Unit 3 : Part A Unit 3 : Part A 21st Century College English: Book 2 The Tale of a Cultural Translator

Unit 3 : Part AUnit 3 : Part A21st Century College English: Book 221st Century College English: Book 2

The Tale of a Cultural The Tale of a Cultural TranslatorTranslator

Unit Three: Part AUnit Three: Part A

• Pre-reading ActivitiesPre-reading Activities

• Intensive Study

• ExercisesExercises

• AssignmentAssignment

Pre-reading ActivitiesPre-reading Activities

• Preview

• Pre-reading ListeningPre-reading Listening

WWhen a group of human beings work together, what does it hen a group of human beings work together, what does it take to make the cooperation go smoothly, effectively and take to make the cooperation go smoothly, effectively and productively? This question is one that every business productively? This question is one that every business manager faces. Good training, good conditions, a pleasant manager faces. Good training, good conditions, a pleasant atmosphere, a common aim — all of these factors play a part, atmosphere, a common aim — all of these factors play a part, but the richness of human psychology makes management a but the richness of human psychology makes management a subtle and demanding art. And when businesses go subtle and demanding art. And when businesses go international, there are even more complexities to cope with. international, there are even more complexities to cope with. In the last unit, we looked at how cultural differences affect In the last unit, we looked at how cultural differences affect education. But what goes on after school? What happens at education. But what goes on after school? What happens at work in a world that’s rapidly becoming a “global village”? work in a world that’s rapidly becoming a “global village”? The three texts you’re going to read in this unit explore some The three texts you’re going to read in this unit explore some of the fascinating complications of international management.of the fascinating complications of international management.

Pre-reading Activities: PreviewPre-reading Activities: Preview

PreviewPreview

First Listening:First Listening: As you listen to the tape, fill in the missing parts in the blanks.As you listen to the tape, fill in the missing parts in the blanks.

Pre-reading Activities: ListeningPre-reading Activities: Listening

Pre-reading Activities, p. 70Pre-reading Activities, p. 70

A)A) Jack is interested in a job as an _____ manager Jack is interested in a job as an _____ manager located in _______.located in _______.

B)B) His qualifications include _____ years of experience His qualifications include _____ years of experience knowing how to use ___________.knowing how to use ___________.

C)C) He believes that people are _________ everywhere.He believes that people are _________ everywhere.

Check-upCheck-upCheck-upCheck-up

First Listening:First Listening: As you listen to the tape, fill in the missing parts in the blanks.As you listen to the tape, fill in the missing parts in the blanks.


A)A) Jack is interested in a job as an _____ manager Jack is interested in a job as an _____ manager located in _______.located in _______.

B)B) His qualifications include _____ years of experience His qualifications include _____ years of experience knowing how to use ___________.knowing how to use ___________.

C)C) He believes that people are _________ everywhere.He believes that people are _________ everywhere.

officeofficeTokyoTokyo

fourfourchopstickschopsticks

the samethe same

Second Listening:Second Listening: Think about the following questions.Think about the following questions.


• What is the disagreement about?What is the disagreement about?

• Whose opinion do you agree more with? Why?Whose opinion do you agree more with? Why?

ScriptScriptScriptScript

Jack:Jack: Wow, here’s a great job! “International firm seeks experienced Wow, here’s a great job! “International firm seeks experienced office manager for new Tokyo branch. Excellent conditions, high office manager for new Tokyo branch. Excellent conditions, high salary.”salary.” Give me the phone, I’m going to call them right now to Give me the phone, I’m going to call them right now to set up an interview.set up an interview.

Jane:Jane: Yeah right Yeah right — — what kind of qualifications do you have to work as what kind of qualifications do you have to work as an office manager in Tokyo?! an office manager in Tokyo?!

Jack:Jack: What do you mean? I have four years of experience as an office What do you mean? I have four years of experience as an office manager! manager!

Jane:Jane: Yeah, but not in Japan!Yeah, but not in Japan! Jack:Jack: So what? How different can it be from running an office So what? How different can it be from running an office

anywhere else in the world? People are people. So what if they anywhere else in the world? People are people. So what if they speak a different language and have a few different customs? speak a different language and have a few different customs? Under the surface people are the same everywhere.Under the surface people are the same everywhere.

Jane:Jane: But you don’t know anything about Japan, or Japanese culture!But you don’t know anything about Japan, or Japanese culture!Jack:Jack: I know how to use chopsticks!I know how to use chopsticks!Jane:Jane: I suspect there’s a little more to it than that I suspect there’s a little more to it than that ……


• "Signal words" give hints about what is about to happen in what you're reading. Understanding them is a key to comprehension.

Number

• f_ _ _ _

• s_ _ _ _ _

• t_ _ _ _

What sequence or time order signal words do you know?

• Answer• First• Second• Third•

Time Sequence• ____ / ____ the beginning • N_ _ _ • t_ _ _ • w_ _ _• F_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ that• L_ _ _ _• B_ _ _ _ _• A_ _ _ _• S_ _ _ _• ____ / ____ the end• The ______ thing• E_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _• F_ _ _ _ _ _

• At /In the beginning

• Next

• Then

• When

• Following that

• Later

• Before

• After

• Soon

• At (in) the end

• The last thing

• Eventually

• finally

• Events happing at the same time

• m_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

• At the______ time

• S_ _ _ _tane_ _ _ _ _

• Answer

• Meanwhile

• At the same time

• simultaneously

_____________ a strong young man came with a big axe and got down to cutting the tree_______I was setting up my drawing board. _______he cut it off and pulled it away. ________ I got ready and turned round to draw, I found the tree had disappeared. “Dear me! Where on earth is the tree?” I could hardly believe my eyes. ________ I found out the truth. I was really disappointed and angry, too.

_________, I went to the small woods not far from town to draw from nature with my drawing board. __________I was glad to find a tree living although the rest had been cut down. “That’s a fine tree to draw, ” I thought, __________ I began to set up my drawing board.

One day

Suddenly

and then

Just then

SoonWhen

while

Finally

The Tale of a Cultural TranslatorThe Tale of a Cultural Translator

11 Joint ventures involving Western and Japanese companies Joint ventures involving Western and Japanese companies

often run into conflicts — a multitude of little things that escalate often run into conflicts — a multitude of little things that escalate

into big emotional battles in which all the parties keep exclaiming: into big emotional battles in which all the parties keep exclaiming:

“What’s wrong with them!? Can they understand that …?!” But “What’s wrong with them!? Can they understand that …?!” But

because the conflicts are mainly because the conflicts are mainly due to cultural differences, neither cultural differences, neither

side can understand — unless they have a “cultural translator”.side can understand — unless they have a “cultural translator”.

Intensive StudyIntensive Study

22 The first cultural translator I ever met was an installation The first cultural translator I ever met was an installation

engineer, George engineer, George by name, who worked for an American company , who worked for an American company

where I was the director of international operations. The company where I was the director of international operations. The company

had just started a joint venture with a Japanese firm, and the had just started a joint venture with a Japanese firm, and the

American management needed someone to train the Japanese American management needed someone to train the Japanese

employees in its unique technology. George’s solid understanding employees in its unique technology. George’s solid understanding

of the equipment, its installation and use made him the best-of the equipment, its installation and use made him the best-

qualified employee for the job, so everyone was happy when qualified employee for the job, so everyone was happy when

George accepted a two-year contract for temporary George accepted a two-year contract for temporary transfer to to

Japan.Japan.


33 From the startFrom the start, George was well accepted by all the Japanese , George was well accepted by all the Japanese

employees. Japanese managers often distrust anyone sent to employees. Japanese managers often distrust anyone sent to

represent US owners, but George was so naturally nonassertive represent US owners, but George was so naturally nonassertive

that no one could see him as a threat to their careers. So they that no one could see him as a threat to their careers. So they

felt comfortable asking hishis advice on advice on a wide range of matters, a wide range of matters,

including the odd behavior of their partners across the ocean. including the odd behavior of their partners across the ocean.

Engineers throughout the company appreciated George’s expertise Engineers throughout the company appreciated George’s expertise

and his friendly and capable help, and they got into the habit of and his friendly and capable help, and they got into the habit of

turning to him whenever they had a problem — any problem. And turning to him whenever they had a problem — any problem. And

the secretaries in the office the secretaries in the office were eager to help this nice help this nice bachelorbachelor

learn Japanese.learn Japanese.


44 Sooner than anyone expectedSooner than anyone expected, the company became a , the company became a

profitable, thrivingprofitable, thriving and growing venture. George’s first two-year and growing venture. George’s first two-year

contract contract came to an end. By then, he could speak good Japanese, . By then, he could speak good Japanese,

and had picked up Japanese habits. He drank green tea and had picked up Japanese habits. He drank green tea at all hours, ,

ate rice at every meal and had even learned to sit properly on ate rice at every meal and had even learned to sit properly on

Japanese tatami mats. So when George was offered a second two-Japanese tatami mats. So when George was offered a second two-

year Japanese contract, he accepted year Japanese contract, he accepted at onceat once. Another contract . Another contract

followed, and George’s love affair with Japanese culture continued.followed, and George’s love affair with Japanese culture continued.


55 But as George’s sixth year in the country was coming to an end, But as George’s sixth year in the country was coming to an end,

an unexpected difficulty became apparent: The Japanese engineers an unexpected difficulty became apparent: The Japanese engineers

had had surpassed George in their knowledge of the rapidly-changing George in their knowledge of the rapidly-changing

technology. He had nothing left to teach them.technology. He had nothing left to teach them.

66 Was this the end for poor George? Was there nothing more he Was this the end for poor George? Was there nothing more he

could offer to the now-matured joint venture he had served so could offer to the now-matured joint venture he had served so

loyally? Would he have to leave the country he had come to love? loyally? Would he have to leave the country he had come to love?

No! Faced with the threat of an unwilling departure from Japan, No! Faced with the threat of an unwilling departure from Japan,

George reinvented himself as a “cultural translator”..


77 The idea came to George one day The idea came to George one day

when the Japanese joint-venture president was — again — offended by a

message from the American management

. As usual in such situations, he . As usual in such situations, he stormed into George’s office and into George’s office and

threw the message in front of him threw the message in front of him in a furyin a fury. And George, as usual, . And George, as usual,

read the message and explained in his calm manner what the read the message and explained in his calm manner what the

Americans had really meant by it, not what it sounded like in the Americans had really meant by it, not what it sounded like in the

context of Japanese culture. context of Japanese culture.


http://hujunhan.com/65/838.html

88 Fortunately for everyone, both the Japanese and American Fortunately for everyone, both the Japanese and American

sides of the joint venture had heard enough horror stories about sides of the joint venture had heard enough horror stories about

cultural conflicts to recognize the value of George’s skills, so when cultural conflicts to recognize the value of George’s skills, so when

he proposed this new position for himself, the idea was quickly he proposed this new position for himself, the idea was quickly

approved. approved.

The wisdom of this decision was proved again and again over the years..


99 At times something far more important than good English was At times something far more important than good English was

needed. One such case was when the Japanese accountant had to needed. One such case was when the Japanese accountant had to

explain the $46,534 spent on 874 December-holiday presents. Or explain the $46,534 spent on 874 December-holiday presents. Or

there was the time when the Japanese personnel manager had to there was the time when the Japanese personnel manager had to

justify keeping a chemist on the payroll even though the company no keeping a chemist on the payroll even though the company no

longer needed his expertise. In cases like these, everyone turned to longer needed his expertise. In cases like these, everyone turned to

George.George.


1010

Somehow or other, he made their messages sound at least halfway sensi

ble to Americans

. And when there was something that even George couldn’t . And when there was something that even George couldn’t

“translated” into American-style sense, he would write, “This will “translated” into American-style sense, he would write, “This will

sound crazy, but you should go along with it anyway.sound crazy, but you should go along with it anyway.


1111 It worked the other way around, too. When the American . When the American

managers visited Japan, George accompanied us everywhere to managers visited Japan, George accompanied us everywhere to

ensure that we don’t do or say anything too stupid from the that we don’t do or say anything too stupid from the

Japanese viewpoint. Whenever we did that anyway, he came to the Japanese viewpoint. Whenever we did that anyway, he came to the

rescue at once: “What they really mean is …” Whole multitudes of rescue at once: “What they really mean is …” Whole multitudes of

difficulties never arose thanks to George’s skill at difficulties never arose thanks to George’s skill at smoothing over

small conflicts before they became big, emotional and costly.small conflicts before they became big, emotional and costly.


1212 Since leaving that company in George’s capable hands, I’ve Since leaving that company in George’s capable hands, I’ve

advised many firms on international operations. And my first advised many firms on international operations. And my first

recommendation is always the same: Don’t worry about language recommendation is always the same: Don’t worry about language

problems — the first thing you need is a cultural translator.problems — the first thing you need is a cultural translator.

(776 words)(776 words)


run intorun into

— — meet by chance; encounter unexpectedlymeet by chance; encounter unexpectedly

e.g.e.g.

• I I ran intoran into Joe yesterday on Main street. Joe yesterday on Main street.

TranslateTranslate

如果你不当心，会碰到麻烦的。如果你不当心，会碰到麻烦的。

KeyKey

You will You will run intorun into trouble if you don’t take care. trouble if you don’t take care.

== come across come across

… — … — a multitude ofa multitude of little things that escalate into big emotional little things that escalate into big emotional battles in which all the parties keep exclaiming: “…battles in which all the parties keep exclaiming: “…

a multitude ofa multitude of

— — a a very large number ofvery large number of

e.g.e.g.

• A multitude ofA multitude of people gathered at the gate of the people gathered at the gate of the exhibition hall.exhibition hall.

Translation Drill:Translation Drill:

大群人聚集在展览大厅的门口。大群人聚集在展览大厅的门口。

(be) due to(be) due to

— — because of (always related to some bad influence) because of (always related to some bad influence)

e.g.e.g.

• Our new washing-machine keeps breaking down, which is entirely due to shoddy workmanship.


我们的新洗衣机老出毛病－－完全是因为做的质量太差。我们的新洗衣机老出毛病－－完全是因为做的质量太差。

By nameBy name

——a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)of a person's given name)

e.g.e.g.

• She met a handsome boy, John by name.


她遇到了一位名叫约翰的英俊少年。

e.g.e.g.

• A strange man, Fred by name, come to see me.

Feel comfortable doing somethingFeel comfortable doing something

e.g.e.g.

• I always feel comfortable lying in bed listening to music after finishing whole-day study .


结束一天的学习后，躺在床上听音乐总是让我感到很舒服。

e.g.e.g.

• I always feel comfortable talking with Peter, because he is very amiable.

transfertransfer

—— n.n. the process by which sb. or sth. moves or is the process by which sb. or sth. moves or is moved moved from one place, job,etc. to anotherfrom one place, job,etc. to another

e.g.e.g.

•• David was fed up with his job in London so he asked David was fed up with his job in London so he asked for a for a transfertransfer to the Paris office. to the Paris office.

TranslateTranslateBlake’s Blake’s transfertransfer to an Italian football club came as a to an Italian football club came as a shock to all his supporters.shock to all his supporters.

KeyKey布莱克转会到一个意大利足球俱乐部令他的所有拥趸大为震惊。布莱克转会到一个意大利足球俱乐部令他的所有拥趸大为震惊。

get into the habit of doing sth.get into the habit of doing sth.

—— start to do sth. so often that it becomes a habitstart to do sth. so often that it becomes a habit

e.g.e.g.

•• He’s He’s got into the habit ofgot into the habit of switching on the TV as soon switching on the TV as soon as as he gets home.he gets home.

•• I I got into the habit ofgot into the habit of studying in the library when I studying in the library when I was in college.was in college.

Fill in the blankFill in the blank

__________ (__________ ( 他养成了用筷子吃饭的习惯他养成了用筷子吃饭的习惯 ), ), he prefers them to a he prefers them to a

knife and fork.knife and fork.

He has He has got into the habit of eatinggot into the habit of eating with chopsticks with chopsticks

Be eager to do something.Be eager to do something.

E.g.:E.g.: I I was eager towas eager to get back to work as soon as possible. get back to work as soon as possible.


他渴望出人头地 , 在某方面与众不同 .

He was eager to get out of the common and distinguish

himself in some way.

= look forward to doing= look forward to doing

come to an endcome to an end

—— stop; finishstop; finish

e.g.e.g.

•• The team’s run of success seems to The team’s run of success seems to come to an endcome to an end..

•• And here the storyAnd here the story come to an endcome to an end..

TranslateTranslate

When this temporary job When this temporary job comes to an endcomes to an end, he’ll be , he’ll be unemployed again.unemployed again.

KeyKey这份临时工作干完以后，他就又失业了。这份临时工作干完以后，他就又失业了。

pick uppick up

—— learn or acquire easily without making much effortlearn or acquire easily without making much effort

e.g.e.g.

•• George George picked uppicked up a few Japanese phrases when he a few Japanese phrases when he was on a business trip to Tokyo.was on a business trip to Tokyo.

•• We need someone who will We need someone who will pick the job uppick the job up quickly. quickly.

TranslateTranslate

我不知道孩子们上哪儿学到这些无礼的字眼的！我不知道孩子们上哪儿学到这些无礼的字眼的！

KeyKey

I don’t know where my children have I don’t know where my children have picked uppicked up those those rude words!rude words!

at all hoursat all hours

—— at any time; all the timeat any time; all the time

e.g.e.g.

•• The restaurant serves meals The restaurant serves meals at all hoursat all hours..


他喜欢不分昼夜的招待朋友。

He likes entertaining his friends at all hours of the day and night.

TatamiTatami

Tatami is a rectangular mat used Tatami is a rectangular mat used as a floor covering in Japaneseas a floor covering in Japanesehouses. It consists of a thick strawhouses. It consists of a thick strawbase and a soft, finely woven rushbase and a soft, finely woven rushcover with cloth borders. A tatamicover with cloth borders. A tatamiMeasures approximately 6 by 3 feetMeasures approximately 6 by 3 feet(180 by 90 cm) and is about 2 inches (5 cm) thick.(180 by 90 cm) and is about 2 inches (5 cm) thick.

Text-related informationText-related information

surpasssurpass

—— v. v. be even better or greater than; go beyondbe even better or greater than; go beyond

e.g.e.g.

• • His time for the 100 meters His time for the 100 meters surpassedsurpassed the previous the previous world record by one hundredth of a second.world record by one hundredth of a second.


你的优异表现已经超出了所有人的期望。你的优异表现已经超出了所有人的期望。

KeyKey

Your excellent performance has Your excellent performance has surpassed surpassed everyone’s everyone’s expectations.expectations.

be faced withbe faced with

—— be confronted with; be made to meet (sth.bad or be confronted with; be made to meet (sth.bad or difficult)difficult)

e.g.e.g.

•• Faced withFaced with the threat of losing their jobs, the workers the threat of losing their jobs, the workers on strike decided to go back to work. on strike decided to go back to work.

•• He He is faced withis faced with a difficult choice after graduation: to a difficult choice after graduation: to go back to his hometown or stay in the big city.go back to his hometown or stay in the big city.

Fill in the blankFill in the blank

__________ ( 面临严重的财政问题面临严重的财政问题 ), ), the company had to lay the company had to lay off some of the workers.off some of the workers.

Faced withFaced with severe financial problems severe financial problems

… … , George reinvented himself as a “cultural translator”., George reinvented himself as a “cultural translator”.

Translate the sentence:Translate the sentence:

??乔治将自己重新塑造成了一名“文化翻译”。乔治将自己重新塑造成了一名“文化翻译”。

e.g.e.g.

•• My last question is My last question is againagain a somewhat personal one. a somewhat personal one.

•• AgainAgain, that’s very impossible., that’s very impossible.

The adverb The adverb againagain can be used to indicate and emphasize can be used to indicate and emphasize a similarity between the situation, action or subject that a similarity between the situation, action or subject that is happening or being discussed now and a previous one. is happening or being discussed now and a previous one.

… … when the Japanese joint-venture president was — when the Japanese joint-venture president was — againagain — — offended by a message from the American management.offended by a message from the American management.

stormstorm

—— v. v. move or walk quickly and noisily in an angermove or walk quickly and noisily in an anger

e.g.e.g.

• • After the argument sheAfter the argument she stormedstormed off.off.

• • He He stormedstormed round the house in a rage. round the house in a rage.

The wisdom of this decision was proved again and again over The wisdom of this decision was proved again and again over the years.the years.

Paraphrase the sentence:Paraphrase the sentence:

??The decision (to act as a cultural translator) was proved The decision (to act as a cultural translator) was proved sensible by one incident after another during all these sensible by one incident after another during all these years.years.

justifyjustify

—— v. v. give good reasons for / to do (sth.)give good reasons for / to do (sth.)

e.g.e.g.

• • Does the end alwaysDoes the end always justifyjustify the means? the means?

• • It’s hard to It’s hard to justifyjustify making everyone wait for so long. making everyone wait for so long.

TranslateTranslate

你怎能为这样对待你的母亲而辩护？你怎能为这样对待你的母亲而辩护？

KeyKey

How can youHow can you justifyjustify yourself for treating your mother yourself for treating your mother like that?like that?

Somehow or otherSomehow or other, he made their message sound at least , he made their message sound at least halfway sensible to Americans.halfway sensible to Americans.

somehow or othersomehow or other

— — in some way; in one way or anotherin some way; in one way or another

e.g.e.g.

• Somehow or otherSomehow or other, we will get the machine working , we will get the machine working again.again.

• Don’t keep the secret from him; he will know it Don’t keep the secret from him; he will know it somehow or othersomehow or other..

More to learnMore to learnMore to learnMore to learn

e.g.e.g.

•• Any Any halfwayhalfway decent teacher should be able to decent teacher should be able to explain it. explain it.

•• He He halfwayhalfway surrendered to their demands. surrendered to their demands.

Somehow or other, he made their message sound at least Somehow or other, he made their message sound at least halfwayhalfway sensible to Americans. sensible to Americans.

The word The word halfwayhalfway is used as an adverb to mean fairly or is used as an adverb to mean fairly or reasonably.reasonably.

go along withgo along with

— — agree with; accept; supportagree with; accept; support

e.g.e.g.

•• She’ll She’ll go along withgo along with your decision. your decision.

•• We’ll We’ll go along withgo along with your suggestions, although they’re your suggestions, although they’re not exactly what we want.not exactly what we want.

It worked the other way around, too.It worked the other way around, too.

Paraphrase the sentence:Paraphrase the sentence:

??It was also effective with messages from the American It was also effective with messages from the American management to the Japanese.management to the Japanese.

ensureensure

—— v. v. make sure, guaranteemake sure, guarantee

e.g.e.g.

• • This letter will This letter will ensure ensure you an interview.you an interview.

•• The door did not lock, but at least it The door did not lock, but at least it ensuredensured a a reasonable amount of privacy.reasonable amount of privacy.

TranslateTranslate

This medicine will This medicine will ensureensure you a night’s good sleep. you a night’s good sleep.

KeyKey

这药可以保证你一夜好睡。这药可以保证你一夜好睡。

e.g.e.g.

•• Thanks toThanks to a cool summer, our electricity bills have a cool summer, our electricity bills have been been very low.very low.

•• The play was a great success The play was a great success thanks tothanks to the effort and the effort and commitment of everyone involved.commitment of everyone involved.

Cf.Cf.

due todue to

—— because ofbecause of

e.g.e.g.

• It is reported that It is reported that accidentsaccidents due todue to driving at high driving at high speedspeed have increased a lot. have increased a lot.

thanks tothanks to

—— because of; owing to; with the help ofbecause of; owing to; with the help of

More to doMore to doMore to doMore to do

1.1. The big emotional battles are mainly _____ cultural The big emotional battles are mainly _____ cultural differences.differences.

2.2. One company I worked for avoided this entire problem One company I worked for avoided this entire problem _____ the sensitivity of one of their employees._____ the sensitivity of one of their employees.

V. Study the use of “due to” and “thanks to” and then use them to complete the following sentences.

due to

thanks to

Exercises Exercises • • VocabularyVocabulary

《读写教程 II 》 : Ex. V, p. 65Ex. V, p. 65《读写教程 II 》 : Ex. V, p. 65Ex. V, p. 65

3.3. _____ circumstances beyond our control, the store will be _____ circumstances beyond our control, the store will be closed for the entire month of August.closed for the entire month of August.

4. _____ effort and good will of everyone involved, the 4. _____ effort and good will of everyone involved, the Christmas party was a great success.Christmas party was a great success.

Due to

Thanks to



5.5. All flights have been delayed _____ a thick fog.All flights have been delayed _____ a thick fog.

6.6. _____ the public’s generous donations, the earthquake _____ the public’s generous donations, the earthquake victims were able to rebuild their homes within two months.victims were able to rebuild their homes within two months.

due to

thanks to



smooth oversmooth over

—— make (problems or difficulties) seem less serious or make (problems or difficulties) seem less serious or more pleasantmore pleasant

e.g.e.g.

• • Perhaps a gift of flowers will help to Perhaps a gift of flowers will help to smoothsmooth your your quarrel quarrel overover..

TranslateTranslate

比尔试图平息和妻子的争吵。比尔试图平息和妻子的争吵。

KeyKey

Bill tried to Bill tried to smooth oversmooth over his argument with his wife. his argument with his wife.

Documents

Unit 3 : Part A Unit 3 : Part A 21st Century College English: Book 2 The Tale of a Cultural Translator