Larry 和李华在谈李华教中文的事。李华会学到两个常用语：dumb down 和
win-win.

    LL： So ， when you teach first year Chinese you must really have
to dumb down the material for the students.

    LH：什么？Dumb down ？这是什么意思呀？

    LL： Yeah. To dumb down is to take something difficult and make it
easy.

    LH：噢，To dumb down就是把难学的教材简化，让学生容易学一点。是啊，
一年级的学生都刚开始学中文，我必须用简单一些的教材。Larry ，dumb就是笨
；down就是下降，dumb down 这说法是不是有贬义呀？

    LL： Well ， sometimes you dumb something down because it is really
hard， and in those cases ， to dumb down doesn't really have a negative
sense to it.

    LH：那倒是。把过分复杂的内容简化一些是好的，所以在这种情况下，dumb
down确实不应该属于贬义。

    LL： Sometimes the person you are trying to teach isn't very smart
- and you have to dumb it down so they can begin to understand. In that
case， it does have a negative meaning.

    LH：这我太清楚了。有的学生就是教不会，脑子不太聪明，遇到这种情况你
也只好一点一点教，从最简单的开始。

    LL： Of course - and at work， when I explain the software to people
who have never used it， I generally dumb down my instructions so they
don't get confused.

    LH：那我跟你办公室的同事差不多。你要教我用新的电脑软件，你非得讲得
简单易懂，否则我会糊涂的。就像我教那些脑子不太快的学生一样。

    LL： So ， you don't have to dumb it down for those bright students？

    LH：教聪敏的学生当然就不需要dumb down 我的教材咯！有的学生可真聪敏，
一教就会，而且还不需要我每次重复。

    LL： That is amazing！ If you didn't have to dumb it down ， you must
be a really good teacher.

    LH：那还用说呀！当然是教导有方了，严师出高徒嘛。 Larry，我想请你帮
个忙，不知道你能不能教我使用刚买的绘画软件。

    LL： Sure ， Li Hua ， I'd be happy to.

    LH：我刚才说了，我对电脑不太精通。你可要用简单的词汇来讲解 - You are
really going to have to dumb it down for me ！

    ******

    LL： Hey， Li Hua. Speaking of teaching Chinese ， I've got a proposal
for you - and I think it is a real win-win situation.

    LH：我知道，win-win situation 就是双赢。也就是对双方都有好处。Win
就是赢或输的赢。对了，Larry ，你要给我提什么建议呀？

    LL： Oh ， I met someone who studied Chinese years ago and wants to
practice their Chinese. I thought you would be a perfect choice to help
her out.

    LH：你认识的这个人以前学过中文，现在想练习中文，我当然可以帮助她了。
不过，如果只是我帮助她，这好像并不是双赢的局面呦。

    LL： Well ， she is an editor for a magazine， and I thought she could
help you by editing your dissertation - and you could help her practice
her Chinese. It's a win-win situation for both of you.

    LH：原来如此，她是一个杂志的编辑，可以帮我修改博士论文。这样，我帮
她练习中文，她帮我改论文，这真是一个win-win situation.谢谢你，Larry ，
你知道花钱请人修改论文是很贵的。

    LL： As can hiring a Chinese tutor. I am sure my friend will think
it's win-win as well.

    LH：当然，请人辅导中文也不便宜。你把她的电话给我，我和她联系一下。
Larry ，我也有一个双赢的建议给你。

    LL： Okay ， just what is your win-win proposition？

    LH：我刚才不是请你教我使用刚买的绘画软件吗？这个周末给你做顿中国饭
怎么样？

    LL： Well ， I like the idea！ You are a great cook and I'm happy
to buy the food ， and you'll learn how to use the software. A perfect
win-win partnership ！

    LH：你也是个很棒的双赢夥伴。可是，Larry ，吃完饭后别忘了洗碗。

    LL： Me do the dishes ， too？ That seems a little less win-win to
me！

    LH：But it's a win-win to me！

    今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dumb down ，意思是把教材、讲解等简
化，让学的人更容易懂。还有一个常用语是win-win ，意思是双赢。