歌词
--- lesson 59 Collecting
收藏
--- Listen to the tape then answer the question below.
^听录音，然后回答以下问题。
--- What in particular does a person gain when he or she becomes a serious collector?
People tend to amass possessions, sometimes without being aware of doing so.
^人们喜欢收藏东西，有时并没有意识到自己在这样做。
Indeed they can have a delightful surprise when they find something useful which they did not know they owned.
^确实，一旦无意之中从自己的收藏品中找到某件有用的东西时，可以给人一种惊喜的感觉。
Those who never have to move house become indiscriminate collectors of what can only be described as clutter.
^那些从来不必搬家的人们成了一种无所不容的收藏家。
They leave unwanted objects in drawers, cupboards and attics for years, in the belief that they may one day need just those very things.
^他们专门收藏那些只能被称作杂货的东西。他们在抽屉里、碗柜中、阁楼上堆放着一些不用的东西，一放就是好几年，
As they grow old, people also accumulate belongings for two other reasons,
^相信总有一天需要的正好是那些东西。人们年老之后也喜欢收藏东西，不过是出于两个不同的原因：
lack of physical and mental energy, both of which are essential in turning out and throwing away, and sentiment.
^一是体力，精力均告不佳，这二者是清除无用的东西必不可少的因素；另一原因是感情因素。
Things owned for a long time are full of associations with the past, perhaps with relatives who are dead,
^东西搁得时间久了，便会充满着与过去岁月的联系，比方说与死去的亲戚有关。
and so they gradually acquire a value beyond their true worth.
^因此这些东西慢慢获得了一种超出它本身的价值。
Some things are collected deliberately in the home in an attempt to avoid waste.
^居家度日，有目的地收藏某些东西是为了防止浪费。
Among these I would list string and brown paper,
^这些东西中我想举出线绳和包装纸为例。
kept by thrifty people when a parcel has been opened, to save buying these two requisites.
^节俭的人们打开包裹后便把这两样必备的东西收藏起来。省得日后去买。
Collecting small items can easily become a mania.
^收集小玩艺儿很容易着迷。
I know someone who always cuts sketches out from newspapers of model clothes that she would like to buy if she had the money.
^我认识一个人，她总喜欢从报纸上剪下流行服装的图样，等以后有钱时去买服装。
As she is not rich, the chances that she will ever be able to afford such purchases are remote;
^由于她并不富裕，她买得起这些服装的可能性十分渺茫。
but she is never sufficiently strong-minded to be able to stop the practice.
^但她又缺乏足够坚强的意志把这一收集活动停下来。
It is a harmless habit, but it litters up her desk to such an extent that every time she opens it, loose bits of paper fall out in every direction.
^这种习惯无害，只把写字台里堆得满满当当，以致每次打开抽屉总能带出许多纸片四处飞扬。
Collecting as a serious hobby is quite different and has many advantages.
^作为一种严肃的业余爱好的收藏活动完全是另外一回事，
It provides relaxation for leisure hours, as just looking at one's treasures is always a joy.
^它具有许多益处。它可以使人在闲暇中得到休息，因为欣赏自己收藏的珍品总会充满了乐趣。
One does not have to go outside for amusement, since the collection is housed at home.
^人们不必走到户外去寻求娱乐，因为收藏品都是存放在家中。
Whatever it consists of, stamps, records, first editions of books china,glass,
^不管收藏品是什么，邮票、唱片、头版书籍、瓷器、玻璃杯、
antique furniture, pictures, model cars, stuffed birds, toy animals,
^老式家具、绘画、模型汽车、鸟类标本，还是玩具动物，
there is always something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latest addition, to verifying facts in reference books.
^从为新增添的收藏品寻找摆放位置到核对参考书中的事实，总归有事可做。
This hobby educates one not only in the chosen subject, but also in general matters which have some bearing on it.
^这种爱好不仅能使人从选择的专题中受到教育，而且也能从与之有关的一般事物中获得长进。
There are also other benefits.
^除此之外，还有其他的益处。
One wants to meet like-minded collectors, to get advice, to compare notes, to exchange articles, to show off the latest find.
^收藏者要会见情趣相投的收藏者，以获取教益、流经验、交换收藏品、炫耀自己的最新收藏。
So one's circle of friends grows.
^朋友的圈子就这样不断扩大。
Soon the hobby leads to travel, perhaps to a meeting in another town, possibly a trip abroad in search of a rare specimen,
^用不了多久，有这种爱好的人便开始旅行，也许是去另一个城市参加会议，也可能是出国寻找一件珍品，
for collectors are not confined to any one country.
^因为收藏家是不分国籍的。
Over the years, one may well become an authority on one's hobby and will very probably be asked to give informal talks to little gatherings and then,
^一人积了多年经验会成为自己这种爱好的权威，很可能应邀在小型集会上作非正式的讲话。
if successful, to larger audiences.
^如果讲得好，可能向更多人发表演说。
In this way self-confidence grows, first from mastering a subject, then from being able to talk about it.
^这样，你自信心不断增强，先是因为掌握了一门学问，接下来是因为能够就此发表见解。
Collecting, by occupying spare time so constructively, makes a person contented, with no time for boredom.
^收藏活动通过富有建设性地利用业余时间使人感到心满意足，不再有无聊之日。
专辑信息