精美英文欣赏:美国偶像怎么了?(上)

（单词翻译）

 

What's Wrong with American Idol¹?

美国偶像怎么了？

American Idol is no doubt one of the most popular TV shows of recent years, drawing millions of viewers.

《美国偶像》无疑是近年来最受欢迎的电视节目之一，吸引了数以百万计的观众。

But the show is misleading about what it takes to succeed as a musical artist in the modern world as it has created five myths.

尽管这个节目曾创造了五个神话，但是对于如何在现代社会中成为一名成功的音乐艺术家这个问题有一定的误导性。

Myth 1 Industry talent scouts² actively³ look for singers and musicians to develop.

神话1 行业人才发掘者积极寻找能够发展的歌手和音乐家。

Viewers believe that there are people out there searching for talent they can mold into the next big pop star.

观众们认为有人在寻找下一个能够被包装成受欢迎大明星的人才。

That's an Old World view that simply doesn't reflect reality these days.

那是过去的看法，不能反映如今的现状。

Instead, they look for artists who are already developing themselves, attracting fans and selling CDs on their own.

相反地，他们会寻找已经自我发展的艺术家，能够吸引球迷和自己卖CD。

Myth 2 Most ambitious musicians lack talent and are struggling and starving.

神话2 最野心勃勃的音乐家缺乏才能，还在为生计打拼。

The American Idol auditions⁴, in particular, create this myth.

特别是《美国偶像》海选环节能够创造这个神话。

A huge amount of quality music is produced outside the mainstream⁵.

大量有品质的音乐的创造都是主流音乐之外的。

Many amazing musicians have decided⁶ they're happier selling 10,000 CDs on their own and making a hundred thousand dollars, than selling a million CDs and being broke on a major label.

许多令人惊异的音乐家更乐于通过自己的力量销售10000张CD，赚10万美元，而不是贴上品牌标签卖1百万张CD。

That's the reality of today's music business.

这就是音乐市场的现实。

Myth 3 You need the approval of industry insiders to make it in music.

神话3 你需要业内人士的审核，然后把它制作在音乐中。

Another wrong belief is that getting an industry big shot's approval will make or break your career.

另一个错误的信念是得到大人物的认可将要么成就你的事业要么毁灭你的事业。