DIALOG 71:MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

1--There seems to be some sort of commotion up the

street in the next block.

2--Yeah, I thought I heard shouts or screams.

1--It sounded more like shouts to me.

2--Think we should investigate?

1--I don't think that's a good idea. I don't like to get

involved in other people's quarrels--if it is a

quarrel.

2--Yeah. I know what you mean. What's that old

proverb? Something about anyone who meddles

in a quarrel not his own is like a guy who grabs a

passing dog by the ears?

1--That sounds pretty good to me. My folks always

taught me to mind my own business, and I think

that's good advice!

===================================

注解：

1）commotion：騷動；混亂。

2）scream：尖聲的哭喊。

3）investigate：調查；了解。

4）got involved in：卷入。

5）proverb：諺語；格言。文中的諺語與漢語

中的“打狗不著反被狗咬”近似。

6）meddle：干預。

7）a passing dog：無主的野狗。

8）my folks：（口語）親人；家屬。通常指父母。

9）mind your own business：直譯是管自己的事。譯文

用反譯，更合中文習慣。

===================================

譯文：

1--鄰街好象出了點什么亂子！

2--我似乎聽到有人嚷嚷或是哭喊的聲音。

1--我聽著象是有人嚷嚷。

2--我們是不是去看看？

1--我看沒必要。如果是吵架的話，我可不愿卷進去。

2--是的，我明白你的意思。有句諺語是怎么說來著？

什么不請自來管閑事兒好似去抓狗耳朵。

1--這諺語說得不錯。我父母總是教我少管別人的閑事。

這是一條很有用的勸告。