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Singing in the Rain at Songkran 泼水祈福的时刻：泰国泼水节

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When most people envision a New Year’s celebration, they think of huge fireworks extravaganzas or the final 10-second countdown. But in Thailand, it’s not really the New Year until you find yourself drenched in H₂O.

当许多人预想新年的庆祝活动时，脑中浮现的是华丽的烟火秀与跨年倒数。但在泰国，不把全身淋湿可就不算是过新年。

The Songkran Festival is the Thai New Year celebration, which runs from April 13th to 15th. The word Songkran, which means “step forward,” comes from Sanskrit. The water symbolizes that people can wash off the misfortune and problems of the past and get off to a fresh start. Although it’s often depicted as a wet and wild occasion by the international media, Songkran is considered a sacred holiday for Thais because it signifies the three major values in Thai culture: family, society, and religion.

从四月十三日至十五日的泼水节为泰国新年庆祝活动。Songkran一字源自梵语，意指「向前迈进」。水象征了人们将过去的霉运与困难洗去，并迎接全新的开始。虽然国际媒体常把泼水节形容成一个清凉又疯狂的节日，但泼水节对泰国人来说是一个神圣节日，因为它象征着泰国文化里三个重要价值：家庭、社会与宗教。

From a religious standpoint, many Thais celebrate by offering alms to monks. Or, in another ritual, Buddhists pour water over statues of the Buddha. Songkran is also a time for families to reunite. Family members will pour fragrant water onto the palms and shoulders of elderly family members to show respect and gratitude. As a society, people will often come together to help clean temples, schools, and offices.

从宗教观点来看泼水节，许多泰国人以布舍僧侣作为庆祝泼水节的方式。另外一项宗教仪式则是佛教徒会将水倾倒于佛陀塑像上。泼水节也是家人团聚的日子。家人会把带着芬芳香气的水倒在家中年长者的手掌或肩膀上以示尊敬与感激之情。从社会的观点来看泼水节，人们会在泼水节这天聚在一起帮忙清理寺庙、学校与办公场所。

In addition, Thais also celebrate by throwing water at each other during street parties. They may splash buckets or bowls of water on one another or squirt each other with garden hoses and water guns. In fact, these battles can be so fun that they can last for almost a week. So, if you’re looking to shower yourself in good times, head to Thailand this April and experience the Songkran Festival firsthand.

此外，泰国人也在街上庆祝时相互泼水。他们可能会以盛着水的水桶或碗公互相泼洒，或以浇花水管和水枪喷洒对方。事实上，这种水仗极为有趣，往往可以持续一个礼拜。所以如果你正在寻找适当时间点让自己全身痛快地淋湿，今年四月不妨前往泰国亲身体验泼水节。

－by Jamie Blackler

Vocabulary

单词发音

extravaganza [ɪk͵strævəˋgænzə] n. 铺张华丽的娱乐表演

drenched [drɛntʃd] a. 湿透的

depict [dɪˋpɪkt] v. 描述；描写

occasion [əˋkeʒən] n. 重大活动，盛典

sacred [ˋsekrɪd] adj. 神圣的

signify [ˋsɪgnə͵faɪ] v. 表示；表明

standpoint [ˋstænd͵pɔɪnt] n. 立场，观点，看法

alms [ɑmz] n. 施舍（物）; 救济（品）；施舍金

Buddha [ˋbʊdə] n. 佛陀

fragrant [ˋfregrənt] adj. 香的，芳香的

gratitude [ˋgrætə͵tjud] n. 感激之情，感恩，感谢

splash [splæʃ] v. 溅，泼

squirt [skwɝt] v. 喷射，注射

shower [ˋʃaʊɚ] v. 大量地给予；倾注

Idiom

片语发音

get off to a fresh start 有个新的开始 starting out correctly; beginning carefully and cautiously

Reading Questions

1.    Why is the Songkran Festival an important holiday in Thailand?

(A)  It allows people to spend time with their families.

(B)  People come together to do things for their community.

(C)  It represents a time for being thankful.

(D)  All of the above.

2.    Which of the following is NOT an acceptable way to celebrate Songkran?

(A)  Pouring some water over a Buddha statue’s head.

(B)  Throwing water at people during parties.

(C)  Holding a person’s head under water.

(D)  Putting water on the hands and shoulders of the elderly.

3.    Where would you likely find this article?

(A)  In a textbook that discusses Thai culture.

(B)  In a magazine about Buddhists in Thailand.

(C)  On a website about water conservation in Asia.

(D)  In an advertisement for water guns made in Thailand.

Songkran Festival in Thailand 2012 (English Version)

Answer