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1、Pub Talk and the KingPub Talk and the King s English(s English(酒吧闲谈与标准英语酒吧闲谈与标准英语)Henry FairlieHenry Fairlie(亨利费尔利亨利费尔利)1.1.ConversationConversation is is thethe mostmost sociablesociable ofof allall humanhuman activities.activities.AndAnd it it is is ananactivityactivity onlyonly ofof humans.humans

2、.HoweverHowever intricateintricate thethe wayway inin whichwhich animalsanimalscommunicate with each other,they do not indulge in anything that deservescommunicate with each other,they do not indulge in anything that deservesthe name of conversation.the name of conversation.人类的一切活动中，闲谈是最具交际性的，也是人类的一

3、切活动中，闲谈是最具交际性的，也是人类特有的。而动物之间的信息交流，无论其方式何等复杂，也是称不上交人类特有的。而动物之间的信息交流，无论其方式何等复杂，也是称不上交际的。际的。2.2.The charm of conversation is that it does not really start from anywhere,The charm of conversation is that it does not really start from anywhere,and no one has any idea where it will go as it meanders or le

4、aps and sparklesand no one has any idea where it will go as it meanders or leaps and sparklesoror justjust glows.glows.TheThe enemyenemy ofof goodgood conversationconversation is is thethe personperson whowho hashas“something to say.something to say.”Conversation is not for making a point.Argument m

5、ay Conversation is not for making a point.Argument mayoftenoften bebe a a partpart ofof it,it,butbut thethe purposepurpose ofof thethe argumentargument is is notnot toto convince.convince.ThereThere is is no winning in conversation.In fact,the best conversationalists areno winning in conversation.In

6、 fact,the best conversationalists arethose who are prepared to lose.Suddenly they see the moment for one of theirthose who are prepared to lose.Suddenly they see the moment for one of theirbestbest anecdotes,anecdotes,butbut inin a a flashflash thethe conversationconversation hashas movedmoved onon

7、andand thetheopportunity is lost.They are ready to let it go.opportunity is lost.They are ready to let it go.闲谈的引人入胜之处就在于闲谈的引人入胜之处就在于它没有一个事先设定好的主题。它时而迂回前进，时而奔腾起伏，时而火花它没有一个事先设定好的主题。它时而迂回前进，时而奔腾起伏，时而火花四射，时而热情洋溢，话题最终会扯到什么地方去谁也拿不准。感觉“有话四射，时而热情洋溢，话题最终会扯到什么地方去谁也拿不准。感觉“有话想说”的人是一个“完美闲谈”的最大敌人。闲谈不是为了争论，尽管争论想说

8、”的人是一个“完美闲谈”的最大敌人。闲谈不是为了争论，尽管争论常常是闲聊的一部分，不过其目的并不是为了说服对方。闲谈之中是不存在常常是闲聊的一部分，不过其目的并不是为了说服对方。闲谈之中是不存在什么输赢胜负的。事实上，真正的闲聊高手往往是随时准备让步的。他们也什么输赢胜负的。事实上，真正的闲聊高手往往是随时准备让步的。他们也许会偶然间觉得该把自己最得意的奇闻轶事选出一件插进来讲一讲，但一转许会偶然间觉得该把自己最得意的奇闻轶事选出一件插进来讲一讲，但一转眼大家已谈到别处去了，插话的机会随之丧失，它们也就听之任之了。眼大家已谈到别处去了，插话的机会随之丧失，它们也就听之任之了。3.3.Perha

9、psPerhaps it it is is becausebecause ofof mymy upbringingupbringing inin EnglishEnglish pubspubs thatthat I I thinkthink barbarconversation has a charm of its own.Bar friends are not deeply involved inconversation has a charm of its own.Bar friends are not deeply involved ineacheach otherother s s l

10、ives.lives.TheyThey areare companions,companions,notnot intimates.intimates.TheThe factfact thatthat theirtheirmarriages may be on the rock,or that their love affairs have broken or evenmarriages may be on the rock,or that their love affairs have broken or eventhat they got out of bed on the wrong s

11、ide is simply not a concern.They arethat they got out of bed on the wrong side is simply not a concern.They arelike the musketeers of Dumas who,although they lived side by side with eachlike the musketeers of Dumas who,although they lived side by side with eachother,other,diddid notnot delvedelve in

12、tointo eacheach otherother s s liveslives oror thethe recessesrecesses ofof theirtheir thoughtsthoughtsandand feelings.feelings.或许是从小混迹于英国小酒吧的缘故吧，我觉得酒馆里的或许是从小混迹于英国小酒吧的缘故吧，我觉得酒馆里的闲聊是别有韵味的。酒馆里的朋友们对彼此的生活毫不了解，他们只是临时闲聊是别有韵味的。酒馆里的朋友们对彼此的生活毫不了解，他们只是临时的伙伴，相互之间并无深交。这些人之中，也许有人的婚姻面临破裂，有人的伙伴，相互之间并无深交。这些人之中，也许有人

13、的婚姻面临破裂，有人恋爱受挫，有人碰到别的什么不顺心的事儿，但这些都无关紧要。他们就像恋爱受挫，有人碰到别的什么不顺心的事儿，但这些都无关紧要。他们就像大仲马笔下的三个火枪手一样，虽然朝夕相处，却从来不过问彼此的私事，大仲马笔下的三个火枪手一样，虽然朝夕相处，却从来不过问彼此的私事，也不去打探别人内心的秘密。也不去打探别人内心的秘密。4.4.It was on such an occasion the other evening,as the conversation movedIt was on such an occasion the other evening,as the conver

14、sation moveddesultorily here and there,from the most commonplace to thoughts of Jupiter,desultorily here and there,from the most commonplace to thoughts of Jupiter,withoutwithout anyany focusfocus andand withwith nono needneed forfor one,one,thatthat suddenlysuddenly thethe alchemyalchemy ofofconver

15、sation took place,and all at once there was a focus.I do not rememberconversation took place,and all at once there was a focus.I do not rememberwhat made one of our companions say itwhat made one of our companions say it she clearly had not come into the she clearly had not come into the15.5.6.6.7.7

16、.8.8.9.9.bar to say it,it was not something that was pressing on her mindbar to say it,it was not something that was pressing on her mind but her but herremark fell quite naturally into the talk.remark fell quite naturally into the talk.有一天晚上的情形正是如此。当有一天晚上的情形正是如此。当时人们正在漫无边际地东拉西扯，从最普通的家常琐事聊得有关木星的科学时人

17、们正在漫无边际地东拉西扯，从最普通的家常琐事聊得有关木星的科学趣闻。完全没有一个特定的主题。可突然间中心话题奇迹般地出现了，大伙趣闻。完全没有一个特定的主题。可突然间中心话题奇迹般地出现了，大伙的话题都集中到了一处。我不记得其中一个伙伴的那句话是什么情况下说出的话题都集中到了一处。我不记得其中一个伙伴的那句话是什么情况下说出来的来的 不过，显然她并没有特意地准备什么，那也算不上是什么非说不可不过，显然她并没有特意地准备什么，那也算不上是什么非说不可的要紧话的要紧话 那只不过是随着大伙儿的话题十分自然地脱口而出的。那只不过是随着大伙儿的话题十分自然地脱口而出的。“Someone told me

18、the other day that the phrase,Someone told me the other day that the phrase,the Kingthe King s English,s English,was wasa a termterm ofof criticism,criticism,thatthat it it meansmeans languagelanguage whichwhich oneone shouldshould notnot properlyproperlyuseuse”“就在前几天，有人告诉我说标准英语这个词是带贬义色彩的批“就在前几天，有人告

19、诉我说标准英语这个词是带贬义色彩的批评用语，指的是人们应该尽量避免使用的英语。评用语，指的是人们应该尽量避免使用的英语。”TheThe glowglow ofof thethe conversationconversation burstburst intointo flames.flames.ThereThere werewere affirmationsaffirmationsandand protestsprotests andand denials,denials,andand ofof coursecourse thethe promise,promise,mademade inin

20、 allall suchsuchconversation,that we would look it up on the morning.That would settle it;conversation,that we would look it up on the morning.That would settle it;but conversation does not need to be settled;it could still go ignorantly on.but conversation does not need to be settled;it could still

21、 go ignorantly on.此语一出，谈话氛围立即热烈起来。有人表示赞成，也有人怒斥，还有人则此语一出，谈话氛围立即热烈起来。有人表示赞成，也有人怒斥，还有人则不以为然。最后，当然少不了像处理所有这种场合下的意见分歧一样，大家不以为然。最后，当然少不了像处理所有这种场合下的意见分歧一样，大家约好次日一早去查证一下。问题就这样解决了。不过，闲聊并不需要解决什约好次日一早去查证一下。问题就这样解决了。不过，闲聊并不需要解决什么问题，大家仍旧可以糊里糊涂地继续闲扯下去。么问题，大家仍旧可以糊里糊涂地继续闲扯下去。It wasIt was anan Australian who had giv

22、enAustralian who had given her such a definition ofher such a definition of“the kingthe king s sEnglish,English,”whichwhich producedproduced somesome ratherrather tarttart remarksremarks aboutabout whatwhat oneone couldcouldexpect from the descendants of convicts.We had traveled in five minutes toex

23、pect from the descendants of convicts.We had traveled in five minutes toAustralia.Of course,there would be resistance to the KingAustralia.Of course,there would be resistance to the King s English in suchs English in sucha society.There is always resistance in the lower classes to any attempt by ana

24、 society.There is always resistance in the lower classes to any attempt by anupper class to lay down rules forupper class to lay down rules for“English“English as it should be spoken.as it should be spoken.”告诉她告诉她“标准英语”应做这种解释的原来是个澳大利亚人。知道这个后，有些人便“标准英语”应做这种解释的原来是个澳大利亚人。知道这个后，有些人便说起刻薄话来了，说什么囚犯的后代这样说倒也

25、不足为奇。就这样，不到说起刻薄话来了，说什么囚犯的后代这样说倒也不足为奇。就这样，不到 5 5分钟，大家便扯到了澳大利亚。在那个地方，分钟，大家便扯到了澳大利亚。在那个地方，“标准英语”自然是不受欢迎“标准英语”自然是不受欢迎的。因为下层人民总是会抵制上流社会给“规范英语”制定的条条框框。的。因为下层人民总是会抵制上流社会给“规范英语”制定的条条框框。Look at the language barrier between the Saxon churls and their NormanLook at the language barrier between the Saxon churls

26、 and their Normanconquerors.The conversation had swung from Australian convicts of the 19conquerors.The conversation had swung from Australian convicts of the 19ththcentury to the English peasants of the 12century to the English peasants of the 12thth century.Who was right,who was century.Who was ri

27、ght,who waswrong,did not matter.The conversation was on wings.wrong,did not matter.The conversation was on wings.想想撒克逊农民与想想撒克逊农民与征服他们的诺曼统治者之间的语言隔阂吧。于是闲聊的主题又从征服他们的诺曼统治者之间的语言隔阂吧。于是闲聊的主题又从 1919 世纪的世纪的澳大利亚囚犯转移到了澳大利亚囚犯转移到了 1212 世纪的应该农民身上。谁对谁错，并没有关系。世纪的应该农民身上。谁对谁错，并没有关系。闲聊依旧热火朝天地进行着。闲聊依旧热火朝天地进行着。SomeoneSo

28、meone tooktook oneone ofof thethe bestbest knownknown ofof examples,examples,whichwhich is is still alwaysstill alwaysworth the reconsidering.When we talk of meat on our tables we use Frenchworth the reconsidering.When we talk of meat on our tables we use Frenchwords;words;whenwhen wewe speakspeak o

29、fof thethe animalsanimals fromfrom whichwhich thethe meatmeat comescomes wewe useuseAngloAnglo Saxon words.It is a pig in its sty;it is pork(porc)on the table.They Saxon words.It is a pig in its sty;it is pork(porc)on the table.Theyareare cattlecattle inin thethe fields,fields,butbut wewe sitsit dow

30、ndown toto beefbeef(boeuf).(boeuf).ChickensChickens becomebecomepoultry(poulet),and a calf becomes veal(veau).Even if our menus were notpoultry(poulet),and a calf becomes veal(veau).Even if our menus were notwritten in French out of snobbery,the English we used in them would still bewritten in Frenc

31、h out of snobbery,the English we used in them would still beNorman English.What all this tells us is of a deep class rift in the culture ofNorman English.What all this tells us is of a deep class rift in the culture of2English after the Norman Conquest.English after the Norman Conquest.有人举了一个众所周知但仍值

32、得深思有人举了一个众所周知但仍值得深思的例子。在谈到饭桌上的肉食时我们用法语词，而谈到提供这些肉食的牲畜的例子。在谈到饭桌上的肉食时我们用法语词，而谈到提供这些肉食的牲畜是则用盎格鲁是则用盎格鲁-撒克逊词。猪圈里的活猪叫撒克逊词。猪圈里的活猪叫pigpig，饭桌上吃的猪肉便成了，饭桌上吃的猪肉便成了porkpork（来自法语（来自法语 porepore）；地里放养的牛叫；地里放养的牛叫cattlecattle，而桌上吃的牛肉则叫，而桌上吃的牛肉则叫 beefbeef（来自（来自法语法语 boeufboeuf）；小鸡叫；小鸡叫 chickenchicken，用作肉食则变成，用作肉食则变成 pou

33、ltrypoultry（来自法语（来自法语 pouletpoulet）；calfcalf（小牛）加工成肉则变成（小牛）加工成肉则变成 vealveal（来自法语（来自法语 vcauvcau）。即便我们的菜单没有为。即便我们的菜单没有为了装洋耍派头而写成法语，我们所用的英语仍然是诺曼式的英语。这一切向了装洋耍派头而写成法语，我们所用的英语仍然是诺曼式的英语。这一切向我们昭示了被诺曼人征服之后的英国文化上所存在的深刻的阶级裂痕。我们昭示了被诺曼人征服之后的英国文化上所存在的深刻的阶级裂痕。10.10.The Saxon peasants who tilled the land and reared

34、 the animals could notThe Saxon peasants who tilled the land and reared the animals could notafford the meat,which went to Norman tables.The peasants were allowed toafford the meat,which went to Norman tables.The peasants were allowed toeat the rabbits that scampered over their field and,since that

35、meat was cheap,eat the rabbits that scampered over their field and,since that meat was cheap,the Norman lords of course turned up their noses at it.So rabbit is still rabbitthe Norman lords of course turned up their noses at it.So rabbit is still rabbiton our tables,and not changed into some renderi

36、ng of lapin.on our tables,and not changed into some rendering of lapin.撒克逊农民撒克逊农民种地养殖牲畜，自己出产的肉自己却吃不上，全部送到了诺曼人的餐桌上。种地养殖牲畜，自己出产的肉自己却吃不上，全部送到了诺曼人的餐桌上。农民们只能吃在地里乱窜的兔子。因为兔子的肉便宜，诺曼贵族自然不屑去农民们只能吃在地里乱窜的兔子。因为兔子的肉便宜，诺曼贵族自然不屑去吃它。吃它。因此，因此，活兔子和兔子肉共用活兔子和兔子肉共用 rabbitrabbit 这个词表示，这个词表示，而没有换成由法语而没有换成由法语 lapinlapin转化而来

37、的某个词。转化而来的某个词。11.11.As we listen today to the arguments about bilingual education,we ought toAs we listen today to the arguments about bilingual education,we ought tothink ourselves back into the shoes of the Saxon peasant.The new ruling classthink ourselves back into the shoes of the Saxon peasant.

38、The new ruling classhad built a cultural barrier against him by building their French against hishad built a cultural barrier against him by building their French against hisown language.There must have been a great deal of cultural humiliation feltown language.There must have been a great deal of c

39、ultural humiliation feltbyby thethe EnglishEnglish whenwhen theythey revoltedrevolted underunder SaxonSaxon leadersleaders likelike HerewardHereward thetheWake.Wake.“The kingThe king s s English”English”-if the term had existed then-had become French.-if the term had existed then-had become French.A

40、nd here in America now,900 years later,we are still the heirs to it.And here in America now,900 years later,we are still the heirs to it.如今，如今，当我们听着有关双语教育问题的争论时，我们应该设身处地替当时的撒克逊当我们听着有关双语教育问题的争论时，我们应该设身处地替当时的撒克逊农民想一想，新的统治阶级用法语来对抗撒克逊农民自己的语言，从而在农农民想一想，新的统治阶级用法语来对抗撒克逊农民自己的语言，从而在农民周围筑起一道文化壁垒。当英国人在像觉醒者赫里沃德

41、这样的撒克逊领袖民周围筑起一道文化壁垒。当英国人在像觉醒者赫里沃德这样的撒克逊领袖领导下起来造反时，他们一定深深地感受到了文化上的屈辱。领导下起来造反时，他们一定深深地感受到了文化上的屈辱。“标准英语”“标准英语”-如果那时候有这个名词的话如果那时候有这个名词的话-已经变成法语了。已经变成法语了。而九百年后我们在美国这个地而九百年后我们在美国这个地方仍然继承了这种影响。方仍然继承了这种影响。12.12.So the next morning,the conversation over,one looked it up.So the next morning,the conversation o

42、ver,one looked it up.The phraseThe phrasecame into use some time in thecame into use some time in the1616ththcentury.century.“QueenQueen s s English”English”is is found infound inNasheNashe s s“Strange News of the Intercepting of Certain LettersStrange News of the Intercepting of Certain Letters”in

43、1593,and in in 1593,and in1602,1602,DekkerDekker wrotewrote ofof someone,someone,“thouthou clipstclipst thethe KingKing s s English.English.”Is Is thethephrase in Shakespeare?That would be the confirmation that it was in generalphrase in Shakespeare?That would be the confirmation that it was in gene

44、raluse.use.HeHe usesuses it it once,once,whenwhen MistressMistress QuicklyQuickly inin“TheThe MerryMerry WivesWives ofofWindsorWindsor”says of her master coming home in a rage,says of her master coming home in a rage,“here will be an oldhere will be an oldabusing of Godabusing of God s patience and

45、the Kings patience and the King s English,s English,”and it rings true.and it rings true.那晚那晚闲聊过后的第二天一大早便有人去查阅了资料。这个名词在闲聊过后的第二天一大早便有人去查阅了资料。这个名词在 1616 世纪已有人世纪已有人使用过了。使用过了。纳什作于纳什作于 15931593 年的年的 截获信函奇闻截获信函奇闻 中就有过中就有过“标准英语”“标准英语”（QueenQueen s sEnglishEnglish）的提法。的提法。16021602 年德克写到某人时有句话说：年德克写到某人时有句话说：

46、“你把你把 标准英语标准英语（KingKing s sEnglishEnglish）简化了”）简化了”。莎士比亚作品中是否也出现过这一提法呢？如出现过，。莎士比亚作品中是否也出现过这一提法呢？如出现过，那就证明这个词在当时既已通用。他用过一次，在温莎的风流娘们中，那就证明这个词在当时既已通用。他用过一次，在温莎的风流娘们中，女仆女仆 QuicklyQuickly 在讲到她家老爷回来后将会有的盛怒情形时说，在讲到她家老爷回来后将会有的盛怒情形时说，“少不了一“少不了一3通臭骂，骂得昏天暗地，通臭骂，骂得昏天暗地，“标准英语”不知要给他糟蹋成个什么样子啦。“标准英语”不知要给他糟蹋成个什么样子啦。

47、”后后来的事实果然被她说中了。来的事实果然被她说中了。13.13.One could have expected that it would be about then that the phrase wouldOne could have expected that it would be about then that the phrase wouldbe coined.After five centuries of growth,of tussling with thebe coined.After five centuries of growth,of tussling with th

48、eFrench of theFrench of theNormans and the Angevins and the Plantagenets and at last absorbing it,theNormans and the Angevins and the Plantagenets and at last absorbing it,theconqueredconquered inin thethe endend conqueringconquering thethe conqueror,conqueror,EnglishEnglish hadhad comecome royallyr

49、oyallyintointo itsits own.own.我们有理由认为这个词就是那个时候产生的。经过前后五百我们有理由认为这个词就是那个时候产生的。经过前后五百年的发展和与诺曼人、安茹王朝及金雀花王朝的法语的竞争，英语最终同化年的发展和与诺曼人、安茹王朝及金雀花王朝的法语的竞争，英语最终同化了法语。被统治者成了统治着，英语取得了国语的地位。了法语。被统治者成了统治着，英语取得了国语的地位。14.14.There was a KingThere was a King s(or Queens(or Queen s)English to be proud of.The Elizabethanss

50、)English to be proud of.The Elizabethansblew on it as on a dandelion clock,and its seeds multiplied,and floated to theblew on it as on a dandelion clock,and its seeds multiplied,and floated to theends of the earth.ends of the earth.“The KingThe King s s English”English”was no longer a form of what w