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Americans have a great love for informality and nowhere is this better
expressed than in their love for nicknames (昵称、绰号). Upon greeting strangers for
the first time they will quickly introduce themselves by their nickname. These
are shortened forms of their given name at birth and reflect the casual
relationships which exist among friends and coworkers. Family names are hardly
ever used in daily situations and the use of one's father's last name is saved
only for rare and formal occasions.
In many traditional cultures the use of the family name is seen as a sign
of respect. For Americans, however, it's the nickname which creates an immediate
intimacy between two people upon which to build a relationship. By speaking to
another on a first name basis and using his nickname, walls are immediately torn
down and equality between two people is established.
At work bosses will refer to their employees by their nicknames. Should an
employer use a worker's family name, you can be sure that some kind of
correction or serious business will follow.
This love for nicknames can create a sense of closeness between people who
are otherwise not related. Even the presidents of the United States have borne
nicknames. Abraham Lincoln was known as Honest Abe. John F. Kennedy was known as
Jack or JFK and William Clinton has no reservations in letting people know he
prefers to be called Bill, but those who look upon him with disfavor may call
him Slick Willy.
Not only people but cities often carry their own nicknames. Chicago is
called the "Windy City" because of the strong winds which come down from Canada
throughout the year. New York City is considered the "Big Apple" for reasons
which are still obscure to most people including many New Yorkers.
Not every nickname, however, is positive and some can be rather rude and
insulting. If someone should demonstrate a certain negative characteristic, a
label will soon be attached to describe that person in an unpleasant way.
Likewise a person's physical traits which are very dominant may lead to
nicknames but not necessarily to one's liking or choice. A nickname, therefore,
is a way of identifying or describing someone or something for better or
worse.
1. Why do Americans prefer to use nicknames when addressing one
another?
A. Nicknames are easy to remember.
B. Americans are a friendly people.
C. Nicknames help build a closer relationship.
D. Nicknames are convenient to use in daily life.
2. Americans tend to use others' family names ________.
A. on formal occasions
B. when writing letters
C. in the work place
D. when making phone calls
3. Many traditional societies see the use of one's family name as a sign
of_________.
A. respect
B. distance
C. importance
D. gratitude
4. An American employer is likely to use a worker's family name when
__________.
A. the worker is to get a promotion
B. the worker has done something wrong
C. he speaks to the worker at a gathering
D. he is being friendly with the worker
5. In Paragraph 5, the word "obscure" is closest in meaning
to“__________”.
A. funny
B. sound
C. unclear
D. popular
6. What’s the main idea of the passage ?
A. Americans would like informality.
B. Americans prefer to use nicknames to help build a closer
relationship.
C. A nickname stands for a person's physical traits.
D. At work bosses will refer to their employees by their nicknames.
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发表于 2017-8-6 14:03:54