2007年7月31日 星期二

'Mashups', haptics, ditty, application suite

我今天讀WSJ的報導,才知道所謂MASHUP。然後找到NP66日的報導,更清楚Google公司的服務
'Mashups' Sew Data Together
Mashup technology is making inroads at more companies, providing an inexpensive and simple way to combine existing applications.

A mashup is a website or application that combines content from more than one source into an integrated experience.

Overview

Content used in mashups is typically sourced from a third party via a public interface or API, although some in the community believe that only cases where public interfaces are not used count as mashups. Other methods of sourcing content for mashups include Web feeds (e.g. RSS or Atom), web services and Screen scraping.
Many people are experimenting with mashups using Google, eBay, Amazon, AOL, Windows Live, and Yahoos APIs.

Quotes

a lot of talk about Web 2.0, web mashups, Ajax, etc., which in my mind are all facets of the same phenomenon: that information and presentation are being separated in ways that allow for novel forms of reuse.



Using methods from the relatively new science of haptics -- that is, how the subjective perception of touch connects to objective surface properties of hair and other materials --.they have developed the first detailed microscopic analysis of what happens to individual hair fibers when they get tangled up and won't let go.


Can TamTam Teach the World to Play?
When OLPC's XO laptop starts up, its Linux-based user interface plays a four-note ditty, composed by the band U2, that stands for the letters O, L, P, and C – an indication of how important music is to the little green computer's mission.


application suite

Microsoft takes global view of its online business productivity suite
CNET News - San Francisco,CA,USA
by Dawn Kawamoto Microsoft announced Monday it was expanding its footprint of online services to businesses worldwide, adding to its efforts it began last ...




suite
A group of items. Pronounced "sweet."
See application suite.


A group of programs that are sold as a package to solve common problems. Although there are suites for graphics, mathematics and other applications, the most popular are "office suites." Also known as "productivity suites," they are a set of basic business programs designed with a uniform user interface and common functions such as spell checking. The primary programs are word processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, database and e-mail, although each suite has its own mix, and a variety of other programs and utilities may also be included. Some of the programs may be for sale as individual products. See Microsoft OfficeWordPerfect OfficeLotus SmartSuiteStarOfficeOpenOffice.orgGoogle Apps and graphics suite.


ditty
noun [C]
a short simple song

haptics

(′hap·tiks) (computer science) The study of the use of touch in order to produce computer interfaces that will allow users to interact with digital objects by means of force feedback and tactile feedback.


(hăp'tĭks)
n.
The science that deals with the sense of touch.

frisk, capacity (POSITION) , stand pat, the faithful

新聞 (WSJ)
Bank of England Might Stand Pat on Rates
The slide in stocks makes it more likely the Bank of England will keep its key rate on hold at its meeting this week.


Three Arabian-style mosques, constructed in Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Lungkang 龍崗, have joined Taipei's two mosques in meeting the needs of Muslim faithful.

http://www.islam.org.hk/eng/IslaminTaiwan.asp

hc案 不知是否用 the needs of the (Muslim) faithful比較好



Can He Take a Frisk? 
By MAUREEN DOWD
Barack Obama knows that he is left with one final roll of the dice. So, he sets up a secret meeting with Bill Clinton.



capacity (POSITION)
noun [S] FORMAL
a particular position or job:
In his capacity as secretary of the residents association, he regularly attends meetings of the community policing committee.
She was speaking in her capacity as a novelist, rather than as a television presenter.


(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)


frisk
verb [T]
to use your hands to search someone's body when they are wearing clothes for hidden illegal objects or weapons:
We were all frisked at the airport.



the faithful plural noun
the followers of a particular religion:
We heard bells calling the faithful to prayer.

 faith・ful


 
━━ a. 誠実な ((to, in)); 信頼できる; 貞節な; 正確な ((to)).
━━ n. (the ~) ((複数扱い)) 信者たち; 熱心な信奉者[支持者].
faith・ful・ly ad. 忠実に; 正確に.
faith・ful・ness n. 忠実(であること); 貞淑; 正確さ.



stand pat
Refuse to change one's position or opinion, as in We're going to stand pat on this amendment to the bylaws. This expression may be derived from the verb pat in the sense of "strike firmly and accurately." [Late 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms

2007年7月28日 星期六

Drunken Driving and Drunken-Flying

酒醉駕車

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drunk driving, drinking and driving (American English), or drink-driving (Australian, Irish, British or New Zealand English),

a drunk driver

Drunken driving sensors ()飲酒運転防止装置

NASA Opens Inquiry Into Drunken-Flying Reports
By WARREN E. LEARY
Officials say they have asked NASA’s safety chief to interview astronauts, flight surgeons and others to determine whether the agency has an alcohol problem.

交通事故死したハンコックの父、酒類提供のレストラン訴える
サンケイスポーツ
4月に飲酒運転で交通事故死したカージナルスのジョシュ・ハンコック投手(享年29)の父ディーン・ハンコック氏が24日(日本時間25日)、酒類を提供したレストランや衝突したレッカー車の会社などを相手に訴訟を起こした。レストランは元カージナルス選手で現在 ...

2007年7月27日 星期五

road maps for reform and turnaround

road map

road map

  1. map, especially one for motorists, showing and designating the roads of a region.(駕車旅行者用的)公路圖
  2. A set of guidelines, instructions, or explanations:wrote an ethics code as a road map for the behavior of elected officials.準則;指示;說明
  3. Aplan, e.g.
    1. Road map for peace, to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
    2. Technology roadmap, a management forecasting tool

To view our road map for Pb-free and RoHS compliant products, please go to:

RoHS:歐盟危害物質限用指令(Restriction o f Hazardous Substance )

Road Map for Turnaround (Ford)

廣告

"With Vision Strategist, we can create multi-dimensional views of roadmaps that set our expectations for the minimum set of information needed to make better decisions."

Road Map for Turnaround (Ford)

The new management plan is a golden opportunity for NHK to draw up a road map of reform and start afresh. Before politicians or government officials start meddling, NHK needs to embark on its own bold reform vision. In the absence of such efforts, the organization will never gain the status of "everyone's NHK."

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 27(IHT/Asahi: July 28,2007)

2007年7月26日 星期四

theories on what makes a great leader

這是MITSloan Management Review 廣告
我比較感興趣的是本文末段的英文寫法
這可能真的非中文的表達方式

SloanSelect: Six New and Classic Leadership Articles
AVAILABLE NOW

Dear hanching,

We've just updated our most popular article collection, the SloanSelect Leadership Collection, with the best new thinking on guiding people and organizations.

As always, MIT SMR content melds the most current theories on what makes a great leader with real-world research into, and practical applications of, those theories.

2007年7月25日 星期三

coffee table and coffee-table book 之翻譯和對應

茶几 與 "茶卓"與 coffee table

「茶几」解釋一種放置茶具的小桌。等於日本的 “tea table 茶卓.”

大陸現在稱的「沙发和茶几的巧妙搭配」之「茶几」,為西方約1868年才有之coffee table ( 居間用の低い小型テーブル.)

The noun cocktail table has one meaning:

Meaning #1: low table where magazines can be placed and coffee or cocktails are served
Synonym: coffee table

http://www.answers.com/topic/coffee-table


coffee-table book 大型の豪華本.
The noun coffee-table book has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a elaborate oversize book suitable for displaying on a coffee table

flinch and flinching

flinch
verb [I]
to make a sudden small movement because of pain or fear:
He didn't even flinch when the nurse cleaned the wound.


flinch from sth/doing sth phrasal verb
to avoid doing something that you consider unpleasant or painful:
We must not flinch from difficult decisions.
(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

  1. 畏懼;退縮[(+from)]

You mustn't flinch from a difficulty.

你不應從困難面前退縮。

She didn't flinch once when the doctor was cleaning the wound.

醫生給她清洗傷口時她毫不畏懼。

flinching QC)專門用語(應該是 J. M. Juran 先提出)

DHsu to HC,, flinching有無適當的中譯?

Blog
中文品質手冊
文章: Flinching
連結: http://xquality.blogspot.com/2007/07/flinching.html


我查一下資料
過去這樣翻譯
"
另外一家供應商,每隔四個小時記錄了某射出成形機的堆乾燥溫度,之後就將其歸檔放進辦公櫃。因為這些讀值都在規格之內( 然太多點正巧落在接近規格上限,表明可能有人因畏懼而採人為操控數據作法 flinching) ,所以並未採取任何措施。我將大約60天的數據以I-MR 圖畫出它們,如下所示。此等數據清楚地表示,在第53數據點附近,溫度向上偏移了。沒人知道關於溫度上的變化。沒人能確認是否更高的溫度會使該零組件更 好。(不過)大家同意溫度更高會導致更高的能源費用。務必將數據作圖。並務必採取行動。"


大陸的蒲倫昌先生主編的"質量管理辭典"將它翻譯為 "檢驗員縮小問題" (......對少量不合規格產品測量結果弄虛作假的傾向" (p.92)

All The News That's Fit To Print

這份「紐約時報」是世界知識份子喜歡談論的。

台灣曾經將它一日新聞翻譯成一本書出版(據說;我沒看過)。數十年前「新聞天地」出版過專著之翻譯;十來年前,有華人寫它的風格…..

我對這份報紙的(買報)貢獻,絕無僅有(倫敦的The Times倒是有一些)。1997年在網路看到它的第一版(其他要付費)。數年之後它決定免費開放閱讀,我就變節(之前我是LATIMES忠實讀者)。

因為哈哈 去年 我的大名竟然出現在 紐約時報雜誌上 談外交術語

特別參考Wikipedia article "The New York Times". 和新聞簡介這大報:

社銘(motto slogan 參考如下):

"All The News That's Fit To Print"

「所有值得印刷的新聞」

印刷に適したニュースはすべて掲載する

類似的精神發揚到關係企業 所以它的古典音樂電台WQSR的Slogan為:
""All The Music That's Fits To Play"




漲價通知: The New York Times: "all the news that's fit to print" will cost more starting July 16 (story) 售價 USD 1.00 1.25】週一至週六;USD 3.50 週日【4.0周日版發行168萬份】;USD 3.50/5.00 特別版本

---

The New York Times was acquired by Adolph Ochs, publisher of The Chattanooga Times, in 1896. In 1897, he coined the paper's celebrated slogan, "All The News That's Fit To Print," widely interpreted as a jab at competing papers in New York City (the New York World and the New York Journal American) that were known for lurid yellow journalism.

1897年他提出了《紐約時報》的格言:「所有值得印刷的新聞」。這個格言被公認為對「黃色新聞界」的挑戰。

2007年7月24日 星期二

“F* You China”又怎样?

由於 fuck 是禁忌語
所以有許多側寫如 F WORD 或 F*......等等

德语媒体 | 2007.07.24

“F* You China”又怎样?

德国第一大订阅量报纸“南德意志报”载文评论“F-U-C-K You china”体恤衫事件,言辞间明显偏袒设计师菲利普-普莱:

德国设计师菲利普-普莱突发奇想,在其新款体恤衫上印上了具有侮辱意味的“F-U-C-K You china”字样。南德意志报一篇报道称,一周来,菲利普-普莱设在瑞士的公司总部每天都会收到数以万计的恐吓信和电话,因为,这位设计师的这份”创意 “显然极大地伤害了许多中国爱国主义者的民族感情。南德意志报发表署名Henrik Bork的文章写到:

“已成为众矢之的的菲利普-普莱对事态的发展感到非常痛心。现年29岁的普莱表示,我们并不是种族主义者,我们并没有想过要伤害任何人。他已召回了这款体恤衫。经销商本想增大订货量,还是交回了存货。看来这款体恤衫的需求量还是很大的。

这些愤怒的中国“爱国主义者”完全忽视了一个事实,那就是,正是日益严重的产品仿冒问题催生了这款倒霉的体恤衫。从宝马豪华轿车,到彪马运动鞋,及 至Hugo Boss牌的内裤,德国所有的名牌产品在中国都无一幸免遭到仿冒。菲利普-普莱也深受其害。他设计的牛仔裤在专卖店里售价850欧元,而中国仿冒者却以 250欧元的价格在因特网上兜售赝品。普莱说:为了我的小公司为付出了大量的心血,而防不胜防的仿冒实在让我们走投无路。

中国政府历来对仿冒问题关注不足,但体恤衫问题现在却被中国政府上升到了国际事件的高度。上周中国商业部分别召见了德国和瑞士驻华大使,并对体恤衫事件提出正式谴责。”

(本文摘自其它德语媒体,不代表德国之声观点,欢迎读者来信讨论)

2007年7月23日 星期一

mean, Mc·Job

我過去幾周觀查附近商家「打工仔新時薪」招牌:一般為95-96元;美國K炸雞為100元。不過這只是表象,應該有專業人評估。一句話,如果麥當勞想洗刷McJob之污名,台灣做法適得其反:
「麥當勞在基本工資調高後,變相刪減時薪工作者的福利,片面修改工作條件,包括取消免費員工餐點、取消給薪休息時間、縮短雙倍薪資時間等,影響多數打工族權益。
麥當勞說,今年七月一日起,全面調整計時人員薪資,依職級及時段起薪有所不同,從新台幣九十五元至兩百元不等,符合且更優於勞基法最低基本時薪規定。麥當勞表示,實施新制薪資與福利調整之前,每處麥當勞店已開會與所有服務員溝通,若員工有意見,可透過每家餐廳設置的員工意見箱,或與總公司人力資源部直接溝通。


  1. mean 20世紀上半葉(1920)美國的 Slang. 用法還表示Excellent; skillful: She plays a mean game of bridge.

Mc·Job
(mĭk-jŏb')
n. Slang.
A job, usually in the retail or service sector, that is low paying, often temporary, and offers minimal or no benefits or opportunity for promotion.
[Mc(Donald's), trademark of a fast-food restaurant chain (from its mass-produced nature) + JOB1.]

2007年7月22日 星期日

graffiti, latticework, fretwork, corned beef

Backjumps Festival Turns Berlin's Streets Into A 3-D Magazine

Graffiti has come a long way since the spray can and the Brooklyn hip hop scene. These days it's morphed into the catch-all genre of "street art", where artists from all over the world stencil, sticker and install sculptures in public spaces. Celebrating this artistic diversity is a Berlin-based exhibition called "Backjumps, The Live Issue". It initially began as an underground graffiti magazine about hip hop and aerosol culture. But then five years ago, its founder and curator Adrian Nabi, decided he wanted to take the concept further by turning Berlin into a 3-dimensional magazine. Backjumps now features all kinds of street art, exhibited in different venues around Germany's capital.


Corned beef is a cut of beef (usually brisket, but sometimes round or silverside) cured or pickled in a seasoned brine. The "corn" in "corned beef" refers to the "corn" or grains of coarse salts used to cure it. The Oxford English Dictionary dates the usage of "corn," meaning "small hard particle, a grain, as of sand or salt," to 888, and the term "corned beef" to 1621.[1] The term "corned beef" can denote different styles of brine-cured beef, depending on the region. Some, like American-style corned beef, are highly seasoned and often considered delicatessen fare. In Britain, corned beef is usually bought at the delicatessen, or may be in chilled packs or can be found in trapezoid cans, imported from South America.

But Mr. Obama proposes to charge ahead, asserting that extensive government support is needed to preserve and create jobs while building the latticework of a 21st century economy.


latticework
Meaning #1: framework consisting of an ornamental design made of strips of wood or metal
Synonyms: latticefretwork
lattice Show phonetics
noun [C] (ALSO latticework)
a structure made from strips of wood or other material which cross over each other with spaces between

fretwork Show phonetics
noun [U]
decorative open patterns especially cut out of wood or metal or made in embroidery

corned beef Show phonetics
noun [U]
cooked beef which has been preserved in salty water and spices, and which is often sold in tins (= metal containers)




corn2


━━ vt. (肉を)塩づけにする.
 corned ━━ a. 塩漬けの.
 corn(ed) beef コンビーフ.


這backjumps 應該是德文或德製英文(Shorter OED沒收)
backjumping 是搜索運算法

Graffiti 是塗鴨(隨意的亂塗亂寫。【在電腦塗鴉板中隨意寫字、畫圖的動作。塗鴉板往往是一個簡單的繪圖程式。】)
這源自古羅馬的字源值得一讀。
graffiti
from Italian
This word originated in Italy
In ancient Rome, when you had a written message for the public, you scratched it on a wall. What else could you do? You didn't have a fax machine, a photocopier, or the World Wide Web. You couldn't even take out an ad in a newspaper.
The walls of Pompeii, preserved for two thousand years under volcanic ash, are marked with numerous examples of this Roman custom. Here are some translated graffiti:
• Successus was here.
• Gaius Julius Primigenius was here. Why are you late?
• Lovers, like bees, lead a honey-sweet life.
• I don't want to sell my husband.
• Burglar, watch out!
• Someone at whose table I do not dine, Lucius Istacidius, is a barbarian to me.
• The fruit sellers ask you to elect Marcus Holconius Priscus as aedile.
• I am amazed, o wall, that you have not collapsed and fallen, since you must bear the tedious stupidities of so many scrawlers.

2007年7月21日 星期六

Trying times test our politicians' mettle

Trying times test our politicians' mettle

07/20/2007

(mettle pronunciation

IN BRIEF: Quality of endurance or courage.

pronunciation It takes a lot of mettle to run in the Boston Marathon.

Tutor's tip: Don't "meddle" (to interfere) with him for he has a "mettle" (inherent character) of "metal" (opaque conductive substances such as iron, gold and silver) and was awarded a "medal" (decoration or award) for bravery.)



In the spring of 1997, then U.S. President Bill Clinton was on crutches as the result of a knee injury he suffered from slipping on some steps. One day, Clinton hobbled into the White House press room, unannounced. The unexpected appearance of the president on crutches, in lieu of his press secretary, sent ripples of tension among the reporters, who braced themselves for some sort of critical announcement.

Clinton said gravely, "My press secretary has also slipped on steps." In no time, the reporters realized it was April Fool's Day. As the press room erupted in laughter, the grinning press secretary made his entrance on crutches.

Farm minister Norihiko Akagi came to a news conference Tuesday with gauze pads covering his left cheek and brow. Asked what had happened, Akagi replied tersely, "Nothing serious. Don't worry. It's really nothing."

His flat refusal to discuss the matter made everyone all the more suspicious, given the cloud of suspicion he is already under since the discovery that he listed his family home as an office of his support group and claimed operating expenses for it.

Perhaps sensing he had better explain about his face, Akagi later issued a comment to the effect that he "probably had a rash" because of his "sensitive skin." But if that was the case, surely he could have just said so during the news conference.

Cabinet ministers should take each news conference seriously. Had Akagi handled the "mystery of the gauze pads" adroitly with wit and charm, he could have impacted public opinion. Instead, he only reinforced his image as a stubborn and introverted character. This was less a matter of accountability than his reflexive behavior and caliber as a politician.

There were only two gauze pads on Akagi's face, but at a scene of major disaster where gauze pads are needed in huge quantities, the true strength of politics and society is tested.

In the areas stricken by Monday's earthquake in Niigata Prefecture's Chuetsu region, several thousand people camped out at emergency shelters for three nights. It is said that the earliest these people will be able to move into temporary housing is August.

In this sweltering heat, it must be miserable to have to worry about the costs of demolishing their damaged homes. Their will to overcome the current predicament arises from their hope for the future.

This is exactly the sort of time when the caliber of politicians is being tested. While it is the job of administrative authorities to support quake victims in their daily lives, it is the duty of politicians to listen to these people's long-term needs, discuss them, and take action.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 19(IHT/Asahi: July 20,2007)


Gauze is a thin, translucent fabric with a loose open weave. Its name may derive etymologically from the Persian word for silk, via the Spanish word "gasa".

Uses and types

  • Gauze was originally made of silk.
  • When used in film and theatre, gauze is often fashioned into a scrim.
  • Gauze is also made of cotton, especially for use in bandages. It is especially useful for dressing wounds where other fabrics might stick to the burn or laceration.
  • Modern gauze is sometimes made of synthetic fibers, especially when used in clothing.
  • Gauze can also be made of metal, such as a wire gauze placed on top of a Bunsen burner, used in a safety lamp, or used as fence.

gauze.

ガーゼ

━━ n. (しゃ); (); ガーゼ; (細い)金網; 薄もや.


A Stern Line on Race and Politics

想競選總統,。就必須把許多敏感問題交代定位清楚。這在英文用 a stern line表示:靠碼頭的船尾要對齊岸上定點

stern

n. the rearmost part of a ship or boat: he stood at the stern of the yacht.

Stern Line - A docking line leading from the stern.

Definition: A line that runs from the aft end of a boat to a fixed object for the purpose of securing the boat to a mooring.

紐約時報:A Stern Line on Race and Politics

By MICHAEL POWELL 38 minutes ago

More than any other Republican running for president, Rudolph W. Giuliani has confronted the question of race, that most torturous of American legacies.


Playskool Sippy Cups 的描述:spout, trim, aqua, tip,


我們要了解用英文來描述外國的日用品的部份,學習起來相當困難。

下例中,我們會碰到文末的單位、 功能和顏色等等的難題

Recall of Playskool Sippy Cups; Poses Choking Hazard

分類:CPSC Recalls
2007/07/21 09:19

CVS/pharmacy Announces Recall of Playskool Sippy Cups; Poses Choking Hazard To Young Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Playskool Toddler “NoSpill” Sippy Cups
Units: About 84,000
Importer: CVS/pharmacy, of Woonsocket, R.I.
Hazard: Young children can chew through the plastic spout of the sippy cup, which can pose a choking hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 36 reports of toddlers chewing through the plastic spout of the sippy cup, resulting in one choking incident and three near-choking incidents. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Playskool Toddler “NoSpill” Sippy Cup. The 8-ounce cup is clear plastic with red trim, red and yellow handles, and a yellow tip; blue trim, blue and green handles and a green tip; or purple trim, purple and aqua handles, and an aqua tip. The serial number of the recalled cups is 382814, which appears on the back of the packaging.
這一段基本上是由下三圖的"左至右"來說明
要了解標點";" (分號)表示跳到另外一圖
Sold by: CVS stores nationwide from September 2006 through April 2007 for about $5.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop their children from using the cup immediately and return it to any CVS store for a refund, or throw the product away and bring a proof of purchase of the product to any CVS store for a refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact CVS/pharmacy toll-free at (866) 434-0098 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit CVS/pharmacy’s Web site at www.cvs.com, or e-mail the company at playskoolinfo@cvs.com





---


讀這篇 我們可以由看圖和說明來學習許多英文單字的實際應用


spout
· 噴口;(茶壺等的)嘴
This teapot's got a broken spout.
這茶壺的壺嘴壞了。
spout (OPENING) Show phonetics
noun [C]
a tube-shaped opening which allows liquids to be poured out of a container

trim
(門,窗等的)鑲邊飾,細木工;木飾條[U]
trimming
noun [C or U] (ALSO trim)
(a piece of) decorative material added around the edge of something:
I want a plain black jumper with no fancy trimmings.
I wore my red jacket with the black trim.



aqua 淺綠色,水綠色 --Yahoo 辭典此翻譯有問題
應是"藍中帶點綠" :
aqua
noun [U]
1 UK SPECIALIZED water, when it is used in make-up and beauty products

2 US a greenish-blue colour


tip 頂端;尖端

fluid ounce
流量啢,液盎司(=1/16品脫)[C]


fluid ounce
n. (Abbr. fl. oz.)
  1. A unit of volume or capacity in the U.S. Customary System, used in liquid measure, equal to 29.57 milliliters (1.804 cubic inches).
  2. A unit of volume or capacity in the British Imperial System, used in liquid and dry measure, equal to 28.41 milliliters (1.734 cubic inches).

2007年7月20日 星期五

The Goldilocks phenomenon

“……匯豐(HSBC)英國經濟學家卡倫•沃德(Karen Ward)表示,可用勞動力的增長“正是(英國央行(Bank of England))行長所要求的”。她將當前的趨勢描述為“金髮勞動力市場”(Goldilocks labour market)——一切都“剛剛好”,年長者和移民數量的增加滿足了對工人需求的增長。……”RECORD NUMBERS WORK PAST PENSION AGE By Andrew Taylor, Employment Correspondent Friday, July 20, 2007 (FT)

【原文 She described current trends as a “Goldilocks labour market” where everything was “just right” with rising demand for workers being met by increasing numbers of older people and migrants.

這GOLDILOCKS 翻譯有問題,應參考:這是標準的文化落差( 原出自著名的童話故事)
The Goldilocks phenomenon, something being just right, not too big or hot or small or cold, a concept used in astronomy and economics.】

The "Goldilocks phenomenon" refers to the necessity that planetary conditions such as size or temperature be "just right" in order to sustain life.

The term derives from the story of Goldilocks, who preferred porridge which was "not too hot, and not too cold".

2007年7月19日 星期四

PowerPoint, power point

PowerPoint 商標 推薦文章 從PowerPoint談起



power point UK noun [C] (US electrical outlet)
a device to which an item of electrical equipment can be connected in order to provide it with electricity

shaver point UK noun [C] (US shaver outlet)
a socket (= electrical opening in a wall), often in a bathroom, which is used to connect an electric razor to a supply of electricity

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

bra (1936) 'Bra wars' (2005/2007) 雙重監督

( bra (1936)
noun [C] (FORMAL brassiere (1909))
a piece of women's underwear that supports the breasts )

'Bra wars' overshadows EU-China summit

EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson is attempting to end a dispute over Chinese textiles stranded in European ports.
Pressure is on to end the row before UK Prime Minister Tony Blair chairs an EU-China summit. Fergal Parkinson reports.


歐盟將在中歐紡織品配額限制年底屆滿前做出新的決定,人們擔心這可能引發中歐第二次"胸罩戰"。
2005年歐盟對中國大量進口的胸罩等廉價紡織品實施配額制度,引起了雙方的貿易爭議,一些西方媒體稱之為"胸罩戰"。

歐盟與中國後來達成了協議,歐盟對中國紡織品實施配額限制,但允諾在2008年結束這一限制,同時中國自動減少對歐盟的出口量。

有關協議將在今年底屆滿,歐洲的服裝進口商現在要求歐盟不要對中國紡織品進一步實施配額限制。

歐洲外貿協會周四警告說,一些服裝店預計有關的配額制度將會取消,已為明年訂購了新貨。
該組織說,對配額限制的任何延長都會令到零售和進口商感覺不明朗,並使得那些在歐洲受到保護的行業仍然缺乏競爭力。

不過,意大利和西班牙等國家要求繼續實施配額制度,以保護其國內的紡織業。
歐盟貿易專員曼德爾森將在未來幾天與歐盟各成員國的工業部長們討論中歐紡織品問題,尋求取得共識。

曼德爾森將促請進口商、零售商和生產商與各成員國共同努力,確保順利過渡,同時允諾密切注意中國紡織品和服裝貿易的情況。

要求協助過渡
同時,歐盟也要求中國在2008年取消配額限制前幫助歐盟維持這一過渡期的穩定性,避免發生類似2005年初"胸罩戰"時的情況。

當時,許多訂單被取消和大量中國紡織品被積壓在倉庫裡,一些歐洲服裝店卻面臨缺貨。
歐盟警告說,中國必須處理其龐大的對歐洲貿易盈餘,進一步取消對歐洲公司的貿易障礙,向外資開放市場和投資。

歐盟也向中國施壓,要求中國對知識產權和版權法規進行重大的改革,徹底取締中國企業仿冒歐洲品牌的情況,並要求使用歐洲設計的中國企業向歐洲公司支付特許經營費。

中國商務部長薄熙來上月對曼德爾森說,北京注意到目前中歐貿易不平衡的情況,並承諾努力解決這一問題。

中國官方數字顯示,今年頭五個月,中國對第一大出口市場歐盟的出口總額達到95.3億美元,累計對歐盟出口僅增長5.5%,並預計將進一步下降。



歐盟商討中國紡織品配額存廢
中國紡織廠
人們擔心中歐再次掀起“胸罩戰”

歐盟周日(22日)就是否結束對中國紡織品實施配額限制進行磋商,法國要求歐盟繼續對中國紡織品實行配額限制。

此前,法國、意大利和其他一些歐盟紡織品生產國曾要求歐盟將對華紡織品配額限制延長一年,並對結束限制可能導致中國紡織品大量湧入歐盟表示擔憂。

但現任歐盟輪值主席的葡萄牙經濟部長皮尼奧表示,歐盟各國外長在周日召開的會議上主要討論了自明年1月1日起,歐盟如何對中國紡織品出口進行監督。

他說,"會議的著眼點並非延長配額限制,而是如何構建一個監督體制,以保障順利過渡。"

歐盟貿易專員曼德爾森也表示,繼續實施配額限制可能會遭到中國的強烈反對,因此他希望能對歐盟進口許可證和中國出口許可證實行雙重監督,以便及時發現中國紡織品出口的激增

此外,支持對華紡織品實施配額限制的法國也承認,多數歐盟國家都反對繼續對中國紡織品進行配額限制。

先前曾支持法國立場的意大利表示,繼續實施配額限制是不可能的,意大利支持雙重監督體制。

絕大多數國家認為,歐盟已經有足夠的時間來做好準備,迎接中國紡織品帶來的競爭和衝擊。

雙重監督

中國對所謂的"雙重監督體制"提出了異議,認為這一體制將給中國出口商增添負擔。

曼德爾森表示,絕大多數歐盟成員國贊同1月1日後"平穩過渡"的想法,但如果中國拒絕接受"雙重監督體制",則有可能招致歐盟實施更加嚴厲的控制措施。

2005年歐盟對中國大量進口的胸罩等廉價紡織品實施配額制度,引起了雙方的貿易爭議,一些西方媒體稱之為"胸罩戰"。

歐盟與中國後來達成了協議,歐盟對中國紡織品實施配額限制,但允諾在2008年結束這一限制,同時中國自動減少對歐盟的出口量。

有關協議將在今年底屆滿,歐洲的服裝進口商現在要求歐盟不要對中國紡織品進一步實施配額限制。

diaspora

下文的 The Chinese Diaspora 數十年前唐君毅翻譯成"中華兒女 花果飄零" (記憶猶新 不見得可靠)


Definition
diaspora
noun [U] FORMAL
the spreading of people from one original country to other countries

the Diaspora group noun [U]
the Jews living in different parts of the world outside Israel, or the various places outside Israel in which they live

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)



紐約大都會博物館今年9月將在該館中國書畫藝廊展出華裔文學大師林語堂(1895-1976年)家族捐贈的近代中國名家書畫。該批藝術珍品共43件,是林語堂及其次女、名作家林太乙的收藏。
展出的書畫包括徐悲鴻、張大千、齊白石、趙少昂、于右任等近代名家作品。

林太乙於2003年7月5日病逝後,其編譯家夫婿黎明開始考慮這些文物的處理問題。目前獨居於維州水晶城的黎明表示,他深恐自己照顧不力,而生長於西方的兒女,對這些東西又毫無興趣,遂決定捐贈給博物館,不但為藝品找一個有專人保管的家,同時因有展出機會,讓更多的藝術愛好者欣賞。

這次大都會博物館(Metropolitan Museum of Art)特展主題「腳踏東西文化的華裔作家林語堂」(Bridging East and West:The Chinese Diaspora and Lin Yutang),展期自今年9月15日至2008年2月10日。展出期間除書畫展示和介紹,也舉辦配合特展主題的相關活動,並將林語堂生平及所展出文物編印成冊,供參觀者購買收藏。

hop 酒花

hop 酒花(啤酒用)
━━ n. ホップ; (pl.) その実 ((ビールに苦味をつける)); 〔俗〕 麻薬, アヘン.
━━ v. (-pp-) ホップの実をつむ; ホップで風味をつける; 〔俗〕 麻薬を飲ませる; (エンジン出力を)強化する.
hop・head 〔俗〕 麻薬患者.
hopped-up ━━ a. 〔米俗〕 (麻薬で)酔いしれた; (エンジンが)パワーアップされた.
hop・per2 ━━ n. ホップを摘む人[機械].
hop picker =hopper2.
hop pole (つるをからませるための)ホップの支柱.



德中经济 | 2007.07.18
中国人民喝啤酒 酒花价格全球抖
去年人均啤酒消费量德国为116升,中国为25升
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: 去年人均啤酒消费量德国为116升,中国为25升

据最新世界酒花报告称,中国啤酒消费量的增长致使世界酒花价格抬高,仅去年一年,酒花价格即翻三番。

昨天(7月17日),世界上最大的酒花贸易公司、德国的约翰·巴特父子有限公司在慕尼黑召开新闻发布会,公布了其在国际啤酒酿制业颇具权威性的2006/2007年度世界酒花报告。



据该报告统计,去年全球啤酒生产量比上年增长6%,达1700亿升,增长量为100亿升,其中近一半(45亿升)是在中国实现的。该公司总经理巴特 (Stephan Barth)在新闻发布会上表示,就啤酒消费而言,中国还大有发展潜力。他说:“2006年,中国人均啤酒消费量是25升。与此相比,德国是116升。”



除中国之外,去年世界上其它国家尤其是俄罗斯、越南、泰国、墨西哥、秘鲁、南非、尼日利亚等国的啤酒消费量也在增长,德国则是借世界足球杯的东风,啤酒消费量多年来第一次没有下降,而是持平。



巴特表示,啤酒消费的最大发展潜力是在亚洲、南美洲和非洲,但德国啤酒公司却从中得益有限,因为它们在国际啤酒市场上的地位几乎微不足道,而公司基本没有涉足这些蓬勃发展的、未来潜力巨大的市场。



据该报告统计,德国仅有3家啤酒集团跻身全球40强行列,它们分别是拉德贝尔格(Radeberger,第23名;2005年位居第20名)、碧特博格 (Bitburger,又称比特堡,第33名;2005年位居第30名)、澳汀格(Oettinger,第34名;2005年位居第33名)。



鉴于中国老百姓的购买力和消费能力还将继续提高,该报告推测,中国对啤酒及酒花的需求量也会继续增大。加之全球消费量也在继续提高,巴特强调:“全球将会出现酒花紧缺现象。”所以今后几年的收成好坏至关重要。他认为,在酒花生产方面存在“结构性的供不应求”现象。



除消费增长外,目前酒花价格的上涨也和德国作为世界上最大酒花生产国近10年来酒花种植面积减少20%多的情况不无关系。巴特解释说,多年来啤酒酿制行业渐渐放弃了过去的预购方式采购酒花,而更多地采取短期采购方式,拉低了酒花价格,迫使许多酒花农放弃种植,情愿申请政府的退耕还草奖金。目前,德国的酒花种植面积保持在17170公顷的水平。巴特说:“啤酒酿制业现在显然意识到了时代发展潮流,已经和德国主要种植区的酒花农签订了预购合同,将2007年和 2008年的酒花收成采购一空。”酒花紧缺,必定造成价格上涨,只不过,酒花价格在啤酒价格中仅占大约1%的份量。



约翰·巴特父子有限公司1794年创建于德国纽伦堡,迄今依然是家族企业,年营业额1亿欧元,是目前德国最大的集酒花加工和贸易为一体的公司。近130年来,公司定期向公众发布有关酒花和啤酒市场的报告。



约翰· 巴特父子有限公司录属国际巴特-哈斯酒花集团(Barth-Haas Group),是该集团旗下最大的子公司。这家集团加工、销售世界上三分之一的酒花,其产品从传统酒花颗粒到酒花制品,还有其它适于制啤的各种专业香油和香精等,范围广泛。中国的新疆绿宝酒花有限公司也录属该集团旗下。

purported copies of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Scholastic filed suit after purported copies of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" turned up despite extraordinary security measures.



(purport (CLAIM)
verb [+ to infinitive] FORMAL
to pretend to be or to do something, especially in a way that is not easy to believe:
They purport to represent the wishes of the majority of parents at the school.
The study purports to show an increase in the incidence of the disease.
The tape recording purports to be of a conversation between the princess and a secret admirer.


(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
━━ n. 意味, 主意, 意図 ((of)).
━━ vt. …と称する, 主張する ((to do)); 意味する, 主意とする.
pur・port・ed・ly ━━ ad. 言われるところによれば.)


Mischief Unmanaged
Carefully Plotted Logistics
To Deliver Final Harry Potter
Fail to Dispel Rash of Leaks

(rash
━━ n. 【医】(単数形で) 発疹(はっしん), 吹出物; (事件などの)多発.
a rash of sth a large number of unpleasant events of the same type:
There has been a rash of robberies/accidents/complaints in the last two months.)

By JEFFREY A. TRACHTENBERG and JOSEPH DE AVILA
July 19, 2007; Page B1

Scholastic Corp. needs Hermione's fabled Time Turner device.

The publisher would dearly love to go back and prevent the premature distribution of as many as 1,200 copies of J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" in the U.S. as well as the apparent leak online of a copy of the book.

Despite extraordinary security measures, purported Potters were turning up all over yesterday. One version allegedly delivered early sold for $250 on eBay. At least one was delivered to a home in Maryland, and the Baltimore Sun posted a brief review of the book online yesterday afternoon, though it didn't explain how it obtained its copy.
MORE

[Discuss Harry Potter]
• Scholastic's lawsuit and contracts
• Scholastic's statement
• Potter Notebook: A Curious Muggle's Confession
• Harry Potter Guide: Books, films, sales, reviews

It seemed to be going so well. Over the span of the seven-book series, as the Harry Potter books have exploded in popularity, retailers have grown increasingly sophisticated in getting them into the hands of eager readers not a minute before their release time.

Barnes & Noble Inc., the nation's largest book retailer, for instance, uses an algorithm to help ensure that the more than 500,000 copies it ships out to individual buyers arrive on the appointed day. The retailer received more than 1.3 million pre-orders for the book, but many of those will be picked up at its stores by customers.

Copies of "Deathly Hallows" began arriving at the retailer's two major warehouses several weeks ago. There, they are separated by zip code and shipped out using a complex mathematical formula to compute exactly how long it takes to deliver a book to a specific neighborhood. "We have all this built in to our system," says Marie J. Toulantis, CEO of Barnes&Noble.com. "We know, depending on the shipper and zip code, exactly how long it will take to get the book to a customer's home on time."

But such clockwork accuracy appears to be lacking at some other companies.

The Baltimore Sun reported yesterday that a man in Maryland had received a copy early from online retailer DeepDiscount.com, mailed from the retailer's warehouses in Chicago. Rob Broggi, director of merchandising at DeepDiscount.com, described the event to the Sun as a "freak accident" and said the matter was being investigated. (Baltimore Sun's site)
[Harry Potter featured on the Baltimore Sun site]
Harry Potter featured on the Baltimore Sun site

Scholastic believes that DeepDiscount.com and its supplier, Chas. Levy Co.'s Levy Home Entertainment distribution arm, violated their contractual obligations to ensure that "Deathly Hallows" went on sale no sooner than one minute after midnight on Saturday. In a suit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill., Scholastic alleged that Infinity Resources Inc., doing business as DeepDiscount.com, shipped "Deathly Hallows" as much as a week "before the contractually permitted shipping date." (Text of the suit)

This could explain how some readers are getting early copies. Despite its security efforts, Scholastic lost control during the virtual last leg of the process -- the distance between retailer and consumer.

"This isn't just one copy that got out by accident," says Kyle Good, a spokeswoman for Scholastic, which estimated that the number of copies shipped is around "one one-hundredth of one percent" of the total U.S. copies. Ms. Good added that the number could be considerably less. (Text of Scholastic's statement)

"We're asking for damages but can't yet quantify them," says Lisa Holton, president of Scholastic Trade and Book Fairs.

Neither Levy Home Entertainment nor DeepDiscount.com would comment.

As for the book auctioned on eBay, Kim Ruby, a spokeswoman for eBay Inc., said that "this transaction abided by the policies at eBay," but they were looking into it further. Ms. Ruby added that "there is no way for us to verify," whether the book is real or not.

Many fans are upset. Melissa Anelli, who owns The Leaky Cauldron, a popular Harry Potter Web site (www.the-leaky-cauldron.org), said that her site is being flooded with emails from concerned readers. "I can't believe the intensity of some people's desire to ruin it for other people," she says.
[book]
Amazon.com employees pack copies of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'; inset, a close-up of the writing on the book boxes from Scholastic

Book sellers were instructed by Scholastic to keep tight-lipped about the logistics of shipping the highly coveted book. Kim Sutton, the brand-marketing coordinator with Powell's Books, an independent bookstore and online retailer based in Portland, Ore., said that her company can't even disclose where the books are warehoused. "People might know where the books are and access them and leak them," she said.

Scholastic offered Powell's Books two options for shipping the book -- either agree to use FedEx Corp. to distribute the books in time for the Saturday release, or wait and use any carrier they chose to deliver the book after the release date. The latter option would have meant that some of Powell's customers wouldn't be able to get a copy until a week after its release date. Powell's agreed to let FedEx handle the shipping. "FedEx is ultimately responsible for the routing of the books so that they arrive on the exact day," Ms. Sutton said.

Carla Boyd, a spokeswoman for FedEx, wouldn't confirm the company's agreement with Powell's and Scholastic, saying that the company doesn't comment on their business partners' practices. The company's FedEx Freight unit expects to deliver 2.7 million books to bookstores across the country. Ms. Boyd said the company is using a variety of safeguards to ensure that the books aren't stolen or shipped ahead of Saturday's release, including placing the books in unmarked boxes, using cameras to record the books, and having an internal security force that accompanies the books every step of the way.

Those familiar with the direct-mail business weren't shocked that some customers have gotten early copies, but said some would be upset. "This is a big oops," says Denny Hatch, who writes an enewsletter called BusinessCommonSense.com. John Schulte, president of Minneapolis-based National Mail Order Association, a professional organization of people involved in direct marketing, says mistakes happen. "Everything is run by humans, and if somebody typed in the wrong ship date, then you have a problem," he says.

Even the author seems unhappy. In a posting yesterday on her Web site, jkrowling.com, Ms. Rowling wrote: "We are almost there! As launch night looms, let's all, please, ignore the misinformation popping up on the web and in the press on the plot of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I'd like to ask everyone who calls themselves a Potter fan to help preserve the secrecy of the plot for all those who are looking forward to reading the book at the same time on publication day. In a very short time you will know EVERYTHING!"

Meanwhile, Scholastic continued to "actively pursue the people involved" in placing what are purported to be photographed pages of the book online. In a sign that any publicity may be good publicity, Ms. Good said that "several said their reservations for their Harry Potter parties are spiking, and they are concerned about having enough books."

Write to Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg at jeffrey.trachtenberg@wsj.com and Joseph De Avila at joseph.deavila@wsj.com

2007年7月18日 星期三

coffee-maker, coffeehouse, coffee bar

coffee-maker, coffeehouse, coffee bar

某美國公司的咖啡機因某電氣故障而有起火之虞而召回其產品:
Atico International USA Recalls Coffeemakers Due to An Electrical Failure (made in China)
查不出coffee-maker或 coffeemaker開始使用的年份,不過倒可以知道美國1956年才大量用coffee bar這字眼,更可以知道英國從17世紀開始、18世紀著名的文人聚會的coffeehouse簡史。

中文說法很多,如「咖啡廳/店/屋/館/室」等等。

The noun coffeehouse has one meaning:
Meaning #1: a small restaurant where drinks and snacks are sold
Synonyms: cafe, coffee shop, coffee bar

enquête or opinion poll

survey 在日本採用法語 enquête

アンケート 【(フランス) enquête 】〔調査・質問の意〕
多くの人に一定の質問形式で意見を問うこと。

三省堂提供「デイリー 新語辞典」

鉄道事業者、4割超が「事故の芽」集約・日経アンケート

 JR福知山線脱線事故が起きた2005年以降、4割以上の鉄道事業者が、「事故の芽」や「ヒヤリハット」といった事故に至らない軽微なミス事例の集約を始めたことが、日本経済新聞社が実施したアンケートで分かった。運転士の研修を見直したのは5割超。3割以上が「従業員に対する安全教育」を重視するなどソフト面での対策に関心が集まっている。

 1割強は「国からの経済的支援が重要」と回答。中小では財務面の弱さが安全対策のネックになっている実態も浮き彫りになった。(20:08)



Definition
enquête f 1. (étude) ~ sur qc survey on sth 2. (sondage d'opinions) survey 3. ADMIN, JUR inquiry; ouvrir une ~ to open an inquiry

(from Dictionnaire Cambridge Klett Compact)


即意見調查 Opinion poll

2007年7月17日 星期二

Order of Brilliant Star 景星勳章

......狄寶賽先生的女兒Indira和Lee-Tai也應邀致詞。Indira指出,美援是一段曾經與自己以及臺灣人的生活有所交會的歷史,面對經過極大的努力所重現的這一切,雖然為其父母因年邁與身體狀況而不克親自前來感到遺憾,卻也因能夠代表其父母出席而深感榮耀。狄寶賽夫婦透過Lee-Tai帶來的致詞中,充滿對過去在臺灣生活的喜愛以及對在臺灣所結交的朋友的懷念。狄寶賽夫婦對於睽違臺灣多年後,臺灣大學圖書館能夠製作一部記錄狄寶賽先生在臺灣九年間的主要工作之歷史紀錄片,有很深的感動和感激。狄寶賽夫婦道出他們當年與能幹又具有奉獻心的工程師、企業家、政府官員共同工作,對於任何成果,從未曾試圖居功,但是 此時獲得肯定與讚賞,也不諱言他們的感激和喜悅之心情。(狄寶賽先生夫婦的致詞由狄寶賽夫人起草,全文及中文翻譯見本文末)
--台大圖書館館訊87期


"2007年5月17日「美援臺灣與狄寶賽先生」影片首映會上
狄寶賽夫婦由其女兒代為宣讀的致詞

It seems quite miraculous, and at the same time, quite fitting that Taiwan once again is playing a very important part in our lives. The most exciting, rewarding, and happy years of our early married life were the nine years we lived in Taiwan, and now, most unexpectedly, in our old age the most exciting and gratifying events in our lives are thanks to new contacts with people in Taiwan. We are so very grateful to Mr. Lin Pen-Yen for discovering Mr. de Beausset's role in the development of Taiwan, visiting us in Michigan 3 times and writing his book "V. S. de Beausset's Order of the Brilliant Star." We are, also, more grateful than we can say for the National Taiwan University Library's appreciation of Val de Beausset's archives, movie films, photographs, slides and dairies of those exciting nine years. It is as though the Taiwan experience has come full circle—and just in time to give both of us a great deal of joy in our old age.

The documentary film that the library has made of Val's work is wonderful. We are very impressed with the technological skills with which movie films, slides and photos were blended together into a smooth story. The interviews with people today and the pictures of factories Val helped get started as they are today are very interesting. A great deal of work has gone into this documentary. We are very pleased and grateful.

Val's method of working was to stay behind the scenes. He never tried to take credit for any work he did with very capable and dedicated Chinese engineers, businessmen and government officials, but there is no denying, his gratification and deep pleasure, to have this recognition and appreciation of his work.

We thank the National Taiwan University for inviting our two eldest daughters to represent us at the Premier Showing of this documentary. It is truly thrilling for all of us.

We have lived and worked in seven countries and enjoyed them all, but if anyone asks us where we most enjoyed living and working it takes us not a second to answer "Taiwan." We made friends here who remained dear and close friends for life. Now we have made new friends in Taiwan to whom we are extremely grateful. Thank you so much.

I find it hard to put into words what we feel for all the work the National Taiwan University Library has done on this documentary film. We also wish to thank Mr. Lin for being the catalyst that brought this all about.

Many thanks to you all.

Val and Connie de Beausset


很奇妙、也可說再適巧不過地,臺灣再一次成為我們人生中重要的一部分。我們結婚早年,最感到興奮和快樂的日子是在臺灣渡過的9年。而現在,很不期然地,在我們的晚年,我們能夠面對這樣讓我們非常感動與溫馨的場面,這都要感謝我們能夠再度和臺灣的人們有了新的聯繫。我們非常感謝林炳炎先生,他發現狄寶賽先生在臺灣發展過程中所扮演的角色,三度到密西根州造訪我們,寫了"V. S. de Beausset's Order of the Brilliant Star"。我們也十分感謝國立臺灣大學圖書館肯定狄寶賽典藏的有關在臺灣的9年期間的資料、影帶、照片、幻燈片、日記等的重要性。彷彿臺灣經驗就這樣被完整兜攏,而且及時地在我們的晚年給予我們極大的喜悅。

臺大圖書館為Val的工作所製作的紀錄片非常好,我們對於能夠將影帶、幻燈片、照片等融入一個流暢的故事的技巧,十分印象深刻。影片中訪談一些現今的人物,以及呈現一些Val曾協助創建的工廠的今貌,都讓我們感到趣味盎然。許多Val過去的工作,都記錄在這影片中,我們非常高興與感激。

Val工作的情形是習於站在幕後,對於他和這裡的一些能幹又具有奉獻心的工程師、企業家、政府官員共同工作的成果,從未曾試圖居功。但是,無可諱言的,現在他的工作能夠得到肯定與讚賞,真的有很深的感激和喜悅。

我們感謝臺灣大學邀請我們的兩位女兒代表我們出席這個紀錄片的首映會,對我們來說,真的是喜出望外。

我們曾在七個國家居住工作,都能夠歡喜自在,但是,如果有人問我們,最感到愉快的是哪一個國家,我們一定不假思索地回答「臺灣」。我們在這兒所結交的朋友,都和我們保持親密的情誼,成為一輩子的朋友。現在我們多麼高興在臺灣又有了新朋友,真的很感謝。

我們實在找不到適切的言語來表達我們對於臺灣大學圖書館製作這一部歷史紀錄片的感激。我們也再一次謝謝林炳炎先生的居間,今天的這一切才有可能發生。

謝謝大家!"

hc評翻譯
這本書在2004年界就出版《保衛大台灣的美援(1949~1957)》=《V.S. de Beausset’s Order of Brilliant Star》


Order of the Brilliant Star
這order指「勲位[章]」
Order of Brilliant Star 景星勳章.

《玩美女人》西班牙文片名《Volver》

「雖由西班牙第一美女潘妮洛普.克魯茲(Penelope Cruz)主演,但看過《玩美女人》,您可能還是很難把片名跟電影情節聯想在一起。事實上,《玩美女人》西班牙文片名《Volver》是回歸之意,相信在看完電影後,原片名會給您更多共鳴。」

Definition
volver irr I vi 1. (dar la vuelta) to go back; ~ atrás to turn back 2. (regresar) to return; ~ a casa to go home; al ~ a casa me acosté when I got home I went to bed; al ~ compra el pan buy the bread on the way back; al ~ me llamó he/she called me when he/she got back; 還有許多許多


(from Diccionario Cambridge Klett Compact)

2007年7月16日 星期一

Alpha & Omega

alpha and omega
The beginning and the end, the first and the last, as in She had to master the alpha and omega of the new computer program before she could even begin.


比喻最重要部分的 The most important part.




Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and thus refer to the eternal nature of Christ.
Rev. 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (NIV)

Season: Advent, Ascension Sunday



啟示的要義 

看,他乘著雲彩降來,眾目都要瞻望他,連那些刺透了他的人,也要瞻望他,地上的各種族都要哀悼他。的確這樣。阿們。
「我是『阿耳法』和『敖默加』,」那今在、昔在及將來永在的全能者上主天主這樣說。


1
Alpha and Omega(Gr.):始和終;原始與終結;阿耳法和敖默加:為希臘字母表之首尾兩字母「Α」和「Ω」;教會以此兩字母來代表天主,因祂是一切世物的起始與終結(默一8),聖史若望並用以指稱基督(默廿二13)。

Alpha Mu Omega
These letters are the initials for the Greeks words for "yesterday, today and forever," emphasizing not only Jesus' eternal nature, but His presence with us.
Hebr. 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)
你們應該記念那些曾給你們講過天主的道理,作過你們領袖的人,默想他們的生死,好效法他們的信德。
耶穌基督昨天、今天、直到永遠,常是一 樣。

2007年7月15日 星期日

road warrior, get your work done on the go.

For the ultimate road warrior, the 3G-enabled AT&T 8525 provides the speed, the power, and the productivity tools to get your work done on the go.


road warrior
n. Informal.
A person who travels frequently, especially on business.


on the go
1 very busy:
I've been on the go all day and I'm really tired.

2 UK in the process of being produced:
Did you know that she's got a new book on the go (= being written).

eco-warrior
noun [C] UK
a person who argues against and tries to stop activities which damage the environment

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

2007年7月14日 星期六

corporate kleptocracy

kleptocracy 為利用種種假公濟私式治理來竊國
klep•toc•ra•cy (klĕp-tŏk'rə-sē)
n., pl. -cies.
A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption.
[Greek kleptein, to steal + –CRACY.]



corporate kleptocracy

由於上市公司也是股東等的公器,所以像C. Black等最高管理者假各種企業購買契約中的”非競爭”等條款而貪污等,就被冠上這種罪名(他又企圖毀證物等妨礙司法審判,罪加一等)。

It is striking, then, that Mr. Black’s conviction in a criminal trial in Chicago yesterday came down to a mere $2.9 million he is accused of siphoning from the company he used to run directly — a far cry from the “corporate kleptocracy” that one former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman accused Mr. Black of running.

他才從直接管理的公司吸金(siphoning from the company)2百90萬美元,這樣証交所就稱為「公司竊盜」,似乎過份點(因為他的薪酬遠高於此)。

rewarding and better diplomatic standing

South Korea sends first shipment of oil

South Korea has sent the first installment of oil-aid to its northern neighbour as part of a six-party agreement aimed at shutting down North Korea's nuclear program. The 6,200-ton shipment of fuel due to arrive on Saturday is the first step in rewarding Pyongyang for closing down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor. In all, South Korea is to provide 50,000 tons of the much-needed commodity. International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors are due to arrive in North Korea this weekend to monitor the reactor shut-down. Talks among the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States on ending North Korea's nuclear arms programme in exchange for an additional 950,000 tonnes of oil aid and better diplomatic standing are likely to resume next week.



reward
noun [C]
1 something given in exchange for good behaviour or good work, etc:
There's a reward for whoever finishes first.
The rewards of motherhood outweigh the anguish.


2 an amount of money given to someone who helps the police or who helps to return stolen property to its owner:
The police offered a reward for any information about the robbery.

reward
verb [T]
to give someone a reward:
The company rewarded him for his years of service with a grand farewell party and several presents.
SLIGHTLY FORMAL All his hard work was rewarded (= was made worth it) when he saw his book in print.
FORMAL He rewarded their kindness with hostility and contempt.


rewarding
adjective
giving a reward, especially by making you feel satisfied that you have done something important or useful, or done something well:
Is it a rewarding job?
Textbook writing can be an intellectually and financially rewarding activity.



standing (REPUTATION)
noun [U]
reputation, rank or position in an area of activity, system or organization:
As a pathologist of considerable standing, his opinion will have a lot of influence.
A financial scandal would shake the Institute's standing in the international academic community.


(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

GE’s final terms and conditions

General Electric will not go through with a deal to buy two Abbott Laboratories diagnostic units for $8.1 billion in cash, the two companies said Wednesday without specifying reasons, except to say that they had failed to agree on final terms and conditions.

term
(pl.) 約定; 要求額, 値段;
condition(pl.)
状況, 事情, 形勢; 条件


"通用(奇異)電氣在世界品牌舞台里已耀眼一百三十多年,其歷史可追溯到托馬斯‧愛迪生。1896年,道瓊斯工業指數榜設立,通用電氣公司(GE)是當時榜上的12家公司之一,時至今日,它是唯一一個仍在指數榜上的公司。2004年,通用電氣公司被美國著名財經雜誌《財富》雜誌評為"最佳雇主和雇員公司";通用亦于2007年度《美國最受尊敬企業》排行榜里繼續穩居榜首。通用在雜誌《財富》全球最大五百家公司排名中排名第六,2006年的盈利為168,307百萬美元。

早在1906年,GE就開始發展同中國的貿易,是當時在中國最活躍、最具影響力的外國公司之一。迄今為止,GE的所有工業產品集團已在中國開展業務,擁有12,000多名員工。

  通用電氣公司(GE)是世界上最大的多元化服務性公司,同時也是高質量、高科技工業和消費產品的提供者。從飛機發動機、發電設備到金融服務,從醫療造影、電視節目到塑膠,GE公司致力于通過多項技術和服務創造更美好的生活。......"

2007年7月13日 星期五

godfather, nuclear, nucleae/extended family

教父


「亞洲十大設計師包括:亞洲平面設計泰斗杉浦康平、無印良品創意總監原研哉、日本著名工業設計師喜多俊之、韓國平面設計巨擘安尚秀、當代日本工業設計師代表深澤直人、韓國三星集團設計團隊、泰國家具設計教父素旺、泰國知名廣告導演暨設計家撒替、中國書籍設計第一把交椅呂敬人、香港設計教父靳埭強。」


. on Page 69:
" ... its own powerful defence systems, its own supposedly independent nuclear weaponry, its own sterling area, and its private strategic, trading ... "
2. on Page 74:
" ... university young could turn their energies to new crusades. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the later fifties owed much to the idealism of the middle-class young"
3. on Page 75:
" ... 50 miles away, April 1958. This marked the beginnings of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament"
4. on Page 79:
" ... reserves in the North Sea, and of North Sea natural gas also. With nuclear power stations and hydro-electric schemes"


nuclear family noun [C] SPECIALIZED
a family consisting of two parents and their children, but not including aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.



extended family group noun [C usually singular]
a family unit which includes grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts and uncles, etc. in addition to parents and children



godfather
noun [C]
1 a male godparent
天主教、正教及某些新教宗派,行洗禮時為受洗者設置的男性保證人和監護人。

2 the leader of a criminal group, especially a mafia family
(義大利等)黑社會的領導者。

3. 教師。老子˙第四十二章:人之所教,我亦教之。強梁者不得其死,吾將以為教父。
One that has a relationship to another person or to something that is the equivalent of being a baptismal sponsor: the godfather of a new generation of nuclear physicists.