The Problem of Employment

 

SECTION 1

 

ACTIVE VOCABULARY

 

1. employment   2. full employment 3. underemployment   4. unemployment joblessness   5. the unemployment army   6. unemployed jobless   7. jobless rate 8. dole welfare   9. to be on dole   10. Labour Exchange   11. to sign on at the Labour Exchange   12. to sack to fire to lock out to dismiss   13. working week 14. working man 15. working wages   16. standing committee     17. cuts in public spending   18. low-paid workers   19. to give notice 20. to give a short notice     21. to give 50 – days notice   22. to receive a lay-off notice 23. a sack notice   24. skilled worker craftsman   25. semi-skilled worker operative 26. unskilled worker general worker labourer   27. piece-worker 28. time-worker   29. highly-paid worker 30. white-collar worker 31. blue-collar worker   32. civil servant   33. seasonal worker   34. home workers home-makers

1. трудовая занятость   2. полная занятость 3. неполная занятость   4. безработица   5. армия безработных   6. безработный     7. уровень безработицы 8. пособие по безработице   9. жить на пособие по безработице   10. Биржа Труда   11. встать на учет на биржу труда   12. увольнять   13. рабочая неделя 14. работающий человек 15. заработная плата   16. постоянно действующий комитет   17. сокращение расходов на общественные нужды   18. низкооплачиваемые рабочие   19. уведомить об увольнении 20. предупредить незадолго до увольнения 21. предупредить об увольнении за 50 дней 22. получить предупреждение об увольнении 23. уведомление об увольнении   24. квалифицированный работник   25. рабочий средней квалификации   26. неквалифицированный рабочий     27. сдельщик 28. рабочий на повременной оплате   29. высокооплачиваемый рабочий 30. работник умственного труда 31. заводской рабочий   32. государственный служащий   33. сезонный рабочий   34. надомные рабочие

 

Ex. 1 Translate the following sentences

 

1. With the prices going higher and higher and the wages frozen, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the housewife to make both ends meet.

2. With the Government doing its utmost to keep wages down, and with price increases due to Market membership coming on top of price increases arising from Government policy, the standard of living in this country would be given an extremely serious setback.

3. With unemployment being now a crisis issue in many areas, the Labour movement is stepping up “right to work” campaign.

4. Tory policy was also resulting in continuously rising prices, the reduction in the food subsidies in particular having caused a sharp rises in the price of food.

5. Almost all councils are putting up their rents, the reason being the heavy burden of interests for housing.

6. With hundreds of teachers in X being threatened with layoffs, and with thousands of others around the country set to lose their jobs this fall, the Federation of Teachers membership is probing new ways of financing public education in order to solve this crisis.

7. There were 464,190 people unemployed in the Country on August 13 – 2.1 per cent of the working population. Of this number 18,914 were temporarily unemployed.

8. Between July 16 and August 13, unemployment rose by 63,773.

9. The number of school-leavers unemployed rose to 43,999. Excluding school-leavers, unemployed rose by 21,180 to 391,839 the normal seasonal increase being about 9,000.

10. Estimated unemployment figures at the end of January were 416,000, some 66,000 more than at the same date last year, according to Ministry of Labour figures issued yesterday.

 

SECTION 2

 

"Ложные друзья" переводчика

 

Пожалуй, в практике перевода нет столь "обманчивой" лексики, какой является "псевдоинтернациональная" лексика. Данной лексике теоретики перевода дали название "ложные друзья переводчика".

К "ложным друзьям" переводчика относятся слова, совпадающие по форме в русском и английском языках, но не совпадающие по значению:

 

1. Prospect вид, панорама, перспектива

виды, планы на будущее

предполагаемый покупатель, клиент, подписчик

 

проспект (улица) avenue

проспект (книги, издания) prospectus

 

 

2. list список, перечень, реестр

duty list – расписание дежурств

list price – цена по прейскуранту

 

лист (дерева) leaf

лист (материал) sheet, plate

 

 

3. contribution пожертвование, взнос

вклад

сотрудничество (в журнале, газете)

статья для газеты, журнала

содействие

налог

 

контрибуция indemnity

 

 

4. data (datum) данные

сведения, факты

 

дата date

 

 

5. manufacture производство, изготовление

обработка

процесс изготовления

изделия, продукт

мануфактура textiles

 

 

6. intelligence ум, рассудок, интеллект

сведения, информация

разведка

интеллигенция intellectuals

 

 

7. family семья, род

содружество

 

фамилия surname

 

 

8. nation народ

нация, народность

страна, государство

peace-loving nation миролюбивые страны

smaller nations малые державы

law of nations международное право

 

 

9. nature природа, мир, вселенная

сущность, основное свойство, характер

род, сорт, класс

 

натура (характер человека) human nature

 

 

10. division деление,

граница, барьер

отдел, раздел

расхождение во взглядах,

разногласие

 

дивизия division

 

 

11. article статья

предмет, изделие

артикль article

 

 

12. production изготовление, производство

добыча

oil production

 

продукция item

 

 

13. industry промышленность

индустрия (обратите внимание, что слова промышленность и индустрия отличаются по сфере употребления)

 

 

14. economy экономика

экономия сбережений economies

saving

 

Ex. 1 Translate the following sentences paying attention to the “false interpreters’ friends”:

 

1. The draft resolution was sponsored in the General Assembly by the Afro-Asian nations.

2. Russian – Bulgarian commercial relations are promoted through a regular exchange of industrial goods.

3. According to UNESCO data, there are over 800 million people in the world who cannot read or write.

4. A general election will be held in the country in November.

5. Final results of the election may not be known until next week.

6. The discussion of measures for stopping to spread of nuclear weapons will take place early next week.

7. At the final session the Congress adopted the appeal.

8. Scientists can make a valuable contribution to solving the problems of world disarmament.

9. During the first decade of independent development, the Nigerian people concentrated mostly on strengthening political stability in the country.

10. The small nations demanded that the world conference be held next year.

 

SECTION 3

 

Translate the following articles:

JOBLESSNESS AT POSTWAR HIGH

Layoffs and plant closings raised the country’s unemployment in March to 9 per cent, equal to the post-World War 11 high, the Labour Department said on Friday.

Just under 9.9 million people were out of work in March. Among Afro-Americans, rose to a record 18 per cent. Since last July about 2 million people have lost their jobs.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT GROWING

Unemployment rose to a post-war high in July and government officials are unable to say when the continuing rise in the jobless total will be stopped.

Total unemployment in the month ended July 14 surged 163,901 to 1,613,956 or 6,8 per cent of the work force. The Department of Employment said the figures were the largest since they began calculating jobless figures in 1949.

Although most of the increase in those out of work was due to school leavers unable to find jobs, seasonally adjusted unemployment of 1,393,800 or 5,9 per cent of work force was also at a record high.

The Employment Department spokesman said that rise in employment between mid-June and mid-July

Included more than 100,000 school-leavers aged 18.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS DICUSSED

The country’s top bosses association yesterday painted the grim prospect of high unemployment increasing further.

Confederation of British Industry President on the eve of the CBI’s annual conference said, those were the findings from a survey of 700 firms.

 

He coupled his announcement with a plea to workers to cut their pay claims by two per cent in each of the next two years, but, admitting that labour costs in the country are relatively low, offered no prospects that this would improve the jobless figures for years to come.

 

However, the President argued that with increased state investment in industry, the jobless total would be cut by one-third of a million for every 1 billion dollars in public spending, which would be a more rewarding policy than tax cuts.

 

The conference today discusses this question with emphasis on a call for inner-city development, the improvement in the building industry and trading and consideration of earlier retirement.

SECTION 4

 

Revision

 

Ex. 1 Give Russian equivalents for the following word combinations:

 

1. to be out of work

2. part-time work

3. the working population

4. the accelerating inflation

5. steady lowing productivity

6. growing problem of poverty and low pay

7. a planned three-day strike

8. long-term unemployed

9. temporarily unemployed

10. to throw out of work

11. to fire

12. to give smb. a sack

13. dismissal

14. to get a month’s notice

15. to lose one’s job

16. standing committee

17. Labour Exchange

18. Labour Department

19. blue-collar worker

20. civil servant

 

Lesson 9

Electoral Systems

SECTION 1

 

ACTIVE VOCABULARY

 

 

1. franchise suffrage universal suffrage   2. right to vote to be entitled to vote to be eligible to vote   3. to elect to be elected   4. election elections general elections local elections     municipal elections     Parliamentary election Congressional elections Presidential elections by-election election campaign to hold election to conduct election   election address election manifesto election pledges election results to falsify the election results   5. electorate   6. elector voter   7. to nominate smb. to nominate smb. as a candidate for to propose smb. as a candidate to put forward a candidate   8. nomination   9. nomination paper   10. electoral deposit   11. to disqualify     12. vote to give a vote for to vote by post to vote by roll-call to vote by secret ballot to vote by proxy   to authorize smb. to vote     13. voting compulsory voting voluntary voting to obtain from voting voting paper voting age     14. constituency   15. polling station   16. a register of electors electoral list   17. majority system     18. proportional representation system   19. run for a post   20. educational qualification 21. residence qualification   22. primary   23. independent voters   24. ballot

1. избирательное право право голоса всеобщее избирательное право   2. право принимать участие в голосовании иметь право голосовать   3. избирать быть избранным   4. выборы всеобщие выборы выборы в местные органы управления выборы в городские органы управления   выборы в Парламент выборы в Конгресс Президентские выборы дополнительные выборы предвыборная кампания   проводить выборы   предвыборное обращение предвыборная программа предвыборные обещания результаты выборов фальсифицировать результаты выборов   5. электорат, избиратели   6. избиратель   7. предлагать кандидата   выдвигать кого-то в качестве кандидата     8. выдвижение кандидата   9. подписной лист   10. избирательный залог   11. лишать кого-то права голоса     12. голос на выборах голосовать за кого-то голосование по почте поименное голосование тайное голосование голосовать за другое лицо по доверенности доверить кому-то свое право голоса   13. участие в голосовании обязательное голосование добровольное голосование воздержаться от голосования избирательный бюллетень возраст, дающий право на голосование 14. избирательный округ   15. избирательный участок   16. избирательные списки     17. мажоритарная система выборов   18. система пропорционального представительства   19. баллотироваться на пост   20. образовательный ценз 21. ценз оседлости   22. предварительные выборы   23. неустойчивые избиратели   24. бюллетень

Ex. 1 Translate the following sentences:

 

1. On election day each voter goes to a polling station in his or her constituency.

2. When voting is over the votes are added up.

3. The simple majority system is used in Parliamentary elections in Great Britain.

4. The franchise is universal in many countries nowadays.

5. Voting is not compulsory in Russia.

6. There are about 650 constituencies in Great Britain.

7. The US Constitution sets forth some requirements for candidates running for a post of President.

8. The voters are registered by local election commissions.

9. The electoral deposit is 500 pounds in Great Britain.

10. Anyone who is unable to vote may apply in advance to be allowed to vote by post.

 

SECTION 2

 

The Infinitive

 

Перевод инфинитива зависит от его функции в предложении. Инфинитив может выполнять следующие функции в предложении:

 

1. Подлежащего. Переводится существительным или неопределенной формой глагола.

To elect and to be elected is the right of every Russian citizen.

Избирать и быть избранным – это право каждого гражданина России.

2. Сказуемого. Переводится существительным или неопределенной формой глагола.

The aim of the new government is promote democracy in the country.

Цель нового правительства – это развитие демократии в стране.

3. Дополнения. Переводится неопределенной формой глагола или существительным.

The Prime Minister called to organize the general election in May.

Премьер-министр призвал к организации всеобщих выборов в мае.

 

4. Определения. Переводится существительным с предлогом или придаточным предложением, или неопределенной формой глагола

The proposal to start the election campaign in May was welcomed by the citizens.

Предложение организовать предвыборную кампанию в мае было с энтузиазмом воспринято гражданами.

 

5. Обстоятельства. Переводится придаточным предложением с добавлением союзов "чтобы" или "для того, чтобы".

To vote by proxy the voter should inform the polling station commission in advance in the written form.

Для того, чтобы проголосовать по почте, избиратель должен заранее в письменной форме известить избирательную комиссию своего участка.

 

Ex. 1 Translate the following sentences paying attention to the Infinitives:

 

1. To vote at the age of 18 is the right of every Russian citizen.

2. To vote the voter must be registered as a resident in a constituency op to the fixed day.

3. About two million British citizens may be entitled to vote.

4. The decision on when to hold a general election is made by the Prime Minister.

5. It is only possible to vote at the polling station appropriate to one’s address.

6. This enables them to adapt their campaign tactics.

7. Each community elects its own representative to serve as its Member of Parliament.

8. If an MP dies or resigns his seat a by-election is held to replace him.

9. There is no need for the candidate to live in the area where he is nominated.

10. Voting is not compulsory but every autumn every householder is obliged by law to enter on the register of electors the name of every resident who is over 17.

 

SECTION 3

 

Translate the following articles

 

UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE IN RUSSIA

Universal suffrage is a system of electoral rights under which the right to participate in elections to representative bodies is granted to all citizens who have reached the age established by the law.

All citizens who have reached the age of 18 – regardless of their race or nationality, sex, religion, education, social origin, property status, or past activities – have the right to participate in elections to all representative bodies of state power.

Women enjoy the same rights to vote and to be elected as men, and citizens in the armed forces have the same right to vote and be elected as all other citizens.

Russian legislation establishes the organizational and legal forms for citizens’ participation in elections and for control of the elections by the public.

 

ELECTIONS IN THE USA

The US Constitution includes some general provisions on the franchise. It sets force certain requirements for candidates running for a post of a President, Vice-President, senator or member of the House of Representatives. Requirements usually concern age, residence and citizenship. The candidates who meet all these requirements are considered eligible for office.

A residence qualification requires a permanent residence of an individual in order to get the right to vote. The duration of the residence qualification is, in general, a few months though it may vary from state to state.

Besides, some states have the so-called literacy qualification (the voter should be able to read and speak English, he (she) must know how to interpret the US Constitution, etc.).

The voters are registered by clerks of counties or towns and by local election commissions. When registering, the voter must produce an identification card. This is done to prevent fraud. The administration of elections is vested in an election commission which ordinary is composed of two commissioners, one representing each of the major parties, and a third ex-officio member, usually a sheriff, a county judge, or a clerk. Prior to holding primary or general election, the commission appoints election officers for each precinct and also arranges for polling places. After the ballots have been cast, they are counted and the results obtained are tabulated and returned to the election commission which officially counts the results.

 

HOW THE BRITISH ELECT THEIR PARLIAMENT

The British voting system – the system by which we elect our parliament – is different from others in Europe. Nick McIver outlines the basic principles by which we choose representatives to sit in the House of Commons.

 

Some Basic Facts

 

Britain is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies. Each constituency is represented by one Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons.

MPs are elected in a general election and the leader of the party which has the most MPs in Parliament becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must call a general election at least every five years.

Citizens who are 18 years old or older may vote in general elections, but voting is not compulsory. People who are not allowed to vote include members of Royal Family, members of the House of Lords, people serving prison sentences and some patients in mental hospitals.

Anybody over 21 can stand for election providing they’re not disqualified for any reason – bankrupts, some clergy, members of the House of Lords and certain government employees are excluded.

 

The Sample Election

 

In 1987, the Conservatives, led by Margaret Thatcher, gained a majority of seats in the House of Commons even though the majority of British people actually voted for other parties – thus the Conservatives form the current government.

How can this happen? It is easier to understand if you look at what can happen in the individual constituencies.

 

Election Day

 

Each voter goes to a polling station in his/her constituency. There he/she is given a piece of paper on which the names of the candidates and the parties they represent are printed. It might look like this:

 

ADAMS CON

JOHNSON SDP

MAXWELL LAB

THOMAS LIB DEM

 

The voter draws a cross (X) next to the candidate of his/her choice. When voting has finished, the votes are added up. Let us imagine that the result was as follows:

 

ADAMS CON 25,000

JOHNSON SDP 7,000

MAXWELL LAB 19,000

THOMAS LIB DEM 11,000

 

The winner is Adams, the Conservative candidate – even though the total of the votes for the other candidates was greater. Adams, then, will represent the costituency in the House of Commons. You can see that if this type of result is repeated in other constituencies, the make-up of the House of Commons will not necessarily accurately reflect the way that people voted across the country.

This voting system is commonly called the firs-past-the-post system. Most other European democracies use a proportional representation system where the number of representatives reflects the number of people who voted for the party.

 

Arguments for the British System

 

Many people in Britain, particularly supporters of the smaller parties, argue that the first-past-the-post system is undemocratic because it is unrepresentative. Supporters of the system, however, say that it is easy to administer and that proportional representation often leads to a coalition government – a government formed by an alliance between two or more parties neither of which has won a majority of seats in Parliament. This leads to a government for which no one specifically voted and could also therefore be said to be undemocratic; it also gives disproportionate power to the smaller parties because they hold the balance of power and are therefore able to force the major parties to adopt their policies. They can lead to inefficient government and instability. At least the British system nearly always produces a clear winner and there is rarely any need for coalitions.

 

SECTION 4

 

Revision

 

Ex. 1 Give Russian equivalents for the following word combinations:

 

1. by-elections

2. primaries

3. literacy tests = educational qualification

4. presidential elections

5. local election commissions

6. to run for the post

7. women’s suffrage

8. the minimum voting age

9. to fix the election day

10. the division of the country into constituencies

11. to be nominated as a candidate

12. franchise

13. general elections

14. the majority system of voting

15. to register in for voting

16. postal voting

17. ballot paper

18. to be disqualified

19. to falsify the election results

20. municipal elections

Lesson 10