Angry moms on the march (note 1)
Monday, October 24, 2011 page 2
Scores (note 2) of pregnant (懷胎的) women yesterday joined more than 1,000 protesters in a march to the old SAR government headquarters to oppose (反對) the growing number of (note 3) mainland women flocking (大量湧進) to Hong Kong to give birth.
Setting off from Southorn Playground in Wan Chai, where they had earlier staged a one-hour sit-in (), the group chanted slogans (叫口號) accusing pregnant mainland women of causing overcrowding in Hong Kong hospitals. They also called on the SAR government not to give residency to children born in Hong Kong with mainland parents.
The government had earlier put forward seven measures to control the flood of mainland women who come to Hong Kong to give birth. Among these are a set number of places for non-local women to deliver (分娩) in public hospitals. Private hospitals have agreed to set the quota at 31,000 for next year.
But protest organiser Jocelyn Yiu said the new measures (措施) will only work in the short term (note 4). "Pregnant mainland women have been abusing our emergency room services (note 5) and these measures will not solve the problem," she said, adding many mainland mothers do not even pay their medical fees.
Hospital Authority figures show 878 non-local (非本地人) women had not paid their hospital bills over the past three years, amounting to more than HK$20 million. Last year, more than 40,000 mainland mothers gave birth in public hospitals in Hong Kong, up from 8,100 in 2000.
A pregnant woman, due to deliver in four months, and who has already secured a place in a public hospital, was among those taking part because she is worried the quality of services (note 6) could be lowered by the flood of mainland mothers.
From good to better English: It is understandable why so many mainland moms want their babies born in Hong Kong. But the interests of local moms-to-be should come first.
(note 1) on the march=遊行。March=行進；進軍，行軍。a hunger march=(失業者的)饑餓遊行。march into=長驅直入。
(note 2) Scores=許多。Score=二十，二十人。Score=得分，得勝 (against)。Score(s) of times =十次，屢次。Death pays all scores=一死百了。On a new score=重新。 On that score=因此，因那理由。Three score (years) and ten =(人生)七十年；一輩子。
(note 3) the growing number of=大批人。Grow=長大，增加，變強。grow weary= 變疲乏。 grow old [rich]=變老[富]。grow a beard=留鬍子。Victor’s book grew out of a series of lectures=Victor的書是由一系列講稿編寫而成的。grow up=長大。
(note 4) in the short term=短期內。Short=短的；短暫的, 簡略的；縮寫的, 不及的；達不到的。in short=簡單地說；總之。sell short=賣空。In speaking one should be short and to the point, Victor tells Julian= Victor 告訴Julian說話要簡捷扼要。
(note 5) abusing our emergency room services=濫用急症室服務。Abuse=濫用(職權等)，妄用，誤用(才能等), 罵, 虐待，酷待；淩辱。Drug abuse=吸毒上癮。
(note 6) the quality of services=服務水準, 質素。
Victor’s View:
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年11月28日 星期一
One in 10 seniors hit by dementia (癡呆), study finds
Nearly one in 10 Hong Kong residents aged 70 and above suffer from dementia - affecting memory, thinking, language and judgment - a study has revealed (透露) for the first time.
The study, in which 6,100 seniors were randomly selected (note 1) to participate in the thematic (主題) household survey, was conducted by the Department of Health and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2008.
A total of 2,073 elderly were found to be "positive for questionable or diagnosable dementia. (note 2) "
The results, announced yesterday, showed a 7.2 percent prevalence (流行) of dementia among those who are 60 years old and above and 9.3 percent among those 70 and above. "By projection, over 70,000 elders suffer from (note 3) dementia in the community," the study noted.
Of these, about 63 percent suffer from Alzheimer's disease (老年痴呆症).
"Ninety percent of these patients have no insight into (note 4) their problems and do not seek medical help until [the disease reaches an] advanced stage," said Vincent Mok Chung-tong, a neurologist (神經病專科醫生) and convener of Cognitive Disorders Concern Alliance.
Family members play a key role (note 5) in the early diagnosis of dementia before symptoms significantly disrupt (打斷) the patient's daily life, he said.
A Mr Ng, 56, wept as he talked about the frustrations (挫折) of taking care of his sick 80-year-old mother for 10 years.
Ng said it has been difficult coping with (note 6) her aggressive behavior, mood swings, delusions (妄想) and unfair accusations.
Ng's sister even moved back to Hong Kong from New Zealand eight years ago to help him look after their mother.
Mok said that although the disease is incurable (不治之症), medications can delay its progress and ease the burden of caregivers.
From good to better English:
(note 1) randomly selected=隨機抽樣。Randomly=隨機的, 任意的，胡亂的，隨便的。a random guess=瞎猜。 a random shot=亂射的子彈；流彈。 at random=碰運氣地；無目標地，漫無目的地。
(note 2) questionable or diagnosable dementia.= 可疑的或可診斷的癡呆症。
(note 3) suffer from=遭受, 受苦。suffer a loss=遭受損失。Jo Jo could not suffer criticism=Jo Jo受不了批評。The child suffers from measles=小孩得了麻疹。suffer 的同義詞有To put up with: abide, accept, bear, endure, go,, sustain, swallow, take, tolerate, withstand等。not suffer fools gladly=對蠢人沒有耐心。
(note 4) have no insight into=缺乏洞察力；直覺，悟力；眼光；見識。Ah Lung is a man of deep insight= Ah Lung是個有深遠見識的人。Victor gains an insight into Julian’s mind= Victor看透Julian的心思。
(note 5) play a key= 角色。the leading role 主角。 fill the role of=擔負某人的任務。 play an important role in=在某事情中起重要作用。
(note 6) coping with=抗衡，對抗。Victor was scarcely able to cope with the situation=Victor幾乎不知道如何去應付這個局面。under the cope of heaven=普天之下。
Victor’s View: It is sad to see that about 10% of the aged in Hong Kong suffer from dementia. I hope Hong Kong people, once they turn 50, will pay close attention to early symptoms of the disease and seek medical help.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
The study, in which 6,100 seniors were randomly selected (note 1) to participate in the thematic (主題) household survey, was conducted by the Department of Health and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2008.
A total of 2,073 elderly were found to be "positive for questionable or diagnosable dementia. (note 2) "
The results, announced yesterday, showed a 7.2 percent prevalence (流行) of dementia among those who are 60 years old and above and 9.3 percent among those 70 and above. "By projection, over 70,000 elders suffer from (note 3) dementia in the community," the study noted.
Of these, about 63 percent suffer from Alzheimer's disease (老年痴呆症).
"Ninety percent of these patients have no insight into (note 4) their problems and do not seek medical help until [the disease reaches an] advanced stage," said Vincent Mok Chung-tong, a neurologist (神經病專科醫生) and convener of Cognitive Disorders Concern Alliance.
Family members play a key role (note 5) in the early diagnosis of dementia before symptoms significantly disrupt (打斷) the patient's daily life, he said.
A Mr Ng, 56, wept as he talked about the frustrations (挫折) of taking care of his sick 80-year-old mother for 10 years.
Ng said it has been difficult coping with (note 6) her aggressive behavior, mood swings, delusions (妄想) and unfair accusations.
Ng's sister even moved back to Hong Kong from New Zealand eight years ago to help him look after their mother.
Mok said that although the disease is incurable (不治之症), medications can delay its progress and ease the burden of caregivers.
From good to better English:
(note 1) randomly selected=隨機抽樣。Randomly=隨機的, 任意的，胡亂的，隨便的。a random guess=瞎猜。 a random shot=亂射的子彈；流彈。 at random=碰運氣地；無目標地，漫無目的地。
(note 2) questionable or diagnosable dementia.= 可疑的或可診斷的癡呆症。
(note 3) suffer from=遭受, 受苦。suffer a loss=遭受損失。Jo Jo could not suffer criticism=Jo Jo受不了批評。The child suffers from measles=小孩得了麻疹。suffer 的同義詞有To put up with: abide, accept, bear, endure, go,, sustain, swallow, take, tolerate, withstand等。not suffer fools gladly=對蠢人沒有耐心。
(note 4) have no insight into=缺乏洞察力；直覺，悟力；眼光；見識。Ah Lung is a man of deep insight= Ah Lung是個有深遠見識的人。Victor gains an insight into Julian’s mind= Victor看透Julian的心思。
(note 5) play a key= 角色。the leading role 主角。 fill the role of=擔負某人的任務。 play an important role in=在某事情中起重要作用。
(note 6) coping with=抗衡，對抗。Victor was scarcely able to cope with the situation=Victor幾乎不知道如何去應付這個局面。under the cope of heaven=普天之下。
Victor’s View: It is sad to see that about 10% of the aged in Hong Kong suffer from dementia. I hope Hong Kong people, once they turn 50, will pay close attention to early symptoms of the disease and seek medical help.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年11月24日 星期四
Ruling (裁決) says bridge not too far
The government has got the go-ahead (note 1) to build the giant Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge after the Court of Appeal overturned (推翻) a lower court ruling quashing (使無效) the environmental protection director's approval of the project.
Welcoming the decision, Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng Yu-wah said the government will soon seek funding (要求撥款) from the Legislative Council. The aim is to start construction by the year-end so the bridge can be open for use (note 2) in 2016, as scheduled.
Also on the agenda is increased manpower and a revision of work methods to cut work time, though this could add a further HK$6.5 billion to the multi-billion-dollar project. The ruling means dozens of construction projects earlier put on hold (note 3) will now likely go through the usual vetting (審批) process.
A three-judge bench at the Court of Appeal unanimously (一致) overturned the Court of First Instance ruling - passed in April - on a judicial review (司法覆核) alleging government failure to conduct proper environmental impact assessments of two key elements of the project.
The review was filed in January last year by Tung Chung resident Chu Yee-wah, 65, a sometime Civic Party volunteer.
Asked yesterday if she will lodge an appeal (note 4), Chu said: "I won't get involved in it any longer. I have no intention to stir it up (note 5). But they told me about it and I was unclear."
As to who told her to file a review, she said: "Whoever told me to do it, I won't disclose it. I have been fooled. Let it be (note 6)."
She spoke of being worried earlier that work on the bridge's Hong Kong section would affect the environment (環境), and thus the health of the elderly and children in particular.
From good to better English:
(note 1) go-ahead=許可, 准許。a vigorous go-ahead company=一個興旺發達的公司。 go-ahead signal=放行信號。
(note 2) open for use=開放給公眾人士使用。Open=開放；公開, 無私；寬大。open fire (on, at)= (向…)開炮。open a debate=開始辯論。open the door to Victor=給Victor大開方便之門，給Victor造機會。
(note 3) put on hold=暫停 ( In a state of temporary interruption; In a state of postponement or delay)。例句: They had to put Victor on hold while they looked up his bank account=銀行職員要Victor等等，他們要先看看他戶口的情況。
(note 4) lodge an appeal=上訴。Lodge=提出(報告、抗議等), 授與, 打在。A bullet lodged in Bo Bo’s thigh.=子彈打進Bo Bo的大腿裡。lodge a protest against Victor=向Victor提出抗議。
(note 5) stir it up=搞事 (Rouse to action, incite, provoke)。例句: If the strikers in Kowloon Tong aren't careful they'll stir up a riot=在九龍塘唐示威的人事如果不小心, 有可能會引起暴動。
stir up a hornets' nest=製造麻煩 (Make trouble, cause a commotion)
(note 6) Let it be=算了, 罷了。let sleeping dogs lie=不要製造麻煩 (avoid stirring up trouble)。
Victor’s View: Environmentalists or politicians use bureaucratic procedures to delay the construction of major public works projects that will provide jobs for the poor and help Hong Kong prosper should be condemned.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
Welcoming the decision, Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng Yu-wah said the government will soon seek funding (要求撥款) from the Legislative Council. The aim is to start construction by the year-end so the bridge can be open for use (note 2) in 2016, as scheduled.
Also on the agenda is increased manpower and a revision of work methods to cut work time, though this could add a further HK$6.5 billion to the multi-billion-dollar project. The ruling means dozens of construction projects earlier put on hold (note 3) will now likely go through the usual vetting (審批) process.
A three-judge bench at the Court of Appeal unanimously (一致) overturned the Court of First Instance ruling - passed in April - on a judicial review (司法覆核) alleging government failure to conduct proper environmental impact assessments of two key elements of the project.
The review was filed in January last year by Tung Chung resident Chu Yee-wah, 65, a sometime Civic Party volunteer.
Asked yesterday if she will lodge an appeal (note 4), Chu said: "I won't get involved in it any longer. I have no intention to stir it up (note 5). But they told me about it and I was unclear."
As to who told her to file a review, she said: "Whoever told me to do it, I won't disclose it. I have been fooled. Let it be (note 6)."
She spoke of being worried earlier that work on the bridge's Hong Kong section would affect the environment (環境), and thus the health of the elderly and children in particular.
From good to better English:
(note 1) go-ahead=許可, 准許。a vigorous go-ahead company=一個興旺發達的公司。 go-ahead signal=放行信號。
(note 2) open for use=開放給公眾人士使用。Open=開放；公開, 無私；寬大。open fire (on, at)= (向…)開炮。open a debate=開始辯論。open the door to Victor=給Victor大開方便之門，給Victor造機會。
(note 3) put on hold=暫停 ( In a state of temporary interruption; In a state of postponement or delay)。例句: They had to put Victor on hold while they looked up his bank account=銀行職員要Victor等等，他們要先看看他戶口的情況。
(note 4) lodge an appeal=上訴。Lodge=提出(報告、抗議等), 授與, 打在。A bullet lodged in Bo Bo’s thigh.=子彈打進Bo Bo的大腿裡。lodge a protest against Victor=向Victor提出抗議。
(note 5) stir it up=搞事 (Rouse to action, incite, provoke)。例句: If the strikers in Kowloon Tong aren't careful they'll stir up a riot=在九龍塘唐示威的人事如果不小心, 有可能會引起暴動。
stir up a hornets' nest=製造麻煩 (Make trouble, cause a commotion)
(note 6) Let it be=算了, 罷了。let sleeping dogs lie=不要製造麻煩 (avoid stirring up trouble)。
Victor’s View: Environmentalists or politicians use bureaucratic procedures to delay the construction of major public works projects that will provide jobs for the poor and help Hong Kong prosper should be condemned.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年11月23日 星期三
Parents value (看重) overseas studies
Parents in Hong Kong and the mainland lag (落後) those in Taiwan in spending and saving (note 1) for their children's education.
But more local parents plan to send children overseas (海外) to study than those in the two other places.
Those are the findings (結論) of a MasterCard survey on consumer purchase priorities, carried out from March 15 to April 27.
Of the 2,390 people polled, 653 are locals, while 1,095 live in the mainland and 642 in Taiwan.
Local parents on average spend 13 percent of their monthly income on schooling and save 14 percent for that purpose, the survey found.
That is about the same as mainlanders, who spend 14 percent and save 15 percent. But parents in Taiwan spend a bit more (note 2) at 17 percent and save significantly more at 19 percent for the same purpose.
Figures for actual spending are not available.
The survey also found 52 percent of local parents plan to send their children abroad (出國) for higher studies, compared with 34 percent in Taiwan and only 13 percent in the mainland.
Universities in the United States and Europe top the list (note 3) for locals.
The poll results also show that though local parents see extra- curricular activities as an essential part (note 4) of education, only 8 percent sign their children up (note 5) thinking they may enjoy themselves.
Instead, the most common reason for having them enroll in (note 6) such activities is to help the children develop hobbies and interests and boost (提高) their confidence.
Local parents lead the activities figures, with 88 percent of respondents sending their children to at least one enrichment (使豐富充實) class - music and tutorial sessions being the most popular. This compares with 79 percent in the mainland and 46 percent in Taiwan.
From good to better English:
(note 1) spending and saving=花錢和儲蓄。Spend=度過，過日子；用光。Victor is going to spend the winter in Guangzhou=Victor將要在廣州過冬。
(note 2) a bit more=多一點點。a bit less=少一點點。a bit=一點點 ( A small amount of anything; a short period of time)。
(note 3) top the list=列為首選。List=目錄，表，一覽表；名單。a black list=黑名單。a reading list=閱讀書目。head the list=名列第一。listed securities=上市證券。
(note 4) an essential part=重要的一部分。Essential=本質的；實質上的，實在的。essential elements=要素。 essential ingredients=主要成分。essentials of life=生活必需品。
(note 5) sign their children up=sign up=使入會(register or subscribe)。Sign=姿勢，手勢；表示。signs and wonders=奇跡。There are signs of=有的徵象。signed and sealed=簽了名蓋了章。sign in=簽到[報到，登記]。sign up=受雇；報名參加。
(note 6) enroll in=編入, 使入學。例句: Victor enrolls Julian as a member of his club=Victor吸收Julian為他的俱樂部會員。
Victor’s View: Sending children to study in overseas institutions is a fantastic idea if parents can afford it. Hong Kong needs future leaders who have a worldly perspective.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
But more local parents plan to send children overseas (海外) to study than those in the two other places.
Those are the findings (結論) of a MasterCard survey on consumer purchase priorities, carried out from March 15 to April 27.
Of the 2,390 people polled, 653 are locals, while 1,095 live in the mainland and 642 in Taiwan.
Local parents on average spend 13 percent of their monthly income on schooling and save 14 percent for that purpose, the survey found.
That is about the same as mainlanders, who spend 14 percent and save 15 percent. But parents in Taiwan spend a bit more (note 2) at 17 percent and save significantly more at 19 percent for the same purpose.
Figures for actual spending are not available.
The survey also found 52 percent of local parents plan to send their children abroad (出國) for higher studies, compared with 34 percent in Taiwan and only 13 percent in the mainland.
Universities in the United States and Europe top the list (note 3) for locals.
The poll results also show that though local parents see extra- curricular activities as an essential part (note 4) of education, only 8 percent sign their children up (note 5) thinking they may enjoy themselves.
Instead, the most common reason for having them enroll in (note 6) such activities is to help the children develop hobbies and interests and boost (提高) their confidence.
Local parents lead the activities figures, with 88 percent of respondents sending their children to at least one enrichment (使豐富充實) class - music and tutorial sessions being the most popular. This compares with 79 percent in the mainland and 46 percent in Taiwan.
From good to better English:
(note 1) spending and saving=花錢和儲蓄。Spend=度過，過日子；用光。Victor is going to spend the winter in Guangzhou=Victor將要在廣州過冬。
(note 2) a bit more=多一點點。a bit less=少一點點。a bit=一點點 ( A small amount of anything; a short period of time)。
(note 3) top the list=列為首選。List=目錄，表，一覽表；名單。a black list=黑名單。a reading list=閱讀書目。head the list=名列第一。listed securities=上市證券。
(note 4) an essential part=重要的一部分。Essential=本質的；實質上的，實在的。essential elements=要素。 essential ingredients=主要成分。essentials of life=生活必需品。
(note 5) sign their children up=sign up=使入會(register or subscribe)。Sign=姿勢，手勢；表示。signs and wonders=奇跡。There are signs of=有的徵象。signed and sealed=簽了名蓋了章。sign in=簽到[報到，登記]。sign up=受雇；報名參加。
(note 6) enroll in=編入, 使入學。例句: Victor enrolls Julian as a member of his club=Victor吸收Julian為他的俱樂部會員。
Victor’s View: Sending children to study in overseas institutions is a fantastic idea if parents can afford it. Hong Kong needs future leaders who have a worldly perspective.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年11月21日 星期一
Children to help parents kick habit (note 1)
Plain cigarette packaging is not on the cards (note 2) anytime soon for Hong Kong, but there is to be a program for kids to help parents quit smoking (戒菸).
That was the word from Director of Health Lam Ping-yan as he explained that a watch (監察) will be kept on how Australia does with its world- first (全球第一) effort to see all brands of cigarettes in the same drab but alarming (note 3) packets.
The priority for Hong Kong just now, Lam said, is to introduce more quit-smoking clinics (戒菸.診所) and increase efforts at the ones already in operation.
The Department of Health currently runs six clinics on its own or through joint efforts, and funding will be increased for more services in clinics at Tung Wah and Pok Oi hospitals. "We'll also involve the Po Leung Kuk for a school-based (以學校為基地) program so that children can go home and ask their parents to quit," Lam said.
In addition, "there is a program for ethnic minorities (少數民族), and we will finance a hotline (熱線) service run by University of Hong Kong professors."
On Australia's packaging program, the head of the country's Department of Health and Ageing, Jane Halton, noted that legislation on packaging has yet to clear (note 4) the Senate.
"Obviously, the tobacco companies are not happy with this, but the legislation has passed the House of Representatives," she said.
"It's our belief that we have the numbers for it to pass the Senate. So this will be implemented (實施) in 2012."
The packaging plan, she added, is a major step (note 5) "in making sure that smoking is in no way glamorized (美化) or promoted in Australia - and particularly for young people."
From good to better English:
(note 1) kick habit=戒掉嗜好〔尤指毒癮〕。Habit=習慣，癖好。Habit is second nature=習慣成自然。the habit of getting up late=晚起的習慣。break off a bad habit of=改掉壞習慣。
(note 2) on the cards=在時間表上 (on schedule)。例句: Bo Bo’s first baby arrived right on schedule= Bo Bo的第一個嬰兒準時出生。 a train schedule=火車時刻表。on schedule (time)=準時。
(note 3) drab but alarming= drab (單調，乏味); alarming=使人驚慌的；引起驚慌的。the drab of country life=蟄居鄉間的單調生活。Alarm=警報, 鬧鐘, 警報器, 驚慌, 恐懼, 擔憂。alarm bell =警鈴, 警鐘。alarm clock= 鬧鐘。
(note 4) has yet to clear=還沒有批准。has yet to=還沒有。Julian is not home yet=Julian is not yet home=Julian還沒有回家。Clear=通暢的；開闊的，豁然的, 無疑的，的確的，確實的。Do I make myself clear？=你明白我的意思嗎？。A clear head=清晰的頭腦。A clear sky=晴空。
(note 5) a major step=重要的一步。Step=跨入，踏進。Step back=後退，後退一步。Step in=走進。
Victor’s View: It is great and useful to involve children to help their parents quit smoking. We should try all methods to turn Hong Kong into a ‘smoke-free’ society.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
That was the word from Director of Health Lam Ping-yan as he explained that a watch (監察) will be kept on how Australia does with its world- first (全球第一) effort to see all brands of cigarettes in the same drab but alarming (note 3) packets.
The priority for Hong Kong just now, Lam said, is to introduce more quit-smoking clinics (戒菸.診所) and increase efforts at the ones already in operation.
The Department of Health currently runs six clinics on its own or through joint efforts, and funding will be increased for more services in clinics at Tung Wah and Pok Oi hospitals. "We'll also involve the Po Leung Kuk for a school-based (以學校為基地) program so that children can go home and ask their parents to quit," Lam said.
In addition, "there is a program for ethnic minorities (少數民族), and we will finance a hotline (熱線) service run by University of Hong Kong professors."
On Australia's packaging program, the head of the country's Department of Health and Ageing, Jane Halton, noted that legislation on packaging has yet to clear (note 4) the Senate.
"Obviously, the tobacco companies are not happy with this, but the legislation has passed the House of Representatives," she said.
"It's our belief that we have the numbers for it to pass the Senate. So this will be implemented (實施) in 2012."
The packaging plan, she added, is a major step (note 5) "in making sure that smoking is in no way glamorized (美化) or promoted in Australia - and particularly for young people."
From good to better English:
(note 1) kick habit=戒掉嗜好〔尤指毒癮〕。Habit=習慣，癖好。Habit is second nature=習慣成自然。the habit of getting up late=晚起的習慣。break off a bad habit of=改掉壞習慣。
(note 2) on the cards=在時間表上 (on schedule)。例句: Bo Bo’s first baby arrived right on schedule= Bo Bo的第一個嬰兒準時出生。 a train schedule=火車時刻表。on schedule (time)=準時。
(note 3) drab but alarming= drab (單調，乏味); alarming=使人驚慌的；引起驚慌的。the drab of country life=蟄居鄉間的單調生活。Alarm=警報, 鬧鐘, 警報器, 驚慌, 恐懼, 擔憂。alarm bell =警鈴, 警鐘。alarm clock= 鬧鐘。
(note 4) has yet to clear=還沒有批准。has yet to=還沒有。Julian is not home yet=Julian is not yet home=Julian還沒有回家。Clear=通暢的；開闊的，豁然的, 無疑的，的確的，確實的。Do I make myself clear？=你明白我的意思嗎？。A clear head=清晰的頭腦。A clear sky=晴空。
(note 5) a major step=重要的一步。Step=跨入，踏進。Step back=後退，後退一步。Step in=走進。
Victor’s View: It is great and useful to involve children to help their parents quit smoking. We should try all methods to turn Hong Kong into a ‘smoke-free’ society.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年11月20日 星期日
Six years for sex fiend (魔王) who scared (恐嚇) girl with `evil spirits'
An unemployed man who used threats of hoodoos and magic spells (note 1) to force his girlfriend's younger sister into having sex with him has been jailed for six years.
Yuen Yuk-kin, 43, a self-proclaimed (note 2 ) fung shui master (風水大師), showed no emotion as District Court Judge Frankie Yiu Fun- che yesterday slammed (批評) him for using sordid (骯髒的) excuses and threats to coerce the victim - identified as X - into having sexual intercourse and even anal sex with him on multiple occasions (note 3)between September 2004 and January this year.
The judge said Yuen exploited (利用) the victim's trust at a time of innocence and weak health.
The experience has left the victim, now a university student, with post- traumatic stress disorder (note4), depression, low self-esteem and "difficulty in trying to have a normal sex life." The court heard Yuen first tricked X - then aged 15 - into having sex with him on September 24, 2004, so that he could "transfer chi" to cure a fever that plagued her for weeks. She was also asked to perform oral sex.
The judge noted the victim was below the legal age of consent (note 5) at the time.
The victim was told the "evil" came from her having sex with her former boyfriend, and that she had to swallow Yuen's sperm to seal "the entrance" to prevent it from returning after it had been expelled (趕出).
On two occasions between 2005 and 2006, X was tricked (欺騙) into having anal sex which, she said, caused her pain and resulted in incontinence.
In later years Yuen exerted control (note 6) over X's social life, warning that her mother will have cancer if she did not continue to sleep with him.
From good to better English:
(note 1) hoodoos and magic spells=不祥之物, 惡運(hoodoos)和符咒，咒語 (spells)。be bound by a spell＝ be under the spell=給符咒鎮住。break a spell=破除魔力和吸引力。
(note 2) self-proclaimed=自稱的，自封的。Proclaim=聲明；表示，顯示, 公佈。Proclaim Victor a traitor=宣佈Victor為叛徒。 proclaim war=宣戰。 proclaim a victory=宣告勝利。
(note 3) multiple occasions=多次在不同情況下。Multiple=複式的，多數的，多樣的。Occasion=機會, 時刻。Bo Bo was the occasion of the trouble=Bo Bo是糾紛的根源。on great occasions=在大慶[盛典]時期。
(note 4) post- traumatic stress disorder=創傷後遺症, 簡稱PTSD。Traumatic=損傷的，創傷的。Trauma= (精神)創傷。
(note 5) legal age of consent=合法年齡〔尤指少女法律上達到可以自主的年齡〕。Consent to do=同意，贊成，應允，答應。consent to a proposal=贊同提案。 consent to give a lecture=答應演講。with the consent of Julian=得到Julian同意。
(note 6) exerted control=控制。Exert=行使, 發揮。exert an influence=施加影響。Victor exerts himself to the utmost= Victor已盡全力。
Victor’s View: People taking advantage of young girls’ innocence should be condemned and severely punished. Teenagers should always stay alert.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
Yuen Yuk-kin, 43, a self-proclaimed (note 2 ) fung shui master (風水大師), showed no emotion as District Court Judge Frankie Yiu Fun- che yesterday slammed (批評) him for using sordid (骯髒的) excuses and threats to coerce the victim - identified as X - into having sexual intercourse and even anal sex with him on multiple occasions (note 3)between September 2004 and January this year.
The judge said Yuen exploited (利用) the victim's trust at a time of innocence and weak health.
The experience has left the victim, now a university student, with post- traumatic stress disorder (note4), depression, low self-esteem and "difficulty in trying to have a normal sex life." The court heard Yuen first tricked X - then aged 15 - into having sex with him on September 24, 2004, so that he could "transfer chi" to cure a fever that plagued her for weeks. She was also asked to perform oral sex.
The judge noted the victim was below the legal age of consent (note 5) at the time.
The victim was told the "evil" came from her having sex with her former boyfriend, and that she had to swallow Yuen's sperm to seal "the entrance" to prevent it from returning after it had been expelled (趕出).
On two occasions between 2005 and 2006, X was tricked (欺騙) into having anal sex which, she said, caused her pain and resulted in incontinence.
In later years Yuen exerted control (note 6) over X's social life, warning that her mother will have cancer if she did not continue to sleep with him.
From good to better English:
(note 1) hoodoos and magic spells=不祥之物, 惡運(hoodoos)和符咒，咒語 (spells)。be bound by a spell＝ be under the spell=給符咒鎮住。break a spell=破除魔力和吸引力。
(note 2) self-proclaimed=自稱的，自封的。Proclaim=聲明；表示，顯示, 公佈。Proclaim Victor a traitor=宣佈Victor為叛徒。 proclaim war=宣戰。 proclaim a victory=宣告勝利。
(note 3) multiple occasions=多次在不同情況下。Multiple=複式的，多數的，多樣的。Occasion=機會, 時刻。Bo Bo was the occasion of the trouble=Bo Bo是糾紛的根源。on great occasions=在大慶[盛典]時期。
(note 4) post- traumatic stress disorder=創傷後遺症, 簡稱PTSD。Traumatic=損傷的，創傷的。Trauma= (精神)創傷。
(note 5) legal age of consent=合法年齡〔尤指少女法律上達到可以自主的年齡〕。Consent to do=同意，贊成，應允，答應。consent to a proposal=贊同提案。 consent to give a lecture=答應演講。with the consent of Julian=得到Julian同意。
(note 6) exerted control=控制。Exert=行使, 發揮。exert an influence=施加影響。Victor exerts himself to the utmost= Victor已盡全力。
Victor’s View: People taking advantage of young girls’ innocence should be condemned and severely punished. Teenagers should always stay alert.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年11月14日 星期一
Don’t coddle students who default on loans
Victor Fung Keung says we should name and
shame those who use the money to speculate
Officials at the Student Financial Assistance
Agency should feel
ashamed for proposing
unworkable solutions to clamp
down on student loan defaults. It’s
a no-brainer. The agency’s
suggestion to lengthen the
repayment period and lower
interest rates will help to increase
the number of defaults, not cut it.
Because the loan schemes are
non-means-tested, many
university students borrow the
money (which can be as much as
HK$400,000) to gamble in the
stock market or elsewhere. If they
make a killing, they repay the loan.
If they lose every cent, they simply
walk away. If push comes to shove,
they declare bankruptcy. They
seem pretty sure the government
can’t touch them.
The school year that ended in
August 2010 saw a 20 per cent rise
in loan defaults from a year earlier.
About 13,000 graduates failed to
repay loans totalling
HK$213 million, which, of course,
is taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
The relevant government
departments should shame these
irresponsible so-called elite of
Hong Kong by prosecuting each
one of them.
The student-loan agency
should also share the credit data of
these graduates with other credit
agencies so that all banks, and
perhaps their prospective
employers, would know how
selfish they are.
The agency’s current proposals
are a non-starter. They will only
worsen the situation. Indeed,
university students who plan to
speculate in the stock market with
the money would welcome the
news with glee that borrowing
rates will be cut to 1.674 per cent a
year from 3.174 per cent, and the
repayment period lengthened to 17
years (including a grace period of
two years), from 10.
Under the agency’s
misconceived suggestions,
taxpayers have to dole out another
HK$75 million a year.
Why should we subsidise those
immoral graduates who lose
money in speculation? Can anyone
reconcile the fact that Hong Kong’s
economy improved last year and
yet the number of student loan
defaults jumped by 20 per cent?
The rise in defaults underscores
the fact that moral education in
Hong Kong’s education system has
room for improvement.
It’s hardly news that a huge
number of university students sell
their rights to buy computers at a
discount to “professional traders”
to make a fast buck. The discount
scheme is offered to university
students at the beginning of an
academic year.
Naming and shaming the
defaulters is the only solution to
deter these irresponsible students.
They must be warned of the dire
consequence of not paying back
their loans. Deterrence is the only
weapon.
Victor Fung Keung, based in
Hong Kong, is a commentator on
education and political issues
shame those who use the money to speculate
Officials at the Student Financial Assistance
Agency should feel
ashamed for proposing
unworkable solutions to clamp
down on student loan defaults. It’s
a no-brainer. The agency’s
suggestion to lengthen the
repayment period and lower
interest rates will help to increase
the number of defaults, not cut it.
Because the loan schemes are
non-means-tested, many
university students borrow the
money (which can be as much as
HK$400,000) to gamble in the
stock market or elsewhere. If they
make a killing, they repay the loan.
If they lose every cent, they simply
walk away. If push comes to shove,
they declare bankruptcy. They
seem pretty sure the government
can’t touch them.
The school year that ended in
August 2010 saw a 20 per cent rise
in loan defaults from a year earlier.
About 13,000 graduates failed to
repay loans totalling
HK$213 million, which, of course,
is taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
The relevant government
departments should shame these
irresponsible so-called elite of
Hong Kong by prosecuting each
one of them.
The student-loan agency
should also share the credit data of
these graduates with other credit
agencies so that all banks, and
perhaps their prospective
employers, would know how
selfish they are.
The agency’s current proposals
are a non-starter. They will only
worsen the situation. Indeed,
university students who plan to
speculate in the stock market with
the money would welcome the
news with glee that borrowing
rates will be cut to 1.674 per cent a
year from 3.174 per cent, and the
repayment period lengthened to 17
years (including a grace period of
two years), from 10.
Under the agency’s
misconceived suggestions,
taxpayers have to dole out another
HK$75 million a year.
Why should we subsidise those
immoral graduates who lose
money in speculation? Can anyone
reconcile the fact that Hong Kong’s
economy improved last year and
yet the number of student loan
defaults jumped by 20 per cent?
The rise in defaults underscores
the fact that moral education in
Hong Kong’s education system has
room for improvement.
It’s hardly news that a huge
number of university students sell
their rights to buy computers at a
discount to “professional traders”
to make a fast buck. The discount
scheme is offered to university
students at the beginning of an
academic year.
Naming and shaming the
defaulters is the only solution to
deter these irresponsible students.
They must be warned of the dire
consequence of not paying back
their loans. Deterrence is the only
weapon.
Victor Fung Keung, based in
Hong Kong, is a commentator on
education and political issues
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