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南亚与芒果的千年之恋
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南亚与芒果的千年之恋
但即使是脾气暴躁的巴布尔也无法否认芒果的美味，"好吃的芒果味道非常好"。 
双语精读
Beneath the (ap)peal
果皮（美味吸引力）之下
South Asia's long love affair with mangoes.
南亚与芒果的千年之恋。
"Hindustan is a country of few charms," observed Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, after conquering India in the 16th century.
"印度斯坦是一个没有魅力的国家，"扎希尔丁·穆罕默德·巴布尔在16世纪征服印度后评价道。
The founder of the Mughal empire was unimpressed by the handicrafts, horses, markets, people--and especially the fruit. He complained constantly about the lack of decent melons.
这位莫卧儿帝国的开国者对印度的手工艺品、马匹、市场、人民都没有留下特别的印象，尤其认为水果平平无奇。他不停地抱怨那里没有像样的瓜果。
But even grumpy Babur could not deny the pleasures of mangoes, which "when good, are very good". The mango, he concluded, is "the best fruit of Hindustan".
但即使是脾气暴躁的巴布尔也无法否认芒果的美味，"好吃的芒果味道非常好"。他总结道，芒果是"印度斯坦最好的水果"。
It is the national fruit of both India and Pakistan. Every region has a favourite variety, from the sublime Alphonso of western India to the sophisticated Dasheri of the north, sparking interminable arguments about which is best. (There is no wrong answer.)
芒果是印度和巴基斯坦的国之珍果。每个地区都有自己最爱的品种，从印度西部风味浓郁的阿方索芒果，到印度北部口感细腻的达谢里芒果，让人们没完没了地争论哪种芒果最好。（没有错误答案。）
Mango is used as an ingredient in chutney, daal, ice-cream, juice, sherbets and more. But mostly it is eaten alone: ripe, golden, with its juices trickling down the arms.
芒果被用作酸辣酱、扁豆汤、冰淇淋、果汁、冰糕等食物的原料。但芒果主要还是单独食用：成熟的金黄色芒果，（咬一口）汁液就顺着手臂流淌下来。
The mango is a gift of love, a lubricant for dealmaking, a plausibly deniable bribe, a reward, an indulgence and a necessity. It is part of the very essence of being Indian--or Pakistani.
芒果是表达爱的礼物，是交易的润滑剂，是可以合理抵赖的贿赂，是奖励，是享受，也是必需品。它是印度人----或者巴基斯坦人----本质的一部分。
That makes it a potent tool of diplomacy. Indian leaders have presented crates to American presidents, Pakistanis to Chairman Mao and the Indian prime minister.
这使芒果成为一种强有力的外交工具。印度领导人向美国总统赠送过成箱的芒果，巴基斯坦人向毛主席和印度总理赠送过。
However, most of South Asia's mangoes stay at home. India is the world's biggest mango producer. Yet its share of the global export market by value is a meagre 7%.
然而，南亚的大部分芒果都留在了国内。印度是世界上最大的芒果生产国。然而，按价值计算，印度在全球芒果出口市场的份额仅为微不足道的7%。
This is the West's loss. If Americans and Europeans are not besotted by mangoes, it is because they have tasted only the more mediocre produce of Mexico and Brazil.
这是西方的损失。如果美国人与欧洲人不痴迷于芒果，那是因为他们只品尝过来自墨西哥和巴西的非常普通的芒果。
The mango, as every South Asian knows, is as much about social bonds as about flavour. A fruit this fine demands to be shared.
正如每个南亚人所知，芒果不仅关乎味道，也关乎社会纽带。如此美味的水果，值得与世人分享。
词汇预习
constantly [高考]
美[ˈkɑːnstəntli] | 英[ˈkɒnstəntli]
adv. 不断地；经常地
region [高考]
美[ˈriːdʒən] | 英[ˈriːdʒən]
n. 地区；范围；领域；地带；地域
necessity [高考]
美[nəˈsesəti] | 英[nəˈsesəti]
n. 需要；必需品；必然
deny [高考]
美[dɪˈnaɪ] | 英[dɪˈnaɪ]
vt. 否认；拒绝承认；拒绝给予；自制
founder [高考]
美[ˈfaʊndɚ] | 英[ˈfaʊndə(r)]
n. 创立者 v. 摔倒；失败；沉没；弄跛
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
lack [高考]
美[læk] | 英[læk]
n. 缺乏；无 v. 缺乏；不足
variety [高考]
美[vəˈraɪəti] | 英[vəˈraɪəti]
n. 多样；种类；多样化 n. 杂耍
loss [高考]
美[lɔːs] | 英[lɒs]
n. 遗失；丧失；损失；失败；失落；死亡
affair [高考]
美[əˈfer] | 英[əˈfeə(r)]
n. 私通；事件；事务；事情
export [高考]
美[ɪkˈspɔːrt , ˈekspɔːrt] | 英[ɪkˈspɔːt , ˈekspɔːt]
n. 输出，出口；出口商品 v. 输出物资，输出，出口 adj.输出的
minister [高考]
美[ˈmɪnɪstər] | 英[ˈmɪnɪstə(r)]
n. 外交使节；部长；大臣；牧师 v. 照顾；给予帮助
ripe [高考]
美[raɪp] | 英[raɪp]
adj. 成熟的；熟的
lack of [高考]
美[læk ʌv] | 英[læk ɔv]
缺乏
flavour [高考]
美[ˈfleɪvər] | 英[ˈfleɪvə(r)]
n. 味道；风味；韵味 vt. 给...加味；给...增添风趣
decent [高考]
美[ˈdiːsnt] | 英[ˈdiːsnt]
adj. 相当好的；体面的；适当的；正派的
diplomacy [高考]
美[dɪˈploʊməsi] | 英[dɪˈpləʊməsi]
n. 外交
sophisticated [高考]
美[səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd] | 英[səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd]
adj. 老练的；精密的；复杂的；久经世故的
empire [四级]
美[ˈempaɪər] | 英[ˈempaɪə(r)]
n. 帝国；大企业；帝权
essence [四级]
美[ˈesns] | 英[ˈesns]
n. 精髓；本质；要素；香精
bribe [六级]
美[braɪb] | 英[braɪb]
n. 贿赂；贿赂物 v. 贿赂
potent [六级]
美[ˈpoʊtnt] | 英[ˈpəʊtnt]
adj. 强有力的；有效的
lubricant [专八]
美[ˈlubrɪkənt] | 英[ˈlu:brɪkənt]
n. 润滑剂
indulgence [专八]
美[ɪnˈdʌldʒəns] | 英[ɪnˈdʌldʒəns]
n. 沉溺 放纵 嗜好
mediocre [专八]
美[ˌmiːdiˈoʊkər] | 英[ˌmiːdiˈəʊkə(r)]
adj. 平庸的；平凡的
grumpy [专八]
美[ˈɡrʌmpi] | 英[ˈɡrʌmpi]
adj. 性情乖戾的；脾气暴躁的
interminable [专八]
美[ɪnˈtɜːrmɪnəbl] | 英[ɪnˈtɜːmɪnəbl]
adj. 无止尽的；冗长的
sublime [专八]
美[səˈblaɪm] | 英[səˈblaɪm]
adj. 高尚的；壮观的；非凡的；极其的 vt. 变高尚；升华；气化 n. 顶峰；高尚
meagre [雅思]
美[ˈmiːɡər] | 英[ˈmiːɡə(r)]
adj. 瘦的；不足的；贫乏的
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
Beneath the (ap)peal
果皮（美味吸引力）之下
South Asia's long love affair with mangoes.
南亚与芒果的千年之恋。
"Hindustan is a country of few charms," observed Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, after conquering India in the 16th century.
"印度斯坦是一个没有魅力的国家，"扎希尔丁·穆罕默德·巴布尔在16世纪征服印度后评价道。
The founder of the Mughal empire was unimpressed by the handicrafts, horses, markets, people--and especially the fruit. He complained constantly about the lack of decent melons.
这位莫卧儿帝国的开国者对印度的手工艺品、马匹、市场、人民都没有留下特别的印象，尤其认为水果平平无奇。他不停地抱怨那里没有像样的瓜果。
unimpressed adj. 印象平平的；无深刻印象的
【例】Despite the hype, he was unimpressed with the new movie.
虽然新电影宣传得天花乱坠，但他不为所动。
【反义词】impressed adj. 印象深的
impressive adj. 令人印象深的；厉害的
But even grumpy Babur could not deny the pleasures of mangoes, which "when good, are very good". The mango, he concluded, is "the best fruit of Hindustan".
但即使是脾气暴躁的巴布尔也无法否认芒果的美味，"好吃的芒果味道非常好"。他总结道，芒果是"印度斯坦最好的水果"。
unimpressed adj. 印象平平的；无深刻印象的
【例】Despite the hype, he was unimpressed with the new movie.
虽然新电影宣传得天花乱坠，但他不为所动。
【反义词】impressed adj. 印象深的
impressive adj. 令人印象深的；厉害的
It is the national fruit of both India and Pakistan. Every region has a favourite variety, from the sublime Alphonso of western India to the sophisticated Dasheri of the north, sparking interminable arguments about which is best. (There is no wrong answer.)
芒果是印度和巴基斯坦的国之珍果。每个地区都有自己最爱的品种，从印度西部风味浓郁的阿方索芒果，到印度北部口感细腻的达谢里芒果，让人们没完没了地争论哪种芒果最好。（没有错误答案。）
spark v. 引发；激发
【例】The proposal sparked a storm of protest around the country.
这一提案引发了全国性的抗议浪潮。
The TV show sparked his interest in music.
这个电视节目激发了他对音乐的兴趣。
【近义词】trigger v. 触发；作为导火索
interminable adj. 没完没了的；冗长的
【例】an interminable speech/meeting
冗长的讲话/无休止的会议
【拓展】terminal adj. 终点的
terminate v. 使停止；终止
Mango is used as an ingredient in chutney, daal, ice-cream, juice, sherbets and more. But mostly it is eaten alone: ripe, golden, with its juices trickling down the arms.
芒果被用作酸辣酱、扁豆汤、冰淇淋、果汁、冰糕等食物的原料。但芒果主要还是单独食用：成熟的金黄色芒果，（咬一口）汁液就顺着手臂流淌下来。
trickle v. 小量液体流淌
【例】Tears were trickling from her eyes.
泪水从她的眼中流下。
People began trickling into the hall.
人们开始慢慢进入大厅。
【近义词】drip v. 滴下
seep v. 渗出来
stream/flow v. 流淌
plausibly adv. 看似合理地；花言巧语地
【例】The witness explained the events so plausibly that the jury was convinced.
证人把事件解释得貌似非常合理，让陪审团都相信了。
【拓展】plausible adj. 看似合理的
【例】a plausible excuse 看似合理的借口
indulgence n. 享受；放纵
【例】She allowed herself the indulgence of a large piece of chocolate cake after a long day.
漫长的一天结束后，她纵容自己吃了一大块巧克力蛋糕。
【拓展】indulge v. 纵容；迁就
【例】Thanks for indulging me and listening to my long stories.
感谢你耐心听我讲了这么长的故事。
The mango is a gift of love, a lubricant for dealmaking, a plausibly deniable bribe, a reward, an indulgence and a necessity. It is part of the very essence of being Indian--or Pakistani.
芒果是表达爱的礼物，是交易的润滑剂，是可以合理抵赖的贿赂，是奖励，是享受，也是必需品。它是印度人----或者巴基斯坦人----本质的一部分。
trickle v. 小量液体流淌
【例】Tears were trickling from her eyes.
泪水从她的眼中流下。
People began trickling into the hall.
人们开始慢慢进入大厅。
【近义词】drip v. 滴下
seep v. 渗出来
stream/flow v. 流淌
plausibly adv. 看似合理地；花言巧语地
【例】The witness explained the events so plausibly that the jury was convinced.
证人把事件解释得貌似非常合理，让陪审团都相信了。
【拓展】plausible adj. 看似合理的
【例】a plausible excuse 看似合理的借口
indulgence n. 享受；放纵
【例】She allowed herself the indulgence of a large piece of chocolate cake after a long day.
漫长的一天结束后，她纵容自己吃了一大块巧克力蛋糕。
【拓展】indulge v. 纵容；迁就
【例】Thanks for indulging me and listening to my long stories.
感谢你耐心听我讲了这么长的故事。
That makes it a potent tool of diplomacy. Indian leaders have presented crates to American presidents, Pakistanis to Chairman Mao and the Indian prime minister.
这使芒果成为一种强有力的外交工具。印度领导人向美国总统赠送过成箱的芒果，巴基斯坦人向毛主席和印度总理赠送过。
potent adj. 强有力的；强效的
【例】a potent argument 有力的论据
a potent drug 猛药
【拓展】impotent adj. 无能的
omnipotent adj. 全能的；万能的
meagre adj. 极少的；少且劣质的
【例】a meagre meal 粗茶淡饭
a meagre salary 菲薄的工资
【近义词】paltry/scant adj. 极少的
However, most of South Asia's mangoes stay at home. India is the world's biggest mango producer. Yet its share of the global export market by value is a meagre 7%.
然而，南亚的大部分芒果都留在了国内。印度是世界上最大的芒果生产国。然而，按价值计算，印度在全球芒果出口市场的份额仅为微不足道的7%。
potent adj. 强有力的；强效的
【例】a potent argument 有力的论据
a potent drug 猛药
【拓展】impotent adj. 无能的
omnipotent adj. 全能的；万能的
meagre adj. 极少的；少且劣质的
【例】a meagre meal 粗茶淡饭
a meagre salary 菲薄的工资
【近义词】paltry/scant adj. 极少的
This is the West's loss. If Americans and Europeans are not besotted by mangoes, it is because they have tasted only the more mediocre produce of Mexico and Brazil.
这是西方的损失。如果美国人与欧洲人不痴迷于芒果，那是因为他们只品尝过来自墨西哥和巴西的非常普通的芒果。
mediocre adj. 平庸的；普通的
【例】a mediocre writer 平庸的作家
【近义词】average adj. 普通的
second-rate adj. 二流的；平庸的
demand v. 需要
【例】This sport demands both speed and strength.
这项运动既需要速度也需要体力。
【近义词】require v. 需要
The mango, as every South Asian knows, is as much about social bonds as about flavour. A fruit this fine demands to be shared.
正如每个南亚人所知，芒果不仅关乎味道，也关乎社会纽带。如此美味的水果，值得与世人分享。
mediocre adj. 平庸的；普通的
【例】a mediocre writer 平庸的作家
【近义词】average adj. 普通的
second-rate adj. 二流的；平庸的
demand v. 需要
【例】This sport demands both speed and strength.
这项运动既需要速度也需要体力。
【近义词】require v. 需要
课后练习
What was Babur's opinion about the fruit in Hindustan?
A. He found nothing satisfying except the mangoes.
B. He found all the fruits in Hindustan to be excellent.
C. He found the mangoes to be marginally better than melons.
D. He found the handicrafts and markets to be more attractive.
Which of the following is true about mangoes?
A. They have different values depending on the variety.
B. They are the root of conflicts between different regions.
C. They are more frequently used in recipes than eaten alone.
D. They grow in abundance in every region and are all delicious.
Why is the mango an important tool of diplomacy?
A. Because it is extremely valuable and precious.
B. Because it is exclusively found in India and Pakistan.
C. Because it is the most common fruit in India and Pakistan.
D. Because it is a culturally important part of the national identity.
What does the author lament?
A. The lack of social bonds in South Asia.
B. The overproduction of mangoes in India.
C. The lack of South Asia’s mangoes in the Western market.
D. The mediocre quality of Mexican and Brazilian mangoes.
