English is no longer the default language of American pop
英语不再是美国流行音乐的默认语言
For the first time ever, the No 1 album in America features lyrics sung mostly in Korean. Love Yourself: Tear by K-pop group BTS has managed to clinch the No 1 spot, outperforming industry predictions.
这是有史以来第一次，在美国排行第一的专辑大部分歌词用韩语演唱。来自韩国男团防弹少年团的 《LOVE YOURSELF 转 Tear》 已经位居榜首，超过了业界的预测。
The record’s success comes at a time of huge opportunity in the US music industry for acts that don’t perform in English.
此专辑的成功正遇上好时机——非英文歌曲在美国音乐行业碰上的巨大机会。
In the past three years, the proportion of non-English tracks on Billboard has been increasing. This has, in large part, been down to the success of reggaeton artists and, in particular, Despacito. It opened the door for other latin tracks. In 2016, the year before its release, there were just four Spanish-language tracks in the top 100 all year. In 2017, there were 19.
过去 3 年，美国公告牌榜上非英文歌曲的比例一直在增加。这在很大程度上归功于雷鬼盾艺术家们的成功，尤其是 Despacito。它为其他拉丁歌曲打开了市场。在 2016 年，也就是它发行的前一年，一整年都只有 4 首西班牙语歌曲进入了前 100 名。而 2017 年有 19 首。
Spanish has long been the most commonly learned language in the US, but the influence of K-pop is being felt in the languages young Americans are learning.
西班牙语长期以来一直是美国最常学习的语言，而美国年轻人正在学的语言也受到了韩国流行音乐的影响。
Priscilla Kim is the director of the Korean Cultural Center in New York. She says that, among younger students, K-pop has become a driving factor to learn the language. “We have courses in the summer that are tailored toward K-pop fans who are interested in learning Korean through K-pop lyrics.”
普丽西拉·金是纽约韩国文化中心的主任。她说，韩国流行音乐已经成为年轻学生学习韩语的一个驱动因素。“针对那些有兴趣从韩流歌曲的歌词中学韩语的粉丝，我们有为他们量身打造的夏季课程。”
The rapid chart surge for non-English music in the past few years suggests this may just be the beginning.
过去几年，非英文音乐的上榜浪潮表明这也许只是个开始。
At a time where some Americans are concerned that speaking other languages in public puts themselves in danger, pop music feels like a progressive antidote, with the importance of what language a song is performed in second to the music itself.
现在一些美国人担心在公共场合讲其他语言会让自己置身危险之中，在这个关头，流行音乐就像是一剂前卫的解药，用何种语言演唱音乐永远不及音乐本身重要。
————— 文章来源 / 卫报
重点词汇
default/ˈdiːfɔːlt/
n. 默认结果；预设值
e.g.
the default is to meet at 7.00 p.m
feature/ˈfiːtʃər/
v. 以...为特色；给...以显著地位
e.g.
This broadcast features a report on victims of domestic violence.
The movie features Brad Pitt as a teenager.
clinch/klɪntʃ/
v. 赢得
e.g.
clinch the playoff spot
outperform/ˌaʊtpərˈfɔːrm/
v. 超过；胜过
e.g.
outnumber; outsize
track/træk/
n. （专辑中的）一首歌
e.g.
title track
reggaeton/ˈreɡeɪtɑːn/
n. 雷鬼盾（音乐类型）
tailored/ˈteɪlərd/
adj. 特供的；量身定做的
e.g.
a tailored suit
a computer system tailored to/toward the project.
chart/tʃɑːrt/
adj. （音乐）进榜的；上榜的
e.g.
charts (n.)
Their record didn't even chart. (v.)
progressive/prəˈɡresɪv/
adj. （思想或体制）先进的；进步的
e.g.
progressive ideas/attitudes
antidote/ˈæntidoʊt/
n. 解药；缓解方法；对抗手段
e.g.
Regular exercise is the best antidote to tiredness.
be down to
由...决定；是...的责任
e.g.
It's down to me to find a suitable person for the job.
driving factor
驱动因素
e.g.
School fees should no longer be a driving factor in choosing a school.
second to
次于
e.g.
In the output of grain, China is second to none.
