圣誕老人的由來（中英文對照）

美國人關于圣誕老人的概念源于圣-尼古拉斯，他生于公元280年的小亞細亞。眾所周知，他是個和藹、慈善的人;確實，由于他的慷慨寬大而成為一位圣徒。

the concept of the american santa claus originated with st. nicholas, who was born in asia minor in 280 a.d. he was known as a kind, benevolent man; indeed made a saint because of his generosity.

為了紀念圣-尼古拉斯，按照歐洲傳統(tǒng)，12月6日就是交換圣誕禮物的日子，也標志著圣誕假期開始。

in honor of st. nicholas, december 6 became the traditional day in europe for the exchange of christmas gifts and the beginning of the holiday season.

荷蘭移民把他們關于贈送禮物的圣-尼古拉斯的形式帶到了美國，他們的發(fā)音是“sinter klass”。美國人不習慣于荷蘭發(fā)音，把他改為“santa claus”，這就是廣受孩子們喜愛的、圣誕節(jié)標志性的圣誕老人。

dutch immigrants to the united states brought with them their version of the gift-giving st. nicholas, known as sinter klass. americans, unaccustomed to the dutch pronunciation, turned this into santa claus, who is beloved as a symbol of christmas by children of all ages.