在經濟衰退時，很多公司將網絡視為替代傳統營銷手段的一個廉價選擇，他們可以利用這種媒體而無需增加很多職員。與其它社交平臺如Facebook和MySpace相比，Twitter在日益擴大的新人群中影響最大，很多公司利用這些網站推廣品牌、直銷和提供客服，宣傳效果顯著。于是，twintern（twitter實習生）應運而生。

A twintern is usually a student or a person who has recently completed their degree and is therefore anxious to gain professional experience. Twinterns are recruited by companies specifically to spread the word about brands and services on Twitter or other social media platforms. The word twinternship is also used to refer to this as a work placement, paid or unpaid and usually for a fixed period.

Twitter實習生通常是最近剛拿到學位所以急于積累專業經驗的學生或個人。公司特地招聘Twitter實習生在Twitter或其它社交媒體平臺上傳播公司品牌和服務的信息。Twinternship（Twitter實習）這個詞也可以用來指在一段固定的期間內有償或無償的實習工作。

Instead of the usual activities that interns get lumbered with – photocopying, making coffee or other tasks that no one else really fancies doing, twinterns have an opportunity to do some very high-profile publicity work, networking with millions of potential customers.

實習生通常奔走于復印文件、沖調咖啡或其它沒人樂意去做的任務。而Twitter實習生卻不用煩惱這些事，他們有機會做一些非常高調的宣傳工作并與數百萬的潛在客戶進行交流。

The terms twintern and twinternship first hit the spotlight in 2009, when restaurant chain Pizza Hut became one of the first companies to officially employ someone in this type of role.(Source：macmillandictionary.com)

Twintern 和twinternship這兩個詞最早在2009年引起公眾注意。必勝客連鎖餐廳是最先正式雇用此類人員的公司之一。

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什么是“信息污染”？

（中國日報網英語點津?實習生徐凌晨 編輯：陳丹妮）

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