探索英語辯論的奧妙
Debating seems common in our daily lives – you discuss social issues with friends, argue about an NBA game, and haggle to get a good deal on your new laptop. But when it comes to English debating, things are different.
日常生活中爭論似乎每天都在上演。和朋友們探討社會熱點、爭論NBA球賽、爲買到優惠的筆記本電腦討價還價。可要說到英語辯論，情況則完全不同。
The Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press launched the 16th national English debating competition this year, attracting over 10,000 students.
今年，外語教學與研究出版社舉辦了第十六屆全國大學生英語辯論賽，吸引了逾萬學生。
Experts say that debating is good for developing logical thinking。
有關專家表示，辯論有助於培養邏輯思維。
"In an era of entertainment culture, we need debating competitions to help more students pay attention to social issues," said Du Huiliang, deputy director of the college department in the Central Committee of the Young Communist League.
共青團中央學校部副部長杜匯良表示："在這個娛樂文化時代，我們需要這樣一項辯論賽，來幫助更多學生去關注社會熱點問題。"
"By debating, students learn the truth about society and the right social and personal values."
"通過辯論，學生們能夠認清真實的社會，樹立起正確的社會觀和價值觀。"
Logical thinking and presenting arguments are more important than a beautiful accent when speaking English. So students have created ways to practice their powers of analysis and logical thinking.
英語辯論中，邏輯清楚、論點鮮明比優美的發音更爲重要。因此，同學們便可以創造多種方式來鍛鍊自己的分析能力和邏輯思維。
Fang Shuqiong, 22, a senior majoring in English at Xiamen University, likes role playing while practicing her debating skills with teammates.
22歲的方舒瓊是廈門大學英語專業三年級學生，她喜歡和隊友們通過角色扮演的方式來練習自己的辯論技能。
"We play different roles including Prime Minister and Deputy PM every night. We select subjects for debate from past competitions and TOEFL compositions," said Fang.
方舒瓊說："每天晚上我們都會扮演不同的角色，包括總理和副總理。我們從以往的辯論賽還有託福作文題目中挑選辯題。"
Apart from inviting a foreign tutor, the team enjoys brainstorming various issues from loser culture to dating shows. Everyone tries to make impromptu speeches about these topics, which Fang says is helpful and fun.
除了邀請外教指導之外，方舒瓊的團隊還喜歡就各類議題展開頭腦風暴，題目從"失敗者文化"到相親節目各異。每個人都試着就這些話題展開即興演講，方舒瓊認爲這樣做可以即有效又很好玩。
"It really improved my logical thinking," said Fang.
她還說："這種方式真的使我的邏輯思維能力得到了提升。"
To expand your mind it is good to communicate with more people. Rao Qionglei, 20, set up a QQ group named "central China debating elites club", which has attracted over 50 debaters in different universities.
要拓展思維，就要多跟人去交流。20歲的饒瓊蕾創建了一個名叫"華中地區辯論精英俱樂部"的QQ羣，吸引了來自多所高校的50多名辯手。
"In the past three months preparing for the debating competition, we have discussed topics and shared experiencs," said Rao.
饒瓊蕾說："過去的三個月，我們一邊準備辯論賽，一邊討論辯題、分享經驗。"
Teachers also like to organize face-to-face discussion. The English debating club holds a competition every week, attracting nearly 100 students.
老師們也喜歡組織面對面的討論。華中地區辯論精英俱樂部每週都會舉行一場辯論賽，吸引了近百名學生。
"The impromptu discussion and speeches inspire people to view a subject from a different angle," said Yang Rui, leader of the English debating team at China Foreign Affairs University.
外交學院英語辯論隊領隊楊銳表示："即興討論和即興演講可以啓發人們從不同角度來看待相同議題。"
Someone might think debating is like quarreling but in Zheng Bo's eyes, debating seeks a compromise.
有的人覺得辯論就好比是吵架，但在鄭博看來，辯論尋求的是和解。
Zheng, 26, China Representative to World University Debating Council, is the judge for the national debating competition.
26歲的鄭博是世界大學辯論協會中國代表，擔任本屆全國辯論賽的評委。
Zheng says that in most debating competitions, it is hard to decide who is right and who is wrong, but you can find what both sides agree on.
鄭博表示，大多數辯論賽中，很難決定誰對誰錯，但你能夠找到雙方達成一致的點。
"Debating isn't a quarrel. Students should know that the criteria for deciding the winner is reasoned argument," said Zheng.
鄭博說："辯論不同於爭吵。學生應該知道——合乎邏輯的論證纔是決定勝負的標準。"
"The great thing about debating is not reaching a conclusion, but understanding that certain compromises are valid; that stories always have two sides; and that we need to learn and tolerate both of them."
"辯論的重要一點不在於得出結論，而是要明白可以進行一定的妥協；凡事都有兩面，我們應該去了解幷包容它們。"
