题型:阅读理解 题类:常考题 难易度:普通
浙江省"超级全能生"2020届高考选考英语科目3月联考试卷(C)卷(含听力音频)
Dear Editor of Macquarie Dictionary,
My name is Wendy, a second generation Chinese-Australian migrant and a mother of two young children. I'm writing to express my disappointment in one of Macquare Dictionary's entries, namely the definition of the word "monolid".
In both the paper version (7th edition) and online version of the Dictionary, Macquarie defines "monolid" as: "An upper eyelid(眼睑) without a fold, perceived by some in Asia to give an appearance of laziness. "This definition has disturbed me and many Asians living in Australia. Linguistically(从语言学角度), the term "monolid" is a pretty unbiased description of a physical characteristic that involves no feelings, common to over 50% of people of East Asian origin. It's no different to other terms describing a physical feature including "blonde" or "freckle".
Take a minute and consider this. Would it be appropriate if the definition of "blonde" became "having fair or light-coloured hair, thought by some in Western countries as possessing little or no intelligence"? Or would it be appropriate if the definition of "freckle" was "a small brownish spot in the skin or face, thought by some as creating an ugly appearance"?
In addition, it is also inappropriate that Macquarie Dictionary—a dictionary of choice by many Australian schools—defines a term in a way which may create negative racial connection for Australian children of East Asian origin. Both my kids are born with monolids, a constant reminder of their cultural background. It therefore breaks my heart to imagine a scene where they turn to the dictionary to find that their physical feature is associated with "laziness". What if they get teased by their school friends that they are born "lazy"? What if my sensitive older son starts hating himself and his race classification for being associated with something negative?
For the reasons above, I urge Macquarie Dictionary to adjust the current definition of "monolid". Looking forward to hearing from you
Regards, Wendy
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