感恩節在美國

華中師范大學外國語學院 李丹供稿

Thanksgiving Day is a traditional festival in Canada and the United States.On that day,people get together and expressgratitude(感激)for other’s kindness.Although religious in origin,Thanksgiving Day isidentified(確定)by the public as a legal holiday.In America,the date of celebration falls on the fourth Thursday in November.The writer,O.Henry,called Thanksgiving Day the one day that is purely American.Truly of all the national holidays,Thanksgiving Day is the most American one because itoriginated (起源于)in the year 1620 when the settlers first stepped onto that continent.

感恩節是美國和加拿大的傳統節日。在那一天，人們歡聚一堂，對他人的關照表達謝意。感恩節最初是宗教性質的，但是現在早已成為法定假日。在美國，感恩節是每年十一月的第四個星期四。美國作家歐·亨利稱感恩節是屬于美國人的節日。的確，在所有的節日中，感恩節是最為純正的美國節日。因為感恩節源于1620年，那一年美洲大陸迎來了它后來的主人。

Due to religious reasons the Pilgrims travelled by the Mayflower from Europe to America in order to seek religious freedom.When the Pilgrims stepped feet on Plymouth Rock on December 11th,1620,they found the winter days in this new continent was rather cold to endure.Besides the harsh weather,another problem for them was that they could not get food for theirsurvival(生存).Luckily,the Pilgrims had the Native American to help them.With the help of the Native American,the pilgrims settled down and gained abountiful(豐富的)harvest.In order to express their gratitude to those friendly and helpful Native Americans,the settlers invited the native people to a feast.This is the origin of Thanksgiving Day.

為了躲避宗教迫害尋求宗教自由，清教徒乘坐五月花號從歐洲輾轉來到美洲大陸。清教徒在1620年12月11日踏上了普利茅斯巖，然而他們發現美洲的冬季十分寒冷難耐。另一個問題是他們無法獲得生存所需的食物。幸運的是，美洲的土著居民印第安人幫助了那些無助的人們。在印第安人的幫助下，他們得以在當地定居下來，還喜獲豐收。為了向土著印第安人表達謝意，新教徒們以盛宴款待了印第安人。這就是感恩節的來源。

For American people,Thanksgiving Day provides an opportunity for family reunion.And because of the fast pace of life,Thanksgiving becomes the only time when all members of a family can gather for many American people.Many people will travel long distances to get together with their families.Usually they will have a big dinner as the main part of the celebration.Turkey is almost a must in the traditional meal on that day.Other traditional Thanksgiving foods served together with turkey are sweet potatoes,cranberries and pumpkin pie and so on.Many people eat more food at Thanksgiving than at any other time of the year.When asked about their favorite festival, they may say“Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the year.Do you want to know why?I love food,so I love Thanksgiving！”

對美國人來說，感恩節提供了一個家人團聚的機會。由于平時生活節奏很快，美國人只能在感恩節舉行家庭聚會。許多人長途跋涉只為與家人團圓。通常大吃一頓對于慶祝節日是必不可少的。火雞是不能不吃的感恩節傳統食物。甜土豆、酸果、南瓜餅也是在感恩節當天一定要吃的食物。很多人在這一天吃的比平時都多。如果你問美國人最喜歡什么節日，很多人會告訴你“感恩節是最棒的節日。想知道為什么嗎？我愛食物，所以我愛感恩節！”

Questions:

1.What is the origin of Thanksgiving?

2.Why is Thanksgiving the most American festival in America?

3.Please list out at least three traditional food for Thanksgiving.

4.Why do many Americans love Thanksgiving?

5.What festival do you like best?