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词数：473 words
难度：★★★★☆
小贴士：
本篇有一些超纲词汇，但积累起来也蛮好的，对于这类词汇，不用强背，能时不时翻开笔记扫一眼，在下一次阅读遇到它的时候能觉得眼熟，有基本的印象，就已经很棒啦！
另外这篇文章是一篇侧重于“讨论”的文章，如果读不懂到底想表达什么的朋友们可以看一下文末到“全文概括”。
——大橙子留
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上期划线句答案
It was not until the 1950s, though, after bacteria were found to be responsible for the phenomenon, that the process was commercialised to recover leftover material in tailings, the liquid and solid waste from mining operations.
然而，直到20世纪50年代，人们才发现这种现象是由细菌引起的，之后该过程才被商业化，用于回收尾矿中的剩余物质，即矿业作业中的液体和固体废物。
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本期内容
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双语阅读
Para.1
There is nothing mean about my dad’s over-reliance on the sunglasses emoji, but it’s just that he thinks that it conveys enough meaning to count as adequate communication. I do not. The problem with using emojis is ambiguity. In some ways, emojis are a kind of visual metaphor. I have to assume that the sunglasses mean “cool” and that “cool” accounts for the entire gamut of my dad’s paternal feelings. But if they are metaphors, they are what Orwell calls “stale metaphors” — they are overused to the point of becoming useless.
Para.2
As Orwell put it: “By using stale metaphors, similes, and idioms, you save much mental effort, at the cost of leaving your meaning vague, not only for your reader but for yourself.” He goes on to say that when we use clichés — and emojis are often this — “they will construct your sentences for you — even think your thoughts for you, to a certain extent — and at need they will perform the important service of partially concealing your meaning even from yourself.”
Para.3
When we use emojis in place of everyday language, we reduce our meaning. There are thousands of emojis available on most platforms, but in reality, most people use fewer than a dozen or so on a regular basis. As a result, we shoehorn our complex reactions and nuanced communications into the limited scope of these emojis. My dad wrenches and stuffs his feelings into the quick click of his emoji. For Orwell, this means both he and I are worse off because of it.
Para.4
Of course, this Orwellian analysis of emojis hinges on one major problem. While emojis might be metaphors in the sense that they represent meanings, feelings, ideas, and so on, they are far, far more fluid than any “stale metaphor.” In fact, emojis are much closer to words in just how nimble they can be. Take Michael’s smiley, for example. The context and use completely change what’s meant.
Para.5
In each case, the meaning of the smiley is different. It adds a different spin to the entire sentence and gives nuance. In Because Internet, McCulloch talks us through a linguistic smorgasbord of uses for the common emoji. They are substitutes for physical gestures, or, for other words. They can express emotion or an idea. They have their own nuanced cultural variability. For example, the smiling poo emoji can be a common way to politely and gently say “I don’t like that” in Japan. But it can also mean good luck. Emojis are slippery and nearly impossible to pin down — not least because they will also have private, in-house meanings for various families, friendship circles, or interest groups. In short, they are just as complicated as any other word, and, far from diminishing our language, they offer greater variety to it.
本文节选自：BigThink
发布时间：2024.10.20
作者：Jonny Thomson
原文标题：Everyday Philosophy: Do emojis help or hurt our language?
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写作句总结
原句：There are thousands of emojis available on most platforms, but in reality, most people use fewer than a dozen or so on a regular basis.
结构：There are A available on B, but in reality, most people use C on a regular basis.
例句：There are many methods of learning available online, but in reality, most students focus on just a few techniques regularly.
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阅读理解题
From author’s perspective, which of the following statements best reflects the impact of emojis on linguistic expression?
A. Emojis invariably lead to a reduction in meaning and clarity, much like the overuse of clichés.
B. Emojis function as static symbols with fixed meanings, limiting their expressive potential.
C. Emojis enrich language by introducing a diverse range of visual metaphors with universally understood interpretations.
D. Emojis possess a dynamic nature, capable of conveying nuanced meanings and contributing to the richness of communication.
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全文概括
The article explores the debate surrounding the use of emojis in communication, contrasting a critical view aligning emoji use with Orwell's concept of "stale metaphors" that limit expression, with a counterargument emphasizing emojis' fluidity and nuanced contextual interpretations. The critical perspective argues that relying on a limited set of emojis reduces the complexity of human communication. Conversely, the opposing view highlights emojis' adaptability and capacity for conveying subtle meanings and cultural variations, suggesting they enrich rather than diminish language. This comparison ultimately questions whether emojis simplify or enhance communication.
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打卡作业
翻译文章中的划线句，文末留言打卡，下期推送会在文章开头处公布参考翻译答案，大家一起来学习英语吧~
翻译 | 大橙子
校对 | 李柚子
词汇词组 | 西西弗
划线句讲解 | 流木
写作句总结 | 沅沅
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