EZCNN 易英网

Cell Phone Cameras: Snapping Up Your Privacy 「罩」相手机闯通关？

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

Technology usually moves forward faster than laws and social customs. Such is the case with today’s cell phone cameras. These devises have become ubiquitous, but the regulations concerning their use are still in their infancy.

科技往往比法律及社会习俗进展得还快，现在的照相手机就是这样的情况。这种装备随处可见，但其使用规范却仍处于发展初期。

Because they are so small, cell phone cameras are great for taking photos anywhere at any time. However, their very convenience poses a potential risk to the privacy of individuals and businesses. With the capability to take photos and connect to the Internet, cell phone cameras can take pictures and distribute them around the world in just minutes.

因为外观小巧，照相手机很适合随时随地拿来照相。然而，其便利性对个人及企业的隐私带来了潜在的危险，因为照相手机有照相及上网的功能，在几分钟内就可以将拍摄的照片寄发到全世界去。

Businesses and governments are waking up to the reality of these risks and are taking measures to prevent possible invasions of privacy. Health clubs, bars, and nightclubs were the first to take steps to protect the privacy of their clientele by limiting cell phone use on their premises. Fearing corporate espionage or misuse by disgruntled employees, many companies have banned cell phones with cameras from sensitive areas. Celebrities have also responded by requiring guests to check their cell phones at the door when attending social events.

企业界跟政府觉悟到这些危险的存在后，采取了相关措施以避免隐私权可能遭侵犯。健身中心、酒吧及夜总会是第一批采取行动，藉由限制在店内使用手机来保护其顾客的地方。为了怕有企业从事间谍活动或不满的员工滥用，许多公司已禁止在敏感的区域使用照相手机。名人为了因应这个问题，也会要求参加社交聚会的来宾不可携带手机进去。

On the flip side, some argue that cell phone cameras create a safer environment. For example, photographs of car license plates and would-be attackers have been used as evidence in criminal proceedings. For good or bad, cell phone cameras have made us all potential paparazzi.

另一方面，有些人认为照相手机可营造出一个更安全的环境。例如，已有人拿车牌号码及企图攻击者的照片在刑事诉讼中当作证据。不论是好是坏，照相手机让我们大家都成为可能的狗仔队了。

Vocabulary

单词发音

ubiquitous [juˋbɪkwətəs] adj.【正式或幽默】普遍存在的﹐ 无处不在的

clientele [͵klaɪənˋtɛl] n.〔定期光顾某商店﹑餐馆等的所有〕顾客﹐主顾

premise [ˋprɛmɪs] n. 经营场地 a piece of land together with its buildings, esp considered as a place of business

espionage [ˋɛspɪənɑʒ] n. 谍报；间谍活动 the act or practice of spying or of using spies to obtain secret information, as about another government or a business competitor

disgruntled [dɪs`grʌnt!d] adj.〔尤因事情未像自己所想要的那样发生而〕恼火的; 不高兴的; 失望的; 不满的 feeling or expressing discontent or anger

check something at the door 在门口检查  to get rid of before entering a venue

flip side 反面; 事物较不重要的方面 the opposite side

would-be [ˋwʊd͵bi] adj. 想要成为的 intended to be

paparazzi [ˏpɑpə`rɑtsɪ] n. 追逐名人的（摄影）记者﹐狗仔队

Sentence of the Day

One picture is worth a thousand words.

一张照片抵得过千言万语。

课文讲解

Chris and Lily are at the gym working out. They’re taking a break between sets.  克里斯和莉莉在健身房运动，他们在空档时休息。

L: What’s wrong, Chris? You look upset. Are you having a bad workout?

怎么了，克里斯？你看来有点心烦，是运动不顺吗？

C: No, it’s not that. The receptionist made me leave my cell phone at the front desk. Apparently, they have a new policy about cell phones with cameras. I feel naked without my cell phone.

不，不是这样的。那名服务员要我把手机留在柜台上，显然他们对照相手机有新的政策。我没有手机感觉好像没穿衣服一样。

L: Well, I think that’s part of the problem. Some of the customers were complaining about cell phones in the locker rooms. They’re worried that someone may surreptitiously snap a compromising photo.

嗯，我想这就是其中一个问题。有些顾客抱怨更衣室里有手机的存在，担心有人可能会偷偷地拍下不雅的照片。

C: It’s not just the gym, either. The other day I went to visit a client’s research facility. They also confiscated my phone when I entered.

不只在健身房会这样而已。前几天我去拜访一位客户的研究机构，他们也在我进去时没收了我的手机。

L: Well, I think the problem is really pervasive. I’ve even read that some bookstores are losing money because customers are taking snapshots of books and magazines.

嗯，我想这个问题真的很普遍。我甚至看到这样的消息：有些书店因为顾客偷拍书及杂志内容的照片而赔钱的。

C: Really? I do know some courtrooms have banned cell phones completely. I guess they need to prevent people from taking pictures of witnesses or minors involved in a case.

真的吗？！我知道有些法院全面禁止手机的使用，我想他们必须防止涉案的证人或未成年者遭到拍摄。

L: Wow! Can you imagine what’s going to happen in a few years when cell phones all have video cameras?

哇！你能想象几年后手机都有摄影机时会是什么样的情形吗？

C: Right now, I can only imagine the calls I’m missing! Let’s go do another set so we can get out of here, and I can check my phone!

现在我想得到的只有那些漏接的电话！我们再去做一轮吧，之后我们就可以离开，而且我也可以查看一下我的电话！

－by Darshan Tyler

Vocabulary

单词发音

surreptitious [͵sɝəpˋtɪʃəs] adj. 秘密的；偷偷摸摸的；鬼鬼祟祟的 obtained, done, or made by clandestine or stealthy means

compromising [ˋkɑmprəmaɪzɪŋ] adj. 使人难堪的; 有失体面的 vulnerable to danger especially of discredit or suspicion

confiscate [ˋkɑnfɪs͵ket] v. 没收 to seize by or as if by authority

pervasive [pɚˋvesɪv] adj.  普遍的 spreading or spread throughout

courtroom [ˋkort͵rʊm] n. 法庭，审判室

minor [ˋmaɪnɚ] n. 未成年人 Law one who has not reached full legal age

set [sɛt] n. 一套，一部，一副

Sentence of the Day

Be a fly on the wall.

要悄悄地观察别人而不让别人知道。