炸薯條 (French fries)

是誰發明了炸薯條 (大陸北方稱為土豆條)?  法國和比利時都各說各的。法國說:是一個法國的路邊攤小販在1789年時發明了炸薯條;但是,比利時說:1680年的時候,他們就把馬鈴薯切成像一條小魚的形狀,丟進油鍋去炸了。無論如何,十九世紀時,炸薯條在歐洲已經大受歡迎了。

-Edited from writing by Jessica Tai

Thanksgiving (感恩節)

在美國,每年11月的第四個星期四是感恩節, 也是個國定假日。俗稱「第一個感恩節」是1621年清教徒們慶祝在新世界的第一次收割。他們最早在 1620年從英格蘭搭乘五月花號到美洲東岸,定居於現今的麻州,由於寒冬和食物的不足,許多清教徒死於在北美度過的第一個冬天。次年,美國印地安人幫助他們種植農作物。在1621年的冬天, 新移民很感謝有食物收成來過冬。他們感謝上帝和幫他們的原住民,而邀請了原住民ㄧ起來慶祝。在1863年的南北戰爭期間,林肯總統宣布感恩節為全國性的節日,一直慶祝至今。在感恩節,家人和朋友通常會一起吃感恩節晚餐。普遍的菜餚為火雞、馬鈴薯泥、蔓越莓醬、和南瓜派。

在美国,每年11月的第四个星期四是感恩节, 也是个国定假日。俗称「第一个感恩节」是1621年清教徒们庆祝在新世界的第一次收割。他们最早在1620年从英格兰搭乘五月花号到美洲东岸,定居于现今的麻州,由于寒冬和食物的不足,许多清教徒死于在北美度过的第一个冬天。次年,美国印地安人帮助他们种植农作物。在1621年的冬天, 新移民很感谢有食物收成来过冬。他们感谢上帝和帮他们的原住民,而邀请了原住民ㄧ起来庆祝。在1863年的南北战争期间,林肯总统宣布感恩节为全国性的节日,一直庆祝至今。在感恩节,家人和朋友通常会一起吃感恩节晚餐。普遍的菜肴为火鸡、马铃薯泥、蔓越莓酱、和南瓜派。

In the US, Thanksgiving is a US federal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November.  The commonly called “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621.  In 1620, they traveled from England to the east coast of America on a ship called the Mayflower and made their new home in what is now Massachusetts.  Many of the Pilgrims died during their first winter in North America due to the cold weather and insufficient food.  The following year, the Native Americans helped them grow crops.  In the winter of 1621, the new immigrants were very thankful that they had a good crop of food to eat for the coming winter. They thanked God and the Native Americans.  They invited the Native Americans who had helped them to their feast.  Thanksgiving has been celebrated every year since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Day of Thanksgiving.  Families and friends usually eat a special meal together. This meal also usually includes turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

 

Audio by “Georgia” (This one is long and she missed by just a tiny bit.  See if you can spot it!)  

Halloween (萬聖夜)

在美國,每年10月31日的晚上是萬聖夜,中文常稱為萬聖節,是諸聖節的前夜。諸聖節是某些基督教派(大多是天主教)紀念聖人的節日,但萬聖節並非是基督教的節日。 現今, 小孩晚上會穿上化妝服,挨家挨戶敲門討糖果,說:“不給糖,就搗蛋!”。有些人會裝扮成鬼、巫婆、或其它嚇人的樣子。南瓜燈 、骷髏頭、 蜘蛛網和墓石為這節日普遍的裝飾品。

在美国,每年10月31日的晚上是万圣夜,中文常称为万圣节,是诸圣节的前夜。诸圣节是某些基督教派(大多是天主教)纪念死者的节日,但万圣节并非是基督教的节日。现今, 小孩晚上会穿上化妆服,挨家挨户敲门讨糖果,说:“不给糖,就捣蛋!”。有些人会装扮成鬼、巫婆、或其它吓人的样子。南瓜灯、骷髅头、 蜘蛛网和墓石为这节日普遍的装饰品。

In the United States, Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31st, the eve of All Hallows’ Day or All Saints’ Day (Hallow = holy, saint).  All Saints’ Day is a Christian observance (mostly Catholic) that commemorates saints, though Halloween is itself not a Christian observance.  These days, children wear costumes in the evening and go to peoples’ homes saying “Trick or treat!” to ask for candy and sweets. People sometimes dress up as ghosts, witches, and other scary things.  Jack-o’-lanterns, skeletons, cobwebs, and headstones are common decorations for this holiday.

Kid’s audio by Georgia: 

(The purpose of such post is to provide children and parents with Chinese wording on things relevant to their lives here.  Any suggestions will be appreciated.)


單字表 (Vocabulary list)

萬聖節     万圣节     Halloween

基督教     基督教     Christianity

紀念     纪念     remembrance

節日     节日     holiday

化妝服     化妆服     costume

挨家挨戶     挨家挨户     going from door to door

鬼     鬼     ghost

巫婆     巫婆     witch

裝飾品     装饰品     decoration

骷髏頭     骷髅头     skull (technically)

蜘蛛網   蜘蛛网     cobwebs