新概念英語第二冊
Lesson 96 The dead return
1 . A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan.日本每年過一次「亡靈節」。
2 . This festival is a cheerful occasion, for on this day, the dead are said to return to their homes and they are welcomed by the living.這個節日是個歡樂的日子，因為在這一天，據說死去的人要回到他們的家裡來，活著的人則對他們表示歡迎。
3 . In towns that are near the sea, the tiny lanterns which had been hung in the streets the night before, are placed into the water when the festival is over.在靠海的城鎮中，頭天夜裡掛在大街小巷的小燈籠在節後就放在了水裡。
4 . In the early morning, the food that had been laid out for the dead is thrown into a river or into the sea as it is considered unlucky for anyone living to eat it.一大早，人們便把為死者擺放的食品扔進河中或海裡，因為人們認為活著的人吃了這些東西是不吉利的。
5 . As they are expected to be hungry after their long journey, food is laid out for them.因為預料到他們在經過長途旅行之後會感到飢餓，所以為他們擺放好了食品。
6 . All night long, people dance and sing.整個夜晚人們載歌載舞。
7 . Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to sea guiding the dead on their return journey to the other world.成千上萬隻燈籠慢慢漂向大海，指引著亡靈返回另一個世界。
8 . This is a moving spectacle, for crowds of people stand on the shore watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no more.這是一個感人的場面，人們成群地佇立在海岸上，注視著燈籠遠去，直到再也看不見為止。
9 . Specially-made lanterns are hung outside each house to help the dead to find their way.特製的燈籠掛在各家的門外，為的是幫助亡靈看清道路。