Luis國際資訊事務所

　　Everyone in Taiwan is familiar with the legend of Hua Mulan. Experts know that this young Chinese woman disguised herself as a man in order to take her father's place in the emperor's1 army. Mulan fought bravely and was given a horse for her services. However, the experts don't agree on every detail of her life. Some believe her last name was Zhu, while others think it was Wei. They also disagree on where and when she lived.

　　These questions about Mulan's past seem pretty easy to solve when they are compared to other legends from around the world. Take Lawrence of Arabia for example. Thomas Edward Lawrence was a real British officer. He wrote a book about his own role in leading the Great Arab Revolt2 during World War I. The film "Lawrence of Arabia" was based on the book and made Lawrence's story even more popular. Even so, historians3 still question the truth of his story. One side regards him as a great military mind4, while the other thinks he is a great liar. This month, National Geographic Channel's "Mystery5 Files 2" tries to put an end to this debate.

　　所有的台灣人都對花木蘭的傳說耳熟能詳。專家們知道這位年輕的中國女子為了代 父從軍而將自己喬裝成男人。木蘭在戰場上英勇無畏，並因戰功彪炳而獲賞一匹駿馬。不過專家們對於她生平的細節卻看法不一。有些專家認為她本姓『朱』，有的 則認為她姓『魏』。他們對於她的居住地及生長的朝代也有所爭論。

　　然而跟世界上的其他傳說相比，關於木蘭生平的這些問題似乎還算容易解決。就拿阿拉伯的勞倫斯為例子來說好了。湯瑪斯‧愛德華‧勞倫斯是一個確實存在的 英國軍官。他寫了一本書，描述自己在一次大戰期間領導阿拉伯起義所扮演的角色。《阿拉伯的勞倫斯》這部電影就是根據這本書拍攝而成的，並且讓勞倫斯的故事 更加出名。即使如此，歷史學家仍質疑他故事的真實性。有一方認為他是個英勇的軍事人才，另一方則說他是個大騙子。本月份，國家地理頻道的《歷史神秘檔案 ２》試圖要終結這場爭論。

1. familiar　a. 熟悉的（常與介詞 with 並用）
Steve is familiar with the area because he has lived in this neighborhood for 20 years.
史蒂夫對這一帶很熟，因為他住在這個街坊已經有二十年了。

2. disguise　vt. 偽裝
The prince disguised himself as a servant and snuck out of the castle.
王子把自己喬裝成僕人，偷偷溜出城堡。

3. regard　vt. 認為，看作
President Obama is regarded as one of the most influential leaders in the world.
美國總統歐巴馬被視為是全球最具影響力的領袖之一。

4. debate　n. 爭論，辯論，討論
There has been a lot of debate over whether same-sex marriages should be made legal.
關於同性婚姻是否應該合法化引起了諸多討論。

1. agree/disagree on...　　對……意見一致∕不一致
The couple doesn't always agree on how to raise their children.
那對夫妻對於養育孩子的看法並非總是一致。

2. compare A to/with B　　把 A 與 B 相比
It doesn't do you any good to compare yourself with others.
拿自己和別人相比對你一點好處都沒有。

3. be based on...　　以……為根據∕基礎
The movie was based on real events of the 20th century.
這部電影是根據二十世紀所發生的真實事件拍攝而成的。

4. put an end to...　　結束∕完結……
Rick's knee injury put an end to his tennis career.
瑞克的膝傷終止了他的網球運動生涯。

1. emperor　n. 皇帝
　 empire　n. 帝國
2. revolt　n. 起義，造反
3. historian　n. 歷史學家
　 historical　a. 歷史上的
4. mind　n.（某領域裡）有才智的人
5. mystery　n. 神秘的事物（本文中亦作形容詞用）

One side regards him as a...
（有一方認為他是個……）
　不完全及物動詞表『認為……是……』的用法可分為下列兩大類：
1. 與介詞 as 並用，本句即為此例。
　 regard/think of/look upon/see A as B
　 注意:
　 變成被動語態時，也仍須保留介詞 as。
　 Ruby was thought of as the best chef in her cooking class.
（露比被認為是她烹飪班裡最棒的廚師。）
2. 不與介詞 as 並用，第二天文章中的 consider 即為此例。
　 consider/think A (to be) B（前者較為常用）
　 The boss considers Jamie (to be) the most hard-working employee.
（老闆認為潔米是工作最認真的員工。）