BBC地道英语:Pow Wow 严肃的会谈

Diarmuid: Hello everybody and welcome to another edition of Authentic Real English with me, Diarmuid.

(pause)

Diarmuid: Actually, I'm very sorry listeners. This is a little bit embarrassing. My co-presenter Jean hasn't arrived to record the programme yet. I don't know how I can do the programme without her.

(sound of Jean arriving)

Diarmuid: Jean, thank goodness you're here! Where have you been?

Jean: I'm sorry Diarmuid. I was in a pow wow with my boss and I couldn't get out in time.

Diarmuid: You were in a pow wow?

Jean: Yes a pow wow. P.O.W. W.O.W. Pow wow. You know, an important meeting.

Diarmuid: A pow wow: an important meeting with important people.

Jean: That's right. Pow wow 就是口语里说的很重要的会议，会谈的意思。

Diarmuid: It's an interesting phrase, pow wow. I wonder where it comes from. It doesn't sound English.

Jean: It's not originally an English word. 因为英语里是有很多来自不同语言的外来语，所以当今的英语其实可以说是由不同语言混合起来的新英语了。

Pow wow is originally a Native American word

Diarmuid: So where does the phrase pow wow come from?

Jean: It's a Native American word. Native American 就是当初欧洲移民还没来到美洲大陆的时候，美洲当地的土著居民。

Diarmuid: So this is American English?

Jean: No, it's Native American English. 而我们今天说的这个词 pow wow 就来自美洲土著居民所使用的语言。

Examples
 

A: Have you prepared for the big pow wow with the bosses?

B: Have I?! I spent all night going over the facts. I'm as prepared as I can be.

A: You look worried.

B: We're having a big family pow wow tonight. My wife has a list of things for us to discuss.

Diarmuid: Are there other Native American words in English then Jean?

Jean: Oh yes. Here are a few examples: canoe 独木皮舟。

Diarmuid: Go on.

Jean: And potato 马铃薯。

Diarmuid: Wow.

Jean: Tomato 番茄。

Diarmuid: Any more?

Jean: 还有我最喜欢的。Barbeque 烧烤。

Diarmuid: Jean, you are so knowledgeable. I'm so impressed.

Jean: Well the internet has lots of websites where you can learn things.

Diarmuid: How true. And one of the best of them is our website.

Jean: www.bbcukchina.com 大家有时间，一定要多来看看。

Diarmuid: Bye for now.

Jean: Bye.