【看新闻学英语】欧巴马就职演说精选(下)

作者:David Lee

【演说关键字】

1. recall: v. 回忆

2. sturdy: adj. 强固的

3. enduring convictions: n. 持久的信念

4. entitle: v. 授予权利

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.
回想先前的世代力抗法西斯主义和共产主义,靠的除了飞弹和战车之外,还有强固的联盟和持久的信念。他们知道单单力量本身不足以让我们自保,也不能让我们为所欲为。

5. patchwork: n. 拼凑之物

6. heritage: n. 遗产

7. every end of this Earth: n. 地球上的每个角落

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.
因为我们知道,我们拼凑组合而成的遗产是我们的强处,而非弱点。我们是由基督徒和穆斯林,犹太教徒和印度教徒,以及非信徒组成的国家。我们由取自世界四面八方的各种语文和文化所形塑。

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West – know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
对穆斯林世界,我们寻求一种新的前进方式,以共同的利益和尊重为基础。那些想播植冲突并把自己社会的问题怪罪于西方的领袖,须知你的国民藉以判断你的,是你能建立什么,而非你能毁坏什么。

8. cling: v. 紧靠

9. corruption: n. 贪污

10. deceit: n. 欺骗

11. dissent: n. 异议

12. extend: v. 伸出

13. to unclench fist: 松开拳头

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
那些靠着贪腐欺骗和箝制异己保住权势的人,须知你们站在历史错误的一边,而只要你愿意松手,我们就会帮忙。

14. flourish: v. 使昌盛

15. nourish: v. 滋养

16. starved: adj. 饥饿的

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.
那些穷国的人民,我们保证会和你们合作,让你们的农场丰收,让清流涌入,滋补饿坏的身体,喂养饥饿的心灵。

17. indifference: n. 漠不关心

18. without regard to effect: phr. 不计后果

19. instrument: n. 工具

20. creed: n. 信条

And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
而对那些和我们一样比较富裕的国家,我要说,我们不能再对国界以外的苦痛视而不见,也不能再消耗世上的资源而不计后果。因为世界已经变了,我们也要跟着改变。

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths.
我们的挑战也许是新的,我们迎接挑战的工具也许是新的,但我们赖以成功的价值观─辛勤工作和诚实、勇气和公平竞争、容忍和好奇心、忠实和爱国心─这些都是固有的。这些价值是真实的,是我们历史上进步的沉默力量。我们有必要找回这些真实价值。

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed – why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
这是我们的自由和信条的真谛,为什么不同种族和信仰的男女老幼能在这个大草坪上共同庆祝,为什么一个人的父亲在不到六十年前也许还不能进当地的餐厅用餐,现在却能站在你们面前做最神圣的宣誓。

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