第一篇:美国总统奥巴马2010年开学英语演讲稿
Thank you!Hello!(Applause.)Thank you.Thank you.Well, hello, Philadelphia!(Applause.)And hello, Masterman.It is wonderful to see all of you.What a terrific introduction by Kelly.Give Kellya big round of applause.(Applause.)I was saying backstage that when I was in high school, I could not have done that.(Laughter.)I would have muffed it up somehow.So we are so proud of you and everything that you’ve done.And to all the students here, I’m thrilledto be here.谢谢!你们好!(掌声。)谢谢。谢谢。你好,费城!(掌声。)你好,马斯特曼。见到你们真是太好了。Kelly的介绍真是太棒了。让我们对Kelly报以热烈的掌声。在后台的时候我说,我上高中的时候我就做不这么好,我可能会弄的一团糟。所以让我们为你和你做的一切自豪吧。站在这里我很激动。
kelly 在奥巴马总统演讲前,一名叫Kelly的学生做了演讲。backstage n.后台
muff v.笨拙地处理,将事情弄糟 thrilled a.激动的
We’ve got a couple introductions I want to make.First of all, you’ve got the outstandinggovernor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, in the house.(Applause.)The mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, is here.(Applause.)Congressman Chaka Fattah
我想介绍几个人。首先,来到这儿的有,杰出的宾夕法尼亚州州长,Ed Rendell。(掌声。)费城市长,is here.(Applause.)Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is here.(Applause.)Your own principal, Marge Neff, is here.(Applause.)The schoolsuperintendent, Michael Nutter。国会议员Fattah和Allyson Schwartz(掌声)。你们的Arlene Ackerman, is here and doing a great job.(Applause.)And the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is here.(Applause.)outstanding a.杰出的 Congressman n.国会议员 principal n.校长 superintendent n.院长
And I am here.(Applause.)And I am thrilled to be here.I am just so excited.I’ve heard such great things about what all of you are doing, both the students and the teachers and the staff here.Today is about welcoming all of you, and 校长Marge Neff(掌声)。学校管理人Arlene Ackerman是这个学校的,并且为学校做了很大的贡献。(掌声)。还有教育部秘书长Arne Duncan。(掌声)
还有我。(掌
声),我感到非常的激动。我耳闻了你们
做的那些伟大的事,这里面有在校的学生,老师和工作人员。
今天欢迎你们,all of America’s students, back to school, even though I know you’ve been in school for a little bit now.And I can’t think of a better place to do it than at Masterman.(Applause.)Because you are one of the best schools in Philadelphia.You are a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom.Just last week, you were recognized by a National Blue Ribbon--as a National Blue Ribbon School because of your record of achievement.And that is a testament to everybody here –-to the students, to the parents, to the teachers, to the school leaders.It’s an example of excellence that I hope communities across America can embrace.欢迎每一个美国学生回校上课,当然你们在学校已经呆了一段时间了。我想不出除了在Masterman外,还有哪个地方更适合做这件事。(掌声)因为你们是费城最好的学校之一。你们在教育方面是领头军。就在上周,由于你们的卓越贡献,被授为国家蓝丝带勋章。这是对每个人的见证,对学生,家长,老师还有学校领导人。我希望全美的社会团体都能欣然接受这个杰出代表的例子。
embrace vt.拥抱;接受
Over the past few weeks, Michelle
几周前,我和Michelle为
Sasha和Malia上学的事做准and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school.And they’re 备。她们两个对这非常的期excited about it.I’ll bet they had the same feelings that you do--you’re a little sad to see the summer go, but you’re also excited about the
待。我敢打赌她们和你们一样,有着相同的感觉。你们为夏天的逝去而神伤,但是你们更应该期待新的一年。possibilities of a new year.The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones, of joining a school club, or trying out for a team.The possibilities of growing into a better student and a better person and making not just your family proud but making yourself proud.build friendships 结交新朋友
如你们可以结交新的朋友,加深同老朋友的感情,加入学校俱乐部,参加各种团队的选拔赛。成长为一个更优秀的学生和个人,不仅仅让你的家人自豪,同样让你们自己也很有成就感。
But I know some of you may also be
我知道,你们中有些
人在新学年会有些紧张。a little nervous about starting a new
或许你刚从小学升到初school year.Maybe you’re making the jump fromelementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school, and you’re worried about what that’s going to be like.Maybe you’re starting a new school.You’re not sure how you’ll like it, trying to figure out how you’re going to fit in.Or maybe you’re a senior, and you’re anxious about the whole college process;about where to apply and whether you canafford to go to college.elementary school n.小学 figure out 想明白,弄清楚
中,从初中升到高中,会担心,新的学年将会是什么样的呢。也许你进入一所新的学校,不知道是否会喜欢这个学校,想着怎么来融入这个学校。或许你到了高三年级,对整个的大学入学程序感到不安,比如申请那里的学校,能不能支付上大学的费用等等。fit in 融入,适应 afford to do 承担得起
除此之外,我知道你们还有来自困难时期的压know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of some difficult times.You 力。你们知道新闻内容,知道你们一些家庭中发发know what’s going on in the news and you also know what’s going on in some 生的事情。你们读过有关 And beyond all those concerns, I of your own families.You’ve read about the war in Afghanistan.You hear about the recession that we’ve been through.And sometimes maybe you’re seeing the worries in your parents’ faces or sense it in their voice.strain n.压力
So a lot of you as a consequence, because we’re going through a tough time a country, are having to act a lot older than you are.You got to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas, or you’ve got to look after younger siblings while your mom is working that second shift.Or maybe some of you who are little bit older, you’re taking on a part-time job while your dad’s out of work.as a consequence 结果,所以
tough time 困难时期【tough a.艰难的】
所以,因为我们国家面临困难时期,你们许多人的行为看上去比实际年龄要大。姐姐哥哥在海外工作,你们会表现得坚强,或许妈妈去值第二班,你们就要照顾年幼的弟弟妹妹。或许你们有些人年长一点的,父亲失了业,你们还要做兼职。阿富汗战争的信息,听说过我们经历过的经济不景气。有时你们还看到了双亲脸上挂着的忧虑,或从他们的声音中感受到了这些。sibling n.兄弟姐妹,同胞 shift n.轮班
有太多事情要做了,很多是你们不应该做than you should have to handle.And it 的。这让你们迷茫,不may make you wonder at times what your
知道自己的未来会是什own future will look like, whether you’re
么样,在学校能不能取going to be able to succeed in school, And that’s a lot to handle.It’s more whether you should maybe set your sights a little lower, scale back your dreams.handle v.处理,应对 scale back 缩减
But I came to Masterman to tell all of you what I think you’re hearing from your principal and your superintendent, and from your parents and your teachers: Nobody gets to write yourdestiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.And nothing--absolutely nothing--is beyond your reach, so long as you’re willing to dream big, so long as you’re willing to work hard.So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single thing that any of you cannotaccomplish, not a single thing.I
但是,我来到马斯特曼,告诉你们一句话。我想这句话你们的校长、院长、父母以及老师都曾告诉过你们,那就是,没有人,只有你才能书写你自己的命运。未来在你自己手中,生活由自己缔造。只要志向远大,并努力为之奋斗,没有什么是不能得到的。只要你专注于学业,没有什么事不能实现的。我确信。
得好成绩,是不是应该把目光降低些,把理想放低些。believe that.destiny n.命运 accomplish v.完成
And that last part is absolutely essential, that part about really working hard in school, because an education has never been more important than it is today.I’m sure there are going to be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late doing your homework orcramming for a test, or you’re dragging yourself out of bed on a rainy morning and you’re thinking, oh, boy, I wish maybe it was a snow day.(Laughter.)absolutely ad.绝对地
cram v.临时抱佛脚;吃得过饱
But let me tell you, what you’re doing
但是让我告诉你,你
所做的一切都是值得is worth it.There is nothing more 的。你们现在要做的事important than what you’re doing right now.Nothing is going to have as great an impact on your success in life as your education, how you’re doing in school.情无比重要。没有什么比你的受教育程度以及你在学校的所做之事更能决定你的成功。
最后这一点,在学校努力奋斗是必要的。因为教育从未像现在这样重要。我确信,几个月后会有一段时间,你们会完善熬夜写作业,为考试临时抱佛脚,或者在一个雨天的早晨把自己从被窝里拖出来,想,哦天,怎么不是下雪天?!(笑)
More and more, the kinds of
能否能抓住机遇,越来越opportunities that are open to you are 取决于你们在学校的努力。going to be determined by how far you go in school.The farther you go in school, the farther you’re going to go in life.And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before, when students around the world in Beijing, China, or Bangalore, India, are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever, your success in school is not just going to determine your success, it’s going to determine America’s success in the 21st century.你们在学校的表现越好,生活中就能走得越远。当今,其他国家正与我们竞争,而且比以往任何时候都激烈。在中国北京或者印度邦加罗尔的学生比以前更加努力,而且比以前表现更好。你们在学校的成功并不只决定了自己一人的成功,还决定了美国在21世界是否能够成功。
So you’ve got an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you, to make sure you’re getting the best education possible.And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hard and all of us working hand in hand.obligation n.责任,义务
所以,你们要承担起这样的责任和义务。同时国家也向你们承担责任和义务,那就是为你们提供最好的教育,为此我们要努力,共同奋斗。
It takes all of us in government--所有政府工作人员,从from the governor to the mayor to the 州长到市长,到院长,到总
统,所有人都要履行职责为superintendent to the President--all
我们的学生做好准备,帮助of us doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom and in college and in a
他们在教室、在大学、在事业上取得成功。这就需要我career.It’s going to take an outstanding principal, like Principal Neff, and outstanding teachers like the ones you have here at Masterman--teachers who are going above and 们有一个杰出的校长,像校长Neff,和优秀的老师,正如你们的马斯特曼的老师们。老师们要履行好对学生所应担负起的责任。我也希beyond the call of duty for their 望家长负起责任。
students.And it’s going to take parents who are committed to your education.佳句欣赏
Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.没有人,只有你才能书写你自己的命运。未来在你自己手中,生活由自己缔造。
第二篇:美国总统奥巴马就职演讲稿
美国总统奥巴马就职演讲稿
Hello,芝加哥。
美国是一个一切皆有可能的地方,如果还有人对这一点心存怀疑,如果还有人怀疑美国奠基者的梦想在我们时代是否还有活力,还有人怀疑我们民主制度的力量,那么,你们今晚正是对那些疑问作出了回答。
在学校和教堂周围所出现的前所未有的长队是答案,这个国家从未见过这么多的人前来投票,人们排三个、四个小时的队来进行有生以来的第一次投票,因为他们相信这一次将会不同,他们发出的声音可能就是那个差别。
这是一个年轻人和年老人、富人和穷人、民主党人和共和党人、黑人、白人、西班牙裔人、亚裔、印第安人、同性恋和异性恋、残障人士和健全人士所作出的回答。美国人向世界发出一个信息:我们从不只是一些个人的累加或者“红色州”和“蓝色州”的累加。
我们是,我们永远是美利坚合众国。
这是一个引导人们的答案,太多的人在很长的时间内给他们说这个答案,以至于他们对此持愤世疾俗的态度,对我们是否可以再一次把握历史的希望感到担心和怀疑。已经过去了很长时间,但是今晚,由于我们今天在这场选举所采取的行动,在这个决定性的时候,变革来到了美国。
今晚早些时候,我接到来自参议员麦凯恩的一个特别有风度的电话。麦凯恩在这场选战中进行了长期和艰苦的努力,他为这个他所爱的国家战斗了更长的时间,作出了更艰苦的努力。他为美国承受了我们中的大多数人无法想像的牺牲。由于这位勇敢和无私领导人的服务,我们的生活变得更好。
我向他表示祝贺,我向佩林州长表示祝贺,向他们所取得的成果表示祝贺,我盼望与他们共事以继续这个国家在未来岁月的承诺。
我想感谢我在竞选旅程的伙伴,一位用心竞选的男士,一位为和他一起在斯克兰顿街头一同长大的男人和女子代言、经常坐火车回特拉华州的男士,美国当选副总统拜登。
如果没有我过去16年最好的朋友、我们家庭的中坚、我生命中的挚爱,我今天晚上不可能站在这里,美国下一位第一夫人米歇尔-奥巴马。
萨沙和马莉娅,我爱你们,我对你们的爱超出了你们的想象。你们已赢得了新的宠物狗,它将和我们一起前往新的白宫。
尽管她没能和我们在一起,但我知道,我的祖母和养大我的家人在看着我,我今晚很想念他们,我知道我欠他们的东西是无法计量的。我的妹妹马娅、我的姐姐奥玛,我其他的兄弟和姐妹,非常感谢你们对我的支持,我感谢他们。我的竞选经理大卫-普劳夫,这位竞选活动的无名英雄,他进行了最好的政治竞选活动,我认为这是美国历史上最棒的。我的首席策略师大卫-艾克斯罗德,他一直是追随我的伙伴。你们组建了政治史上最好的竞选团队,是你们成就了今天,我永远感谢你们为此所作出的牺牲。
但最重要的是,我永远不会忘记这场胜利真正属于谁,它属于你们,它属于你们。
我从来不是最有可能获得这一职务的候选人。我们刚开始并没有太多资金,也没有得到许多人的支持。我们的竞选活动并非始自华盛顿的大厅里,而是始于得梅因、康科德、查尔斯顿这些地方的普通民众家中。那些辛勤工作的人们从自己微薄的储蓄中捐出5美元、10美元、20美元。竞选活动因为年轻人的支持而越来越有声势,他们拒绝了他们那一代对政治不感兴趣的神话,他们离开家,从事那些薪水少而且辛苦的工作。竞选活动的声势也来自那些已不再年轻的人们,他们冒着严寒酷暑,敲开陌生人的家门进行竞选宣传;竞选声势也源自数百万的美国民众,他们充当志愿者和组织者,他们证明了在两百多年以后,民有、民治、民享的政府并未从地球上消失。这是你们的胜利。
我知道你们的所做的一切并不只是为了赢得选举,我也知道你们做这一切并不是为了我。你们这样做是因为你们明白前面的任务有多么艰巨。即便我们今晚欢呼庆祝,我们也知道明天将面临我们一生之中最艰难的挑战——两场战争、一个面临危险的星球,一个世纪以来最严重的金融危机。
就在我们今晚站在这里的时刻,我们知道勇敢的美国士兵在伊拉克的沙漠里和阿富汗的群山中醒来,他们冒着生命危险来保护着我们的生命。仍有在孩子熟睡后仍难以入眠的父母,他们担心如何偿还按揭月供、付医药费或是存够钱让孩子上大学。我们需要开发新的能源、创造新的工作岗位,我们需要修建新学校,应对众多威胁、修复与许多国家的盟友关系。
前方的道路将很漫长,我们攀登的脚步会很艰辛。我们可能无法在一年甚至一个任期内实现这些目标,但我从未像今晚这样满怀希望,我们将实现我们的目标。我向你们承诺——我们作为一个整体将会达成目标。
我们会遭遇挫折和不成功的起步。我作为总统所做的每项决定或政策,会有许多人持有异议,我们也知道,政府不能解决所有问题。但我将总是会向你们坦陈我们所面临的挑战。我会听取你们的意见,尤其是存在不同意见的时候。最重要的是,我会请求你们参与重建这个国家,以美国221年来从未改变的唯一方式-一砖一瓦、同心协力。
21个月前在寒冬所开始的一切不应当在今天这个秋夜结束。今天的选举胜利并不是我们所寻求的改变--这只是我们进行改变的机会。如果我们仍然按照过去的方式行事,我们所寻求的改变将不会发生。没有你们,没有服务和牺牲的新精神,就不可能发生改变。
因此,让我们发扬新的爱国和负责精神,所有的人都下定决心参与其中,更加努力地工作,不仅是为自己而是为彼此。让我们记住这一点,如果说这场金融危机教会了我们什么东西的话,那就是我们不可能在金融以外的领域处于困境的同时拥有繁荣兴旺的华尔街。
在这个国家,我们患难与共。让我们抵制重走老路的诱惑,避免重新回到令美国政治长期深受毒害的党派纷争、小题大作、不成熟的表现。让我们记住,是伊利诺伊州的一名男子首次将共和党的旗帜扛到了白宫。共和党是建立在自立、个人自由以及国家团结的价值观之上的。这也是我们所有人共同的价值观。虽然民主党今天晚上赢得了巨大的胜利,但我们是以谦卑的态度和弥合阻碍我们进步的分歧的决心赢得这场胜利的。林肯在向远比我们眼下分歧更大的国家发表讲话时说,我们不是敌人,而是朋友……虽然激情可能会褪去,但这不会割断我们感情上的联系。对于那些现在没有投票给我的美国人,我想说,我可能没有赢得你们的选票,但是我听到了你们的声音,我需要你们的帮助,而且我也将是你们的总统。
对于那些彻夜关注美国大选的海外人士,从国会到皇宫,以及在被遗忘的角落里挤在收音机旁的人们,我们的经历虽然各有不同,但是我们的命运是一样的,新的美国领导层已产生了。
那些想要颠覆这个世界的人们,我们将击败你们。那些追求和平和安全的人们,我们支持你们。那些所有怀疑美国的灯塔能否能像以前一样明亮的人们,今天晚上我们再次证明,我们国家真正的力量并非来自我们武器的威力或财富的规模,而是来自我们理想的持久力量:民主、自由、机会、不屈服的希望。
这才是美国真正的精华——美国能够改变。我们的联邦会日渐完美。我们现在已取得的成就为我们将来能够取得和必须取得的成就增添了希望。
这次大选创造了多项第一,也诞生了很多将世代流传的故事。但是今天晚上令我难忘的却是在亚特兰大投票的一名妇女:安-尼克松-库波尔。她和其他数百万排队等待投票的选民没有什么差别,除了一点:她已是106岁的高龄。
她出生的那个时代奴隶制度刚刚结束;那时路上没有汽车,天上也没有飞机。当时像她这样的人由于两个原因不能投票,首先她是女性,其次她是黑人。
今天晚上,我想到了她在美国过去一百年间所经历的种种:心痛和希望;斗争和进步;在那里时代,我们被告知我们办不到,一些人继续坚信着美国的信念──是的,我们能做到。
妇女当时没有投票权,她们的希望被挫败,但是安-尼克松-库波尔活着看到妇女们站了起来,看到她们站出来发表自己的见解,看到她们参加大选投票。是的,我们能做到。
当30年代的沙尘暴和大萧条使人们感到绝望时,她看到一个国家用新政、新的就业机会以及对新目标的共同追求战胜恐慌。是的,我们能做到。
当炸弹袭击了我们的港口、暴政威胁到全世界,她见证了一代美国人的伟大崛起,见证了一个民主国家获得拯救。是的,我们能做到。
她看到蒙哥马利通了公共汽车、伯明翰接上了水管、塞尔马建了桥,一位来自亚特兰大的传教士告诉人们:“我们将克服阻力。”是的,我们能做到。
人类登上月球、柏林墙倒下,世界被我们的科学和想像被连接在一起。今年,在这场选举中,她用手指触摸屏幕投下自己的选票,因为在美国生活了106年之后,经历了最好的时光和最黑暗的时刻之后,她知道美国如何能够发生变革。是的,我们能做到。
美国,我们已经走过了一条漫漫长路。我们已经历了很多。但是我们仍有很多事情要做。因此今夜,请让我们自问--如果我们的孩子能够活到下个世纪;如果我的女儿有幸活得和安一样长,她们将会看到怎样的改变?我们将会取得什么样的进步?
现在是我们回答这个问题的机会。这是我们的时刻。
这是我们的时代--让我们的人民重新就业,为我们的后代敞开机会之门,恢复繁荣,推进和平,重新确立“美国梦”,再次证明这样一个基本的真理:我们是一家人;只要一息尚存,我们就有希望;当我们遇到嘲讽和怀疑,当有人说我们办不到的时候,我们要以这个永恒的信条来回应他们:
是的,我们能做到。感谢你们。上帝保佑你们。愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。
第三篇:美国总统奥巴马芝加哥演讲稿
奥巴马芝加哥演讲词(2008-11-16 12:07:48)
标签:奥巴马 美国大选 演讲 杂谈
分类:优秀文章转载
Hello, Chicago!芝加哥,你好!
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.如果有人怀疑美国是个一切皆有可能的地方,怀疑美国奠基者的梦想在我们这个时代依然燃烧,怀疑我们民主的力量,那么今晚这些疑问都有了答案。
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 hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different;that their voice could be that difference.学校和教堂门外的长龙便是答案。排队的人数之多,在美国历史上前所未有。为了投票,他们排队长达三、四个小时。许多人一生中第一次投票,因为他们认为这一次大选结果必须不同以往,而他们手中的一票可能决定胜负。
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of red states and blue states;we are, and always will be, the United States of America.无论年龄,无论贫富,无论民主党人或共和党人,无论黑人、白人,无论拉美裔、亚裔、印地安人, 无论同性恋、异性恋,无论残障人、健全人,所有的人,他们向全世界喊出了同一个声音:我们并不隶属 “红州”与 “蓝州”的对立阵营,我们属于美利坚合众国,现在如此,永远如此!
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.长久以来,很多人说:我们对自己的能量应该冷漠,应该恐惧,应该怀疑。但是,历史之轮如今已在我们手中,我们又一次将历史之轮转往更美好的未来。
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.漫漫征程,今宵终于来临。特殊的一天,特殊的一次大选,特殊的决定性时刻,美国迎来了变革。
I just received a very gracious call from Sen.McCain.He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him and Gov.Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.刚才,麦凯恩参议员很有风度地给我打了个电话。在这次竞选中,他的努力持久而艰巨。为了这个他挚爱的国家,他的努力更持久、更艰巨。他为美国的奉献超出绝大多数人的想象。他是一位勇敢无私的领袖,有了他的奉献,我们的生活才更美好。我对他和佩林州长的成绩表示祝贺。同时,我也期待着与他们共同努力,再续美国辉煌。
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the vice-president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.我要感谢我的竞选搭档——当选副总统乔•拜登。为了与他一起在斯克兰顿市街头长大、一起坐火车返回特拉华州的人们,拜登全心全意地竟选,他代表了这些普通人的声音。
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next first lady, Michelle Obama.Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House.And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am.I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.我要感谢下一位第一夫人米歇尔•奥巴马。她是我家的中流砥柱,是我生命中的最爱。没有她在过去16年来的坚定支持,今晚我就不可能站在这里。我要感谢两个女儿萨沙和玛丽娅,我太爱你们两个了,你们将得到一条新的小狗,它将与我们一起入住白宫。我还要感谢已去世的外婆,我知道此刻她正在天上注视着我。她与我的家人一起造就了今天的我。今夜我思念他们,他们对我的恩情比山高、比海深。
To my campaign manager, David Plouffe;my chief strategist, David Axelrod;and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics — you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.我要感谢我的竞选经理大卫•普鲁夫,感谢首席策划师大卫•阿克塞罗德以及整个竞选团队,他们是政治史上最优秀的竞选团队。你们成就了今夜,我永远感谢你们为今夜所付出的一切。
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to — it belongs to you.但最重要的是,我将永远不会忘记这场胜利真正属于谁---是你们!
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington — it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.我从来不是最有希望的候选人。起初,我们的资金不多,赞助人也不多。我们的竞选并非始于华盛顿的华丽大厅,而是起于德莫奈地区某家的后院、康科德地区的某家客厅、查尔斯顿地区的某家前廊。
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to this cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy;who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep;from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers;from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this earth.This is your victory.劳动大众从自己的微薄积蓄中掏出5美元、10美元、20美元,拿来捐助我们的事业。年轻人证明了他们绝非所谓“冷漠的一代”。他们远离家乡和亲人,拿着微薄的报酬,起早摸黑地助选。上了年纪的人也顶着严寒酷暑,敲开陌生人的家门助选。无数美国人自愿组织起来,充当自愿者。正是这些人壮大了我们的声势。他们的行动证明了在两百多年以后,民有、民治、民享的政府并未从地球上消失。这是你们的胜利。
I know you didn't do this just to win an election, and I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college.There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created;new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.你们这样做,并不只是为了赢得一场大选,更不是为了我个人。你们这样做,是因为你们清楚未来的任务有多么艰巨。今晚我们在欢庆,明天我们就将面对一生之中最为严峻的挑战--两场战争、一个充满危险的星球,还有百年一遇的金融危机。今晚我们在这里庆祝,但我们知道在伊拉克的沙漠里,在阿富汗的群山中,许许多多勇敢的美国人醒来后就将为了我们而面临生命危险。许许多多的父母会在孩子熟睡后仍难以入眠,他们正在为月供、医药费,孩子今后的大学费用而发愁。我们需要开发新能源,创造就业机会,建造新学校,迎接挑战和威胁,并修复与盟国的关系。
The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year, or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you: We as a people will get there.前方道路还很漫长,任务艰巨。一年之内,甚至一届总统任期之内,我们可能都无法完成这些任务。但我从未像今晚这样对美国满怀希望,我相信我们会实现这个目标。我向你们承诺--我们美利坚民族将实现这一目标!
There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, callused hand by callused hand.我们会遇到挫折,会出师不利,会有许多人不认同我的某一项决定或政策。政府并不能解决所有问题,但我会向你们坦陈我们所面临的挑战。我会聆听你们的意见,尤其是在我们意见相左之时。最重要的是,我会让你们一起重建这个国家。用自己的双手,从一砖一瓦做起。这是美国立国221年以来的前进方式,也是惟一的方式。
What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It cannot happen without you.21个月前那个隆冬所开始的一切,绝不应在这一个秋夜结束。我们所寻求的变革并不只是赢得大选,这只是给变革提供了一个机会。假如我们照老路子办事,就没有变革;没有你们,就没有变革。
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism;of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation — as one people.让我们重新发扬爱国精神,树立崭新的服务意识、责任感,每个人下定决心,一起努力工作,彼此关爱;让我们牢记这场金融危机带来的教训:不能允许商业街挣扎的同时却让华尔街繁荣。在这个国家,我们作为同一个民族,同生死共存亡。
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House — a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty and national unity.Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.党派之争、琐碎幼稚,长期以来这些东西荼毒了我们的政坛。让我们牢记,当来自伊利诺伊州的一位先生首次将共和党大旗扛进白宫时,伴随着他的是自强自立、个人自由、国家统一的共和党建党理念。这也是我们所有人都珍视的理念。虽然民主党今晚大胜,但我们态度谦卑,并决心弥合阻碍我们进步的分歧。
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends...Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” And, to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too.当年,林肯面对的是一个远比目前更为分裂的国家。他说:“我们不是敌人,而是朋友„„虽然激情可能不再,但是我们的感情纽带不会割断。”对于那些现在并不支持我的美国人,我想说,虽然我没有赢得你们的选票,但我听到了你们的声音,我需要你们的帮助,我也将是你们的总统。
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world — our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.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 true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.对于关注今夜结果的国际人士,不管他们是在国会、皇宫关注,还是在荒僻地带收听电台,我们的态度是:我们美国人的经历各有不同,但我们的命运相关,新的美国领袖诞生了。对于想毁灭这个世界的人们,我们必将击败你们。对于追求和平和安全的人们,我们将支持你们。对于怀疑美国这盏灯塔是否依然明亮的人们,今天晚上我们已再次证明:美国的真正力量来源并非军事威力或财富规模,而是我们理想的恒久力量:民主、自由、机会和不屈的希望。
For that is the true genius of America — that America can change.Our union can be perfected.And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.美国能够变革,这才是美国真正的精髓。我们的联邦会不断完善。我们已经取得的成就,将为我们将来能够并且必须取得的成就增添希望。
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election, except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.这次大选创造了多项“第一”,诞生了很多将流芳后世的故事,但今晚令我最为难忘的却是一位在亚特兰大投票的妇女:安妮•库波尔。她和无数排队等候投票的选民没有什么差别,唯一的不同是她高龄106岁。
She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.在她出生的那个时代,黑奴制刚刚废除。那时路上没有汽车,天上没有飞机。当时像她这样的人由于两个原因不能投票--一第一因为她是女性,第二个原因是她的肤色。
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.今天晚上,我想到了安妮在美国过去一百年间的种种经历:心痛和希望,挣扎和进步,那些我们被告知我们办不到的年代,以及我们现在这个年代。现在,我们坚信美国式信念——是的,我们能!
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes, we can.在那个年代,妇女的声音被压制,她们的希望被剥夺。但安妮活到了今天,看到妇女们站起来了,可以大声发表意见了,有选举权了。是的,我们能。
When there was despair in the Dust Bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.Yes, we can.安妮经历了上世纪三十年代的大萧条。农田荒芜,绝望笼罩美国大地。她看到了美国以新政、新的就业机会以及崭新的共同追求战胜了恐慌。是的,我们能。
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes, we can.二战时期,炸弹袭击我们的海港,全世界受到独裁专制威胁,安妮见证了一代美国人的英雄本色,他们捍卫了民主。是的,我们能。
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes, we can.安妮经历了蒙哥马利公交车事件、伯明翰黑人暴动事件、塞尔马血醒周末事件。来自亚特兰大的一位牧师告诉人们:我们终将胜利。是的,我们能。
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes, we can.人类登上了月球、柏林墙倒下了,科学和想像把世界连了一块。今年,在这次选举中,安妮的手指轻触电子屏幕,投下自己的一票。她在美国生活了106年,其间有最美好的时光,也有最黑暗的时刻,她知道美国能够变革。是的,我们能。
America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves: If our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? 美利坚,我们已经一路走来,我们已经看到了那么多变化,但我们仍有很多事情要做。今夜,让我们问自己这样一个问题:假如我们的孩子能够活到下一个世纪,假如我的女儿们有幸与安妮一样长寿,她们将会看到怎样的改变?我们又取得了怎样的进步?
This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.This is our time — to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.现在,我们获得了回答这个问题的机会。这是我们的时刻,我们的时代。让我们的人民重新就业,为我们的孩子打开机会的大门;恢复繁荣,促进和平;让美国梦重放光芒,再证这一本本性真理,那就是:团结一致,众志成城;一息尚存,希望就在;倘若有人嘲讽和怀疑,说我们不能,我们就以这一永恒信条回应,因为它凝聚了整个民族的精神——是的,我们能!
Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.谢谢大家!愿上帝保佑你们,保佑美利坚合众国。
第四篇:美国总统奥巴马开学励志演讲
美国总统奥巴马2010年开学励志演讲
美国总统奥巴马开学演讲英语演讲稿。这是奥巴马第二次发表开学演讲。奥巴马2009年的演讲招来了许多批评和抵制。一些反对者指责称,奥巴马试图通过演讲向学生灌输政治理念。部分媒体还批评奥巴马试图建立个人崇拜。在美国各地,也有许多家长向当地教育官员表示抗议,一些家长甚至威胁在奥巴马演讲时把孩子离教室。有了去年的“教训”,今年的总统开学演讲,白宫意强调这是一次“非政治活动”,而奥巴马本人也在演讲中回避政治话题。
转自[英美者]-英语专业网站:http:///Listening_Speaking/Oral_English/214752572.html
Thank you!Hello!(Applause.)Thank you.Thank you.Well, hello, Philadelphia!(Applause.)And hello, Masterman.It is wonderful to see all of you.What a terrific introduction by Kelly.Give Kelly a big round of applause.(Applause.)I was saying backstage that when I was in high school, I could not have done that.(Laughter.)I would have muffed it up somehow.So we are so proud of you and everything that you’ve done.And to all the students here, I’m thrilled to be here.谢谢!你们好!(掌声。)谢谢。谢谢。你好,费城!(掌声。)你好,马斯特曼。见到你们真是太好了。Kelly的介绍真是太棒了。让我们对Kelly报以热烈的掌声。在后台的时候我说,我上高中的时候我就做不这么好,我可能会弄的一团糟。所以让我们为你和你做的一切自豪吧。站在这里我很激动。
kelly 在奥巴马总统演讲前,一名叫Kelly的学生做了演讲。backstage n.后台
muff v.笨拙地处理,将事情弄糟 thrilled a.激动的 We’ve got a couple introductions I want to make.First of all, you’ve got the outstanding governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, in the house.(Applause.)The mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, is here.(Applause.)Congressman Chaka Fattah is here.(Applause.)Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is here.(Applause.)Your own principal, Marge Neff, is here.(Applause.)The school superintendent, Arlene Ackerman, is here and doing a great job.(Applause.)And the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is here.(Applause.)
我想介绍几个人。首先,来到这儿的有,杰出的宾夕法尼亚州州长,Ed Rendell。(掌声。)费城市长,Michael Nutter。国会议员Fattah和Allyson Schwartz(掌声)。你们的校长Marge Neff(掌声)。学校管理人Arlene Ackerman是这个学校的,并且为学校做了很大的贡献。(掌声)。还有教育部秘书长Arne Duncan。(掌声)
outstanding a.杰出的 Congressman n.国会议员 principal n.校长 superintendent n.院长
And I am here.(Applause.)And I am thrilled to be here.I am just so excited.I’ve heard such great things about what all of you are doing, both the students and the teachers and the staff here.还有我。(掌声),我感到非常的激动。我耳闻了你们做的那些伟大的事,这里面有在校的学生,老师和工作人员。
Today is about welcoming all of you, and all of America’s students, back to school, even though I know you’ve been in school for a little bit now.And I can’t think of a better place to do it than at Masterman.(Applause.)Because you are one of the best schools in Philadelphia.You are a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom.Just last week, you were recognized by a National Blue Ribbon--as a National Blue Ribbon School because of your record of achievement.And that is a testament to everybody here –-to the students, to the parents, to the teachers, to the school leaders.It’s an example of excellence that I hope communities across America can embrace.今天欢迎你们,欢迎每一个美国学生回校上课,当然你们在学校已经呆了一段时间了。我想不出除了在Masterman外,还有哪个地方更适合做这件事。(掌声)因为你们是费城最好的学校之一。你们在教育方面是领头军。就在上周,由于你们的卓越贡献,被授为国家蓝丝带勋章。这是对每个人的见证,对学生,家长,老师还有学校领导人。我希望全美的社会团体都能欣然接受这个杰出代表的例子。
embrace vt.拥抱;接受
Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school.And they’re excited about it.I’ll bet they had the same feelings that you do--you’re a little sad to see the summer go, but you’re also excited about the possibilities of a new year.The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones, of joining a school club, or trying out for a team.The possibilities of growing into a better student and a better person and making not just your family proud but making yourself proud.几周前,我和Michelle为Sasha和Malia上学的事做准备。她们两个对这非常的期待。我敢打赌她们和你们一样,有着相同的感觉。你们为夏天的逝去而神伤,但是你们更应该期待新的一年。如你们可以结交新的朋友,加深同老朋友的感情,加入学校俱乐部,参加各种团队的选拔赛。成长为一个更优秀的学生和个人,不仅仅让你的家人自豪,同样让你们自己也很有成就感。
build friendships 结交新朋友
But I know some of you may also be a little nervous about starting a new school year.Maybe you’re making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school, and you’re worried about what that’s going to be like.Maybe you’re starting a new school.You’re not sure how you’ll like it, trying to figure out how you’re going to fit in.Or maybe you’re a senior, and you’re anxious about the whole college process;about where to apply and whether you can afford to go to college.我知道,你们中有些人在新学年会有些紧张。或许你刚从小学升到初中,从初中升到高中,会担心,新的学年将会是什么样的呢。也许你进入一所新的学校,不知道是否会喜欢这个学校,想着怎么来融入这个学校。或许你到了高三年级,对整个的大学入学程序感到不安,比如申请那里的学校,能不能支付上大学的费用等等。
elementary school n.小学 figure out 想明白,弄清楚 fit in 融入,适应 afford to do 承担得起
And beyond all those concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of some difficult times.You know what’s going on in the news and you also know what’s going on in some of your own families.You’ve read about the war in Afghanistan.You hear about the recession that we’ve been through.And sometimes maybe you’re seeing the worries in your parents’ faces or sense it in their voice.除此之外,我知道你们还有来自困难时期的压力。你们知道新闻内容,知道你们一些家庭中发发生的事情。你们读过有关阿富汗战争的信息,听说过我们经历过的经济不景气。有时你们还看到了双亲脸上挂着的忧虑,或从他们的声音中感受到了这些。
strain n.压力
So a lot of you as a consequence, because we’re going through a tough time a country, are having to act a lot older than you are.You got to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas, or you’ve got to look after younger siblings while your mom is working that second shift.Or maybe some of you who are little bit older, you’re taking on a part-time job while your dad’s out of work.所以,因为我们国家面临困难时期,你们许多人的行为看上去比实际年龄要大。姐姐哥哥在海外工作,你们会表现得坚强,或许妈妈去值第二班,你们就要照顾年幼的弟弟妹妹。或许你们有些人年长一点的,父亲失了业,你们还要做兼职。
as a consequence 结果,所以
tough time 困难时期【tough a.艰难的】 sibling n.兄弟姐妹,同胞 shift n.轮班
And that’s a lot to handle.It’s more than you should have to handle.And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like, whether you’re going to be able to succeed in school, whether you should maybe set your sights a little lower, scale back your dreams.有太多事情要做了,很多是你们不应该做的。这让你们迷茫,不知道自己的未来会是什么样,在学校能不能取得好成绩,是不是应该把目光降低些,把理想放低些。
handle v.处理,应对 scale back 缩减
But I came to Masterman to tell all of you what I think you’re hearing from your principal and your superintendent, and from your parents and your teachers: Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.And nothing--absolutely nothing--is beyond your reach, so long as you’re willing to dream big, so long as you’re willing to work hard.So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single thing that any of you cannot accomplish, not a single thing.I believe that.但是,我来到马斯特曼,告诉你们一句话。我想这句话你们的校长、院长、父母以及老师都曾告诉过你们,那就是,没有人,只有你才能书写你自己的命运。未来在你自己手中,生活由自己缔造。只要志向远大,并努力为之奋斗,没有什么是不能得到的。只要你专注于学业,没有什么事不能实现的。我确信。
destiny n.命运 accomplish v.完成
And that last part is absolutely essential, that part about really working hard in school, because an education has never been more important than it is today.I’m sure there are going to be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late doing your homework or cramming for a test, or you’re dragging yourself out of bed on a rainy morning and you’re thinking, oh, boy, I wish maybe it was a snow day.(Laughter.)
最后这一点,在学校努力奋斗是必要的。因为教育从未像现在这样重要。我确信,几个月后会有一段时间,你们会完善熬夜写作业,为考试临时抱佛脚,或者在一个雨天的早晨把自己从被窝里拖出来,想,哦天,怎么不是下雪天?!(笑)
absolutely ad.绝对地
cram v.临时抱佛脚;吃得过饱
But let me tell you, what you’re doing is worth it.There is nothing more important than what you’re doing right now.Nothing is going to have as great an impact on your success in life as your education, how you’re doing in school.但是让我告诉你,你所做的一切都是值得的。你们现在要做的事情无比重要。没有什么比你的受教育程度以及你在学校的所做之事更能决定你的成功。
More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you are going to be determined by how far you go in school.The farther you go in school, the farther you’re going to go in life.And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before, when students around the world in Beijing, China, or Bangalore, India, are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever, your success in school is not just going to determine your success, it’s going to determine America’s success in the 21st century.能否能抓住机遇,越来越取决于你们在学校的努力。你们在学校的表现越好,生活中就能走得越远。当今,其他国家正与我们竞争,而且比以往任何时候都激烈。在中国北京或者印度邦加罗尔的学生比以前更加努力,而且比以前表现更好。你们在学校的成功并不只决定了自己一人的成功,还决定了美国在21世界是否能够成功。
So you’ve got an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you, to make sure you’re getting the best education possible.And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hard and all of us working hand in hand.所以,你们要承担起这样的责任和义务。同时国家也向你们承担责任和义务,那就是为你们提供最好的教育,为此我们要努力,共同奋斗。
obligation n.责任,义务
It takes all of us in government--from the governor to the mayor to the superintendent to the President--all of us doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom and in college and in a career.It’s going to take an outstanding principal, like Principal Neff, and outstanding teachers like the ones you have here at Masterman--teachers who are going above and beyond the call of duty for their students.And it’s going to take parents who are committed to your education.所有政府工作人员,从州长到市长,到院长,到总统,所有人都要履行职责为我们的学生做好准备,帮助他们在教室、在大学、在事业上取得成功。这就需要我们有一个杰出的校长,像校长Neff,和优秀的老师,正如你们的马斯特曼的老师们。老师们要履行好对学生所应担负起的责任。我也希望家长负起责任。
佳句欣赏
Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.没有人,只有你才能书写你自己的命运。未来在你自己手中,生活由自己缔造。背景知识
这是奥巴马第二次发表开学演讲。奥巴马2009年的演讲招来了许多批评和抵制。一些反对者指责称,奥巴马试图通过演讲向学生灌输政治理念。部分媒体还批评奥巴马试图建立个人崇拜。在美国各地,也有许多家长向当地教育官员表示抗议,一些家长甚至威胁在奥巴马演讲时把孩子离教室。有了去年的“教训”,今年的总统开学演讲,白宫意强调这是一次“非政治活动”,而奥巴马本人也在演讲中回避政治话题。
弗吉尼亚州,阿林顿市,2009年9月8日 嗨,大家好!你们今天过得怎么样?我现在和弗吉尼亚州阿林顿郡韦克菲尔德高中的学生们在一起,全国各地也有从幼儿园到高三的众多学生们通过电视关注这里,我很高兴你们能共同分享这一时刻。
我知道,对你们中的许多人来说,今天是开学的第一天,你们中的有一些刚刚进入幼儿园或升上初高中,对你们来说,这是在新学校的第一天,因此,假如你们感到有些紧张,那也是很正常的。我想也会有许多毕业班的学生们正自信满满地准备最后一年的冲刺。不过,我想无论你有多大、在读哪个年级,许多人都打心底里希望现在还在放暑假,以及今天不用那么早起床。
我可以理解这份心情。小时候,我们家在印度尼西亚住过几年,而我妈妈没钱送我去其他美国孩子们上学的地方去读书,因此她决定自己给我上课——时间是每周一到周五的凌晨4点半。显然,我不怎么喜欢那么早就爬起来,很多时候,我就这么在厨房的桌子前睡着了。每当我埋怨的时候,我妈总会用同一副表情看着我说:“小鬼,你以为教你我就很轻松?” 所以,我可以理解你们中的许多人对于开学还需要时间来调整和适应,但今天我站在这里,是为了和你们谈一些重要的事情。我要和你们谈一谈你们每个人的教育,以及在新的学年里,你们应当做些什么。
我做过许多关于教育的讲话,也常常用到“责任”这个词。我谈到过教师们有责任激励和启迪你们,督促你们学习。我谈到过家长们有责任看管你们认真学习、完成作业,不要成天只会看电视或打游戏机。
我也很多次谈到过政府有责任设定高标准严要求、协助老师和校长们的工作,改变在有些学校里学生得不到应有的学习机会的现状。
但哪怕这一切都达到最好,哪怕我们有最尽职的教师、最好的家长、和最优秀的学校,假如你们不去履行自己的责任的话,那么这一切努力都会白费。——除非你每天准时去上学、除非你认真地听老师讲课、除非你把父母、长辈和其他大人们说的话放在心上、除非你肯付出成功所必需的努力,否则这一切都会失去意义。而这就是我今天讲话的主题:对于自己的教育,你们中每一个人的责任。首先,我想谈谈你们对于自己有什么责任。
你们中的每一个人都会有自己擅长的东西,每一个人都是有用之材,而发现自己的才能是什么,就是你们要对自己担起的责任。教育给你们提供了发现自己才能的机会。
或许你能写出优美的文字——甚至有一天能让那些文字出现在书籍和报刊上——但假如不在英语课上经常练习写作,你不会发现自己有这样的天赋;或许你能成为一个发明家、创造家——甚至设计出像今天的iPhone一样流行的产品,或研制出新的药物与疫苗——但假如不在自然科学课程上做上几次实验,你不会知道自己有这样的天赋;或许你能成为一名议员或最高法院法官,但假如你不去加入什么学生会或参加几次辩论赛,你也不会发现自己的才能。
而且,我可以向你保证,不管你将来想要做什么,你都需要相应的教育。——你想当名医生、当名教师或当名警官?你想成为护士、成为建筑设计师、律师或军人?无论你选择哪一种职业,良好的教育都必不可少,这世上不存在不把书念完就能拿到好工作的美梦,任何工作,都需要你的汗水、训练与学习。
不仅仅对于你们个人的未来有重要意义,你们的教育如何也会对这个国家、乃至世界的未来产生重要影响。今天你们在学校中学习的内容,将会决定我们整个国家在未来迎接重大挑战时的表现。
你们需要在数理科学课程上学习的知识和技能,去治疗癌症、艾滋那样的疾病,和解决我们面临的能源问题与环境问题;你们需要在历史社科课程上培养出的观察力与判断力,来减轻和消除无家可归与贫困、犯罪问题和各种歧视,让这个国家变得更加公平和自由;你们需要在各类课程中逐渐累积和发展出来的创新意识和思维,去创业和建立新的公司与企业,来制造就业机会和推动经济的增长。我们需要你们中的每一个人都培养和发展自己的天赋、技能和才智,来解决我们所面对的最困难的问题。假如你不这么做——假如你放弃学习——那么你不仅是放弃了自己,也是放弃了你的国家。当然,我明白,读好书并不总是件容易的事。我知道你们中的许多人在生活中面临着各种各样的问题,很难把精力集中在专心读书之上。我知道你们的感受。我父亲在我两岁时就离开了家庭,是母亲一人将我们拉扯大,有时她付不起帐单,有时我们得不到其他孩子们都有的东西,有时我会想,假如父亲在该多好,有时我会感到孤独无助,与周围的环境格格不入。因此我并不总是能专心学习,我做过许多自己觉得丢脸的事情,也惹出过许多不该惹的麻烦,我的生活岌岌可危,随时可能急转直下。
但我很幸运。我在许多事上都得到了重来的机会,我得到了去大学读法学院、实现自己梦想的机会。我的妻子——现在得叫她第一夫人米歇尔·奥巴马了——也有着相似的人生故事,她的父母都没读过大学,也没有什么财产,但他们和她都辛勤工作,好让她[本_文_来_源_于_我_的_学_习_网
http://www.xiexiebang.comic for me either, buster.“(Laughter.)So I know that some of you are still adjusting to being back at school.But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you.I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year.Now, I've given a lot of speeches about education.And I've talked about responsibility a lot.I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve.But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world--and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.That's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.Every single one of you has something that you're good at.Every single one of you has something to offer.And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is.That's the opportunity an education can provide.Maybe you could be a great writer--maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper--but you might not know it until you write that English paper--that English class paper that's assigned to you.Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor--maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or the new medicine or vaccine--but you might not know it until you do your project for your science class.Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a Supreme Court justice--but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it.You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers.You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job.You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it.And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future.What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country.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.You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment.You'll need the insights and critical-thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free.You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems.If you don't do that--if you quit on school--you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school.I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.I get it.I know what it's like.My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mom who had to work and who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us the things that other kids had.There were times when I missed having a father in my life.There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I didn't fit in.So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been on school, and I did some things I'm not proud of, and I got in more trouble than I should have.And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.But I was--I was lucky.I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportunity to go to college and law school and follow my dreams.My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story.Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money.But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.Some of you might not have those advantages.Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need.Maybe someone in your family has lost their job and there's not enough money to go around.Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life--what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home--none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school.That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school.There is no excuse for not trying.Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up.No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny.You make your own future.That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas.Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school.Neither of her parents had gone to college.But she worked hard, earned good grades, and got a scholarship to Brown University--is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to becoming Dr.Jazmin Perez.I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain cancer since he was three.He's had to endure all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer--hundreds of extra hours--to do his schoolwork.But he never fell behind.He's headed to college this fall.And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois.Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods in the city, she managed to get a job at a local health care center, start a program to keep young people out of gangs, and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.And Jazmin, Andoni, and Shantell aren't any different from any of you.They face challenges in their lives just like you do.In some cases they've got it a lot worse off than many of you.But they refused to give up.They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves.And I expect all of you to do the same.That's why today I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education--and do everything you can to meet them.Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending some time each day reading a book.Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community.Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all young people deserve a safe environment to study and learn.Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn.And along those lines, by the way, I hope all of you are washing your hands a lot, and that you stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.But whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it.I want you to really work at it.I know that sometimes you get that sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work--that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star.Chances are you're not going to be any of those things.The truth is, being successful is hard.You won't love every subject that you study.You won't click with every teacher that you have.Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right at this minute.And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.That's okay.Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures.J.K.Rowling's--who wrote Harry Potter--her first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published.Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.He lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career.But he once said, ”I have failed over and over and over again in my life.And that's why I succeed." These people succeeded because they understood that you can't let your failures define you--you have to let your failures teach you.You have to let them show you what to do differently the next time.So if you get into trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to act right.If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.No one's born being good at all things.You become good at things through hard work.You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport.You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song.You've got to practice.The same principle applies to your schoolwork.You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right.You might have to read something a few times before you understand it.You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in.Don't be afraid to ask questions.Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.I do that every day.Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and that then allows you to learn something new.So find an adult that you trust--a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor--and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don't ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough.It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation.Young people.Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war;who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon.Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google and Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.So today, I want to ask all of you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country? Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions.I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn.But you've got to do your part, too.So I expect all of you to get serious this year.I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do.I expect great things from each of you.So don't let us down.Don't let your family down or your country down.Most of all, don't let yourself down.Make us all proud.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless America.Thank you.(Applause.)END
12:22 P.M.EDT
第五篇:美国总统奥巴马在开学第一天的演讲稿
美国总统奥巴马在开学第一天的演讲稿(中英文对照)
IN A NATIONAL ADDRESS TO AMERICA'S SCHOOLCHILDREN Wakefield High School Arlington, Virginia 12:06 P.M.EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody!Thank you.Thank you.Thank you, everybody.All right, everybody go ahead and have a seat.How is everybody doing today?(Applause.)How about Tim Spicer?(Applause.)I am here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia.And we've got students tuning in from all across America, from kindergarten through 12th grade.And I am just so glad that all could join us today.And I want to thank Wakefield for being such an outstanding host.Give yourselves a big round of applause.(Applause.)I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school.And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous.I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now--(applause)--with just one more year to go.And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer and you could've stayed in bed just a little bit longer this morning.I know that feeling.When I was young, my family lived overseas.I lived in Indonesia for a few years.And my mother, she didn't have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school, but she thought it was important for me to keep up with an American education.So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday.But because she had to go to work, the only time she could do it was at 4:30 in the morning.Now, as you might imagine, I wasn't too happy about getting up that early.And a lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table.But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and she'd say, “This is no picnic for me either, buster.”(Laughter.)So I know that some of you are still adjusting to being back at school.But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you.I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year.Now, I've given a lot of speeches about education.And I've talked about responsibility a lot.I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve.But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world--and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.That's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.Every single one of you has something that you're good at.Every single one of you has something to offer.And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is.That's the opportunity an education can provide.Maybe you could be a great writer--maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper--but you might not know it until you write that English paper--that English class paper that's assigned to you.Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor--maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or the new medicine or vaccine--but you might not know it until you do your project for your science class.Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a Supreme Court justice--but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it.You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers.You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job.You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it.And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future.What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country.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.You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment.You'll need the insights and critical-thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free.You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems.If you don't do that--if you quit on school--you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school.I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.I get it.I know what it's like.My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mom who had to work and who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us the things that other kids had.There were times when I missed having a father in my life.There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I didn't fit in.So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been on school, and I did some things I'm not proud of, and I got in more trouble than I should have.And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.But I was--I was lucky.I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportunity to go to college and law school and follow my dreams.My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story.Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money.But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.Some of you might not have those advantages.Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need.Maybe someone in your family has lost their job and there's not enough money to go around.Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life--what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home--none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school.That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school.There is no excuse for not trying.Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up.No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny.You make your own future.That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas.Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school.Neither of her parents had gone to college.But she worked hard, earned good grades, and got a scholarship to Brown University--is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to becoming Dr.Jazmin Perez.I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain cancer since he was three.He's had to endure all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer--hundreds of extra hours--to do his schoolwork.But he never fell behind.He's headed to college this fall.And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois.Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods in the city, she managed to get a job at a local health care center, start a program to keep young people out of gangs, and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.And Jazmin, Andoni, and Shantell aren't any different from any of you.They face challenges in their lives just like you do.In some cases they've got it a lot worse off than many of you.But they refused to give up.They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves.And I expect all of you to do the same.That's why today I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education--and do everything you can to meet them.Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending some time each day reading a book.Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community.Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all young people deserve a safe environment to study and learn.Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn.And along those lines, by the way, I hope all of you are washing your hands a lot, and that you stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.But whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it.I want you to really work at it.I know that sometimes you get that sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work--that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star.Chances are you're not going to be any of those things.The truth is, being successful is hard.You won't love every subject that you study.You won't click with every teacher that you have.Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right at this minute.And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.That's okay.Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures.J.K.Rowling's--who wrote Harry Potter--her first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published.Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.He lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career.But he once said, “I have failed over and over and over again in my life.And that's why I succeed.” These people succeeded because they understood that you can't let your failures define you--you have to let your failures teach you.You have to let them show you what to do differently the next time.So if you get into trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to act right.If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.No one's born being good at all things.You become good at things through hard work.You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport.You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song.You've got to practice.The same principle applies to your schoolwork.You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right.You might have to read something a few times before you understand it.You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in.Don't be afraid to ask questions.Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.I do that every day.Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and that then allows you to learn something new.So find an adult that you trust--a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor--and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don't ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough.It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation.Young people.Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war;who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon.Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google and Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.So today, I want to ask all of you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country? Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions.I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn.But you've got to do your part, too.So I expect all of you to get serious this year.I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do.I expect great things from each of you.So don't let us down.Don't let your family down or your country down.Most of all, don't let yourself down.Make us all proud.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless America.Thank you.(Applause.)