第一篇：奥巴马演讲修辞学分析1
奥巴马演讲分析
——排比在英语演讲中的修辞作用
美国大选前许多人都评价：奥巴马的政见并不新颖甚至有点平庸；拥有的个人财富只有对手的几十分之一；相貌远逊于前辈肯尼迪和克林顿，而且还是非美国本土的外来黑哥......奥巴马唯一让人嫉妒的是他拥有最能鼓动人心的好口才，这是上帝给他最好的礼物和恩赐！不可否认，他超凡脱俗的演讲，为他竞选赢得胜利起到了至关重要的作用。奥巴马的演讲，无论是文稿的整体布局，还是演讲言辞的融情达意，或是激情澎湃的演讲表达，都可谓精深独到，不得不令人拍手称快。．据CNN报道。，有语言学家称，“总统当选人巴拉克·奥巴马当晚发表的获胜演说可与很多史上著名演讲相比．”奥巴马称得上是一位杰出的演说家，在多次演讲中，他都娴熟地运用了各种修辞技巧，可以说，“奥巴马的胜利是修辞学的胜利”(梁文道，2008)．其中，排比在奥巴马演讲中效果最为突出。鉴于排比在英语演讲中的重要性，我们试图以美国新当选总统奥巴马的获胜演讲为例，来探讨排比在这篇演讲中的修辞效果．本研究目的在于给英语演讲和修辞教学一些启示．同时也让学者通过领悟奥巴马的演讲技艺，学习、借鉴，来提高自身的演讲水平。
一，排比概念及其作用
“排比”在英语中的对应词为parallelism，是指为了达到修辞效果而循环出现的、句法相似的结构—“recurrent syntactical similarities introduced for rhetorical effect“(Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary,1977；831)．英语排比具有结构整齐，节奏鲜明，语言简练等特点．在英语演讲中运用排比旬，可以增加演讲词的节奏感和音韵美，突出演讲者雄辩口才和强烈感情，增强演讲语言的气势，提高演讲的说服力和欣赏性．
二，奥巴马获胜演讲个案排比分析
奥巴马于2008年11月4日当选为美国总统。并于当晚发表了获胜演讲．这次演讲富有很强的号召力和感染力，唤起了民众战胜金融危机的信心和勇气。现场的无数观众被感动得热泪盈眶．奥巴马在他的获胜演讲中熟练地运用了一系列的修辞方法，如捧比，对比，反复，对仗，引用等，其中排比的使用次数最多．下面我们就以排比结构在奥巴马获胜演讲(Barak Obama’s Victory Speech)中的置,选取了四个代表性的例子，来讨论其修辞效果。
（一）从句开头的排比
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible，who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time，who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.这三个排比组合句是奥巴马获胜演讲的开场白。奥巴马用自己胜选的事实回答了某些人对“美国是否凡事都有可能，美国奠基者的梦想是否依然鲜活，美国民主制度的力量”的质疑．通过这三个排比旬，奥巴马言简意赅地表达了他获胜的意义：显示出“美国梦”的独特性和普遍价值，显示出他的能力，肯定了美国是一切皆有可能的地方，肯定他的获胜是对美国政治文化传统的继承而不是背离．开场耐人寻味的排比，便已打开了选民们的心声以及继续听下去的欲望。
（二）排比结构用在段首 It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen；By people who waited three hours and four hour...It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican，black，white, Hispanic，Asian，Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled...It’s the answer that led those who have been told...to put their hands Off the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day．
首先，在前两个位于段首的排比句群中，奥巴马强调他是“设在学校和教堂的投票站前排起的前所未见的长队”，是“等了三四个小时的选民”，是“所有美国人民”共同选举出来的总统。他重申了自己当选总统是合法的，是由美国人民通过民主方式选举出来的．第三个排比句群在意义上是对前两个排比句群的总结和升华。奥巴马呼吁美国人民要对美国的未来有信心，同时暗示作为新一任的总统，他会继承美国的历史传统，让“美国梦”延续。这三个排比句群的使用，增强了演讲的气势，有力地回击了那些对奥巴马获胜原因存在质疑的人，同时向听众做出了有力的保证，调动了听众的积极性，激发了听众的自信心．
（三）介词短语的排比
To those who would tear this world down, we will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security, we support you．And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright, tonight we proved once more that the strength of our nation comes...from the enduring power of our ideals :democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope．
介词短语To those的反复出现，明确了要击败和支持的对象，语气强烈，一针见血．这既是对恐怖分子敲警钟，又给予了爱好和平的人们奋斗的力量。同时，向那些怀疑美国能否继续照亮世界发展前景的人们证明。美国真正的力量来自于这个国家的理想：民主、自由、机会和不屈的希望。排比结构的出现突出了强调的内容，语言气势逼人，具有强大的震撼力。
（四）句型结构的排比
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the west;endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg, Normand and Khe sahn.（五）段尾的排比
And tonight,...she’s seen...the heartache and the hope；the struggle and the progress...Yes we can．
At a time...she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can．
When there was...she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal，new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can．
When the bombs...she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can． She was there.Yes we Can．
A man...And this year, in this election..., she knows how America can change.Yes we can．
在这里奥巴马以一个106岁的老妇人参加投票为例，运用了一系列的排比来烘托现场气氛，具有很强的说服力和感染力。连续4个“她看到了···”(she’s seen，she lived to see，she saw, she was there to witness)和6个“是的，我们能”(Yes We can)，强调美国能达成正义和平等，能获得机遇和繁荣能治愈这个国家，能补救这个世界，强调美国能发生变革!这种以具体的人物、事例和具体的生活场景为主体构成的排比语段，真正达到了提高语言表现力的目。这几段出现在演讲末尾的排比具有排山倒海的气势，具有强大的煽动性，把整个演讲再次推向了高潮。
在整个获胜演讲当中，通过捧比，奥巴马将有魅力的句子集中，演讲节奏分明，气氛被一次次的推向的高潮，演讲大为增色。这些排比的运用，创造了演讲中的个个亮点，气势磅礴，使听众的情感受到一次次的震。．
三 结语
演讲是一门劝说的艺术。演讲者要达到劝说的目的，就必须讲究演讲词的语言表达技巧，这种技巧在语言层面的体现之一就是修辞手法的运用。排比是英语演讲中最常见的修辞手法。国内学者对于排比的修辞效果给予了充分的肯定。“排比是英语所有修辞格中最常使用的修辞格之一。任何学会使用并能驾驭排比及其变化的人都会发现排比可使演讲条理清楚，效果显著，具有难以衡量的价值”(张秀国．2005)奥巴马这篇获胜演讲中排比修辞手法的运用，成功的达到了说服听众的目的．
参考文献：（1）奥巴马获胜演讲英文原文网址：http://wenku.baidu.com/view/70d3d8d8d15abe23482f4d56.html（2）何晓勤 演讲·劝说·诉诸·语篇 外语与外语教学．2004．(11)（3）张秀田 《英语铬辞学》北京：青华大学出版杜．2005（4）梁文道 《奥巴马的胜利是修辞学的胜利 》 南方周末，2008(5)徐鹏 《英语辞格 》北京：商务印书馆，1977
第二篇：美国总统奥巴马开学演讲西方修辞学浅析
美国总统奥巴马开学演讲西方修辞学浅析
李荣义
（福建农林大学蜂学学院2009级 学号：090723067）
【摘要】肯尼斯·伯克认为任何语篇都包含着人类动机。人类的行为是在动机驱使下发生的。语言作为人类的一种行为，可以成为动机的载体。西方修辞学的发展史表明，演讲是修辞的最早来源，两者关系密切。古典修辞学理论认为，修辞学就是研究演说的技巧。修辞和演讲密不可分，演讲是一门劝说的艺术。演讲者要得到劝说目的就需要应用各种修辞表达技巧。而通过对语言的研究，可以发现其中隐藏的动机。本文试图通过奥巴马总统的开学演讲，浅析其中西方修辞的应用，讨论修辞应用对劝说效果的影响。
【关键词】奥巴马 演讲 受众 修辞
一、戏剧五要素分析
肯尼斯·伯克的戏剧五位一体理论作为发现动机工具，其中的五个因素：行动、场景、执事者、工具、和目的。伯克是这样阐述的：任何有关动机的完整阐述都应该回答这样五个问题：发生了什么(行动)，在什么时候或哪里发生的(场景)，行动实施者是谁(执事者)，怎么发生的(工具)，以及为什么(目的)。在本文研究材料中五要素表现为：美国刚上任总统奥巴马（执事者）在和弗吉尼亚州阿灵顿市的韦克菲尔德高中（场景），通过麦克风以对现场听众，以及电台及电视台的转播（工具）面对全美国学生及教育者，学生家长等演讲（行动），强调学习的重要性并希望通过演讲使学生重视并认真学习（目的）。这五个要素不是孤立存在的，它们可以以不同的方式组合。按照伯克的观点，戏剧五要素的不同组合可形成十对关系比场景-行为、场景-执行者、场景-工具、场景-目的、行为-目的、行为-执行者、行为-工具、执行者-目的、执行者-工具、工具-目的，颠倒每-对关系比的顺序可创设另外十对关系比。演讲是由演讲者的动机驱使而发生的行为，动机会决定五个元素在其中的排列组合。因此，了解动机可以对演讲的理解起到帮助作用。相比竞选就职等政治色彩演说，开学演讲的动机只需要博得受众的认同并实践，而受众的认同及付诸行动并不需要放弃一放选择另一平行的选择，如投选票。开学演讲中，没有竞争对手，演讲动机即说服受众承认学习的重要性并采取行动以正确的态度认真学习。因此演讲动机并不需要顶着另一方同等竞争备选项的挑战。
二、开学演讲受众分析
修辞的首要问题便是对受众的把握。受众应该成为整个修辞过程的中心。演讲者必须对受众有清晰的认识，了解受众心理，及时调整演讲内容、选定语法结构、框定
词汇范围、列举恰当例子帮助修辞目的的成功。从演讲开头，我们可以发现奥巴马对受众已经有了清晰的认识：幼儿园到12年级的学生。并且奥巴马有对受众进行分层：刚入学新生、毕业班、以及刚完成新生向老生转变的学生这三层次。鉴于受众受教育程度跨度较大，奥巴马演讲所用词汇，运用的语法都比较简单。一般而言，激励学生认真学习本是教育者的工作。而奥巴马作为美国新上任的总统，在开学第一天的演讲看来有些“不务正业”。挖掘潜在的受众，我们发现还有教育工作者以及学生家长。当然也不排除政界对立的党派人士。演讲中，奥巴马一再使用“I’ve”的现在完成时语态，强调了自己对教育的重视，在口头上“兑现”了其竞选演讲许下的承诺。而作为刚上任的总统，我们其实清楚地知道：教师配备及待遇及教育设施投入等现状其实是以往的领导班子努力的成果。演讲中，多次用到“I’ve”的排比形式，潜意识里形成受众对他工作的认同，盗用了前人的功劳，为其总统工作的肯定铺下基石，稳定并提高公众对自己的支持率。据此分析，奥巴马的开学演讲在激励学生的目的的背后，或多或少带有政治动机。
三、博克新修辞学认同说分析
根据伯克的定义，修辞指“人们运用语言表明态度或诱导他人完成某种行为”：它以语言的基本功能为基础，其关键在于“认同”，即个体与某个特性或人之间的共同本质。在伯克看来，人类作为生物学上独立的个体生存在世界上，为了克服隔离感，始终在通过交际追求认同。伯克认为，“说服是认同的结果”。想要说服受众，执事者必须在其他方面上和受众达成共识，以谋取受众心理上接受演说者的基础继而进行修辞，从而达到说服的目的。认同论分为：同情认同、对立认同、误同。
演讲一开始，奥巴马便抓住受众心理，并通自己的童年来表达自己对学生心理的理解：对假日的不舍，对懒床的共性，对开学的压力等。以“过来人”的身份表示自己完全理解，因为小时候“我（奥巴马）”也是这样的。这就很自然地迎合了受众心理，与说教的风格立即区别开，取得受众的认同使其有兴趣听下去。
同时，奥巴马总统的身份本身也在此也起到修辞作用：误同。通过同情认同，总统的身份形成一种误同，即：只要你们现在肯努力，也会和我（奥巴马）一样有无限可能，比如成为总统。此后结合各种例子，演讲中误同的大量运用起到很好的修辞效果。误同在广告中最常见，以明星的身材，容貌结合其知名度使受众误以为只要用同一产品，诱使受众误以为只要使用一样的产品，通过同样的努力，就可以和他们一样优秀出众。跳出演讲，众所周知成功案例毕竟是少数，努力过后，成功也往往需要机会的垂青，也因各人品行修养取向以及人生观价值观左右。也就是说，成功除了努力，也靠各人造化，机遇和运气早就不同人生。但是，在演讲中误同法运用得当，可以起到很好的修辞效果，让受众备受激励而接受演讲者的观点，从而使演讲者的动机得以实现。
我们可以发现，在该演讲中，几乎没有运用到对立认同。这也是开学演讲相对于竞选等政治演讲的特点。开学演讲不需要受众在接受演讲者的观点的同时，抛弃另一平行选项。所以，这是一种没有竞争的修辞行为。
四、语言细节分析
“The future of America depends on you.What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the
future.” “If you don't do that--if you quit on school--you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.”“because here in America, you write your own destiny.You make your own future.”演讲者用了一系列的放大夸张法，将放弃学业放大成对国家的抛弃，将国家的前途降临到没一位受众身上。这使受众倍受激励而自觉放弃反驳同时也失去反驳的余地。受众被赋予光荣的身份，将认真学习修辞成为热爱国家的不二选择。同时，之后又用到“because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.”再次运用这一修辞，将演说者的观点深入受众内心，修辞动机得以突出。而这一动机也迎合了奥巴马竞选时候的格调：“I can”以及“Change”等在经济不景气背景下对直接受众，潜在受众的激励，延续竞选时的口号，使其政治手段更加深入人心。
相比于辩论，归谬法这一修辞手段也没有应用到该演讲中。但是以上夸大事实放大影响提出对未来生活的无限展望，本人认为与归谬法的效果有些类似。根据本人对西方修辞的理解，我认为那是一种“泛归谬法”的应用，道理是一样的。谬法是人们常用的一种论证方法。它是充分条件假言推理否定式在论证中的应用。人们在运用归谬法反驳某一判断(或称为观点)时，先假定被反驳判断为真，并以它作为充分条件假言推理大前提的前件，然后经过合理的引申、推导得出一个虚假或荒谬的后件，最后根据充分条件假言推理“否定后件就要否定前件”的规则，达到对被反驳判断的否定。而放大夸张的修辞则往相反方向，其动机恰恰与驳倒对方观点相左，通过夸大修辞让受众接受同一观点。因此，本人对修辞中的归谬法认识：归谬法在辩论中较常使用，不适用于开学演讲这种激励型演讲。
此外，开学演讲中运用排比重复形式，推进形式，结合诉诸情感，人格和逻辑与听众达成同一。通过分析受众、同情认同、引入主题、强调背景，转入正题、反复误同后结合而逻辑分析、正面价值观先入为主、细节关心生活（勤洗手）、推进总结，从而将演讲内容归纳如下：
A：发现自己的长处，发现自己真正感兴趣的东西。每一个人都是有用之才，你们的职责就是发现自己的才能所在！
B：每一个孩子都应该拥有读书和学习的机会。
C：永远不要放弃自己！尽管长相，家庭，智力任何外在的因素的不如意等缘故，都不要当作放弃疏忽学业和态度恶劣借口。
D：问问自己，在未来的社会中。你将会有什么心新的发现？你将会解决什么问题？你将会做出什么样的贡献？
E：在成功的路上，就是不断失败不断失败中，走向成功。
F：不要害怕求助，他是力量的象征。因为你有勇气承认自己的不足，能使你得到进步！
五、结语
奥巴马成功就职总统是修辞学的成功，然而生活无处不修辞。本文从政治性较不突出的开学演讲进行浅析，得到不一样的认识。同时，西方修辞的简单入门学习也为自己演讲稿的撰写得到一些启发。西方修辞学相比中国零散不成体系的修辞，彰显其强大的力量，吸引着我。国内对西方修辞学的研究较薄弱，本人认为应该适时加强对西方修辞学的研究，帮助我们在对外政治或商务谈判中少吃亏。同时，通过本人感悟，认为西方修辞学可以很好地结合营销理论用于实践，指导商家业务推广。因为修辞的本质就是知道我们如何说话，以及对什么样的人，说什么样的话（依据受众特点），更好地达到说服或者取得受众的认同。此外，鉴于修辞本质是应用语言，我们“实践出真知”的同时，应该注意修辞学应用中的道德问题，即“好人良言”，合理使用并维护西方修辞学的地位和名声。
参考文献：
【1】黄坚 借鉴西方修辞理论，改进对台传播 福建福州350002
【2】刘亚猛：《西方修辞学史》，外研社2008年版
第三篇：奥巴马演讲
奥巴马演讲
Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.
第四篇：奥巴马演讲
Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)
Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?
Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?
Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)
第五篇：奥巴马演讲
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address Saturday, May 14, 2011
Washington D.C.Recently, there have been signs that the economy is picking up steam.Last month, we saw the strongest job growth in five years, and have added more than three-quarters of a million private sector jobs in just three months.But there are still too many Americans who are either looking for work, or struggling to pay the bills and make the mortgage.Paychecks aren’t getting any bigger, but the cost of everything from groceries to college tuition keeps on rising.Without a doubt, one of the biggest burdens over the last few months has been the price of gasoline.In many places, gas is now more than $4 a gallon, meaning that you could be paying more than $60 to fill up your tank.These spikes in gas prices are often temporary, and while there are no quick fixes to the problem, there are a few steps we should take that make good sense.First, we should make sure that no one is taking advantage of consumers at the pump.That’s why we’ve launched a task force led by the Attorney General that has one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.Second, we should increase safe and responsible oil production here at home.Last year, America’s oil production reached its highest level since 2003.But I believe that we should expand oil production in America – even as we increase safety and environmental standards.To do this, I am directing the Department of Interior to conduct annual lease sales in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while respecting sensitive areas, and to speed up the evaluation of oil and gas resources in the mid and south Atlantic.We plan to lease new areas in the Gulf of Mexico as well, and work to create new incentives for industry to develop their unused leases both on and offshore.We’re also taking steps to give companies time to meet higher safety standards when it comes to exploration and drilling.That’s why my Administration is extending drilling leases in areas of the Gulf that were impacted by the temporary moratorium, as well as certain areas off the coast of Alaska.And to streamline that permitting process, I am establishing a new team to coordinate work on Alaska drilling permits.Finally, the third step we should take is to eliminate the taxpayer subsidies we give to oil and gas companies.In the last few months, the biggest oil companies made about $4 billion in profits each week.And yet, they get $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies each year.Four billion dollars at a time when Americans can barely fill up their tanks.Four billion dollars at a time when we’re trying to reduce our deficit.This isn’t fair, it makes no sense.Before I was President, the CEOs of these companies even admitted that the tax subsidies made no sense.Well, next week, there is a vote in Congress to end these oil company giveaways once and for all.And I hope Democrats and Republicans come together and get this done.The American people shouldn’t be subsidizing oil companies at a time when they’re making near-record profits.As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the ultimate solution to high-gas prices.That’s why we’re investing in clean energy technology, helping businesses that manufacture solar panels and wind turbines, and making sure that our cars and trucks can go further on a tank of gas – a step that could save families as much as $3,000 at the pump.These are investments worth making – investments that will save us money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect the health and safety of our planet.That’s an energy policy for the future, and it’s what I’ll be fighting for in the weeks and months to come.Thanks.
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