Olympic Symbols and Traditions 奥运标志与传统
Olympic symbols are an important part of what the Olympics are all about
奥运标志是奥运精神的重要元素
August 7
Among athletic competitions, the Olympics have an identity all their own. The Olympics are special for many reasons: They inspire people, create great memories, and give people hope. While each host country influences its Olympic Games in many ways, they all remain uniquely "Olympic." No matter where the games are held, their symbols and traditions tie them to the values of the Olympic movement.
The official Olympic symbol is probably one of the world's most easily recognized ─ five rings linked together. At the games, the rings appear on everything from athletes' uniforms to souvenirs.
The rings represent the five parts of the world that traditionally participated in the games. These include Africa, the two Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. The rings symbolize respect and are linked to show that the Olympics bring people together. Moreover, the ring colors are always the same ─ blue, black, red, yellow and green. The Olympic flag shows these five colored rings on a white background. When it was initially created, the Olympic flag incorporated the colors of all existing national flags.
奥运在体育竞赛中自成一格，其特殊性来自许多原因：奥运富有启发性、给人带来美好回忆，还为人带来希望。奥运会的许多面向虽然受到主办国的影响，但是每一场奥运会仍然保有独特的「奥运」特质。奥运会不论在哪里举行，其标志与传统总是会把各项比赛与奥林匹克运动的理念紧紧牵系。
奥运的官方标志堪称是全世界最容易辨认的一个标志：五个圆圈连结在一起。在奥运会上，从选手制服到纪念品，每个东西上头都可见到这五个圆圈。
这五个圆圈代表向来参与奥运的世界五大区域，包括非洲、南北美洲、亚洲、澳洲和欧洲。这些圆圈象徵尊重，连结在一起则表示奥运能够让人相聚一堂。此外，五个圆圈的颜色从来不变，就是蓝、黑、红、黄、绿。奥运旗帜以白色为底，上头印着这五个彩色圆圈。奥运旗帜最初设计的时候，就包含所有现存国旗的颜色。
Word Bank
uniquely (adv)独特地
Many of the town's holiday traditions are uniquely European.
movement (n)（政治、社会等）运动
For many years, the environmental movement has been encouraging recycling.
souvenir (n)纪念品
Jacky returned from her vacation with her arms full of souvenirs.
initially (adv)最初地
Everyone initially thought Michael had won, but later the race was declared a tie.
More Information
symbolize (v)象徵
Chat Room
Teaching Topic: Uniform Uniforms 教學主題：制服就是一模一樣
uniform：制服，如school uniform学校的制服
uniform：(adj)一模一样的，如Of uniform size and thickness同样的大小和厚度
uniformity(n)，unify(v)
---Hi, friends. Welcome to the Chat Room. And we'd like to welcome Linda to the Chat Room today. Hi, Linda.
---Hi, Ken. Hi, everyone. It's nice to be here with you all. So Ken, what would you like to chat about today?
---Well, it looks like we can identify the different Olympic teams by their uniforms, right?
---Yes. Each country will have its own style of uniform. Just like a lot of schools ask their students to wear their school uniform. That way it's easy to identify who was from where.
---Does that mean that the colors of the uniforms will be the same, too?
---Yes. Each team should have clothes that have a uniform color.
---Uh, uniform colors? Do you mean colors for uniforms?
---Well, no. When I say uniform colors, I mean the same color. Notice here that I'm using uniform as an adjective to mean the same.
---I see. 我们知道uniform是制服，比如说school uniform学校的制服，但是uniform也是个形容词，表示一模一样的，比如说Of uniform size and thickness. 同样的大小和厚度。So "they are all uniform" means they're all the same.
---Right. Each country will possess a uniformity. That means a sameness in look showing that they're all united, meaning that they are together as one group.
---So uniformity is the noun. Is there a verb for uniform?
---Yes. It's unify, U-N-I-F-Y. Unify means to bring together as one. So if a country is divided, it can be unified.
---uniform的名词是uniformity，就是韵律，均匀的意思，uniform的动词是unify，就是使合一，统一
---OK. Let's now take a break. Studio Classroom will be right back.
uniquely (adv)独特地
1 The valley's vegetation is uniquely its own. Many scientists come here to do research.
这座山谷的植物是独一无二的，许多科学家来到这里做研究。
souvenir (n)纪念品
说明是关于某个地方或者是关于某趟旅行的纪念品是用of
1 The store sells all sorts of souvenirs of the Eiffel Tower.
这家店卖各式各样有关埃菲尔铁塔的纪念品。
2 She bought a drum as a souvenir of her trip in Africa.
她买了一个鼓作为非洲之旅的纪念品。
initially (adv)最初地
1 The damage from the hurricane was much more severe than initially expected.
飓风所造成的损害比起初预期的严重许多。
2 Initially, she worked as a receptionist, and then eventually she became the CEO's secretary.
起初她只是做接待员的工作，后来终于成为总裁的秘书。
August 8
The Olympic motto, also an important symbol, stands for excellence. The motto ─ faster, higher, stronger ─ encourages athletes to always do their best during competition. Similarly, the Olympic creed reminds everyone that winning isn't as important as participation.
The Olympic flame, one of the Olympics' most popular symbols, represents peace. In addition, it pays tribute to ancient Greek culture. Several months before the start of the games, the flame is lit in Olympia, Greece. There, among ancient ruins, the flame is lit using only the rays of the sun and a special mirror.
The flame is then taken via relay from Olympia to the city that is hosting the games. Each Olympics uses its own torch design to carry the flame. The relay crosses different regions, continents and countries before arriving at the games. It is interesting to note that each relay participant carries his or her own torch. It is the flame that is passed during the relay, not the torch.
奥运格言也是一个重要象徵，代表卓越。「更快、更高、更强」这句格言鼓舞运动员比赛时永远倾全力表现。奥运信条也同样提醒世人，输赢不如参与重要。
奥运圣火是奥运最受欢迎的一个标志，代表和平。此外，圣火也代表对古希腊文化致敬。奥运开幕的几个月前，圣火就在希腊奥林匹亚城点燃。在当地的古废墟里，主办单位只利用阳光和一面特制镜子点燃圣火。
点燃之後，圣火经由接力传递从奥林匹亚递送到奥运会的主办城市。每一场奥运都会使用自己设计的火炬以承载圣火。圣火的接力传递会跨越不同地区、大洲与国家，最後才抵达奥运会场。值得一提的是，每位接力选手拿的都是自己的火炬。接力传递中递送的是圣火而非火炬。
Word Bank
tribute (n)敬意；致敬
Terry's art is a tribute to his father, who has always supported his work.
via (prep)经由
We are flying to London via Hong Kong.
torch (n)火炬；火把
Long ago, people used torches to explore caves.
participant (n)参与者
He has been a participant in the race for the last seven years.
More Information
motto (n)格言；座右铭
relay (n)接力；接力赛
Chat Room
Teaching Topic: Different Torches 教學主題：不同的火炬
torch：(n)火把；(v)将某样东西付之一炬、纵火烧掉
The Olympic torch：奥运圣火
statue of Liberty自由女生手上也握着一根torch，因为传统上火把是一个emblem of enlightenment（启蒙的象征）
carry a torch for someone：爱上某人但是对方却对你无动于衷，即对某人单恋。
torch songs：感伤的情歌，而擅长唱这种歌的女歌手叫torch singers
---Hi, everyone. Welcome to the Chat Room. And we'd like to welcome Linda back today. Hi, Linda.
---Hi, Ken. Hi, everyone. It's nice to be here. So Ken, did you know that the torch is an emblem of enlightenment?
---You mean like in the Olympics?
---Yes. It's one of the Olympic symbols. And it is also what the Statue of Liberty in New York holds in her right hand: A torch that signifies enlightenment.
---The Olympic torch 是奥运圣火，而torch就是火炬、火把。torch除了出现在奥运，statue of Liberty自由女生手上也握着一根torch，因为传统上火把是一个 emblem of enlightenment启蒙的象征。 I have also heared someone say that a guy was carrying a torch for some girl. What was that mean?
---Right. If you carry a torch for someone, it means that the other person does not love you back, but you can't forget her or him. And there are also torch songs.
---Torch songs? What are those?
---Well, they are sentimental love songs. And people, usually women, who sing them are called torch singers.
---Hmm, that's a lot of torches.
---Yes and you can also use torch as a verb. If I tell you to torch it, it means to set it on fire or to burn it.
---I see. 来学些跟torch相关的片语，carry a torch for someone 就是爱上某人但是对方却对你无动于衷，即对某人单恋。torch songs是感伤的情歌，而擅长唱这种歌的女歌手叫torch singers。 torch当动词讲表示将某样东西付之一炬、纵火烧掉的意思。
---And now let's go to Michelle for today's Language Tips.
tribute (n)敬意；致敬
pay tribute to someone：公开地对某人致敬或表示感谢
1 The film was a tribute to this great artist.
这部电影是对这位伟大的艺术家的一种礼赞。
2 Many people come to this monument to pay tribute to these brave soldiers.
许多人来到这个纪念碑来向这些英勇的战士们致意。
via (prep)经由
1 We flew to Paris via Amsterdam.
我们经过阿姆斯特丹飞到巴黎。
2 The Oscars ceremony was televised via satellite.
奥斯卡金像奖的颁奖典礼是经由卫星转播的。
3 Henry found out that he was fired via his colleague.
亨利是经由同事才发现自己是被解雇了。
relay (n)接力；接力赛
接力的方式，分段递送；接替人员，替班
1 The repair crews worked in relays to fix broken pipes.
维修组轮番工作把破裂的水管修好。
2 The 4*100 meter relay record was broken by our team today.
我们队伍今天打破了四百公尺四人接力赛的记录。
3 Relays of volunteers helped to clean up the flooded homes.
轮班的义工们帮忙清洁被洪水淹没的房子。
August 9
The opening ceremony provides a wonderful opportunity to see all of the different Olympic symbols. In addition to the rings, motto and flame, the ceremony exhibits a number of important traditions.
For example, athletes take an Olympic Oath as part of the ceremony. One athlete from the host nation promises, on behalf of all the competitors, to follow the rules and practice good sportsmanship. Since the 2000 games, athletes have also promised not to use performance-enhancing drugs. And judges began taking their own oath as part of the ceremony in 1972.
The release of doves, another symbol of peace, is also a significant part of the opening ceremony. During the 1988 Olympics, the doves were released just before the Olympic flame was lit, leading to an unfortunate accident. Since that time, the release of the doves has always followed the lighting of the flame.
These symbols represent important Olympic values like respect, excellence and friendship. They remind us of what the Olympics were, are and hope to be.
开幕典礼是观看各种奥运标志的大好机会。除了五个圆圈、格言和圣火，开幕典礼也展现各个重要传统。
举例而言，选手在开幕式必须立下奥运誓言。主办国挑选一名选手代表全体参赛选手发誓遵循规则并发挥良好的运动家精神。自从二０００年奥运以来，选手也发誓不服用增强体能表现的药。从一九七二年开始，裁判也必须在开幕典礼上立誓。
鸽子是和平的另一个象徵，释放鸽子也是开幕典礼上意义重大的仪式。一九八八年奥运会主办单位在圣火即将点燃之前释放鸽子，结果造成不幸的意外。自此之後，鸽子总是在点燃圣火之後才释放。
这些标志都代表重要的奥运理念诸如尊重、卓越与友谊。这些标志提醒了我们奥运过去、现在和未来可望达到的光景。
Word Bank
exhibit (v)展现；展示
Rachel will exhibit her favorite photographs in the park next weekend.
oath (n)誓言；誓约
The three brothers took an oath to always protect each other.
on behalf of (idiom)代表
I would like to thank Mrs. Taylor, on behalf of all the students, for all of her hard work.
unfortunate (adj)不幸的
The unfortunate accident caused Maria to miss her meeting.
More Information
performance-enhancing drug (n)增强体能表现的药物
Chat Room
Teaching Topic: Swearing 教學主題：Swearing 大不同
take an oath：立下誓言
swear to tell the truth：发誓说实话
Do you swear?：你发誓那是真的嘛？
swear at sb：对某人骂脏话
swear off：发誓、戒除
swear by：非常信赖、极力地推荐
---Hello, everyone. I'm Linda. Welcome to the Chat Room.
---And I'm Ken. It's nice to have all of you with us today. So Linda, have you ever taken an oath?
---Well, I did once when I appeared in court. You have to swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. You take an oath or make a solemn promise to tell the truth.
---Wait a minute. Did you say you had to swear? Isn't swearing bad?
---Well, actually it has two usages. Here, if you swear to tell the truth, then you're saying that you really will tell the truth.
---But I've heard people say that swear words are bad.
---Well, those kind of words are bad. And when you use them, we say you are swearing or you're using bad language. And if you swear at someone, you're talking, using bad language... language to someone.
---take an oath就是立下誓言，即要swear to tell the truth发誓说实话，若你不确定对方讲的是实话你可以问他“Do you swear?”“你发誓那是真的嘛？”。但是，swear有另外一个意思---骂脏话，swear at sb即对他骂脏话。 Linda, I remember last week you told me you were swearing off chocolate. Which usage was that?
---Wait a minute. I would never swear off chocolate. But swearing off something means that you give it up. I might swear off broccoli, but I swear by chocolate.
---What? How can you swear by something?
---Well, chocolate makes you feel good. If you swear by something, you have great confidence in it. And I have a lot of confidence in chocolate.
---Mm, what about people?
---Well, you can swear by people, too. I swear by my doctor. She is great.
---Swear off 是发誓、戒除，例：He is swearing off coffee. Swear by是非常信赖、极力地推荐
exhibit (v)展现；展示
展出，陈列；表现出，展现出
1 These young actors exhibited their talent during the show.
这些年轻的演员在表演中展现了他们的才华。
2 She exhibited calmness during the crisis.
在危机中她展现出冷静的一面。
oath (n)誓言；誓约
take an oath：发誓，宣誓
1 The witness was reminded by the judge that he was under oath.
法官提醒这位证人，他发誓过要说实话。
2 He took an oath in the court room by placing his hand on the Bible.
他在法庭中手按着圣经发誓。
on behalf of (idiom)代表
为了某人的利益或好处
1 On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for all your support.
谨代表我的家人，我要谢谢你们所有的支持。
2 James attended the meeting on behalf of his boss.
吉姆是代表他的老板出席这个会议的。
3 She raised funds from all over the country on behalf of the orphans.
为了帮助这些孤儿，她在这个国家到处地募款。
