第7章 The Question of Background

If your reading in English is not confined to[1] things written by Chinese about Chinese life-I hope it is not[2]-you must often meet with difficulties quite apart from[3] the meanings of words and phrases.These difficulties arise from what I call for want of a better term[4] the background[5] of English,which I believe deserves the attention of [6] all learners of English-all[7] but those who do not care to[8] read anything in English that is not written by Chinese writers on Chinese subjects.

By the background of English I mean[9] the sum total[10] of all points other than[11] linguistic that are quite natural to those born to the language and brought up on it[12].For example,the name Grub Street-a London street (now called Milton Street) formerly much inhabited by[13] writers of small histories,dictionaries,and temporary poems and so giving rise to[14] its use as an epithet referring to[15] literary hackwork.

The subject is indeed a very large one.It includes history,geography,mythology,the Bible,characters and facts in fiction,proverbs,customs,games and sports,superstitions,and other things.And in order to understand fully the works of any author,one needs to possess as much knowledge of these things as he does.This is practically impossible[16] with the average Chinese learner of English.

What I think must be considered carefully[17] is what parts of the background of English are more important and how they may be made available to Chinese learners so as to enable them to read general literature in English.Would you like to acquire such a knowledge?

NOTES

[1]is not confined to 并不限于

[2]not=not confined to things written by Chinese about Chinese life.

[3]apart from 与……无关的

[4]for want of a better term 因为没有更好的名称

[5]background 这是“call”的补语

[6]deserves the attention of 值得……的注意

[7]all=all students of English.

[8]do not care to … 不想……，不喜欢……

[9]By the background of English I mean … 我所说的英语的背景就是……

[10]sum total 总量

[11]other than 不是

[12]those born to the language and brought up on it 那些生来就用英语并在成长过程中使用英语的人们

[13]inhabited by 被……居住的

[14]giving rise to 致成

[15]referring to 关于

[16]practically impossible 几乎不可能的

[17]What I think must be considered carefully 我认为必须仔细考虑的