VOA标准英语2015--Some Turks Unhappy with Syrian Migrants

Some Turks Unhappy with Syrian Migrants

ISTANBUL—

Nearly two million migrants, mostly Syrians running from war and conflict, have taken refuge in Turkey. While the country has, for the most part, welcomed and taken care of them, resentment¹ against the newcomers is rising among some segments of the local population.

Melek üzüm moved into this two-bedroom apartment when her son was one year old. Now that her three children are older, the space feels too small. She wants to move to a bigger place but cannot afford it. The influx² of Syrian migrants has driven the rents in her neighborhood higher.

“There’s an apartment across the street for 800 liras [US$260]," she said. "There’s a basement right here they are renting for 600 liras [US$200]. They’ve driven the rent up so we can no longer afford it.”

Her landlady³, who has stopped by, is eager to chime in. She has her own grief with Syrians.

“Syrians are getting good money from our government but not locals. My mother is very poor. She’s old. She gets very little money from the government,” she said.

She says she will never rent her apartment to a Syrian because many families move in together and, she says, would destroy it.

The landlady’s daughter describes how it bothers her that Syrian beggars touch her when they ask for money.

Impact on wages

In another Istanbul neighborhood, a newlywed couple is getting ready to welcome guests. The husband works in the textile industry. He complains about Syrians driving wages down.

“After the Syrians came, income for the locals declined, and life became expensive. The rent of 500 [US$165] became 1000 [US$330],” he said.

Such feelings of resentment against Syrians are rising among low-income Turks, particularly in Istanbul.

Turkey has seen a huge influx of migrants over the last four years and low-income housing, and low-paying jobs, have faced the biggest impact.

The grievances⁴ are so far limited. But if Syrian migrants continue to arrive in Turkey in larger numbers, the tension among locals and their new foreign neighbors may very well increase.

1 resentment   

n.怨愤，忿恨

参考例句：

• All her feelings of resentment just came pouring out.她一股脑儿倾吐出所有的怨恨。
• She cherished a deep resentment under the rose towards her employer.她暗中对她的雇主怀恨在心。

2 influx   

n.流入，注入

参考例句：

• The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.这个国家实在不能接纳这么多涌入的难民。
• Textile workers favoured protection because they feared an influx of cheap cloth.纺织工人拥护贸易保护措施，因为他们担心涌入廉价纺织品。

3 landlady   

n.女房东，女地主

参考例句：

• I heard my landlady creeping stealthily up to my door.我听到我的女房东偷偷地来到我的门前。
• The landlady came over to serve me.女店主过来接待我。

4 grievances   

n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚

参考例句：

• The trade union leader spoke about the grievances of the workers. 工会领袖述说工人们的苦情。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He gave air to his grievances. 他申诉了他的冤情。 来自《简明英汉词典》