【精英翻譯】的部落格

The Great Mask Divide: Asia vs. the West

東西方文化差異：口罩篇

精英翻譯社轉自https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0058/354242/web/

Whether it’s COVID-19, SARS, or H1N1, a virus outbreak often drives the general public to take measures to protect themselves. This is most visible in many Asian countries, where it’s common to see people wearing masks in public. However, this practice is almost unheard-of in many Western countries.

無論是新冠肺炎、SARS（嚴重急性呼吸道症候群）還是H1N1新型流感，病毒爆發通常會促使大眾採取措施來保護自己。這在許多亞洲國家最常見到，在此常會看見人們在公共場所戴著口罩。然而，這種做法在許多西方國家幾乎是前所未聞。

The use of surgical masks in public likely began in Japan. When the Spanish flu struck the country in 1918, people began wearing masks to try to avoid becoming sick, a practice that would continue during future influenza outbreaks. As Japan industrialized, its development led to increased air pollution, and mask wearing among the population also increased as a protective measure. Over the years, Japanese people began wearing masks more frequently, and other Asian countries later followed suit.

在公共場所使用外科口罩很可能是從日本開始的。一九一八年西班牙流感侵襲日本時，人們開始戴口罩以避免生病，在之後的流感爆發期間也持續這種做法。隨著日本工業化，其發展導致空氣汙染加劇，而人民戴口罩作為保護措施也跟著增加。這些年來，日本民眾開始愈加頻繁地戴口罩，後來其他亞洲國家也如法炮製。

In many Asian countries, masks are seen as an important way to prevent illness, and people with colds are encouraged to wear them to prevent others from getting sick. Furthermore, some people with allergies to pollen or dust feel that wearing masks helps them breathe better. Besides these practical reasons, masks have also become a fashion accessory. Some people like the mysterious look masks give them, while others enjoy the sense of privacy they provide in public.

在許多亞洲國家，口罩被視為預防疾病的一個重要方法，也會勸感冒的人戴口罩以防止其他人生病。此外，一些對花粉或灰塵過敏的人覺得戴著口罩有助於呼吸更順暢。除了這些務實的原因外，口罩也成了時尚配件。有些人喜歡口罩給他們的神祕樣貌，而有些人則很喜歡口罩在公共場所提供的隱私感。