评论
打印
Now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
您现在收听的是VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。
In life, there are times when we lose our way, both literally and figuratively.
在生活中，有时我们会迷失方向，无论是字面上还是比喻意义上。
We might get lost walking in the woods or sailing at sea. Those are examples of being literally lost.
我们在树林中行走或在海上航行时可能会迷路。这些都是字面意义上的迷路的例子。
We could also lose our way while on our career path. That is an example of being figuratively lost.
我们也可能在职业生涯中迷失方向。这是一个比喻意义上的迷失的例子。
If you are physically lost and do not have a compass, you could use the stars in the night sky to know which way to go, especially the North Star.
如果您迷路了并且没有指南针，您可以使用夜空中的星星来知道该走哪条路，尤其是北极星。
Experts at NASA, America’s space agency, say this about the North Star: “If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, it can help you orient yourself and find your way, as it's located in the direction of true north (or geographic north, as opposed to magnetic north).
美国国家航空航天局的专家这样评价北极星：“如果你在北半球，它可以帮助你确定方向并找到路，因为它位于真正的北方（或地理北方，与磁北相反）的方向。”
They add that the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky. But it is usually easy to see, even from cities.
他们补充说，北极星并不是天空中最亮的星星。但即使在城市里，通常也很容易看到。
The North Star can also help if you get lost figuratively.
如果你迷失了方向，北极星可以帮助你。
As the world changes around you and grows more complex, you can look to your North Star to help guide you. Your North Star can keep you focused and on track. It reminds you of what is important.
当你周围的世界发生变化并变得更加复杂时，你可以仰望你的北极星来帮助指引你。北极星可以让你保持专注并走上正轨，提醒你什么是重要的。
Some people may say their North Star is their guiding light.
有些人可能会说他们的 “North Star” 是他们的指路明灯。
It is something very important to them, and it keeps them on the right path.
这对他们来说是非常重要的事情，使他们保持在正确的道路上。
Your North Star can also be your personal mission statement.
“Your North Star” 也可以是你的个人使命宣言。
It can include your principles and guiding beliefs.
它可以包括你的原则和指导信念。
Your North Star can give your life meaning and direction.
你的北极星可以赋予你生命的意义和方向。
For some people, their North Star may be a religion.
对于一些人来说，他们的北极星可能是一种宗教。
For others, it might be a purpose, like teaching people to read. Or a North Star can be a mix of important things.
对于其他人来说，它可能是一个目标，比如教人们阅读。或者北极星可以是重要事物的混合体。
A similar term for North Star is your moral compass.
与“North Star”意思相近的词是“your moral compass（道德准则）”
Like the North Star, a moral compass points you in the right direction.
就像北极星一样，道德准则为你指明正确的方向。
There is another term that is linked to the North Star.
还有另一个术语与北极星有关。
A lodestar is also a star which is used to find one’s way.
“ lodestar”也是一颗用来指引方向的星星。
And it can also mean a person who serves as an inspiration, model or guide.
并且它也可以表示一个作为灵感、榜样或指导的人。
The Merriam Webster online dictionary explains that both meanings of “lodestar” date back to the 1300s.
韦氏在线词典解释说，“lodestar”的两种含义都可以追溯到14世纪。
The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer used both meanings of the word in his poems.
英国诗人杰弗里·乔叟在他的诗歌中使用了这个词的两种含义。
However, by the 1600s, the literal meaning fell out of common use.
然而，到了17世纪，字面意义不再常用。
Today, we still use “lodestar” in a figurative way meaning something or someone who guides us.
今天，我们仍然以比喻的方式使用“lodestar”这个词，意思是引导我们的某物或某人。
During a difficult or important time, many things can act as your North Star or lodestar.
在困难或重要的时刻，许多事情都可以成为你的北极星或指引之星。
For example, when a woman went through a difficult divorce, her close friend was her lodestar and helped her through it.
例如，当一个女人经历了一场艰难的离婚时，她的密友是她的北极星，帮助她度过了难关。
Another example might be when a music teacher and musician moved to a new city. He did not know anyone. He felt lost and alone. So, music was his North Star.
另一个例子可能是，当一位音乐教师和音乐家搬到一个新的城市时。他谁也不认识。他感到失落和孤独。所以，音乐是他的北极星。
It kept him busy, provided him with employment, and later led to great friendships with other musicians.
这使他忙碌起来，为他提供了工作，后来还与其他音乐家建立了深厚的友谊。
And that’s all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》的全部内容。
Until next time, I’m Anna Matteo.
下次见，我是安娜·马特奥。
