“Sayonara” Adolescence, “Konnichiwa” Adulthood! 告别未成年，欢喜转大人
- 详细资料
- 创建于 2009年1月12日
- 最后更新于 2024年5月25日
- 发布于 2012年6月03日
- 作者：Mike Lee
- 点击数：218
课文朗读
课文讲解
The concept of “coming of age” is recognized in cultures throughout the world. It marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood, usually going hand in hand with legal privileges like the right to vote or to get married. While most Westerners simply celebrate this event on their birthday with friends, the Japanese go a step further.
世界各地的文化都有「成年」这个概念。「成年」意味着从青少年时期变成大人的转变。成年随之而来的通常是法律赋予的特权，如投票、结婚等。大部分的西方人庆祝成年的方式就只是在生日当天与朋友一起庆祝，但是日本人对于「成年」的庆祝方式不仅如此。
“Seijin no Hi,” or Coming-of-Age Day, has been a Japanese national holiday since 1948. In Japan, 20 is the officially recognized adult age. So, on the second Monday in January, all the young people who just turned or who will turn 20 over the course of the year are invited to attend a special ceremony. This is usually held at the local town or city hall where government officials make speeches and hand out gifts to the new adults.
Seijin no Hi (成年之日)指的是「成人式」，从1948年起便成为日本的国定假日。在日本，20岁是法定成年年龄。所以在一月的第2个星期一，所有刚满20岁，或者即将在当年满20岁的青少年都会受邀参加一项特殊的仪式。这场仪式通常在当地乡镇或市政府举办，官员会在典礼上发表演说，并且赠送礼物给这些刚迈入成年的人。
On this day, girls tend to wear a traditional “kimono” dress with long sleeves, known as a “furisode.” Since it’s quite an intricate process to put it on, a visit to a beauty salon is often required beforehand. Boys also turn up in a darker version of the “kimono” called a “hakama,” although these days most choose to just wear a suit. Once the formalities of the ceremony are over, it’s time to get together with friends and party. After all, 20 is the legal age for drinking alcohol in Japan!
在这一天，女孩通常会穿上称为「振袖」的传统长袖和服。因为穿戴和服的过程相当繁复，所以女生得事先预定美容院帮她们穿上和服。男生通常会穿着比较深色的和服，称做「袴」，不过今日多数男生选择穿着西装。等到成年礼的正式仪式结束后，便是与朋友相聚的派对时间了。毕竟，20岁在日本是合法饮酒的年纪了！
−by David Vickers
Vocabulary
单词发音
concept [ˋkɑnsɛpt] n. 概念，观念
transition [trænˋzɪʃən] n. 转变; 过渡时期
privilege [ˋprɪv!ɪdʒ] n. 特权
beforehand [bɪˋfor͵hænd] adv. 预先，事先
alcohol [ˋælkə͵hɔl] n. 含酒精饮料
More Information
单词发音
coming of age 成年，满法定年龄
adolescence [æd!ˋɛsns] n. 青春期，青少年时期
go hand in hand with 与…密切相关; 与…结合在一起
kimono [kɪˋmono] n.（日本的）和服
intricate [ˋɪntrəkɪt] adj. 错综复杂的；复杂精细的
salon [səˋlɑn] n.〔提供理发等服务的〕厅﹐院﹐廊
turn up 出现, 到场, 露面 to make an appearance; arrive
formality [fɔrˋmælətɪ] n. 正式手续; 礼节
Reading Questions
1. What does the phase “coming of age” mean in the first paragraph?
A. When Westerners celebrate their 20th birthday.
B. When the Japanese are allowed to attend formal parties.
C. When people begin to be seen as grown-ups.
D. When children everywhere are given more rights.
2. What is true about “Seijin no Hi?”
A. It takes place on the same date every year.
B. A selection of 20-year-olds are invited to a ceremony.
C. Boys and girls must wear traditional dress on that day.
D. It has been a Japanese holiday for over half a century.
3. Which of the following is the main purpose of the passage?
A. To promote a unique Japanese way of thinking.
B. To introduce a particular Japanese cultural tradition.
C. To explain why 20 is the age of becoming an adult in Japan.
D. To outline the responsibilities of Japanese adulthood.
Japanese Kimono Klad Kuties: Seijin-no-Hi
Answer
|
1. ( C ) |
2. ( D ) |
3. ( B ) |