Gun-toting (揮動手槍) traffic cop (交通警察) feels heat (感到壓力) after row (爭論)

Gun-toting (揮動手槍) traffic cop (交通警察) feels heat (感到壓力) after row (爭論)

An incident in which a traffic policeman briefly drew his pistol (note 1) during a dispute (爭論) with a couple has sparked (note 2) a heated debate on whose life was actually at risk (note 3) - the cop's or the couple's?

The police yesterday defended the officer's actions, saying that they were within force guidelines (警察內部指引) and that he may have faced grievous (嚴重的) bodily harm after the woman brandished (揮舞) a pair of scissors. However, the couple - driver Cheng, 45, and his wife, To, 37 - had a different take (note 4) on the argument, which was taped by a passerby (路人) and is circulating on the internet.

To is seen screaming at (狂嚎) the cop while her husband explains to police over his phone that an officer pointed a gun at him, adding: "Your colleague is crazy (發狂)." The clip of the incident, which occurred on Performing Arts Avenue in Wan Chai, does not show the officer drawing his gun but he does take out a baton (警棍).

"I was inside the car. How could I assault (傷害) you?" To shouted at the cop. The officer repeatedly told the couple to lie down (伏在地上). Stepping toward the officer, To screamed: "Crazy. Are you crazy?" But she was held back (note 5) by her husband. To continued to shout: "Use your brain (用用你的腦筋)."

Both were arrested for assaulting an officer while To was also accused of possessing an offensive weapon. They were released on bail (擔保候查) and ordered to report
to police in September.

From good to better English:

(note 1) draw pistol=拔出手槍。best the pistol=(賽跑時)偷步。Ivan put a pistol to my head=Ivan 用手槍對準我的頭部加以威脅。Draw a curtain =拉幕。Draw water from a well=從井裏汲水。Ivy dressed up to draw her colleagues’ attention=Ivy穿得很漂亮去 吸引同事注意。

(note 2) sparked a heated debate=引起熱烈討論。Spark=火花。A single spark can start a prairie fire=星星之火可以燎原。There was a wild spark in Victor’s eyes=Victor的兩眼炯炯發光。

(note 3) at risk=有危險。Risk=風險，危險,冒險。at one's own risk=對可能發生的後果自己負責。take risks=冒險。I risk my fortune to start the Dean Fung English College=我 拼著虧光財產去開學校。

(note 4) a different take=不同的版本。拍電影的時候，one take就是一場戲。Take Mo Mo by the nose=捏住Mo Mo的鼻子。

(note 5) hold back=按住。Hold=握住，抓住，夾住。hold a pen=拿鋼筆。Hold the baby in one's arms=抱孩子。

Victor’s View: I tend to believe the police’s version of the story, or the police’s “take”. When the traffic policeman felt that his life was in danger, of course he whould try his best to protect himself. The policeman didn’t stop the couple’s car for no reason, right? Let’s co-operate with the police whenever we can. O.K., folks?

(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 3 books on English-enhancement and plans to write 7 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)