I'm Neil. Joining me is Catherine. Hi Catherine.

我是尼爾和我一起的是凱瑟琳。嗨，凱瑟琳。

Hello Neil and hello everybody. Yes, today's show is all about protests

尼爾你好，大家好。是的，今天的節目是關於抗議活動的

and demonstrations that took place in Russia over the weekend.

和週末在俄羅斯發生的示威活動。

If you'd like to test yourself on the vocabulary you learn in this programme,

如果你想測試一下自己在這個節目中學到的詞彙量。

there's a quiz on our website at bbclearningenglish.com.

在我們的網站上有一個測驗在bbclearningenglish.com。

Now, let's find out some more about the story from this BBC News report:

現在，讓我們從BBC新聞的這篇報道中瞭解更多的故事。

So, Alexei Navalny, the high profile critic of Vladimir Putin,

所以，阿列克謝-納瓦爾尼，普京的高調批評者。

returned to Russia just over a week ago.

一個多星期前回到俄羅斯。

He was arrested when he arrived in the country

他在抵達該國時被逮捕

and protestors have come out onto the streets of Russia

抗議者紛紛走上俄羅斯的街頭

in response to his requests for demonstrations.

應他提出的示威要求。

Now, these protests have taken place in hundreds of locations around the country.

現在，這些抗議活動已經在全國數百個地方發生。

In Moscow, the riot police were out.

在莫斯科，防暴警察出動了。

They beat and dragged away some of the demonstrators.

他們毆打併拖走了一些示威者。

Observers are saying these are the largest protests

觀察家們說，這些是最大規模的抗議活動。

that have happened in the country for about ten years.

在國內發生了十年左右的。

OK. Some really interesting language being used

好的。一些非常有趣的語言被使用

in the headlines around this story.

在圍繞這個故事的頭條新聞中。

You've found three: what have you got, Catherine?

你已經找到了三個：你有什麼，凱瑟琳？

Yes. We have: 'spell the end', 'downplays' and 'echoes'.

是的，我們有：我們有。"拼到底"，"輕描淡寫 "和 "呼應"。

'Spell the end', 'downplays' and 'echoes'.

'拼到底'，'淡化'和'呼應'。

So, let's start then with your first headline please.

那麼，讓我們從你的第一個標題開始吧，請。

Yes. We're starting with The Independent, here in the UK – the headline:

是的，我們從英國的《獨立報》開始。我們從英國的《獨立報》開始報道 -- 頭條新聞。

'Spell the end' – indicate a major change is going to happen.

'拼到底'--表示要發生重大變化。

Yes. Now, it's a three-word expression:

是的，現在，這是一個三個字的表述：現在，這是一個三個字的表達。

'spell' – S-P-E-L-L – 'the' – T-H-E – and 'end' – E-N-D. 'Spell the end.'

"拼"--S-P-E-L-L - "the"--T-H-E - "end"--E-N-D。'拼到底'。

OK. Well, the first word there is 'spell', which is something that you have just done

好了，第一個詞是 "拼"，也就是你剛剛做的事情。好吧，第一個詞是 "拼寫"，這是你剛剛做的事情

and the effect of 'spelling' something is to make it really clear, isn't it?

而 "拼 "東西的效果就是讓它真正的清楚，不是嗎？

Exactly that, yes. When you spell out a word, you say those letters

就是這樣，是的。當你拼出一個單詞的時候，你會說那些字母。

that make up the word one by one so it's really clear how you actually make that word.

組成一個個的字，所以真的很清楚你到底是怎麼做這個字的。

And if something 'spells the end' for something, it makes it very, very clear

而如果某件事情的'終結'，就會讓它變得非常、非常清楚。

that something – this thing is going to finish or come to an end.

有些東西--這件事要結束了，或者說要結束了。

Yes. And we use the preposition 'for', don't we, in this expression?

是的，我們用的是介詞 "為"，不是嗎？我們用的是介詞 "為"，對吧，在這個表達中？

Yeah. Your can – something can 'spell the end for' something else.

是啊，你可以...你的可以--某些東西可以 "拼死 "其他東西。

One event can make it clear that another situation will finish.

一件事可以明確另一種情況將完成。

So, for example, it is hoped by millions of people that the...

所以，比如說，千千萬萬的人都希望，...

the development of vaccines for coronavirus will 'spell the end' for the pandemic.

冠狀病毒疫苗的開發將為這一流行病 "畫上句號"。

Yes, that's a really good example, yes. The pandemic has been going on for a while.

是的，這是一個非常好的例子，是的。這場大流行已經持續了一段時間。

There is lots of hope that the vaccines will bring the pandemic to an end:

有很多希望，疫苗將結束這種流行病。

that the vaccines will 'spell an end' for the pandemic.

疫苗將 "終結 "這一流行病。

Likewise, electric cars may well 'spell the end' for the petrol engine.

同樣，電動汽車也很可能為汽油發動機 "拼命"。

Another good example, yes.

又是一個很好的例子，是的。

Now, the word 'spell' that starts this expression

現在，這個詞的開頭是 "咒語"。

is both regular and irregular in the past, isn't it?

是過去的規律和不規律，不是嗎？

Interesting word, yes. The past of 'spell' is 'spelt' – S-P-E-L-T.

有趣的詞，是的。'拼'的過去是'spelt'--S-P-E-L-T。

But it can also be 'spelled' – S-P-E-L-L-E-D.

但也可以 "拼"--S-P-E-L-L-E-D。

'Spelt' or 'spelled': both have the same meaning. You can use whichever one you like.

'spelt'或'spelled'：兩者意思相同。你可以使用你喜歡的任何一個。

OK. Let's get a summary:

好了，我們來總結一下：讓我們來總結一下。

If you are interested in stories about protests, we have another one, haven't we Catherine?

如果你對抗議的故事感興趣，我們還有一個故事，不是嗎，凱瑟琳？

We do. This is an archive story about protests in Belarus.

是的 We do.這是一個關於白俄羅斯抗議活動的檔案故事 This is an archive story about protests in Belarus.

If you want to see that story just click the link.

如果你想看那篇報道，就點擊鏈接吧。

OK. Now, your second headline please.

好了，現在，你的第二個標題現在，你的第二個標題請。

And we're right here at the BBC for this one – the headline:

我們現在就在BBC為大家報道這條新聞--頭條。

'Downplays' – makes something seem less important than it is.

Yes. Two-word expression here, but it is written as one word:

是的，這裡是兩個字的表達，但寫成一個字。

'down' – D-O-W-N – 'plays' – P-L-A-Y-S.

"下"--D-O-W-N--"戲"--P-L-A-Y-S。

Put them together and you have the verb: 'downplays'.

把它們放在一起，就有了動詞："淡化"。

Now, the first part of that word – 'down' – it's quite clear to see

現在，這個詞的第一部分--"下降"--很清楚地看到了。

that this carries the meaning of 'reduce': reduce something in importance.

這帶著'減少'的意思：減少某些東西的重要性。

But 'plays' – how does that work?

但'玩'--怎麼玩？

Yes. 'Plays' is interesting, isn't it? Well, 'plays' – when you 'play' a game

是的，"遊戲 "很有趣，不是嗎？嗯，"遊戲"--當你 "玩 "一個遊戲的時候

you often use strategy, don't you, in order to win the game?

你經常使用策略，不是嗎，為了贏得比賽？

The best technique that gets you the result you want.

最好的技術，讓你得到你想要的結果。

And if you 'downplay' something, it's really to do with a strategy

而如果你 "淡化 "一些東西，那其實是與策略有關的

for getting the result you want and if the result you want

以獲得您想要的結果，如果您想要的結果是...。

depends on somebody thinking that something's not important,

取決於有人認為某事不重要。

you're going to 'downplay' the importance of that.

你要'淡化'這個的重要性。

You're going to minimise the importance so that you get what you want.

你要把重要性降到最低，這樣才能得到你想要的東西。

So, it's a kind of strategy-related word.

所以，這是一種與戰略相關的詞彙。

OK. So, we can again use the example of coronavirus:

好了，我們可以再以冠狀病毒為例：那麼，我們可以再以冠狀病毒為例。

from the beginning and up to now there are some people

自始至終都有一些人

who 'downplay' the threat of coronavirus.

誰'淡化'冠狀病毒的威脅。

There are, yes. A lot of people 'downplay' the threat of coronavirus:

有，是的。很多人都會 "淡化 "冠狀病毒的威脅。

for various reasons they want people to believe

出於各種原因，他們希望人們相信

that it's not that serious or not that important.

這不是那麼嚴重或不那麼重要。

OK. So, we have this word 'downplay' – so the opposite surely, Catherine, must be 'up-play'?

好吧，我們有 "淡化 "這個詞。所以，我們有這個詞 "輕描淡寫"--所以相反的肯定，凱瑟琳，一定是 "重寫"？

You'd like to think so, yes, but I think it's not actually.

你想這麼想，是的，但我覺得其實不是。

You can't say 'downplay' is... 'up-play' is the opposite.

你不能說 "淡化 "是... ...'up -play'是相反的。

But we do have some expressions you can use:

但我們有一些表達方式可以使用。

very informally, you can say 'to big up'

捧場

and if you 'big up something' or you 'big something up'

如果你 "大肆宣揚什麼"，或者你 "大肆宣揚什麼

you make it seem more important than perhaps someone else thinks it is.

你讓它看起來比也許別人認為的更重要。

Other words: you can 'play something up', you can 'talk something up' as well,

其他的話：你可以'玩點什麼'，你也可以'說點什麼'。

so a few phrasal verbs you can use there to make... which... as the opposite of 'downplay'.

所以，一些短語動詞，你可以用在那裡，使... 這... 作為相反的 "淡化"。

OK. And now, this word 'downplay', it's neither formal nor informal;

好的。現在，這個 "輕描淡寫 "這個詞，它既不正式也不非正式。

it could be used in any kind of situation.

它可以在任何情況下使用。

Yeah, of course. Yes, I mean it's a politician's word, you know.

是的，當然。 - 是的，我的意思是，這是一個政治家的話，你知道。是的，我的意思是，這是一個政治家的話，你知道。

People love the... politicians always 'downplay' things that aren't to their advantage

人們喜歡... 政客們總是 "淡化 "那些對他們不利的事情。

and then 'big up' other things, but let's say your kids don't want to go to bed, Neil:

然後 "大 "了其他的事情， 但讓我們說你的孩子 不想去睡覺，尼爾。

they want to watch something on TV and you don't want them to stay up late,

他們想在電視上看點東西，你又不想讓他們熬夜。

so you're going to 'downplay' the importance of the programme they want to watch.

所以你要 "淡化 "他們想看的節目的重要性。

So, you'll say: 'Oh it's not so good.'

所以，你會說："哦，這不是很好。

Or: 'We can watch it another time. You won't like it anyway.'

或者："我們可以改天再看。反正你也不會喜歡。

It's a way of 'downplaying' something to get the result you want.

這是一種 "淡化 "某件事情以達到你想要的結果的方法。

Yeah. And they will never forgive me...!

是啊，他們永遠不會原諒我...他們永遠不會原諒我... !

OK. Let's get a summary:

好了，我們來總結一下：讓我們來總結一下。

We have a News Review with an example of some people 'downplaying' an event.

我們有一篇新聞評論，其中就有一些人 "淡化 "事件的例子。

It was when the tennis player Novac Djokovic hit someone with the ball accidentally.

那是網球運動員諾瓦茨-德約科維奇不小心用球砸到了人。

Where can they find it, Catherine?

他們在哪裡可以找到它，凱瑟琳？

You can find it by clicking the link.

你可以通過點擊鏈接找到它。

I should say Djokovic didn't actually 'downplay' the incident himself:

應該說德約科維奇本人其實並沒有 "淡化 "這件事。

he was very apologetic about hitting somebody with a tennis ball,

他對用網球打人的事非常抱歉。

but other people did downplay it, so click the link and you'll find out more.

但其他人確實淡化了它，所以點擊鏈接，你會發現更多。

Absolutely. OK. Let's move onto our next headline please.

當然可以好吧，那我們就進入下一個標題吧讓我們進入下一個標題，請。

And in the UK with The Financial Times – this headline:

而在英國的《金融時報》--這個頭條。

'Echoes' – reminders of past events.

'回聲'--提醒過去的事件。

Yes. 'Echoes' – E-C-H-O-E-S: this is a noun. It can also be a verb.

是的，"回聲"--E-C-H-O-E-S：這是一個名詞。也可以是動詞。

Neil, if you go into a very, very large room with a high ceiling,

尼爾，如果你走進一個非常非常大的房間，天花板很高。

no doors – all the doors are closed – and you shout, 'NEWS REVIEW!'

沒有門--所有的門都關著--你大喊，"新聞評論！

What will you hear?

你會聽到什麼？

...NEWS REVIEW! News review... news review... news...

...新聞回顧!新聞評論... 新聞評論... 新聞... ...

Yes, I hear 'echoes'.

是的，我聽到了 "回聲"。

You do. It's the sound being repeated and repeated:

你會的。這是被重複和重複的聲音。

exactly the same sound again and again.

一模一樣的聲音一遍又一遍。

A lovely natural phenomenon is the echo and we're using it here

一個可愛的自然現象是回聲，我們在這裡使用它。

to describe when an event appears to happen again,

來形容某件事情再次出現時。

or it's a reminder of a previous event.

或者是對之前事件的提醒。

It's very similar to something that's happened in the past.

這和過去發生的事情非常相似。

In this case, the comparison is the protests that are happening,

在這種情況下，比較的是正在發生的抗議活動。

or that happened at the weekend in Russia,

或週末在俄羅斯發生的。

to previous protests that happened in Belarus.

對以前在白俄羅斯發生的抗議活動。

Yeah and so it's the idea of repetition that connects

是的，所以它是重複的想法，連接了

the literal meaning to this figurative meaning.

的字面意思到這個形象的意思。

Exactly that, yes.

正是如此，是的。

OK. We say in this expression an 'echo' of something 'in' something else.

好的。我們說在這個表達中，一個 "回聲 "的東西 "在 "別的東西。

You do, yes. It can be an 'echo' of one thing 'in' something else.

你會的，是的。它可以是一件事的 "回聲"，"在 "別的東西。

So, '80s pop music for example:

所以，80年代的流行音樂為例。

I know you're a big fan, aren't you Neil, of '80s pop music?

我知道你是80年代流行音樂的忠實粉絲，不是嗎，尼爾？

Well, I grew up with it.

好吧，我長大了它。

And you can... some people say you can hear 'echoes'

而且你可以... 有人說你可以聽到 "回聲

of that pop music – '80s music – in some of today's pop music.

在今天的一些流行音樂中，80年代的音樂。

You can. There are definitely 'echoes' of '80s pop

你可以。絕對有80年代流行樂的 "回聲

in some of the current output by some of the bands around today.

在目前周圍一些樂隊的輸出中，今天。

And it means reminders of that music: certain things in the music,

而這意味著對那段音樂的提醒：音樂中的某些東西。

which make you remember or sound similar to music from the past.

讓你想起或聽起來像過去的音樂。

And this figurative use of 'echo' can also be used as a verb,

而這個 "回聲 "的形象用法也可以作為動詞使用。

so we can say that someone 'echoes' someone's opinion:

所以我們可以說，有人 "呼應 "了別人的意見。

it means they repeat their opinion.

這意味著他們重複他們的意見。

Yes, absolutely. And we get... we could also talk about 'echo chambers'

是的，絕對的。我們還可以談談 "迴音室

and an 'echo chamber' is a forum or an arena, especially on social media,

而 "迴音室 "就是一個論壇或舞臺，尤其是在社交媒體上。

where you only talk to people who share your opinions and share your views.

在這裡，你只和那些和你有相同觀點的人交談，分享你的看法。

So, you don't listen to or you don't become exposed to opposite

所以，你不聽或者不接觸到相反的東西。

or different ideas and views, and therefore your ideas get stronger

或不同的想法和觀點，是以你的想法會變得更加強烈

because you only speak to people with the same ideas as you: an 'echo chamber'.

因為你只和和你有同樣想法的人說話："迴音室"。

That idea of repetition again.

這種想法又是重複的。

Yes.

是的，我知道

OK. Let's have a summary:

好了，我們來總結一下：讓我們來總結一下。

Time now for a recap of the vocabulary please, Catherine.

現在是時候回顧一下詞彙了，凱瑟琳。

Yes. We have 'spell the end' – indicate a major change is going to happen.

是的，我們有 "咒語結束"--表示要發生重大變化。我們有 "拼到底"--表示要發生重大變化。

We have 'downplays' – makes something seem less important than it is.

And 'echoes' – reminders of past events.

而 "回聲"--提醒過去的事件。

Don't forget to test yourself on the vocabulary:

不要忘了測試自己的詞彙量。

there's a quiz on our website bbclearningenglish.com

在我們的網站bbclearningenglish.com上有一個測驗。

and we are all over social media. Thanks for joining us.

而且我們在社交媒體上都有。謝謝你加入我們。

See you next time and stay safe. Bye.

下次見，注意安全。拜拜

Goodbye!

再見！