On this program we explore common expressions in American English.
在本期节目中，我们来探讨美式英语中的常见表达。
Like all languages, our expressions come from everywhere. They come from nature, sports, and food. They come from money, culture, music, history! If you name the area, we can find a special word or expression that comes from it.
像所有语言一样，我们的表达方式来自于各个方向。它们出自于大自然、运动和食物，出自于金钱、文化、音乐和历史。如果你指定范围，我们就能找到出自该范围的特殊单词或表达方式。
The word we will talk about today comes from technology: bandwidth.
今天我们将要讨论的词语出自于科技领域，它就是bandwidth。
The first definition of "bandwidth" is the range of frequencies within a given band, especially when used for sending an electronic signal.
Bandwidth最初的定义是给定频带内的频率范围 ，尤其是指发送电子信号时。
In computing, it means the largest amount of data that can be passed along a specific path. For example, if you are making a video on your computer, it will use more bandwidth than if you were simply creating a document.
在计算中，它是指可以沿特定路径传递的最大数据量。例如，如果你在计算机上制作视频，它比简单创建文档就会占用更多带宽。
When we talk about ourselves (and not our computers), bandwidth has a similar meaning.
当我们讨论人类本身而不是计算机时，带宽也具有类似含义。
Human "bandwidth" refers to the total number of issues or amount information a person can deal with at any given moment. It is the emotional or mental space you need to do something or think about something.
人类的“带宽”是指一个人在任何给定时刻内可以处理的问题总量或信息量。它是指你做某件事或思考某事时所需的情绪空间或心智空间。
When you have lots of bandwidth, you can deal with anything life throws at you. But, when you are really busy or seriously worried, you might not have the bandwidth to deal with any additional issues. You simply do not have the time or mental space.
当你拥有更多带宽时，你就能处理生活甩给你的任何事情。但是，当你真的很忙或非常担心时，你可能就没有足够的带宽来处理其它问题，也就是说你根本没有这个时间或心智空间。
We have other expressions that mean almost the same thing as being out of bandwidth. I can say I've hit my limit. I'm up to my neck, up to my eyes or up to my ears (you can use any of those body parts) with work, responsibility or fill in the blank. I am swamped!
我们还有其它表达方式跟超出带宽几乎具有相同含义。我可以说，我在工作、职责或其它方面已经达到了我的极限（ hit my limit），忙得不可开交（ up to my neck、up to my eyes、up to my ears）。我忙翻了（I am swamped）。
"Bandwidth" can also simply mean your attention span.
带宽也可以单指你的精力。
For example, let's say you are sitting at your dinner table thinking about an all-consuming problem. In this state, you are not able to focus on anything else. So, if someone tries to ask you a question, you can tell them, "Sorry. I do not have the bandwidth to talk to you right now. Come back in about an hour!"
例如，我们假设你正坐在餐桌旁思考一个非常耗费精力的问题。在这种状态下，你无法再关注其它任何事情。所以，如果有人试图问你一个问题，你可以告诉他们：“对不起，我现在没有精力和你交谈。请等一个小时再来。”
Now, sometimes we use the word "bandwidth" when we talk about our brains as computers. An article in Scientific American gives us a good example of this usage.
如今，我们在把大脑当做计算机谈论时，有时会用到精力（bandwidth）这个单词。《科学美国人》上的一篇文章为我们提供了一个很好的例子。
Writer R. Douglas Fields discusses the development of an electronic device worn on the arm that permits the wearer to mentally interact with a computer. He writes, "This achievement opens and expands the bandwidth of the brain's output."
作者R. Douglas Fields谈到了穿戴式电子设备的发展，这种设备能让佩戴者与计算机进行心智上的交互。他写道：“这项成就开启并拓展了大脑的输出带宽。”
Sometimes people use "bandwidth" to simply mean mental ability. I might say: "Oh, do not to try to explain the issue to Alex. He doesn't have the bandwidth for something so difficult." Used this way, it means "Alex" is not intelligent enough to understand. It is a clear insult. So, be careful using it that way.
有时候人们使用bandwidth单指心智能力。我可能会说：“哦，不要试图给Alex解释这个问题。他没有处理这种难题的心智能力。”这是指Alex不够聪明，无法理解。这是一种明显的侮辱，所以要谨慎使用。
Now, let's hear "bandwidth" used in this short conversation between two friends.
现在，让我们来谈谈bandwidth这个单词在两个朋友间简短对话的使用。
Okay, let's go over the shopping list. We don't want to forget anything.
好，让我们来检查一下购物清单，可不要忘了什么。
Do we have to do that right now?
现在就得检查吗？
No. But the party is next month. So, time is running out.
那倒不用。但是派对是在下个月，所以时间不多了。
There's plenty of time. And right now ... I have a lot on my mind.
还早着呢。而且现在我脑子里一堆事情呢。
Come on. You can't be that busy.
得了吧，你不可能那么忙吧。
Oh really? Well, today at work, I lost all my documents when my computer crashed.
是吗？今天上班的时候，我电脑坏了，我所有文件都没了。
Well, you have back-ups of all your documents, don't you?
你都备份了，是吧？
No. I had just finished writing three long stories. I'll have to work overtime the rest of the week or I'll miss my deadline!
没备份。我刚写完三篇长篇新闻。本周接下来时间我都得加班，要不就赶不上截稿日了。
Maybe we should change the subject.
也许我们该换个话题。
Sure. This morning my sister called to tell me that my great aunt died.
可以啊。早上我姐姐打电话告诉我，我大姨去世了。
Oh, I'm so sorry.
哦，我很抱歉。
That's okay. I only met her once when I was 10. But my mom can't take care of the funeral plans. So, now I have to.
没事。我只在10岁时见过她一面。但是我妈妈没法搞定葬礼方案，所以我得帮忙。
Oh. That's going to take a lot of time.
哦，那可得费时间了。
Yes, it is. But that's not all. Last night, my apartment flooded from a leak in the pipe! So, I have to fix it by tomorrow because my boss is coming over for an important dinner meeting!!
是啊，很费时间，这还不是全部。昨晚，我的公寓因为管道漏水遭淹了。所以，我得在明天前修好它，因为我老板要远道来参加一次重要晚宴。
Wow. You are swamped! Really up to your neck.
喔，你家淹水了。这可真是忙死了。
Tell me about it! So, please understand if I don't have the bandwidth right now to plan for a party that is a month away!!
就是说啊。所以，请理解我现在没有精力来规划一个月以后的派对。
Well. Sounds like someone is out of patience as well as bandwidth.
好，听起来某人不但没精力，也不耐烦了啊。
And that's Words and Their Stories for this week.
以上就是本期词汇掌故的全部内容。
Has there been a time when you ran out of bandwidth? Let us know in the Comments Section!
你有没有什么时候也超出精力范围了啊？请在评论区给我们留言。