奥巴马演讲

第一篇：奥巴马演讲

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，我就不可能今晚站在这里。我要感谢萨

沙和玛丽雅，我太爱你们两个了，你们将有一条新的小狗，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看着我。她与其它亲人一

起造就了今天的我。今夜我思念他们，我知道他们对我的恩情比山高，比海深。

老夫评语：

奥巴马是个演讲高手，他在这里做了一个小小的抖包袱。也就是说，他先表示了对当选副总统的感谢之后，先描述一下接下来他要感谢的人的情况，然后再隆重推

出。但“新东方译本”先把包袱给平淡无味地说了出来，这种翻译，损害了原文的神韵。就这种翻译，中国人看完了之后，会认为这个奥巴马有什么演讲口才

吗？

unyielding：不是“坚定的”意思。而是“Not bending;inflexible.”或“Not giving way to

pressure or persuasion”的意思，即“不向压力低头的”，“不屈不挠的”。“坚定”翻译得不透彻。

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.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to--it belongs to you.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

们为今夜所作出的牺牲。但最重要的是，我将永远不会忘记这场胜利真正归功于谁---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.我曾经是最没有可能的候选人。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。

老夫评语：

1、Endorsement：翻译成“赞助人”是错误的。这是一个政治竞选的专门术语，专指“一些重量级人物对竞选人公开宣布支持”的行为。比如，最后

一周前，共和党的鲍威尔宣布支持奥巴马，这一公开支持行为，使奥巴马的竞选行情更加看好。也就是说，Powell's endorsement，成了那

一天所有新闻媒体的头条。

2、把Des Moines很随性地瞎译成“德莫奈地区”是非常不负责的。这是美国中西部一个叫爱荷华州的首府。尽管这个州在大选时，并不是太重要的一

个州，但却是一个成立于19世纪时一个州啊。传统地翻译为“得梅因”。

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.这些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。现在的年轻人曾被认为是冷漠的一代，但正是这些年轻人壮大了我们 的声势。他们离开自己的家庭和亲人，拿着很少的报酬，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。无数的美国人自愿地组织起

来，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。

老夫评语：

1、“5美元、10美元、20美元”这是表达了原文的表面意义。但实际上，这是中国的一些翻译最常见的糟糕的翻译。试想一下，你在说人民币时，会说“5

人民币，10人民币，20人民币”吗？因此，你在翻译时，也认为奥巴马会这么说吗？

2、“捐助我们的事业”，又是译者自己在胡乱地多加汉字，原文是“It was built by...”，也就是指“竞选活动”，而不是什么“我们的事

业”。然后，演讲高手又继续深入地说，“It grew strength”，也是与“it was built by...”是同一个意思。同一种意思，不使用同一个词，这是演讲上的最大的讲究。也是一种递进式的进一步加强语气的最常见说法。结果呢，看汉语，突然说了句“现在的年轻人曾被认为......”。

3、the myth of their generation's apathy：译成“冷漠的一代”，又过于简单了。因为，这里是指“这一代人对政

治不感兴趣”，而不是“冷漠的一代”。

4、“上了年纪的人”？玩什么玩笑，“the not-so-young...”不应该按中国人的习惯给翻译成“上了年纪的人”。在美国，人们是不喜欢自己

变老的。这是一种非常婉转但很美丽的表述啊，就是“已经不太年轻的人”。此外，还是翻译时太随性了。

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.我知道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，是因为你们明白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。今晚我们站在这里庆祝，但我们知道在伊拉克的沙漠里，在阿富汗的群山

中，那些勇敢的美国人正在那里。为了我们，他们醒来后面对的是一个有生命危险的世界。这些士兵的父母会在孩子熟睡后仍难以入眠，他们担忧的是如何偿还月

供，如何支付医药费，如何存够今后孩子的大学费用。我们需要开发新能源，创造新的就业机会；修建新的学校；我们还要迎接挑战和威胁，并修复与盟国的关

系。

老夫评语：

1、“For even as..., we know...”这个关联词是必须要翻译出来的，因为它是整个这个演讲中，很重要的一个转折。奥巴马从这时开始要

评述目前的经济困境了。也就是说，该必须翻的，结果还给漏掉了。另外，奥巴马还是很喜欢排比句，他还要继续以“even as...”深入地表明自己的态

度。奥巴马看到人们的热烈欢呼的场面，但他知道，美国人民还必须面对更严峻的经济形势。所以，他说，即便我们今晚在这里庆祝胜利，但我们知道接下来的日

子并不好过。

2、把“the worst financial crisis in a century”译成“百年一遇”也过于随性。说“百年一遇”，在汉语里

有“唯一一次的”意味。事实上，1929年就已经有过一次。所以，还是最好不要这样译，还是直接翻译原文就更对味了：“一个世纪里最糟糕的金融危

机”。

3、“这些士兵的父母”？也太随便了点吧？哪有的事情啊？是个并列的句子！奥巴马先说在国外的士兵，然后，又说在国内的很多父母，但并没有说这些人就是

那些士兵们的父母。

4、“他们担忧的是......”是这样吗？“wonder how...”，没有担忧的意思。是他们在想，在盘算，在合计的意思啊。这个译本给我的感觉，越来

越“深一脚浅一脚”的了。

5、“挑战和威胁”？原文只有“威胁”一词，哪有“挑战”的词呢？这是添了油加了醋。要知道，翻译政论性的文章，就应该学《参考消息》的那种翻译方法

啊。这是业内基本的共识。这样的译者，如果真给派到外交场合去翻译的话，给国际外交带来的，只能是无穷无尽的麻烦。

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.前方的道路还很漫长，任务很艰巨。一年之内，甚至一届任期之内，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！老夫评语：

1、“our climb will be steep.”多好的语言啊，怎么被翻译成“任务很艰巨”这么没有一点原文滋味的话呢？奥巴马喜欢使用很多

很生动形象的比喻。作为一个译者，不是在没有的地方多加些话，就是在应该原滋原味地翻译的地方，胡乱地套上一点也不尊重原文的汉语，这已经不是翻译。原

文的意思是，“我们要攀爬的地方还十分陡峭”。因此，他继续说，“我们也许在一年后，甚至一届总统任内，都不会抵达那里。但美国人民啊，我从来没有像今

晚这样充满着憧憬，那就是，我们一定会抵达那里。我向你们承诺：我们美国人民一定要抵达那里！”这么富有煽动性的话语，让新东方译本这么一译，成了白菜

汤了，都。

2、关于“We as a people...”，任何对美国宪法有一点了解的人，都明白，奥巴马是在这里

婉转地使用了美国宪法最开始一句话的头三个字：“We the people”。而这位译者，却翻译成了“我们美利坚民族”，听上去更像有种族主义者的意味。

____________________ 老夫译文：

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.今晚，我能站在这里，是因为我拥有过去16年来我最好的朋友，我们家的基石，我生命中的挚爱，我们国家的下一位第一夫人，米雪·奥巴马始终不渝的支持。

莎莎，还有玛丽亚，我深爱着你们两个。你们已经赢得了一个新的宠物，它要随我们一起走进白宫了。还有一位，她已经不再与我们在一起了，我知道，姥姥在高

天上正望着我，她跟所有培养我成为今天这个样子的亲人们一起，在望着我。今晚，我想念他们，我内心知道，我对他们永远感激不尽。

老夫译文：

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.这一竞选过程的气势，是由那些劳作的人们，从自己很少的积蓄中，掏出五块十块二十块赞助，而赢得的。是从那些离开家，离开亲人，干收入很少的助选的活 儿，睡很少的觉的年轻人那里赢得的，（因为）他们拒绝承认自己对政治不感兴趣。是从那些严冬酷暑里，勇于敲开一点也不认识的生人的门，自己却并不太年轻 的人们那里赢得的。是从数百万自愿组织起来的美国民众那里赢得的。而且它也证明了，两百多年后的今天，一个民有，民治，民享的政府，并没有从这个地球消

失。这是你们的胜利！

老夫译文：

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.我知道，你们这样做，并不是只为了赢得一次选举，我也知道你们这样做，也不是为我。你们之所以要这样做，是因为你们懂得，摆在眼前的任务太过艰巨了。因

为即便我们今晚这样庆祝胜利，但我们都明白，明天带来的挑战，是我们一辈子里最大的挑战了____两场战争，危机四伏的地球，百年里最糟糕的金融危机。

因为即便我们今晚站在这里，但我们都明白，在伊拉克的沙漠里，在阿富汗的群山中，还有我们勇敢的美国人（战士），他们一觉醒来，就面临着为保护我们而牺

牲性命的危险。还有无数母亲们和父亲们，孩子已经熟睡了，自己却不能入眠，他们要盘算着如何才能偿付房贷，怎样支付医疗费用，如何才能攒够孩子上大学的

钱数。还有，新能源要开发，新的就业机会要创造，新校舍要搭建，无数威胁要面对，友邦关系要修补。

前面的路，很长，我们要攀爬的地方，还很陡。也许，我们在一年内，甚至一届总统任期内，都不会抵达那里。但美国人民哪，我从来没有像今晚这样，充满着憧

憬，这憧憬就是，我们一定会抵达那里。我向你们承诺：我们美国人民一定要抵达那里！“ _________________________ 还有地方，再补充些评语内容：

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得某一项决定或政策。我们知道政府并不能解决所有问题，我会向你们坦陈我们所面临的困难。我会聆听你们 的意见，尤其是在我们意见不同的时候。最重要的是，我会请求你们一起参与重建这个国家。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。

老夫评语：

1、”as president“，漏译。

2、不是”某一项“，是”每项“，是强调社会的多元化。

3、But I will always be...语气译得不够原文那么强烈的意味。

4、”用自己的双手“，却没有了原文的味道。原文说的是”用一双又一又挽在一起的长着老茧的手“。我发现，这位译者不喜欢把细节的东西好好看。所以给人

感觉是粗糙地”意译“，而不是翻译。

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今天这个秋夜结束。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。假如我们仍然按照现有方式

行事，就没有变革。没有你们，就没有变革。

老夫评语：

1、”This victory alone is not the change we seek“，”这场胜利本身，并不是我们要追求的变革。“直

接翻译就很不错啊，为什么要人为地拐一下弯呢？接下来也正对啊，”这场胜利，不过是我们要进行变革的一个机会。“

2、”the way things were“是”现有方式行事“吗？那是个过去式，奥巴马在批评八年执政的共和党呢。从此时起，就一切都成为”过去

式“了啊。这可能还是一种随性译法吧。

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.让我们发扬新的爱国精神，树立新的服务意识和责任感；让我们每个人下定决心，更加努力地工作，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，我们属于同一民族，我们患难与共。

老夫评语：

1、”服务意识“？呵呵，哎呀。怎么说呢，这都是哪儿跟哪儿啊？怎么一看”service“就是”服务“呢？这种理解”service“的方法，有些太

初学的意味。

2、”if this financial crisis taught us anything“这是纯粹英语表述法，但在汉语中是可以被接受的。不

要舍弃原滋原味的奥巴马演讲风格为好。

3、”不能允许商业街挣扎的同时却让华尔街繁荣。“彻底翻译错了。又是在关键的地方出错。美国不是集权国家，不敢动不动就对商业说”不能允许“的话。这

是一种客观描述，而不是命令句。而且，这也说的是一种教训，希望大家能吸取。

4、”我们属于同一民族“，这是明显是中国人典型的翻译法。美国总统不会说出中国式的话。美国什么时候都不认为整个美国属于同一民族。它永远都是

以”melting pot“为骄傲。

这部分的总体评价：整个翻译，说得不客气些，就是没有神韵，就是在关键的地方，总译不到点子上，也可以进一步说，就是很差的意思。原文极其具有煽动性，劝说性，但读起这个译文，有些”白菜汤"的味道。

第二篇：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.

第三篇：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.)

第四篇：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.

第五篇：奥巴马演讲

奥巴马演讲:为未来清洁能源投资

来源:http:// Hi, everybody.I’m speaking to you this week from a factory in Petersburg, Virginia, where they’re bringing on more than 100 new workers to build parts for the next generation of jet engines.It’s a story that’s happening more frequently across the country.Our businesses just added 233,000 jobs last month – for a total of nearly four million new jobs over the last two years.More companies are choosing to bring jobs back and invest in America.Manufacturing is adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s, and we’re building more things to sell to the rest of the world stamped with three proud words: Made in America.And it’s not just that we’re building stuff.We’re building better stuff.The engine parts manufactured here in Petersburg will go into next-generation planes that are lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient.That last part is important.Because whether you’re paying for a plane ticket, or filling up your gas tank, technology that helps us get more miles to the gallon is one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The recent spike in gas prices has been another painful reminder of why we have to invest in this technology.As usual, politicians have been rolling out their three-point plans for two-dollar gas: drill, drill, and drill some more.Well, my response is, we have been drilling.Under my Administration, oil production in America is at an eight-year high.We’ve quadrupled the number of operating oil rigs, and opened up millions of acres for drilling.But you and I both know that with only 2% of the world’s oil reserves, we can’t just drill our way to lower gas prices – not when consume 20 percent of the world’s oil.We need an all-of-the-above strategy that relies less on foreign oil and more on American-made energy – solar, wind, natural gas, biofuels, and more.That’s the strategy we’re pursuing.It’s why I went to a plant in North Carolina earlier this week, where they’re making trucks that run on natural gas, and hybrid trucks that go further on a single tank.And it’s why I’ve been focused on fuel efficient cars since the day I took office.Over the last few years, the annual number of miles driven by Americans has stayed roughly the same, but the total amount of gas we use has been going down.In other words, we’re getting more bang for our buck.If we accelerate that trend, we can help drivers save a significant amount of money.That’s why, after 30 years of inaction, we finally put in place new standards that will make sure our cars average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – nearly double what they get today.This wasn’t easy: we had to bring together auto companies, and unions, and folks who don’t ordinarily see eye to eye.But it was worth it.Because these cars aren’t some pie in the sky solution that’s years away.They’re being built right now – by American workers, in factories right here in the U.S.A.Every year, our cars and trucks will be able to go further and use less fuel, and pretty soon, you’ll be able to fill up every two weeks instead of every week – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.We’ll reduce our oil consumption by more than 12 billion barrels.That’s a future worth investing in.So we have a choice.Right now, some folks in Washington would rather spend another $4 billion on subsidies to oil companies each year.Well you know what? We’ve been handing out these kinds of taxpayer giveaways for nearly a century.And outside of Congress, does anyone really think that’s still a good idea? I want this Congress to stop the giveaways to an oil industry that’s never been more profitable, and invest in a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising.We should be investing in the technology that’s building the cars and trucks and jets that will prevent us from dealing with these high gas prices year after year after year.Ending this cycle of rising gas prices won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight.But that’s why you sent us to Washington – to solve tough problems like this one.So I’m going to keep doing everything I can to help you save money on gas, both right now and in the future.I hope politicians from both sides of the aisle join me.Let’s put aside the bumper-sticker slogans, remember why we’re here, and get things done for the American people.Thank you, God bless you, and have a great weekend.大家好。本周我来到了维吉尼亚州匹兹堡市的一家工厂，这家工厂带来了100多个新的工作岗位，他们正在生产下一代喷气发动机的零部件。

这样的景象在全国各地不断涌现。上个月我们的企业又新增23.3万个就业岗位，过去两年总共新增约400万个就业岗位。越来越多的企业选择回国投资并将工作岗位带回来。制造业也从上世纪90年代以来首次增加就业岗位，我们制造的产品被销往世界各地，产品上印着让我们自豪的四个字：美国制造。

我们不仅仅是正在制造一些东西，我们是在制造更棒的东西。在匹兹堡这里生产的引擎零部件将用于下一代的更轻、更快、更节省燃料的飞机上。

最后一个特点很重要。因为无论你是买机票还是给自己的汽车加油，提高单位燃料的行驶里程是帮助我们节约支出和降低对海外石油依赖的最直接的方式。而最近油价的上涨也深深刺痛着我们，我们必须在这一技术上进行投资。一些政客一直在兜售他们实现2美元油价的三项计划：开采、开采以及更多的开采。好吧，我的回应是，我们一直都在开采。在政府领导下，美国国内的石油产量处在8年来的最高点。我们开放了数百万英亩的开采区域，正在运转的石油钻井平台也增加了4倍。但你我都知道我们仅仅拥有2%的世界石油储量，我们不能单独依靠开采来降低油价，何况我们还消费了全球20%的石油。我们需要一个最高的能源战略，减少我们对海外石油的依赖，更多使用国产能源：太阳能、风能、天然气以及生物燃料等等。

这才是我们追求的战略。这也是我本周早些时候到访北卡的一家工厂的原因，那里的工人们正在生产使用天然气的卡车，混合动力卡车用一箱油能行驶的更远。

这也是我自主政以来就一直关注高能效汽车的原因。在过去的几年里，美国人每年的汽车行驶里程基本保持不变，但总的汽油消耗量在不断下降。换句话说，我们花同样的钱，得到的利益增加了。如果我们加速推进这一趋势，我们就可以帮助驾驶员们节约一笔可观的费用。这也是我们实施新的能效标准的原因，老的标准还是30年前制定的，这样我们能在未来15年内实现汽车平均用1加仑汽油行驶55英里的目标，这是现状的两倍。实现这一目标并不容易，我们需要将汽车生产厂家、产业联盟以及意见并不一致的人们团结到一起。但这么做是值得的。

因为这样的汽车并不像前几年那样还是空中楼阁。我们的工人，国内的工厂现在正在生产这样的汽车。每年，我们的汽车、卡车都能用更少的油跑的更远，很快，你们将能每两周加一次油而不用每周都去加油站。这样假以时日，将为一般家庭在油费支出上节省8000多美元。我们将减少超过120亿桶的石油消费量。这是值得我们投资的未来。因此，我们要做出选择。但现在华盛顿的一些人却宁愿每年花40亿美元给石油公司提供补贴。你们可知道。我们已经用纳税人的钱给它们提供了将近一个世纪的补贴了。在国会之外，难道就有人真的认为这是个好主意吗？我希望国会终止对石油产业的补贴，它们的利润已经高的不能再高了，我们应该把这些钱投资到更有希望的清洁能源产业上。我们应该投资于生产高能效汽车、卡车和飞机的技术上，避免我们年复一年的受高油价的麻烦。

走出不断上涨的油价这一恶性循环并不容易，也不能在一夜间完成。但这正是你们选择我们来到华盛顿的原因，我们就是来解决这样的难题的。因此我将继续竭尽所能帮助我们节约油费支出，现在如此将来亦如此。我希望两党的政客们都能与我一道。让我们把空洞的口号放置一边，牢记使命，为美国人民把事情做好。谢谢，上帝保佑大家，祝大家周末愉快。