还记得今年3月号我们介绍过的电影《逃离地球》吗?(详情可见CE: Teens 3月号的“强档电影”栏目)本期“口语角”将带大家看看地球人邪恶的一面:外星人斯科奇到地球展开拯救行动,却被美国51区的上将尚卡尔逮捕。他的哥哥加里为了救他也来到51区。随后,他们发现尚卡尔正进行着一项邪恶计划——企图消灭所有的外星人。现在就让我们跟加里一起展开拯救斯科奇的冒险旅程吧!
Gary: Computer, load all information on the Dark Planet.
Computer: All right, just a sec[秒]. Scanning files, scanning files... Here we are. The Dark Planet. A remote[遥远] M-class planet located 400 light-years past the Taurus Molecular Cloud. A strange and terrifying[可怕的] environment, the only known world in which evolution is taking place in reverse[逆向]. It began with intelligent, attractive beings, but was soon overrun[占领] by ugly, aggressive[好争吵的] and quite terrifying dim-witted[低能的] creatures.
Gary: Yuck. Gross.
Computer: As you can see, from gentle intelligence to savage[野蛮的] stupidity. They have a strange custom of dividing themselves into what they call countries, whose boundaries[边界] they often dispute[争吵], which causes them to go to war. The pattern seems to be that the winner of the war then goes into decline[衰落] while the loser prospers[兴旺]. We have also deduced[推断] that the people of this planet choose leaders according to the oddity[古怪] and profusion[大量] of their facial hair. They worship money, soup, marker pens, something called dental floss[牙线] and this man, whose name is Cowell注.
Gary: Oh, terrifying!
Computer: Hes known for his strange accent, being very, very rich, showing off, wearing glasses indoors. I like him. One hundred and six advanced[高级的] lifeforms have landed on the Dark Planet...
Gary: What?
Computer: ...to attempt friendly first contact. Not a single one has returned.
在斯科奇准备出发到黑暗星球之前,加里用计算机搜寻黑暗星球的资料……
加里:计算机,载入所有有关黑暗星球的信息。
计算机:好的,稍等,文件扫描中……找到了。黑暗星球,一颗遥远的M级行星,距离金牛座分子云400光年,环境光怪陆离,令人生畏,是唯一已知的逆向进化的世界。起初这个星球曾有过美丽智慧的生灵,但是很快就被丑陋野蛮而且蠢得可怕的生物所取代。
加里:唷,好恶心。
计算机:正如你所见,(这里的生物)从温文尔雅退化为野蛮愚蠢。他们有个奇怪的习俗,就是把自己分成他们称之为国家的单位里。他们经常因国家的疆界起纷争,从而时常引发战争。其基本模式似乎就是战胜国日渐衰败,战败国则日渐富强。我们还推断出,该星球的人通常根据面部毛发的奇异和繁茂程度来选择他们的领袖。他们崇拜金钱、汤羹、记号笔、还有一种叫牙线的东西。这个人叫科威尔。
加里:噢,很可怕。
计算机:他因为奇怪的口音而闻名于世,超级有钱,喜欢卖弄,在室内戴墨镜。我喜欢他。106名先进的生物体曾登陆黑暗星球……
加里:什么?
计算机:……尝试进行友好的第一次接触,但全部下落不明。
口语锦囊
本选段主要是计算机的信息报告,用词比日常口语正式,出现了大量定语从句,行文流畅。大家不妨模仿计算机的语气把信息报告背诵起来,熟悉一下定语从句的用法并增强语感。
注:全名西蒙·考威尔(Simon Cowell)(1959—),英国著名唱片制作人和电视制作人,担任多个电视选秀节目的毒舌评委,包括《流行偶像》、《美国偶像》、《X音素》和《英国达人》。
斯科奇无视加里的劝告,决定马上前往地球,加里强调彼此合作的重要性……
Gary: Weve done this a hundred times. Were a team. Im the brains and youre the brawn[肌肉]. Thats what you always said.
Scorch: I said it to make you feel better, little brother.
Gary: Scorch, stop calling me that.
Scorch: Youve been
trying to control me your
whole life. Isnt that
why you joined Mission
Control? (drinks)
Gary: Im looking out for
you. Thats what brothers
do.
Scorch: Oh, please.
You sit around here
pushing buttons while I am out there risking my neck.
Gary: Oh, yeah? Id like to see you do it without me. Scorch: Any time. Any place. Little brother.
Gary: If you insist on going through with this idiotic
macho[(贬)男子气的] stunt[惊人之举], you can count[不包括某人]
me out.
Scorch: Buh...wait...Youre gonna quit? Well, you cant quit! You...youre fired!
Gary: You cant fire me. Because I quit! Humph!
加里:我们已经驾轻就熟了,我们是搭档。我是大脑,你是肌肉,你不是总这么说吗?
斯科奇:我那么说是为了让你好受点,老弟。
加里:斯科奇,别再那么叫我了。
斯科奇:你一直试图控制我的人生,这不就是你加入指挥中心的原因吗?(喝东西)
加里:我是在照顾你,这才是兄弟啊。斯科奇:拜托,你就坐在这里点按钮玩,而我却在外面出生入
死。
加里:是吗?我倒想看看没有我,你要怎么办。
斯科奇:随时随地都没有问题,老弟。
加里:如果你坚持这样贫嘴耍帅、哗众取宠,那就别指望我会帮你。
斯科奇:但……等……你要辞职吗?可你不能辞职!你……你被开除了!
加里:你没法开除我,因为我已经辞职了,哼!
口语锦囊
“risk ones neck”表示冒着生命危险去做某事,例如:
We risked our neck to rescue him.(我们拼死拼活地去救他。)
与之相对的习语是“save ones neck/skin/bacon”,表示保住某人的性命,例如:He lied in the court to save his neck.(他为了保命在法庭上说谎。)
为了拯救斯科奇,加里到了地球并且被捕……
Soldier: Heres the brainiac[异常聪明的人], sir.
Shanker: So... youre the genius.
Gary: What are you gonna do to me? Probe[探测] me? Dissect[解剖] me? Chop[剁] me up and eat me?
士兵:长官,这就是那个奇才。
尚卡尔:看来,你就是那个天才。
加里:你要对我做什么?研究我?解剖我?把我剁碎吃掉?
Shanker: Relax. Im a big fan of your work. (looks at Scorchs mission suit)
Gary: Scorch! What have you done with my brother?
Shanker: Well get to him soon enough. This is your design, isnt it?
Gary: How do you know that?
Shanker: Well, color me impressed. And I consider
myself a connoisseur[行家] when it comes to alien technology.
I could use a man with your brain power. You see, Gary, I run a work release program. You work, then I release you. (sets an electric collar on Garys neck) You are going to make sure my latest project goes off without a hitch.
Gary: Im not doing anything until I see Scorch.
Shanker: You can whine[(贬)抱怨] till youre blue in the face, but I call the shots around here.
尚卡尔:别紧张,我可是你的发明的忠实粉丝哦。(看着斯科奇的任务制服)加里:斯科奇!你把我弟弟怎么了?
尚卡尔:我们很快就会说到他的。这是你设计的,对吧?
加里:你怎么知道的?
尚卡尔:这让我印象很深刻呢。我自认是外星科技的内行,你的才智可以为我所用。加里,我这里是实行劳动释放制度的,你工作,我就给你自由。(把电击颈圈套在加里的脖子上)你要确保我最近的工程能够顺利进行。
加里:在见到斯科奇之前,我什么都不会做的。
尚卡尔:你尽管发牢骚发到气死自己为止吧,但是在这儿一切都是我说了算。
口语锦囊
“do sth. till one is blue in the face”表示工作等努力到极点了,但结果还是不成功,例如:
He can write me letters till hes blue in the face and Im not going to reply.(任他没完没了地写信给我,我就是不回信。)
“call the shots/tune”原意是发号施令,可延伸为掌握着主控权,操控一切,例如:
Why do you always call the shots here?(为什么这里总是你说了算?)
“without a hitch”表示毫无障碍地完成,例如:
The royal visit went off without a hitch.(国王的访问进行得非常成功。)
与尚卡尔会面后,加里被关进牢房,结识了同样被囚的外星人……
Thurman: Im Thurman. Pleased to meet you.
瑟曼:我叫瑟曼,很高兴认识你。
Gary: Hello. My goodness. Youre all covered in
slime[黏液].
Thurman: Ugh! Youre all dried out.
Gary: Not anymore.
Thurman: Im from Zaddlebrok 475.
Gary: Never heard of it.
Thurman: Youve heard of Zaddlebrok 473.
Gary: Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course.
Thurman: Its two planets over.
Gary: Makes sense.
Thurman: Anyway, you should settle in. Throw your stuff on the bottom bunk[床铺].(The bunk is all covered in slime)
Gary: I gotta get outta here.
Dont I get a phone call?
Doc: Oh, yeah. A phone call? A big-screen
TV? Egyptian cotton sheets? This is Area 51, man. Wake up!
Io: Keep it down! Im trying to get some shut-eye.
Gary: Oh, I get it. Shut-eye. Youve got one eye.
Io: Are you making fun of my one eye?
Doc: Easy, lo. Remember the program.
Io: Just stick to the program, stick to the program. I apologize for my outburst[情绪失控]. My name is lo, and Im working through some anger issues.
Gary: She seems nice.
Doc: Oh, yeah, great gal. Im Doc.
Gary: Youre a doctor?
Doc: Radio talk show therapist[治疗师]. Same thing without all the training, credentials[证件] or qualifications. So, Little Boy Blue, you got a name?
Gary: Gary. Im here looking for my brother. Have you seen him?
Doc: Whats he look like? Blue like you?
Gary: Yes, exactly like me except with huge muscles and a chiseled[凿出的] jaw and perfect teeth.
Doc: OK, so youre the ugly brother.
Gary: Oh, well, I wouldnt put it that way.
Doc: Oh, its not a question.
加里:你好,天啊,你浑身都是黏液。
瑟曼:唷,你浑身干燥燥的。
加里:现在已经不干了。
瑟曼:我来自加德布鲁克475星。
加里:没听过。
瑟曼:你应该听过加德布鲁克473星吧。加里:嗯,嗯,嗯,当然听过。
瑟曼:再过两个星球就是了。加里:有道理。
瑟曼:总之,你先安顿一下,把你的东西都搬到下铺就行了。(床铺全是黏液)
加里:我得离开这里。不能让我打个电话吗?
医生:是啊。打电话?宽屏电视?埃及纯棉床单?这里是51区啊,老兄,醒醒吧。
艾奥:小声点,我要闭一下眼睡觉。
加里:哦,我懂了,闭一下眼,你只有一只眼。
艾奥:你是拿我的一只眼睛开玩笑吗?
医生:冷静点,艾奥,别忘了这里的规矩。艾奥:坚守规矩,坚守规矩。抱歉,我突然发火了。我叫艾奥,我一直在克服情绪失控的问题。
加里:她人挺好的。
医生:嗯,是的,我是医生。
加里:你是个医生?
医生:电台脱口秀治疗师,跟真正的医生没两样,就是没有经过任何培训,也没有任何资格证书。那么,小蓝兄弟,你有名字吗?加里:加里,我来这儿找我弟弟。你见过他吗?
医生:他长什么样的?跟你一样蓝吗?
加里:嗯,一点也没错,只是他肌肉健美发达,轮廓硬朗刚毅,牙齿整齐皓白。医生:好吧,就是说你是比较丑的那个。加里:噢,我不会这么理解的。医生:噢,我又不是在问你。
Gary: Look, Scorch can bust us out of here. Hes got a ship. He can get us home.
Doc: Theres only one way out of here. Invent enough cool stuff and Shanker lets you go. Thats how Area 51 works. He lures[引诱] the smartest aliens from across the universe and throws us in jail[监狱]. Take Thurman. He was a professor. Those four hands invented touchscreen[触屏] technology. Or lo. She used to be a librarian. She got so mad looking stuff up for people that she invented the search engine. And most importantly, me. After my radio show got famous, I invented social networking. Ive got five billion pending[未决的] friend requests. Thats how Shanker bankrolls[提供资金] this place. He rips off[窃取] our technology and sells it to the world. Hes got deals with everybody. Apple, Facebook, them Google guys. You think humans could build this stuff? I dont think so. Who do you think invented the Internet? Cell phones? Computer animation? We did!
加里:听着,斯科奇能帮助我们逃离这里。他有飞船,可以带我们回家。
医生:只有一个办法能离开这里:发明够多新潮的玩意,尚卡尔就会放你走。这就是51区的制度。他诱拐全宇宙最聪明的外星人,把我们关进监狱。例如,瑟曼,他以前是位教授。他用那四只手发明了触屏科技。又如艾奥,她过去是名图书管理员。她实在受不了天天帮人找书的日子,于是她发明了搜索引擎。而最重要的人物是,我。我的电台秀出名之后,我发明了社交网络。我有50亿条等待通过的好友请求呢。尚卡尔就是这样得到这里的营运资金的。他窃取我们的科技对外出售。他和每个人都有生意来往。苹果公司,脸书,谷歌那帮人。你以为人类能发明出这些东西吗?我不这么认为。你认为是谁发明了网络?手机?计算机动画?是我们啊!
口语锦囊
“My goodness!”和“Goodness me!”是口语中常用的插入语,表示惊讶或生气,例如:My goodness, you spent a lot.(天啊,你花了那么多钱。)
还有与“goodness”相关的常用口语 “for goodness sake”,表示震惊或困扰,例如:For goodness sake, stop arguing!(拜托,别吵了!)
为了救出斯科奇,加里完成了尚卡尔的任务,与尚卡尔再次会面……
Soldier: This one was asking for you, sir.
Shanker: Leave him with me.
Gary: Im here for my brother.
Shanker: Ah, Gary...finally a team player.
Gary: I did what you asked. I fixed the reactor[核能反应堆]. Shanker: And just in time. (opens the screen) Imagine how powerful Ill be with all this Blubonium.
Gary: What? How did you...?
Shanker: You call yourself intelligent life. (turns on Garys electric collar) These are fun. I could do that all day.
Gary: Let us go! You got what you wanted!
Shanker: Why let you go now, only to hunt you down later?
Gary: Hunt us down? But we come in peace.
Shanker: Nobody comes in peace. Im gonna wipe out the alien infestation[横行] one planet at a time.
Gary: If you destroy every planet with intelligent life, youll have no stars left in the sky.
(Gary is taken away by soldiers)
Shanker: My stargazing[观星] days are over.
士兵:这家伙要求见你,长官。
尚卡尔:把他交个我吧。
加里:我来带我弟弟走。
尚卡尔:加里,终于肯合作了。
加里:我按你的要求做了,修好了反应堆。尚卡尔:而且非常及时。(打开屏幕)有了这些终极蓝核,我会有多么强大呢。
加里:什么?你是怎么……
尚卡尔:你们自称是智能生物。(开启电击颈圈)太有意思了。我可以这样玩一整天。加里:放我们走,你已经得偿所愿了。
尚卡尔:为什么要放你们走呢,反正迟早也要宰了你们?
加里:宰了我们?但是我们是为和平而来的。
尚卡尔:没有人是为和平而来的。我要把这些异类星球一个个消灭掉。
加里:如果你摧毁每一个有智能生物的星球,天上就没有星星了。
(加里被士兵带走)
尚卡尔:我早就过了看星星的年龄了。
口语锦囊
“wipe out”除了有清除的意思之外,还可以表示使人疲惫不堪,例如:
The work had wiped us out.(工作使我们精疲力竭。)
斯科奇与加里最终成功阻止了尚卡尔的邪恶计划,却无法自救,从空中坠下……
Scorch: I guess this is it.
Gary: We were a good team!
Scorch: You know, I always looked up to you. Gary: You looked up to me?
Scorch: Im serious. Great wife, great kid. I always thought I could do that one day.
Gary: You wouldve been a great dad.
Scorch: Hey, uh, Gary?
Gary: Yeah, brother?
斯科奇:我想这就是死期了。
加里:我们是对好搭档。
斯科奇:知道吗?我一直很仰慕你。
加里:你仰慕我?
斯科奇:我是说真的。你有个好老婆,好儿子。我总想着有一天也能拥有这些。
加里:你一定会是个好爸爸的。
斯科奇:嘿,加里。
加里:怎么了,老弟?
Scorch: Im sorry for firing you.
Gary: Actually, I quit.
(they hug each other and suddenly stop falling down)
Scorch: Huh, what the...? Gary!
Gary: What...? (sees the Greys who save them) You! Thank you.
Grey A: Dont mention it.
Gary: You can talk?
Grey A: Of course.
Grey B: Occasionally.
Grey C: From time to time.
Gary: Why did you save us? I thought you worked for General Crazy.
Grey A: At first, we felt bad for squishing[压扁] his dad.
Grey B: Turns out he was a psychopathic[精神病的] megalomaniac[狂妄自大的] bent on destroying every known form of intelligent life in the universe. Who knew?
Gary: What are you gonna do with him?
Grey B: Cant say.
Grey C: Itll give you nightmares.
斯科奇:抱歉,我把你开除了。
加里:明明是我辞职了。
(他们相拥而下,突然停于半空)
斯科奇:什么?加里
加里:怎么了?(看到小灰人救了他们)是你们,谢谢。(译者注:小灰人是在51区帮助尚卡尔看管囚犯的外星人。)
小灰人A:别客气。
加里:你们能说话?
小灰人A:当然了。
小灰人B:偶尔说一说。
小灰人C:时不时来几句。
加里:为什么救我们呢?我以为你们是疯狂上将的人。
小灰人A:起初我们对压扁他爸爸的事很愧疚。(译者注:他们初到地球,飞船失控,撞死了尚卡尔的父亲。)
小灰人B:结果发现他是个狂妄自大的神经病,每天都想着怎么消灭宇宙中的所有智能生物。谁想得到啊?
加里:你们要怎么处置他?
小灰人B:不能说。
小灰人C:说了会让你做噩梦的。
口语锦囊
“look up to sb.”表示对某人羡慕或敬佩,例如:
She has always looked up to her father.(她一向崇敬她的父亲。)
大家可以拿本期的第二选段与最后选段进行role play,与朋友或同学各自扮演斯科奇和加里,模仿他们对话的语气和情感,感受一下兄弟之间的离离合合吧!