people, things or groups mentioned before n. the second of two things or people already mentioned eg: The latter should be given more importance in this project
eg: She substituted her middle name for her first name. 3. to take sth./sb. seriously (L. 7) treat sth./sb. in a serious way eg: Don’t joke with her. She takes everything too seriously. 4. for better or worse (L. 20) whether the result is good or bad eg: For better or worse, you won’t feel regret as long as you have done everything in your power. 5. to convey to (L. 23) make (ideas, feelings, etc.) known to another person eg: My little New Year card conveys to you my true feelings and good wishes. 6. to attach ... to … (L. 24) to connect sth. with sth. eg: Their victory is closely attached to their unity and cooperation. 7. to turn down (L. 34) refuse to consider eg: Her application had been turned down repeatedly, but she never gave up. 8. to press for (L. 35) to make repeated and demanding request for sth. eg: On hearing the signal of pressing for help, they immediately sent a large number of policemen to the spot of the accident to set about rescue work.. 9. to be ill at ease (L. 37) to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed eg: Attending such a formal party for the first time, she felt ill at ease. 10. free from … (L. 38) not influenced or damaged by sth. dangerous eg: Troubles are always inevitable in your life, but how to keep your mind free from them depends on what attitudes you hold towards them. 11. to be guilty of … (L. 39) be to blame for eg: He was guilty of the trouble he made. 12.to take charge of … (L. 42) to take control of; to become responsible for eg: Those who took charge of the project would be severely punished because of the fatal mistake. 13. to stick with … / to be stuck with… (L. 58) to keep staying with sth. , cannot get rid of eg: As long as you stick with your efforts, you are bound to succeed. 14. latter a. being the second of two people, things or groups mentioned before n. the second of two things or people already mentioned eg: The latter should be given more importance in this project
15. prominent a important; well-known; sticking out from a surface eg: He is quite prominent in his field of work 【助记】 prominence n. come into prominence崭露头角 17. refine vt. make sb/sth more elegant; make pure or improve esp. by removing unwanted material eg: It is better for you to refine your article refined oil精炼油 18. impressive a. having a strong effect on sb eg: I was quite impressive about how many toys you had when you were young 19. to some extent: to some degree eg: Mary was right to some extent 20. despair vi have lost all hope n state of having lost all hope; a person who makes other people give up hope eg: After several failures, they despaired of ever winning In despair, Jack committed suicide Iv Reading Skills: Reading for the Main Ideas in Paragraphs As we learned in Unit 1, reading for the main ideas in paragraphs is one of the most useful reading skills we can develop and we can apply this skill to any kind of reading. Finding the main idea in a paragraph is necessary for the understanding of a piece of writing The main idea sentence most frequently appears at the beginning of a paragraph, as is clear from the following example taken from Reading Passage A Names become attached to specific images, as anyone whos been called"a plain Jane"or just an average Joe "can show. The latter name particularly bothers me since my name is Joe, which some think makes me more qualified to be a baseball player than, say, an art critic. Yet, despite this disadvantage, I did manage to become an art critic for a time. Even so, one prominent magazine consistently refused to print"Joe"in my by-line, using my first initials, J.S., instead I suspect that if I were a more refined Arthur or Adrian, the name would have appeared complete (Para. 4, Reading Passage A, Unit 6) Main idea: Names become attached to specific images
15. prominent a. important; well-known; sticking out from a surface eg: He is quite prominent in his field of work. 【助记】 prominence n. come into prominence 崭露头角 17. refine vt. make sb/sth more elegant; make pure or improve esp. by removing unwanted material eg: It is better for you to refine your article. refined oil 精炼油 18. impressive a. having a strong effect on sb eg: I was quite impressive about how many toys you had when you were young. 19. to some extent : to some degree eg: Mary was right to some extent. 20. despair vi. have lost all hope n. state of having lost all hope; a person who makes other people give up hope eg: After several failures, they despaired of ever winning. In despair, Jack committed suicide. IV Reading Skills: Reading for the Main Ideas in Paragraphs As we learned in Unit 1, reading for the main ideas in paragraphs is one of the most useful reading skills we can develop and we can apply this skill to any kind of reading. Finding the main idea in a paragraph is necessary for the understanding of a piece of writing. The main idea sentence most frequently appears at the beginning of a paragraph, as is clear from the following example taken from Reading Passage A: Names become attached to specific images, as anyone who’s been called “a plain Jane” or “just an average Joe” can show. The latter name particularly bothers me since my name is Joe, which some think makes me more qualified to be a baseball player than, say, an art critic. Yet, despite this disadvantage, I did manage to become an art critic for a time. Even so, one prominent magazine consistently refused to print “Joe” in my by-line, using my first initials, J.S., instead. I suspect that if I were a more refined Arthur or Adrian, the name would have appeared complete. (Para. 4, Reading Passage A, Unit 6) Main idea: Names become attached to specific images
Notice that the main idea sentence may also appear in other places: in the middle or at the end of a paragraph. Sometimes the main idea of a paragraph may be only implied: it is not directly stated by any one sentence in the paragraph Section b Judge by Appearance . Language Points 1. follow one's track be after eg: The hunter followed the tracks of the animal for hours 2. apart from: except for eg: Your thesis is good apart from some small mistakes 3. blow one's cover: cause one's true identity or the true nature of ones work to be revealed eg: Asking those kind of questions could blow my cover 4. out of character: unlike one's usual natur eg: Her behavior last night was quite out of character 5. turn to sb. face sb eg: After hearing my words, he turned to me angrily 6. go to great lengths: make a great deal of effort( to do sth eg: They went to great lengths to keep the affaire secret 7. validate: v prove or confirm that a claim or statement is true or correct; Mr. Brown tried to validate his criticism make(a reason, agreement, etc. )have value eg: In order to validate the agreement between yourself and your employer, you must both sign 【助记】 valid:a. having value; legally effective eg: The marriage was held to be valid (of a reason, view, etc. )having a strong firm base; that can be defended eg: Her excuse was not valid 8. virtually: ad. almost; very nearly; in every way that is really important eg: My thesis is virtually finished; I've only a few changes to make in the writing 9. conceal: vt( from )hide; keep from being seen or known
Notice that the main idea sentence may also appear in other places: in the middle or at the end of a paragraph. Sometimes the main idea of a paragraph may be only implied: it is not directly stated by any one sentence in the paragraph. Section B Judge by Appearance I. Language Points 1. follow one’s track:be after sb. eg: The hunter followed the tracks of the animal for hours. 2. apart from: except for eg: Your thesis is good apart from some small mistakes. 3. blow one’s cover: cause one’s true identity or the true nature of one’s work to be revealed. eg: Asking those kind of questions could blow my cover. 4. out of character: unlike one’s usual nature eg: Her behavior last night was quite out of character. 5. turn to sb.: face sb. eg: After hearing my words, he turned to me angrily. 6. go to great lengths: make a great deal of effort (to do sth.) eg: They went to great lengths to keep the affaire secret. 7. validate: v. prove or confirm that a claim or statement is true or correct; eg: Mr. Brown tried to validate his criticism. make (a reason, agreement, etc.) have value eg: In order to validate the agreement between yourself and your employer, you must both sign it. 【助记】valid: a. having value; legally effective eg: The marriage was held to be valid. (of a reason, view, etc.) having a strong firm base; that can be defended eg: Her excuse was not valid. 8. virtually: ad. almost; very nearly; in every way that is really important eg: My thesis is virtually finished; I’ve only a few changes to make in the writing. 9. conceal: vt. ( from ) hide; keep from being seen or known
eg: He tried to conceal his heavy drinking from his family 10. invite: Vr(seem to)encourage(sth. bad) eg: You re just inviting trouble if you do that ll act out: express in actions and behavior rather than in word eg: Children's strong feelings often get acted out in bad behavior 12. speak of be evident of or convey a quality, experience, or feeling eg: Her eyes speak of suffering 13. turn out: prove to be; come to be known eg: It turned out that she was my sisters friend 14. turn off:(originally )leave(one road )for another; make sb /sth leave; drive away eg: Unwanted visitors will be turned off my land 15. tune out: ignore; stop listening or paying attention to eg: You have to just tune him out when he gets angry 16. access I. means of entering; way in; entrance (to) eg: The only access to the hill is across the fields means of right of using, reaching, or entering eg: Students need easy access to books 17. be/feel up to(doing sth ) be capable of (doing sth ) be well or brave enough to do it eg: I dont feel up to going to work today 18. exclusive: limited to a specific kind; eg, for socially suitable people and charging a lot of money eg: This is an exclusive shop not shared with others in a certain group eg: This room is for the exclusive use of guest 19. more or less: almost, nearly eg: Ive more or less finished reading this book. 20 out of bound for/to): If a place is out of bounds, people are not allowed to go there eg: Most of the bars are placed out of bounds to the army If sth is out of bounds, people are not allowed to do it, use it, see it. e g: Violent TV programs are out of bounds to children
eg: He tried to conceal his heavy drinking from his family. 10. invite: vt. (seem to) encourage (sth. bad) eg: You’re just inviting trouble if you do that. 11. act out: express in actions and behavior rather than in words. eg: Children’s strong feelings often get acted out in bad behavior. 12. speak of : be evident of or convey a quality, experience, or feeling eg: Her eyes speak of suffering. 13. turn out: prove to be; come to be known eg: It turned out that she was my sister’s friend. 14. turn off: ( originally ) leave (one road ) for another; make sb./sth leave; drive away eg: Unwanted visitors will be turned off my land. 15. tune out: ignore; stop listening or paying attention to eg: You have to just tune him out when he gets angry. 16. access n. means of entering; way in; entrance (to) eg: The only access to the hill is across the fields. means of right of using, reaching, or entering eg: Students need easy access to books. 17. be/feel up to (doing sth. ): be capable of (doing sth.); be well or brave enough to do it eg: I don’t feel up to going to work today. 18. exclusive: a. limited to a specific kind; eg, for socially suitable people and charging a lot of money eg: This is an exclusive shop. not shared with others in a certain group eg: This room is for the exclusive use of guests. 19. more or less: almost, nearly eg: I’ve more or less finished reading this book. 20. out of bound ( for / to) : If a place is out of bounds, people are not allowed to go there. eg: Most of the bars are placed out of bounds to the army. If sth. is out of bounds, people are not allowed to do it, use it, see it. e g: Violent TV programs are out of bounds to children
21. internalize: w make( esp. a principle or a pattern of behavior )a conscious or unconscious part pf the self as the result of learning or repeated experience in society eg: Over time she internalized her parents attitudes towards her boyfriend 22 prevail: vi( continue to )exist or be widespread eg: This is a strange custom that still prevails fight successfully; gain control or victory; win a fight eg: I'm sure that common sense will prevail in the end IL. Text translation Text translation Passage a 人如其名 在她人生最初的24年里,人们一直叫她戴比一一个和她漂亮的容貌和优雅的风度不相 配的名字。“我的名字老是使我觉得自己应该是一个厨子,”她抱怨道。“我真不想要戴比这 个名字 天,在填写出版工作申请表时,这位小姐一时冲动,用她的中名林恩替换了他的名字 戴比。“这是我一生中干得最漂亮的事,”现在她对人这样说。“我一停止称自己为戴比,我 就对自己感到比较舒服了……而且其他人也开始更认真地对待我了。在成功地通过了那次工 作面试两年后,这位昔日的女服务员现在成了一位成功的杂志编辑。朋友和同事们都叫她林 当然,戴比(或林恩)的职业成就并不是改名带来的,但是这肯定给她带来了好处,虽 说改名仅是她对自己的才能增加了一点点自信,社会科学家认为你叫什么名字会影响你的生 活。自古至今,名字不仅被用来识别人,而且也被用来描述人。《圣经》上说:“……人如 其名……”,此外韦伯斯特大辞典也对名字作了如下定义:“表达某种特点的一个或几个字, 这种特点被认为反映了某人或某事的本质,或描述了某人某事,常表示嘉许或不赞成的意 思。”请好好注意这几个词:“嘉许或不赞成”。不管是好是歹,诸如友好或拘谨,相貌平常 或漂亮妩媚等品质已经和你的名字连在了一起,甚至在他人见到你本人之前就已经知道你的 这些品质了 名字已成为特定形象的组成部分,任何一个被称为“相貌平常的珍妮”或“普普通通的 乔”的人都能证明这一点。后面的那个名字特别使我烦恼,因为我的名字也叫乔。有些人认
21. internalize: v. make ( esp. a principle or a pattern of behavior ) a conscious or unconscious part pf the self as the result of learning or repeated experience in society eg: Over time she internalized her parent’s attitudes towards her boyfriend. 22. prevail: vi. ( continue to ) exist or be widespread eg: This is a strange custom that still prevails. fight successfully; gain control or victory; win a fight eg: I’m sure that common sense will prevail in the end. II. Text TranslationText Translation Passage A 人如其名 在她人生最初的 24 年里,人们一直叫她戴比—一个和她漂亮的容貌和优雅的风度不相 配的名字。“我的名字老是使我觉得自己应该是一个厨子,”她抱怨道。“我真不想要戴比这 个名字。” 一天,在填写出版工作申请表时,这位小姐一时冲动,用她的中名林恩替换了他的名字 戴比。“这是我一生中干得最漂亮的事,”现在她对人这样说。“我一停止称自己为戴比,我 就对自己感到比较舒服了……而且其他人也开始更认真地对待我了。在成功地通过了那次工 作面试两年后,这位昔日的女服务员现在成了一位成功的杂志编辑。朋友和同事们都叫她林 恩。 当然,戴比(或林恩)的职业成就并不是改名带来的,但是这肯定给她带来了好处,虽 说改名仅是她对自己的才能增加了一点点自信,社会科学家认为你叫什么名字会影响你的生 活。自古至今,名字不仅被用来识别人,而且也被用来描述人。《圣经》上说:“…… 人如 其名……”, 此外韦伯斯特大辞典也对名字作了如下定义:“表达某种特点的一个或几个字, 这种特点被认为反映了某人或某事的本质,或描述了某人某事,常表示嘉许或不赞成的意 思。”请好好注意这几个词:“嘉许或不赞成”。不管是好是歹,诸如友好或拘谨,相貌平常 或漂亮妩媚等品质已经和你的名字连在了一起,甚至在他人见到你本人之前就已经知道你的 这些品质了。 名字已成为特定形象的组成部分,任何一个被称为“相貌平常的珍妮”或“普普通通的 乔”的人都能证明这一点。后面的那个名字特别使我烦恼,因为我的名字也叫乔。有些人认
为这个名字使我更适合做一个棒球运动员而不是,比如说,艺术评论家。然而,尽管有此不 利,我确实曾一度设法成为了一名评论家。即使如此,一家著名杂志一直拒绝把“乔”作为 我的文章的作者署名,而是用我的名字的首字母JS来代替它。我怀疑假如我的名字是比较 文雅的阿瑟或艾德里安的话,我的名字早已完整的出现在杂志上了。 当然,有积极含义的名字对你来说是有好处的,甚至能促进你结交新朋友。最新调査表 明:美国男人认为苏珊是最有吸引力的女性名字,而女人则认为理查德和戴维是男人中最具 有吸引力的名字。我认识一个女人,她拒绝了一次由第三方安排的、与一个叫哈里的男人的 约会,因为“这人听上去没劲”。可就在几天后的一个晚间聚会上,她走到我的身边,催逼 着我把她介绍给一个给人以深刻印象的男人:他们两人整个晚上都在暗送秋波。“哦,”我说, “你是说哈里呀。”她听了后感到很尴尬。 虽然我们中大多数人都会认为自己没有这样的偏见,但在某种程度上,我们都有对名字 产生固定看法的毛病。老老实实地坦白:你碰到一个叫奈杰尔的木匠会不会感到惊讶呢?或 是一个叫伯莎的物理学家呢?抑或是一个叫梅尔的教皇呢?正如我的一位女性朋友在照看 托儿所里四岁儿童时所发现的那样,我们常常把由名字引起的固定想法加到他人身上。“在 托儿所里,有一次我想叫一个名字为朱利安的、活跃的小男孩静静地坐下来看书,同时把 个喜欢沉思的、名字叫罗里的孩子推出去打球。因为他们的名字,我把他们的性格给搞混了!” 很明显,这样的偏见也会影响课堂效果。再一项由圣迭戈州立大学的赫伯特·哈拉里及 乔治亚州立大学的约翰·麦克戴维主持的研究中,与名叫迈克尔和戴维的作文卷子相比,教 师老是给卷上名字为埃尔默和休伯特的男孩写的文章打较低的分数,实际这是同样的两份卷 但是教师的偏见不是造成课堂得分差别的唯一原因。坦普尔大学的托马斯·V·布塞博 士和路易莎·瑟拉里达里安发现:那些名叫琳达、黛安、芭芭拉、卡罗尔及辛迪之类的女孩 们在评分客观公正的智力测验和学业成绩测验中的成绩比那些名字不太具有吸引力的女孩 要好。(一个与之配套的研究表明:女孩受同龄人欢迎的程度也与他们的名字受欢迎的程度 有关系,虽然对男孩来说这种关系不太明显。) 虽然你父母很可能打算让你一辈子都用这个名字,但记住,他们选这个名字的时候,也 许还没有见过你呢。而且,当他们选择这个名字的时候,他们所重视的希望和梦想也许并不 符合你的希望和梦想。假如你的名字看上去不再跟你相配时,不要苦恼;你不必一辈子用这 个名字。影星们经常改名,而且是坚决这样做的,你也可以
为这个名字使我更适合做一个棒球运动员而不是,比如说,艺术评论家。然而,尽管有此不 利,我确实曾一度设法成为了一名评论家。即使如此,一家著名杂志一直拒绝把“乔”作为 我的文章的作者署名,而是用我的名字的首字母 J.S.来代替它。我怀疑假如我的名字是比较 文雅的阿瑟或艾德里安的话,我的名字早已完整的出现在杂志上了。 当然,有积极含义的名字对你来说是有好处的,甚至能促进你结交新朋友。最新调查表 明:美国男人认为苏珊是最有吸引力的女性名字,而女人则认为理查德和戴维是男人中最具 有吸引力的名字。我认识一个女人,她拒绝了一次由第三方安排的、与一个叫哈里的男人的 约会,因为“这人听上去没劲”。可就在几天后的一个晚间聚会上,她走到我的身边,催逼 着我把她介绍给一个给人以深刻印象的男人;他们两人整个晚上都在暗送秋波。“哦,”我说, “你是说哈里呀。”她听了后感到很尴尬。 虽然我们中大多数人都会认为自己没有这样的偏见,但在某种程度上,我们都有对名字 产生固定看法的毛病。老老实实地坦白:你碰到一个叫奈杰尔的木匠会不会感到惊讶呢?或 是一个叫伯莎的物理学家呢?抑或是一个叫梅尔的教皇呢?正如我的一位女性朋友在照看 托儿所里四岁儿童时所发现的那样,我们常常把由名字引起的固定想法加到他人身上。“在 托儿所里,有一次我想叫一个名字为朱利安的、活跃的小男孩静静地坐下来看书,同时把一 个喜欢沉思的、名字叫罗里的孩子推出去打球。因为他们的名字,我把他们的性格给搞混了!” 很明显,这样的偏见也会影响课堂效果。再一项由圣迭戈州立大学的赫伯特·哈拉里及 乔治亚州立大学的约翰·麦克戴维主持的研究中,与名叫迈克尔和戴维的作文卷子相比,教 师老是给卷上名字为埃尔默和休伯特的男孩写的文章打较低的分数,实际这是同样的两份卷 子。但是教师的偏见不是造成课堂得分差别的唯一原因。坦普尔大学的托马斯·V·布塞博 士和路易莎·瑟拉里达里安发现:那些名叫琳达﹑黛安﹑芭芭拉﹑卡罗尔及辛迪之类的女孩 们在评分客观公正的智力测验和学业成绩测验中的成绩比那些名字不太具有吸引力的女孩 要好。(一个与之配套的研究表明:女孩受同龄人欢迎的程度也与他们的名字受欢迎的程度 有关系,虽然对男孩来说这种关系不太明显。) 虽然你父母很可能打算让你一辈子都用这个名字,但记住,他们选这个名字的时候,也 许还没有见过你呢。而且,当他们选择这个名字的时候,他们所重视的希望和梦想也许并不 符合你的希望和梦想。假如你的名字看上去不再跟你相配时,不要苦恼;你不必一辈子用这 个名字。影星们经常改名,而且是坚决这样做的,你也可以
B 以貌取人 人们通常会批评社会学研究不遗余力地去证明那些大多数有常识的人已经知道了的东 西。我不想完全支持或反对此类批评,我只是想描述一次似乎可以证实它的社会学考察活动。 只是,对于我和我的一位同学(也许还有那些看到这篇报道的人)而言,这次活动是一个人 皆知之的观点变得真真切切了 再一所本地大学放春假期间,我和朋友到市中心去购物。但是我们首先把自己打扮得几 乎连朋友甚至家人都认不出来。我们穿上了与天气稍稍不配的衣服,很干净但没有熨过。很 明显,大多数到这个地区来的游客都不会穿这种式样的衣服。我们提着塑料袋,里面装有差 得难以启齿的物品。我俩都有点衣冠不整。我的朋友在T恤衫外面套了一件褪了色的全面衬 衣,还在宽松的长运动裤外面套了一条起皱的裙子。我带着一顶羊毛帽子把头发掩盖住,传 着一件老实的外套,并带着一副夹着遮阳墨镜片的眼镜 我们的目的是为了让自己看上去像漂泊街头的人,以观察别人对我们有何不同反应一贫 穷的外表是否会招致别人对我们的歧视。我们也准备做出一些稍微有点不正常的行为,表明 我们情感上有问题、但看上去又不是神经很不正常或对他人有危险的行为。结果证明:无需 夸张做作,人们单凭我们的外貌就叫我们离开或不理睬我们。 我们(把汽车停在火车轨道附近以后)的第一个停留地点是一家本地慈善机构团体经营 的廉价商店。在店里我们彬彬有礼地要求使用洗手间,但却被一口回绝。接着我们走进了 家大酒店的大堂,打听咖啡厅和洗手间在哪里。门卫说:“你们得上20楼。”我们的演技还 达不到上高档餐厅一试身手的水平,所以我们在底楼兜了一圈就走了。离开那里后,我们就 去了一家旧货商店,在那里我们多多少少和顾客融为一体了。然后我们又到了几家高档商店, 吃午饭的时候又去了几家咖啡馆。 这是一段歧视盛行的时间。我们遇到了一些孩子,他们盯着我们看,对我们指指点点, 而且还放声大笑;成人们则对我们投以长长的、充满怀疑的目光。商店营业员紧紧跟着我们, 监视我们的一举一动。在一家快餐店,一个帮工赶紧走到收银员的身边:在那里他们收下了 我2美元的支票,连身份证也没看。好像用这个代价把我们赶出门时很合算的。在一个入口 处,一名营业员用身体挡住了大门,显然是想打消我们进去的念头 我们身上带有支付小金额货物的钱,而且除了穿低档衣服外,我们没有在上述任何环境 里做过任何吸引他人来注意我们的事;我们仅仅是一我们习惯的方式静静地购物。在一家饭
Passage B 以貌取人 人们通常会批评社会学研究不遗余力地去证明那些大多数有常识的人已经知道了的东 西。我不想完全支持或反对此类批评,我只是想描述一次似乎可以证实它的社会学考察活动。 只是,对于我和我的一位同学(也许还有那些看到这篇报道的人)而言,这次活动是一个人 皆知之的观点变得真真切切了。 再一所本地大学放春假期间,我和朋友到市中心去购物。但是我们首先把自己打扮得几 乎连朋友甚至家人都认不出来。我们穿上了与天气稍稍不配的衣服,很干净但没有熨过。很 明显,大多数到这个地区来的游客都不会穿这种式样的衣服。我们提着塑料袋,里面装有差 得难以启齿的物品。我俩都有点衣冠不整。我的朋友在 T 恤衫外面套了一件褪了色的全面衬 衣,还在宽松的长运动裤外面套了一条起皱的裙子。我带着一顶羊毛帽子把头发掩盖住,传 着一件老实的外套,并带着一副夹着遮阳墨镜片的眼镜。 我们的目的是为了让自己看上去像漂泊街头的人,以观察别人对我们有何不同反应—贫 穷的外表是否会招致别人对我们的歧视。我们也准备做出一些稍微有点不正常的行为,表明 我们情感上有问题﹑但看上去又不是神经很不正常或对他人有危险的行为。结果证明:无需 夸张做作,人们单凭我们的外貌就叫我们离开或不理睬我们。 我们(把汽车停在火车轨道附近以后)的第一个停留地点是一家本地慈善机构团体经营 的廉价商店。在店里我们彬彬有礼地要求使用洗手间,但却被一口回绝。接着我们走进了一 家大酒店的大堂,打听咖啡厅和洗手间在哪里。门卫说:“你们得上 20 楼。”我们的演技还 达不到上高档餐厅一试身手的水平,所以我们在底楼兜了一圈就走了。离开那里后,我们就 去了一家旧货商店,在那里我们多多少少和顾客融为一体了。然后我们又到了几家高档商店, 吃午饭的时候又去了几家咖啡馆。 这是一段歧视盛行的时间。我们遇到了一些孩子,他们盯着我们看,对我们指指点点, 而且还放声大笑;成人们则对我们投以长长的﹑充满怀疑的目光。商店营业员紧紧跟着我们, 监视我们的一举一动。在一家快餐店,一个帮工赶紧走到收银员的身边;在那里他们收下了 我 2 美元的支票,连身份证也没看。好像用这个代价把我们赶出门时很合算的。在一个入口 处,一名营业员用身体挡住了大门,显然是想打消我们进去的念头。 我们身上带有支付小金额货物的钱,而且除了穿低档衣服外,我们没有在上述任何环境 里做过任何吸引他人来注意我们的事;我们仅仅是一我们习惯的方式静静地购物。在一家饭