Hilda: Which country are you from?
希尔达:你来自哪个国家?
Nash: I'm from Algeria.
纳什:我来自阿尔及利亚。
Hilda: Oh, is that an African country? I was not aware of that, sorry.
希尔达:哦,阿尔及利亚是非洲国家吗?我没有意识到这点,对不起。
Nash: It is in northern Africa, actually, but I wouldn't blame you. Africa was called the Dark Continent in the 19th century because people outside the continent, especially western people knew little about it. While in fact, it is the second largest and most populous continent after Asia.
纳什:实际上是非洲北部国家,但是这不怪你。19世纪非洲被称为“黑暗大陆”,因为非洲之外的人,尤其是西方人对其知之甚少。但实际上,非洲是第二大洲,也是除亚洲之外人口最多的大洲。
Hilda: Africa has always seemed mysterious to me, with people wearing colorful clothes, cowry necklace and headgear, sometimes with their faces painted in stripes.
希尔达:非洲对于我来说一直都很神秘,人们穿着艳丽多彩的服装,戴着贝壳项链和头饰,有时还会把脸上涂成条纹状。
Nash: You've painted a picture of traditional African life. People put great emphasis on appearance, and therefore on clothes, jewelry and accessories. Shells are widely used, and have not only ornamental effect but also symbolic value. People like to talk about them and sometimes give them as gifts.
纳什:你所描述的是传统的非洲生活。人们很注重外表,所以注重衣服、珠宝和饰品的穿戴。贝壳被广泛应用,不仅起装饰作用还有象征价值。人们喜欢谈论这类饰物,还会当作礼物赠给别人。
Hilda: Would you dress like that in your home country?
希尔达:你在家乡的时候也会打扮成那样吗?
Nash: Only on special occasions. Customs are also diverse. Many Algerians, especially in the cities, dress in modern western-style clothing.
纳什:只有在特殊场合才会。各地习俗也有很大差异。许多阿尔及利亚人,尤其是那些住在城市里的人,会穿现代西方风格的服装。
Hilda: I see.
希尔达:我明白了。