词汇掌故:尖端前沿

    Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories.
    这里是美国之音慢速英语词汇掌故节目。

    For today's program, we go into the kitchen!
    在今天的节目中,我们要走进厨房。

    There is a good chance you do not go one day without using a knife. It is an important tool when cooking, and without it, you could not make many dishes.
    很有可能你一天都离不开刀,它是一种重要的烹饪工具,如果没有它,你就没法做很多菜。

    This brings to mind a story – a true story.
    这让人想起了一个真实的故事。

    Years ago, a friend and I were making dinner together at my place. She had the job of cutting up vegetables for soup. Halfway through cutting the onions, she said that my knife was not sharp and would not cut. I was surprised. I had given her my best knife. But when I looked over at her, I had to smile. Actually, I did more than smile. I laughed out loud. "It might work better if you use the cutting edge of the knife," I joked.
    几年前,我跟一位朋友在我家一起做晚饭。她的任务是切做汤的蔬菜。在切洋葱的过程中,她说我家的刀不够锋利,切不动。我很惊讶,我给了她我家最锋利的刀。但是当我看了看她时,我不由得笑了。实际上我不只是笑,我是在大笑。我笑话她说:“如果你用刀刃切,可能效果会更好。”

    Let's just say, my friend did not spend a lot of time in the kitchen. She ate out a lot!
    这么说吧,我这个朋友不怎么进厨房,她经常在外面吃饭。

    In this example, the cutting edge is the sharp edge of a knife. But we also use it to mean something much more.
    在这个例子中,cutting edge是指刀刃,但是我们也用它来表达更多含义。

    The cutting edge is the newest and most modern part of any industry. Ideas, tools, technology -- whatever you use in your job -- can all be cutting-edge.
    它也可以指任何行业中最新、最现代化的部分,包括理念、工具、技术,你工作中用到的方方面面,都可能是最前沿的。

    Whatever business or industry you work in, it feels good to be a leader in it. When you know the newest tools or ideas to do your job, you can say you are "on the cutting edge" or that you are simply "cutting-edge."
    无论你从事什么样业务或行业,成为其中的领导者都会很棒。当你知道一些完成工作的最前沿的工具或理念时,你就可以用on the cutting edge,或者直接用cutting-edge来描述。

    For example, teachers on the cutting edge of education use the latest technology and ideas in the classroom. Cutting-edge architects know the latest materials, tools and designs to use in the structures they build. Some of the best doctors use cutting-edge technology to treat diseases.
    例如,处于教育前沿的教师们在课堂上用到最新的科技和理念。最前沿的建筑师了解最新的材料、工具和设计,用于他们建造的房屋之中。一些最好的医生使用尖端技术来治疗疾病。

    All industries have their own cutting edge.
    所有行业都有自己的前沿。

    We have other words to help describe this idea of "cutting edge."
    我们用其它词帮助描述前沿这个概念。

    For example, people who on the cutting edge of their industry are on the forefront or front line. They are the vanguard. The vanguard is the group of people who are the leaders of a movement in society, politics or in a given industry.
    例如,位居行业尖端的人士,站在了这个行业的最前沿。他们是先驱者(vanguard)。先驱者是指社会、政治或某个特定行业运动的领导者。

    We usually use "vanguard" in the singular form and in a prepositional phrase. So, you can be at the vanguard of a social or political movement. You can also be in the vanguard of a movement.
    我们通常使用vanguard的单数形式以及用在介词短语中。所以,你可以用 at the vanguard of或是in the vanguard of。

    This expression comes from a military term. In battle, the vanguard are the soldiers, other personnel or equipment that are at the front of a fighting force.
    这个表达出自一个军事术语。在战斗中,vanguard(先头部队)是指战队部队打头的是士兵、其他人员或装备。

    People on the cutting edge, or in the vanguard, are blazing a trail. When you blaze a trail in the woods, you make a trail for others to follow. You do this by cutting down plants that may be in your way. You can also mark trees with a cut, also called a blaze.
    最前沿人士或者先驱者开辟了一条道路。当你在树林里开辟一条道路时,你开辟了一条让其他人可以跟着走的小路。你可以通过砍掉挡路的植物,或者在树上做标记。

    Blazing a trail is a difficult job. But it makes it much easier for people walking behind you.
    开辟道路是一项艰巨的任务,但是它让跟随者更轻松。

    The same can be said for life.
    生活也是如此。

    Trail-blazers, people on the cutting edge or in the vanguard are not satisfied with the status quo -- the way things have always been done. They are always looking for a new, better or faster way to do something.
    开拓者、前沿人士或者先驱者不满足于现状。他们总是在寻找更新、更好或更快的方式来做某事。

    So people on the cutting edge use the latest tools and ideas to be on the forefront of their field. They are the vanguard and blaze trails for others to follow.
    所以前沿人士采用最新的工具或理念,站到这个行业的最前列。他们是其他人可以追随的先驱或开拓者。

    We could say that people who use our website are on the cutting edge of learning English -- well, until science makes a magical solution that gives you language ability overnight.
    我们可以说,使用我们网站的人们站在了学习英语的最前沿,直到科学产生一种神奇的解决方案,让你一夜之间获得语言能力。

    Now, that would be very cutting edge.
    这样,它就会是最前沿的。

    And that's all for this Words and Their Stories! Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
    以上就是本次词汇掌故节目的全部内容。我是安娜·马特奥。(51VOA.COM原创翻译,禁止转载,违者必究!)