CCTV9英语新闻：2015是绵羊或山羊的一年？

The new lunar year is about to begin in China. With 12 animals in the zodiac, 2015 is said to mark the Year of the Sheep. But this might not be the case, with some suggesting it is in fact, the year of the goat.

As the New Year draws near, businesses are keen to cash in. Guo Yonghua has been running this toy shop for several years. He says his latest lunar toys are selling well.

"It's the Sheep year, so it's auspicious¹ to buy sheep toys now. I've sold a lot this year," Guo said.

Li Hongye and Wang Liyan believe sheep-style trinkets will bring them luck in the new year. But, with some ambiguity² about which animal will replace the horse in 2015, it's unclear if these toys represent the Year of the Sheep, or year of the goat.

"I prefer to call it the sheep, because it's cuter," Li said.

"Most people would rather be like a sheep (than a goat)," Wang said.

China has more sheep than any other country, 187 million, 15 percent of the world's total.

It also has more than 195 million goats - nearly a quarter of the global goat population. But it's not as keen on them as other animals in the zodiac.

Anthropologist³, Zhao Xudong, says it's often considered unlucky in China - particularly for women.

"Some parents delay birth to avoid Sheep years, because it's considered to be burdened by bad luck. This is partly because Empress Dowager Cixi in the Qing dynasty was born in the Year of the Sheep and brought about policies that stagnated⁴ China's development. All too often, when people confront failures, they attribute it to animal years. But there is no scientific evidence to prove this," Zhao said.

In China, those born in the Year of the Sheep - or goat - are often believed to be mild-mannered, creative and sympathetic. But rarely leaders.

Despite all the negative connotations associated with the Year of the Sheep, this year is meant to be slightly more promising⁵ - because it's not just any sheep - it's the golden sheep.

Zhao says that gold element could mean more prosperity for the world economy.

"In Chinese culture, three goats or sheep bring bliss⁶ and wealth... I believe the gold Sheep may bring more blessings⁷ to society, be it greater income, or a new start in life," Zhao said.

As for whether it's the year of the sheep, or goat. Xudong says it is, in fact, the ram⁸. But that whatever it's called, the meaning is the same.

 

1 auspicious   

adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的

参考例句：

• The publication of my first book was an auspicious beginning of my career.我的第一本书的出版是我事业吉祥的开始。
• With favorable weather conditions it was an auspicious moment to set sail.风和日丽，正是扬帆出海的黄道吉日。

2 ambiguity   

n.模棱两可；意义不明确

参考例句：

• The telegram was misunderstood because of its ambiguity.由于电文意义不明确而造成了误解。
• Her answer was above all ambiguity.她的回答毫不含糊。

3 anthropologist   

n.人类学家，人类学者

参考例句：

• The lecturer is an anthropologist.这位讲师是人类学家。
• The anthropologist unearthed the skull of an ancient human at the site.人类学家在这个遗址挖掘出那块古人类的颅骨。

4 stagnated   

v.停滞，不流动，不发展( stagnate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The balloting had stagnated, he couldn't win. 投票工作陷于停顿，他不能得胜。 来自辞典例句
• His mind has stagnated since his retirement. 他退休后头脑迟钝了。 来自辞典例句

5 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

6 bliss   

n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福

参考例句：

• It's sheer bliss to be able to spend the day in bed.整天都可以躺在床上真是幸福。
• He's in bliss that he's won the Nobel Prize.他非常高兴，因为获得了诺贝尔奖金。

7 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 ram   

(random access memory)随机存取存储器

参考例句：

• 512k RAM is recommended and 640k RAM is preferred.推荐配置为512K内存，640K内存则更佳。