《中英對照讀新聞》
Qatar outreach widens with ping pong ’diplomacy’
卡達藉乒乓「外交」拓展勢力
◎俞智敏
2011年11月13日 星期日 自由時報電子報
Much has changed since the age of "ping pong diplomacy" 40 years ago when nine American players first looked across the net at Chinese opponents, breaking the barriers between the two world powers.
自從40年前9位美國選手首次越過網架望著中國對手，打破這兩大強國間障礙的「乒乓外交」以來，世界局勢已經多所改變。
The Cold War has been buried for two decades. China is now an economic powerhouse nipping at America’s heels.
冷戰已經結束20年，中國現在則成為正緊咬著美國不放的經濟強國。
And the Gulf state of Qatar _ an obscure patch of sand in 1971 _ is emerging as an international sports giant with a relentless appetite for headline-grabbing events, including hosting an updated edition of table tennis-as-political icebreaker.
1971年時還只是一片無名沙漠的波斯灣國家卡達，則正成為國際體育大國，持續致力於舉辦各種最受媒體關注的運動比賽，包括主辦這場以乒乓球賽，做為政治破冰手段的現代版競賽。
Ten countries _ including foes United States and North Korea, and tense neighbors India and Pakistan _ are scheduled to send players to Doha for a friendly tournament in what’s been billed by Qatar as the latest showcase of its global aspirations.
包括敵對國家美國與北韓，以及關係緊張的鄰國印度與巴基斯坦等在內的10個國家，都將派球員參加這場在杜哈舉行，被卡達宣稱為展現其全球壯志的友誼賽。
"This is ping pong diplomacy in a 21st century form," said Khalil al-Mohannadi, chairman of Qatar’s Table Tennis Federation. "We are very committed to the idea that athletes can reach across barriers that may block politicians and diplomats." It’s also in keeping with Qatar’s wide-net policies with sports：Troll for just about everything out there.
「這是21世紀型態的乒乓外交，」卡達桌球聯盟主席卡利爾說。「我們相信運動員可以跨越讓政治人物與外交官員卻步不前的障礙。」這同時也和卡達的體育撒大網政策相符：也就是盡全力捕撈所有可能的機會。
新聞辭典
at somebody’s heels：片語，緊跟某人之後，指即將擊敗競爭對手，如There are many younger women snapping at her heels, eager to replace her as company director.（有許多更年輕的女性正緊跟在她身後，等著取代她的公司董事長職位。）
icebreaker：名詞，原指破冰船，引申為指打破僵局的東西，如He told jokes as an icebreaker.（他用說笑話來打破僵局。）動詞片語則為break the ice，如Someone suggested that we play a party game to break the ice.（有人建議我們玩個派對遊戲讓氣氛熱絡起來。）
troll：動詞，原指以拖網方式捕魚，引申為指在廣大面積或許多不同地區展開搜尋，如They are trolling the Internet for new customers.（他們在網路上搜尋新客戶。）