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Joint Venture: Advice for Joint Venture: Advice for Experts Working with ThaisExperts Working with Thais

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Passage IPassage I

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About Thailand A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century; it was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. It is situated in Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma. Its total area is 514,000 sq km, with a population of more than 60,000,000 people. Thailand has rich natural resources, including tin, rubber, natural gas, and some rare metals.

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Joint Venture: Advice for Experts working with Thais

The recovery of Thailand's economy has created significant direct foreign investment. Many Thai organizations have been transformed from purely Thai owned to

partially foreign owned companies. Many experts entered these joint-venture organizations and if you were one of them, perhaps you would find that you had much to learn about the new environment in which you found yourself. The beauty of working with Thai colleagues is their hospitality, politeness, and willingness to compromise -- all character traits that are deeply ingrained in the Thai culture. As a manager, you may find that you are shown greater respect and command a higher degree of obedience than you would expect in a more liberalized society.

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Nevertheless, there are, as they say, two sides to every coin. In Thailand, the flip side is that experts who are new to Thailand often find working with Thais rather frustrating. In general, however, many of the problems they face can be explained by examining the office culture common to many wholly Thai-owned firms before the joint venture arrangement.

In Thai companies, staff are not encouraged to think for themselves. The bureaucratic system of company management has no place for individual thinkers. Following the company line is far more prevalent. Therefore, do not be surprised at the look of blank discomfort and the deafening sound of silence if you pointedly ask a Thai colleague, "What do you think?".

Thai schools do not emphasize analytical skills. The learning method is by rote, learning by memorizing great tracts of text. Asking, "What do you know about this?" may elicit a far more useful



response than the previous example. Instead of placing the Thai in the uncomfortable position of having to state an opinion, you are merely asking him or her to repeat back whatever input they have had on the subject. This is far closer to the kind of exchange your Thai colleagues will be used to throughout their formative school years. One recollection from our education system is that too much attention was paid to the "right" answer. This kind of syndrome blocks creativity and the ability to think independently. You may need to inform Thai staff that you expect them to change their behavior from doing to thinking. Try telling them not to come to you with a problem but to come with a solution. You may also instruct Thai staff to have information to back up their proposals. Encouraging Thai colleagues to look for various alternatives, instead of one "cast-in-stone" correct answer, may be an effective method of extracting their input.



In many Thai organizations, there might be extensive data but not a lot of meaningful information. In some cases, what data does exist is completely unreliable. These Thai organizations have not developed a proper information infrastructure, and it is therefore advisable not to rely too heavily on statistics or raw data. One must always validate and verify.

Often new expert managers are perplexed by the English writing style of their Thai colleagues. As the Thai education system encourages very formal prose, a report written in English by a Thai may seem very ostentatious. In fact, as there are so many formal and flowery phrases in the Thai language, even Thais can have difficulty deciphering the exact meaning intended by another Thai's writing!

Bear in mind that apart from the habits formed in school, your Thai colleagues are also writing in a second language. It would be far



more productive to encourage a straightforward and simple style from the start than shoot your subordinates down in flames for trying too hard. One company I know went to the extreme of hiring one specialist to act as Communication Manager to handle all Thai/English correspondence. Certainly, this would not hurt productivity and can only help both internal and external communication.



Important WordsImportant Words

transform v. --completely change the appearance or character of sth/sb 彻底改变，转换

A fresh coat of paint can transform a room.

She used to be terribly shy, but a year abroad has completely

transformed her.

ExamplesExamples



compromise v. --settle a dispute by middle course acceptable to all s

ides 妥协，折衷

I wanted to go to Greece, and my wife wanted to go to Spain,

so we compromised on Italy.

They argued about the problem for a long time, but with no

result. At last they have to compromise on the hard-fought

text.

ExamplesExamples


obedience n. --action of obeying, being obedient 服从，顺从，听话

The commanding officer expected unquestioning obedience

from his men.

He whistled, and the dog came with obedience.

ExamplesExamples



prevalent a. -- (among/in sth/sb) existing or happening generally;

widespread 普遍的；流行的；盛行的

Smog is more prevalent in the big cities.

Is malaria still prevalent among the population here?

ExamplesExamples



block v. -- hinder; obstruct; prevent from doing 阻碍，阻止，阻塞

Heavy snow is blocking all roads into Scotland.

Progress in the talks was blocked by the intervention from the

headquarters.

ExamplesExamples



validate v. -- ratify; make sth. legally valid 使有效；使有法律效力；使合法化

Both sides are trying their best to validate the agreement.

They made every effort to validate the new contract.

ExamplesExamples



verify v. -- check; make sure that (sth) is true or accurate 证实，核实，查对

The computer verified that/whether the data was loaded

correctly.

The secretary of the company is verifying the figures, details,

etc of a report.

ExamplesExamples



perplex v. -- feel puzzled or confused; bewilder 使迷惑；使困惑

We were perplexed by his failure to answer this question.

The whole affair is very perplexing.

ExamplesExamples



decipher v. -- succeed in understanding (a coded message, bad

handwriting, etc) 译解（密码）；辨认（潦草的字迹）

I can’t decipher what is inscribed in the pillar.

Can you decipher her scrawl?

ExamplesExamples



Difficult SentencesDifficult Sentences

Many experts entered these joint-venture organizations and if you were one of them, perhaps you would find that you had much to learn about the new environment in which you found yourself.

if you were…, perhaps you would find …is in subjunctive mood to express an unreal condition.

in which you find yourself is a relative clause modifying environment. Find oneself in a new environment means be in a new environment.

TranslationTranslation

许多专家来到这些合资企业工作 , 如果你是其中一员 , 也许你会发现 , 就你所处的新环境 , 你还有很多东西需要了解。


Many experts entered these joint-venture organizations and if you were one of them, perhaps you would find that you had much to learn about the new environment in which you found yourself.

ExampleExample

If I were you, I would reconsider the situation in which we might find ourselves.



Nevertheless, there are, as they say, two sides to every coin.

Nevertheless is a conjunct denoting a contrast of this sentence to the previous one. It means “however, in spite of ”,“ 然而” in Chinese. Note that nevertheless can be used together with but and that in there are two sides to every coin, the preposition used is to. As they say is a parenthesis..


但是，正如人们常说的那样，凡事都有两面性。



Nevertheless, there are, as they say, two sides to every coin.

ExampleExample

There is no news, but nevertheless we are still hoping.



Therefore, do not be surprised at the look of blank, discomfort and the deafening sound of silence if you pointedly ask a Thai colleague, "What do you think?".

This is an imperative sentence. In imperative sentences, the subject is always omitted.


因此，如果你直接问一位泰国同事：“你是怎么想的 ?” ，要是他面无表情，局促不安，而且沉默不语，你可不要感到惊讶。



Therefore, do not be surprised at the look of blank, discomfort and the deafening sound of silence if you pointedly ask a Thai colleague, "What do you think?".

ExampleExample

Don’t trouble to come over yourself, I will send it back to you soon.



Asking, "What do you know about this?" may elicit a far more useful response than the previous example.

The V-ing phrase Asking, “What do you know about this?” is used as the subject of this sentence.


问一声“这个问题你了解多少 ?” ，得到的回答也许比前面一个例子要有用得多。

Far is used for emphasis of the degree of comparison.



Asking, "What do you know about this?" may elicit a far more useful response than the previous example.

ExampleExample

This text is far more difficult than the previous one.



You may need to inform Thai staff that you expect them to change their behavior from doing to thinking.

The word inform takes two objects, an indirect object Thai staff and a direct object that you expect … Expect sb to do sth means “to hope that sb. will do sth.”.


或许你有必要告诉泰国同事，你希望他们不光会干活，还要思考。



You may need to inform Thai staff that you expect them to change their behavior from doing to thinking.

ExampleExample

You may need to inform our students that you expect them to think for themselves instead of strictly following the teacher’s instructions.



Try telling them not to come to you with a problem but to come with a solution.

Try doing sth. means “do sth. to see whether it is satisfactory, effective, enjoyable etc.” Try to do sth. means “make an effort to do sth.”.


试着告诉他们不要只带着问题来找你，还要提出解决办法。

Not … but is used in combination to denote a contrast.



Try telling them not to come to you with a problem but to come with a solution.

ExampleExample

Try persuading them not to refuse but to accept our proposal.



In some cases, what data does exist is completely unreliable.


有时，即使是现存的资料也完全不可靠。

Does is used here for emphasis.



In some cases, what data does exist is completely unreliable.

ExampleExample

She did write to tell us what happened in the Gulf War.



In fact, as there are so many formal and flowery phrases in the Thai language, even Thais can have difficulty deciphering the exact meaning intended by another Thai's writing!

This is a complex sentence. The main clause is even Thai can have difficulty…


事实上，由于泰语中有大量刻板而又花哨的用法，甚至连泰国人自己都难以准确解释自己同胞所写的文字要表达的确切意思。

have difficulty doing sth. We can also say have difficulty in doing sth…

Intended by another Thai's writing is a past participle phrase used to modify the word meaning.



In fact, as there are so many formal and flowery phrases in the Thai language, even Thais can have difficulty deciphering the exact meaning intended by another Thai's writing.

ExampleExample

We will have no difficulty (in) finding an apartment to rent.



It would be far more productive to encourage a straightforward and simple style from the start than shoot your subordinates down in flames for trying too hard.

It here is used as a formal subject, and the real subject is the infinitive phrase to encourage a straightforward and simple style.


从一开始就鼓励你的属下使用直截了当的文体比由于他们对文字刻意加工而对他们严加训斥要有效得多。

Shoot … down means “severely criticize” and far is used to introduce the reason for the criticism.



It would be far more productive to encourage a straightforward and simple style from the start than shoot your subordinates down in flames for trying too hard.

ExampleExample

It is far more useful for us to give the students some guides in their study than simply tell them everything directly.



PracticePractice

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Ex. 1Ex. 1 Choose the best answer according to the passage.Choose the best answer according to the passage.

1. Many foreign experts have come to work in Thailand because 1. Many foreign experts have come to work in Thailand because

_________. _________.

a. they like the culture of Thailanda. they like the culture of Thailand

b. Thailand has established many joint ventures b. Thailand has established many joint ventures

c. Thais work very hardc. Thais work very hard

d. they like to work with polite people d. they like to work with polite people

1. Many foreign experts have come to work in Thailand because 1. Many foreign experts have come to work in Thailand because

_________. _________.

a. they like the culture of Thailanda. they like the culture of Thailand

b. Thailand has established many joint ventures b. Thailand has established many joint ventures

c. Thais work very hardc. Thais work very hard

d. they like to work with polite peopled. they like to work with polite people



2. Which of the following is one of Thai’s cultural traits?2. Which of the following is one of Thai’s cultural traits?

a. Politeness. a. Politeness.

b. Independent thinking.b. Independent thinking.

c. Humor.c. Humor.

d. Open-mindedness.d. Open-mindedness.

2. Which of the following is one of Thai’s cultural traits?2. Which of the following is one of Thai’s cultural traits?

a. Politeness.a. Politeness.

b. Independent thinking.b. Independent thinking.

c. Humor.c. Humor.

d. Open-mindedness.d. Open-mindedness.



3. Experts who are new to Thailand often feel frustrated 3. Experts who are new to Thailand often feel frustrated

because of the following except that _________.because of the following except that _________.

a. Thais tend to ask for an unreasonable rise of paya. Thais tend to ask for an unreasonable rise of pay

b. Thais have no intention to compromiseb. Thais have no intention to compromise

c. Thais often come to the experts with problemsc. Thais often come to the experts with problems

d. Thais don’t like to express their own ideasd. Thais don’t like to express their own ideas

3. Experts who are new to Thailand often feel frustrated 3. Experts who are new to Thailand often feel frustrated

because of the following except that _________.because of the following except that _________.

a. Thais tend to ask for an unreasonable rise of paya. Thais tend to ask for an unreasonable rise of pay

b. Thais have no intention to compromiseb. Thais have no intention to compromise

c. Thais often come to the experts with problemsc. Thais often come to the experts with problems

d. Thais don’t like to express their own ideasd. Thais don’t like to express their own ideas



4. The author thinks that the data provided by the Thai 4. The author thinks that the data provided by the Thai

organizations are______.organizations are______.

a. reliable a. reliable

b. uselessb. useless

c. doubtfulc. doubtful

d. completely fictionald. completely fictional

4. The author thinks that the data provided by the Thai 4. The author thinks that the data provided by the Thai

organizations are______.organizations are______.

a. reliable a. reliable

b. uselessb. useless

c. doubtfulc. doubtful

d. completely fictionald. completely fictional



5. The author thinks Thai’s business English writing style is 5. The author thinks Thai’s business English writing style is

generally ______.generally ______.

a. straightforward a. straightforward

b. simpleb. simple

c. floweryc. flowery

d. easyd. easy

5. The author thinks Thai’s business English writing style is 5. The author thinks Thai’s business English writing style is

generally ______.generally ______.

a. straightforward a. straightforward

b. simpleb. simple

c. floweryc. flowery

d. easyd. easy



6. In the article, the author thinks the current education system 6. In the article, the author thinks the current education system

is _______.is _______.

a. perfect a. perfect

b. stereotypedb. stereotyped

c. unsatisfactoryc. unsatisfactory

d. stranged. strange

6. In the article, the author thinks the current education system 6. In the article, the author thinks the current education system

is _______.is _______.

a. perfect a. perfect

b. stereotypedb. stereotyped

c. unsatisfactoryc. unsatisfactory

d. stranged. strange


Ex. 2Ex. 2 Complete the statements with the information Complete the statements with the information obtained from the passage. obtained from the passage.

1.Many of the Thai businesses have been transformed 1.Many of the Thai businesses have been transformed

from ________________ to ___________________since from ________________ to ___________________since

foreign investment began in Thailand.foreign investment began in Thailand.

2.As a manager, you will find your staff show you more 2.As a manager, you will find your staff show you more

__________________ in Thailand.__________________ in Thailand.

3.The bureaucratic system of company management in 3.The bureaucratic system of company management in

Thailand has no place for__________________.Thailand has no place for__________________.

purely Thai-owned partially foreign-owned

respect and obedience

individual thinking


Ex. 2Ex. 2 Complete the statements with the information obtained Complete the statements with the information obtained from the passage. from the passage.

4.The learning method in Thailand schools is________.4.The learning method in Thailand schools is________.

5.Thai staff often give some proposals without enough 5.Thai staff often give some proposals without enough

_________to support them._________to support them.

6.A business report written by a Thai secretary may be very 6.A business report written by a Thai secretary may be very

ostentatious, for Thais are encouraged to learn to write ostentatious, for Thais are encouraged to learn to write

___________prose in school.___________prose in school.

by rote

information

very formal


1.1. He does odd jobs that _________about 500 yuan each montHe does odd jobs that _________about 500 yuan each month to support his family.h to support his family. bring in bring in

transformtransform elicit elicit verify verify perplex perplex bring in bring intrait obediencetrait obedience block block decipher decipher back up back up

2.2. One of his attractive ______is helping people in trouble.One of his attractive ______is helping people in trouble.

traits traits

Ex. 3Ex. 3 Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions given Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions given below. Change the form where necessary.below. Change the form where necessary.


3.3. The commanding officer expected unquestioning The commanding officer expected unquestioning ______from his men.______from his men. obedience obedience

4.4. Heavy snow ______ all the roads into Scotland.Heavy snow ______ all the roads into Scotland.

has blockedhas blocked




5.5. The statistics ________that the data was correct.The statistics ________that the data was correct.

verified verified

6.6. We were ______by his failure to answer the letter We were ______by his failure to answer the letter promptly.promptly.

perplexedperplexed




7.7. Professor Wang’s lecture _____ applause and laughter Professor Wang’s lecture _____ applause and laughter from the audience.from the audience. elicited elicited

8.8. A typed name is also required as some handwritten ones A typed name is also required as some handwritten ones are too difficult to ________. are too difficult to ________.

decipher decipher




9.9. If you tell the police about the story, I will certainly ____ If you tell the police about the story, I will certainly ____ you ___.you ___. back …..upback …..up

10.10. A fresh coat of paint will ______a room.A fresh coat of paint will ______a room.

transform transform




“ “Joint venture” has now become a fashionable term that can Joint venture” has now become a fashionable term that can be heard be heard 11.________ in China. Indeed, the fame of .________ in China. Indeed, the fame of 22. ________. ___________ is deserved. Before 1998, they ushered in 70 percent of Chi___ is deserved. Before 1998, they ushered in 70 percent of China’s total foreign direct na’s total foreign direct 33. _________, serving as a driving forc. _________, serving as a driving force behind its impressive economic growth. Foreign investors inte behind its impressive economic growth. Foreign investors introduced management expertise and high-end technology throuroduced management expertise and high-end technology through joint ventures to help them in gh joint ventures to help them in 44. ________ access. “Over the . ________ access. “Over the years, most of the joint ventures have been win-win years, most of the joint ventures have been win-win 55. _______. ___________,” said Jin Boshen, director of the Department of Foreign ____,” said Jin Boshen, director of the Department of Foreign Investment under the ChineseInvestment under the Chinese

lose everywhere investment market company lose everywhere investment market company wholly-owned joint venture partnership local introducewholly-owned joint venture partnership local introduce

everywhere everywhere

Ex. 4Ex. 4 Complete the following passage by filling in the blanks Complete the following passage by filling in the blanks with the words given in the table. with the words given in the table.

a joint venturea joint ventureinvestment investment

market market

partnershipspartnerships


Academy of International Trade Economic Co-operation. But Academy of International Trade Economic Co-operation. But as foreign as foreign 66.__________ increasingly feel at home in the Chines.__________ increasingly feel at home in the Chinese market after years of cautious exploration, the e market after years of cautious exploration, the 77. _______ pa. _______ partners, who first ushered them into the country, are rtners, who first ushered them into the country, are 88. _______. ________ their allure_ their allure （魅力）（魅力） . A sign of changing came last year whe. A sign of changing came last year when new n new 99. ______________ foreign businesses overtook new vent. ______________ foreign businesses overtook new ventures for the first time. The foreign capital ures for the first time. The foreign capital 1010. ___________ by j. ___________ by joint ventures also dipped for the first time in 20 years. oint ventures also dipped for the first time in 20 years.

companies companies

Ex. 4Ex. 4 Complete the following passage by filling in the blanks Complete the following passage by filling in the blanks with the words given in the table. with the words given in the table.

local local losing losing

wholly-owned wholly-owned

introduced introduced

lose everywhere investment market company lose everywhere investment market company wholly-owned joint venture partnership local introducewholly-owned joint venture partnership local introduce


Ex. 5Ex. 5 Translate the following sentences into English.Translate the following sentences into English.

1.1. 新涂一层油漆可以使房间焕然一新。新涂一层油漆可以使房间焕然一新。 (transform beyond reco(transform beyond reco

gnition) gnition)

coat of paintcoat of paint

beyond recognitionbeyond recognition

A fresh coat of paint can transform a room beyond A fresh coat of paint can transform a room beyond recognition.recognition.



2. 如果我提出这一建议，你愿意支持我吗？ (back up)

proposalproposal back me upback me up

If I make the proposal, will you please back me up?If I make the proposal, will you please back me up?



3. 随后发生的件件事情证实了我的怀疑。 (verify)

subsequent subsequent

Subsequent events verified my suspicion.



4. 别再提了，我会把它记在心里。 (bear in mind)

bear it in mindbear it in mind

Don’t mention it any more, and I will bear it in mind.Don’t mention it any more, and I will bear it in mind.



5. 这个相当困难的问题，使他不知道怎么办？ (perplex)

This rather difficult question perplexed him.This rather difficult question perplexed him.

rather difficultrather difficult



6. 因为卷入了那个案子，他被拒绝进入政府。 (block)

Involved in that case, he was blocked from entering the goverInvolved in that case, he was blocked from entering the government.nment.

involved ininvolved in


Ex. 6Ex. 6 Pay attention to the italicized parts in the English sentences Pay attention to the italicized parts in the English sentences and translate the Chinese sentences by simulating the and translate the Chinese sentences by simulating the structure of the English sentences.structure of the English sentences.

1. 1. If you wereIf you were one of them, perhaps one of them, perhaps you wouldyou would find that you find that you had a lot to learn about the new environment in which you had a lot to learn about the new environment in which you found yourself. found yourself.

If you wereIf you were the manager, perhaps the manager, perhaps you wouldyou would do the same. do the same.

如果战争爆发，他也许会上前线。如果战争爆发，他也许会上前线。如果你再仔细一点儿的话，我也许会把这个任务交给你。如果你再仔细一点儿的话，我也许会把这个任务交给你。

ReferenceReference If war broke out, perhaps he would go to the front.If war broke out, perhaps he would go to the front. If you were a little more careful, perhaps I would give If you were a little more careful, perhaps I would give

you the task.you the task.

Now you try



2. 2. In fact, as there are so many formal and flowery phrases in the Thai In fact, as there are so many formal and flowery phrases in the Thai language even Thais can language even Thais can have difficulty decipheringhave difficulty deciphering the exact meaning the exact meaning intended by another Thai's writing! intended by another Thai's writing!

He He has difficulty working outhas difficulty working out that operation plan. that operation plan.

我们没有费事就找到了他当年住过的那所房子。我们没有费事就找到了他当年住过的那所房子。我们费了很大的劲才把他说服。我们费了很大的劲才把他说服。

We had no difficulty finding the house where he was We had no difficulty finding the house where he was living then.living then.

We had great difficulty persuading him.We had great difficulty persuading him.

Now you try



3. 3. Instead ofInstead of putting the Thai in the uncomfortable position of putting the Thai in the uncomfortable position of having to state an opinion, you are merely asking him or her having to state an opinion, you are merely asking him or her to repeat back whatever input they have had on the subject.to repeat back whatever input they have had on the subject.

Instead of Instead of bringing in more income, the odd jobs gave him bringing in more income, the odd jobs gave him more trouble.more trouble.

有时候我们不吃面包而吃米饭。有时候我们不吃面包而吃米饭。搬进来的不是比尔而是彼得。搬进来的不是比尔而是彼得。

ReferenceReference We sometimes eat rice instead of bread.We sometimes eat rice instead of bread. Instead of Bill, it was Peter who moved in.Instead of Bill, it was Peter who moved in.

Now you try



4. 4. You may need to You may need to informinform Thai staff Thai staff thatthat you expect them to you expect them to change their behavior from doing to thinking.change their behavior from doing to thinking.

You may need to You may need to informinform your partner your partner thatthat you hope to start you hope to start the negotiation immediately.the negotiation immediately.

约翰没有告诉我他的母亲是否要来。约翰没有告诉我他的母亲是否要来。这篇报告告诉我们澳大利亚的牙齿健康水准是世界上最低这篇报告告诉我们澳大利亚的牙齿健康水准是世界上最低

的。的。

ReferenceReference John didn’t inform me whether his mother was coming.John didn’t inform me whether his mother was coming. This report informed us that Australia has the lowest This report informed us that Australia has the lowest

standard of dental health in the world.standard of dental health in the world.

Now you try



5. 5. Bear in mindBear in mind that apart from the habits formed in school, that apart from the habits formed in school, your Thai colleagues are also writing in a second language.your Thai colleagues are also writing in a second language.

Bear in mindBear in mind that note-taking in class may be the most that note-taking in class may be the most important thing for you to learn.important thing for you to learn.

记住大学生活是一生中最宝贵的时光。记住大学生活是一生中最宝贵的时光。记住运动会已推迟到下周星期五举行。记住运动会已推迟到下周星期五举行。

ReferenceReference Bear in mind that university days are the most precious time in Bear in mind that university days are the most precious time in

one’s life.one’s life.Bear in mind that the sports meet has been put off till next Friday.Bear in mind that the sports meet has been put off till next Friday.

Now you try


Passage IIPassage II

• Related Information

• Intensive Study

• Practice


Friendship Hotel Beijing Beijing Friendship Hotel is one of the largest garden-style hotels in Asia. Built in 1954, it covers an area of 335,000 square meters. Its style is of classic elegance with traditional Chinese architecture. It offers a full range of amenities, including a large variety of services, such as restaurants, rooms, business center, halls for meeting and symposium and recreational facilities of international standards.

Location Beijing Friendship Hotel lies in the Hi-tech Development Zone, Zhongguancun Electronic Street, Haidian District, Beijing, P.R. China. It borders on the Third-Ring Road with transport facilities.

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Passage 2Passage 2

Text

Important Words

Difficult Sentences


Our Foreign Expert Oriol

, our Spanish expert, has been a colleague of mine for five years. He and his Chinese wife have a very lovely daughter. Unlike those of a fiery temperament that one associates with Latin blood, Oriol has a quiet, gentle demeanor that frequently lights up with a bright, warm smile. On recalling howhe and his wife first met, Oriol always says "Destined" very seriously, and then adds another sentence, "As the Chinese would express it." A Romantic Story It was on a day that a party was being held for Beijing's Spanish foreign experts at the Beijing Friendship Hotel, where most foreign experts live. Oriol did not plan to attend at first, saying to himself, "Even if I could meet the woman of my life tonight at this party, I



would still not go. " But, for some reason, in the end, he attended the party and met the woman who later became his wife.

For their first date, they agreed to meet at the entrance to the gymnasium at the Asian Games Village -- a mid-way point between their respective homes. Although they both speak Spanish, it happened that as arrangements were being made over the telephone, they inadvertently agreed to meet at different places. Consequently both of them waited at the places they believed to be the ones arranged, until Oriol realized that there had been a miscommunication, and quickly went to the other place, only to find that his date had gone. This was the first of a series of misadventures that occurred owing to differences in language and culture.

This kind of thing happened frequently when they later began to see each other on a more regular basis. Sometimes one of them said something with no particular significance in mind but this would



result in the other‘s angry reaction, thus completely baffling what had been said before. On one occasion, Oriol’s wife spoke to him in a long Chinese tirade, in an effort to express everything on her mind, which made him feel wronged and confused. As Oriol cannot speak Chinese, he and his wife communicate in Spanish, and she, understandably, feels tired at speaking a language other than her native tongue for extended periods.

A happy family

Oriol's daughter, Jennie, is a lovable girl. She likes to sit on Oriol's lap, while strongly advising him to find Snow White and the Seven Dwarves on the computer. She talks to her father in Spanish and to us in Chinese. If we speak Spanish to her, she goggles at us for a while, but gives no answer. Perhaps this is because she associates us with her mother, with whom she speaks Chinese exclusively.



On the back of Oriol's bike is a child's seat. Each day after finishing work, he picks Jennie up at the kindergarten, secures her safely in her seat, and cycles her home.

Oriol says that when he first arrived in Beijing in 1996, he felt as though he were in a dream, and could not for a long time get used to living in an Eastern country. After a week or so, however, he was relieved to see that the people here are just the same as anywhere; they also get angry, quarrel, have fun, and delight in playing with their children. Two years later, when he ended his first contract and went back to Spain with his wife, he felt more of a stranger walking on the streets of Barcelona, where there were women smoking and strangely dressed youth everywhere. He could not help but frown and think disapprovingly to himself, "How did this happen?"



Now, as Oriol takes his steel lunch-box and goes with us to the dining-room, I see him as a Chinese person, but one who does not speak Chinese.

Yesterday he called his friend and told him, "I am learning Chinese, but my wife is a little impatient!" Well, every family has its communication glitches, now and then.




miscommunication n. --mistakes caused in exchange of idea 交流表达错误

When you are talking to outsiders, please make it as plain as

possible so as to avoid miscommunication.

ExampleExample


baffle v. --be too difficult to understand; puzzle 难以理解；困惑

One of the examination questions baffled me completely.

Police are baffled as to the identity of the murder.

ExamplesExamples



relieve v. --lesson or remove (pain, anxiety, distress) 减轻；解除痛苦

The new drug will relieve your discomfort.

The passengers keep chewing some gum to relieve the pressur

e on their eardrums( 耳鼓 ).

ExamplesExamples



goggle v. -- look with wide round bulging eyes 瞪眼看

Mary’s father goggled at her in surprise when he heard the

news.

After the quarrel, she goggled hopelessly at him and said that

she will leave right now.

ExamplesExamples



frown v. -- bring the eyebrow together (to express anger,

thought, worry); disapprove of sth 皱眉 ; 表示不满

She read through the letter, frowning at its content.

People frown at any waste of the taxpayers’ money.

ExamplesExamples



disapprovingly ad. -- not approving of 不赞同地

When I suggested a drink, she coughed disapprovingly.

After I finished my speech at the meeting, she looked at me

disapprovingly.

ExamplesExamples



Oriol, our Spanish expert, has been a colleague of mine for five years.

Our Spanish expert is in apposition to Oriol. Apposition is often separated by a comma.


我们的西班牙专家奥立欧与我共事已有五年时间。



Oriol, our Spanish expert, has been a colleague of mine for five years.

ExampleExample

My sister, Cyril, is now a college student in Peking University..



It was on a day that a party was being held for Beijing's Spanish foreign experts at the Beijing Friendship Hotel, where most foreign experts live.

It was … that is used here for emphasizing on a day. Actually It is … that… is an often-used pattern for emphasizing some part of a sentence.


那天在北京友谊饭店（大多数外国专家都住在这里）为在北京工作的西班牙专家举行联欢会。

Where introduces a non-restrictive relative clause, modifying Beijing Friendship Hotel.



It was on a day that a party was being held for Beijing's Spanish foreign experts at the Beijing Friendship Hotel, where most foreign experts live.

ExampleExample

It was in the Zoo that I met your sister for the first time.



Although they both speak Spanish, it happened that as arrangements were being made over the telephone, they inadvertently agreed to meet at different places.

In it happened that … it is the formal subject, and the real subject is the that-clause. As is a conjunction introducing an adverbial clause of cause ， to point out why they made a mistake in going to different places..


虽然两人都说西班牙语，但因为是在电话上约定见面，所以不经意间竟约了不同的地点。



Although they both speak Spanish, it happened that as arrangements were being made over the telephone, they inadvertently agreed to meet at different places.

ExampleExample

It happened that they misunderstood each other in agreeing on the meeting place.



Oriol says that when he first arrived in Beijing in 1996, he felt as though he were in a dream, and could not for a long time get used to living in an Eastern country.

The conjunction as though introduces a subjunctive clause expressing an unreal condition. The verbal phrase get used to sth. means “be accustomed to sth.”.


奥立欧说，当他 1996 年初来北京时，就像做梦一样，很久都不能习惯在一个东方国家生活。



Oriol says that when he first arrived in Beijing in 1996, he felt as though he were in a dream, and could not for a long time get used to living in an Eastern country.

ExampleExample

He spoke English so fluently as though he were a native speaker of English.



He could not help but frown and think disapprovingly to himself, "How did this happen?"

The phrase cannot help but do sth or cannot help (doing) sth means “it is impossible to prevent or avoid sth”


他不禁皱起眉头，不以为然地想，“怎么会这样呢？”



He could not help but frown and think disapprovingly to himself, "How did this happen?"

ExampleExample

Under such a difficult situation, they could not help but give in.



PracticePractice

• Read and Judge

• Read and Rewrite

• Read and Translate


( ) 1. The author has been working with Oriol for several years.( ) 1. The author has been working with Oriol for several years.

( ) 2. Oriol is a good-natured man.( ) 2. Oriol is a good-natured man.

( ) 3. Oriol met his wife for the first time on the campus.( ) 3. Oriol met his wife for the first time on the campus.

( ) 4. They both went to the wrong places for their first date.( ) 4. They both went to the wrong places for their first date.

( ) 5. Though they speak different tongues, they could understa( ) 5. Though they speak different tongues, they could understa

nd each other very well and never experienced misundersnd each other very well and never experienced misunders

tanding.tanding.

Ex. 7 Decide whether the following statements are T(true) or F(false) according to the passage.

TT

TT

FF

TT

FF


( ) 6. Oriol has a daughter who can speak both Chinese and Sp( ) 6. Oriol has a daughter who can speak both Chinese and Sp

anish.anish.

( ) 7. Oriol felt strange when he went back to Barcelona after h( ) 7. Oriol felt strange when he went back to Barcelona after h

is first contract in Beijing.is first contract in Beijing.

Ex. 7 Decide whether the following statements are T(true) or F(false) according to the passage.

TT

TT


Ex. 8 Give short answers to the following questions according to the passage.

11 ．． What’s the relationship between the author and Oriol?What’s the relationship between the author and Oriol?

22 ．． What did Oriol mean by “destined” when recalling his loWhat did Oriol mean by “destined” when recalling his lo

ve story?ve story?

They were colleagues.

God blessed.


Ex. 8 Write a summary of the passage through answering the following questions.

33 ．． Where did Oriol get to know his wife?Where did Oriol get to know his wife?

44 ．． Why did Oriol’s first date with his wife turn out to be a faiWhy did Oriol’s first date with his wife turn out to be a fai

lure?lure?

At a party.

Because there was a misapprehension of the meeting place.


Ex. 8 Write a summary of the passage through answering the following questions.

55 ．． What’s your overall impression of this foreign expert?What’s your overall impression of this foreign expert?

A quiet and friendly person, lovely father, and hardworking employee.


1.1. She read through the letter, ________at its content.She read through the letter, ________at its content.

frowning frowning

relieve frown approve baffle light uprelieve frown approve baffle light updemeanor cycle lead to impatient be destineddemeanor cycle lead to impatient be destined

2.2. The resolution was _________ at the final conference.The resolution was _________ at the final conference.

approvedapproved



3.3. John doesn’t like to run after a bus, but instead ______to John doesn’t like to run after a bus, but instead ______to work every morning.work every morning. cyclescycles

4.4. This misprint in the exam paper______ a serious confusion.This misprint in the exam paper______ a serious confusion.

led toled to




5.5. I dislike his arrogant__________ towards his colleagues.I dislike his arrogant__________ towards his colleagues.

demeanor demeanor

6.6. This drug will________ your discomfort.This drug will________ your discomfort.

relieve relieve




7.7. They were ________ in waiting for such a long time for the They were ________ in waiting for such a long time for the late bus.late bus. impatient impatient

8.8. One of the exam questions _______ me completely. One of the exam questions _______ me completely.

baffled baffled




9.9. Her face _________when she heard the good news.Her face _________when she heard the good news.

lit uplit up

10.10. He ________for a military career, like his father before He ________for a military career, like his father before him.him.

was destinedwas destined




Ex. 10Ex. 10 Translate the following sentences into English, using the words Translate the following sentences into English, using the words or phrases given in the brackets.or phrases given in the brackets.

1. 由于高兴，她的眼睛焕发出光彩。 (light up)

light up

Her eyes lit up because she was very happy.


Ex. 10Ex. 10 Translate the following sentences into English, using the words Translate the following sentences into English, using the words or phrasesor phrases given in the brackets.given in the brackets.

2. 他们命中注定不能再见面了。 (be destined)

be destined not to

They are destined not to meet again.

，



3. 你不时地变动计划，都把我搞糊涂了。 (make…confused)

frequently

You kept changing your plans frequently, and it made me confused.



4. 他来这里不久就习惯了这里的一切。（ get used to）

soon

Soon after he came he got used to everything here.



5. 他在云南的经历促使他发表了这部动人的小说。（ result

in…）

moving

His experience in Yunnan resulted in the publication of this moving novel.


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