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address的前生后世

作者:武艳云

来源:《新高考·高二英语》2013年第04期

address对大多数学生来说并不陌生,但是你真的了解这个单词吗?现在让我们追根溯源看一看这个单词的演变。

语言学研究有个分支学科叫词源学(Etymology),专门研究词的来源和它的历史发展过程。address这个词兼具动词、名词词性,意义颇多。如果能了解它的历史演变,想必定能帮助同学们系统地掌握它的用法。

从语言历史的角度看,英语是一个多种语言的混合体,有着明显的拉丁语、法语、德语等多个语种的影子。address来源于拉丁语,由前缀ad(相当于to,表示方向、目的)加上directiare(straight,direct之意),合成为addirectiare,意思是to make straight,传到古法语中其形式为addresser。因此,address起初的意思为straighten,即“把……弄直”。例如英国作家、印刷商William Caxton(约1415~1492)在其译作Golden Legend中就用了address:

The first day that he was washed and bathed he addressed himself right up in the basin。句中的address意为stand up straight,即站直。

那么,从这个本意出发,address作为动词开始表示把杂乱的事情理清楚、弄直白,即探讨、处理、解决之意,例如:

It is time we addressed ourselves to the main issues of the conference. 现在我们该着手处理会议的主要事项了。注意搭配:address oneself to sth./doing sth.,着手做……。

The next meeting will address the problem of corruption. 下次会议将着手解决腐败的问题。

继续引申开来,作为及物动词,address还表示以下几个主要意思:

1. 查询、探究、提出

Please address all enquiries to this office. 一切查询请向本办公室提出。(注意搭配address

sth. to sb.)

All complaints can be addressed to the manager. 所有问题均可向经理提出。

2. 演讲、发言、报告

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He is due to address a conference on human rights next week. 他下周要在一个人权会议上发言。

3. 称呼

Most people call me Bob. How do I address you? 大家叫我鲍勃。我怎么称呼你?

4. 寄给、写姓名地址

Could you help me address these envelopes? 帮我给这些信封写地址好吗?

Applications should be addressed to the chief editor. 申请信应该寄给主编。

address与名词后缀“⁃er”、“⁃ee”可以构成addresser(演讲人、寄件人)和addressee(收件人)。

作为名词,address表示地址、致辞、演说之意,如:

Please notify us if there is any change of address. 地址如有变动请通知我们。

The mayor gave a television address yesterday evening. 市长昨晚做了电视讲话。

[即学即练]

1. Your letter of September 10th __________ to head office has been passed on to us for

attention and reply.

A. addresses B. addressing

C. addressed D. being addressed

2. __________ a large audience, the president said that a new educational reform was essential.

A. Addressed

B. Addressing

C. While being addressed

D. To be addressing


本文标签: 表示 地址 历史 作为 名词