現代化對傳統的影響

David: Do you think China is loosing some of its traditions as it modernizes? 你是不是覺得中國在其現代化進程中正在丟掉一些傳統?

You:Well, maybe a little. As people advance they kind of get nostalgic and want to look back. When they find that something is good they treasure it, but when it seems bad, they just let it go with the wind. The things we treasure are really part of our culture. 可能有點吧.人類在進步的同時往往變得懷舊,喜歡回顧過去.發現好的東西就會格外珍惜,而糟粕則會被摒棄.所以我們現在珍惜的東西才是文明的精華.

David: Very interesting, but maybe some Beijing people would disagree. Maybe they think Chinese people should stick to their traditions and not change. 太有趣了.一些北京人很可能不大同意這種說法.也許他們認為中國應該固守所有的傳統.

You:They are just of different minds. Everyone has a right to his own opinion. However, some traditional treasures are not so popular with youngsters? 各人有各人的想法.然而,一些傳統的精華在年輕人中也沒那么流行了.

David: 你認為中國的哪些傳統沒有過去那么流行了呢?

You:A number of middle aged people and most elderly people enjoy listening to Beijing Opera but, with the modernization of society, the younger generation has develop their own taste in pop music.就拿京劇為例吧.一些中年人和大部分的老年人就比較喜歡京劇,而隨著社會發展,年輕人中流行的是流行歌曲.然而盡管京劇是我們的國粹,年輕一代很多卻不喜歡."

David: This is true in America as well. Every new generation has its own interests. Before in the mind 1900’s many people liked jazz, but now young people like hard rock, heavy metal and hip hop. 這在美國也是一樣的.年輕一代有他們自己的喜好.在20世紀90年代中期以前,很多人喜歡爵士樂;而現在年輕人們喜歡硬搖滾,重金屬搖滾樂以及蹦迪等.

You:Actually, the traditions of jazz and Beijing Opera are symbols of the cultural identity for our two countries. So we should preserve and develop them.但是京劇和爵士樂是中國和美國的國粹啊.因此,我們應當盡量保護并且弘揚他們.

David: That’s a good idea. 你說得很對.