by Irene Chiang
The Month of the Spirits
1. 範文閱讀
According to Chinese lunar calendar, July is the so-called “ghost month,” and there is an annual festival on the seventh full moon in a lunar year. During this period of time, memorial ceremonies such as summer lantern festival are held all around Taiwan to commemorate the dead, to give offerings to the solitary spirits and to bring them some warmth from the human world.
There are many taboos during the month of the spirits. For example, you can’t play in the water or go swimming; otherwise the “water ghost” will catch you. And, your mom might tell you not to leave clothes hanging outside overnight because it brings bad luck. Next, engagements, marriages, births, birthday celebration, constructions, house moving, auto purchase, travels, even hospitalization and operations must be held ahead of time or postponed, otherwise it is considered ominous. Although some people don’t believe in such superstitious practices in this era, others still observe them truthfully. Actually, we simply need to be careful about everything at all times, and no need to worry ourselves for nothing.
2. 翻譯
農曆七月是中國農曆裡所謂的「鬼月」，是農曆第七個滿月時的年度節慶。在這段期間，台灣各地都舉行如夏季燈節等祭典來祭祀逝去的人們、為孤魂野鬼獻上祭品，以及為他們帶來些許人間的溫暖。
鬼月中有許多禁忌。例如，你不能玩水或游泳，否則「水鬼」就會把你抓走。你的媽媽可能會告訴你，衣服不可晾在外面過夜，不然就會碰上壞運氣。再者，訂婚、結婚、生產、做壽、動工、搬家、買車旅遊等，甚至連住院和開刀都必須提前或延後，否則就視為不吉。雖然有些人在這個時代已不再相信這麼迷信的習俗，其他人卻如實遵守這些禁忌。其實，我們只要凡事隨時謹慎小心即可，不需要自尋煩惱。
3. 單字
annual (adj.) 一年一度的
taboo (n.) 禁忌
overnight (adv.) 通宵、整夜、在前一天晚上
engagement (n.) 訂婚、婚約
marriage (n.) 婚姻
construction (n.) 建造、建築物
auto (n.) 汽車（口語）
hospitalization (n.) 住院治療
operation (n.) 【醫】手術
postpone (v.) 延期
ominous (adj.) 不祥的、不吉的
superstitious (adj.) 迷信的
observe (v.) 遵守、奉行
4. 片語
according to 根據、按照
lunar calendar 農曆
so-called 所謂的
at all times 隨時、時時刻刻
to worry oneself for nothing 自尋煩惱
5. 句型
during this period of time 在這段期間
She usually doesn’t go out during this period of time. 她在這段期間通常不出門。
all around 到處
This story is on everybody's lips all around. 到處都傳頌著這個故事。
ahead of time 提前
I need to write my report ahead of time. 我必須提前寫報告。
still 仍然
My little brother still likes to play tennis. 我弟弟仍然喜歡打網球。
actually 實際上、真的
Did you actually see him shut the door? 你真的看到他關門嗎?
no need 不需要、沒有必要
He is a hard-working student, so no need to worry about his exams.
他是個用功的學生，所以不需要擔心他的考試。
6. 情境會話
Situation: A is talking her wedding plan. B is reminding her that the “month of the spirits” is coming. They are in a café.
A 在談她的婚禮計畫。B 提醒她「鬼月」即將來臨。他們在咖啡廳裡。
To wed or not to wed, that is a question.
A: Hey, guess what. I’m going to get married!
B: Get married? You didn’t tell me when you called me last night. Is this a surprise?
A: Yes, kind of. I’ve booked a restaurant at the Grand Hyatt, and the ceremony will be a month from now. You must come!
B: Of course I will. But wait! Isn’t then the month of the spirits?
A: Oh really? I was just so into the wedding that I forgot to check the lunar calendar! No wonder the restaurant gave me a huge discount.
B: Well, if you don’t really care about the custom, then it doesn’t really matter.
A: I need to ask my fiancé. He’s just too busy that he asked me to decide almost everything. Now I really have to know if he has any concerns.
該不該結婚呢？
A: 嘿，妳一定猜不到。我要結婚了！
B: 結婚？妳昨晚打電話來的時候可沒告訴我。這是個驚喜嗎？
A: 算是吧？我在凱悅飯店訂好餐廳了，婚禮就在一個月之後。妳一定要來！
B: 那當然。但是下個月不就是鬼月嗎？
A: 真的嗎？我熱中計畫婚禮，根本忘了查農曆！難怪餐廳給我大打折扣。
B: 嗯，如果妳不怎麼在乎習俗，那就沒什麼關係。
A: 我會問問我的未婚夫。他太忙了，幾乎什麼事都讓我作決定。現在我真的需要知道他是否擔心這個。
7. 文法解析
In The Month of the Spirits, both “such as” and “for example” appear in the article. So, do you find something similar of these two? In fact, they have the same meaning, but sometimes you use them differently. Let’s discuss their usage as follows.
在「鬼月」這篇文章裡，such as 和 for example 都出現在內文裡。那麼，你有找出這兩者的相似之處嗎？其實它們的含意相同，在句中的用法有時卻不太一樣。以下，就讓我們來談談 such as 和 for example 的用法：
such as (+ 名詞) = for example
Examples
She’s been to many countries, such as India, Denmark, and Spain.
她到過許多國家，像是印度、丹麥和西班牙。
Fruits such as orange, kiwi and grapefruit are rich in Vitamin C.
像橘子、奇異果和葡萄柚等水果，都含有豐富的維他命 C。
My dad has several rules. For example, we can’t talk on the phone while he’s watching TV.
我爸爸有些規矩。例如，我們不能在他看電視的時候講電話。
There are many beautiful cities around the world. For example, Paris, Venice and Prague are among the prettiest.
世界上有許多美麗的城市。像巴黎、威尼斯和布拉格都在最漂亮的城市之列。
8. 例句
Only, Simply, and Merely: 哪一個才是「只要」？
Subject: 只要？
請問 Only, Simply, and Merely 有什麼不同嗎？
The English Doctor replies:
Good question. Suppose “just” (只要、只是) is the meaning you want for these words, here is a brief explanation: they do have the same meaning as just, but they have other meanings as well. Only also means sole (唯一的) and but (不過). Next, Simply means easily, which is to describe something is easy to do, and plainly (樸素的). Finally, merely has another meaning, and that is barely (幾乎不). Now read the following sentences:
She only wants to go to Nancy’s. 她只想去 Nancy 家。
I may go at any time, only I had better let my uncle know beforehand.
我什麼時候走都行,不過最好先告訴我叔叔一聲。
This job can be done easily. 做這個活兒挺簡單。
My grandfather lives simply. 我祖父生活儉樸。
He has barely enough food to eat. 他的食物僅夠勉強果腹。
9. 註解
offering 通常指的是捐獻物或捐助物，也可用來表示禮物、祭品、出售物或課程。
Offerings from people are scarce in hard times. 在艱困的年代，人們的捐獻很稀少。
Our family always gives plenty of offerings for religious ceremony.
我家總是在宗教儀式中慷慨祭祀。
Offerings provided by the store are in a great variety. 這商店有各式各樣的貨。
Have you noticed offerings from our school? There’re so many interesting new classes this semester.
你注意到我們學校的課程了嗎？這學期有好多有趣的新課程。
the solar calendar 陽曆，也就是一般通用的西元記年法。
My table calendar only has dates in solar calendar. 我的桌曆只有陽曆的日期。
solitary 單獨的、寂寞的
He prefers to take long solitary walks through the valley. 他偏愛長時間獨自漫步山谷。
The old lady lives a solitary life by the sea. 這位老婦寂寞地住在海邊。
10. 相關用語
敬鬼神而遠之 to keep a person at a distance
千載難逢 once in a blue moon
究竟,到底 (用於加強語氣) hell
What the hell do they want? 他們究竟要什麼?
作最後的絕望掙扎 catch at a straw
沒出息 good for nothing
庸人自擾 Stupid people create troubles for themselves.
11. 閱讀測驗
There are various kinds of customs, or superstitions, in many countries. Try to answer questions based on the following statements.
許多國家的迷信風俗各不相同。請依照下列敘述回答問題：
In Russia, people will let a cat get into a house before moving into it for good luck, and the Greek like to throw dishes on the floor at a banquet. There is more. When the German accept compliments, they will knock once or twice on a wooden table or other stuffs to get rid of jealousy from others.
(1) Which country’s custom will cause damages on plates?
A. Germany B. Greece C. Russia
(2) Which country does feline play a big part in?
A. Russia B. Germany C. Greece
(3) Who does things to avoid being jealous of?
A. The Greek B. The Russian C. The German
(Answer key: (1) B (2) A (3) C)
12. 翻譯挑戰
Do you think you can translate the following short paragraph into English? If you are ready for the challenge, just go ahead and show your ability!
你想試試看嗎？請將下列一小段中文翻譯成英文。
基於民間習俗，農曆七月期間諸事不宜，各行各業飽受鬼月衝擊，因此推出各式各樣的促銷方法增加消費者的購買。汽車業、房地產或旅遊業業者無不卯足全力吸引顧客的注意力。不信邪的人們準備撿便宜吧！
(Answer key: According to folk custom, it is not suitable to do things during the month of July in a lunar calendar, and business sectors are hit hard by the month of the spirits. Therefore, they introduce a variety of promotions to increase purchases from consumers. People from the auto sector, real estate or travel sector all do whatever they can desperately to attract attentions from customers. For those of you do not believe in such superstitions, just prepare to have great bargain!)
13. 解析
Birth 這個字不但可表示「生產」，還有其他的意思。你想知道嗎？以下是 English Doctor 的解說：
(1) 出生、誕生
You need to write down your date of birth on this form. 你得在表格上填出生日期。
(2) 血統、家世、出身
She is a woman of French birth. 她是個法國血統的女子。
(3) 開始、起源
There is a very old American film called “the Birth of a Nation” by D. W. Griffith.
一部名為「國家的起源」的美國老片是由 D. W. Griffith 所執導。
(4) 天生
He is an artist by birth. 他是天生的藝術家。
以下是由 birth 所衍生出來的名詞和複合名詞（compound noun）：
birth certificate 出生證明書
birthday 生日
birth control 節育、避孕
birthmark 胎記、痣
birth mother 生母
birth place 出生地
birth pangs 分娩時的陣痛
birth rate 出生率
birthright 與生俱來的權力
birthstone誕生石
那麼，birthday 和 date of birth 又有什麼不同呢？Birthday 是生日，而 date of birth 則專指出生日期，也就是詳細的出生年月日等細節。
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