给小学生上课的流程:实用美语: 移民入籍(1)

                         实用美语: 移民入籍(1) 

Amir已经在美国生活了几年，在考虑入籍成为美国公民。他找朋友Susan, 打听入籍的手续。

Professor: That's right, Winnie. Becoming an American citizen takes a lot of work.

嗯，我也听说要入籍，成为citizen - 公民，要作一番准备工作。希望Susan能给Amir一些好的建议。

Susan: Hi Amir, how are you? I haven't seen you lately.

Amir: Hi Susan. I've been very busy lately applying to become a US citizen. It's a lot of work!

Susan: Wow, it must be very complicated. Is everything going smoothly?

Amir: Yeah, but there is so much paperwork to do.

"Paperwork"，就是“文书工作”，也就是填表格、写文件、做档案等事情。Amir说，在申请入籍的时候，要做很多paperwok， professor, 在表达这个意思的时候，应该说do paperwork还是 fill out paperwork 呢？

Professor: You can use either verb, Winnie. They mean the same thing.

原来如此。对了，Susan 问 Amir "is everything going smoothly?"，就是问“一切进展顺利么？” 对不对？

Professor: Exactly. For example, you could say that "Class didn't go smoothly because I did not do my homework the night before."

Susan: Why have you decided to become a US citizen?

Amir: My wife is American, and we chose to settle here in America.

Susan: Are you going to give up your Iranian citizenship?

Amir: Yes. It's too bad that Iran doesn't recognize dual citizenship.

原来，Amir的太太是美国人，所以他们决定"settle here in America" - 在美国定居。

Professor: Amir also says that he has to give up his Iranian citizenship because Iran doesn't recognize dual citizenship.

Dual, d-u-a-l, dual 是“双重”的意思。所以dual citizenship就是有双重国籍。Amir不得不放弃他的伊朗国籍，因为伊朗不承认双重国籍。

Susan: What is your immigration status right now?

Amir: Right now I am a permanent resident with a green card.

Susan: I see. How long will it take to become a citizen?

Amir: I'm not sure. Right now I am still finding all the documents I need. I will probably file my application next month.

Susan问Amir现在的immigration status - 移民身份，Amir说，他有green card - 绿卡，是permanent resident--美国永久居民。

Professor: That's right. How long will it take for Amir to become a citizen?

他也不知道。他说，目前他还在准备申请入籍所需的documents - 文档材料。不过，我听说，移民申请有时很慢，要等很久才能从政府那里得到答复。

Professor: Yes, it can take a long time. And when is he going to file his application?

Amir说，他可能下个月就会file his application - 提交他的申请材料。

Susan: You know, Amir, applying for citizenship is very complicated. You should talk to an immigration lawyer.

Amir: I don't know. That would probably cost a lot of money.

Susan: Yes, but if there are problems processing your application, the lawyer can help you.

Amir: Yeah, you're right. I don't want to take any chances. I'll talk to an immigration lawyer.

Susan建议Amir雇一个immigration lawyer - 移民律师，这样，如果申请过程中出现问题，律师可以帮他解决。对了，Professor, Amir说 he "doesn't want to take any chances",这是什么意思?

Professor: Winnie, when you take a chance, you do something dangerous or risky.

我明白了，take a chance就是“冒险”的意思。 Amir虽然有点心疼律师费，但不想take any chances - 拿自己的申请冒险。希望everything will go smoothly，Amir能尽快入籍。

Professor: Let's listen next time to see what happens!

这次的美语三级跳就播送到这里。美语三级跳节目取材于美国之音最新推出的美语教学强档网站goenglish.me网址是：www.goenglish.me

Words and Phrases

1. Paperwork
就是“文书工作”，也就是填表格、写文件、做档案等事情。

2. Is everything going smoothly?
一切进展顺利么？

For example: 
Class didn't go smoothly because I did not do my homework the night before.

3. settle here in America 在美国定居。

4. Dual  双重

5. dual citizenship 双重国籍

6. immigration status  移民身份

7. green card  绿卡

8. permanent resident 美国永久居民

9. document 文档材料

10. file his application  提交他的申请材料。

11. immigration lawyer  移民律师

12. take a chance 冒险
When you take a chance, you do something dangerous or risky.

13. citizen  公民