VOA慢速英语2012 AMERICAN MOSAIC - Remembering Don Cornelius and his ‘Soul Train’

AMERICAN MOSAIC¹ - Remembering Don Cornelius and his ‘Soul Train’

JUNE SIMMS: Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.
(MUSIC)
I’m June Simms. Today, we remember Don Cornelius, the creator of the influential² American television show, “Soul Train.”
And we talk to an expert about your relationship problems.
(MUSIC)
Lonely in South Korea
JUNE SIMMS: Tuesday is Valentine’s Day. So this is a good time to report that our new relationship advice blog has been getting a lot of comments. The advice comes from you, our audience. English learners get to practice their writing while helping³ other people solve real-life problems.
This week, as promised, we also asked an expert to offer some advice. Karen Ruskin is a marriage and family therapist⁴. She also wrote the advice book, “Dr. Karen’s Marriage Manual⁵.”
We explored first the problem sent by a Chinese man. He is studying medical chemistry in South Korea. His girlfriend of several years plans to move to South Korea herself. She plans to study the Korean language at the same university. However, the man’s mother disapproves⁶. He says she is concerned that her son will not keep up with his studies because of the added responsibility of his girlfriend. He says his family has told him if he does not end the relationship they may stop giving him money.
Dr. Ruskin praised the relationship between the man and his mother.
KAREN RUSKIN: “That’s lovely that he has a connection with his mother and it matters to him what she thinks.”
But, she says it is important to note that a twenty-five year old man is old enough to decide who his girlfriend should be. And, she says, a person of that age should be able to handle several responsibilities at a time.
KAREN RUSKIN: “A twenty-five year old absolutely can achieve school success, work success and be in a serious relationship and manage that it a healthy way.”
Dr. Ruskin says the student needs to talk to his mother about her exact worries. For example, he noted⁷ he was hoping to start a business with his girlfriend. But he is studying medical chemistry. Is this part of his mother’s problem with the plan?
KAREN RUSKIN: “Perhaps there is a concern that his goal focus is shifting⁸ because of the relationship that he’s in.”
Dr. Ruskin says the worry may also be financial. She says this man should know that he can not expect his parents to support both him and his girlfriend financially.
We then turned to a forty year old man from Iran. He has been at the same company for fifteen years without a promotion⁹. He asks for advice on how to build effective relationships at work so that he can move up.
Dr. Ruskin says there are several actions the man might want to consider. She says one is to show interest in his co-workers.
KAREN RUSKIN: “Ask them questions: what they’re doing in the office? What these projects are that they’re working on. And be able to share your interest in being a part of that --- your interest in being their teammate. Take on extra responsibilities of what they’re working on, if they’re willing to allow that.”
She also says people have to dress for the job they want. If a supervisor¹⁰ wears a suit and tie every day, so should anyone who wants to be a supervisor.
And, Dr. Ruskin says employers¹¹ notice people who create ideas.
KAREN RUSKIN: “Show your worth and why you’re needed, and why you’re a necessity¹², in this company by coming up with new concepts¹³ and then showing them.”
She says presentations are important. Gather people for a meeting on new ideas. Dr. Ruskin says supervisors¹⁴ often see employees in a new and leading role when they are presenting material in front of a group.
However, Karen Ruskin also has a warning for the Iranian man. She says fifteen years is a long time.
KAREN RUSKIN: “There is the possibility that you might need to consider that you’ve been there for so long that you are not able to be seen through the eyes of higher level. That you are seen in one way and unless you are in a different company that may be the only opportunity for you to be seen in a different light.”
Lastly, we spoke¹⁵ about a forty-five year old man from Japan. He asked how to deal with friends who ask for loans¹⁷. The man wrote that he had suffered ruined relationships as a result of lending money. But he says it is hard to say no when a friend requests financial help.
Dr. Ruskin says any time you loan¹⁶ money to a friend, the relationship changes.
KAREN RUSKIN: “Usually when you find yourself loaning¹⁸ money, you now enter a business relationship and it does change the friendship. You’re like a bank and there’s a reason why banks are not our friends.”
Dr. Ruskin does not suggest that our writer in Japan has to stop loaning money. But, if he does, he should know that it will most likely affect any friendship.
Send us your relationship problem for our advice blog at voanews.cn. Write to [email protected]. We will not use your name but please tell us your sex, age and country.
(MUSIC: “Mr. Big Stuff” – Jean Knight)
Don Cornelius Remembered
Before there was “MTV,” or “American Idol,” or “Dancing With the Stars,” there was “Soul Train.” The extremely influential television show helped introduce America and the world to African American music and culture.
The creator, producer and host of “Soul Train,” Don Cornelius, died last Wednesday, at the age of seventy-five. Officials believe his death was a suicide¹⁹. This week many people are remembering the well-known television personality, and the show that made him famous. Barbara Klein has more.
(MUSIC)
That is the theme song from “Soul Train.” Don Cornelius launched²⁰ the show in nineteen seventy, with just four hundred dollars. It was the first show of its kind - the first show to feature African American young people, as well as their music and culture.
DON CORNELIUS: “I had a burning desire to see black people presented on television in a positive light.”
Don Cornelius wrote, produced and hosted “Soul Train” for more than twenty years. It was the show people tuned²¹ in to every week for the hottest new music, the best new dance moves and the latest look in hair and clothing.
Watching “Soul Train” on Saturday became a family tradition for millions of African Americans across the United States. Ralph Herndon is a pianist with the Choral Arts Society of Washington. He says the show was especially important to African American youth.
RALPH HERNDON: “Soul Train was like having a party at your house every Saturday. Something that our black youth had to look forward to, something they could identify with.”
“Soul Train” helped establish the careers of many African American artists. The Jackson Five, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye are just a few of them. One appearance on the show could help an artist gain national attention, and greatly improve their record sales and concert attendance²².
(MUSIC: “Reasons” – Earth Wind and Fire)
Don Cornelius hosted “Soul Train” from nineteen seventy until nineteen ninety three. By the time the show went off the air in two thousand three, it had become one the longest running syndicated shows in American television history.
Robert Johnson is chairman of Black Entertainment Television. He says Don Cornelius was a powerful influence on African Americans, the United States and the world.
Robert Johnson: “For him to bring Soul Train to television at the time he did and keep it running for so many years is nothing short of phenomenal. It was literally²³ must-see TV. He will be sorely missed, but he will always be remembered.”
Don Cornelius was found dead at his home in Sherman Oaks²⁴, California on February first. Officials believe the seventy-five-year-old shot himself. His son Tony Cornelius told The Hollywood Reporter that father’s failing health may have played a part in his death. He also suggested his father was troubled by a failed marriage and other relationships.
Singing legend Aretha Franklin said she was shocked by Don Cornelius' death. She called it a "huge and momentous²⁵ loss."
In a statement to CNN, famed producer Quincy Jones called Don Cornelius a giant in the industry. Jones said the man’s “contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched.”
(MUSIC: “Never Can Say Goodbye” - The Jackson 5)
JUNE SIMMS. I’m June Simms. This program was written and produced by Caty Weaver²⁶. Join us again next week for music and more on AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.

1 mosaic   

n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的

参考例句：

• The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面。
• The image mosaic is a troublesome work.图象镶嵌是个麻烦的工作。

2 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 therapist   

n.治疗专家

参考例句：

• My therapist helped me feel my anger.我的治疗专家帮助我感受自己的怒气。
• Family therapists.家庭治疗师。

5 manual   

adj.手工的，体力的；n.手册，指南，键盘

参考例句：

• The majority of men there earn their living by manual labour.那里绝大多数人靠体力劳动谋生。
• The school offers manual training to the pupils.该校为学生开设手工课。

6 disapproves   

v.不赞成( disapprove的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• She disapproves of unmarried couples living together. 她反对未婚男女同居。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her mother disapproves of her wearing transparent underwear. 她母亲不赞成她穿透明的内衣。 来自辞典例句

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 shifting   

n.移位；转移，偏移；狡猾v.改变(shift的现在分词)adj.移动的；多变的；狡诈的

参考例句：

• It's impossible to prove him wrong because he keeps shifting his ground. 要证明他错是不可能的，因为他不断地改变立场。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• These tree belts effectively protect the farmland against shifting sand. 这些防护林带有效地保护了农田，使之免受流沙侵袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

10 supervisor   

n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师

参考例句：

• Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
• He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。

11 employers   

雇主( employer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Employers must consider all candidates impartially and without bias. 雇主必须公平而毫无成见地考虑所有求职者。
• The onus is on employers to follow health and safety laws. 雇主有义务遵行健康安全法。

12 necessity   

n.必要性，需要；必需品

参考例句：

• I look upon this as an absolute necessity.我认为这是绝对必要的。
• You must understand the necessity of education.你必须懂得教育的必要性。

13 concepts   

n.概念( concept的名词复数 )；观念；想法；总的印象

参考例句：

• He speaks in concepts rather than specifics. 他讲话时尽用抽象概念，而不谈具体。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The word "beauty" comprehends various concepts. “美”这个词包括许多概念。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

14 supervisors   

n.监督者，管理者( supervisor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I think the best technical people make the best supervisors. 我认为最好的技术人员可以成为最好的管理人员。 来自辞典例句
• Even the foremen or first-level supervisors have a staffing responsibility. 甚至领班或第一线的监督人员也有任用的责任。 来自辞典例句

15 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

16 loan   

n.贷款；借出的东西；借；vt.借出；贷予

参考例句：

• I asked the bank to help me with a loan.我请银行给我一笔贷款。
• Has the bank okayed your request for a loan?银行批准你的贷款要求了吗？

17 loans   

n.借出物，借款( loan的名词复数 )v.借出，贷与（尤指钱）( loan的第三人称单数 )；出借（贵重物品给博物馆等）

参考例句：

• They are offering loans at extortionate rates of interest. 他们在放高利贷。
• Government loans have been the salvation of several shaky business companies. 政府的贷款救活了几家濒临倒闭的公司。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

18 loaning   

n.田间小路，村边空地v.借出，贷与（尤指钱）( loan的现在分词 )；出借（贵重物品给博物馆等）

参考例句：

• She has her doubts about loaning him more money. 她对是否再借钱给他不无疑虑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Thanks for loaning me some cash. 谢谢你借我一些现金。 来自轻松英语会话---联想1000词(上)

19 suicide   

n.自杀，自毁，自杀性行为

参考例句：

• The number of suicide has increased.自杀案件的数量增加了。
• The death was adjudged a suicide by sleeping pills.该死亡事件被判定为服用安眠药自杀。

20 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

21 tuned   

adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• The resort is tuned in to the tastes of young and old alike. 这个度假胜地适合各种口味，老少皆宜。
• The instruments should be tuned up before each performance. 每次演出开始前都应将乐器调好音。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 attendance   

n.出席，出席人数，护理，照料

参考例句：

• The attendance of this class never dropped off.这个班的出席人数从未下降。
• The young man danced attendance on his rich aunt.这个年轻人小心侍候他有钱的姑妈。

23 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

24 oaks   

n.栎树( oak的名词复数 )；橡树；栎木；橡木

参考例句：

• Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm. 芦苇耐风暴，橡树却会倒。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Great oaks from little acorns grow. 万丈高楼平地起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

25 momentous   

adj.重要的，重大的

参考例句：

• I am deeply honoured to be invited to this momentous occasion.能应邀出席如此重要的场合，我深感荣幸。
• The momentous news was that war had begun.重大的新闻是战争已经开始。

26 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。