Unit 3Unit 3 IntroductionIntroduction

Nowadays, cross-culture marriage Nowadays, cross-culture marriage has become quite popular in China has become quite popular in China since the reform and opening since the reform and opening policies of the 1980s. However, policies of the 1980s. However, cultural differences still have cultural differences still have negative effect on such marriage. negative effect on such marriage. This unit offers examples to illustrate This unit offers examples to illustrate what difficulties these couples face. what difficulties these couples face. Also, we can learn some traditional Also, we can learn some traditional ideas about marriage practiced by ideas about marriage practiced by different cultures around the world.different cultures around the world.

I. Section A I. Section A Marriage Across the NationsMarriage Across the Nations

Listening passage for pre-reading Listening passage for pre-reading activities (See p99, Teacher’s Book )activities (See p99, Teacher’s Book )

Detailed study of the textDetailed study of the text

1.Gail and I 1.Gail and I imaginedimagined a quiet a quiet wedding. (Para. 1)wedding. (Para. 1)

MeaningMeaning: Gail and I planned to have : Gail and I planned to have (or: thought about having) a wedding (or: thought about having) a wedding without many people or without without many people or without much activity.much activity.

imagine: vt. imagine: vt. ++ n./pron./v.-ing/n.+v-ing n./pron./v.-ing/n.+v-ing

我们希望不久的将来会有一个安静的校园。我们希望不久的将来会有一个安静的校园。 We imagine a quiet campus in the near We imagine a quiet campus in the near

future.future. 很难想象生活在一个没有现代通讯设备的地方很难想象生活在一个没有现代通讯设备的地方

会是什么样子。会是什么样子。 It’s hard to imagine living where there It’s hard to imagine living where there

are no modern communication devices.are no modern communication devices. 我不能想象鲁滨逊竟然在孤岛上生活了那末多我不能想象鲁滨逊竟然在孤岛上生活了那末多

年。年。 I can’t imagine Robinson living on that I can’t imagine Robinson living on that

lonely island for so many years.lonely island for so many years.

2. …we had experienced the usual 2. …we had experienced the usual ups and downsups and downs of a couple of a couple learning to know, understand, and learning to know, understand, and respect each other.(Para.1)respect each other.(Para.1)

Meaning: Like any other couples who Meaning: Like any other couples who were learning to know, understand, were learning to know, understand, and respect each other, we had had and respect each other, we had had both happy and unhappy periods.both happy and unhappy periods.

ups and downsups and downs: a mix of good : a mix of good experiences and bad experiencesexperiences and bad experiences

人生充满了欢乐与痛苦。人生充满了欢乐与痛苦。Life is full of ups and downs.Life is full of ups and downs.中美关系经历了很多阴晴圆缺。中美关系经历了很多阴晴圆缺。There have been many ups and There have been many ups and

downs in the history of the relations downs in the history of the relations between the US and China. between the US and China.

3. …had honestly confronted 3. …had honestly confronted the weaknesses and strengths the weaknesses and strengths of each other’s characters.of each other’s characters.

MeaningMeaning: …had honestly faced : …had honestly faced and tried to deal with the weak and tried to deal with the weak sides and good sides of each sides and good sides of each other’s characters.other’s characters.

weaknesses and strengthsweaknesses and strengths: : weak points and strong points.weak points and strong points.

了解自己的优缺点很重要。了解自己的优缺点很重要。 It’s very important to know your It’s very important to know your

own weaknesses and strengths.own weaknesses and strengths.

4. …tolerance, compromise, and 4. …tolerance, compromise, and being open with each other. being open with each other. (Para. 2)(Para. 2)tolerancetolerance: [u] 1) : [u] 1) 宽容 宽容 22 ）忍耐力）忍耐力这种文化里，绝不容许持有异议。这种文化里，绝不容许持有异议。There is absolutely no tolerance of There is absolutely no tolerance of

disagreement in the culture.disagreement in the culture.在东北住久了的人会很耐寒。在东北住久了的人会很耐寒。One will develop great tolerance of One will develop great tolerance of

cold if he/she has lived in the cold if he/she has lived in the northeast of China for a long time.northeast of China for a long time.

openopen: willing to talk honestly, frankly: willing to talk honestly, frankly他是个很坦诚的人。他是个很坦诚的人。He is a very frank and open person.He is a very frank and open person.谈判双方都不够坦诚，于是达成协议的可谈判双方都不够坦诚，于是达成协议的可

能性很小。能性很小。There is little possibility of reaching There is little possibility of reaching

an agreement since both sides are an agreement since both sides are not open enough to each other. not open enough to each other.

5. Gail sometimes wondered 5. Gail sometimes wondered why I and other blacks why I and other blacks werewere so so involved withinvolved with the racial issue. the racial issue. (Para. 2)(Para. 2)

MeaningMeaning: Gail sometimes expressed a : Gail sometimes expressed a wish to know why I and other blacks gave wish to know why I and other blacks gave so much time, energy and attention to the so much time, energy and attention to the racial issue.racial issue.

be/get involved withbe/get involved with: give a lot of time, : give a lot of time, effort, or attention to…effort, or attention to… 热衷于， 专心致志与热衷于， 专心致志与

他专心致志地制订计划。他专心致志地制订计划。 He was involved with working out a planHe was involved with working out a plan..

6. Gail and I had no 6. Gail and I had no illusionsillusions about about what the future held for us as a what the future held for us as a married, mixed couple in America. married, mixed couple in America. (Para. 3)(Para. 3)

MeaningMeaning: Gail and I were not : Gail and I were not idealistic about what the future idealistic about what the future would offer us in American as a would offer us in American as a married couple, one being black married couple, one being black and the other being white.and the other being white.

illusionillusion: n. [c] a false idea, belief : n. [c] a false idea, belief or impressionor impression

事实上，永远年轻只是人们的幻想而已。事实上，永远年轻只是人们的幻想而已。 In fact, to be young forever is only In fact, to be young forever is only

one’s illusion.one’s illusion.

be under the illusionbe under the illusion: believe : believe wronglywrongly

误以为误以为E.g.E.g. 我们都 误以为这个国家经济状况良好我们都 误以为这个国家经济状况良好 ,, 但但

实际上它正处于严重的困难之中实际上它正处于严重的困难之中 ..We are all under the illusion that the We are all under the illusion that the

country is doing well economically, country is doing well economically, but in fact it is in serious difficulty.but in fact it is in serious difficulty.

7. …our 7. …our mutual mutual trust and trust and respect. (Para. 3)respect. (Para. 3)

mutualmutual: a. : a. 1)felt or done by each to the other 1)felt or done by each to the other 相互的相互的E.g. E.g. 我们的合作应建立在相互尊重，相互信任，我们的合作应建立在相互尊重，相互信任，

相互理解的基础上。相互理解的基础上。Our cooperation should be based on Our cooperation should be based on

mutual respect, trust and understanding.mutual respect, trust and understanding.2)shared by two or more people2)shared by two or more people 共同的共同的E.g. I and Jane met through a mutual E.g. I and Jane met through a mutual

friend.friend.

8. to make everything 8. to make everything work outwork out right. (Para. 4)right. (Para. 4)

work outwork out: 1) have as a result, turn : 1) have as a result, turn out, happen or progress in a certain out, happen or progress in a certain way.way.

结果为结果为 ;; 按某种方式发展按某种方式发展 E.g. E.g. 如果你耐心点如果你耐心点 ,, 事情会有个圆满结果的事情会有个圆满结果的 ..Things will work out well if you will Things will work out well if you will

just be patient.just be patient.2) find by reasoning or figuring2) find by reasoning or figuring 推算出推算出 E.g. E.g. 警察查不出賊是怎样进入那幢建筑物的警察查不出賊是怎样进入那幢建筑物的 .. The police couldn’t work out how the The police couldn’t work out how the

thieves had entered the building.thieves had entered the building.

9. …9. …going throughgoing through a bitter a bitter and painful and painful divorcedivorce..

go throughgo through: experience: experienceE.g. E.g. 伊拉克经历了太多的战争伊拉克经历了太多的战争 .. Iraq has gone through too many wars.Iraq has gone through too many wars. 历尽千辛万苦历尽千辛万苦 go through hardshipsgo through hardshipsdivorcedivorce: n. / vi. / vt: n. / vi. / vt..E.g. E.g. 许多婚姻以离婚告终许多婚姻以离婚告终 ..Many marriages end in divorce.Many marriages end in divorce. It’s unfortunate that his parents got It’s unfortunate that his parents got

divorced.divorced. It is difficult to divorce economics from It is difficult to divorce economics from

politics.politics.

10. …for a time had a negative 10. …for a time had a negative effect on budding relationship. effect on budding relationship. (Para.4)(Para.4)

Meaning: For a certain time (their Meaning: For a certain time (their divorce) had a bad effect on our divorce) had a bad effect on our relationship that had just begun to relationship that had just begun to develop.develop.

for a timefor a time: for a certain period; : for a certain period; temporarilytemporarily

e.g. e.g. 她一度当过警察她一度当过警察 ..She was a policewoman for a time.She was a policewoman for a time.

11. …she met with some 11. …she met with some resistance.resistance.

meet with sthmeet with sth.: experience sth..: experience sth.meet with sbmeet with sb.: see sb. by chance.: see sb. by chancee.g. e.g. 在网上冲浪时我遇到了一些困难在网上冲浪时我遇到了一些困难 .. I met with some difficulties in surfing I met with some difficulties in surfing

the net.the net. I dreamed of meeting with Saddam I dreamed of meeting with Saddam

Hussein..Hussein..

12. Her mother, Deborah, all 12. Her mother, Deborah, all along had been supportive of our along had been supportive of our relationship…(Para. 5)relationship…(Para. 5)

all alongall along: throughout a period : throughout a period of timeof time

e.g. e.g. 实情我始终是知道的实情我始终是知道的 ..I knew the truth all along.I knew the truth all along.I suspected all along that she I suspected all along that she

was lying. was lying.

13. …counseled Gail to be really 13. …counseled Gail to be really sure she was doing the right thing. sure she was doing the right thing. (Para. 5)(Para. 5)

中译中译 :: 劝盖尔想想清楚自己的决定是否正确劝盖尔想想清楚自己的决定是否正确 ..counselcounsel: vt. 1)advise : vt. 1)advise 2)give advice and support to2)give advice and support tocounsel sb. to do; counsel sth.; counsel sb. to do; counsel sth.; counsel sb.counsel sb.e.g.e.g. 她建议我不要换工作她建议我不要换工作 . . She counseled me not to change my She counseled me not to change my

job.job. 我的朋友建议要谨慎我的朋友建议要谨慎 . . My friend counseled caution.My friend counseled caution. The college is now providing a service The college is now providing a service

to counsel students with careers. to counsel students with careers.

14. Gail 14. Gail subsequentlysubsequently told me… told me…(Para.6)(Para.6)

subsequently:ad. afterwards subsequently:ad. afterwards 后来后来consequently: ad. as a result consequently: ad. as a result 结果结果 E.g. E.g. 这所旧学校被买下来后改建成了私人住宅这所旧学校被买下来后改建成了私人住宅 .. The old school was sold and The old school was sold and

subsequently turned into a private house.subsequently turned into a private house. 他们增加了人手他们增加了人手 ,, 于是服务提升了于是服务提升了 .. They’ve increased the number of staff and They’ve increased the number of staff and

consequently the service is better.consequently the service is better.

15. …I harbored reservations 15. …I harbored reservations about a mixed marriage, about a mixed marriage, prejudices you might even call prejudices you might even call them. (Para. 7)them. (Para. 7)

MeaningMeaning: I had doubts whether a marriage : I had doubts whether a marriage between a white and a black would work out between a white and a black would work out well, which you might even call prejudices.well, which you might even call prejudices.

harbored reservations:harbored reservations: 持怀疑态度持怀疑态度 .. 那女孩依然抱着出国的念头那女孩依然抱着出国的念头 .. The girl still harbors the idea of going The girl still harbors the idea of going

abroad.abroad. 我对他说的不大相信我对他说的不大相信 .. I have some reservations about his story.I have some reservations about his story.

16. We’ve seen each other at our 16. We’ve seen each other at our worst many times. (Para. 8)worst many times. (Para. 8)

Meaning: We have had many times Meaning: We have had many times when we behaved as unpleasantly as when we behaved as unpleasantly as possible towards each other.possible towards each other.

汉译汉译 :: 我们彼此已很多次看到对方最糟糕的一面我们彼此已很多次看到对方最糟糕的一面 .. at one’s worstat one’s worst: when one is behaving as : when one is behaving as

unpleasantly as possible.unpleasantly as possible. 当她脾气最坏时当她脾气最坏时 ,,对谁都冒火对谁都冒火 .. When she was at her worst, she was to be When she was at her worst, she was to be

angry at anyone.angry at anyone.

17. …time will only confirm what we 17. …time will only confirm what we feel deeply about each other. (Para. feel deeply about each other. (Para. 8)8) Meaning: Our deep love of each other will be Meaning: Our deep love of each other will be

supported by the truth of facts in the future.supported by the truth of facts in the future. 汉译汉译 :: 时间会证明我们彼此深爱着对方时间会证明我们彼此深爱着对方 .. confirm:vt. confirm:vt. 1)show that sth. is definitely true.1)show that sth. is definitely true. 2) make(a plan or meeting) certain, often by 2) make(a plan or meeting) certain, often by

telephone or writing.telephone or writing. e.g. Medical examination has confirmed that e.g. Medical examination has confirmed that

she hasn’t been infected with SARS.she hasn’t been infected with SARS. I would like to confirm the air ticket to London.I would like to confirm the air ticket to London.

18. …when he learned of my 18. …when he learned of my problems. (Para. 10)problems. (Para. 10)

learn of: find out about sth.learn of: find out about sth.e.g. e.g. 得知此事时得知此事时 , , 已经太迟了已经太迟了 .. It was too late to learn of it.It was too late to learn of it. 我昨天才听说这次事故我昨天才听说这次事故 .. I only learned of the accident I only learned of the accident

yesterday.yesterday.

19. But you have to be realistic. 19. But you have to be realistic. (Para. 17)(Para. 17)

realistic:a. realistic:a. 现实的现实的c.f. idealistic: a. c.f. idealistic: a. 理想化的理想化的她对我们成败的机会作了一个现时的估她对我们成败的机会作了一个现时的估

计计 ..She gave us a realistic estimate of She gave us a realistic estimate of

our chances.our chances.你的计划不切实际的你的计划不切实际的 ..Your plan is idealistic.Your plan is idealistic.

20. …it’s never too late to change 20. …it’s never too late to change your mind. (Para. 21)your mind. (Para. 21)

Meaning: You can change your mind Meaning: You can change your mind any time, however soon or late.any time, however soon or late.

never too…to do:never too…to do:活到老活到老 ,, 学到老学到老 ..One is never too old to learn.One is never too old to learn.亡羊补牢亡羊补牢 ,,未为晚也未为晚也 .. It is never too late to mend.It is never too late to mend.

II. Section B II. Section B

Reading skills:Reading skills:1. 1. Remind the students of the Remind the students of the

definitions of definitions of a fact and an a fact and an opinion since these skills opinion since these skills were were learned in Book 1.learned in Book 1.

2. 2. Strengthen the skill by practice.Strengthen the skill by practice.

Detailed study of the textDetailed study of the text

1. …I came up with a brilliant plan. 1. …I came up with a brilliant plan. (Para. 1)(Para. 1)

come up withcome up with: think of and suggest : think of and suggest (an idea, plan, etc.)(an idea, plan, etc.)

他答不上来。他答不上来。He can’t come up with an answer.He can’t come up with an answer.小男孩想出了一个绝妙的主意。小男孩想出了一个绝妙的主意。The little boy came up with a brilliant The little boy came up with a brilliant

idea.idea.

2. …and win her over. (Para. 1)2. …and win her over. (Para. 1)

win…overwin…over: persuade sb. to support : persuade sb. to support or agree with youor agree with you

虽然作了很大努力，他还是没能争取到她虽然作了很大努力，他还是没能争取到她支持他的观点。支持他的观点。

In spite of his great effort, he failed in In spite of his great effort, he failed in winning her over to his point of view.winning her over to his point of view.

3. Expressions for kitchen work3. Expressions for kitchen work

to cube the vegetables/meatto cube the vegetables/meatto slice the breadto slice the breadto chop onionsto chop onions

4. I had seen her expression when 4. I had seen her expression when she opened the door, her forced she opened the door, her forced smile as she surveyed him form smile as she surveyed him form head to toe, checking her head to toe, checking her judgment of him against that judgment of him against that already given to her by Auntie already given to her by Auntie Suyuan. (Para. 5)Suyuan. (Para. 5)MeaningMeaning: When she opened the door : When she opened the door

I had seen her face with an unnatural I had seen her face with an unnatural smile while she carefully looked at smile while she carefully looked at Rich all over his body. By doing so she Rich all over his body. By doing so she tried to make sure whether her tried to make sure whether her judgment of Rich was in agreement judgment of Rich was in agreement with what she had learned about Rich with what she had learned about Rich from Auntie Suyuan.from Auntie Suyuan.

5. forced smile5. forced smile

Meaning: unwilling and unnatural Meaning: unwilling and unnatural smilesmile

Similar expressions:Similar expressions:forced laughterforced laughtera forced landing a forced landing 迫降 迫降

6. head to toe6. head to toe

Meaning: over the whole length of Meaning: over the whole length of one’s body one’s body

e.g.e.g. 她全身上下都穿着黑衣服。 她全身上下都穿着黑衣服。 She was dressed in black from head She was dressed in black from head

to toe.to toe.他们把我从头到脚打量了一番。他们把我从头到脚打量了一番。They looked me over from head to They looked me over from head to

toe.toe.

7. …he was also my junior7. …he was also my junior

Meaning: …he was also young than Meaning: …he was also young than me.me.

juniorjunior: n. sb. Younger: n. sb. Younger她比他小五岁。她比他小五岁。 She is five years his junior.She is five years his junior.She is his junior by five years.She is his junior by five years.

8. He was a bit 8. He was a bit on the short on the short sideside, compactly built. (Para. 6), compactly built. (Para. 6)

Meaning: He was a little too short Meaning: He was a little too short and had a small, but well-shaped and had a small, but well-shaped body.body.

On the …side: rather, a little too…On the …side: rather, a little too…这幢房子不错，但价格高了点。这幢房子不错，但价格高了点。This is a nice house, but the price is a This is a nice house, but the price is a

bit on the high side.bit on the high side.天气有点凉。天气有点凉。The weather is on the cold side.The weather is on the cold side.

9. I could feel the goose bumps 9. I could feel the goose bumps rise on my back. (Para.9)rise on my back. (Para.9)

Meaning: I was so disappointed that I Meaning: I was so disappointed that I could feel the tiny lumps or thick or could feel the tiny lumps or thick or hard raised areas on my back. hard raised areas on my back. 背上背上起鸡皮疙瘩。起鸡皮疙瘩。

Goose bumps:Goose bumps: 鸡皮疙瘩鸡皮疙瘩你在感到冷时，害怕时， 或激动时会起鸡你在感到冷时，害怕时， 或激动时会起鸡皮疙瘩。皮疙瘩。

You get goose lumps when you are You get goose lumps when you are cold, frightened, or excited.cold, frightened, or excited.

10. But before we could be so 10. But before we could be so diplomatic,… (Para. 17)diplomatic,… (Para. 17)

Meaning: But before we could say Meaning: But before we could say something skillfully to please my something skillfully to please my mother,…mother,…

Diplomatic: a. 1)skillful in or artful in Diplomatic: a. 1)skillful in or artful in dealing with peopledealing with people

很巧妙的答复 很巧妙的答复 a diplomatic answera diplomatic answer2) of or about the profession, activity, 2) of or about the profession, activity,

or skill of managing international or skill of managing international relationsrelations

外交关系 外交关系 Diplomatic relationsDiplomatic relations

11. And he proceeded to pour a 11. And he proceeded to pour a riverful of the salty black riverful of the salty black stuffstuff on the on the chinachina plate, right before plate, right before my mother’s shocked eyes. my mother’s shocked eyes. (Para. 17)(Para. 17)

Meaning: After saying that, he poured Meaning: After saying that, he poured a lot of soy sauce on the china plate a lot of soy sauce on the china plate just in front of my mother, which just in front of my mother, which shocked my mother.shocked my mother.

stuffstuff: n. things such as matter, a : n. things such as matter, a group of things, events, or ideas, or group of things, events, or ideas, or the contents of sth. in a general way the contents of sth. in a general way without mentioning the thing itself by without mentioning the thing itself by name.name.

12. stuff: n.12. stuff: n.

今天太多事情要做了。今天太多事情要做了。There is too much stuff for today.There is too much stuff for today.这盘子上有些白色的东西。这盘子上有些白色的东西。There is some white stuff on the There is some white stuff on the

plate.plate.

13. …I think we hit it off A-OK. 13. …I think we hit it off A-OK. (Para. 19)(Para. 19)

Meaning:... I think we got along very Meaning:... I think we got along very well.well.

hit it off: enjoy good relations or get hit it off: enjoy good relations or get along very well.along very well.

我和他相处得很好。我和他相处得很好。He and I hit it off well with each other.He and I hit it off well with each other.不幸的是，他和经理处得不好。不幸的是，他和经理处得不好。Unfortunately, he and his manager Unfortunately, he and his manager

didn’t hit it off.didn’t hit it off.

III. Listening and SpeakingIII. Listening and Speaking

Choose one conversation and one passage Choose one conversation and one passage to listen in classto listen in class

Discuss: How to overcome cultural barriers Discuss: How to overcome cultural barriers against cross-culture marriage.against cross-culture marriage.

1) Describe a cross-culture marriage which 1) Describe a cross-culture marriage which you know about.you know about.

2) Suppose you are going to have a cross-2) Suppose you are going to have a cross-culture marriage, how would you deal with culture marriage, how would you deal with the cultural differences? the cultural differences?