Tradition and Modernization
【精彩范文】
Tradition and Modernization (I)
【傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化相兼容】
Many people pose tradition and modernization as diametrically opposite. For instance, as Beijing increasingly becomes a modern international metropolis, its traditional legacies, architecture and social mores among many other things, are shrinking at an alarming speed. However, more often than not, tradition and modernization are wholly compatible and may even be mutually enriching. The modernization process only serves to highlight the indispensable value of tradition.
Future-oriented as it is, modernization cannot be cut away from the past. Man is an emotional animal whose emotional attachment to the past defines the meaning of his existence in the present and the future. Although many urban planners are involved in a reckless drive for developing high-rise buildings to make their cities look modern, true architects are committed to preserving traditional architecture. This is because demolishing traditional architecture would render modern people rootless and disoriented. Without the past serving as a framework of reference, we would not know where we are heading for.
Being traditional does not mean being old-fashioned or outmoded. Many traditional values are of permanent significance and should be observed in the modern and post-modern eras. Chinese traditional ethics like benevolence and moral integrity should go beyond time and space to serve as universal values. As we strive to modernize our world, we should update and enrich our traditions instead of discarding them altogether. Otherwise, we are being irresponsible to ourselves or to our future generations.
It is true modernization is an irresistible global trend taking place with increasing momentum. However, the best pattern of modernization is the one taking full account of the historical past. Modernization should not be equated with breaking up with the past but rather an extension and incorporation of the past. Accordingly, human civilization retains its continuity and human existence is made meaningful because of this continuity.
【參考譯文】
傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化
許多人將傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化絕然對立起來。例如，隨著北京日益變成一個現(xiàn)代化的國際大都市，其諸多傳統(tǒng)遺產(chǎn)，尤其是建筑與社會習(xí)俗，正以驚人的速度在消亡。然而，在很多情況下，傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代完全可以兼容并蓄，甚至相得益彰?，F(xiàn)代化進程反而突顯了傳統(tǒng)的無可替代的價值。
雖然現(xiàn)代化面向的是未來，但它卻絕不能與過去割裂開來。人類是情感型的動物，其與往昔的淵源關(guān)系決定了其當(dāng)下與未來的生存意義。雖然很多城市規(guī)劃者肆無忌憚地追逐者建造越來越多的高樓大廈，以使其設(shè)計的都市日顯現(xiàn)代氣息，但真正的建筑大師們卻致力于保護傳統(tǒng)建筑。這是因為摧毀傳統(tǒng)建筑會使現(xiàn)代人失去歸屬感，從而迷失方向。如果沒有過去充當(dāng)我們的參照系，我們就會渾然不知我們將去向何方。
保持傳統(tǒng)并非意味著抱殘守缺或冥頑不化。許多傳統(tǒng)的價值觀具有永恒的意義，在現(xiàn)代與后現(xiàn)代都應(yīng)加以恪守。諸如“仁慈”與“正直”這類傳統(tǒng)的中國倫理規(guī)范應(yīng)當(dāng)超越時空，構(gòu)成人類的普世價值。在追求使我們周圍的世界變得現(xiàn)代化的同時，我們需要做的，是對我們的傳統(tǒng)進行推陳出新，豐富其內(nèi)涵，而不是簡單地將其棄置不顧。否則，我們就會顯得極不負責(zé)任，無論是對于我們自己，還是對于我們的子孫后代。
誠然，現(xiàn)代化是一個無可抗拒的全球性趨勢，正在方興未艾地推進。然而，現(xiàn)代化的模式應(yīng)是那樣一種充分兼顧歷史的模式?，F(xiàn)代化不應(yīng)該被等同于與過去宣告決裂，而應(yīng)是對過去的一種拓展與融合。唯有如此，人類才能維系其連貫性，人類的生存才會由于這一連貫性而富有意義。
【值得熟記的句式與短語】
1. pose擺放
2. be diametrically opposite正好相反的，直徑上對置的
3. a modern international metropolis一個現(xiàn)代化的國際大都市
4. social mores社會習(xí)俗
5. at an alarming speed以驚人的速度
6. more often than not在很多情況下
7. be wholly compatible and may even be mutually enriching完全可以兼容并蓄，甚至相得益彰
8. highlight the indispensable value of tradition突顯傳統(tǒng)所蘊含的無可替代的價值
9. be cut away from the past與過去割裂開來
10. emotional attachment情感依戀
11. a reckless drive for developing high-rise buildings肆無忌憚地追逐著建造高樓大廈
12. preserve traditional architecture保護傳統(tǒng)建筑
13. render modern people rootless and disoriented使現(xiàn)代人失去歸屬感，從而迷失方向
14. be of permanent significance擁有永恒的意義
15. values should be observed應(yīng)該恪守價值觀
16. moral integrity正直
17. go beyond time and space to serve as universal values超越時空，構(gòu)成人類的普世價值
18. As we strive to modernize our world在追求使我們周圍的世界變得現(xiàn)代化的同時
19. an irresistible global trend一個無可抗拒的全球性趨勢
20. increasing momentum不斷增長的勢頭
21. take full account of充分考慮到
22. be equated with等同于，使相等 Tradition and Modernization (II)
【傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化相兼容】
Nowadays, if you intend to purchase a house, the most expensive housing in Beijing is not a country villa but a quadrangle, a form of traditional architecture. This unmistakably indicates that the most valuable thing in the most modern metropolis of China is nothing but tradition.
Although things shouldn’t always be measured in terms of commercial values, commercial pricing in a mature market can often be an accurate index of the intrinsic values of the things that surround us. In the light of this principle, we can uncover many complicated but interesting relationships between tradition and modernization.
The National Grand Theatre and the National Olympic Stadium are definitely among the largest investment projects in China in recent years. Designed by international architects, they present architectural styles that are simply modern and even futuristic. But it would be a grave mistake to assume they are simply for the sake of being modernistic. Inside the pearl-shaped structure, the National Grand Theatre accommodates a musical hall, an opera house, and a theatre where only classical performing arts are to be staged. One can never expect a rock’n’roll concert there.
The same applies to the National Olympic Stadium. Nicknamed Bird’s Nest, the Stadium is the venue for the largest international event in human history—the 2008 Beijing Olympiad. Yet, Olympiad itself is an ancient Greek term and the Bird’s Nest, with all its cutting-edge facilities, has only functioned to keep alive an ancient athletic tradition.
Tradition and modernization are two sides of the same coin. The colossal investments in the construction of the National Grand Theatre and the National Olympic Stadium testify to the efforts of modern people to preserve tradition by sparing no expenses. The buildings’ modern forms just serve to answer to man’s desperate inner need to remain connected with the past.
【參考譯文】
傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化
如今，如果你打算在北京購置住宅，最昂貴的住宅并不是一處鄉(xiāng)村別墅，而是一家四合院，一種傳統(tǒng)的民居建筑。這清晰無誤地表明，在中國最現(xiàn)代的大都市，最有價值之物便是傳統(tǒng)。
盡管事物不應(yīng)總以商業(yè)價值來衡量，但在一個成熟的市場，商業(yè)定價往往能精準(zhǔn)地反映出我們周圍事物的內(nèi)在價值。據(jù)此原理，我們可以在傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化之間揭示出諸多復(fù)雜但卻有意思的關(guān)系。
中國國家大劇院與國家體育場無疑是中國近年來投資數(shù)額最為龐大的兩個項目。作為國際建筑師的設(shè)計手筆，它們呈現(xiàn)出的建筑風(fēng)格極具現(xiàn)代氣息，甚至帶有未來主義色彩。但是，如果人們以為它僅是為了滿足具有現(xiàn)代色彩這一目的的話，那就大錯特錯。在其珍珠狀的結(jié)構(gòu)里，國家大劇院內(nèi)設(shè)一音樂廳，一歌劇院，一戲劇院；這里，僅能上演古典表演藝術(shù)曲目。誰都別想在那兒有幸欣賞一場搖滾音樂會。
相同的情形也適用于中國國家體育場。這個常被稱為“鳥巢”的體育場，是舉辦人類歷國際事件—2008年北京奧運會—的主會場。然而，奧林匹亞本身便是一個古希臘的名稱；而鳥巢，以其全部的現(xiàn)代先進設(shè)施，所發(fā)揮的作用僅是為了使一項古老的體育傳統(tǒng)保持經(jīng)久不衰。
傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化實乃同一硬幣的兩個側(cè)面。中國舉全國之力耗資建造國家大劇院和國家體育場，例證了現(xiàn)代的人類是如何在不計成本地竭力保護傳統(tǒng)遺產(chǎn)。這些建筑物的現(xiàn)代形式僅僅是為了響應(yīng)人類要與歷史傳統(tǒng)一脈相承的那迫切無比的內(nèi)心需求。
【值得熟記的句式與短語】
1. country villa鄉(xiāng)間別墅
2. quadrangle四合院
3. is nothing but不是別的而是，只有
4. be measured in terms of commercial values以商業(yè)價值來衡量
5. the intrinsic values of the things內(nèi)在價值
6. In the light of this principle據(jù)此原理
7. The National Grand Theatre國家大劇院
8. the National Olympic Stadium國家體育場
9. a grave mistake一個嚴(yán)重的錯誤
10. for the sake of being modernistic為了滿足具有現(xiàn)代色彩這一目的
11. a musical hall一個音樂廳
12. an opera house一個歌劇院
13. classical performing arts古典表演藝術(shù)
14. to be staged上演
15. a rock’n’roll concer一場搖滾音樂會
16. cutting-edge facilities先進設(shè)施
17. keep alive使保持生機
18. spare no expenses不惜一切代價，不惜工本
19. remain connected with the past與歷史傳統(tǒng)一脈相承
【精彩范文】
Tradition and Modernization (I)
【傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化相兼容】
Many people pose tradition and modernization as diametrically opposite. For instance, as Beijing increasingly becomes a modern international metropolis, its traditional legacies, architecture and social mores among many other things, are shrinking at an alarming speed. However, more often than not, tradition and modernization are wholly compatible and may even be mutually enriching. The modernization process only serves to highlight the indispensable value of tradition.
Future-oriented as it is, modernization cannot be cut away from the past. Man is an emotional animal whose emotional attachment to the past defines the meaning of his existence in the present and the future. Although many urban planners are involved in a reckless drive for developing high-rise buildings to make their cities look modern, true architects are committed to preserving traditional architecture. This is because demolishing traditional architecture would render modern people rootless and disoriented. Without the past serving as a framework of reference, we would not know where we are heading for.
Being traditional does not mean being old-fashioned or outmoded. Many traditional values are of permanent significance and should be observed in the modern and post-modern eras. Chinese traditional ethics like benevolence and moral integrity should go beyond time and space to serve as universal values. As we strive to modernize our world, we should update and enrich our traditions instead of discarding them altogether. Otherwise, we are being irresponsible to ourselves or to our future generations.
It is true modernization is an irresistible global trend taking place with increasing momentum. However, the best pattern of modernization is the one taking full account of the historical past. Modernization should not be equated with breaking up with the past but rather an extension and incorporation of the past. Accordingly, human civilization retains its continuity and human existence is made meaningful because of this continuity.
【參考譯文】
傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化
許多人將傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化絕然對立起來。例如，隨著北京日益變成一個現(xiàn)代化的國際大都市，其諸多傳統(tǒng)遺產(chǎn)，尤其是建筑與社會習(xí)俗，正以驚人的速度在消亡。然而，在很多情況下，傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代完全可以兼容并蓄，甚至相得益彰?，F(xiàn)代化進程反而突顯了傳統(tǒng)的無可替代的價值。
雖然現(xiàn)代化面向的是未來，但它卻絕不能與過去割裂開來。人類是情感型的動物，其與往昔的淵源關(guān)系決定了其當(dāng)下與未來的生存意義。雖然很多城市規(guī)劃者肆無忌憚地追逐者建造越來越多的高樓大廈，以使其設(shè)計的都市日顯現(xiàn)代氣息，但真正的建筑大師們卻致力于保護傳統(tǒng)建筑。這是因為摧毀傳統(tǒng)建筑會使現(xiàn)代人失去歸屬感，從而迷失方向。如果沒有過去充當(dāng)我們的參照系，我們就會渾然不知我們將去向何方。
保持傳統(tǒng)并非意味著抱殘守缺或冥頑不化。許多傳統(tǒng)的價值觀具有永恒的意義，在現(xiàn)代與后現(xiàn)代都應(yīng)加以恪守。諸如“仁慈”與“正直”這類傳統(tǒng)的中國倫理規(guī)范應(yīng)當(dāng)超越時空，構(gòu)成人類的普世價值。在追求使我們周圍的世界變得現(xiàn)代化的同時，我們需要做的，是對我們的傳統(tǒng)進行推陳出新，豐富其內(nèi)涵，而不是簡單地將其棄置不顧。否則，我們就會顯得極不負責(zé)任，無論是對于我們自己，還是對于我們的子孫后代。
誠然，現(xiàn)代化是一個無可抗拒的全球性趨勢，正在方興未艾地推進。然而，現(xiàn)代化的模式應(yīng)是那樣一種充分兼顧歷史的模式?，F(xiàn)代化不應(yīng)該被等同于與過去宣告決裂，而應(yīng)是對過去的一種拓展與融合。唯有如此，人類才能維系其連貫性，人類的生存才會由于這一連貫性而富有意義。
【值得熟記的句式與短語】
1. pose擺放
2. be diametrically opposite正好相反的，直徑上對置的
3. a modern international metropolis一個現(xiàn)代化的國際大都市
4. social mores社會習(xí)俗
5. at an alarming speed以驚人的速度
6. more often than not在很多情況下
7. be wholly compatible and may even be mutually enriching完全可以兼容并蓄，甚至相得益彰
8. highlight the indispensable value of tradition突顯傳統(tǒng)所蘊含的無可替代的價值
9. be cut away from the past與過去割裂開來
10. emotional attachment情感依戀
11. a reckless drive for developing high-rise buildings肆無忌憚地追逐著建造高樓大廈
12. preserve traditional architecture保護傳統(tǒng)建筑
13. render modern people rootless and disoriented使現(xiàn)代人失去歸屬感，從而迷失方向
14. be of permanent significance擁有永恒的意義
15. values should be observed應(yīng)該恪守價值觀
16. moral integrity正直
17. go beyond time and space to serve as universal values超越時空，構(gòu)成人類的普世價值
18. As we strive to modernize our world在追求使我們周圍的世界變得現(xiàn)代化的同時
19. an irresistible global trend一個無可抗拒的全球性趨勢
20. increasing momentum不斷增長的勢頭
21. take full account of充分考慮到
22. be equated with等同于，使相等 Tradition and Modernization (II)
【傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化相兼容】
Nowadays, if you intend to purchase a house, the most expensive housing in Beijing is not a country villa but a quadrangle, a form of traditional architecture. This unmistakably indicates that the most valuable thing in the most modern metropolis of China is nothing but tradition.
Although things shouldn’t always be measured in terms of commercial values, commercial pricing in a mature market can often be an accurate index of the intrinsic values of the things that surround us. In the light of this principle, we can uncover many complicated but interesting relationships between tradition and modernization.
The National Grand Theatre and the National Olympic Stadium are definitely among the largest investment projects in China in recent years. Designed by international architects, they present architectural styles that are simply modern and even futuristic. But it would be a grave mistake to assume they are simply for the sake of being modernistic. Inside the pearl-shaped structure, the National Grand Theatre accommodates a musical hall, an opera house, and a theatre where only classical performing arts are to be staged. One can never expect a rock’n’roll concert there.
The same applies to the National Olympic Stadium. Nicknamed Bird’s Nest, the Stadium is the venue for the largest international event in human history—the 2008 Beijing Olympiad. Yet, Olympiad itself is an ancient Greek term and the Bird’s Nest, with all its cutting-edge facilities, has only functioned to keep alive an ancient athletic tradition.
Tradition and modernization are two sides of the same coin. The colossal investments in the construction of the National Grand Theatre and the National Olympic Stadium testify to the efforts of modern people to preserve tradition by sparing no expenses. The buildings’ modern forms just serve to answer to man’s desperate inner need to remain connected with the past.
【參考譯文】
傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化
如今，如果你打算在北京購置住宅，最昂貴的住宅并不是一處鄉(xiāng)村別墅，而是一家四合院，一種傳統(tǒng)的民居建筑。這清晰無誤地表明，在中國最現(xiàn)代的大都市，最有價值之物便是傳統(tǒng)。
盡管事物不應(yīng)總以商業(yè)價值來衡量，但在一個成熟的市場，商業(yè)定價往往能精準(zhǔn)地反映出我們周圍事物的內(nèi)在價值。據(jù)此原理，我們可以在傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化之間揭示出諸多復(fù)雜但卻有意思的關(guān)系。
中國國家大劇院與國家體育場無疑是中國近年來投資數(shù)額最為龐大的兩個項目。作為國際建筑師的設(shè)計手筆，它們呈現(xiàn)出的建筑風(fēng)格極具現(xiàn)代氣息，甚至帶有未來主義色彩。但是，如果人們以為它僅是為了滿足具有現(xiàn)代色彩這一目的的話，那就大錯特錯。在其珍珠狀的結(jié)構(gòu)里，國家大劇院內(nèi)設(shè)一音樂廳，一歌劇院，一戲劇院；這里，僅能上演古典表演藝術(shù)曲目。誰都別想在那兒有幸欣賞一場搖滾音樂會。
相同的情形也適用于中國國家體育場。這個常被稱為“鳥巢”的體育場，是舉辦人類歷國際事件—2008年北京奧運會—的主會場。然而，奧林匹亞本身便是一個古希臘的名稱；而鳥巢，以其全部的現(xiàn)代先進設(shè)施，所發(fā)揮的作用僅是為了使一項古老的體育傳統(tǒng)保持經(jīng)久不衰。
傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代化實乃同一硬幣的兩個側(cè)面。中國舉全國之力耗資建造國家大劇院和國家體育場，例證了現(xiàn)代的人類是如何在不計成本地竭力保護傳統(tǒng)遺產(chǎn)。這些建筑物的現(xiàn)代形式僅僅是為了響應(yīng)人類要與歷史傳統(tǒng)一脈相承的那迫切無比的內(nèi)心需求。
【值得熟記的句式與短語】
1. country villa鄉(xiāng)間別墅
2. quadrangle四合院
3. is nothing but不是別的而是，只有
4. be measured in terms of commercial values以商業(yè)價值來衡量
5. the intrinsic values of the things內(nèi)在價值
6. In the light of this principle據(jù)此原理
7. The National Grand Theatre國家大劇院
8. the National Olympic Stadium國家體育場
9. a grave mistake一個嚴(yán)重的錯誤
10. for the sake of being modernistic為了滿足具有現(xiàn)代色彩這一目的
11. a musical hall一個音樂廳
12. an opera house一個歌劇院
13. classical performing arts古典表演藝術(shù)
14. to be staged上演
15. a rock’n’roll concer一場搖滾音樂會
16. cutting-edge facilities先進設(shè)施
17. keep alive使保持生機
18. spare no expenses不惜一切代價，不惜工本
19. remain connected with the past與歷史傳統(tǒng)一脈相承