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08/01/2013
對牛彈琴
對牛彈琴，英文的日常話，沒有牛也不講琴， 就是一句It’s like talking to a wall. It’s just like talking to a brick wall ︰就像跟一幅牆說話、不就像向一幅磚牆說話。無反應，沒意思。
I tried to discuss the proposal with them, but it’s like talking to a (brick)wall. 我曾試圖跟他們討論建議，但只是對牛彈琴。
另一句類似的話是preaching to deaf ears，向聾耳（陳）講道、說教，亦即講來嘥氣。
They tried to explain racial harmony,but it’s just like preaching to deaf ears.
他們嘗試解釋族裔共融，但似對牛彈琴，無功而返。
英文傳統也有一句︰ preaching to the choir， 「向聖詩班傳道」，是說聖詩班中人自然都是信徒，還向他們傳教，實屬多餘。
We knew it all. I am afraid you’re preaching to the choir. 這事我們都知道、都懂得，你不必多費唇舌了。
但很明顯，上述的「多餘」，主要是因為去重複人家已知的事，只見無無謂謂，跟原裝的對牛彈琴頗有點分明。
對牛彈琴，是指對方根本不明白、不理解、不懂得欣賞面前的事。有一句古老亦少人用的英文，或可襯一襯︰Casting pearls before swine，在豬面前撒珍珠。豬不懂得珠， 即是you’re offering something of value to an audience who either cannot, or does not appreciate it. 不管你在呈獻什麼珍貴物事，聽者就是不能、不懂欣賞。重點在appreciate、欣賞。例句︰Giving him advice is just like casting pearls before swine. 給他忠告，就像對牛彈琴。
這樣說來，肯定牛領略不了，不懂欣賞音樂吧？不對呢。YouTube 上有好些影片，記錄樂手向一群牛演奏，真個對牛彈琴！Playing music to cows！畫面卻見那些乳牛都停了吃草，圍攏過來聽音樂！
試試在網上找Jazz （ 爵士樂） for Cows 的一段video，好得意！