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2014/10/1 (三) 22:00-23:00 teamviewer會議見

這次主題是討論有關西方的迷信，同時也比較與東方迷信的不同點

http://go.teamviewer.com/v9/m56112457 (會議連結)

或下載teamviewer後輸入會議ID: m56-112-457

Preview: oral practice

1. Are you supersitious? Why or why not?

2. Do you know anything about western supersitition? Please give examples.

3. Do you know anything about eastern supersition? Please give examples.

4. In your opinion, westerners are more supersitious or easterners are more supersitious?

5. Have you ever done anything supersitious? If yes, please give examples.

Contents

Learning about new cultures can be a fascinating experience of discovery. Languages and
traditions help make up these cultures, and so do superstitions. You probably know many
of the superstitions found in your own culture, such as not giving clocks, umbrellas, or
shoes as gifts. As for Western superstitions, though, you might not be as familiar with them.

While the number four is unlucky in Chinese culture, people in North America avoid the
number 13 like the plague. Take a look at the floor numbers in an elevator anywhere
on the continent, and you'll often find that 13 has been removed. Some say this superstition
comes from the Christian faith. In the Bible, Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus Christ, was
the 13th guest at the Last Supper -- the meal Jesus had just before he was crucified.

Another thing many Westerners are uneasy about is walking under a ladder. You might think
it's just common sense so that the person on the ladder doesn't drop something on your head,
but there's more to it than that. The shape of an open ladder is a triangle, which signifies life.
By walking through the triangle, you could be tempting fate and perhaps stirring up any evil
spirits that might be found within.

According to superstitious Westerners, shattering a looking glass will bring seven years of
bad luck. This is because a mirror is thought to be a reflection of the soul. Fear not, though.
The harmful effect of breaking a mirror can be countered by burying the shards outside
in the moonlight. Of course, this is just another superstition!

Even certain materials play a role in superstitions, and one of them is wood. Have you ever
been puzzled when a Westerner taps a couple of times on a piece of wood, such as a doorway
or a table? This practice dates back to a time when people believed gods lived in trees. When
people asked a favor of these gods, they would tap lightly on a tree. Then, to thank the gods
for the favor, they would knock softly again. Today, the phrase "knock on wood" is uttered to
ward off bad luck or to invite good fortune.

Others' superstitions might seem odd to you, and your own superstitions might seem odd to
others. So long as all parties are respectful of each other, we can take the superstitions for
what they are -- interesting parts of a culture that often have a long history behind them.

Vocabulary

1. superstition n. 迷信

〔補〕superstitious adj.

Dennis has a lot of superstitions about ghosts that make him fearful to be alone
in dark places.

2. fascinating adj. 有趣、迷人的；讓人著迷的

〔補〕fascinate v. 使著迷

I read a fascinating story in a magazine about a man who traveled across India on foot.

3. plague n. 瘟疫；禍患（avoid sth/sb like the plague 表示「極力迴避」的意思）

Millions of people died from the plague in Europe during the 14th century.

4. continent n. 大陸、洲；（大寫）歐洲大陸

Great Britain is considered to be part of Europe, but it is an island found off the continent
of Europe.

5. faith n. 宗教；信仰；信任、相信

〔補〕faithful adj. 忠實的

I have very little faith that Gary will show up at the party because he rarely goes out on weekends.

6. shatter v. 砸碎；粉碎

The angry woman shattered her glass on the floor of the kitchen.

7. reflection n. （鏡子的）映像；反映；體現

Paul could see his reflection in the still water of the lake.

8. counter v. 抵消；反對

To counter the effects of the disease, you should drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.

9. tap v. 輕敲；輕拍

I tapped lightly on the door before entering the room.

10. doorway n. 門口；出入口

In the doorway of our house stood my father, who was holding a bunch of roses for my mother.

11. utter v. 說出；發出（聲音等）

Jim uttered a few words about not wanting to see the movie, but in the end, he came with us.

12. respectful adj. 尊敬人的；恭敬的（後可接介系詞 of、to）

Lisa was very respectful to her parents and always followed their advice.

Phrases

1. there is more (to sb/sth) than...

（某人或某事）不只是……

There is more to this small town than what you think, and many famous people grew up here.

這座小鎮不只是你以為的那樣，這裡出了很多名人。

〔補充〕there is more (to sb/sth) than meets the eye 某人或某事不僅是表面的樣子、不容小覷

There is more to Michelle than meets the eye, and you'll be very surprised at her many talents.

蜜雪兒不是你見到的樣子而已，你會對她的許多才華感到非常驚訝。

2. stir up

挑起（情緒等）；引起（爭辯、事端等）

動詞 stir {st-} 意為「攪動；激起」。

Fred always stirs up problems when he's around, so that's why I don't want him to be part of our project.

佛萊德在的時候總是引來麻煩，那就是為什麼我不想讓他參與我們的企劃案。

3. tempt fate

冒險；鋌而走險

動詞 tempt表「冒著……的風險」，此片語有冒險做某事，且可能招致嚴重的後果之意。

4. Languages and traditions help make up these cultures, and so do superstitions.

句型：S1 + V1. ..., and so + 助動詞/be動詞 + S2 ……也是……

後半部的 so 作副詞用，表「也一樣、同樣」之意，須注意倒裝句中，動詞要與後面主詞的人稱、單複數一致。

Pork and beans go very well together, and so do steak and potatoes.

豬排跟豆子很搭，牛排跟馬鈴薯也是。

The library is open today, and so is the art museum.

圖書館今天有開，美術館也是。

〔比較〕S1 + V1..., as + 助動詞/be動詞 + S2 ……也是……

as 在此為連接詞，意為「同樣地」，其後的主詞與動詞須倒裝，此為正式用法。

The small plants in the garden are producing flowers, as are the trees in my front yard.

花園裡的小型植物開花了，我前院裡的樹也是。

5. knock on wood

老天保佑、好險

西方人向木頭裡的神靈祈求「免除惡運、帶來好運」時會有「敲木頭」的動作。祈求好運的類似說法還有 cross your fingers。

The weather should be nice for our picnic tomorrow, knock on wood.

我們明天野餐的天氣應該會不錯，老天保佑。

6. ward off

驅除；避開

〔用法〕ward off + N.、ward + N./代名詞 + off

動詞 ward {w7rd} 表「避開」之意，ward off 的受詞通常是帶有危險性或具威脅的人事物。

Apply some of this insect spray on your clothing to ward off mosquitoes.

在你的衣物上噴一些這種驅蟲噴霧來驅趕蚊子。

參考ALL+ 10月份雜誌