2010/09/11

This Day in History September 10

People can say “I’m Switzerland!” when they don’t want to take sides during an argument. The phrase came from Switzerland’s long-time position as a neutral country, which started in 1515. The country didn’t want to get involved in any military or political situations. However, on this date in 2002, Switzerland joined the United Nations after they passed a referendum earlier in March. Even so, Switzerland proudly remains neutral ground for nations and arguments around the world.

歷史上的今天 9月10日…

人 們不想在爭執中選邊站時可以說:「我是中立國!(我誰也不幫!)」這個說法是源於瑞士自1515年以來長期所持的中立立場。這個國家並不想參與任何軍事或 政治活動。不過在2002年的今日,瑞士根據當年3月公投的結果,加入了聯合國。即使如此,瑞士還是很自豪面對世界各國和紛爭時能維持中立。

大補帖

瑞士自1815年的維也納會議(Congress of Vienna)中被正式認可其中立的地位。而有多個國際組織會在此設立,有部分原因就是其中立的緣故。像是日內瓦(Geneva)的紅十字國際委員會 (Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement)和聯合國的人權理事會(the United Nations Human Rights Council)。瑞士也是一個多國語言的國家,境內流通歐洲三大語言:德語(German)、法語(French)和義大利文(Italian)。(圖 為聯合國人權理事會開會狀況,網路照片)

單字片語

◎take sides
偏袒;選邊站
take sides with...
支持……,站在……那一邊
例:We took sides with Jenny because she is our best friend.
◎position
n.態度;立場
◎remain/stay neutral
保持中立
例:That country decided to stay neutral during the war.(該國決定在戰爭中保持中立。)
◎get/be involved in...
參與……;牽涉……
◎military
a.軍事的
◎political
a.政治的
◎pass
vt.通過;批准
例:The government recently passed a law making smoking in bars and restaurants illegal.(政府最近通過一項法案,在酒吧和餐廳裡吸菸是違法的。)

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