研究生英语核心教材（下）Unit6SameSexMarriage.ppt

Unit 6Same Sex Marriage in the United StatesContents1. About the author2. Background of the Text: 1). 2). 3)3. Questions4. Word Distinctions5. Oral Translation 1). 2). 6. Written Translation 1). 2). 3).7. Further questions for discussionAbout the author           Matthew Brigham received his law degree from the University of California, Davis. Prior to attending law school, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, San Diegon. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and is a member of the State Bar of California（加州律师公会会员）. Matthew Brigham                           1.  Background of the TextvHistoryvThe first recorded use of the word "marriage" for same-sex couples occurs during the Roman Empire. A number of marriages are recorded to have taken place during this period. The rise of Christianity changed attitudes to same-sex unions and led to the persecution of gays. In the year 342, the Christian emperors Constantius and Constans declared same-sex marriage to be illegal.In the year 390, the Christian emperors Valentinian II, Theodosius I and Arcadius declared homosexual sex to be illegal and those who were guilty of it were condemned to be publicly burned alive. 2.  Background of the TextvCurrent statusvMarriage, as defined by the civil law, is currently available to same-sex couples in six countries. The Netherlands was the first country to allow same-sex marriage in 2001. Same-sex marriages are also legal in Belgium, Canada, Norway, South Africa and Spain, along with two states in the United States, Massachusetts and recently California (for status in California see California Proposition 8 (2008)). In 2005, Spain became the first country in the world to recognize same-sex marriage (including adoption rights) on equal terms and under the same law.3.Background of the TextvIn 1996, the United States Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman amongst other stipulations.As of May 2007, twenty-six states have passed constitutional amendments explicitly barring the recognition of same-sex marriage,eighteen of which prohibit the legal recognition of any same-sex union. Nineteen additional states have legal statutes that define "marriage" as a union of two persons of the opposite-sex.The territory of Puerto Rico ratified a similar statute in 1998. Nonetheless, some states are beginning to offer legal recognition to same-sex couples, whether in the form of marriage or as civil unions or domestic partnerships.4.Background of the TextvAs of July 8, 2008, Massachusetts and California permit same-sex couples to marry. The states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire offer civil unions. Also, California and Oregon have domestic partnership laws that grant all of the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Maine, Washington, and the District of Columbia grant certain limited benefits through domestic partnerships, and Hawaii has reciprocal beneficiary laws.5. Background of the textvThe latest infovVermont Senate panel approves gay marriage billvMONTPELIER, Vt. – A Vermont Senate committee has unamimously approved a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state.The senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-0 on Friday to advance the measure that was the topic of an emotional public hearing on Wednesday that drew hundreds to the Statehouse.The full Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.Gov. Jim Douglas has said he opposes the measure, but has not indicated whether he would veto it.If approved, Vermont would join Massachusetts and Connecticut as the only U.S. states that allow gay marriage.6.Background of the TextA room at the Statehouse is filled with gay marriage opponents in Montpelier, Vt.,1.Questions v1.What is the author’s attitude towards the legalization of same sex marriage in the U.S.? v2. How does the author define marriage? v3. What changes has the society undergone in marriage in the past 25 years? v4. Give some examples to show the efforts made by some European countries in the legalization of same sex marriage. v5. What progress has been made in the U. S. in the legalization of same sex marriage? v6. Why will the most significant prospects be in Hawaii for legalizing same-sex marriage in the near future according to the author?2.Questionsv7. Give a brief account of Baehr’s case in fighting for her same- sex marriage license. v8. What leads to the changes of attitude of judges in this case?v9. What’s the essence of the ‘fundamental constitutional right to marry’?v10. What will be the significance of Baehr’s possible success in legalization of same-sex marriage or broad marriage like domestic partnership?v11. Why, according to the author, do “normal” people object to same-sex marriage? And why does the author use quotation mark for the word “normal”?v12. According to the author, how do people exploit the full faith and credit clause in their divorce case?v13. How does the author conclude the article?Word Distinctions1) allege; charge vThe former mayor will appear before the local court today_______ with taking bribes.vHis classmates _______that he was cheating in the exam, but they failed to produce any solid proof.vShe ‘s been arrested after being  ____  with murdering her husband.vThe____ murderer was proved innocent. 2) affirms; confirm vSix people have ________that they will be attending and ten haven't replied   yet.vThe suspect ________that he had been at home all evening.vI've accepted the job over the phone, but I haven't _________ in writing yet.vShe ________ her intention to apply for the post.vFlights should be______48 hours before departure.1. Oral TranslationPut the following Chinese expressions into English1）有争议的问题              2）社会和宗教传统    3）异族通婚                     4)法律援助5) 家庭伴侣关系法            6) 异性婚姻       7) 违反法律                       8) 单方婚姻无效2. Oral TranslationPut the following Chinese sentences into English 1) 所有的战士都知道他们的秘密任务需要冒一定的风险。

所有的战士都知道他们的秘密任务需要冒一定的风险 (entail)2) 许多年轻人成功地同新的环境打成一片许多年轻人成功地同新的环境打成一片 (integrate…into)3) 他终于获得这个大奖，同事们都向他表示祝贺他终于获得这个大奖，同事们都向他表示祝贺 (extend)4) 最高法院驳回上诉，维持原判最高法院驳回上诉，维持原判 (uphold)5) 政府最终屈从于民意，撤销了那项不受欢迎的税政府最终屈从于民意，撤销了那项不受欢迎的税 (bow to…)6) 参议院认为联邦管理这一原则侵犯了州的权利参议院认为联邦管理这一原则侵犯了州的权利 (infringe upon…)7) 总统援用一项紧急法令作为禁售的理由总统援用一项紧急法令作为禁售的理由 (invoke)8) 谈判双方在原有的协议基础上又签订了一个新的合同。

谈判双方在原有的协议基础上又签订了一个新的合同 (persuant to)9) 没有董事长的背书，这张支票只能作废没有董事长的背书，这张支票只能作废 (void)10) 他在位期间，继续实施强硬的镇压政策他在位期间，继续实施强硬的镇压政策 (repression)1.  Written TranslationPut the following Chinese paragraph into English:          研究成果发现那些相信自己的伴侣会永远对自己好，永远爱着自己，同意自己每一句话的人会对婚姻的前景保持积极乐观的态度，因为他们能够宽恕并仁慈的解释伴侣的消极行为 然而，那些对婚姻期望太高却又不具备处理婚姻关系技巧的人，一旦他们心中的白马王子或白雪公主从神圣的光环中跌落，他们可能很快就被迫回到现实中2.  Written TranslationPut the following quotes into Chinese:     Marriage may be compared to a cage: the birds outside despair to get in and those within despair to get out.                                         -------Michel de Montaigne, French thinker and ssayist     Where there is marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.                                                                                           ——Benjamin Franklin      If you fight for yourself, only you can win; when you fight for your marriage, you both win.                                                                                                                                                    ------- Pearsall Paul    To make a lasting marriage we have to overcome self-centeredness.                                                                ------- Grorge Goreon Byron, Nritish poet     All happy families are like one another; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.                                                                            --------Leo Tolstoy ,Russian writer3.  Written TranslationTranslate the following passage into Chinese.            Love is the highest value in life: It should not be reduced to stupid rituals. And love and freedom go together -- you cannot choose one and leave the other. A man who knows freedom is full of love, and a man who knows love is always willing to give freedom.            If you cannot give freedom to the person you love, to whom can you give freedom? Giving freedom is nothing but trusting. Freedom is an expression of love.          So whether you are married or not, remember, all marriages are fake -- just social conveniences. Their purpose is not to imprison you and bind you to each other; their purpose is to help you to grow with each other. But growth needs freedom; and in the past, all the cultures have forgotten that without freedom, love dies.Further questions for discussion1) In the most of Chinese people’s eyes, what would marriage possibly mean? 2) How do you understand sexual discrimination? Do you think the objection to the same-sex marriage is a kind of sexual discrimination?3) In your opion, is same-sex marriage abnormal in our present society? 4) Have you watched the movie The Backbroke Mountain? What’s your view about the affection between two gays or lesbians?。