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When Ordinary Is Extraordinary: Meet Maori 平凡中的不平凡：纽西兰毛利人

 

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课文讲解

 

繁體中文譯本

 

In front of you stands a man with dark, striking tattoos covering much of his face. Instead of shaking your hand, he greets you by pressing his nose to yours and says “kia ora,” which means “hello” in the Maori language. Where on Earth would you receive such an extraordinary welcome? You must be in New Zealand!

你面前站了一个脸上满是显眼墨黑刺青的男人。他不握手迎接你，反而是和你互碰鼻子、说声kia ora!，（即毛利语的「你好」）来表示欢迎。你在世界何处会遇到这么特别的欢迎方式呢？一定是在纽西兰！

 

New Zealand has more in common with Taiwan than just dramatic scenery. Like Taiwan, New Zealand had been home to an indigenous people long before it was discovered by newcomers. Indeed, the aborigines of these two countries may well related, as there is evidence to suggest that New Zealand’s Maori people originated in Taiwan thousands of years ago.

除了令人印象深刻的风景，纽西兰和台湾还有其他共同点。纽西兰和台湾一样，在被新移民发现前都是当地原住民的家园。事实上，这两个国家的原住民很有可能有血缘关系，因为有证据显示，纽西兰毛利族几千年前源自台湾。

 

In ancient times, the Maori were a seafaring people, exploring the unforgiving ocean in their canoes and settling on distant Pacific islands. They finally arrived in New Zealand from Polynesia during the 9th to 13th centuries, hundreds of years before Captain Cook set foot on New Zealand’s shores in 1769. Today, around 600,000 Maori people inhabit New Zealand, making up 14% of the country’s population.

在古时候，毛利人是航海民族，他们靠着独木舟探索险恶的海洋，来到遥远的太平洋群岛，最后，在9至13世纪间从波里尼西亚抵达纽西兰。数百年后，库克船长才于1769年踏上纽西兰的海岸。目前，约有60万名毛利人定居纽西兰，占该国人口的百分之十四。

 

The Maori are proud of their unique and colorful heritage, and any visitor to New Zealand shouldn’t miss the chance to meet them. Their culture is rich in legend and storytelling, dance and song. Unusually, the Maori live in a matrilineal society, whereby family lineage is traced on mother’s side. So vibrant and fascinating are their customs that, these days, they are recognizable by people everywhere. However distinctive the Maori seem, the word “Maori” literally means ordinary, or normal; a way of distinguishing the mortals from the gods.

毛利人对他们独特又多采多姿的文化传统感到自豪，因此，所有来到纽西兰的游客都不应错过与他们面对面的机会。他们的文化有丰富的传说、故事及歌舞。与众不同的是，毛利族是母系社会，家族血源循母方追溯。他们的习俗充满活力、生气十足，且又引人入胜，以至如今世界各地的人都认得他们。但无论毛利文化看来有多特别，「毛利」这个词字面上的意思是平凡的或普通的，是用以区隔凡人与神祇的不同。

 

Vocabulary

单词发音

 

extraordinary [ɪkˋstrɔrdn͵ɛrɪ] adj. 非凡的; 特别的

striking [ˋstraɪkɪŋ] adj. 惹人注目的；显着的

related [rɪˋletɪd] adj. 有关系的, 有关联的

originate [əˋrɪdʒə͵net] v. 发源；来自

explore [ɪkˋsplor] v. 探究，探索

settle [ˋsɛt!] v. 安家，定居；殖民

set foot on 踏上; 进入; 到达 to step on

inhabit [ɪnˋhæbɪt] v. 居住于；栖息于

unique [juˋnik] adj. 独一无二的；独特的

heritage [ˋhɛrətɪdʒ] n. 遗产; 传统

be rich in 富于, 盛产, 有很多…

fascinating [ˋfæsn͵etɪŋ] adj. 迷人的

recognizable [ˋrɛkəg͵naɪzəb!] adj. 可辨认的，可识别的

literally [ˋlɪtərəlɪ] adv. 照字面地

distinguish [dɪˋstɪŋgwɪʃ] v. 区别；识别[（+from）]

 

 

More Information

单词发音

 

Maori [ˋmaʊrɪ] n. 毛利人

dramatic [drəˋmætɪk] adj. 给人深刻印象的

indigenous [ɪnˋdɪdʒɪnəs] adj. 土著的；本地的

newcomer [ˋnjuˋkʌmɚ] n. 新近到达的移民

aborigine [æbəˋrɪdʒəni] n. 土著居民

seafaring [ˋsi͵fɛrɪŋ] adj. 航海的

unforgiving [͵ʌnfɚˋgɪvɪŋ] adj. 无情的

Polynesia [͵pɑləˋniʒə] n. 玻里尼西亚（中太平洋的岛群）

matrilineal [͵metrɪˋlɪnjəl] adj. 母系的

lineage [ˋlɪnɪdʒ] n. 血统；家族

mortal [ˋmɔrt!] n. 人，凡人

 

 

 

课文朗读

 

课文讲解

 

The Maori way of life permeates much of New Zealand’s culture and history. When we think of Maori, the first image to spring to mind is likely the “haka” war dance. The haka is a fearsome warrior chant involving loud, rhythmic stamping and body slapping, while shouting ferociously and sticking out the tongue. War haka was customarily performed before battle to intimidate the enemy, showing them the strength of Maori fighters. For this reason, the haka has been adopted by New Zealand rugby teams, which has made it internationally familiar.

毛利人的生活方式也深入纽西兰的文化及历史。一想到毛利，第一个跃现脑海的影像很可能是「哈卡」战舞。哈卡战舞是一种令人丧胆的战歌，舞者响亮、节奏分明地跺着脚、用力击打身体，还会不时狂吼，并吐出舌头。哈卡战舞通常是在交战前的，用以威吓敌人，展示毛利战士的坚毅勇猛。正因如此，哈卡舞被纽西兰橄榄球队采用，而使这种舞蹈为世人熟知。

 

One tradition you’re less likely to come across is facial tattooing, as it has become almost extinct in recent decades. The tattoo once symbolized life events and denoted social status. They were done with a chisel, so it was incredibly painful and, thus, a demonstration of courage. Modern Maori have forged a revival by using old tribal designs, though these tend to be on the body instead of the face.

另一项你可能比较没机会接触到的传统是纹面（黥面），因为它在近几十年几已绝迹。这些刺青一度用来代表一生大事，并象征社会地位。它们是以凿子刺成，所以极其疼痛，也因此被用来显示个人的勇气。现代毛利人也刺上古老的部落图纹，致力复兴刺青文化，不过较倾向-刺青在身体，而不是脸上。

 

You will, however, probably get to see a “poi” dance. This is a hypnotic display of quick-moving hands that spin two balls on cords. Women use poi for flexibility and coordination, while for men, it was originally performed as an exercise in being alert for battle. Poi is now a widely recognized performing art, and poi artists these days often brighten up their acts with the use of fire or LED lights.

不过，你或许有机会能看到「甩球舞」。这是一种令人目眩神迷的表演，表演者双手快速旋转舞动系着两颗球的绳子。女人们用甩球舞来训练灵活度及协调性，男人起初则是将其当作打斗中警觉度的练习。如今，甩球舞是一种广为人知的表演艺术，且甩球舞表演者现在常用火或LED灯，使他们的表演更为炫目耀眼。

 

These are just a few of the Maori’s intriguing traditions. There are many more, all preserving the vivid cultural legacy of previous generations. So, if you get the chance to visit New Zealand, do something out of the ordinary and meet the Maori.

这些不过是毛利有趣传统的其中少数几项。还有其他更多传统，全都保留着前人丰富的文化遗产。所以，如果你有机会造访纽西兰，做些不一样的事，认识一下毛利民族吧！

 

−by Alice Davis

 

Vocabulary

单词发音

 

image [ˋɪmɪdʒ] n.（心目中的）形象；印象

spring to mind 突然想到 to appear suddenly or immediately in your thoughts

fearsome [ˋfɪrsəm] adj. 令人生畏的

warrior [ˋwɔrɪɚ] n. 斗士，战士

stick out〔有意〕伸出〔身体的一部分〕; 探出 to project outward

intimidate [ɪnˋtɪmə͵det] v. 恐吓;  恫吓; 威胁〔尤指强迫某人做某事〕

strength [strɛŋθ] n. 力量，力气；实力

adopt [əˋdɑpt] v. 采用；采纳

extinct [ɪkˋstɪŋkt] adj. 绝种的

symbolize [ˋsɪmb!͵aɪz] v. 象征

status [ˋstetəs] n. 地位，身分

revival [rɪˋvaɪv!] n. 苏醒；复活；再生

alert [əˋlɝt] adj. 警觉的；警惕的；留神的

 

 

More Information

单词发音

 

permeate [ˋpɝmɪ͵et] v. 散布；弥漫

chant [tʃænt] n. 反复唱的调子〔尤指圣歌〕

stamp [stæmp] v. 跺脚

slap [slæp] v. 用手掌打

ferociously [fəˋroʃəslɪ] adv. 凶猛地

customarily [ˋkʌstəm͵ɛrɪlɪ] adv. 习惯上，习俗上，通常

rugby [ˋrʌgbɪ] n.（亦可大写）英式橄榄球

come across: 偶然碰见 to happen to find someone or something

denote [dɪˋnot] v. 表示；（符号等）代表

chisel [ˋtʃɪz!] n. 凿子

forge [fɔrdʒ] v. 锻造; 编造

design [dɪˋzaɪn] n. 图案；花纹

hypnotic [hɪpˋnɑtɪk] adj. 催人入眠的﹐使人昏昏欲睡的

flexibility [͵flɛksəˋbɪlətɪ] n. 灵活性

coordination [koˋɔrdn͵eʃən] n. 协调

brighten up 使更有趣; 使生辉 to become brighter; to lighten, especially with sunshine

intriguing [ɪn`trigɪŋ] adj.〔由于奇特﹑神秘或出人意料而〕引起好奇心的; 令人感兴趣的

 

 

Reading Questions

 

1.  How are the Maori connected with Taiwan?

A. Modern Taiwanese culture is similar to Maori culture.

B. Taiwan recently signed an economic agreement with the Maori.

C. The population in Taiwan is about equal to that of the Maori.

D. Evidence suggests that the ancestors of the Maori were probably from Taiwan.

 

2.  According to the article, which of the following best describes Maori culture?

A. Fierce.

B. Isolated.

C. Efficient.

D. Vegetarian.

 

3.  Which of the following statement about the Maori is NOT true?

A. The Maori were famous for traveling by boat.

B. Facial tattoos are more popular now than ever.

C. Their culture has influenced some sports teams.

D. New Zealand’s culture is closely linked to the Maori.

 

4.  What would be another suitable title for this article?

A. The Rise and Fall of the Maori

B. How the Maori Arrived in New Zealand

C. Timeless Traditions of the Maori

D. The Roots of an Ordinary Culture

 

Dances of Life (Maori excerpt)

 

 

Maori Haka

 

 

All Blacks vs France mean haka 2011 World cup winners

 

 

Poi

 

 

When Circles Dream Remix: Beautiful Poi Dancing

 

 

 

Answer

1. ( D )

2. ( A )

3. ( B )

4. ( C )