Lesson 19 · A Misunderstanding

S1

In general, spoken statements are the major way of communication, but body language and facial expressions also have such kinds of function.

总的来说，口头话语是交流的主要方式，但肢体语言和面部表情也具有类似的作用。

in general 总的来说、一般说来 statement 陈述、话语 communication 交流、沟通 facial expression 面部表情

S2

For example, yawning means being not interested and turning one's back to someone or swinging your fist shows your anger.

例如，打哈欠意味着不感兴趣，而转身背对别人或者挥动拳头则表示你在生气。

yawn 打哈欠 swing 挥动、摆动 fist 拳头 anger 愤怒、怒气

S3

But what those gestures really mean is subjective in different cultures.

但在不同的文化中，这些手势真正意味着什么是因人而异的（主观的）。

gesture 手势、姿态 subjective 主观的 culture 文化

S4

Thus, misunderstandings happen now and then in today's world of cultural crossroads.

因此，在今天这个文化相互交汇的世界里，误会时有发生。

thus 因此、这样 misunderstanding 误解、误会 crossroads 十字路口、交汇之处

S5

Once, representing the Adults' Education Association, I went to the airport to meet an official of high rank from Columbia and take him to his dormitory and then to the canteen.

有一次，我代表成人教育协会去机场迎接一位来自哥伦比亚的高级官员，带他去宿舍，然后再去食堂。

represent 代表 association 协会、联合会 rank 等级、级别 dormitory 宿舍

S6

After the flight arrived, I saw a man looking around curiously.

航班抵达后，我看见一个男人正好奇地四处张望。

flight 航班 curiously 好奇地

S7

So I approached to greet him.

于是我走上前去和他打招呼。

approach 走近、靠近 greet 问候、迎接

S8

He suddenly dashed to hug me and kissed me on both cheeks.

他突然冲过来拥抱我，还在我的双颊上各亲了一下。

dash 猛冲 hug 拥抱 cheek 脸颊

S9

As a young girl, I felt truly embarrassed and put up my hands to defend myself.

作为一个小姑娘，我感到非常尴尬，便举起双手保护自己。

embarrassed 尴尬的、难为情的 defend 保护、防卫

S10

His false smile told me that he had lost face.

他勉强的笑容让我明白，他（觉得自己）丢了面子。

false 虚假的、勉强的 lose face 丢面子、丢脸

S11

Later, I received a cassette from him, in which he recorded his apology.

后来，我收到了他寄来的一盒磁带，磁带里录下了他的道歉。

cassette 盒式磁带 record 录制 apology 道歉

S12

On hearing that Columbians were more likely to kiss others, I soon felt at ease.

一听说哥伦比亚人更有可能亲吻别人，我很快就觉得自在了。

be likely to 很可能 feel at ease 感到自在、安心

📖 A Misunderstanding 一场误会