Friday, June 29, 2018

女性單獨度假有顧慮?網站推女性專屬租房軟體 Travel website launches women-only flat rental app to smooth holiday safety concerns.


The solo female traveler market is an increasingly powerful sector in the travel industry. But while solo travel is usually rewarding, safe, and eye-opening, women who take to the road alone usually have more issues to take into account than men. A minority of horror stories of dodgy Airbnb and Couchsurfing hosts can see women flocking to the nearest female-only floor in a hotel女性單獨旅行的市場在旅遊業日益蓬勃。儘管獨自旅行一般來說挺安全,往往值回票價也讓人大開眼界,但隻身上路的女性一般要比男性考慮更多的問題。國際租房平臺愛彼迎和沙發客就傳出少數狡猾房東的駭人事件,導致女性房客蜂擁入住最近酒店的女性專屬樓層。

But now one peer-to-peer accommodation site has decided to do something about that, by launching a sub-group dedicated to female hosts and guests.不過現在,一個點對點住宿網站決定改變這種情況。它推出了一個分組功能,承租者和出租者僅限女性。

Overnight – a site and app similar to Airbnb, which allows you to book accommodation with local residents – has teamed up with Girls Love Travel, a women-only online community, to launch "Groups", which will allow home-sharing through trusted networks."過夜"是一個類似於愛彼迎的網站和應用軟體,可讓旅客向當地住戶租房。它已經與專屬女性的網路社區"女生愛旅行"達成合作,推出"小組"功能,讓屋主和旅客利用可靠的社交網路共用住家。

The feature will connect travellers and hosts who share friends or social networking groups in common. With 350,000 members of Girls Love Travel located around the world, it's a promising start. Other networks are in the works to collaborate, too.這個功能可將有共同好友和共屬同一社交網路的旅客和屋主相互連結。與"過夜"平臺合作的"女生愛旅行"社區在全球擁有35萬用戶,前景看好。目前"過夜"平臺也正積極促成與其他網站的合作。

Overnight said in a statement: "While cost is a key issue for travellers, trust is perhaps even more important – both for travellers and home-sharing hosts. This is especially true for female travellers."
租房平臺"過夜"在聲明中表示:"旅費對旅客來說很關鍵,但信任對屋主和旅客則更為重要,對女性旅客更是如此。"



Girls Love Travel founder Haley Woods told The Independent:"女生愛旅行"社區的創辦人海莉•伍德茲告訴英國《獨立報》:

"Within the Girls LOVE Travel community, we empower women to go out, travel, and explore the world. The problem is that, when choosing to house-swap or couch-share with a stranger, safety can be a real concern for many of our members. Alternatives such as hotels or hostels can often be pricey, and may delay trips due to budget."女生愛旅行'社區讓女性放心出門旅行,探索世界。但問題是,如果選擇跟陌生人互換房屋或分享沙發,安全問題確實是許多用戶的現實顧慮。入住酒店或旅館往往花費較高,也可能因為預算不足而耽誤行程。"

"Building this partnership between Girls LOVE Travel and Overnight presents members with a peer-to-peer network platform to help answer those concerns by providing members a cost-effective opportunity to stay with ladies they have met within our online community. Overnight provides our members the added benefit of moving beyond the computer with other female travellers, and creating lasting relationships."伍德茲還表示, "'女生愛旅行'社區和'過夜'平臺達成合作,讓使用者利用點對點網路平臺與在網路社區認識的女性同住,藉此消除她們的顧慮。這無疑是一個經濟划算的方法。除此以外,'過夜'平臺也讓用戶從線上走到線下,建立長久的友誼。"

The Groups feature also allows hosts to use tiered pricing, offering lower rates to travellers from their own networks. Overnight says that it discovered hosts were willing to drop prices for guests they have a connection to."小組"功能讓屋主可以採取分級定價的方式,給自己社交網路中的旅客提供更優惠的價格。"過夜"平臺也表示,屋主很願意為這些旅客降價。

Current featured picks on the website include a private room in West Hollywood for $60, and an apartment in Chicago for $100.目前"過夜"網站上的熱門推薦有:一個位於西好萊塢定價60美元的單間,和一套位於芝加哥定價100美元的公寓。


Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Sun to strike NY streets in magical ‘Manhattanhenge’ 夕陽映照紐約街景 形成「曼哈頓巨石陣」美景


TODAY’S WORDS 今日單字
1. align v.對齊 
例: The various parts of the machine are not aligning properly. (此機器多處零件未能適度對齊。)
2. speculate v.預測 
例: It’s still too early to speculate about which candidate will win the election.(現在預測哪位候選人會當選還言之過早。)
3. effect n.效應 
例: What sort of effect do you think these changes will have in the near future?
(你認為這些改變會在不久的將來帶來什麼樣的效應呢?)


It is dubbed “Manhattanhenge” and happens semiannually when the sun aligns at dusk with streets in a glowing magic trick as rays of sunlight span across New York perfectly, from west to east.
“Manhattanhenge may just be a unique urban phenomenon in the world,” says astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, of the American Museum of Natural History, who officially discovered the phenomenon.
The name “Manhattanhenge” is a play on Manhattan, this city’s most famous borough, and Stonehenge, the megalithic monument in southern England with large stone blocks set out in concentric circles.
At Stonehenge, the sun crosses the site’s central axis during the summer and winter solstices, leading experts to speculate that the site could have been used as a sort of sun calendar, as well as for religious ceremonies.
But in Manhattan, the phenomenon takes place before and after the summer solstices when at dusk but before sunset, the sun neatly matches up with the even-numbered streets running west and east, sending out fingers of light.
“As a kid I visited Stonehenge in the Salisbury Plain of England and did research on other stone monuments across the British Isles,” deGrasse Tyson told AFP.
“So I was, in a way, imprinted by the emotional power that terrestrial alignments with the sun can have on a culture or civilization.”
“Any city crossed by a rectangular grid can identify days where the setting sun aligns with their streets. But a closer look at such cities around the world shows them to be less than ideal for this purpose,” he stressed.
DeGrasse Tyson first started thinking about the “Manhattanhenge” effect back in 1996. It was not until five years later, July 2001, that he took a photo of the sun-meets-skyscrapers display.It and others were published in 2002 in a special edition of Natural History Magazine called “City of Stars,” he said. And the effect began to become better known.
(AFP)


美國自然歷史博物館天體物理學家尼爾‧德格拉斯泰森說:「『曼哈頓巨石陣』可能只是世上一個特殊的都會現象。」德格拉斯泰森也是此現象的正式發現者。
在紐約最負盛名的曼哈頓區內,「曼哈頓巨石陣」是該區上演的一齣劇。這名稱類似英國南部的巨石陣,這些巨石遺跡以同心圓排列。
太陽光在夏至與冬至正好穿越英國巨石陣的中心軸線,引起專家們做出預測,認為巨石陣可能被當作一種日曆與宗教儀式的用途。
但在曼哈頓,此現象發生於夏至前與後,日落前的黃昏,這個時間,太陽日落軌跡恰巧與紐約棋盤式東西向的偶數街道,不偏不倚地對齊,放射出指針般的光芒。
德格拉斯泰森告訴法新社說:「我小時候去過英國索爾斯堡平原的巨石陣,並對其他遍及不列顛群島的巨石遺跡做過研究。」
他說:「陸地與太陽軌道對齊的現象,從某方面來說,對於文明也扮演重要的角色,也就是這種撼動人心的力量,讓我銘記在心。」
他強調說:「只要有棋盤式道路的城市,太陽照射軌跡與街道對齊,就能得知今天是什麼日子。但細究世界上的這些城市會發現,這並非是個理想預測日子的方法。」
德格拉斯泰森早在一九九六年,首度想到「曼哈頓巨石陣」的現象。直到五年後,也就是二零零一年七月,他才用影像記錄太陽遇見摩天大樓的景象。
他說,這與其他標題為「星光之城」的攝影作品集,於二零零二年以特刊方式,刊載於《自然歷史雜誌》。自此之後,該效應更廣為人知。
(法新社/翻譯:林亞蒂)



Friday, June 8, 2018

Nonagenarian volunteers to help younger seniors 九十多歲阿嬤志工 服務年輕老人


TODAY’S WORDS 今日單字

1. enthusiastic adj. 熱情的;熱烈的
例: Investors are enthusiastic about the new free trade agreement.
(投資家熱烈期待新的自由貿易協定。)

2. optimistic adj.樂觀的 
例: We are optimistic about the future. (我們對未來樂觀。)

3. depressed adj.沮喪的;憂鬱的 
例: Since Helen’s cat died, she just lies in bed all day. I think she’s depressed.
(海倫的貓死了之後,她每天躺在床上都不起來。我覺得她很憂鬱。)



At the ripe old age of 91, Ho Chao-chih is one of the most enthusiastic volunteers serving at the local care center in Liouying District’s Bawong Village in Greater Tainan. She cheerfully wields a hoe to plant fruits and vegetables, which are administered to the needy. “She’s the oldest grandmother [here], and all of the people she helps are younger than her, but she’s more serious about her work than anyone.”台南市柳營區的八翁社區關懷據點志工何招治雖已九十一歲,仍積極投入志工服務,還拿著鋤頭栽種蔬果分送其他老人,樂在其中。「阿嬤的年紀最大,服務對象都比她小,但她當志工比誰都認真!」

Last week the Tainan City Government organized an educational training course about volunteering in Hsiaying District, inviting experts to talk about skills used when serving as a volunteer. Many volunteers from care centers in Siaying, Liouchia and Liouying registered and attended the event. Attracting the most attention, however, was “elder volunteer” Ho. 台南市政府上週在下營舉辦志工教育基礎訓練課程,請學者專家傳授志工服務技巧,不少下營、六甲、柳營等區的社區關懷志工報名參加,其中最受矚目的,就是「老志工」何招治。 八翁社區發展協會總幹事彭月葉表示,社區關懷據點在十二年前成立時,熱心助人的何阿嬤就擔任志工,幫人量血壓,並身兼環保志工,幫忙打掃社區環境;逢年過節也和大家一起做菜包和碗粿,再分送獨居老人和關懷對象。

Bawong Community Development Association president Peng Yue-yeh says that when the village’s care center was first established 12 years ago, the altruistic Ho began serving as a volunteer right away, helping people check their blood pressure and keeping the environment clean around the community. During the Lunar New Year and other festivals, she joins everyone in making vegetable steamed buns and bowled rice cakes, delivering them to seniors who live alone or people in need.
Ho says that staying optimistic naturally keeps you in good health. Her children have invited her to live with them, but she cannot bear to be separated from her neighbors of many years, so she still lives alone. No one has to worry about her and she even has enough energy to serve as a volunteer. She often jests, “Farming is an exercise for the others but for me it is labor,” but everyone knows that she actually enjoys doing it. 何阿嬤強調:「心情開朗,身體自然就會好。」子女邀她同住,但她捨不得老鄰居,迄今仍自己住,完全不用人操心,還有餘力做志工。她目前仍拿著鋤頭耕種二分地,種了不少蔬果,除了給自己和家人吃,還送給附近的老人。「別人種田是運動,我種田是勞動啦!」她常這樣調侃自己,周遭的人都知道其實她樂在其中。


Ho is always happy to help others. One time when all of her old neighbor’s children had passed away and the neighbor was depressed and stayed at home all day, Ho noticed this and would come up with any reason she could think of to visit the neighbor every day to lift her spirits. Ho spent a lot of energy taking her to participate in community activities or to chat with people at the care centers until finally the neighbor came out of her depression and made a social comeback. 樂於助人的她,先前看到一位老鄰居因為子女過世而陷入憂鬱,整天關在家裡。為免對方想不開,何阿嬤每天都找盡理由,強拉對方參加社區活動,或到關懷據點和大家聊天,費了不少心力,終於把老鄰居拉進人群,且慢慢變開朗。

(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat) (自由時報記者黃博郎)



Thursday, May 31, 2018

Happiness no longer just a personal matter, but a policy issue 快樂不再只是一己之事,而是政策議題


新聞辭典
  • guarantee:動詞,名詞,保證(障)、擔保。 President-elect Donald J. Trump gave a "100 percent" guarantee that their jobs wouldn’t go to Mexico.(總統當選人川普「百分之百」保證,他們的工作不會外移至墨西哥。)
  • keynote:名詞,(演說的)主旨、(政策、行動的)基調。
  • disparity:名詞,不一致。When this disparity is addressed, the whole world stands to benefit.(當此差異的現象獲得解決時,全世界才會受惠。)

"Gross domestic product no longer serves as a measure of a society’s wealth. South Koreans are ranked 11th globally GDP, and yet they report a very low level of happiness. This shows that growth no longer guarantees happiness. We should now regard happiness not as a personal issue but as a social good and consider what the government can do to make our lives better," said Luigino Bruni, a professor at LUMSA University in Italy, during his keynote address at the opening ceremony 2016 Asia Future Forum on Nov. 23. 義大利羅馬聖瑪利亞自由大學教授路易吉諾.布魯尼,在11月23日舉行的2016年亞洲未來論壇開幕式上發表專題演講時表示,「國內生產毛額不再扮演衡量社會財富的角色。南韓國民的GDP位居全球第11,但他們卻表示快樂程度很低。這顯示,經濟成長不再是快樂的保證,我們現在不該把快樂視為個人議題,應當作社會公益,並思考政府在使我們的生活更好上,能有何作為」。


The forum is launched in 2010 to promote co-existence and shared prosperity in Asia and sustainable development and now in its seventh year.2010年發足的該論壇旨在促進亞洲的共存、共榮和永續發展,如今已邁入第7個年頭。

Focusing on the theme of "Beyond GDP:The Pursuit of Happiness for All," the event brought together South Korean and overseas experts from various fields - including academics, activists, entrepreneurs and policymakers - for a day of spirited debate. 本次論壇聚焦「超越GDP:為所有人追求快樂」的主題,讓包括學者、社運人士、企業家與決策者在內的各領域南韓和海外專家齊聚一堂,進行一天的熱烈討論。


"In a report analyzing inequality in Asia that was released in March, the International Monetary Fund found that South Korea has the highest level of inequality in Asia. While the economy has grown in size, intensifying social disparities and inequality appear to be affecting the level of people‘s happiness," said National Assembly Chung Sye-kyun during his congratulatory address. 南韓國會議長丁世均發表祝賀演說時提到,「在3月發布的一份分析亞洲不平等現象的報告中,國際貨幣基金發現,南韓的不平等現象在亞洲居冠,雖然經濟規模成長,但社會差距與不平等現象惡化,似乎影響人們的快樂程度」。


Thursday, May 24, 2018

Harry and Meghan tie the knot at British royal wedding 當哈利遇見梅根 英國王室婚禮盛大登場

TODAY’S WORDS
今日單字
1. royal adj .王室的;皇家的 
2. tie the knot phr.結婚 
3. throne n.王位;寶座 
4. mixed-race phr.混血的 
5. stereotypical adj. 刻板的 



The British royal wedding on May 19 attracted global attention, as Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle tied the knot at St. George’s Chapel of Windsor Castle in England. The royal wedding could boost the British economy by 500 million pounds (about US$680 million), including 200 million pounds coming from tourism, travel and hotels.
Prince Harry is sixth in line to the throne. A divorcee of mixed-race heritage with an African American mother and three years older than the prince, the actress is certainly not the stereotypical English princess, but Meghan’s spirited start to her new life has helped breathe new life into the ancient institution, experts say.
Meghan “has so much more in common with the rest of the world than members of the aristocracy or blue-blooded people who’ve traditionally married into the royal family. . . and that can only be a good thing for the royal family,” said Roya Nikkhah, royal correspondent for the Sunday Times.



(CNA, translated by Eddy Chang)
全球矚目的英國王室婚禮五月十九日登場,哈利王子和美國女星梅根馬可在英格蘭溫莎城堡的聖喬治禮拜堂互許終身。盛大的皇家婚禮可為英國經濟帶來高達五億英鎊(約六億八千萬美元)的商機,包括來自觀光、旅遊、旅館業的兩億英鎊。
哈利王子位居王位第六順位繼承人,他的新娘是混血兒,新娘的母親是非裔美國人,這位離過婚的美國女星比王子還大三歲,自然並非刻板的英國王妃人選。但專家表示,梅根生氣蓬勃展開自己新生活的同時,也為古老的王室制度注入新氣息。
英國「星期泰晤士報」王室記者若亞尼柯哈表示:「相較於向來與王室通婚的貴族成員或名門望族,梅根與平凡世界有更多共通點…而這對王室只會有益無害。」


(中央社)

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Milky Way on earth: Spotting fireflies around the Island 火金姑「放閃」 來看螢火蟲漫天飛舞


TODAY’S WORDS
今日單字
1. firefly n. 螢火蟲 
2. light pollution phr. 光害
3. larva n. 幼蟲
4. glow v. 發光
5. twinkling a. 閃爍的

Fireflies, commonly known as “hue kim goo” (fire gold lady) in Taiwanese, can usually be seen starting after the end of the Ching Ming Festival. Mid-April to late-May is the time in the year that we get to see the most fireflies — often in the mountains and farms across Taiwan.螢火蟲在台灣俗稱「火金姑」,出現的時間點約在清明節過後;四月中旬至五月下旬左右,是螢火蟲最多的時候,台灣各地山間和農場常可見到它們的蹤影。
There are more than 2,000 species of fireflies known to exist around the world, of which more than 60 species can be found in Taiwan. Fireflies live only in places with clean water and low light pollution: there needs to be the right surrounding ecological environment with clean river water. 全世界目前已知有兩千多種螢火蟲,台灣已發現有六十多種。螢火蟲只生長在水源清澈、光害少的地方,周遭要有乾淨的溪流及生態環境。
Grass in woodland areas tends to contain many snails, which are the favorite food of firefly larvae. In March and April, adult fireflies will emerge and fly out in the evening to attract mates.  樹林下的草叢環境蝸牛多,是螢火蟲幼蟲最愛的食物,每到三、四月成蟲羽化,夜間便飛出求偶。
Increasing urban development and the use of pesticides have severely damaged their ecological environment so that seeing fireflies has become something of a luxury. 由於都市化與使用農藥的程度越來越深,使環境生態遭受嚴重破壞,對現代人來說,要看到螢火蟲已成為一種奢侈。
The glow from a firefly 螢火蟲的光
Adult fireflies emit light through a light emitter in their abdomen. The glow from the light emitter is composed of a combination of light-emitting cells at the end of the abdomen. Upon contact with oxygen, a reduction-oxidation reaction (redox) occurs to produce light. 螢火蟲成蟲藉由腹部末端的發光器發光,發光器是由發光細胞等結構組合而成,和氧作用後產生氧化還原反應,而產生亮光。
Each species of firefly emits light of different color and frequency. For example, a Taiwan Pyrocoelia analis glows with continuous yellow-green light, while the Aquatica ficta Olivier emits twinkling yellow light. 每種螢火蟲發光的顏色與和頻率都不同,如台灣窗螢發著持續的黃綠色光,而黃緣螢則是發閃爍的黃色光。
The firefly’s light flashes at a specific rhythm — it is the language they use to communicate with others, as well as a means for males to attract females to mate.螢火蟲的光閃爍著特定的節奏,是螢火蟲用來交換彼此訊息的語言,也是雄蟲利用亮光,找尋雌蟲交尾的工具。
The glow behavior of fireflies also has additional functions including attracting, alerting and intimidating predators, providing illumination and camouflage. 此外,螢火蟲的發光行為還有誘集、警戒、恫嚇捕食者、照明、偽裝等功能。

Firefly observation tips 賞螢小提醒
Flashlights should be covered with red cellophane to avoid harming the fireflies. 夜晚使用手電筒要加上紅色玻璃紙,才不會對螢火蟲產生光害。
Never catch fireflies with your hands, as they will die if they are disturbed or touched. 千萬不要用手抓螢火蟲,因為螢火蟲只要受驚嚇或被觸摸就會死亡。


The best time to observe fireflies is between 6pm and 8:30 pm. 賞螢最佳時間約為晚上六點~八點半之間。
Firefly viewing spots 賞螢景點
Taipei City: Daan Forest Park, Ronxing Garden Park, Cui Lake in Muzha District 
台北市:大安森林公園、榮星花園、木柵萃湖
New Taipei City: Wen Sun Farm in Xindian District, Homei Trail and 53 other locations 
新北市:新店文山農場、和美山步道等五十五處賞螢景點
Taoyuan City: Xiao Jing Ling Firefly Resort in Guishan District
桃園市:龜山區小精靈螢火蟲館
Hsinchu County: Xinghai Firefly Area at Dongwo River in Neiwan Village
新竹縣:內灣東窩星海螢區
Miaoli County: Springcreek Hostel in Zhuolan Township, West Lake Resortopia in Sanyi Township, Firefly Farm in Tongxiao Township
苗栗縣:卓蘭鎮岩川森林民宿、三義鄉西湖渡假村、通霄鎮飛螢山莊
Taichung City: Dongshih Forest Garden, Sijiaolin Coffee Farm
台中市:東勢林場、四角林咖啡莊園
Nantou County: Four major firefly habitats (Sun Moon Lake, Aowanda, Guosing Township, and Chulu), Sun Link Sea Forest Recreation Area 
南投縣:日月潭、奧萬大、國姓、竹鹿四大賞螢區、杉林溪
Chiayi County: Meishan, Jhuci, Alisha, Jhongpu Townships
嘉義縣:梅山、竹崎、阿里山、中埔鄉
Tainan City: Meiling in Nanxi District, Guanshan in Nanhua District, Hsinhua Forest Farm 
台南市:楠西梅嶺、南化關山、新化林場
Kaohsiung City: Namasia District 高雄市:那瑪夏
(台北時報林俐凱整理)

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Steroids rely on liver to metabolize 類固醇靠肝臟代謝


TODAY’S WORDS 今日單字
1. allergy n.過敏 
例: Other alternatives are available for people with a penicillin allergy. (對盤尼西林過敏的人有其他選擇。)
2. arthritis n. 關節炎 
例: Her arthritis got so bad that she had to stop playing the piano. (她的關節炎嚴重到要停止彈琴。)
3. prescription drug n. phr.處方藥 
 例: What is a prescription drug in one country may be an over-the-counter drug in another country. (在一個國家也許是處方藥的藥品,在另外一國家可以是非處方用藥。)

Officials from the Food and Drug Administration under the Department of Health say steroids are used to treat inflammations of the body, and are appropriate for rheumatism and allergies, including rheumatoid arthritis as well as allergies and inflammation of the eyes or nose. Since steroids are a prescription drug, they must be administered by a certified doctor. 衛生署食品藥物管理局官員表示,類固醇是治療身體發炎的症狀,適用風濕性疾患與過敏性疾病,因此包括風濕性關節炎、眼睛、鼻子過敏與發炎等,都可能使用。由於是醫師處方用藥,必須由合格醫師開立使用。


Yang Ti-shan, head of orthopedics at Ton Yen General Hospital in Hsinchu County, says steroids rely on the liver to metabolize and have too many side effects, adding that they are not used in orthopedics to treat osteoarthritis or arthritic pain any longer. When dealing with muscular inflammations or when drug treatment is not working, he does not use steroids unless absolutely necessary and keeps the dosage under 0.5 cubic centimeters. Yang also administers an equal dosage of pain relievers to ensure that the body is able to metabolize everything within 24 hours. 新竹縣東元綜合醫院骨科主任楊迪山說,類固醇因靠肝臟代謝,有太多的副作用,目前醫界骨科幾乎都不再用於治療退化性關節炎或關節疼痛。他在面對肌膜發炎且經藥物治療都無效下,實在逼不得已才會使用,使用的劑量則控制在零點五CC以下,而且還必須搭配一比一的止痛藥,以確保患者一天就能代謝掉。

Yang says that he only administers steroids to be taken orally for an extended period of time in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, systematic lupus erythematosus, and anklosing spondylitis, and he only administers them together with pain relievers during treatment. 楊迪山說,目前只有類風濕性關節炎、紅斑性狼瘡、或是僵直性脊椎炎等,才會以長期口服的方式,合併使用類固醇及止痛藥進行治療。
(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)

Grammar語法


名詞 Noun

動詞 Verb

形容詞 Adjective

慣用語 Idiom