VOA慢速英语:Americans Making Final Preparations for Super Bowl Sunday

This Sunday, people around the world will witness two teams as they battle for the championship of American professional football. The Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers are in New Orleans, Louisiana, to prepare for the 47th Super Bowl. Over one hundred million people are expected to watch the game on television, with computers or other devices.
这个星期天，世界各地的人们将见证两支球队争夺美国职业橄榄球总冠军。巴尔的摩乌鸦队和旧金山49人队正在美国路易斯安那州新奥尔良准备第47届超级碗决赛。预计届时会有超过1亿观众通过电视、计算机和其它设备观看比赛。

The Ravens were formed in 1996 when the owner of the Cleveland Browns decided to move his team to Baltimore, Maryland. In 2001, the Ravens won their only Super Bowl game. The 49ers were established in 1946 as a member of the All-American Football conference. The team joined the National Football League in 1950.
当克里夫兰布朗队的老板在1996年决定将球队转移到马里兰州的巴尔的摩时，乌鸦队就成立了。在2001年，乌鸦队赢得了他们唯一的一次超级碗决赛。49人队成立于1946年，是美国橄榄球联合会的成员。该队于1950年加入了美国国家橄榄球联盟。

They have won five Super Bowl championships.
他们已经赢得了5个超级碗冠军。

VOA reporter Jim Stevenson will be going to the game on Sunday.
美国之音记者Jim Stevenson将在周日去观看比赛。

“This is a really good match up. Most people thought that the 49ers were one of the favorites to reach the super bowl. They have an exceptional defense, explosive offense. Baltimore has always been known for its defense, very tough, physical, hard hitting team.” 
“这是一场势均力敌的比赛。大多数人认为49人队是超级碗的夺冠热门之一，他们有非常出色的防守，有力的进攻。巴尔的摩乌鸦队也一直因强悍访问而闻名，这是一支非常强悍、身体出色、铁打的球队。”

This Super Bowl game is unusual because the head coaches of the two teams are brothers. Baltimore’s John Harbaugh is the older of the two. Younger brother Jim formerly played for several professional teams, including the Ravens. He was a college football coach before moving to the NFL last year to lead the 49ers.
因为这两只球队的主教练是亲兄弟，所以此次超级碗比赛显得不同寻常。巴尔的摩的John Harbaug是哥哥，弟弟Jim曾在包括乌鸦队在内的几只专业球队中效力。在去年进入NFL率领49人队之前，他是大学橄榄球队教练。

The Super Bowl is not only a popular event to watch, but it also increases economic activity in the United States. Many people hold Super Bowl parties, spending lots of money on food, drinks and activities. Officials estimate the game will bring $434 million to the Louisiana economy and increase the number of visitors to the state.
超级碗不仅是一项热门赛事，而且还增进美国的经济活动。许多人会举办超级碗派对，在食品、饮料和各类活动上花费许多钱。官方估计该比赛将为路易斯安那州经济带来4.34亿美元，还会增加到访的游客数量。

A major part of the economic activity is coming from large companies that plan to advertise their products on television during ‘commercial’ breaks. Companies are spending up to $400 million for a single 30 second advertisement. But businesses would not spend this much money if they did not think it would lead to increased sales. The head of Volkswagen America told the Reuters news agency that the company’s recent Super Bowl ads have resulted in a doubling in the size of its business.
经济活动的一个主要部分来自于大公司计划在比赛休息期间投放电视广告宣传其产品。各个公司为一个30秒的广告花费4亿美元。但如果这些公司不认为这会提高销售，他们不会花费这么多钱。大众汽车公司的美国负责人告诉路透社记者，该公司上次在超级碗的广告使其业务规模增加了一倍。

This year, companies are recognizing the importance of social media. They know that many people will not only be watching the television broadcast, but will be near their computer or mobile phone. Coca Cola wants people to take part in its advertising. On Sunday, the company will be asking viewers to vote in an online competition between three groups competing for a Coke. Pepsi and Toyota are planning to use personal photographs in their ads.
今年，公司都认识到社交媒体的重要性。他们知道，许多人不仅可以看电视直播，还能使用电脑和手机。可口可乐公司希望人们参与其广告。本周日，该公司将要求观众在一项三组争夺一罐可乐的网上竞赛中投票竞猜。百事可乐和丰田公司计划在广告中使用个人照片。

In the past, Super Bowl ads were closely-guarded secrets. But over the past few years, more and more companies have been making their ads public before the game. This year more than 20 companies have already released their ads. However, not everyone enjoys seeing the ads early. Some people like to be surprised. Because advertising during the Super Bowl is just as competitive as the game itself, some companies could change their ads at the very last minute. 
 
在过去，超级碗广告是高度机密。但在过去几年中，越来越多的公司在比赛前公布自己的广告。今年已经有超过20家公司已经发布了他们的广告。然而，并不是每个人都喜欢提前看到广告，有些人喜欢有惊喜。由于超级碗期间的广告和赛事本身一样竞争激烈，一些公司可能会在最后时刻改变他们的广告。