New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It’s now a “global village” where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone satellite link. And, of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills.
 
[词汇解析]
       benefit  /5benIfIt/  v.  使（某人[某事物]）受益；得益 
                [例]  We benefited greatly by this frank talk.这次坦率的谈话使我们获益匪浅。

       communication  / kE9mju:nI5keIFn /  n. 传达；交流；交往；通信通讯(交通)设施
                [例] The satellite has become an important means of communication.卫星已成为一个重要的通讯工具。
                [例] Communication between old and young people is not so difficult as you think.青老年之间的思想交流没有你想的那样困难。

       enhance  / In5hB:ns / v. 增强（某人[某事物]的优点）；使（某人[某事物]）看起来更好；提高；美化
                [例]Those clothes do nothing to enhance her appearance. 她穿那些衣服也并没显得更漂亮。
                [例]Beautiful colored illustrations enhanced the book.漂亮的彩色插图使这本书更具吸引力。
 
[段落译文]
       新科技前所未有地把世界连在了一起，我们的地球缩小了；现在只是个“地球村”了， 有了传真、电话或卫星连接，国家也只不过相隔几秒钟而已。当然，有了外语能力，我们应用高科技通信器材赢利的能力又被极大地提高了。


 
Deeply involved with this new technology is a breed of modern business people who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad. In modern markets, success overseas often helps support domestic business efforts.

[词汇解析]
       involve  / In5vClv / v. 使（某事物）成为必要条件或结果；需要；使卷入，牵涉[(+in/with)]
                [例]Don't involve me in your quarrel! 不要把我牵扯进你们的争吵中！
                [例]The scheme involves computers.这一设计离不开计算机。

       breed  / bri:d / n. 种类，类型；品种
                [例] a new breed of politician 新式的政治家

       respect  / rI5spekt / n.  着眼点；关系；方面；尊敬；敬重；钦敬；
               [例] In what respect do you think the film is biased? 你认为影片在哪一方面失之偏颇?
                [例] Children should show respect for their teachers. 学生要尊敬老师。

       domestic  / dE5mestIk /  adj. 本国的，国内的；家庭的，家务的
                [例] domestic trade, exports, production, etc 国内贸易、本产出口、本地产品
                [例] domestic flights, ie to and from places within a country 国内班机。
 
[段落译文]
       此项新科技的常客是一类现代商务人员，他们越来越重视海外商务带来的经济效益。现代市场中，成功的海外业务常常有助国内的业务。


 
Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks. The executive stationed in another country no longer need fear being “out of sight and out of mind.” He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company’s plan for success, and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad. If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas, superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to cope back in the United Sates where cross-cultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent.
 
[词汇解析]
       increasingly  / In5kri:sINlI /  adv. 越来越多地；逐渐增加地
                [例]Increasingly, people are realizing that our basic problems are not economic ones. 人们越来越认识到我们的根本问题并非经济问题.
                [例]I'm finding it increasingly difficult to pay my bills. 我觉得越来越无力支付帐款了。

       superior  / su:5pIErIE(r) / adj. 优於一般水平的; 优良的; 优秀的; 优等的
                [例] a girl of superior intelligence 智力出众的女孩子

       confidence  / 5kCnfIdEns /  n. 信心；坚定的信赖；信任
                [例] I have little confidence in him. 我对他没有甚麽信心.
                [例] Don't put too much confidence in what the papers say. 不要过分相信报纸上的话

       consideration  /kEn9sIdE5reIFn/  n. 考虑；（对他人、 他人的情绪等的）顾及；体贴
                [例] Please give the matter your careful consideration. 此事请你仔细考虑.
                [例] The proposals are still under consideration, ie being considered. 那些提议仍在审议中.

       prevalent  / 5prevElEnt /  adj. 普遍存在的；普遍发生的；盛行的；流行的
                [例] The prevalent opinion is in favor of reform. 一般舆论都支持改革.
                [例]They were brought up in the liberal atmosphere prevalent in the 1960s.他们在六十年代盛行的自由气氛中长大。
 
[段落译文]
       在高管级别的升迁中，一次海外的委派正变得越来越重要。驻守在国外的高管无须担心说“看不见，没表现”。他或她可以确信海外成功对公司计划的成功至关重要，也深知升职往往紧跟或伴随一份驻外业务。如果一个职员能成功地完成一项艰难的海外业务，上司们将对他或她回美国后的办事能力更有信心，因为在美国处处要考虑跨文化以及外语问题。


 
Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications, even small businesses in the United States are able to get into international markets.
English is still the international language of business. But there is an ever-growing need for people who can speak another language. A second language isn’t generally required to get a job in business, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications appear to be equal.
 
[词汇解析]
       variety  / vE5raIEtI /  n. 变化，多样性，品种，种类
                [例] What other ways do you know to add variety? 你知道其他增加变化的方法吗?
                [例]He has a variety of interests. 他有多种爱好。

       candidate  / 5kAndIdEt /  n.（求职）申请人；（尤指国会的）候选人
                [例] stand as Labor candidate in a parliamentary election 国会竞选中作为工党候选人
                [例]offer oneself as a candidate for a post 自荐为某职位的候选人.

       qualification  /9kwClIfI5keIFn/ n. 赋予资格，获得资格；资格，资历；（对前述言语或文字的）限定条件；（获得的）学位、文凭、证书、执照等
                [例] What sort of qualifications do you need for the job? 做这项工作需要什麽资格?
 
[段落译文]
       因为有了各款相对廉价的通信器材应用于商业，在美国，即便小企业也能打入国际市场。
       英语依然是商业世界的国际语言。但是现在对双语人才的需求与日俱增。第二语言并不是在商界找工作的常备条件，但是当其他资格都打成平手，竞争者的语言技能就是他获聘的优势。


 
The employee posted abroad who speaks the country’s principal language has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations, and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly. The employee at the home office who can communicate well with foreign clients over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset to the firm.
 
[词汇解析]
       principal  / 5prInsEpl /  adj. 级别最高的，最重要的；为首的，主要的
                [例]principal language主体语言(某一地区主要的语言)
                [例] The principal aim of the policy is to bring peace to the area. 该政策的主要目的是为给这一地区带来和平.
                [例] Drinking is a principal cause of traffic accidents.酗酒是交通事故的主要原因。

       negotiation  /ni7^EuFi5eiFEn/  n. 商议, 谈判, 流通
                [例] carry on negotiation with sb. 与某人进行谈判

       asset  /5Aset/  n. 资产, 有用的东西
                [例] Good health is a great asset. 健康就是莫大的财富.
 
[段落译文]
       一位能说所驻国常用语的驻外员工有机会加快某些谈判进程，也能有文化上的见地去判断什么时候该放慢进程。在本国办公室的职员若能通过电话或传真很好地与外国客户交流，显而易见则是公司的财富。


 
[习题演练]
       1．Who stands to _____ most by the new tax laws?
       2．Telephone _____ between the two cities have been restored.
       3．Is malaria still _____ among the population here?
       4．At school we learn a _____ of things.
       5．He's got all the right _____ but is temperamentally unsuitable.
       6．The low salary is her _____ reason for leaving the job.
 
[习题解答]
       1．benefit 什么人可能从新的税法中得到最大的好处？
       2．communications 两城市间的电话联系已经恢复。
       3．prevalent 疟疾是否仍为此地居民的多发病?
       4．variety 在学校我们学习各种东西。
       5．qualifications 他具备所需要的一切合格证件, 惟独性情不适合。
       6．principal 工资太低是她辞去那工作的最重要的原因。