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38. Learning how to apologize
學習如何用英語道歉
What are the hardest words to pronounce in English?
英語中，那些單詞是最難說出口的？
It seems that "I'm sorry" are the two most difficult words for most people to say.
對于大多數人來說，“I'm sorry”是最難說出口的兩個詞。
Perhaps this difficulty lies in the so-called "losing of face";
也許它們難說出口的原因是涉及到所謂的“丟臉”。
when a person apologizes, he lowers himself before another.
當一個人道歉時，他就在他人面前降低了身段。
Yet no one is perfect; everyone makes mistakes.
是的，人無完人。每個人都會犯錯。
After making a mistake, people should apologize to set things straight with others.
在出錯之后，人應該直接向他人道歉。
Two phrases in English often confuse non-native users of this language.
在英語中，有兩個短語經常困擾著非母語使用者。
These phrases are "I'm sorry" and "Excuse me".
它們是“I'm sorry”和“Excuse me”。
The latter is used to ask for information, as in "Excuse me, (but) do you have the time?" or "Excuse me, (but) can you tell me whether there is a postoffice near here?"
后者是用于咨詢的時候，比如“Excuse me（打擾了），您現在方便么？”，又或者“Excuse me（打擾了），您能告訴最近的郵局在哪么？”
"Excuse me" is also used when it is necessary to disturb others, as when one person interrupts two others speaking:
當需要打斷別人時，也可以用“Excuse me”。例如打斷兩個正在談話的人：
"Excuse me for interrupting, (but) I have to leave now."
“Excuse me for interrupting（打擾一下），我現在必須得走了?！?/div>
Another example of the proper usage of this phrase is when, as a stranger, you want to point something out of benefit to someone, as in "Excuse me, (but) I believe you dropped something out of your wallet."
另外一種使用該短語的合適情形是，當你作為一個陌生人時，想為別人指出某件事情時。比如“打擾了，（但是）您的似乎是從錢包里掉了什么東西?！?/div>
Another common instance of using "Excuse me" is in crowded elevators, stores, or lines when a person needs to get through or get out.
另外一個使用“Excuse me”的常見情形是：在擁擠的電梯里、商店里、排隊時，有人需要離開或者是穿過隊伍。
"Excuse me, (but) this is my floor" is a very handy phrase to learn when in crowded elevators.
“Exucuse me（對不起），（但是）我到了。”，這在擁擠的電梯里是很管用的。
In all these cases, "Pardon me" may also be used; however, it is more often used in British than in American English.
上述情形中，“pardon me”也同樣適用。但是，pardon me在英式英語中更為常見。
When is "I'm sorry" used? For more serious incidents.
什么時候使用“I'm sorry”呢？它適用于更為嚴重的情形。
Stepping on someone's toes on a crowded bus, though not intentional, should elicit an immediate "I'm sorry."
在擁擠的公交上，踩了某人的腳。雖然不是故意的，但也應該立刻說聲“I'm sorry。”
Bumping into someone even on a crowded street where it is difficult not to also calls for "I'm sorry."
在擁擠的街頭，撞了某人。雖然很難避免不撞人，但也需要說聲“I'm sorry”。
Careless or late work in school or in the office requires out apology to teachers, colleagues, or employers.
在工作或者學習上的粗心大意、遲到，也需要像老師、同事或者職員道歉。
Being late for meetings or dates needs both an apology and often either a reason for the tardiness or an explanation of what course of action will be taken to eliminate any future possibility of recurrence.
開會、約會遲到了，道歉的同時還需要解釋下原因，或者保證以后會盡量避免類似的情形。
No one likes to be wronged, intentionally or otherwise.
沒有人喜歡被人誤解，不管是無意的還是別的什么原因。
Saying "I'm sorry" can go a long way towards rectifying an awkward situation.
說聲“I'm sorry”可以緩解尷尬的局面。
Even more importantly, saying "I'm sorry" is necessary when intentional harm has been done.
甚至更重要的是，當有意做了一些壞事，說聲“I'm sorry”是很有必要的。
The borrowing of an item without first informing the owner---who later discovers the "theft" ---can be quite embarrassing.
比如：沒有事先通知別人就將其物品借走—物主事后發現了“小偷”。這是一個很尷尬的情形。
A simple but sincere "I'm sorry" might repair the damage done.
一句簡單但卻真誠的“I'm sorry”可能會彌補之前的錯誤。
Careless comments or insults which offend others may be ameliorated with that simple phrase, though sincerity in voice and gesture make all the difference.
不經意間的評論或者無禮，激怒了對方。也許一句簡單“I'm sorry”就能緩和情形。真誠的言行就能改變很多。
Similarly, young lovers, often exasperated in unrequited love, may purposefully hurt each other, only later to profoundly regret what they had done.
同樣的，年輕人經常陷入暗戀之中。可能會有意地傷害對方，之后只有為自己所做的深感悔恨。
At these times, a heartfelt "I'm sorry" may redress the pain of the one inflicted by lover's arrows.
這個時候，一句發自肺腑的“I'm sorry”可能會減輕愛人刺痛心口的痛楚。
Even better, "Please forgive me" may be used, as it is considered a stronger expression of remorse.
甚至更好的，可以用“Please forgive me”。它包含了更強烈的悔恨情感。
Learning to apologize in another language does not excuse speakers from practicing the same good manners in their mother tongue.
在學習用其他語言的道歉的同時，學習者也應該學會用本國語言誠摯地道歉。
So many people lament the coldness of modern society; human relationships have been worn thin from constant urban pressures.
許多人責備當今現代社會的冷漠。人與人之間的關系由于城市壓力變得越來越生疏。
Part of this problem seems to be that people no longer use such simple words as "please," "thank you", and "I'm sorry".
部分原因是人們不再使用這些簡單的詞語了，比如“請”，“謝謝”，“對不起”。
They cost nothing, but can bring a wealth of pleasure or relief to those who hear them.
這些話不會造成什么損失，但是它會給聽者愉悅感、放松感。
They require little effort, yet these few syllables can enliven someone else's day.
它們只需要費一點點力，這幾個音節就能激活他人的生活。
So, why not use them whenever possible?
所以當有可能時，為什么不說說呢？
| 重點單詞 | 查看全部解釋 | |||
| lament | [lə'ment] |
想一想再看 n. 悲嘆，悔恨，慟哭 |
聯想記憶 | |
| intentional | [in'tenʃənəl] |
想一想再看 adj. 企圖的，策劃的，故意的 |
聯想記憶 | |
| awkward | ['ɔ:kwəd] |
想一想再看 adj. 笨拙的，尷尬的，（設計）別扭的 |
||
| confuse | [kən'fju:z] |
想一想再看 vt. 混淆，使困惑，使混亂 |
聯想記憶 | |
| sincerity | [sin'seriti] |
想一想再看 n. 誠實，真實，誠心誠意 |
||
| urban | ['ə:bən] |
想一想再看 adj. 城市的，都市的 |
聯想記憶 | |
| immediate | [i'mi:djət] |
想一想再看 adj. 立即的，即刻的，直接的，最接近的 |
聯想記憶 | |
| tardiness | ['tɑ:dinis] |
想一想再看 n. 緩慢，遲延 |
||
| careless | ['kɛəlis] |
想一想再看 adj. 粗心的，疏忽的 |
||
| explanation | [.eksplə'neiʃən] |
想一想再看 n. 解釋，說明 |
