2024年06月六级第3套仔细阅读 Passage 1 原文翻译及答案解析

Sarcasm and jazz have something surprisingly in common: You know them when you hear them. Sarcasm is mostly understood through tone of voice, which is used to portray the opposite of the literal words. For example, when someone says, "Well, that's exactly what I need right now," their tone can tell you it's not what they need at all.

讽刺和爵士乐有一个惊人的共同点：当你听到它们时，你就知道它们是什么。讽刺主要通过语调来理解，语调用于表达字面意思的相反含义。例如，当某人说：“嗯，这正是我现在需要的，”他们的语调可以告诉你，这根本不是他们需要的。

Most frequently, sarcasm highlights an irritation or is, quite simply, mean.

最常见的是，讽刺要么凸显一种恼怒，要么就是单纯地刻薄。

If you want to be happier and improve your relationships, cut out sarcasm. Why? Because sarcasm is actually hostility disguised as humor.

如果你想更快乐并改善你的人际关系，就戒掉讽刺。为什么？因为讽刺实际上是伪装成幽默的敌意。

Despite smiling outwardly, many people who receive sarcastic comments feel put down and often think the sarcastic person is rude, or contemptible. Indeed, it's not surprising that the origin of the word sarcasm derives from the Greek word "sarkazein" which literally means "to tear or strip the flesh off." Hence, it's no wonder that sarcasm is often preceded by the word "cutting" and that it hurts.

尽管表面上在微笑，许多接受讽刺评论的人感到被贬低，通常认为讽刺的人是粗鲁或可鄙的。确实，讽刺一词的起源来自希腊词“sarkazein”，字面意思是“撕裂或剥离肉体”，这并不奇怪。因此，难怪讽刺常与“cutting”一词连用，并且它确实伤人。

What's more, since actions strongly determine thoughts and feelings, when a person consistently acts sarcastically it may only serve to heighten their underlying hostility and insecurity. After all, when you come right down to it, sarcasm can be used as a subtle form of bullying—and most bullies are angry, insecure, or cowardly.

更重要的是，由于行为强烈决定思想和感受，当一个人持续表现出讽刺时，这可能只会加剧他们潜在的敌意和不安全感。毕竟，归根结底，讽刺可以用作一种微妙的欺凌形式——而大多数欺凌者都是愤怒、不安全或懦弱的。

Alternatively, when a person stops voicing negative comments, especially sarcastic ones, they may soon start to feel happier and more self-confident. Also, other people in their life benefit even more because they no longer have to hear the emotionally hurtful language of sarcasm.

或者，当一个人停止发表负面评论，尤其是讽刺性评论时，他们可能很快开始感到更快乐和更自信。此外，他们生活中的其他人受益更多，因为他们不再需要听到讽刺这种情感上伤人的语言。

Now, I'm not saying all sarcasm is bad. It may just be better used sparingly—like a potent spice in cooking. Too much of the spice, and the dish will be overwhelmed by it. Similarly, an occasional dash of sarcastic wit can spice up a chat and add an element of humor to it. But a big or steady serving of sarcasm will overwhelm the emotional flavor of any conversation and can taste very bitter to its recipient.

现在，我并不是说所有讽刺都是坏的。它可能只是最好少量使用——就像烹饪中的一种强力香料。香料太多，菜就会被它盖过味道。同样，偶尔一点讽刺的机智可以为聊天增添趣味，并加入一丝幽默。但大量或持续的讽刺会盖过任何对话的情感风味，对接受者来说可能非常苦涩。

So, tone down the sarcasm and work on clever wit instead, which is usually without any hostility and thus more appreciated by those you're communicating with. In essence, sarcasm is easy while true, harmless wit takes talent.

所以，减少讽刺，转而培养巧妙的机智，这种机智通常没有敌意，因此更受你交流对象的欣赏。本质上，讽刺是容易的，而真正的、无害的机智需要才华。

Thus, the main difference between wit and sarcasm is that, as already stated, sarcasm is often hostility disguised as humor. It can be intended to hurt and is often bitter and biting. Witty statements are usually in response to someone's unhelpful remarks or behaviors, and the intent is to untangle and clarify the issue by emphasizing its absurdities. Sarcastic statements are expressed in a cutting manner; witty remarks are delivered with undisguised and harmless humor.

因此，机智和讽刺的主要区别在于，如前所述，讽刺通常是伪装成幽默的敌意。它可能意在伤害，通常苦涩而尖刻。机智的陈述通常是对某人无益言论或行为的回应，意图是通过强调其荒谬性来解开和澄清问题。讽刺的陈述以尖刻的方式表达；机智的评论则以毫不掩饰的无害幽默传递。