【學英文 懂新聞】賴總統拋「祖國論」怎麼理解？

中華民國在慶祝113年的國慶前夕，總統賴清德在晚會上一席「祖國論」，道出臺灣與中共間的關係。該怎麼理解？其實一點也不「燒腦」。

《學英文 懂新聞》藉由閱讀第一手新聞資訊，不僅能學到正統道地的新聞英文，更能培養慎思明辨的能力。

Communist China Is Not Taiwan's Motherland, Taiwan President Says

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Democratic Taiwan is older than Communist China and thus it is wrong for Beijing to call itself the motherland, according to the island's President Lai Ching-te.

Lai made the comments during a speech at a gala at the Taipei Dome on Oct. 5, ahead of Taiwan's National Day on Oct. 10. Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China (ROC), celebrates its 113th birthday on this year's National Day. The People's Republic of China (PRC), the official name of mainland China under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), turned 75 on Oct. 1.

"Therefore, in terms of age, it is absolutely impossible for the People's Republic of China to become the 'motherland' of the Republic of China's people. On the contrary, the Republic of China may be the motherland of the people of the People's Republic of China who are over 75 years old," Lai said.

"So, if anyone in Taiwan wants to say happy birthday to the People's Republic of China, please do not call it the motherland."

10月5日，賴清德在臺灣雙十國慶日前，於臺北大巨蛋的晚會上發表上述言論。臺灣慶祝113歲生日，官方名稱為中華民國（ROC）。中國大陸在中國共產黨（CCP）統治下的官方名稱為中華人民共和國（PRC），於10月1日迎接75歲生日。

「因此，就年齡來說，中華人民共和國絕不可能成為中華民國人民的『祖國』。相反，中華民國可能是75歲以上的中華人民共和國人民的祖國。所以，臺灣如果有人想向中華人民共和國祝賀生日快樂，請不要稱其為祖國。」

【單字 / 詞解析】

 motherland

名詞 /ˈmʌð.ɚ.lænd/ 祖國

自然發音：MO-ther-land

英解：the country in which you were born, or the country with which you feel most connected

例句：Henry was forced to leave his motherland for political reasons.（亨利因政治迫害而離開祖國。）

comment

名詞 /ˈkɑˌmɛnt/ 評論

自然發音：CO-ment

英解：something you say or write that expresses your opinion

例句：Please don't make any comments on my dressing style.（請不要對我的穿衣風格發表任何評論。）

celebrate

動詞 /ˈsɛləˌbret/ 慶賀

自然發音：SE-le-brate

英解：to take part in special enjoyable activities in order to show that a particular occasion is important

例句：We always celebrate our wedding anniversary by going out to dinner.（我們總是外出晚餐來慶祝結婚紀念日。）

in terms of

就...而言

自然發音：in terms of

英解：used to describe which particular area of a subject you are discussing

例句：In terms of money, I am better off now.（就金錢而言，我現在經濟狀況更好了。）

【慎思明辨】

你可以針對以下議題進行論述，甚至寫一篇英文短文，練習英文寫作或口語表達。

* 對於賴清德總統的「祖國論」，您怎麼看？

* 對於國家認同，您主張臺灣屬於自己一國、臺灣屬於中華民國，還是臺灣屬於中華人民共和國？理由？

新聞來源：《英文大紀元》◇