英语翻译

Livinginaforeignculturecanbeexciting,butitcanalsobeconfusing（令人迷惑的）.AgroupofAmericanswhotaughtEnglishinothercountriesrecentlydiscussedtheirexperiences.Theydecidedthatmiscommunicationswerealwayspossible,evenoversomethingassimpleas“yes”and“no”.

OnherfirstdayinMicronesia,anislandinthePacific,Lisathoughtpeopleweren'tpayinganyattentiontoher.Thedaywashot.Shewentintoastoreandasked,“Doyouhavecolddrinks.Thewomantheredidn'tsayanything.Lisarepeatedthequestion.StilltheWomansaidnothing.Shelaterlearnedthatthewomanhadansweredher：Shehadraisedhereyebrows（眉毛）,whichinMicronesiameans”yes“.

JanrememberedanexperienceshehadinBulgaria,acountryinEurope.Shewenttoarestaurantthatwasknownforitscabbage.Sheaskedthewaiter,“Do,youhavecabbagetoday?”Henoddedhishead.Janwaited,butthecabbagenevercame.Inthatcountry,anodmeansno.

TomhadasimilarproblemwhenhearrivedinIndia.Afterexplainingsomethinginclass,heaskedhisstudentsiftheyunderstood.Theyansweredwithmanydifferentnodsandshakesofthehead.Hethoughtsomepeoplehadnotunderstood,soheexplainedagain.Whenheaskedagain,theydidthesamething~Hesoonfoundoutthathisstudentsdidunderstand.InIndia,peoplenodandshaketheirheadsindifferentwaysdependingonwheretheycomefrom.Youhavetoknowwhereapersonisfromtounderstandwhethertheymean“yes”or“no”.