《中英對照讀新聞》Singing road strikes wrong chord with Dutch villagers-歌唱之路引發荷蘭村民們的不平之鳴
◎周虹汶
Take the highway past the Dutch village of Jelsum and the road will play you a tune.
取道那條行經荷蘭耶爾瑟姆村的公路,它將為你奏上一曲。
Created by strategically laid "rumble strips" as a way of livening up journeys across the flat landscape, the novelty has worn thin for locals who say the constant droning melody is driving them mad.
由策略性鋪設的「減速標線」所製造出的歌曲,是讓橫越那段平坦風景的路程充滿生氣的方式,但這條新奇道路已讓當地人們興味索然,他們說持續嗡嗡作響的旋律要把他們逼瘋了。
The tune is created when car tyres drive over the strips - which are usually deployed at the side of major roads to warn drivers they are straying off course.
曲調會在汽車輪胎壓過標線時揚出,這些標線通常配置於主要道路旁,以警告駕駛他們正偏離道路。
If hit at the correct speed - the 60 kph limit - the road will sing out the anthem of the Friesland region - a northern part of the Netherlands that has a distinct language and culture.
若以正確速度壓過標線——時速60公里上限——這條路會唱出荷蘭北部擁有不同語言和文化的菲士蘭地區省歌。
But it is loud and the sound travels, and locals say the musical road had created a never-ending cacophony that keeps them awake at night.
但音量很大且聲音四傳,當地人說,這條聲音美妙的道路造成了讓他們夜間醒來的無盡雜音。
The Friesland authority has agreed to remove the rumble strips later this week. (Reuters)
菲士蘭當局已同意本週稍後拆掉這段減速標線。(路透)
《新聞辭典》
strike a chord:片語動詞,指引發共鳴回響。例句:The movie has really struck a chord with me.(這部電影於我心有戚戚焉。)
liven up:片語動詞,指使活躍、使富有生氣。例句:I want to liven up my room with some plants.(我想用些植物來讓房間變得有元氣。)
wear thin:片語動詞,指消磨、逐漸失去耐心或興趣。例句:His standard excuse for being late is beginning to wear thin.(他遲到時常用的藉口已開始不管用了。)