当代研究生英语下册第六单元课文翻译.pdfVIP

UNIT6 There have been major changes in attitudes toward courtship and marriage among those middle-class, educated Americans who are celebrated in the media and who are style setters for American life. Courtship was once a regular part of American life; it was a long period, sometimes lasting for many years, and also a tentative one, during which a future husband or wife could still turn back but during which their relationship became more and more exclusive and socially recognized. Courtship both preceded the announcement of an engagement and followed the announcement, although a broken engagement was so serious that it could be expected to throw the girl into a depression from which she might never recover. 那些中产阶级、受过教育，并在广播、电视、报纸等媒体方面占据主要位置的美国人是 美国生活方式的典型代表。在他们中间，对待求婚与结婚的态度变化很大。求婚原来曾是美 国人生活中的正常现象，恋爱的过程也很长，有的长达数年，而且带有考验性质。在这一过 程中男女双方都可以改变原来的态度，拒绝对方的爱。当然有许多人之间的关系可能越来越 专一，也逐渐地为社会所认可。人们一般是先恋爱后订婚，但也有先订婚后恋爱的。不过， 订了婚再后悔是很糟糕的事，这会把一个姑娘推向痛苦的深渊而永远无法解脱。 There were definite rules governing the courtship period, from the bundling permitted in early New England days, when young couples slept side by side with all their clothes on, to strict etiquette that prescribed what sort of gifts a man might give his fiancee in circles where expensive presents were customary. Gifts had to be either immediately consumable, like candy or flowers, or indestructible, tike diamonds-which could be given back, their value unimpaired, if there was a rift in the relationship. Objects that could be damaged by use, like gloves and furs, were forbidden. A gentleman might call for a lady in a cab or in his own equipage, but it was regarded as inappropriate for him to pay for her train fare if they went on a journey. 以前恋爱期间的男女双方要遵守许多明确的规范。从早年新英格兰时期流传下来的一个 习惯是，恋爱的青年男女可以在一起 “和衣而睡”。在送贵重礼品成风的圈子里，一个男子 要对自己的未婚妻送什么样的礼物也有严格的讲究。礼物可以是马上就能用的，如糖果或鲜 花，或不易损坏的，如钻石——如果关系破裂了，还可以退回，价值也不会受损。容易用旧、 用坏的物品，诸如手套和皮货之类的东西是禁止赠送的。男方可以雇出租马车或者用自家的 马车去接女方，但如一起乘火车旅行男方为女方付旅费则被视为是不合适的。