A Clash of
Competing Ideologies: France’s Burkini Controversy
Traditionally-minded French
people feel that immigrants should adapt to the culture of their adopted
homeland. This means conforming not only to France
Among these beliefs is a
requirement for Muslim women to dress modestly in public. To comply, some opt for simple headscarves, while others cover
their entire bodies with long garments
known as Burqas.
This distinctive
clothing makes them stand out from non-Muslims.
A clash has erupted between these competing
ideologies in the Mediterranean coastal city of Nice
Dismayed by this new development, the
local government in Nice enacted
a law banning the wearing of burkinis.
The rationale
behind the law is that such an obvious display of religiosity might be seen as symbolic of Islamic extremism. While this may seem overly reactionary, it must be remembered that a
number of terrorist
attacks have been committed on French soil by Islamic extremists in recent years. Besides the Paris
In a legal challenge, however, a
French court has ruled that Nice’s burkini ban is not justified. In overturning the ban, the
court stated that wearing the swimsuits posed no risk to public safety or law
and order. Even so, questions of how to respect religious freedom while
maintaining social harmony continue to divide French society.
Reading
Comprehension
( ) 1.
According to the passage, where do many newly arrived immigrants to France
originally come from?
(A) Asia (B) Central America and South America
(C) North
America and Australia (D) Africa and the Middle East
( ) 2. Nice
enacted a law banning the burkinis because ______.
(A) burkinis are offensive to
Muslim women
(B) eighty six people were killed
by someone wearing a burkini
(C) there are many terrorist
attacks happening in France
(D) the style of a burkini is
topless
( ) 3. According to the passage, what is the
reason for the court overturning the burkini ban?
(A) Religious freedom is more important
than fashion.
(B) The swimsuits do not put
people in danger while swimming.
(C) The swimsuits pose no risk to
public safety or law and order.
(D) The government has no
business telling people what to wear or what not to wear.
( ) 4.
According to the passage, what happened in a recent terror attack in Nice?
(A) Bombs were exploded by
terrorists in several locations.
(B) Nightclub patrons were shot
dead by terrorists during a concert.
(C) A terrorist drove a truck
through a crowded celebration.
(D) Beachgoers were kidnapped at
gunpoint by terrorists.
( ) 5.
Which of the following statements could be inferred from the passage?
(A) People in Nice are very
sensitive about visible displays of religiosity because of recent terror
attacks.
(B) People in Nice believe women
should always go topless at the beach.
(C) People in Nice believe Muslim
women should have to wear bikinis to conform to French culture.
(D) People in Nice want to ban
the Islamic religion altogether.
Vocabulary and Phrases
1.
integrate [`Int1&Gret] vt.
My uncle’s company integrated into another one because they are in debt.
2.
conform [k1n`fOrm] vi. 遵照，順從
The teacher is angrily scolding at those students
who didn’t conform to the school
regulations.
3.
norm [nOrm] n. [C] 基準，標準方式
Stanley tried to accustom himself to the social norms after he immigrated to Italy.
4.
embrace [Im`bres] vt. (fml.) 接受(想法、觀念等)
The young designer embraces changes enthusiastically and
is always willing to leave his comfort zone and try new things.
5.
permissive [p2`mKsKv] adj. 過於寬容的；對性的開放
For Asian people, western countries are usually
seen to be free and permissive.
6.
compromise [`kAmpr1&maIz] vt. 損害，危及
Staying up late and working too hard
every night can compromise one’s
health.
7.
modestly [`mAd1stlI] adv. 質樸地
Although Sherry is rich, she always dresses modestly no matter where she goes.
8.
comply [k1m`plaI] vi. 應允，順從，遵守
The strict employer asked his employees to comply with all rules of the company,
or they will be fired.
9.
opt [Apt] vi. 選擇
Howard opted
for a laptop instead of a desktop computer, for it is much lighter and
convenient.
10. headscarf [`hEd&skArf] n. [C] 頭巾
Jenny likes to cover her head with a headscarf when it is cold outside.
11. garment [`GArm1nt] n. [C] (fml.) 衣服
Pam designs ladies’ garments only—including everything from
blouses and skirts to underclothes and gowns.
12. distinctive [dI`stI9ktIv] adj. 不同的；獨特的
The pop star always catches people’s eyes by
wearing distinctive clothes.
13.
erupt [I`r^pt] vi. (戰事或衝突等)突發，爆發
Right after the final peace attempt
failed, a war immediately erupted
between the two countries.
14. constitute [`kAnst1&tjut] vt. 等於…，就是…
Being tired all the time constitutes a warning sign to one’s health.
15. topless [`tApl1s] adj. 胸部裸露的
16. dismay [dIs`me] vt. 使驚恐；使失望
Tom was dismayed
by the new policies of his company, so he decided to protest against them.
17. enact [In`8kt] vt. 制定（法律）
The government enacted a law about minimum wage to guarantee the rights of
employees.
18. rationale [&r8S1`n8l] n. [U][C] (fml.) 理由
The residents wanted to know Mr. Chen’s rationale for shutting down his grocery
store.
19. terrorist [`tEr1rIst] n. [C] 恐怖主義者
The terrorist who was trying to
explode the bomb in the airport was caught by police.
20.justify [`dZ^st1&faI] vt. 證明…有道理
Paul justified handing in the assignment late by saying that he had been
doing something more valuable.
Words for Recognition
1.
ideology [&aIdI`Al17I] n. [U][C] 意識形態
2.
burkini n. [C] 布基尼
一種為穆斯林女性設計的泳裝，此種泳裝包覆全身，只露出臉的部分。
3.
Burqa n. [C] 罩袍
又譯做「布爾卡」或「波卡」，為一種伊斯蘭國家的女性傳統服飾，特色是會將全身從頭到腳都包覆，眼睛的部分也有網紗。
4.
Mediterranean [>mEd1t1`renI1n] n.
(the ～) 地中海
位於歐洲大陸、非洲大陸、亞洲大陸之間的海域。由於曲折的海岸線形成許多良好的港口，從古代開始就有發達的航海業。古埃及文明、古希臘文明及羅馬帝國皆位於地中海沿岸。
5.
Nice [nis] n. 尼斯
法國東南部的港口城市，位於普羅旺斯-阿爾卑斯-蔚藍海岸大區。
6.
bikini [bI`kinI] n. [C] 比基尼式泳裝
一種上半件為胸罩、下半件為內褲的兩件式女性泳裝。
7.
frolic [`frAlIk] vi. 嬉戲
8.
religiosity [rI&lI7I`As1tI] n. [U] 宗教信仰
9.
Islamic [Is`l8mIk] adj. 伊斯蘭教（徒）的
10.
extremism [Ik`strimIz1m] n. [U] 極端主義
extremist [Ik`strimIst] n. [C] 極端主義者
極端主義多見於政治或宗教層面。本文所提到的伊斯蘭極端主義常被西方國家稱作恐怖主義。
11. reactionary [rI`8kS1n&ErI] adj. 反動的
Translation
意識形態衝突：布基尼禁令掀爭議
法國是歐洲眾多穆斯林人口攀升的國家之一，這些穆斯林大多為來自非洲及中東的新移民。而新移民們如何融入，或者說，拒絕融入法國社會，是法國現今局勢緊張的源頭。
思想較傳統的法國人認為，移民都應入境隨俗，不只要遵守法國法律，也須遵從法國的規範及社會習俗。然而，有些穆斯林不願意接受一個文化中過度放縱、缺乏道德的傳統和行為，他們深信這樣會危害自己的宗教及文化信仰。
其中一個信仰就是女性穆斯林需在公共場合穿著保守。為了遵從規範，有些人選擇只戴簡單的頭巾，而有些人則會將身體緊緊包覆，她們所穿的長袍稱作「布爾卡」，這種特殊的服裝讓她們在非穆斯林人群中顯得特別突出。
這兩個互不包容的意識形態在地中海沿岸的城市尼斯爆發了衝突，爭議點就在於女性的泳裝。法國女人常穿比基尼，有人甚至會裸露上身游泳或曬日光浴，反映出多數法國人接受女性在海邊玩耍時袒胸露背，但是保守的穆斯林認為這個行為深深冒犯到他們。為了遵守宗教信仰，一些穆斯林女人開始穿上將自己從頭到腳都包住的泳裝「布基尼」。
由於對這樣的發展感到擔心，尼斯政府下令禁穿布基尼，理由是如此明顯的宗教行為可能被視為伊斯蘭極端主義的象徵。儘管這個政策看似過於反動，但不要忘了近幾年法國發生的許多恐怖攻擊事件。除了去年的巴黎襲擊事件，今年七月，尼斯也發生恐怖份子開卡車衝撞參加國慶人群的事件，並造成86人喪生與數百人受傷。
然而，法院判定尼斯的布基尼禁令無效，並以穿這種泳衣不會對社會安全造成危害來推翻此禁令。儘管如此，要如何尊重宗教自由並同時維持社會和諧，這個問題將持續讓法國內部產生對立。
閱讀測驗解答：1. D 2. C 3. C 4. C 5. A
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