British fiction writer J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise has become a global phenomenon, but Quidditch, the real-life sport inspired by the airborne game played by wizards in the series, is now ditching its whimsical name.
Quidditch, the fictional sport invented by Rowling in the series, was adapted by Harry Potter fans and made into a real-life sport. The sport is now played in 40 countries among nearly 600 teams. However, the International Quidditch Association (IQA) said it was joining US Quidditch (USQ) and Major League Quidditch (MLQ) in adopting the new name after the two bodies had previously announced their decision to make the change: “Quidditch” will henceforth be known as “Quadball.” The decision is meant to distance themselves from Rowling’s views on transgender issues.
IQA had previously proposed a name change due to the fact that Rowling has increasingly come under scrutiny for her “anti-trans” positions. In the books, Quidditch is a sport that welcomes all players, regardless of gender or sex. Maintaining the same rule in the real world, the sport promotes equality and inclusivity. The new name “Quadball” allows people who are not familiar with the books to know that it is actually a ball game. (Translated by Rita Wang, Taipei Times)
Photo: Reuters 照片：路透
由英國作家JK羅琳所寫下的《哈利波特》是全球最熱賣的文學作品，不過在故事中的巫師們最熱衷的「魁地奇」運動現在卻要改名了？
魁地奇原本是在《哈利波特》系列作品中虛構的運動，這個運動不僅在巫師世界大受歡迎，更有書迷受此啟發、在真實的世界發展出同名的運動，據悉現在在全球四十個國家共有近六百支球隊。不過舉辦魁地奇比賽的國際魁地奇協會（IQA）日前宣布要跟隨美國魁地奇協會（USQ）與當地魁地奇大聯盟（MLQ）的步伐，要求將這項運動改名為「魁地球」，並且透過這個動作向JK羅琳劃清界線。
其實IQA早前便曾經提出改名規劃，最主要的原因便是針對JK羅琳過去針對跨性別人士的一連串失言而來。其實魁地奇在書中就是不分性別、男女都能夠同場競技的運動，在真實世界的魁地奇不僅保留這條規則，更是鼓勵包容各種不同背景的人都能夠自在參與。而「魁地球」這個新的名字也呼應著比賽是球類項目的競技，讓不認識這項運動的人更能快速了解。
（自由時報）
A: I heard that the first episode of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” achieved only 0.9 percent audience viewership. B: But by the 9th episode the audience share had reached 15.8 percent to become the most-viewed drama of the year. A: In addition to the gripping story, because the lawyer is a fan of whales, the drama features lots of whale animation. B: The scenes with the whale animation are really adorable. A: 聽說《非常律師》第一集，收視率只有0.9％。 B: 而到了第九集，收視率飆升到15.8％成為年度劇王。 A: 除了精彩的劇情，因為女主角是鯨魚迷，還有許多鯨魚的動畫特效。 B: 那些動畫鯨魚好可愛。 （Translated by Edward Jones, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
K-drama ‘Extraordinary Attorney’ causes sensation (3/3)《非常律師》成年度劇王（三） A: Is it actually possible for an autistic person to become an attorney? B: In Florida, US, there really is an autistic lawyer. A: “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” will have allowed many people to gain an insight into autism. B: I cannot wait for the big finale next week. A: 自閉症患者真的能擔任律師嗎？ B: 在美國的佛羅里達州，真的有一位「自閉症律師」耶。 A: 藉由《非常律師》這部戲，也讓更多人認識了自閉症。 B: 我好期待下週播出的大結局喔。 （Translated by Edward Jones, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
炎炎夏日氣溫節節升高，全球暖化造成的極端氣候正在影響世界各地。自六月以來，熱浪襲捲歐洲各地，許多國家都出現了超過攝氏40度的高溫，就連台灣氣溫也是屢創新高。暑假出國如果不小心中暑的話，學會這些英文單字才能和外國人描述症狀喔！ heat exhaustion熱衰竭 熱衰竭的英文是heat exhaustion，exhaust (v)有多重意思，可解釋為「使精疲力竭」或是「用完、耗盡」，另外還有「廢氣」的意思。 We felt exhausted after a long journey. （在長途旅行後我們感到筋疲力盡。） To find the resolution, we’ve exhausted all our resources. （為了尋找解決方式，我們已經用盡了所有資源。） One of the culprits of air pollution is car exhaust fumes. （汽車廢氣是造成空氣污染的罪魁禍首之一。） exhaust的形容詞是exhaustible「窮盡的」，經常與exhaustive (adj)搞混，這裡的意思為「徹底的、完整的」，是多益測驗的重要單字，常和study／research 搭配，例如(an) exhaustive study／research「完整的研究」。 heat stroke中暑 中暑（heatstroke）比熱衰竭更為嚴重，stroke解釋為「中風」，但是要注意stroke也是strike的過去式。strike當動詞有「打，襲擊」的意思，當名詞時則是「罷工抗議」。 If someone you know shows signs of a heat stroke, first, take him/her to a shaded area. （如果你認識的人出現中暑的症狀時，首先將他移至陰涼處。） A magnitude 4 earthquake struck the island. （島上發生了一次四級地震。） 熱傷害的症狀 熱衰竭和中暑常伴隨著許多症狀，例如昏眩（dizziness），嚴重頭痛（severe headache）、疲倦（tiredness）、噁心（nausea）、嘔吐（vomit）、肌肉痙攣（muscle cramp）…等，如果身旁友人全身發熱，卻沒有出汗（no sweating），但說出意識不清的話，則需要儘快就醫，這些單字在向醫生描述症狀時都非常實用。 sweat「流汗」可當動詞和名詞使用，但是口語上常聽到的no sweat 並不是「沒有出汗」，而是「沒問題、不費力」的意思。 We were covered in sweat after we finished an hour of Zumba. （跳完一個小時的尊巴舞後，我們汗流浹背。） A: Can you help me move the desk? （你可以幫我搬那張桌子嗎？） B: No sweat! （沒問題！） vomit (v)「嘔吐」的同義字是throw up，嘔吐前常有的噁心感可以用形容詞nauseous或sick to one’s stomach來表示。 “You could feel your heart rate increase rapidly without doing any
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