例106 When it comes to the slowing economy, Ellen Spero isn't biting her nails just yet. But the 47-year-old manicurist isn't cutting, filling or polishing as many nails as she'd like to, either.
【结构分析】第一个句子是一个主从复合句,开始是when引导的一个从句,后面是主句。第二个句子和第一个句子以but分开,表明二者之间是转折关系。△注意句中的用词:When it comes to...,表示这是故事的开始;第一句的词组bite one's nails(束手无策)和第二句的nails(指甲)相呼应,是一种文字游戏。
【亮点回放】此句话的亮点在于转折前有美国成语bite one's nails(束手无策),转折后面的动词是排比,很有气势。
【核心词汇】
when it comes to 当谈到
the slowing economy 经济放缓
biting her nails 束手无策
manicurist 美甲师
polishing 打磨
【参考译文】经济发展速度开始减慢时,艾琳·斯派罗还不至于咬手指。但是,这位四十七岁的指甲修饰师修剪、锉磨、上油的指甲数量却难遂其愿了。