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“Mind the Gap”: Metro System Under and Around the World 世界各地的都会捷运系统

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Visiting a new city, our first experience is often underground. The metro systems connecting downtown cores with airports, train stations, and outlying areas are more than the transportation backbone of over 140 cities worldwide. They also define public space and enhance urban life.

当我们走访一个新城市时，最先经历的常常来自于地面下。都会捷运系统【注】连结市中心、机场、火车站、和市郊，对全世界140多个城市来说，它的功能不只作为交通骨干，也界定出公共空间，并且提升都市的生活质量。

The first and most famous subway system is the London Underground, known locally as “The Tube.” An integral part of London life since 1863, the Tube’s frequent public announcement warning passengers to “Mind the gap,” (the space between the train and platform), has evolved from a safety warning into a popular catchphrase.

最早也最出名的都会捷运系统是伦敦的地下铁，当地人称之为「管子」，自从1863年起它就是伦敦生活中不可或缺的一部分。伦敦地下铁经常用广播提醒旅客「注意台阶」（指火车与月台间的缝隙），这句话甚至变成了颇受欢迎的流行用语。

The world’s most up-to-date metro opened in 2002 in Delhi, India. Considering India culture in the plans, builders incorporated intelligent, utilitarian innovations like “sari-proof” escalators, designed so that loose clothing cannot catch in the machinery.

目前世界上最新的都会捷运系统是2002年在印度德里启用的捷运系统。该系统在建造时，建筑商把印度的文化因素也考虑在内，采用了创新实用的智能型设施，例如设计能防止像纱丽之类的宽松衣服卡进机器里的电扶梯。

Similarly modern, the Taipei MRT System is notable for the many ways its public spaces enrich city life. MRT stations and surrounding areas serve as eye-catching landmarks, and as venues for exhibitions, buskers, or public art. A mural at Shuanglian Station depicts the area’s history, while the innovative design of the Jiantan Station, featuring a striking cable support system, received a 1997 award from Architect magazine!

同样摩登的台北捷运系统，以多样化的方式利用公共空间丰富市民的生活而闻名。捷运车站与其周边区域是非常醒目的地标，同时也可做为展示地点，街头艺人的表演场所，或摆放公共艺术品。双连站的一幅壁画讲述了当地的历史，而剑潭站利用抢眼的支撑索系统创新设计在1997年得到《建筑师》杂志颁发的奖项。

Constantly expanding, metro systems worldwide are shaping and improving the modern city.

世界各地的都会捷运系统规模不断地扩张，也不断塑造和改善我们现代城市的风貌。

【注】metro system「都会捷运系统」，泛指地面下、地面、和高架的运输系统。

－by Joel Finnestad

Vocabulary

单词发音

outlying [ˋaʊt͵laɪɪŋ] adj. 远离中心的；边远的

backbone [ˋbæk͵bon] n. 骨干；基础

integral [ˋɪntəgrəl] adj. 构成整体所必需的，不可缺的

catchphrase [ˋkætʃ͵frez] n.〔演员或政客常用的〕时髦话﹐流行的词句

up-to-date 最新的

utilitarian [͵jutɪləˋtɛrɪən] adj.【正式】有用的; 实用的

sari [ˋsɑri] n. 莎丽服；（印度妇女披裹身上的）卷布

escalator [ˋɛskə͵letɚ] n. 自动楼梯，电扶梯

enrich [ɪnˋrɪtʃ] v. 使丰富

busker [ˋbʌskɚ] n.  街头艺人  a person who entertains in a public place for donations

striking [ˋstraɪkɪŋ] adj. 惹人注目的；显著的

Sentence of the Day

The complexity of subway systems around the world is mind-boggling.

全世界地下铁的系统错综复杂，令人眼花撩乱。

mind-boggling [ˋmaɪndˋbɑg!ɪŋ] adj.【非正式】〔巨大﹑奇怪或复杂得〕令人难以想象的