- Published on
企业里无处不在的仪式(上)
- Authors
在向公众展示仪式的重要性方面,国王查尔斯三世在5月6日的加冕礼将是无可匹敌的。仪式将在威斯敏斯特大教堂举行,自1066年征服者威廉登基以来,君主一直在这里加冕。
![]()
双语精读
Corporate rituals: From the public to the private, ceremonies pervade business life
公司仪式:从公开的到私密的,仪式在商业生活中无处不在。
For a public demonstration of the importance of ritual, the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th will be hard to beat. The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, where monarchs have been crowned since William the Conqueror in 1066.
在向公众展示仪式的重要性方面,国王查尔斯三世在5月6日的加冕礼将是无可匹敌的。仪式将在威斯敏斯特大教堂举行,自1066年征服者威廉登基以来,君主一直在这里加冕。
There will be anointing, homage-paying, oath-taking and all manner of processing. In any other circumstances this kind of behaviour would warrant a medical diagnosis.
到时候将有涂油、致敬、宣誓等各种程序。在任何其他情况下,做出这种行为的人都有理由接受医学诊断。
But the alchemy of tradition means that it will instead call forth a sense of continuity and the idea of shared history.
但传统的神秘力量意味着,这种行为却将唤起一种延续感和历史认同感。
Rituals are also a big part of corporate life. There is nothing to match coronation levels of weirdness, much as some chief executives might like the idea of robes and a throne.
仪式也是企业生活的重要组成部分。没有什么能比得上加冕仪式的怪诞程度,尽管有些首席执行官可能喜欢长袍和王冠。
But firms have their own ceremonies and rites. Some are internal: the repetitive rhythms of performance reviews and weekly meetings, budget processes and farewell cards are all ritualistic.
但公司有自己的仪式。有些仪式是内部的:周而复始的业绩评估、周会、预算流程和离别贺卡都是例行的仪式。
Others are more public, from investor days to conference calls with analysts. The pandemic spawned a host of new customs, from regular events designed to lure people into the office to dedicated times of the week devoted to concentrated work.
其他仪式则更加公开,从投资者日到与分析师的电话会议。疫情催生了一系列新的习俗,从旨在吸引人们来办公室的定期活动,到一周中专门用于集中工作的时间。
Business rituals can arise spontaneously --- those informal games of office bingo for when the boss uses their favourite bit of jargon. They can also be entirely private.
商业仪式可能是自发出现的——当老板使用他们最喜欢的行话时,可以玩办公室宾果这种非正式的小游戏。仪式也可以是完全私密的。
No rule exists to say that, on entering a hotel room, the business traveller must check the minibar; that if the hotel manager has written a letter welcoming him, he must feel absurdly pleased; that if there is a plate of fruit, he must immediately eat all of it.
没有规定说,在走进酒店房间时,出差的旅客必须检查一下小冰箱;如果酒店经理给他写了一封欢迎信,他必须感受到受宠若惊;如果有一盘水果,他必须马上把水果都吃掉。
Yet all of these things are as if ordained.
然而,所有这些似乎都是规定好了的。
The prime example of the set-piece ceremony is the annual shareholders' meeting. As a way of getting things done, this format is dreadful. Any information that shareholders actually need is available to them elsewhere.
这种固定仪式的一个典型例子就是一年一度的股东大会。作为一种完成工作的方式,这种形式糟糕透顶。股东真正需要的信息都可以在其他地方获得。
Many people delegate their voting rights to others. Plenty come just for the sandwiches.
许多人已经将投票权委托给其他人了。还有很多人来开会只是为了吃三明治。
But as a ritual it matters. The board of directors enter and sit on a podium; some of them may say absolutely nothing. The bosses give presentations to show that shareholders could not wish for a better set of managers.
但作为一种仪式,这种大会很重要。董事们进入会场并坐在讲台上,其中一些人可能一句话都不说。然后老板们汇报工作,表明股东们不可能指望找到更好的经理人了。
A succession of small shareholders then take the microphone and harangue the company's management for being totally useless.
然后,许多小股东接二连三地拿起麦克风,义愤填膺地指责公司管理层毫无用处。
It is performative, to be sure, but a bit of a performance doesn't go amiss for something as bloodless as corporate governance. The annual meeting offers a useful physical reminder of who is accountable to whom.
这当然是一种表演,但对于像公司治理这样冷酷无情的事情来说,有一点表演也没什么大碍。年度会议实实在在地提醒人们,谁对谁负有责任。
词汇预习
elsewhere [高考]
美[ˌelsˈwer] | 英[ˌelsˈweə(r)]
adv. 别处
entirely [高考]
美[ɪnˈtaɪərli] | 英[ɪnˈtaɪəli]
adv. 完全地;全部地
informal [高考]
美[ɪnˈfɔːrml] | 英[ɪnˈfɔːml]
adj. 非正式的;不拘形式的
corporate [高考]
美[ˈkɔːrpərət] | 英[ˈkɔːpərət]
adj. 法人的;公司的;社团的;共同的;全体的
absolutely [高考]
美[ˈæbsəluːtli] | 英[ˈæbsəluːtli]
adv. 完全地;绝对地;[语]独立地 int. (表示赞同)完全正确,一点没错
reminder [高考]
美[rɪˈmaɪndər] | 英[rɪˈmaɪndə(r)]
n. 提醒物;提示;催单
internal [高考]
美[ɪnˈtɜːrnl] | 英[ɪnˈtɜːnl]
adj. 国内的;内部的;身内的
prime [高考]
美[praɪm] | 英[praɪm]
adj. 主要的; 基本的; 最好的; 首选的 n. 鼎盛时期 v. 事先指点; 事先准备
repetitive [高考]
美[ rɪˈpetətɪv] | 英[ rɪˈpetətɪv]
adj. 重复的;反复的
behaviour [高考]
美[bɪˈheɪvjər] | 英[bɪˈheɪvjə(r)]
n. 行为;举止;品行
annual [高考]
美[ˈænjuəl] | 英[ˈænjuəl]
adj. 每年的;年度的;一年生的 n. 年刊;一年生植物
chief [高考]
美[tʃiːf] | 英[tʃiːf]
adj. 主要的;首要的 n. 首领
budget [高考]
美[ˈbʌdʒɪt] | 英[ˈbʌdʒɪt]
n. 预算 vt. 编预算;为 ... 做预算 vi. 节省开支 adj. 廉价的;不贵的
arise [高考]
美[əˈraɪz] | 英[əˈraɪz]
vi. 出现;升起;上升;发生;起来
format [高考]
美[ˈfɔːrmæt] | 英[ˈfɔːmæt]
n. 版式;设计 vt. 使格式化;安排
bingo [高考]
美[ˈbɪŋɡoʊ] | 英[ˈbɪŋɡəʊ]
n. 宾果游戏 int. 看吧!瞧!(因出乎意料的成功而表示兴奋的叫声)
wish for [高考]
美[wɪʃ fɔːr] | 英[wɪʃ fɔː(r)]
希望得到; 想要
means [高考]
美[miːnz] | 英[miːnz]
n. 方法;手段;收入;财产 v. 意思是,意味(动词mean的第三人称单数)
dedicated [高考]
美[ˈdedɪkeɪtɪd] | 英[ˈdedɪkeɪtɪd]
adj. 专注的;献身的;专用的
delegate [高考]
美[ˈdelɪɡət , ˈdelɪɡeɪt] | 英[ˈdelɪɡət , ˈdelɪɡeɪt]
n. 代表 v. 派 ... 为代表;委派;授权;委托
farewell [高考]
美[ˌferˈwel] | 英[ˌfeəˈwel]
int. 再会;别了 n. 告别 adj. 告别的
microphone [高考]
美[ˈmaɪkrəfoʊn] | 英[ˈmaɪkrəfəʊn]
n. 麦克风;扩音器
where [高考]
美[wer] | 英[weə(r)]
adv. 在哪里;在那个地方 conj. 在 ... 地方
would [高考]
美[wʊd , wəd] | 英[wʊd , wəd]
aux. 将;可能;大概;总会;愿意;will的过去式
pleased [高考]
美[pliːzd] | 英[pliːzd]
adj. 高兴的,开心的,乐意的
forth [四级]
美[fɔːrθ] | 英[fɔːθ]
adv. 向前;向外;露出
succession [四级]
美[səkˈseʃn] | 英[səkˈseʃn]
n. 连续;继承权;继位
throne [四级]
美[θroʊn] | 英[θrəʊn]
n. 王位;君主
investor [四级]
美[ɪnˈvɛstɚ] | 英[ɪnˈvestə(r)]
n. 投资者
diagnosis [四级]
美[ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊsɪs] | 英[ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs]
n. 诊断,判断
spontaneously [四级]
美[spɔnˈtenɪəslɪ] | 英[spɒn'teɪnɪəslɪ]
adv. 自发地;自生地;自然产生地
demonstration [四级]
美[ˌdemənˈstreɪʃn] | 英[ˌdemənˈstreɪʃn]
n. 示范;表达;实证;示威游行
be sure [四级]
美[bi ʃʊr] | 英[bi: ʃuə]
确信, 肯定
sit on [四级]
美[sit ɑn] | 英[sit ɔn]
v. 搁置;参加;旁听;列席;训斥
accountable [四级]
美[əˈkaʊntəbl] | 英[əˈkaʊntəbl]
adj. 负有责任的;可说明的
ritual [六级]
美[ˈrɪtʃuəl] | 英[ˈrɪtʃuəl]
n. 仪式;典礼;宗教仪式;固定程序 adj. 仪式的;老规矩的;惯常的
warrant [六级]
美[ˈwɔːrənt] | 英[ˈwɒrənt]
n. 委任状;凭证;根据;正当理由 vt. 担保;保证;辩解;授权
oath [六级]
美[oʊθ] | 英[əʊθ]
n. 誓言;誓约;咒骂语
dreadful [六级]
美[ˈdredfl] | 英[ˈdredfl]
adj. 可怕的;糟糕的
kind of [六级]
美[kaɪnd ʌv] | 英[kaind ɔv]
adv. 有点儿
lure [六级]
美[lʊr] | 英[lʊə(r)]
vt. 诱惑;吸引 n. 诱惑;吸引力;饵
jargon [专四]
美[ˈdʒɑːrɡən] | 英[ˈdʒɑːɡən]
n. 行话;术语;俗语;时髦话
amiss [专四]
美[əˈmɪs] | 英[əˈmɪs]
adj. 有毛病的;出差错的;有缺点的;不合适的 adv. 有毛病地;出差错地;不合适地
alchemy [专八]
美[ˈælkəmi] | 英[ˈælkəmi]
n. 炼金术;魔力
coronation [专八]
美[ˌkɔrəˈneɪʃn] | 英[ˌkɒrəˈneɪʃn]
n. 加冕礼
homage [专八]
美[ˈhɑːmɪdʒ] | 英[ˈhɒmɪdʒ]
n. 敬意;效忠
harangue [专八]
美[həˈræŋ] | 英[həˈræŋ]
v. 慷慨激昂地劝说;作长篇演说;努力说服;鼓动 n. 高谈阔论的长篇演讲
pervade [专八]
美[pərˈveɪd] | 英[pəˈveɪd]
vt. 弥漫;遍及;蔓延
performative [考研]
美[pərˈfɔrmətɪv] | 英[pəˈfɔ:mətɪv]
adj. 述行的;表述行为的 n. 述行语;述行成分
continuity [考研]
美[ˌkɑːntɪˈnuːəti] | 英[ˌkɒntɪˈnjuːəti]
n. 连续性
governance [考研]
美[ˈɡʌvərnəns] | 英[ˈɡʌvənəns]
n. 统治;支配;管理
call forth [考研]
美[kɔːl fɔːrθ] | 英[kɔːl fɔːθ]
唤起; 振作起; 引起
podium [托福]
美[ ˈpoʊdiəm] | 英[ ˈpəʊdiəm]
n. 讲台;(乐队)指挥台;建筑物的墩座;矮墙 n. [生]管足
favourite [雅思]
美[ˈfeɪvərɪt] | 英[ˈfeɪvərɪt]
adj. 最喜爱的 n. 最受喜爱的人(或物)
重点讲解
Corporate rituals: From the public to the private, ceremonies pervade business life
公司仪式:从公开的到私密的,仪式在商业生活中无处不在。
ritual n. & a.
1. 作名词
(1)仪式,典礼(纪念宗教或社会事件)
【例】religious rituals 宗教仪式
(2)惯例,老规矩
【例】the daily ritual of mealtimes 每天固定不变的进餐时间
2. 作形容词
(1)仪式上的
【例】ritual dances 仪式舞蹈
(2)例行公事的
【例】ritual expressions of sympathy 例行公事地表示同情
demonstration n.
1. 游行示威
【例】to take part in a demonstration 参加示威游行
2. 演示,展示
【例】We were given a brief demonstration of the computer's functions.
我们看了这种计算机各种功能的简短演示。
3. 证明;证实
【例】a demonstration of the connection between the two sets of figures
论证这两组数字间的联系
4. 〔能力、品质或感情的〕表示,表露
【例】a physical demonstration of affection 爱的肢体表达
For a public demonstration of the importance of ritual, the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th will be hard to beat. The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, where monarchs have been crowned since William the Conqueror in 1066.
在向公众展示仪式的重要性方面,国王查尔斯三世在5月6日的加冕礼将是无可匹敌的。仪式将在威斯敏斯特大教堂举行,自1066年征服者威廉登基以来,君主一直在这里加冕。
ritual n. & a.
1. 作名词
(1)仪式,典礼(纪念宗教或社会事件)
【例】religious rituals 宗教仪式
(2)惯例,老规矩
【例】the daily ritual of mealtimes 每天固定不变的进餐时间
2. 作形容词
(1)仪式上的
【例】ritual dances 仪式舞蹈
(2)例行公事的
【例】ritual expressions of sympathy 例行公事地表示同情
demonstration n.
1. 游行示威
【例】to take part in a demonstration 参加示威游行
2. 演示,展示
【例】We were given a brief demonstration of the computer's functions.
我们看了这种计算机各种功能的简短演示。
3. 证明;证实
【例】a demonstration of the connection between the two sets of figures
论证这两组数字间的联系
4. 〔能力、品质或感情的〕表示,表露
【例】a physical demonstration of affection 爱的肢体表达
There will be anointing, homage-paying, oath-taking and all manner of processing. In any other circumstances this kind of behaviour would warrant a medical diagnosis.
到时候将有涂油、致敬、宣誓等各种程序。在任何其他情况下,做出这种行为的人都有理由接受医学诊断。
all manner of sb./sth. 各种各样的人(或事)
【例】The problem can be solved in all manner of ways.
这个问题可以用各种方法加以解决。
【拓展】manner n.
1. 方式;方法
【例】I had hoped you would behave in a more responsible manner.
我曾希望你会表现得更负责些。
2. 举止;行为
【例】His manner was polite but cool.
他举止有礼但很冷漠。
3. 礼貌;礼仪
【例】to have good/bad manners 有/没有礼貌
4. 规矩;习俗
【例】the social morals and manners of the seventeenth century
17 世纪的社会道德和习俗
warrant v. & n.
1. 作动词:需要;值得
【例】Another area that warrants attention is that of funding for universities.
另一个值得注意的方面就是大学的资金。
2. 作名词
(1)执行令;授权令
【例】an arrest warrant 逮捕证
(2)(做某事的)正当理由,依据
【例】There is no warrant for such criticism.
这种批评毫无根据。
But the alchemy of tradition means that it will instead call forth a sense of continuity and the idea of shared history.
但传统的神秘力量意味着,这种行为却将唤起一种延续感和历史认同感。
spawn v. & n.
1. 作动词
(1)引发;导致
【例】New technology has spawned new business opportunities.
新技术创造了大量新的商机。
(2)〔鱼或蛙〕大量产卵
【例】The frogs haven’t spawned yet.
青蛙还未产卵。
2. 作名词:(鱼、蛙等的)卵
【例】frog spawn 蛙卵
devote sth. to sth. 把…用于
【例】I could only devote two hours a day to the work.
我一天只能在这个工作上花两个小时。
【拓展】devote oneself to sth. 献身;致力
【例】She devoted herself to her career.
她全力倾注于自己的事业。
Rituals are also a big part of corporate life. There is nothing to match coronation levels of weirdness, much as some chief executives might like the idea of robes and a throne.
仪式也是企业生活的重要组成部分。没有什么能比得上加冕仪式的怪诞程度,尽管有些首席执行官可能喜欢长袍和王冠。
spawn v. & n.
1. 作动词
(1)引发;导致
【例】New technology has spawned new business opportunities.
新技术创造了大量新的商机。
(2)〔鱼或蛙〕大量产卵
【例】The frogs haven’t spawned yet.
青蛙还未产卵。
2. 作名词:(鱼、蛙等的)卵
【例】frog spawn 蛙卵
devote sth. to sth. 把…用于
【例】I could only devote two hours a day to the work.
我一天只能在这个工作上花两个小时。
【拓展】devote oneself to sth. 献身;致力
【例】She devoted herself to her career.
她全力倾注于自己的事业。
But firms have their own ceremonies and rites. Some are internal: the repetitive rhythms of performance reviews and weekly meetings, budget processes and farewell cards are all ritualistic.
但公司有自己的仪式。有些仪式是内部的:周而复始的业绩评估、周会、预算流程和离别贺卡都是例行的仪式。
spawn v. & n.
1. 作动词
(1)引发;导致
【例】New technology has spawned new business opportunities.
新技术创造了大量新的商机。
(2)〔鱼或蛙〕大量产卵
【例】The frogs haven’t spawned yet.
青蛙还未产卵。
2. 作名词:(鱼、蛙等的)卵
【例】frog spawn 蛙卵
devote sth. to sth. 把…用于
【例】I could only devote two hours a day to the work.
我一天只能在这个工作上花两个小时。
【拓展】devote oneself to sth. 献身;致力
【例】She devoted herself to her career.
她全力倾注于自己的事业。
Others are more public, from investor days to conference calls with analysts. The pandemic spawned a host of new customs, from regular events designed to lure people into the office to dedicated times of the week devoted to concentrated work.
其他仪式则更加公开,从投资者日到与分析师的电话会议。疫情催生了一系列新的习俗,从旨在吸引人们来办公室的定期活动,到一周中专门用于集中工作的时间。
spawn v. & n.
1. 作动词
(1)引发;导致
【例】New technology has spawned new business opportunities.
新技术创造了大量新的商机。
(2)〔鱼或蛙〕大量产卵
【例】The frogs haven’t spawned yet.
青蛙还未产卵。
2. 作名词:(鱼、蛙等的)卵
【例】frog spawn 蛙卵
devote sth. to sth. 把…用于
【例】I could only devote two hours a day to the work.
我一天只能在这个工作上花两个小时。
【拓展】devote oneself to sth. 献身;致力
【例】She devoted herself to her career.
她全力倾注于自己的事业。
Business rituals can arise spontaneously --- those informal games of office bingo for when the boss uses their favourite bit of jargon. They can also be entirely private.
商业仪式可能是自发出现的——当老板使用他们最喜欢的行话时,可以玩办公室宾果这种非正式的小游戏。仪式也可以是完全私密的。
bingo n.
1. 宾戈游戏(玩者均持有一张数字卡,第一个凑齐庄家喊出的全部或一组数字者胜出)
【例】to play bingo 玩宾戈游戏
2. 好,妙〔做成某事后发出的欢呼声〕
【例】Bingo! That’s the one I’ve been looking for.
太好了! 那正是我一直在找的。
No rule exists to say that, on entering a hotel room, the business traveller must check the minibar; that if the hotel manager has written a letter welcoming him, he must feel absurdly pleased; that if there is a plate of fruit, he must immediately eat all of it.
没有规定说,在走进酒店房间时,出差的旅客必须检查一下小冰箱;如果酒店经理给他写了一封欢迎信,他必须感受到受宠若惊;如果有一盘水果,他必须马上把水果都吃掉。
ordain v.
1. 授予圣职
【例】He was ordained (as) a priest last year.
他去年被授以神父圣职。
2. 命令,规定
【例】Fate had ordained that they would never meet again.
他们命里注定永远不会再相见。
Yet all of these things are as if ordained.
然而,所有这些似乎都是规定好了的。
ordain v.
1. 授予圣职
【例】He was ordained (as) a priest last year.
他去年被授以神父圣职。
2. 命令,规定
【例】Fate had ordained that they would never meet again.
他们命里注定永远不会再相见。
The prime example of the set-piece ceremony is the annual shareholders’ meeting. As a way of getting things done, this format is dreadful. Any information that shareholders actually need is available to them elsewhere.
这种固定仪式的一个典型例子就是一年一度的股东大会。作为一种完成工作的方式,这种形式糟糕透顶。股东真正需要的信息都可以在其他地方获得。
prime a. & v. & n.
1. 作形容词
(1)主要的;首要的
【例】My prime concern is to protect my property.
我最关心的是保护自己的财产。
(2)典型的;有代表性的
【例】The building is a prime example of 1960s architecture.
这座大楼是 20 世纪 60 年代的典型建筑。
(3)优质的;上乘的
【例】prime cuts of beef 上等的牛肉块
2. 做动词:使准备好
【例】Did you prime her with what to say?
你事先提醒她要说些什么了吗?
3. 作名词:盛年;鼎盛时期
【例】She’s now 40 and still in her prime.
目前她年已四十,依然风华正茂。
delegate v. & n.
1. 做动词
(1)授权;把(工作、权力等)委托给下级
【例】Some managers find it difficult to delegate.
有些经理认为难以做到下放权力。
(2)选派(某人做某事)
【例】I was delegated to find a suitable conference venue.
我受命去找一个合适的会场。
2. 作名词:代表;参会人员
【例】Congress delegates rejected the proposals.
国会代表拒绝了这些提议。
Many people delegate their voting rights to others. Plenty come just for the sandwiches.
许多人已经将投票权委托给其他人了。还有很多人来开会只是为了吃三明治。
prime a. & v. & n.
1. 作形容词
(1)主要的;首要的
【例】My prime concern is to protect my property.
我最关心的是保护自己的财产。
(2)典型的;有代表性的
【例】The building is a prime example of 1960s architecture.
这座大楼是 20 世纪 60 年代的典型建筑。
(3)优质的;上乘的
【例】prime cuts of beef 上等的牛肉块
2. 做动词:使准备好
【例】Did you prime her with what to say?
你事先提醒她要说些什么了吗?
3. 作名词:盛年;鼎盛时期
【例】She’s now 40 and still in her prime.
目前她年已四十,依然风华正茂。
delegate v. & n.
1. 做动词
(1)授权;把(工作、权力等)委托给下级
【例】Some managers find it difficult to delegate.
有些经理认为难以做到下放权力。
(2)选派(某人做某事)
【例】I was delegated to find a suitable conference venue.
我受命去找一个合适的会场。
2. 作名词:代表;参会人员
【例】Congress delegates rejected the proposals.
国会代表拒绝了这些提议。
But as a ritual it matters. The board of directors enter and sit on a podium; some of them may say absolutely nothing. The bosses give presentations to show that shareholders could not wish for a better set of managers.
但作为一种仪式,这种大会很重要。董事们进入会场并坐在讲台上,其中一些人可能一句话都不说。然后老板们汇报工作,表明股东们不可能指望找到更好的经理人了。
succession n.
1. 一连串;一系列
【例】a succession of visitors 络绎不绝的来访者
2. 继承;继任
【例】the queen’s succession to the throne 女王对王位的继承
not come/go amiss某物很合适,不会出错
【例】A cup of tea wouldn’t go amiss.
来杯茶准没错。
【拓展】take sth. amiss 对某事生气/见怪
【例】Don’t take it amiss – I was just teasing.
别见怪,我只是逗你玩呢。
A succession of small shareholders then take the microphone and harangue the company’s management for being totally useless.
然后,许多小股东接二连三地拿起麦克风,义愤填膺地指责公司管理层毫无用处。
succession n.
1. 一连串;一系列
【例】a succession of visitors 络绎不绝的来访者
2. 继承;继任
【例】the queen’s succession to the throne 女王对王位的继承
not come/go amiss某物很合适,不会出错
【例】A cup of tea wouldn’t go amiss.
来杯茶准没错。
【拓展】take sth. amiss 对某事生气/见怪
【例】Don’t take it amiss – I was just teasing.
别见怪,我只是逗你玩呢。
It is performative, to be sure, but a bit of a performance doesn’t go amiss for something as bloodless as corporate governance. The annual meeting offers a useful physical reminder of who is accountable to whom.
这当然是一种表演,但对于像公司治理这样冷酷无情的事情来说,有一点表演也没什么大碍。年度会议实实在在地提醒人们,谁对谁负有责任。
succession n.
1. 一连串;一系列
【例】a succession of visitors 络绎不绝的来访者
2. 继承;继任
【例】the queen’s succession to the throne 女王对王位的继承
not come/go amiss某物很合适,不会出错
【例】A cup of tea wouldn’t go amiss.
来杯茶准没错。
【拓展】take sth. amiss 对某事生气/见怪
【例】Don’t take it amiss – I was just teasing.
别见怪,我只是逗你玩呢。
课后练习
The coronation of King Charles shows that ____.
A. King Charles is respected by British people
B. many rituals are absurd and unnecessary
C. rituals may have their own value
D. grand rituals have complex procedures
Rituals are ____ in corporations.
A. rare and insignificant
B. common and diverse
C. formal and serious
D. private and exclusive
The description of the behaviors in a hotel room shows that ____.
A. there are special rules for business travellers
B. hotels make special arrangements for business travellers
C. some rituals exist without being specified
D. business rituals rob workers of their freedom
What did the author think about the shareholders’ meeting?
A. It functions as an information source for shareholders.
B. Shareholders come to announce important decisions.
C. Managers regard it as a waste of time and energy.
D. It has important value as a corporate ritual.