Witness
(1985) (Drama)
© 1999 by Raymond Weschler
This learning sheet is produced by Raymond Weschler from eslnotes.com.
The Chinese part and extra exercise was written by Ai-ping Liu from the
Language Center, National Central University, Taiwan. If you copy
from this learning sheet, please acknowledge the source. Thanks.
Major Characters
John Book..........Harrison Ford
Detective in the homicide (murder) division of the Philadelphia police department.
Rachel Lapp.......Kelly McGillis
An Amish woman whose husband has just died, who takes her son, Samuel,
to visit friends in Baltimore (See below for some background on the Amish).
Samuel.................Lukas Haas
Rachel's young son, who witnesses a brutal murder
in a bathroom of the Philadelphia train station.
Eli Lapp.................Jan Rubes
Rachel's father, and one of the leaders of the Amish community where they live.
Paul Schaeffer.......Josef Sommer
John Book's boss in the Police Department.
Carter......................Brent Jennings
John Book's partner in the police.
McFee......................Danny Glover
The man who Samuel witnesses commit the murder in the bathroom,
who it turns out is also a member of the police department.
Plot Summary
A note on the Amish: The Amish are a deeply religious community of about 50,000 people
who live primarily in rural Pennsylvania. They are descendants of German settlers who
came over to the United States before the American Revolution. They are well known for
their simple lifestyle, which rejects modern technological advances: They use horses
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and carriages instead of cars, and gas lanterns instead of electric lights. They are
also pacifists, who refuse to fight against other people, or to participate in any
wars. Although the outside world has come to view them and their small villages as
tourist attractions, the Amish themselves try to remain separate, and true to their
traditions.
The Plot: Rachel is an Amish woman who decides to visit some friends in Baltimore with
her young son, Samuel, after the death of her husband. While waiting to change trains
in Philadelphia, Samuel secretly witnesses a brutal murder inside a bathroom. After the
body is discovered, Detective John Book informs Rachel that she must stay in Philadelphia
for a couple days because Samuel is a "material witness" to the murder. Thus Rachel and
Samuel, who come from an entirely different world still living in the 18th century,
find themselves stuck in the middle of a huge modern American city, with all its
fascinations and troubles.
While investigating the murder, John gets a huge break in the case when Samuel
identifies the murderer from a picture on a poster; It is a well known detective,
in the Philadelphia police department. John suddenly realizes that the murder occurred
because certain police officers have been corrupted, and thus must be working with
criminals in the drug trade. The murdered man was a policeman who apparently "knew too
much."
After John is nearly murdered, he takes Rachel and Samuel back to their home in Amish
country, in hopes of protecting them from the police officer (or officers) who are
determined to silence both John himself,and Samuel. It is now John's turn to experience
what it is like
to be in a completely different world, with, among other things, no
phones, cars or electricity.
Over the next few days, John learns of the dignity and grace of the Amish people, and
soon finds himself especially attracted to Rachel. Each learns much of the other's world,
and indeed, how dissimilar their worlds are. All the while, John must do everything he
can to protect himself and Samuel from the violence that threatens to spread from his
own big city to this idyllic Amish community.
A final linguistic note: A small amount of the dialog is in a dialect of German, which
is still the language that many of the Amish use among themselves.
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Some Words and Expressions that You may not Know
Rachel and Samuel begin their trip to Baltimore, but a horrible and
unexpected event occurs in Philadelphia, thus delaying their journey.
Rachel, I'm sorry about Jacob. I know he's walking with god.
Noted here to show an appropriate thing to say after somebody dies ("My condolences"
would be another). The second sentence is probably a very "Amish condolence."
誌哀、對死者家屬的慰問。特別是後面這一句，是 Amish people 的慰問方式。
First time to the big city?
In this case, a reference to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is about
an hour east of Landcaster county, where many of the Amish live.
對居住在 Landcaster County 的 Amish People 而言，往東一個小時車程的費城可是一個大都市。
Amtrak.
The name of the government-run national railroad service.
美國國營鐵路的簡稱
Be careful out there among the English!
The Amish must be the only subculture in the United States
to refer to all other Americans as "The English."
對有德裔傳統的 Amish People 而言，美國人全都是“English”
Look, a cute little Amish boy!
Typical of the way many people will refer to Amish children, which
is to say affectionately, but in a somewhat patronizing manner.
其實這樣稱讚 Amish boy 的口氣有一些自已高高在上的味道
The train to Baltimore is delayed three hours.
A major city in the state of Maryland, an hour north of Philadelphia.
Baltimore 為馬里蘭州的一個城市，離費城一個小時車程
What are you doing, man?!
A very slangy and common way to end sentences, usually
added to express emotion such as anger or surprise.
語尾表生氣或驚訝的說詞
Let's get out of here!
A common way to say "Let's leave now."
我們走吧
Get Schaffer on the phone!
Noted here for the use of the verb "to get." This is a gramatically
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blunt way of asking somebody to have a third person call you.
很直接的口氣要求第三者打電話給你，或來講電話
There's a kid in a funny black dress.
A "kid" is a common word for child.
指小孩
He says you look like the runt.
A word for an undersized animal, or the smallest baby in
a litter (It can also be an insult for a small person).
指体形比較小的動物，(有時用篾稱個矮小的人)
Homicide.
"Homicide" means murder, and here, also refers to the
division of the police department that investigates them.
指謀殺；或指專辦謀殺案件之刑事組
Were looking for a suspect.
A person believed by the police to have committed a crime.
嫌疑犯
You have no rights. Your son is a material witness to a homicide.
A legal term for a person who has witnessed a crime and will
therefore be called to say what they saw, in a criminal trial.
目擊証人
Back off!
What an angry person says to someone they want to stay away .
通常是怒罵別人走開
What the fuck!?
Without any more words, this is simply a crude way to express surprise or anger.
粗俗的講法表達驚訝 or 憤怒
I want no further part of this.
Another way to say "I don't want anything to do with this."
我不想跟這事扯上任何關係
The back room or the blue room?
Here, Book's sister is referring to rooms in her house, though usually a title
such as "the blue room" would refer to a room in a fancy hotel or office building.
“The blue room” 通常指的是高級飯店或辦公大樓裏的房間
There's a folding cot for your son.
A small portable bed, usually made of canvas on a collapsible frame.
折疊式小床(可攜帶型)通常是帆布材質
You can keep your holier-than-thou mouth shut!
A complex and interesting expression that implies a snobby or
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sanctimonious attitude (The person using these words feels that the
one they’re describing thinks they’rebetter or more moral than others).
指對方自以為比別人高尚，比別人更有道德氣質
Who are these orphans, anyway?
"Orpans" refers to children without parents, but used loosely,
can also refer to anybody who looks lost and far from home.
本指孤兒；或又指看起來不知所措的外地人
Samuel will have to testify.
"To testify" is a legal term meaning to make a statement under oath, usually at
a trial.
在法庭審案中作証
You're a guy with a gun, who goes around whacking people.
"To whack"is a great verb meaning to hit or slap, with a sharp blow.
到處亂打人；亂捉人
A police lineup.
A line of people who stand together, so that the police
can see if a witness can identify a criminal suspect.
(The word is not used in the movie, but the lineup itself is shown).
指一排被指認犯的嫌疑犯
She thinks you're afraid of the responsibility.
What men are often accused of who don't have wives or children.
通常單身沒有妻小的男人被指控為不想擔負責任
She thinks you like policing because you think you're always right
and you think that you're the only one who can do anything.
An interesting word than can be a noun (gerund) or verb.
當警察這件事
She says you think that none of the police
could tell a crook from a bag of elbows.
This sentence doesn't make much sense. A "crook" is a good word
for a thief or other person who makes a living by dishonest means,
and "elbows" are the joints which allow the arm to bend.
crook 指的是騙子，而此句指的是，Mr.Book 認為沒有一個警察真正懂得辦案捉壞人
Good appetite!
Perhaps said by the Amish, but not normally used in English. However,
"Bon appetit" is a widely used French expression which means the same thing.
有可能是 Amish People 飯前說的客套話，指(好的食慾)英文中不常用；但是法語裏的確有此說
法
Captain, Sergeant Carter on line 23.
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Sergeant, Captain and Lieutenant are the top three ranks in most law
enforcement agencies. The "line" refers to the telephone line.
指 Carter 警官在電話線上
While Sergeant Book continues his investigation,
Samuel leads him to the real murderer.
Hey, knock it off!
One of the truly great idiomatic phrasal verbs, generally meaning "Stop it!"
很棒的片語，指“住手”“不要再說了”“stop it”
"Narcotics Officer McFee Honored for Youth Project."
The headline in the paper that Samuel Reads: A "Narcotics Officer"
is a policeman who works to prevent the sale of illegal drugs.
如報上頭條所顯示，McFee 警官因防止青少年吸(販)毒品有功
I'll get it.
Put here to remind you that when you're about to answer a door or phone
or whatever, the only correct verb tense is the contracted form of "I + will,"
so stop saying "I will get it," or worse still, "I'm going to get it" (!)
應門時或接電話時用語，都是用 I’ll 縮寫說法，而千萬不要說“I will get it”或是可不對
的說法“I’m going to get it“
It's McFee. We got positive I.D. from the Amish kid.
A critical abbreviation meaning "identification."
指認身份
It all fits, Paul.
If something fits (or "fits together"), this is a colloquial way to say
that everything is logical concerning a particular theory (In this case,
that Officer McFee is corrupt and working with drug dealers).
指所有線索拼起來都通，指 McFee 警官貪污及買通販毒
The P2P stuff was confiscated.
"To confiscate" means to legally seize (usually done by the police).
In the sentence above, "P2P" is simply the name of a chemical that
is used to make a certain type of illegal drug.
指有一批毒品的原料被警察充公
They need it to make the speed, which is $5,000 a pint.
A colloquial term for a type of popular illegal drug in pill or
powder form that is known to make people hyperactive.
毒品的一種，俗稱 speed。十分昂貴
There's no record of 10 55 gallon drums of P2P.
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That's $22 million that is missing!
A drum (besides being a musical instrument) is a large container for storing
liquids.
10 大桶毒品原料 P2P 沒有記錄，表示有二千二百萬美金被貪污了
And guess who ran the raid! McFee!
A "raid" is a sudden military or police attack,
often to seize property or make arrests.
指軍事或警察的突擊圍勦。指那沒有記錄的那一批毒品；一定是 McFee 警官的案子
The FBI.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is the famous
police force that works
for the Federal Government (most police
enforcement in the United States is carried out at the local city level).
聯邦調查局
Treasury.
A reference to the Treasury Department of the US Government, which is
primarily responsible for financial policy, but also for certain areas
of law enforcement. The Secret Service, which guards the President and
looks for counterfeiters, is in the Department of the Treasury.
財政部
What do you need to clear this up?
"To clear up" something is another way of saying to
take care of everything that needs to be done with it.
這事情要怎麼處理?
I want maximum security on this.
Another way to say that you want as many police and
other law enforcement agents on this case as possible.
需要大批警力幫忙確保人身安全
Book realizes that corruption in the police force is greater than he
ever believed, and suddenly, his life and Samuel's are in grave danger.
Get in the elevator, you idiot!
Note that the use of the pronoun "you" before
an insult is commonly used to intensify it.
在罵人“白痴”之前再加上“You”的說法，口氣極重。
That's our car! I don't give a shit!!
A classic and somewhat crude colloquialism for "I don't care."
粗俗的口語，指我才不在乎呢!
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Who else knows about this? :: Just you and I.
A critical line that alerts Book to the extent of the problem he faces.
He says you have to leave now. It's urgent.
"Urgent" is a key word meaning extremely important, and
usually refers to something that requires immediate attention.
指事關緊急，必須馬上離開
I want all the paperwork on this job disappeared.
The use of this word as a transitive verb is a new development
(Until a few years ago, you could only say "It disappeared").
指要消毀處理掉所有相關的文件
Hey partner, watch your back. Schaffer is in on this thing, too.
If someone is "in on something," that means that they
are secretly aware of and possibly actively involved in it.
指 Schaffer 也有一份(指暗中知情並參與某些事情)
What kind of trouble? :: That's a departmental problem.
In this case, a reference to the police department.
自已警察局內的問題；
That's a God damn lie!
A crude but common expression used as an intensifier.
加強語氣
He should come in and clear his name.
A person who is falsely accused of wrongdoing needs to
"clear his name" in order to protect his reputation.
指必須親自說明，洗清罪名以保名節
What about Carter? He's tight, but I'm working on him.
Here, meaning "tight-lipped," which means a person
who is very hesitant to talk or say anything.
指 Carter 口風很緊，不容易從他那兒得知相關消息
Book manages to get himself, Rachel and
Samuel back to the distant world of the Amish.
No doctor! I have a gunshot wound, and they'll
make a report. If they find me, they'll find the boy.
The injury that a person suffers when shot by a gun.
指 Book 所受的槍傷。不願在醫生那留下記錄，以免連累 Samuel
Is the Englishman dead?
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In this case, a reference to John Book (who is certainly not English).
這裏指的“Englishman”是 John Book
He's lost a great deal of blood.
Another common way to say "a lot of."
John Book 因槍傷流很多血
The sheriff will come here and say we broke the laws.
A "sheriff" is a powerful law enforcement officer,
or policeman, who works for the courts.
指警長
If he's found, the people who did this will come for Samuel!
This is Rachel's greatest worry.
Rachel 最擔心兒子的安危，因為如果 John Book 被發現了，要殺人滅口的壞人便會找上 Samuel
Two pounds of linseed oil and milk.
This is used as a type of natural medicine.
Amish people 用 linseed oil 和奶調製藥方
I'll brew some tea.
If
you don't "make" tea, this is the precise verb to use.
比較精確的說法，指泡茶
I'll have to speak with the elders on this matter.
"Elders" refers to older people, or more specifically, the older
community leaders (A common term is "the town elders"). To speak
on a particular "matter" is to speak about a particular situation.
Amish People 的村落中通常有年長者做為領隊，決定 or 判斷村內的事情
As you see fit.
Another way to say "Do what you think is best."
由你決定，看怎麼做最恰當
We’re talking about 20th century law enforcement.
General term that refers to all of the activities of the police and
other similar organizations such as the FBI and Secret Service.
執行法律
About every third Amish is named "Lap!"
Apparently "Lap" is the Amish equivalent of China's "Wong."
約 1/3 的 Amish People 都姓“Lap”就好比很多中國人姓“王”一樣
If the Amish are taking a man in, I wouldn't
want to hang from a rope until you find him.
In this case, "to take someone in" is to give them shelter and
protection. Here, this sentence is a silly way of saying that it
will take a long time to find anyone being protected by the Amish.
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指 Amish People 不可能藏暱犯人並保護他。
We got upwards of 14,000 Amish in Landcaster County.
Another way of saying "more than."
有多於 1400Amish People 住在 Landcaster Country
There must be a directory of them.
A book that contains names, addresses and other basic information.
指包含有姓名地址等基本資料的名單或通訊錄
Since they don't have any phones, I wouldn't know who to call.
Reference to the fact the Amish never have phones in their homes.
Amish People 住家沒有使用電器用品，包括電話
Book begins to learn the ways of his Amish hosts.
Rest, Mr. Book. That's the ticket.
A colloquial way to say "that's what should be done"
(One of the rare times Eli will speak so colloquially).
Rachel 的父親 Eli 安慰並告訴 John Book 該如何行事，其實 Eli 很少用這麼口語的方式說話
Tell him this tea stinks!
"To stink" literally means, of course, to smell bad. But if something
stinks in general, it often means simply that it is very bad.
指茶很難喝
This is a loaded gun! Never touch a loaded gun!
A gun that already has bullets inside in it.
裝上子彈的槍，這裏指警告 Samuel 不要拿或玩槍，很危險。
You can handle it while I'm here.
In this case, "to handle" it is to hold on to it and keep it safe.
由某人保管
When you're in our house, I insist that you respect our ways.
A short way of saying "the way we live our lives."
這裏指 Rachel 告知 John Book 尊重並遵守 Amish People 的理念或生活方式
Wars have come. They said we must kill to preserve
the good, but there's never only one way.
Eli's talk to Samuel that summarizes the Amish philosophy about war and pacifism.
指要徹底地不干涉某此事情
What you take into your hands, you take into your hearts.
A poetic way to say that you should stay physically
separated from what you don't want to be a part of.
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戰爭發生了，他們說殺人是為保留好人的手段，但 Amish People 認為戰爭和殺人絕不是解決事
情唯一的方法
Come out from among them, and be separate, sayeth the lord.
A common way that the Bible will attribute words to God
("sayeth" is the old English verb for "say").
Go and finish your chores now.
An interesting but somewhat old-fashioned word for daily or routine duties, such
as taking out the trash, or cleaning the kitchen. A useful and related word is
"errands," which are miscellaneous things you need to do, but usually outside
the house, such as buying some milk and getting the oil changed on the car.
Amish People 家族每一份子都分擔家事，如打掃倒垃圾等，此處指 Samuel 份內的工作。
英文有一個很有用的說法，如”errands”，指的也是一些瑣務事，但通常都是在家裡完成，如
買點東西啦、寄個信等。
I'm learning a lot about manure.
A great word if you're a farmer: "Manure" is soil made
with animal excrement (shit) and other waste material.
指 John Book 學到用動物糞便等一些堆肥之類的事
Your clothes are stained with blood.
"Stained" refers to the spots and discoloring found on clothes.
指衣服沾有血跡。
Besides, in your clothes, you'd stand out to strangers.
If someone "stands out," they are easily
noticeable compared to others in a group.
指因為外表穿著的不同很容易被指認出來。
Buttons are proud and vain. Its not plain.
To be "vain" is to be too proud of oneself or appearance.
The Amish prefer simple clothes that don't stand out or suggest vanity.
Amish People 認為衣著上的鈕扣意味著虛榮，而他們過的事平實的生活，故不用鈕扣。
They seem to think were quaint.
"Quaint" is a very good word meaning odd or cute, in an old-fashioned sort of way.
大家都說你很奇怪，”quaint”古老的用字。
They're Mennonites. They have cars.
A branch of the Christian church.
另一基督教會的人。他們使用的汽車和 Amish People 不同。
You better get going.
A good way to say "I think you should leave."
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你該走了
I take the bullets because the gun's not much good without them.
The metal projectiles fired from guns or other firearms.
子彈。
Do I look Amish? :: You look plain.
Rachel's way of saying "simple," or without ornamentation.
平實、無辜的裝扮。
Hey partner, how are you doing?
"Partner" can be a colleague or friend or just another person.
Note in rapid speech, "How are you doing?"-------> "How ya doing?"
”Partner ”指的是夥伴或同事，但也可以指的就是說話的對象。
注意"How are you doing?"說流利時的連音→"How ya doing?"
How hot is it? :: Too hot!
In the right context, "hot" can mean stolen,
or in this case, very dangerous.
此處指"非常危險"。
You couldn't get within a mile of Schaffer, right now.
A colloquial way to say "you couldn't get close to..."
不能靠近某人。
Investigative reporters?
Reporters who often specialize in uncovering corruption.
指檢察官專門揭發弊案。
The spring goes to the well, and the well water goes into the house.
A "spring" is a small stream of water flowing naturally from the earth.
And a "well" is a deep hole in the ground where water is stored.
指地下泉水。
而"well"是"水井"的意思。
This place really echoes.
"To echo" is the verb used when sounds repeats themselves
due to the reflection of sound waves off a surface.
指地方空曠，有回音。
Just try to get the car started.
Put here to remind you that native speakers
are be as likely to say "Get x done" as "Do x".
注意此處"get something done"的說法，比”do something”常用。
It's 4:30 (AM). Time for milking.
The verb (or gerund) you use when you want to get milk out of a cow.
(Neither the time nor the activity seems particularly appealing!).
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此處指 Amish people 一大早擠牛奶的工作。
Pinch the top off and squeeze.
"To pinch" something is to squeeze it between the thumb and finger.
指捏緊牛的乳頭用力擠奶。
You never had your hands on a tit before?
This sounds funny coming from an Amish man. Along with "teat,"
it is the precise word to describe the nipple of a cow or other mammal.
However, "tit" is also a pretty crude word for (human) female breasts.
"tit"指的是女性的乳房(較粗俗的用字)而"teat"指牛或其他動物的乳頭。
You're not used to hard work. That's what makes an appetite.
"An appetite" is the physical desire for food (It is also the word
from which we get the commonly used French expression "Bon appetit").
指 Book 不曾做過粗重的勞力工作，而且也因此做完工作而食慾大增。
You're the Yankee they talk about.
People in the Southern States use this word to refer to those from the
Northern States. Here, it is used by an Amish person to refer to all
Americans who aren't Amish (just as the word "English" is used).
此處的"Yankee"是 Amish people 用來泛指其他的美國人。
As Rachel and Book grow closer, the police
in Philadelphia close in on their witnesses.
You know carpentry!
This is the type of work to make furniture, the frames
for houses and other things that are made of wood.
木工，而 carpenter 指的是做此工作的人。
Whacking is not much use on a farm.
"To whack" is to hit with a big blow.
用力揮舞打人。
Tomorrow I'll let out those trousers for you.
When said by a tailor, to "let out" a pair of pants is to make
them bigger. "Trousers" is a very British way to say "pants."
指修改放寬長褲使其變大。Trousers 為英式用字，指長褲。而美式的說法為 pants。
He said you'd come to the barn-raising.
A "barn" is a big house for cows and other animals. The Amish are
famous for their barn-raisings, where the entire community will come
together to build a barn by hand in a single day.
barn 指的是穀君，而 Amish People 的傳統之一為全村的人用一天的時間合力架設一座穀倉。
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Weenie roast.
A "wiener" is a hot-dog. A "weenie roast" is a barbecue with hot dogs.
指的是烤熱狗。
Golden oldies.
Used a lot on the radio to refer to old rock'n'roll songs.
收音機電台常用 olden oldies，指的是老的搖滾樂曲。
What is it with you?
A good colloquial way to say "Why are you behaving so strangely?"
口語，指的是"你怎麼了？怎麼看起來那麼奇怪。"
I've committed no sin!
"Sin" is a key religious term for the violation of one of God's laws.
特指違背上帝的旨意犯罪。
There is talk of going to the bishop and having you shunned!
A "bishop" is a high ranking cleric or officer in the church.
If you are "shunned," you are isolated or kept away from other
people. In Amish culture, it is obviously a very official word.
Aimish 文化中，如果做錯事或嚴重違背教條，主教會決定採隔離犯罪者之處罰。
That is idle talk.
A good expression referring to things that people
say that shouldn't be taken too seriously.
指謠傳言論不屬實，不必當真。
I'll be the judge of that.
A good set expression: "I am the one who will decide if that is true."
我自己做判斷。
You shame yourself.
"To shame" is rarely used as a reflexive verb.
"To be ashamed of onself" is much more common.
自取其辱，指做了丟臉的事情。
I want to talk some sense into him.
"To talk some sense into" a person is a good way of saying that
you want to try and convince them to be reasonable, or logical.
要說服某人改變，做比較理智的事情。
We go way back.
A colloquial way to say "We have known each other for a long time."
口語說法，指彼此已經認識很久了。
I trained him.
"To train" is to coach a person (or animal) in a
particular mode of performance, skill or behavior.
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Can you see John at a prayer meeting?
A church meeting held specifically to pray. Note this type of question is
often asked sarcastically, with the implication being that there is no way
John would ever go to such a meeting.
禱告會。有一些嘲諷意味，指的是 John Book 這樣的人是不太可能出席參加禱告會的。
We're like the Amish. Were a cult, too.
A provocative word. "Cult" generally refers to a religious sect
considered to be false or extreme. While some think that all religions
are cults, most people would never use this term for the Amish.
"cult"有一些負面的意味指的是宗教上的小派別。
We're a club with our own rules.
Here, the word is used to refer to both the police department and the Amish
community,
but generally a club has a much narrower purpose, as in a chess or computer club.
此處指的是 Amish people 和警察們各有各自的處事規則。
但”club”本通指一般的社團活動或俱樂部。
It's been a while. :: No matter. We can always use a good one.
A Somewhat old-fashioned way to say "That's not important."
比較舊式的說法，指某事不是很重要。
Your hole is better? :: Yeah, it's pretty much healed.
"To heal" means to return to good health (The "hole"
that the Amish man refers to is Book's gunshot wound).
指 John Book 子彈傷口已經差不多痊癒了。
Everyone has an idea about you and Book. :: Charitable, I'm sure.
"Charitable" often means generous in giving away money.
Here, it's sarcastically used to mean tolerant in judging others.
指大家已注意到 Rachel 和 John Book 之間的事。
而"Charitable"有一點嘲諷的意味，指處世待人要寬容些。
Book reveals that he's not a typical Amish man,
but that he is a great policeman who knows how to protect.
This is the most famous Amish grocery store in the area!
A typical statement by a typical tourist.
此句話乃為觀光客常說的一句話，而觀光客在參觀 Amish community 時也常照相留念。
Lady, you take my picture with that thing, and I'm going to rip your brazier off.
"Lady" is a pretty dated way to address a woman. It's better
to say Miss, or mam. A "brazier" is a dated word for a bra.
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此處為 John Book 警告一名女觀光客別亂照相，不然要扯下他的胸衣。
I regret to inform you that Sergeant Carter died last night in the line of duty.
A person who dies "in the line of duty" has died while doing his job.
This expression usually refers to policemen or soldiers.
指警員或士兵執勤務時身亡。
Calling me at home? I can't trace the call.
"To trace a call" is an important expression in law enforcement that
refers to determining from which telephone a call has been made.
調查通聯紀錄。
You know what they used to say about dirty cops? They lost the way.
"Dirty" can mean unclean, or in this case, corrupt.
指警察人員貪污、手腳不乾淨。
I'm going to fucking do that to you, asshole.
Note that "fuck" is used as a very crude adverb, In fact, "fuck" can be used in
most parts of speech, and while few ESL teachers will discuss it, the grammatical
flexibility
of this word is certainly worth noticing! Calling someone an "asshole," is a very
crude insult. Creep, jerk, moron, and even, ass (to name a few), would be safer.
此為非常粗俗的用字，其他稱呼別人的用字。如”Greep, jak, moron, are” 可能好一些。
Come on, Goldilocks.
Reference to the innocent golden-haired girl
in the fairy tale "Goldilocks and The Three Bears."
此處引用童話故事”Goldrocks and The Three Bears”指天真小女孩金髮。
He's my cousin from Ohio.
:: Ohio Amish must be different!
Ohio is a major industrial state in the midwest. Although most Amish live in
Pennsylvania, a few thousand have settled in Ohio and a few other states.
指 John Book 為來自遠房的表哥。
大多數 Amish People 居住在賓州，但也有住在俄亥俄州。
He's going back to his world, where he belongs.
In this case, an Amish sentiment that is probably typical of their
attitude toward any "English" who stay too long in their very private world.
此處指 John Book 該回到自己所屬的地方，而不是待在 Amish community。
Come on!
The English language's most versatile idiomatic phrasal verb. Here, it means
"hurry up," but it can be used for anything from "Be serious" to "Let's go."
有很多種意思。此處指「動作快一點」。
Go to Hochleitner's farm and stay there!
Hauchleitner is Rachel and Eli's neighbor.
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指要 samuel 逃到鄰居家，並躲起來。
"Fergie"
---The name of McFee's partner in crime.
指 McFee 警官的同夥人的名字。
Put that gun down!
Along with "drop it!," the precise thing to say in such a situation!
把手槍放下。
Enough!
Used in the right context, this single innocent word (as in "Mom, do we have enough
eggs?") can convey an entire mental attitude, basically meaning "Your behavior is
no longer acceptable, and continuing it will only get you into more trouble." A
favorite word among small parents screaming at their young children.
常用這個字指情況已經很糟、不能忍受！常有年輕的父母對著淘氣小孩大叫說”Enough！”
________________________
Witness
Some Possible Questions for ESL Class Discussion
1. Could Book and Rachel ever have a long term romantic relationship?
2. Will Samuel be able to lead a normal Amish life after everything he has experienced?
3. Who is likely to have greater culture shock; An Amish person who has never left her
community who goes to live in Philadelphia, or someone from Philadelphia who goes to
live in Amish country?
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4. From what you can tell in the movie, what are the good and bad things about the Amish
lifestyle? From an Amish perspective, what are the good and bad things about modern life?
5. Are there communities similar to the Amish in your country, in that they intentionally
choose to live apart from the mainstream of society?
6. Is police corruption a big problem in the United States? What about your country?
6. Was the ending of this film realistic?
7. What did you enjoy most about this movie?
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