【英语趣味课堂】哥伦比亚的音乐-Colombian Music

Katia: Felipe, you know I like music very much. So I wanted to ask you about music in Colombia, in Ecuador. What kind of music do they have?

 

Felipe: Well, if you go to Colombia, I think it’s, you know, it’s such a diverse¹ country in terms of music. There is the – you know what is salsa?

 

Katia: Salsa? I have heard of it.

 

Felipe: Well, salsa is really popular in Colombia. And it’s popular because of the African influence, you know, because in the 16th Century, people from Africa came to Colombia as well, and they brought many kind of music. And this music, you know, mixed with the Spanish music. And now we have the well-known, you know, salsa. So salsa is popular in Colombia, and most Colombians can dance salsa, even children, you know, small children also can dance salsa.

 

Apart from that, we also have many different traditional dances such Joropo and Bambuco, which are, you know, dances – traditional dances in the countryside regions³. Peasants, you know, they have many – these different kind of dances.

 

In the Amazon region², you also find traditional dances. So Colombia is, I think, like a really diverse country in terms of dances.

 

Katia: That is amazing. What about Ecuador? Is it the same as Colombia?

 

Felipe: Yes, it’s similar but in Ecuador, the indigenous⁴ people who are living in the highlands have, I think, a more diverse, you know, group of dances. So, if you travel to the highlands, you will find that people in Quito, which is the capital of Ecuador, they have traditional dances. And if you go to the south and to the north, you will find many differences.

 

Traveling to the Amazon region is also a chance to know more and more different traditional dances. So I think in terms of indigenous traditional dances, Ecuador is more diverse.

 

Katia: That is so interesting. Really, thank you for this information. Now, I want to get more into music from Ecuador and Colombia.

 

Felipe: Great. You’re welcome.

 

[End of Transcript]

 

 重点词汇：

 

Learn vocabulary from the lesson below.

 

in terms of

 

It’s such a diverse country in terms of music.

 

Here, 'in terms of' means 'regarding⁵'. Notice the following:

 

In terms of music, my city has lots to offer.

Tokyo is a great place to live in terms of food.

I have heard of it

 

Salsa? I have heard of it.

 

The phrase 'I have heard of it' lets the speaker know the listener only knows a little about something and would like to hear more. Notice the following:

 

Have you heard about Parkour?

I have heard of it, but know little about it. Tell me more.

influence

 

It’s popular because of the African influence.

 

Influence means to have an affect on something. Notice the following:

 

We are all influenced by our parents.

Developing countries are influenced by Western Culture.

even

 

Most Colombians can dance salsa, even children.

 

Here, 'even' refers to something that is not expected to be part of a group. Notice the following:

 

The whole family danced, even grandpa.

All the stores, even gas stations, have wifi.

highlands

 

The indigenous people are living in the highlands.

 

Highlands are flat lands in the mountains. Notice the following:

 

Scotland⁶ is famous for its highlands.

The highlands are pretty but cold.

get into

 

I want to get more into music.

 

When you 'get into' something, you become interested in it. Notice the following:

 

As a kid, I got into manga.

She is getting into urban gardening.

1 diverse   

adj.不同的；相异的；多种多样的；形形色色的

参考例句：

• Spain is a composite of diverse traditions and people.西班牙是一个汇集了多种传统和民族的国家。
• Society is now much more diverse than ever before.当今社会较之以往任何时候都要丰富多彩得多。

2 region   

n.地区，地带，区域；范围，幅度

参考例句：

• The students went to study the geology of that region.学生们去研究那个地区的地质情况。
• It is unusual to see snow in this region.这个地区难得见到雪。

3 regions   

n.地区( region的名词复数 )；[数学]区域；（艺术、科学等的）领域；行政区

参考例句：

• A flying doctor service operates in remote regions. 在偏远地区有飞行医生服务。
• More powers are gradually being devolved to the regions. 正逐步向地方下放更多的权力。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 indigenous   

adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的

参考例句：

• Each country has its own indigenous cultural tradition.每个国家都有自己本土的文化传统。
• Indians were the indigenous inhabitants of America.印第安人是美洲的土著居民。

5 regarding   

prep.关于，至于；就…而论，在…方面

参考例句：

• Regarding John,I will write to him at once.至于约翰，我将立即给他写信。
• Regarding these facts,a special committee is to be appointed.鉴于这些事实，必须成立一个专门委员会。

6 Scotland   

n.苏格兰

参考例句：

• He has been hiking round Scotland for a month.他围着苏格兰徒步旅行了一个月。
• Scotland is to the north of England.苏格兰在英格兰之北。