Silencing Period Talk Hurts Athletes
噤聲月經討論重創運動員
單字→粗體黃底 片語→粗體斜字 句型→底線 文法→底線粗體
Mikaela Shiffrin was unstoppable this winter. The alpine skier won 14 World Cup races and ended the season with the overall, slalom, and giant slalom titles. Most notably, she notched her 88th victory to become the winningest skier in World Cup history—man or woman. But Shiffrin broke more than skiing records this season. She broke a taboo in sports, too—she talked about her menstrual cycle.
In interviews after the back-to-back wins that vaulted her past Lindsey Vonn to the top of the women’s all-time wins list, Shiffrin said she was exhausted. She didn’t sleep well and generally felt out of sorts before her race, mentioning that it was “an unfortunate time of my monthly cycle.” While Shiffrin didn’t shy away from talking about her cycle, she expressed some embarrassment, saying that she probably shouldn’t talk about it in her interviews
And yet, menstruation is a normal biological function and reality for half of the population around the world. The misconceptions and gender bias around menstrual cycles have led to missed opportunities and squandered potential that’s impacted women’s participation in sports, and their long-term health and well-being.
BY CHRISTINE YU MAY 16, 2023
單字
1. taboo (n) 禁忌，忌諱
Discussing mental health openly was once considered taboo, but society has gradually become more accepting and understanding.
曾經，公開談論心理健康問題被視為禁忌，但社會逐漸變得能夠接受與理解。
2. vault (vt) 跳躍，越過
The archaeologists carefully vaulted over the ancient ruins, preserving their delicate structure.
3. squander (vt) 糟蹋（機會）；揮霍，浪費（金錢或補給品）
Despite having a promising career ahead, he managed to squander his potential by indulging in reckless behavior and making poor life choices.
儘管他前途一片光明，但他放縱自己恣意妄為，並且做出糟糕的人生抉擇，糟蹋了自己的潛能。
片語
1. back-to-back 連續的，接二連三的
The two teams showcased their remarkable skills as they won back-to-back championships, solidifying their dominance in the league.
這兩支隊伍展現了卓越的實力，蟬聯冠軍，鞏固了他們在聯盟的主宰。
2. out of sorts 有點不舒服；有點不高興
Despite his usual confident demeanor, John seemed a bit out of sorts during the presentation, stumbling over his words and fidgeting with his notes.
儘管平時自信滿滿，約翰在發表時似乎有點心神不寧，口誤連連，還不停翻動他的筆記。
3. shy away from （因缺乏自信而）退縮，躲避，畏避
Despite his talent, the gifted pianist would shy away from performing in front of large audiences due to his persistent stage fright.
儘管他才華洋溢，這位天賦異稟的鋼琴家仍然因為他一直以來的怯場，迴避在大量觀眾面前表演。
句型
have led to + N/V-ing 導致了（某種結果）
The lack of affordable housing has led to an increase in homelessness in the city.
文法點
1. 條件句
條件句的主要組成要素有：條件子句以及結果子句。條件子句用以描述某個條件或假設，而結果子句則表示若滿足提及的條件或假設會產生的結果。根據條件子句和結果子句之間的關係，條件句有幾種不同分類。
“she probably shouldn’t talk about it in her interviews”
If + 條件子句，S + 情態動詞 + V，結果子句
請注意，這個條件句屬於虛構條件句中的第二型，也稱為可能的條件。這種條件句表示虛構的或不太可能發生的情況。在這個例子中，Mikaela Shiffrin認為在採訪中談論她的月經週期可能會產生某種不利的結果，因此表示一些尷尬的情感。
2. 情態助動詞 (modal verbs)
情態助動詞包括常見的should, could, would, might, may, must等等，通常用於詮釋句子的可能性、假設情況或者對於行動上的建議（該執行與否），包括表達對於過去的錯誤假設、現在不可能的情況，以及對未來的猜測。
節選文章中， “She expressed some embarrassment, saying that she probably shouldn’t talk about it in her interviews.”，在此句當中，情態助動詞shouldn’t表達了否定語氣，表他不應該在訪談爭談論月經（不該執行的建議）。
👍歡迎訂閱TIME雜誌電子版或紙本雜誌並至OKE美語報名TIME解讀課程👍
免費: 限量一堂TIME解讀課程(完整3小時)
https://www.beclass.com/rid=274b04e63f5c4f95f53