如果理解不到位,往往会闹出笑话。
比如有这么两个看似简单的说法: (来源:2HZZ常识网 http://www.
2hzz.
com) 1.
Tell me about it!
(字面意思:快告诉我是怎么回事!
) 2.
What else isnew?
(字面意思:还有什么新的吗?
) 其实,以上两句如果放到对话中,所表达的含义会与字面意思有很大不同。
那么,这两句到底是什么意思呢?
让我们举几个例子: Tell me about it!
A:Do you know under the newly reformed tax plan, the rich people actually pay less tax?
你知道吗,如果实行遥后的新遥计划,遥交纳的税反而会更少?
B: Yeah, tell me about it!
My neighbor is a million-aire and he told me that his tax rate would be reduced by fifty percent.
可不是吗?
我的邻居是个百万富翁。
他告诉我,他的交税比例将降低50%。
在这里,tell me aboutit不是要求对方细说,而是表示一种附和,还带有惊讶的成分。
再比如: A: Under such harsh economic downturns, working class can hardly make ends meet.
经济下滑这么厉害,工薪遥快要揭不开锅了。
B: Tell me about it!
In my family alone two people got laid off.
I don't know how I can make the mortgage payment this month.
可不是吗?
光我们家下岗的就有俩,我还不知道这个月怎么付房子的银行遥呢。
What else is new?
A:Hey, do you know the new governor is going to cut the funding for education?
嘿,你听说了吗?
新州长要砍教育经费呢!
B: What else is new?
We all know he represents big businesses.
Education is not his top priority.
那有什么稀奇的?
我们早就知道他一向代表大公司的利益,教育不是他较关心的事。
在这里,What else is new表示,这种结局是预料之中的事,不算什么新闻。
所以,根据上下文,也可译为这算不上什么新闻。
再比如: A:Yesterday my daughter gave me a gift wish list for her 15th birthday.
Among other things she asks for a lap-top computer!
昨天,我女儿给我开了一个单子,列举了她15岁生日想要的礼物。
其中竟然有一台便携式电脑!
B: What else is new?
At least she hasn't asked for a car.
Wait till next year!
那有什么稀奇的?
她至少没让你送她一辆车。
明年你等着瞧吧!