2007-2-18标准VOA翻译与总结

【听写】

The tradition at scene Valentine's Day goes back centuries and involves lovers exchanging gifts such as flowers, chocolates or notes. This year the National Retail Federation says Americans would spend an average of about $120 for the holiday. Of course buying flowers during the U. S. winter is more expensive than other times of the year, partly because the shipping costs. But that does not mean customers should not get their moneys worth, says Marnic Orica, marketing director as Marrow's Farms. Orica says as Marrow they have worked to bring variety of flowers that would last up to two weeks in advance, and she says the quality of the companies' flowers result from investments in environmental and working conditions on their farms in Latin America. Many U. S. customers may not ask about the origin of the flowers they buy for loved ones on Valentine's Day. But the farmers and florists who market them hope that customers know just how much of their love and hard work goes into Valentine's Day.

WORDS:

retail           n.零售 adj.零售的vt.零售, 转述vi.零售adv.以零售方式

saint           n.圣人, 道德崇高的人, 圣徒adj.神圣v.成为圣徒

今天生词少。vase的发音有两种，只知道一种，没听出这个单词。

TRANSLATION:

The tradition of Saint Valentine's Day goes back centuries and involves lovers exchanging gifts, such as flowers, chocolates or notes. This year, the National Retail Federation says Americans will spend an average of about $120 for the holiday.

情人节的传统可以追溯到上百年前，在这天，情侣们交换礼物，诸如鲜花、巧克力和短信。今年，国家零售联盟指出，美国人平均在情人节的花销大约是120美元。

Of course, buying flowers during the U. S. winter is more expensive than at other times of the year, partly because of shipping costs. But that does not mean customers should not get their money's worth, says Monica Ullrich, marketing director of Esmeralda Farms. Ullrich says Esmeralda has worked to breed varieties of flowers that will last up to two weeks in a vase. And she says the quality of the company's flowers results from investments in environmental and working conditions on their farms in Latin America.

当然，在美国的冬季买花要比在其他时期贵的多，其中有轮船货运耗费的原因。但Esmeralda农场销售总管Monica Ullrich指出，这并不意味着消费者购买的物品未及其值。Ullrich还说，Esmeralda已经着手生产能够在花瓶中存活长达2周的各种鲜花。同时她还指出，农场在改善环境及工作条件上投资的多少，影响着南美洲各公司的鲜花质量。

Many U. S. customers may not ask about the origin of the flowers they buy for loved ones on Valentine's Day. But the farmers and florists who market them hope that customers know just how much of their love and hard work goes into Valentine's Day.

多数美国消费者并不关心他们情人节为爱人买的鲜花来自哪里，但是这些买卖鲜花的农民和种花人希望消费者能够了解他们为情人节付出了很多爱心和努力。