國發會與ICRT共同製播的時事英語廣播“The World in Brief”固定於每周三在雙語資料庫學習資源網更新，與大家一起聽時事學英文。

本周主題：世界三大嘉年華會

天主教大齋期前的嘉年華，在世界各地都有盛大的遊行慶祝活動，除了知名的巴西嘉年華、法國尼斯嘉年華、義大利威尼斯嘉年華之外，台北也有小型的嘉年華活動Carnaval Taipei。想知道更多嗎？讓我們用3分鐘的時間一起來聽聽記者Max McGrath怎麼說吧！

 

【Transcript】

Nora: The biggest news …the best guests …the boldest events …This is ‘The World in Brief’ with Max McGrath.

Nora: Roving reporter Max McGrath joins us live from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago’s capital city, where he’s busy soaking in the carnival spirit! Max?

Max: Thanks Nora. I’m at the city’s recently opened Carnival Museum. I’m joined by local historian Anthony Williams. Anthony, hi!

Anthony: Hi Max.

Max: We’re talking about the annual Trinidad & Tobago Carnival …

Anthony: Well, it was annual, until the pandemic. We had to stop it for two years. Now it’s back, and bigger than ever!

Max: That’s great news! Did you miss it?

Anthony: Of course, it’s always such a great party! Cities all over the world try to replicate it, you know: there’s Labor Day in New York, Toronto’s Caribana, London’s Notting Hill Carnival … but they don’t even come close! Max: Replicate? You mean copy …

Anthony: Correct. Max: So, this is the world’s first carnival?

Anthony: No. Some actually think the original was the Nice Carnival in France. So that’s probably where most modern carnival customs began.

Max: Like what? How do people celebrate these days?

Anthony: OK, let’s look at Nice. They always have a big parade, where everyone’s wearing crazy costumes and colorful masks, and clowns and performers are running around doing cool circus tricks, like juggling or fire-eating …

Max: … They don’t really eat fire though!

Anthony: No! Not really, it’s all for show. They have live music, huge floats, tasty food and drink …

Max: ‘Huge floats’?

Anthony: Like a big piece of mobile art! They put them on trucks and drive them around as part of the parade. The Rio Carnival has lots of great floats too …

Max: The one in Brazil? I heard they have over two million visitors a day!

Anthony: Yes! It’s so big they had to build a special stadium just to hold their parade! Called the Sambadrome.

Max: Samba is Brazil’s national dance, of course …

Anthony: Yes, it’s their most popular dance. Historically samba and the Rio Carnival are really closely linked, it wouldn’t have become so huge without it.

Max: It’s true, they’re inseparable! Like the ornate masks of the Venice Carnival.

Anthony: Ah yes! Italy’s famous festival is full of beautifully-made masks.

Max: That carnival always feels a bit different to me though. More majestic …

Anthony: It’s very grand. They host an annual dinner & ball, where people wear beautiful gowns and masks, and enjoy exclusive performances.

Max: And what would you say Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival is most famous for?

Anthony: It has to be the introduction of African music and culture, which is now an important part of most carnivals. In the early 19th Century the African community here wasn’t allowed to take part in the British colonialist’s racist, ‘whites-only’ carnivals. Instead they had their own, called ‘Canboulay’. Today, most carnivals we know and love are a mix of them both. Hey, you’re from Taiwan, right? Max: I am!

Anthony: There’s a Caribbean and Latin Carnival in Taipei City too! Called Carnaval Taipei. You should go along next time and see for yourself …

Max: I certainly will! Anthony, that was fascinating. Thank you. Reporting live from the Carnival Museum, this is Max McGrath. Back to you, Nora.

Nora: Thanks Max! And thank you for tuning in, I’m Nora Yu.

 

【Vocabulary】

Replicate 複製(v.)

Is it practical to replicate eastern culture in the west?

 

Costume 表演服裝(n.)

People wear special costumes at some carnivals, but at others, people wear their usual clothes.

 

Inseparable 密不可分的(adj.)

The influence of African music and culture is an inseparable part of many carnivals.

 

Ornate 華麗的(adj.)

The style is ornate and highly decorative.

 

Majestic 壯麗的(adj.)

The eagle soared through the sky with a majestic grace, its wings outstretched and the sun shining on its feathers.

 

Community 社群(n.)

The Caribbean and Latin communities in Taiwan share their carnival customs at Carnaval Taipei.

 

Fascinating 吸引人的(adj.)

I couldn’t stop looking at the fascinating masks people were wearing.