流行美语 第213课:dumb down; win-win

Larry和李华在谈李华教中文的事。李华会学到两个常用语：dumb down和win-win。

LL: So, when you teach first year Chinese you must really have to dumb down the material for the students.

LH: 什么？Dumb down? 这是什么意思呀？

LL: Yeah. To dumb down is to take something difficult and make it easy.

LH：噢，To dumb down就是把难学的教材简化，让学生容易学一点。是啊， 一年级的学生都刚开始学中文， 我必须用简单一些的教材。Larry，dumb就是苯；down就是下降，dumb down这说法是不是有贬义呀？

LL: Well, sometimes you dumb something down because it is really hard, and in those cases, to dumb down doesn't really have a negative sense to it.

LH: 那倒是。把过分复杂的内容简化一些是好的，所以在这种情况下，dumb down确实不应该属于贬义。

LL: Sometimes the person you are trying to teach isn't very smart - and you have to dumb it down so they can begin to understand. In that case, it does have a negative meaning.

LH: 这我太清楚了。有的学生就是教不会，脑子不太聪明，遇到这种情况你也只好一点一点教，从最简单的开始。

LL: Of course - and at work, when I explain the software to people who have never used it, I generally dumb down my instructions so they don't get confused.

LH: 那我跟你办公室的同事差不多。你要教我用新的电脑软件，你非得讲得简单易懂，否则我会糊涂的。就像我教那些脑子不太快的学生一样。

LL: So, you don't have to dumb it down for those bright students?

LH: 教聪敏的学生当然就不需要dumb down我的教材咯！有的学生可真聪敏，一教就会，而且还不需要我每次重复。

LL: That is amazing! If you didn't have to dumb it down, you must be a really good teacher.

LH: 那还用说呀！当然是教导有方了，严师出高徒嘛。 Larry, 我想请你帮个忙， 不知道你能不能教我使用刚买的绘画软件。

LL: Sure, Li Hua, I'd be happy to.

LH: 我刚才说了，我对电脑不太精通。 你可要用简单的词汇来讲解 - You are really going to have to dumb it down for me!

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LL: Hey, Li Hua. Speaking of teaching Chinese, I've got a proposal for you - and I think it is a real win-win situation.

LH: 我知道，win-win situation就是双赢。也就是对双方都有好处。Win就是赢或输的赢。对了，Larry，你要给我提什么建议呀？

LL: Oh, I met someone who studied Chinese years ago and wants to practice their Chinese. I thought you would be a perfect choice to help her out.

LH: 你认识的这个人以前学过中文， 现在想练习中文， 我当然可以帮助她了。不过，如果只是我帮助她，这好像并不是双赢的局面呦。

LL: Well, she is an editor for a magazine, and I thought she could help you by editing your dissertation - and you could help her practice her Chinese. It's a win-win situation for both of you.

LH: 原来如此，她是一个杂志的编辑，可以帮我修改博士论文。 这样，我帮她练习中文，她帮我改论文，这真是一个win-win situation。 谢谢你，Larry， 你知道花钱请人修改论文是很贵的。

LL: As can hiring a Chinese tutor. I am sure my friend will think it's win-win as well.

LH: 当然，请人辅导中文也不便宜。 你把她的电话给我，我和她联系一下。Larry, 我也有一个双赢的建议给你。

LL: Okay, just what is your win-win proposition?

LH: 我刚才不是请你教我使用刚买的绘画软件吗？这个周末给你做顿中国饭怎么样？

LL: Well, I like the idea! You are a great cook and I'm happy to buy the food, and you'll learn how to use the software. A perfect win-win partnership!

LH: 你也是个很棒的双赢伙伴。可是，Larry， 吃完饭后别忘了洗碗。

LL: Me do the dishes, too? That seems a little less win-win to me!

LH：But it's a win-win to me!

今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dumb down，意思是把教材、讲解等简化，让学的人更容易懂。还有一个常用语是win-win，意思是双赢。