Reading and Thinking 课文精读 · 英语诗歌的几种简单形式
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
There are various reasons why people compose poetry. Some poems tell a story or describe a certain image in the reader's mind. Others try to convey certain feelings such as joy and sorrow. The distinctive characteristics of poetry often include economical use of words, descriptive and vivid language, integrated imagery, literary devices such as similes and metaphors, and arrangement of words, lines, rhymes, and rhythm. Poets use many different forms of poetry to express themselves. Now we will look at a few of the simpler forms.
人们写诗有着各种各样的理由。有些诗是为了叙事，或者说是描述读者心目中的某个形象。而有些诗则是为了传达某种感情，比如喜悦和悲伤。诗歌的显著特点通常包括：用词简洁；语言描述生动、形象；具备整合的意象；使用明喻和隐喻等文学手法；词、句、节奏等编排有序。诗人用许多不同格式的诗来表达自己的情感。现在我们来看看几种格式比较简单的诗。
第2段
Some of the first poems a young child learns in English are nursery rhymes. They are usually the traditional poems or folk songs. The language of these rhymes, like Poem A, is to the point but has a storyline. Many children enjoy nursery rhymes because they rhyme, have a strong rhythm, and often repeat the same words. The poems may not make sense and even seem contradictory, but they are easy to learn and recite. By playing with the words in nursery rhymes children learn about language.
孩子们最早学习的英文诗是童谣。它们通常是传统的诗歌或民歌。这些童谣（如诗歌 A）的语言简单明了，但带有故事情节。许多孩子喜欢童谣，因为它们押韵，节奏感强，并较多单词重复。童谣不一定有什么意义，甚至（有的）看来自相矛盾，但是它们容易学，也容易背诵。通过童谣中的文字游戏，孩子们学习了语言。
诗歌 A
Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring turns to brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass.
If that looking-glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat.
If that billy goat won't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
小宝宝，别说话，爸爸给你买只小嘲鸟。小嘲鸟不会唱，爸爸给你买枚钻石戒。钻石戒变成了铜，爸爸给你买面小镜子。小镜子打破了，爸爸给你买只小山羊。小山羊拉不动，爸爸给你买辆牛车。
第3段
One of the simplest kinds of poem is the "list poem", which contains a list of things, people, ideas, or descriptions that develop a particular theme. List poems have a flexible line length and repeated phrases which give both a pattern and a rhythm to the poem. Some rhyme (like B and C), while others do not.
清单诗是诗歌中最简单的一种，它包含一系列发展特定主题的事物、人物、想法或描述。清单诗可长可短，可以重复一些短语，较为灵活，形成固定句型和诗的节奏。有些清单诗有韵脚（如 B 和 C），但有一些没有。
诗歌 B
Hundreds of stars in the deep blue sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of bees in the sunny weather,
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the world over.
碧空夜星如织，海滨贝壳满地，飞鸟啼鸣而过，蜜蜂沐浴暖阳，朝露迎接黎明，紫苜蓿间蜂群穿梭，草坪上蝴蝶翩跹，然而普天之下，母亲唯有一人。
诗歌 C
Life can be good,
Life can be bad,
Life is mostly cheerful but sometimes sad,
Life can be dreams,
Life can be great thoughts,
Life can mean a person
Sitting in court.
生活可能美好，生活可能糟糕，生活大多欢乐却偶尔忧伤，生活可以是梦一场，生活可以是伟大思想，生活也可能意味着一个人端坐于法庭之上。
第4段
Another simple form of poem that amateurs can easily write is the cinquain, which is made up of five lines. With these, you can convey a strong picture or a certain mood in just a few words. Look at the example (D).
另外一种业余爱好者容易写的简体诗是由五行组成的，叫做五行诗。用五行诗，你可以用少量的词语传递一幅动人的画面或某一特定的心情。请看例子 D。
诗歌 D
Brother
Beautiful, athletic
Teasing, shouting, laughing
Friend and enemy too
Mine
兄弟——俊美，又爱运动；戏弄、叫喊、欢笑；既是朋友也是对手；我的。
第5段
Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of 17 syllables. It has a format of three lines, containing 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively. It is not a traditional form of English poetry, but is very popular with English writers. It is easy to write and, like the cinquain, can give a clear picture and create a special feeling using very few words. The haiku poem (E) on the right is a translation from Japanese, which shows a moment in the life of a delicate butterfly.
俳句诗（Haiku）是一种日本诗，由 17 个音节组成。它是三行格式，分别包含 5、7 和 5 个音节。它不属于英诗的传统形式，但是在用英语写作的人们中间这种诗也是很流行的。它容易写，而且像五行诗一样，它可以用最少的词语呈现出一幅清晰的画面，表达出一种特殊的感情。右边的俳句诗（E）就是从日文翻译出来的，展示了一只蝴蝶生命中的一个瞬间。
诗歌 E
A fallen blossom
Is coming back to the branch
Look, a butterfly
飘落的花瓣回到枝头，瞧，那是一只蝴蝶！
第6段
English speakers also enjoy poems from China, those from the Tang Dynasty in particular. A lot of Tang poetry has been translated into English, such as this one (F).
说英语的人也喜欢中国的诗，尤其是唐诗。有许多唐诗被翻译成了英文，比如这一首（F）。
诗歌 F
Where she awaits her husband
On and on the river flows.
Never looking back,
Transformed into stone
Day by day upon the mountain top
Wind and rain revolve
Should the traveller return
This stone would utter speech
望夫处，江悠悠。化为石，不回头。山头日日风复雨，行人归来石应语。——（唐）王建《望夫石》
第7段
With so many different forms of poetry to choose from, you may eventually want to write poems of your own. Give it a try!
有了这么多可供选择的诗歌类型，你最终也许想自己作诗了。试一试吧！
二、重点单词
compose v.：创作（诗歌、音乐等）；组成。There are various reasons why people compose poetry.（人们写诗有种种理由。）
convey v.：传达；传递；运送。Others try to convey certain feelings such as joy and sorrow.
distinctive adj.：独特的；有特色的。The distinctive characteristics of poetry（诗歌的显著特征）
economical adj.：简洁的；节约的。economical use of words（用词简洁）
imagery n.：意象；形象化描述。integrated imagery（整合的意象）
literary device n.：文学手法。literary devices such as similes and metaphors
simile n.：明喻（如 A is like B）。similes and metaphors
metaphor n.：隐喻；暗喻。literary devices such as similes and metaphors
rhyme n. / v.：韵脚；押韵。Many children enjoy nursery rhymes because they rhyme.
rhythm n.：节奏；韵律。have a strong rhythm（节奏感强）
nursery rhyme n.：童谣；摇篮曲。Some of the first poems ... are nursery rhymes.
storyline n.：故事情节。The language ... is to the point but has a storyline.
contradictory adj.：矛盾的；对立的。The poems may ... even seem contradictory.
recite v.：背诵；朗诵。they are easy to learn and recite
flexible adj.：灵活的；可变通的。List poems have a flexible line length.
amateur n. / adj.：业余爱好者（的）。Another simple form ... amateurs can easily write
cinquain n.：五行诗（由五行组成）。the cinquain, which is made up of five lines
haiku n.：俳句（日本三行诗）。Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry.
syllable n.：音节。consists of 17 syllables
format n.：格式；版式。It has a format of three lines.
delicate adj.：纤细的；精美的；易碎的。a moment in the life of a delicate butterfly
eventually adv.：最终；终于。you may eventually want to write poems of your own
三、一词多义与熟词生义
compose 常见义为"组成、构成"（常用于 be composed of）；课文中 compose poetry 意为"创作（诗）"，是文学创作义，注意与"组成"区分。
character / characteristic character 常见义为"性格、人物"，其派生词 characteristic 在课文 The distinctive characteristics of poetry 中意为"特征、特点"，指诗歌的显著属性。
image 常见义为"图像、影像"；课文中 a certain image in the reader's mind 指"（读者心目中的）形象、画面"，是文学欣赏用语。
line 常见义为"线、排、队伍"；课文中 lines 指"诗行、诗句"，如 arrangement of words, lines, rhymes, and rhythm。
form 常见义为"形式、表格"；课文中 forms of poetry 指"诗歌体裁/形式"，并具体化为 nursery rhyme、list poem、cinquain、haiku 等。
rhyme 既可作名词"韵脚、押韵词"，又可作动词"押韵"；课文中 they rhyme 为动词用法，have a strong rhythm 与之并列。
point 常见义为"点、要点"；课文中 to the point 为固定搭配，意为"简明扼要、切题"，形容童谣语言直白。
court 常见义为"法院、法庭、球场"；课文 Life can mean a person / Sitting in court 指"端坐于法庭（受审）"，是诗歌 C 中对"生活"的幽默化描写。
四、重点词块
compose poetry 写诗；作诗
convey certain feelings 传达某种感情
descriptive and vivid language 生动形象的语言
literary devices 文学手法
similes and metaphors 明喻和隐喻
integrated imagery 整合的意象
nursery rhymes 童谣
to the point 简明扼要；切题
have a strong rhythm 节奏感强
repeat the same words 重复相同的词
make sense 有意义；讲得通
learn and recite 学习与背诵
a list of 一系列；一列
develop a particular theme 展开特定主题
flexible line length 灵活的诗句长度
repeated phrases 重复的短语
amateurs can easily write 业余爱好者易写
be made up of 由……组成
consist of 由……构成
in just a few words 用寥寥数语
be popular with 受……欢迎
create a special feeling 营造特殊情感
in particular 尤其；特别
with so many ... to choose from 有这么多……可供选择
give it a try 试一试
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】Some of the first poems a young child learns in English are nursery rhymes.
【主干】Some of the first poems are nursery rhymes.
【分层】a young child learns 是省略了 that / which 的定语从句，修饰 poems；in English 为后置定语；are 为系动词，nursery rhymes 为表语。
【译文】孩子们最早学习的英文诗中，有一些是童谣。
【考点】省略关系词的定语从句；介词短语后置定语。
【原句 2】One of the simplest kinds of poem is the "list poem", which contains a list of things, people, ideas, or descriptions that develop a particular theme.
【主干】One of the simplest kinds of poem is the "list poem".
【分层】which 引导非限制性定语从句，修饰 list poem；该从句中又嵌套 that develop a particular theme 这一限制性定语从句，修饰 a list of things ... or descriptions。
【译文】最简单的一种诗是"清单诗"，它包含一系列发展特定主题的事物、人物、想法或描述。
【考点】非限制性定语从句（which）+ 嵌套的限制性定语从句（that），多层定语。
【原句 3】Another simple form of poem that amateurs can easily write is the cinquain, which is made up of five lines.
【主干】Another simple form of poem is the cinquain.
【分层】that amateurs can easily write 为限制性定语从句修饰 form；which is made up of five lines 为非限制性定语从句修饰 cinquain，补充说明五行诗的结构。
【译文】业余爱好者容易写的另一种简单诗体是五行诗，它由五行组成。
【考点】that 定语从句 + which 非限制性定语从句并列。
【原句 4】Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of 17 syllables.
【主干】Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry.
【分层】that consists of 17 syllables 为限制性定语从句修饰 form；谓语 consists of 表示"由……构成"。
【译文】俳句是一种由 17 个音节构成的日本诗体。
【考点】that 引导的定语从句；consist of 的用法。
【原句 5】With so many different forms of poetry to choose from, you may eventually want to write poems of your own.
【主干】you may eventually want to write poems of your own.
【分层】With ... to choose from 为"with + 宾语 + 不定式"复合结构作状语，其中 to choose from 为不定式修饰 forms；want to write 为 want to do 结构；of your own 为后置定语修饰 poems。
【译文】有这么多不同的诗歌形式可供选择，你最终也许想写写自己的诗了。
【考点】with 复合结构 + 不定式；want to do；of one's own 词组。
六、语法点清单
1. 定语从句（which / that / why 引导）
课文大量使用定语从句说明诗歌形式：which contains ...（非限定，修饰 list poem）；that develop a particular theme（限定，修饰 list）；that amateurs can easily write（限定，修饰 form）；that consists of 17 syllables（限定，修饰 form）；why people compose poetry（限定，修饰 reasons）。注意 which 可引导非限制性定语从句，that 不能。
2. 非谓语动词（不定式、动名词）
不定式作目的/定语：to express themselves；to choose from；to convey a strong picture。动名词作介词宾语：By playing with the words ... children learn about language（playing 作 by 的宾语）。
3. 并列与转折（and / but / while）
and 罗列诗歌特征（words, lines, rhymes, and rhythm）；but 表转折（easy to learn but has a storyline；not a traditional form but is popular）；while 表对比（Some rhyme ... while others do not）。
4. 同位语
like Poem A 与 the example (D) 对前述对象作举例说明，相当于同位/插入；those from the Tang Dynasty in particular 中 those 后接 from 短语，特指"唐诗"。
5. 名词性从句（单元语法聚焦）
本单元语法重点为名词性从句（that / whether / wh- 引导，在句中作主、宾、表、同位语）。课文虽以定语从句为主，但可借 why people compose poetry 体会"关系词引导的从句"；写作中可用名词性从句整合信息，如将 Now we will look at a few of the simpler forms 改写为 What we will look at next is a few of the simpler forms（what 引导主语从句），以体会名词性从句的衔接功能。
七、逻辑链
总起（第1段）：诗歌的定义与价值 → 写诗理由多、诗歌有六大显著特征 → 引出"几种简单形式"
↓
分述一（第2段 + 诗歌A）：童谣（nursery rhyme）——语言直白、有情节、押韵重复、易学易背
↓
分述二（第3段 + 诗歌B、C）：清单诗（list poem）——列事物/想法、句式灵活、可押韵可不押韵
↓
分述三（第4段 + 诗歌D）：五行诗（cinquain）——五行成诗、寥寥数语传情达意
↓
分述四（第5段 + 诗歌E）：俳句（haiku）——日本三行十七音节诗，英作家中也流行
↓
分述五（第6段 + 诗歌F）：唐诗英译——英语读者也爱中国诗，尤以唐诗为甚
↓
收束（第7段）：形式繁多 → 鼓励读者动笔尝试写诗
这是一篇"总—分—总"的说明文：第1段总述诗歌特征并点题；第2—6段按"由易到难、由西到东"的顺序，逐一介绍五种简单诗体（童谣、清单诗、五行诗、俳句、唐诗英译），每段均"先解说特征、再配例诗"；第7段以号召收尾，呼应开头"we will look at"的引导。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：There are various reasons why ...
课文：There are various reasons why people compose poetry.
仿写：There are various reasons why students should read poetry.（学生应当读诗，原因不一而足。）——用于开头引出话题的多样性。
模板 2：Now we will look at a few of the simpler forms.
课文：Now we will look at a few of the simpler forms.
仿写：Now we will look at a few of the most useful study methods.（下面我们来看看几种最实用的学习方法。）——用于段末/文末引出下文列举。
模板 3：One of the simplest kinds of ... is ..., which contains ...
课文：One of the simplest kinds of poem is the "list poem", which contains a list of things ...
仿写：One of the easiest kinds of exercise is jogging, which requires nothing but a pair of shoes.（最简单的运动之一是慢跑，它只需一双鞋。）——用于下定义并补充特征（非限定定语从句）。
模板 4：Some ... while others do not.
课文：Some rhyme (like B and C), while others do not.
仿写：Some students prefer reading alone, while others enjoy group study.（有的学生喜欢独自阅读，有的则喜欢小组学习。）——用于对比两类情况。
模板 5：With so many ... to choose from, you may eventually want to ...
课文：With so many different forms of poetry to choose from, you may eventually want to write poems of your own.
仿写：With so many clubs to choose from, you may eventually want to join one that fits you.（有这么多社团可供选择，你最终也许想加入一个适合自己的。）——用于总结并自然引出行动建议。
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