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A Steppe Story: Back to the Birthplace of Genghis Khan 迭里温．孤山：《蒙古秘史》额嫩河行纪

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课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

Across a wide, green expanse, a young boy earnestly drives his family’s horses. This emerald stretch of land is Mongolia, the place where writer Du Yun-ci and photographer Huang Hui-ling have teamed up to compose their latest book. A Steppe Story: Back to the birthplace of Genghis Khan. The great Khan’s fascinating stories have enchanted the writers, and provided an emotional backdrop to this vast landscape.

一位少年在广阔的绿色土地上认真地赶着家里的马匹。这片一望无际的翠绿大地就是蒙古，作家杜蕴慈和摄影家黄惠玲即在此处协力完成她们的新书《迭里温．孤山：〈蒙古秘史〉额嫩河行纪》。成吉思汗引人入胜的事迹令作家们深深着迷，也为这片广阔大地提供了情感的背景。

Both Du and Huang have previously traveled to Mongolia. This time they want to investigate the stories written in The Secret History of the Mongols. This book is filled with colorful accounts of Genghis Khan’s character and achievements. The authors use this book as a guide to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Genghis Khan, who was called Temujin as a boy. Their work uncovers the growth and journey of Temujin, simultaneously illustrating how modern Mongolians are proud of the heritage of their prominent leader.

杜蕴慈和黄惠玲都曾去过蒙古。这次她们想调查《蒙古秘史》中记载的故事。这本书充满了关于成吉思汗性格和成就的丰富描述，作者以这本书作为跟随小时被唤为铁木真的传奇人物－成吉思汗－的指南。她们的作品披露了铁木真的成长和旅程，同时也显现出现代蒙古人对于这位杰出领袖所留下的遗产有多么骄傲。

Du and Huang retrace the loosely outlined steps in The Secret History of the Mongols, following the history of Genghis Khan. Since their first visit six years ago, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city, has modernized with more cars and roads. But the sense of ancient history in the land is still very strong. This feeling is prevalent at Sapphire Lake, united the disparate tribes, and changed the course of world history. Listeners never grow tired of hearing the history of Temujin’s struggle for life at Sapphire Lake, just as the locals affectionately listen to legends of their hero after a thousand years of retelling. Following these stories, Du and Huang are led to Temujin’s birthplace.

杜蕴慈和黄惠玲追溯《蒙古秘史》中松散概述的成吉思汗历史。自她们六年前首度造访以来，蒙古首府乌兰巴托更加现代化了，车辆和道路都增多，但当地的古历史意识依然强烈。这种感觉在蓝湖很普遍，铁木真就是在此地成为可汗、统一异族、改变了世界历史的进程。听者对成吉思汗在蓝湖挣扎求生的故事百听不厌，就如同经过数千年的重述，当地人至今仍满怀感情地聆听其英雄的传奇事迹。这些故事带领杜蕴慈和黄惠玲到铁木真的出生地。

Vocabulary

单词发音

team up 合作, 协作

enchant [ɪnˋtʃænt] v. 使陶醉；使入迷

backdrop [ˋbæk͵drɑp] n. 背景

vast [væst] adj. 广阔的

follow in the footsteps of  照……的样子干；效法某人

simultaneously [saɪməlˋtenɪəslɪ] adv. 同时地

heritage [ˋhɛrətɪdʒ] n. 遗产；传统

prominent [ˋprɑmənənt] adj. 卓越的；显着的

modernize [ˋmɑdɚn͵aɪz] v. 现代化

disparate [ˋdɪspərɪt] adj. 不同的；异类的

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单词发音

steppe [stɛp] n.（西伯利亚一带没树木的）大草原；干草原

expanse [ɪkˋspæns] n. 广阔；广阔的区域

earnestly [ˋɝnɪstlɪ] adv. 认真地；诚挚地

emerald [ˋɛmərəld] adj. 翠绿色的

Mongolia [mɑŋˋgoljə] n. 蒙古

compose [kəmˋpoz] v. 组成，构成

account [əˋkaʊnt] n. 记述，描述；报导

Temujin  铁木真；成吉思汗

retrace [rɪˋtres] v. 追溯，探究……的源流

outline [ˋaʊt͵laɪn] v. 概述，略述

sense [sɛns] n. 感觉；意识；观念

prevalent [ˋprɛvələnt] adj. 普遍的

sapphire [ˋsæfaɪr] n. 宝石蓝，天蓝色

course [kors] n. 过程；进程

affectionately [əˋfɛkʃənɪtlɪ] adv. 充满深情地

retelling [riˋtɛlɪŋ] n. 重述

课文讲解

Sandwiched between the rolling Khentii Mountains and the flourishing Onon River is the cradle where Temujin entered the world. The peaceful landscape, however, disguises a hidden history of violence and anguish. When he was just a youngster, Temujin tragically lost his father at the hands of the Tartars, leaving his family poor. Later, competitors kidnapped his wife, holding her captive for an entire year. However, through daring determination, Temujin eventually emerged triumphant with his sons, building an empire that would eventually stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the borders of Eastern Europe. His empire would change not only Mongolia, but also the course of world history.

在起伏的肯特山脉和汩汩流动的额嫩河中间，就是铁木真降临人世的摇篮。然而，这片宁静大地却掩饰着充满暴力和痛苦的神秘历史。年幼时，铁木真悲惨地在塔塔儿手里失去了父亲，留下了贫困的一家人；之后，敌人绑走了他的妻子，将她监禁了一整年。但无畏的决心使铁木真和其子嗣终以胜利者之姿出现，建立了最终从太平洋延伸到东欧边境的帝国。他的帝国不但改变了蒙古，也改变了世界历史。

Du and Huang point to the serenity of this area as a precious remnant of this ancient people. The three salmon they catch in the Onon remind them of an intimate anecdote from Genghis Khan’s life. As an adolescent, Temujin caught this very same kind of fish in this very same river and offered them to his mother. Charmed by his filial piety, the authors feel a mysterious connection to ancient history, as if young Temujin suddenly came alive in front of their eyes.

杜蕴慈和黄惠玲指出，该地区的宁静祥和是这个古老民族的珍贵遗风。她们在额嫩河捉到的三条鲑鱼令她们想起成吉思汗的生平轶事。少年时期，铁木真就是在这条河里捕这种鱼给母亲。作者被铁木真的孝心感动，觉得自己跟古老历史有种神秘连结，彷佛年轻的铁木真突出现眼前。

For Du and Huang, it was no accident that Temujin became Khan. When they look across the range of green hills, they feel the potential of the land, and realize how the young boy Temujin could have looked out toward the seemingly eternal horizon. It is this land – broad, encompassing, and prosperous – that stirred Genghis Khan’s ambition. The authors deeply believe the great Khan will continue to inspire the Mongolians, and capture the imagination of those who, like themselves, are fascinated by the drama of his character and life.

对杜蕴慈和黄惠玲来说，铁木真成为可汗并非偶然。望着连绵青山，她们感受到该地的潜力，了解到年轻铁木真如何瞭望看似无止尽的地平线。正是这片广阔、包容、繁盛的大地激起了成吉思汗的野心。作者深信，成吉思汗仍会继续鼓舞着蒙古人，并激发像她们一样着迷于成吉思汗性格和生平的人们的想象力。

−by Lance Crisler

Vocabulary

单词发音

disguise [dɪsˋgaɪz] v. 掩饰，隐瞒；乔装

kidnap [ˋkɪdnæp] v. 绑架；劫持

hold someone captive 活捉某人，俘虏某人 take or keep someone as a prisoner

captive [ˋkæptɪv] adj. 被俘的；受监禁的

determination [dɪ͵tɝməˋneʃən] n. 决心

triumphant [traɪˋʌmfənt] adj. 胜利的；成功的

serenity [səˋrɛnətɪ] n. 宁静

anecdote [ˋænɪk͵dot] n. 轶事，趣闻

eternal [ɪˋtɝn!] adj. 永恒的

prosperous [ˋprɑspərəs] adj. 繁荣的，昌盛的

capture the imagination of 引起…的想象

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单词发音

rolling [ˋrolɪŋ] adj. 绵延起伏的

cradle [ˋkred!] n. 摇篮

anguish [ˋæŋgwɪʃ] n. 极度的痛苦；苦恼

emerge [ɪˋmɝdʒ] v. 浮现；出现

remnant [ˋrɛmnənt] n. 遗迹，遗风

intimate [ˋɪntəmɪt] adj. 亲密的，熟悉的

adolescent [͵æd!ˋɛsnt] n. 青少年

filial [ˋfɪljəl] adj. 子女的；孝顺的

piety [ˋpaɪətɪ] n. 虔诚的行为（或言语）; 孝顺，孝敬

filial piety 孝道

look out 向外看  to gaze outward from inside something

encompass [ɪnˋkʌmpəs] v. 包含

Reading Questions

1.   The phrase “colorful accounts” in this article is closest in meaning to _____.

A.  interesting stories

B.  complete lies

C.  expensive art

D.  witty words

2.   How do the authors of the book feel when they catch salmon from the river?

A.  They feel somehow linked to the past.

B.  They feel exhausted from the day’s activities.

C.  They feel admiration for all fishermen.

D.  They feel sympathy for Khan’s mother.

3.   Which of the following is NOT true of Khan’s life?

A.  As a young man, he had a difficult time living at Sapphire Lake.

B.  During his childhood, he used to bring fish to his mother.

C.  When he was a child, he was called Temujin.

D.  His empire extended from the Indian Ocean to Eastern Europe.

4.   Which of the following would be the most appropriate alternative title?

A.  Youthful Adventures.

B.  Khan: Through the Pen and the Lens

C.  The Downfall of Genghis Khan

D.  Mongolian Travel on a Shoestring

Answer