Part A :

We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Martin Merry whether of the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand who has come along to talk to us today about the role of the Centre and the Antarctic Treaty.

我们很高兴地欢迎来自基督城南极中心的 Martin Merrywhether博士，他是今天特地过来的新西兰人，今天我们谈谈关于中心的作用和南极条约。

Now my first question is about the choice of location for the centre.

现在我的第一个问题是关于中心位置的选择。

Why Christchurch?

为什么选择基督城?

Was it because of the climate?

是因为气候吗?

Well actually New Zealand is the second closest country to Antarctica

其实是因为新西兰是距离南极洲最近的国家，

and Christchurch is often used on Antarctic expeditions.

所以新西兰克赖斯特彻奇经常用于南极探险。

Right. So it's because of where we are...coupled with our historical role.

对，所以这是因为我们的地理位置，加上我们的历史。

So tell us-what is the main purpose of the centre?

告诉我们，中心的主要目的是什么?

Well...we have two complementary roles.

嗯…我们有2个互补的功能。

One is as a scientific base for expeditions and research and the other is as an information centre.

一是作为探险另一个是作为研究科学基础信息中心。

Tell us something about the role as a scientific base.

告诉我们一些关于作为研究科学基础信息中心的功能。

We're able to provide information about what scientists should take with them to the South Pole- for example, the centre contains a clothing warehouse where expeditions are supplied with suitable clothing for the extreme conditions.

我们能提供关于科学家应该带什么去南极的信息一例如，中心包含一个为探险提供极端条件下的合适的衣服的服装仓库。

I suppose you need a bit more than your normal winter coat!

我也觉得确实需要比普通的冬季多穿一点!

Yes, exactly and then there’s also the specialist library and mapping services.

是的，然后还有专家库和地图服务。

Right.And which countries are actually located at the centre?

对。哪些国家实际上位于中心?

Well...the centre houses research programmes for New Zealand, for The United States as well as for Italy...there is even a US post office at the American airforce base here.

嗯…新西兰的中心住宅研究方案有美国以及意大利驻扎，对…在这里的美国空军基地甚至有一个美国邮局。

Really? And what does the visitor's centre offer?

真的?游客中心提供的是什么?

Well, since very few people will ever experience the Antarctic first hand,the visitors's centre aims to recreate the atmosphere of Antarctica.

好，因为极少数人会亲自体验南极，游客中心的目的是重建南极的大气。

There's a mock camp site where you can see inside an Antarctic tent and imagine yourself sleeping there.

有一个模拟营地，你可以看到里面有一个南极帐篷，想象自己在那里睡觉。

And the centre also acts as a showcase for the unique international co-operation which exists in Antarctica today.

该中心还作为一个展示今天在南极洲的展示的独特的国际合作活动。

What is it actually like at the South Pole?

南极究竟什么样子?

I know you've been there on a number of occasions.

我知道你去过很多次了。

Yes. I have and each time I'm struck by the awesome beauty of the place.

是的，我每一次都被那地方的美景所打动。

It's magnificent but you can really only visit it in the summer months.

它是宏伟的，但你真的只能在夏天的几个月里访问它。

October to March.

10月至3月。

Yes, because it's completely dark for four months of the year...and in addition, it has to be the coldest place on earth.

是的，因为这是一年中四个月的完全黑暗(暂停)…此外，它是地球上最冷的地方。

Colder than the North Pole?

比北极更冷吗?

Why's that?

为什么这么说?

Well, unlike the North Pole, which is actually a frozen sea, Antarctic is a land mass shaped like a dome, with the result that the winds blow down the slopes at speeds of up to 150km an hour and that's what makes it so cold. And one other interesting things is that Antarctic is the driest continent on earth, surprisingly, and so you have to drink large amounts of water when you're there.

好吧，不像北极，它实际上是一个冰冻的海洋，南极洲像一个圆顶，是陆地形状，导致风吹的速度高达150公里每小时，这是使它如此寒冷的原因。而另一个有趣的事情，令人惊讶的是南极是地球上最干燥的大陆，所以在那里你必须喝大量的水。

How old is Antarctica?

南极洲有多大?

We're pretty sure it was part of a larger land mass but it broke away from the rest of the continent 170 million years ago.

我们非常肯定这是一个更大的陆地板块的一部分，但它在170000000年前和其他大陆分离。

How can you be certain of this?

你怎么能确定这个?

...because fossils and rocks have been discovered in Antarctica which are the same as those found in places such as Africa and Australia.

…因为在南极洲发现了化石和岩石，这些岩石和在非洲和澳大利亚等地发现的岩石是一样的。

Amazing...to think that it was once attached to Africa.

…认为它曾经被连接到非洲…太惊人了。

Part B :

Now let's just have a look at the Antarctic Treaty，

现在让我们看看南极条约。

How far back does the idea of an international treaty go?

“国际条约”有多久远?

Well, as far back as the 19th century, when eleven nations organised an international event.

好的，早在第十九世纪，当十一个国家组织了一项国际活动。

When was that exactly?

什么时候?

In 1870.

在1870年。

And it was called the Polar Research Meeting.

它被称为极地研究会议。

And then, not long after that, they organised something called the First International Polar Year.

然后，不久之后，他们组织了一个叫做第一国际极地年的事件。

And that took place when exactly?

这是什么时候发生的?

Over two years from 1882 to 1883.

从1882到1883，两年以上。

But it wasn't until the 1950s that the idea of an international treaty was proposed.

但直到20世纪50年代，一项国际条约的概念才被提出。

And in 1959 the Treaty was actually signed.

实际上，1959年在条约上签的字。

What do you see as the main achievements of the treaty?

你认为该条约的主要成果是什么?

Well, firstly it means that the continent is reserved for peaceful use.

首先，这意味着该大陆是为和平使用。

That's Article One, isn't it?

这是1号文件，不是吗?

Yes...

是的…

That's important since the territory belongs to everyone.

这很重要，因为该地区属于每个人。

Yes but not as important as Article Five, which prohibits any nuclear explosions or waste disposal.

是的，但不像5号那么重要，禁止用作任何核爆炸或废物处置。

Which is marvellous. Well, I'm afraid we're going to have to stop there because I’m afraid we've run out of time.

这是非常棒的。嗯，我们今天的采访不得不到此为止了。

Thanks for coming along today and telling us all about the centre and its work.

非常感谢你告诉我们所有关于中心及其工作的内容。