VOA慢速英语:'They' Wins as Linguists’ Word of the Year

短语讲解：

1. There’s been a lot of discussion this year about something that has actually existed in the language for centuries.

a lot of 大量
例句：Apart from the cost, it will take a lot of time.
除了费钱以外，还要花很多时间。

2. For example, “they” is used for people who identify as transgender, gender-fluid or gender-queer.

be used for 用来做…
例句：It can be used for devising systems to protect against frost damage.
它可用来设计防止霜害的方法。

3. The new use of “they” would allow the use of “their” instead of “his,” as in, “they changed their name to Caitlyn Jenner.

instead of （用…） 代替…， （是…）而不是…
例句：I decided to treat myself to a taxi, eg instead of walking.
我决定坐他一次计程车。

4. American Dialect Society president Alan Metcalf said people have argued about the use of “they” for more than 100 years.

argue about 争论，辩论
例句：The couple begin to argue about money.
夫妇俩开始为钱争吵。

5. “I think there is often a false sense that this is the turning point, that from now on this particular usage will be accepted and won’t be argued about,” Metcalf said.

from now on 从现在开始; 从此
例句：From now on you can work on your own.
你从现在起可以独立工作了。

6. I think that 100 years from now they will still be a bit of a discussion point.

a bit of 一点; 一星半点
例句：It takes a bit of nerve to transport explosives.
运输炸药要有点胆量。

7. Every year, Time magazine does a 'Person of the Year,' and we're the experts on words, so why don't we come up with a 'Word of the Year?

come up with 想出; 提出; 追赶上
例句：Slow down a bit and let me come up with you.
跑慢一点让我赶上吧。

8. And we gradually developed the procedures for doing it, so those who vote on it would take some time to think about it.

think about 考虑…; 捉摸…
例句：Even now when I think about it I feel pain in my heart.
就是现在想起来我心里都感到难受。