BBC都市掠影:Gentlemen's Clubs 绅士俱乐部

The script of this programme 本节目台词 
 
John: Hi, and welcome to On the Town from BBC Learning English. I'm John.
Chen Li: And I'm Chen Li。 今天，我们要去探访只有在伦敦才会找得到的一些独特的俱乐部，它们就是高级的私人绅士俱乐部。 Private gentlemen's clubs. What's special about them John?

John: Well, these are very old clubs and they've been open for more than 100 years. They are usually found in very old and traditional buildings in central London, and they might have a bar, and quite often they will have their own library, restaurant, and also bedrooms.

Chen Li: 他们历史悠久， they are old, 他们给会员提供配套的服务设施，通常包括一个酒吧，a bar，一间图书馆a library，同时还可能有供休息的卧房以及餐厅。 So John, why does London have these clubs?

John: Good question Li. They date back to the eighteenth century, and they started life as coffee houses where actors, political leaders, and sometimes members of the Royal family would mix together and discuss the latest news and gossip!

Chen Li: So the clubs have a long history.

John: Yes, that's right.

Chen Li: 开始时，它仅仅是个咖啡屋，coffee houses。 当时所有政坛以及文坛的主要人物和代表都聚集一堂，谈论当天发生的新闻以及传言。

John: Today things have changed quite a lot, but the gentlemen's clubs in London are still very traditional, and have a very special atmosphere.

Chen Li: 下面是罗纳德哈乌德的谈话，他是个演员兼作家，同时也是卡里克俱乐部的会员。

 Insert

One of the most enchanting things about The Garrick, is that the moment you enter those doors, one is beguiled by the peace of the place. The club was founded, so the story goes, so that actors could meet gentlemen, and learn how to behave. Nowadays I think that the balance has reversed. I think the gentlemen rather like meeting the actors, and catching some of that glamour.

John: Ronald Harwood, a member of the prestigious Garrick Club in London. Did you notice there that Ronald said how people are beguiled by the peace of his club?

Chen Li: Yes, but what does beguiled mean John?

John: It means to trick.

Chen Li: 罗纳德说人们受到卡里克俱乐部平和表象的诱惑，beguiled 或者说被蒙骗了，这个俱乐部原本是为那些演员设立的，让他们结交绅士，学习礼貌的行为和优雅的举止。

John: Now though, it's the gentlemen who like to learn from the actors!

Chen Li: Yes, they like the glamour。如今的绅士们反过来，希望从那些演员身上了解他们充满魅力的生活方式。OK John, what else can you tell me about the atmosphere in these clubs? 那就让我们来听听更多的有关这种俱乐部情况的介绍吧。

John: Here's Arthur Garret, a member of a club called The National Liberal Club. He starts by talking about 'relics'.

Chen Li: 遗风遗俗。

John: ...and, the smoking room.

Chen Li: 吸烟室。