走遍美国文本及笔记12-2

ACT 2-1 “那么说我已经解决了你的问题了。”

【故事梗概】

Susan想请自己的老板John Marchetta帮忙，为Grandpa找点事做。她叫来了自己的助手Sam“商量”这个想法是否可行。

Susan: Sam, would you come in, please?

Sam: You sound like something's bothering you, Susan. The sketches for the cover of the new doll book?

Susan: That's not it. Please sit down.

Sam: Sure.

Susan: I need your advice on a personal matter, but it's not about me. Sam: You need my advice on a personal matter, and it's not about you. OK. Susan: It's about my grandfather.

Sam: What's the problem?

Susan: It won't sound like a big deal, but it is. I had dinner with him Saturday, and he's very unhappy about not working.

Sam: I thought he was retired and pleased to be living with the family. Susan: He is, but there's so much energy and talent in the man, and he doesn't get to use it.

Sam: But what can I do? What kind of advice are you looking for?

Susan: Simply this. John Marchetta runs this company.

Sam: He founded this company.

Susan: Right. John Marchetta gave me my start here six years ago, when I first graduated from college. He gave me the chance to use my talents and made me feel more confident.

Sam: Right. Maybe he can do the same thing for your grandfather.

Susan: Or at least give him some advice.

Sam: Right. Then I’ve solved you problem.

Susan: I can always depend on you, Sam.

Sam: I'm glad to help. Shall I call Mr. Marchetta for you?

Susan: No, no. I'll do that. Thanks.

【语言点精讲】

1. You sound like something's bothering you.

听起来好像有什么事使你心烦。这是一种关心别人，询问别人怎么了、是不是有麻烦了的说法。bother: 使烦恼，打扰。

2. I need your advice on a personal matter, but it's not about me.

我有一件私事需要听你的意见，可并不是关于我自己的。Susan的话有些表面上的矛盾，这显然让Sam有点摸不着头脑，所以他说“You need my advice on a personal matter, and it's not about you.”这里Sam 重复了Susan的话。重复别人的话是确认对方意图的一种方式。

a personal matter: 个人的事情，私事。

3. It won't sound like a big deal, but it is.

听起来不像是一件重要的事情，可事实上是的。

sound like: 听起来好像…

a big deal: 指的是something very important（很重要的事情）。

4. I had dinner with him Saturday, and he's very unhappy about not working.

我星期六和他一起吃的晚饭，他因为没有工作很不高兴。

I had dinner with him Saturday: 正式的说法应该在Saturday前面加上一个on。但是在美国英语中，这个on常被省略。

be unhappy about: 因为……而不高兴。

5. Simply this.

简单说就是这样的。

6. He gave me the chance to use my talents and made me feel more confident.

他给了我使用我的才能的机会，使我更有信心。

give sb. the chance to do sth.: 给某人机会做某事。

made me feel more confident: 使我更有信心。make sb. do sth.是make加不带to的不定式作宾补，其他类似的动词还有feel, let, see, watch, have等。