• Mah-Jong - [夷文蛮语]

    2009-07-22

    福井从日本带回一套非常非常袖珍的小麻将,说改天要我们教他,把我笑得不行。

    学学麻将英语吧,也算弘扬国粹了。

     

    麻将: Mah-Jong

    麻将打法: Mahjong rules

    玩家:players

    三缺一:incomplete 

    八仙桌:square table

    一副麻将牌:a set of Mahjong tiles

    条子牌 :bamboo tiles   一条至九条:one to nine bamboo

    万子牌:character tiles / Wan tiles   一万至九万:one to nine Wan

    筒/饼子牌:circle tiles   一筒至九筒:one to nine circles

    红中、发财、白板:统称 prime suit,又称( red dragon, green dragon, white dragon )

    风牌:东、南、西、北 winds--- east , west ,south,north

    花牌:flowers

    一样花色:in a suit 

    三个一组:triplets

    四个一组:quadruplets (需要同样牌)

    东家:the east player

    骰仔:dice

    掷骰:roll the (two) dice

    洗牌:shuffle, shuffle around

    顺/逆时针方向:clockwise, in a counterclockwise direction

    一摞牌: stack 

    一局牌: round

    抓牌: draw from the wall

    抓完牌: receive all of ones tiles

    出牌:discard

    无用牌: useless tiles 

    已出牌: a discarded tile

    吃、碰、杠:"chow," "pung, "kong"

    吃牌解释: a "chow" is a sequence of three tiles in the same suit (i.e. 4, 5, 6 of the bamboo suit)

    碰牌解释:a "pung" is 3 identical tiles of the same suit 

    杠牌解释:a "kong" is 4 identical tiles of the same suit

    单吊:awaiting only one

    自摸:drawing it oneself

    胡牌:to complete a hand;a completed hand  

  • 记忆,就像海边筑起的沙堡,任时间如海水一样冲刷……

    最近忙着筑GRE,很少时间关注FRIENDS,116结束以后,很久没有下文了。116和117是第一季中我比较喜欢的两集,故事有关亲情与友情,经过了“Marcel事件”,Ross终于找到了做父亲的感觉,而Monica与Rachel、Joey与Phoebe也分别通过“保险事件”和“Ursula事件”而更加珍视彼此。

     

    117-The One With Two Parts, part 2

     

    limp  跛行

    a form attached to a clipboard  一张夹在纸板上的表格

    fill out  填(表格)

    a vacant seat  空座位

    catches her breath  歇口气

    haunt  助产课上的经历仍然萦绕在Ross心头

    mime  做手势

    hike  这里是“将球(baby)传过来”的意思

    Tampa Bay  应该指的是国家美式足球联盟中的Tampa Bay Buccaneers坦帕湾海盗队

    defence  防守球员

    heave  <口>投掷。I just heave it down field 投到后场

    take the sack 足球术语,可能是控制住球不传给其他人的意思

    blocking  足球术语, 意为“阻挡”,即阻碍对方队员的进攻

    What're the odds of that happening? 怎么会发生这么怪的事?

    contemplate  深思

    screw it up  把事搞糟

    Man, if you tried something like that on my birthday, you'd be starin' at the business end of a hissy fit.   如果你在我生日时做出这样的事,那你看见的就是一个刚受过气的人(不会给你什么好脸色)。the business end就是the receiving end,承受方,即受害人,被攻击目标,或承受不愉快事情的人。a hissy fit = an outburst of anger,突然爆发的怒火

    a pinch of saffron  一小掐藏红花

    consults  这里是翻阅的意思

    admissions form  指Monica填的就医登记表

    punch  动词,Rachel捅了一下Monica,提醒她们俩已经互换角色了(Rachel使用了Monica的医疗保险)。最近在超市见到了punch的另一种用法,名词,指一种混合多味的果汁饮料,通常是血红色的,巨甜无比

    incident  发生的事,小插曲

    sprain  扭伤

    leave out  遗漏,省略

    return to the scene of the crime  回到犯罪现场

    I say we blow off the dates  Monica要推掉与帅医生的约会

    doorway  门口

    keyed up  紧张的,激动的

    The box takes off, then lands with a squishy thud, its contents oozing out onto the floor. 盒子脱手落地发出泥浆落地的声音,里面的内容(蛋糕)渗露到地上。

    I got a lemon schmush.   schmush这个词查不到,大概是schmut垃圾、废物的意思。因为蛋糕摔在地上了,所以Ross说“我买了一个柠檬口味的垃圾”。

    tableau  场景

    guest of honour  主宾

    thrill  强烈的兴奋

    falls flat  完全失败,没产生预期效果

    witticism  妙语,俏皮话

    waggle  来回摆动

    forkful  名词,一叉的量

    prune  西梅干

    freak out  字典里的解释:〔俚语〕1.成为颓废派。2.使处于极度兴奋中。3.行动反常。我想这里应该指的是,做父亲前的那种兴奋又恐惧的感觉。

    Colonial Williamsburg  威廉斯堡殖民地,是美国的一个著名旅游景点(官方网站http://www.history.org),展现当年威廉斯堡殖民时期的生活。

    all of a sudden you grabbed my finger with your whole fist. And you squeezed it, so tight.  很动人的一幕,baby Ross用整只小手抓住了爸爸的一只手指,抓得很紧。

    Look at this, it's from the cellars of Ernest and Tova Borgnine, so how could we resist?  cellar,酒窖;Ernest and Tova Borgnine,指Borgnine夫妇,其中Ernest Borgnine是美国著名的电影演员,夫妇俩同时以酒类收藏而闻名;resist,抵住诱惑

    STAT  不确定,可能是立刻的意思。(问了个美国小姑娘,也不知道,:()

    wuss  <俚>懦弱的人,胆小鬼

    pagan altar  异教徒的祭坛

    sink  水槽

    resent 憎恨

    uptight 这里Rachel说Monica太保守了

    leaving an open-mouthed Monica in her wake  吵到最后,Rachel说Monica越来越像她妈,然后转身走了,留下Monica张着嘴跟在她后面。in one’s wake/in the wake of的意思是close behind and in the same path of travel as, 在…后接踵而来,在后追随。

    squirm  扭动身体

    hummus  鹰嘴豆泥 / chickpea  鹰嘴豆

    get other people's attention  吸引别人的注意

    hideously embarrassed  看着两个姑娘互相拆台,两位帅哥医生极端地不知所措

    drain their glasses  喝干杯中酒

    glower at each other  互相怒视

    triumphant  胜利的

    undo  打败,毁灭

    stagger  蹒跚

    agog  急待

    gasp for breath  呼吸困难,上气不接下气

    literally  逐字地,真正地

    resigned  听从的

    Scrabble  一种拼字游戏

    dressing gown  晨衣

    plead  恳求,申辩

    agitation  焦虑,激动

    clasping the receiver to her bosom  将听筒抱在怀里(使电话对方听不到自己讲话)

    snap  这里指打响指,弹指,示意Ross关掉电视的声音

    animosity  仇恨,敌意

    slump in relief 释然,无精打采的释然

    stand sb. up  放某人鸽子

    blowin' me off  吹掉;炸掉;埋怨,这里是“取消约会”的意思

    genuinely  真诚地

    nutsy  <口> 痴狂的

    side salad  杂菜色拉

    wrinkle one’s nose  皱鼻子

    make up for sb.  装扮成某人

    negligent   粗心大意的,不拘泥的

    officious  爱管闲事的,爱显示权利的

    grimace  使鬼脸(表示轻蔑)

    chitter  叽叽喳喳地叫,这里指Marcel喉咙被棋子(不知道应不应该叫“棋子”)卡住,发出嘶哑的声音

    scenario  剧情,脚本

    scamper  蹦蹦跳跳地跑

    stretch  伸长,拉伸

    simian  类人猿

    distress  痛苦

    hurtle  猛冲

    frantic  发疯似的

    Scrabble tile  Scrabble的棋子

    whip round 回头

    recoil  退缩

    Jeopardy  本意为危险、危难。这里指一档电视抢答节目。网上搜索的解释:Jeopardy is an international television quiz game show based on trivia in topics such as history, literature, pop culture, and science. The show has a more than 40-year broadcast history in the United States since being created by Merv Griffin in the early 1960s in response to the quiz show scandals of the 1950s.

    Ross's vigorous protest is attracting attention.  Ross强有力的抗议引起大家的注意

    in formation  formation队形

    Joey is playing "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not" with the petals of a flower, alternately looking hopeful and annoyed.   petal花瓣

    smooth out  抚平

    garment  衣服

    fend off 挡开,架开

    hang out with sb.  出去玩,瞎混,闲逛,这里应指与朋友交往

    sink to the sofa  身体陷进沙发

    ultimatum  最后通牒

    unconsciously  无意识地

    tingle  刺痛

    A thoughtful Joey is also feeling his lips, so he hesitates for a moment, then returns for a better view, he thinks again, cocking his head from side to side to regard her profile from various angles…  这里是对Joey的一系列动作描写,都是很好的用法

    anaesthetic  麻醉剂

    tuck up 卷起,包起

    Ross does not approve of Chandler's daft theory.  Ross不认同Chandler愚蠢的论调

    The tiny figure stirs.  Marcel的手指动了

    fella  伙计,相当于fellow

    chin  下巴

    takeout  外卖

     

     

  • 116-The One With Two Parts, part 1

     

    Mad About You 另一部美剧《我为卿狂》,剧中有Ursula这一角色。

    ham 火腿

    identical twins 同卵双胞胎。non-identical twins 非同卵双胞胎

    inimitable 无双的,特有的 i'nimitable

    spin around 转身

    will that be all?

    apron 围裙

    Can we start over? 我们从头来一遍?

    wintry 寒冷的

    snowplow 扫雪机 'snow'plow

    pay court to sb.  献殷勤,求爱。这里的情景是Ross向大家诉苦,大家安慰他

    act out 表演(演戏似的表现)。Ross用来形容Marcel最近的行为

    erase 擦掉 e'rase,这里是指猴子Marcel不停地清除Ross家答录机的留言

    supposedly 想来(恐怕,据推测)。Ross说清除答录机留言这件事,Marcel应该不是故意的("supposedly" by accident)

    in a row 成一排,连续。这里是three days in a row

    pee 〈口〉

    peer at sb. 凝视,窥视。Chandler和Joey邂逅了Phoebe的双胞胎姐姐(还是妹妹?)Ursula,回到Central Perk,趴在窗户外面窥视Phoebe

    scarf 复数scarves

    someone's face drop 当Joey向Phoebe提起Ursula时,她脸色变得不太高兴

    dumb 哑的,愚蠢的。Phoebe解释她不高兴的原因,It's mostly just dumb sister stuff.

    think of sb. as

    Lamaze class 心理助产课,la'maze

    Gym〈口〉健身房

    distractedly 困恼地。和前妻及其同性恋女友一起上心理助产课,对Ross来说是件很郁闷的事,虽然他表面装作无所谓

    girlie〈口〉少女(n.),girlie jacket。Ross表面装作无所谓,却边说边穿上了Monica的上衣

    trio 三人组。心理助产课上前夫Ross、前妻Carol,以及Carol的同性恋女友Susan三个人。

    bulge 凸起,膨胀。Carol's bulge,指Carol肚子凸起的位置

    overwhelm 打击(vt.)。Ross被无法将三人关系说出口,被尴尬打倒了

    incoherent 不连贯的,语无伦次的 ,inco'herent

    eyebrows 眉头。老师听不懂Ross说什么,her eyebrows go up

    affectionately 充满深情地 a'ffectionately

    buzzer 蜂鸣器

    intercom 对讲机

    sporting trophy 这里是一个运动奖杯

    ostentatiously 夸耀地,卖弄地,,osten'tatious。Nina快进来时,Chandler慌忙拿一个运动奖杯放在桌上

    WENUS 可能是Chandler胡诌的缩写法,意思是Weekly Estimated Net Usage Statistics

    out of whack 紊乱,不正常。大致意思是说Nina没有及时更新周五的数据,导致WENUS不正常

    gotcha 〈口〉=(I've)got you.

    beam at sb. 面露微笑

    flirtatious 调情的。其实我没看出来调情的味道,顶多是装可爱。

    drift 漂移,大意,要旨。这个用法没见过,原句是,Nina beams flirtatiously at Chandler, who catches her drift...

    takeout 外卖,Chinese takeout

    sitcom 情景喜剧,〈口〉=situation comedy

    dip 蘸。Ross这句话不错,兔子不吃窝边草:You don't dip your pen in the company ink.

    scamper about 蹦蹦跳跳。这里指的是Marcel

    interfere with 打扰,interfere with the neatness 破坏整洁

    remote 遥控器,point the remote at the TV

    a particular combination of keys 猴子Marcel在遥控器上同时按了某几个键,把电视配音调成西班牙语了

    dub 为...配音,the dialogue is dubbed into Spanish

    outstay one's welcome 呆得太久而不受欢迎

    refrigerator 冰箱。长一点的词总是不会拼

    tuna melt 金枪鱼三明治?匹萨?

    curly fries 扭扭薯条。百度搜到的解释:将薯条制成卷曲的弹簧状,直接蘸上佐料油炸,比一般的薯条口味更重

    be concerned for

    Laverne & Shirley 另一部美剧

    coach 这里指心理助产课的陪练

    miss out on sth. 省略,错过

    i will flip you for it. 指掷硬币定输赢

    triumphantly 胜利的,神气活现的

    cradle in Susan's lap 此处Ross掷硬币输了,只好扮演“妈妈”,坐下靠在Susan腿上

    a nice deep cleansing breath 心理助产老师要求大家深呼吸

    come out of character 心思游离到角色之外

    since the seventies 七零年代以来

    lay off 解雇

    i slept funny 这是Chandler听上司说要裁员,紧张中说的,没懂

    sympathetically 同情地

    reach out to fondle the inner thigh of his left leg. 伸手抚摸Chandler的左大腿。(看出调情的意思了)

    relief 释然(n.)

    Crabtree and Evelyn 美国著名礼品公司“瑰珀翠”,特色是护肤品和洗浴用品

    swordfish 剑鱼

    philosophically 哲学家似的,泰然的 philo'sophically

    Caffe Latte 拿铁咖啡(把一小杯浓咖啡倒入一杯泡腾的牛奶中制成)

    The Walton 美剧《沃尔顿一家》

    knit 织。Monica在织毛衣

    wind 缠。Rachel在缠毛线团,wind a ball of wool

    Chandler supplying them both from a skein which is spread between his hands  此处是Chandler双手撑着一束毛线,同时为R和M两人服务

    quickie 匆匆做成的事物,这里指快速结束的ML

    drag 拖。编织三人组,一个人去开门,其他两个也被拖走

    leap 跳跃

    tangle 缠结

    cardigan 开襟羊毛衫

    delightedly 高兴地。Phoebe看见Joey拿来的羊毛衫,以为是送给她的礼物,所以delightedly试穿

    disgustedly 厌烦的。但Joey说实际上是送给Ursula的,只想让Phoebe帮忙比比尺寸,搞得Phoebe很不高兴

    Ice Capades “白雪溜冰团”,美国著名的冰上舞蹈表演团体

    snappily 厉声地,没好气地。因为Joey约会Ursula,Phoebe一直不高兴,这次终于爆发了

    apprehension 恐惧,担心

    frantically 疯狂地。Monica frantically bursts into action...能想象Monica神经质的样子

    resume doing 再继续,重新开始

    defensively 防御地

    distract sb. 迷惑,使分心

    vaguely 含糊地,暧昧地

    psychiatrist 精神病医生 psy'chiatrist

    desperately 拼命地

    schizophrenia 精神分裂症 ,schizo'phrenia

    frenzy 狂暴,狂怒(n.)。Chandler向上司解释为什么没解雇Nina时,说Nina有精神分类症和暴力倾向。

    mime 模仿,演滑稽角色

    fairy 小精灵,仙女

    twinkle 闪烁

    recollection 回忆

    screw up one's eyes 眯起眼睛

    corridor 走廊

    soothing 安慰性的 soothing male voice

    go deep 此处Ross好像是让Susan接球的意思,字面不太懂。

    inappropriate 不恰当的

    fall flat 失败,没产生效果

    bubble 气泡,泡沫

    nostril 鼻孔

    gulp in air 大口吸气

    manipulate 操作,(熟练地)使用

    limb 肢

    resemble 像,类似。it resembles what it represents.

    big picture 总的看来,综观全局。Susan说了一句动情的话,她说,big picture,生孩子的痛苦只有一天,而在今后的生命中,我们将成为他的父母。

    in a slight state of shock 有点木。这是Ross经常有的一种状态。

    cuddle 拥抱,搂抱

    mat 地垫

    button one's lip 〈口〉保持缄默

    scissors 剪子

    psychological profile 心理状况

    Personnel 人事部门

    hip 臀部,复数hips

    quizzical 疑惑的,古怪的

    instruction manual 说明手册

    end up doing 以...告终

    stapler 订书机

    bandage 绷带,缠绷带

    revenge 报复(n.&v.)

    dreaded 可怕的

    Judy Jetson thermos 茱迪杰森热水壶。Judy是美国著名动画电视系列片《Jetson family》中的人物,这是美国第一部彩色动画片

    wistfully 渴望的。Phoebe说你们有过那种像最好朋友一样的男朋友么?M和R都满怀渴望地摇头说No

    reel 卷,绕,眩晕。这里的用法,reel back in shock。Phoebe看到Ursula从Joey的房间出来,感到一阵眩晕

    defiantly 挑战地,对抗地

    railing 围栏,铁栅

    pole 支杆

    slip 滑跤

    dangle 摇晃地悬挂着

    upside-down 大头朝下

    wrap up 裹紧。这是说的是Rachel从阳台摔翻下去,脚踝被圣诞灯缠住。wrap up in the Christmas lights

     

     

  • 东东枪 译

    Hello,Chicago!
    芝城父老,别来无恙,

    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.
    余尝闻世人有疑,不知当今美利坚凡事皆可成就耶?开国先贤之志方岿然于世耶?民主之伟力不减于昔年耶?凡存诸疑者,今夕当可释然。

    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 first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.
    今夕之释然,皆蒙美利坚民众之协力——学塾祠庙之外,市井乡野之间,万千父老心焦似焚,苦待竟日,愿献一票之力。其中,平生未尝涉国事者,数亦不少,而今有此义举,皆因一念不衰——今夫天下,非同既往,愿发吁天之声,必成动地之势。

    It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America.
    今夕之释然,皆仰吾国同胞之齐心——何谈贫富老幼之差、党社宗族之异,惶论发肤肌体之别、志趣爱恶之分。吾国既以“合众”为名,吾辈则更无疏离之意,红蓝二党并肩而立,数十邦州挽手相合,无分你我,共称一家,昂然于世,齐声一呼,天下乃有此释然。

    It’s the answer that led those who’ve been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about 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.
    今夕之释然,皆因愤懑者之镇静,忧惧者之勇气,犹疑者之笃定——平素世间种种,消磨其志向,溃灭其梦想,而值此风云之际,除旧更新,当仁不让,倾力而动乾坤者,更何人哉!

    It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.
    俟之诚久,其志弥坚。幸天地明察,乃有今日,乃有此刻,乃有此一选举,乃有我亿万美利坚大好国民——吾邦之大变革,方得自兹而始也!

    A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.
    Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they’ve achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.
    顷接参议员麦君凯恩电,虽未得晤,幸有一谈,其言谆谆,其意诚诚,鄙人感佩之至。选战期内,麦君劳碌几重,奔波几许,皆为国家计。诸般求索,时日良多,皆非余所能及。于国于民之惊人牺牲,亦非庸庸如吾辈者所可想见。以麦君之胆魄襟怀,能为吾邦所用,实国家之幸,万民之幸也。前途漫漫,其事未竟,余所盼瞩由衷者,唯共麦凯恩君、佩林君,及诸贤士比肩,会吾等之绵力,成吾邦之大业。

    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 the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
    乔君拜登,亦吾所感铭至深者也。竞选之业,艰险不足与外人道,幸有乔君之辅佐,其诚天可鉴之。乔君其人,素言恳辞切,意笃情真,盖尝经斯兰克顿街乡邻之提命,饱聆特拉华州父老之晤教也。他日余既登总统之位,乔君必当副之。

    And 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, the love of my life, the nation’s next first lady Michelle Obama.
    拙荆米氏,追随鄙人凡一十六年,既为爱侣,更为挚友,既为吾阖家之基石,又乃余终生之至爱。鄙人尝自忖度,倘无贤妻若此,今朝阔论高谈于此处者,不知何人矣!

    Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the new White House.
    小女萨沙、玛丽,余素深喜之。昔日为父尝与汝等言,此番选战若得一胜,愿购小犬一头相赠,待阖家乔迁总统府邸之日,偕汝等同进吾宅。今当胜负已出,既有一诺在前,必自践行不欺也。

    And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother’s watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
    祖母大人虽已仙逝,料必有灵在天,俯察人寰,想应颔首开颜矣。吾奥巴马氏列祖列宗,亦当如是。今日今时,此情此景,鄙人追思之心,乌鸟之情,曷其有极!唯生死陌路,仙凡有别,虽怀反哺之心,而无答报之门也!

    To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me. I am grateful to them.
    至若玛雅、艾玛二姐妹,以及吾家诸同胞,所惠我者,亦属良多,久沐恩德,此当拜谢。

    And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best — the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who’s been a partner with me every step of the way.To 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.
    大卫•普劳夫君,大卫•阿克塞罗德君,一为鄙人竞选事务之经理,一为鄙人国事韬略之智囊。余尝自喟叹,左右谋士,余所仰赖者,皆亘古未见之贤才。普阿二君,则更此中之翘楚。区区不才,有何德能,可得膀臂若此?当此功成之际,感荷之心,亦自拳拳。

    But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.
    至于鄙人铭之肺腑,须臾不敢忘怀者,则诸位也。盖今日鄙人之胜绩,实诸位之胜绩,鄙人之荣光,实诸位之荣光!

    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. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.
    余素朴陋,虽有参选之心,并无必胜之志。谋事之初,银资乏匮,从者寥寥;起事之地,皆蔽寓荒斋,不在高阁;成事之基,无非寻常百姓,涓滴之献。

    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.
    It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and 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 the Earth.
    今日之胜,有赖一众热血青年,抛其家,别其室,不辞其苦,不计其酬,矻矻于此——“国中青年爱国之心已泯”之谬论,今可休矣!今日之胜,有赖壮志未已之诸前辈,无惧寒暑,行走奔波,劝说民众。今日之胜,乃数百万美利坚民众之胜,察其意,皆属踊跃为国,观其行,处处谨严有序,足堪告慰二百年前开国之先贤——民有、民治、民享之政体,未尝动摇也!

    This is your victory.
    嗟夫!此实诸位之功也!

    And 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.
    余知诸君之意非在此一选举,亦非在鄙人一身。盖瞻前路之艰辛,益知此任非同小可也。虽今夕欢贺于此,而明朝酒醒,大患仍自当前,不容有怠——两地烽烟熊熊而起,四海之内纷纷而乱,金融业界惶惶而不得宁。

    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 the children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage or pay their doctors’ bills or save enough for their child’s college education. There’s new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
    是夜,饮宴笙歌之声不绝于耳,而异邦大漠群山中,吾国大好青年,兀自苦戍边塞,惝恍竟夜,性命尚未得安。吾国千万庶民,为人父母者,兀自惴惴难眠,所忧者,乃房宅所贷、病患之费、抚育之资也。至若吾国能源之耗,百业之兴,庠序之教,攻伐之术,怀远之道,亦皆吾等忡忡挂怀者也。

    The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in 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.
    渺渺乎其远,如不可达,危危乎其高,若不可攀。朝夕岁月,焉得成就?余不揣愚钝,愿以四载韶华,付诸此业,胜算何如虽不可知,然昂扬必胜之奇志,成就伟业之壮怀,平生未之有也。君子一诺,其重何如,此地今夕,愿斗胆发一狂言——吾辈既在,其事必成!

    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 the 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 to 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, calloused hand by calloused hand.
    逶迤坎坷,份内之事。异见争端,料必有之。国中之政府,谅非无所不能者。余所秉承不移者,唯忠信矣。倘有危难于前,必无欺瞒于世。诸君言论臧否,纵悖逆相左之议,余必当洗耳以聆。于此之外,更当恳请诸君,不吝心血,致力报效,以振吾美利坚重兴之业。余亦别无他想,唯盼吾侪协力,延继吾国既肇二百二十一年之大统,汇涓滴之力,而成万世之业。

    What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot 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 can’t happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.
    昔年冬日,余有志于斯,投身此业,屈指算来,倏然近二载矣。当此秋夜,追思反省,仍无溃退逃亡之意。选战之胜,无非一役之功,余梦寐所思矢志所求者,非在乎此。溯源究本,此役之胜,不过革世变时一大好良机耳。倘止步于斯,垂手而待,或无诸君倾力相援,则壮志丰功,无非泡影,诸般梦想,终必虚妄。

    So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of 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.
    爱国之心,报国之念,吾人固有之,然逢今日之世,此心此念亦当一变——吾辈各执己业,益当各竭其力,各尽其命,非但为一己之利,而更期普世之荣。今岁,金融业界动荡多舛,细审观之,当可以之为鉴——实业之损,亦是金融之伤。可知,既在邦域之内,吾辈荣辱休戚,皆相与共矣!

    Let’s resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let’s 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 and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share.
    党争纷纭,阴谋卑鄙,愚鲁无知,皆腐蚀清白、惑乱政局之弊也,其缘由已久,余今愿与诸君协力,共灭除之。昔年曾有此郡先贤,执共和党之帜,而掌总统府之权。自强独立,自由统一等信念,皆斯人之所倡,亦吾辈之所宗。

    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. 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.
    今岁选战,吾民主党人幸有一胜,然谦逊和合之心未尝少减。余素信服者,乃山河破碎之际,林肯总统之言——“既是至亲,终不为敌。虽弩张剑拔,而血脉未尝断,情义不少减。”

    And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.
    固然,仍有四方志士,不为鄙人所动,另有高明之选。虽终悭此一票之缘,然诸君高论,余亦声声在耳,字字在心。倘能得诸君之援手,鄙人幸甚。他日待余总而统之,亦必不另眼以待也。

    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 the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.
    吾邦民众,散居天下,各安其命,而其志一也。吾邦鼎盛之势,今已乍现锋芒。

    To those — to those who would tear the 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.
    至于心怀叵测,与世人为仇、与天下为敌者,吾邦猛志常在,彼等必取灭亡。心思纯良,久慕大同者,吾辈当倾力以助,鼎力相援。犹疑未定,不知吾自由之邦兴衰如何者,吾辈愿以今日盛况以告之——美利坚之所以谓之“美”者,非刀兵之强,金银之众,实民主、自由、机遇、梦想之美也!

    That’s the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we’ve already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
    天自有道,地自有德,恩赋吾邦无上异禀——无他,唯变而已矣。美利坚变革不怠,合众国日趋尽善。当以过往先贤之伟绩,助吾侪今日之雄心,开子孙万世之辉光。

    This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight’s 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.
    今岁选战,多开亘古之先,屡传千秋佳话。感我至深者,亚特兰大之老妪安•尼克松•库帕也——库氏之一票,于数百万美利坚民众之选票无异,其所以引人称奇者,其人今岁高龄一百有六矣。

    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.
    当其父辈之时,天道不彰,黑人为奴。库氏其生也不逢时,汽车尚不行于道,飞机未曾起于空,库氏既属黑人,又系女流,票选一事,概无瓜葛。

    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.
    今日今时,回溯库氏百岁之涯,但见吾邦先贤屡败屡战,且退且进,悲欣交集,甘苦杂陈。幸而正道存焉,壮志存焉,曰:吾辈既在,无所不能。

    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.
    万马齐喑,其事堪哀,吾邦女界怒而起,愤而争,苦战不歇,历数十载。幸哉库氏,以百岁之高龄,终得亲见女流自立于世,重获天赋之权——吾辈既在,无所不能!

    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, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
    当百业萧条,国人绝望哀鸣之际,库氏亲见吾美利坚出旷世之新政,挽狂澜于既倒,扶大厦之将倾,退畏惧之势,扶奋勇之心,终至人各有位,民心乃安——吾辈既在,无所不能!

    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.
    当吾国良港遭袭,天下桀纣当道,暴政肆虐之时,库氏亲见豪杰群起,民主不衰——吾辈既在,无所不能!

    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.
    蒙哥马利公车之罢辍,伯明翰城黑人之群起,塞尔玛城血雨腥风之事,库氏般般亲历。更曾亲聆亚特兰大传教之士振臂登高之呼——“吾等必胜!”诚哉斯言!吾辈既在,无所不能!

    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.
    俟科学昌明于世,创想通贯一时,既登广寒之阙,又溃柏林之墙。洋洋乎!有百年如是,乃见今岁选战中,库氏之一票。浩浩兮!一百零六载交锋更迭,方有美利坚今日之变革——吾辈既在,无所不能!

    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?
    转眼兴亡过手,而今迈步从头。追昔抚今,不禁扪心而问——俟再历百年岁月,倘吾等后辈儿孙,亦有得享高寿如库氏者,复可见何等之变数?吾辈今日之功,他年可得而见之乎?

    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 doubts 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.
    所谓天命时运,莫过于此——当为吾邦万民造安身立命之业,为吾辈儿孙启各显雄才之门,为寰宇各国创太平静好之世,为吾等壮志赋千秋不灭之元神。吾邦立国之本,必将光耀于天下。万千同胞,当如一人,一息尚存,梦想不灭。纵有世人旁观在侧,而疑窦生焉,吾辈亦当以千秋不易之训共答之曰——吾辈既在,无所不能!

    Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.
    拜谢诸君。愿天佑吾民,天佑吾邦。

    [完]

    原文地址:http://thisisdongdongqiang.cn/archives/1577

  •     十八年前我写了一篇题为《学英文的方法》的文章,被某英文老师见到,指我所言不依常规,不应捞过界,我不便发表。后来一些学子听到有该文的存在,多次要求发表,但文稿失去了,没有再写。
      今天国内的学子再三要求,我想,不要管英文老师吧。为免被骂,题目加上一个「我」字。不是说无师自通,而是说我学英文的方法是自己发明的。说是自己发明,其实因为是中国人而发明。文字上,中文与英文是完全两回事。欧西的文字起于拉丁,是同宗,不能说是完全两回事。因此,炎黄子孙学英文的方法应该与欧西老外学英文的方法不同。当年我想出的学英文的方法,是集中于中文与英文的重要的不同之处入手。
        这里提出的是学写英文的方法,不是学讲英文的方法。自己的耳朵有问题,「讲」不足以教也。这里要谈的也不是考英文的方法。后者同学们要拜国内的新东方为师。我认识新东方的老板,欣赏他对学子的贡献。然而,写、讲、考是三回不同的事,各有各的学习佳法。这里要说的是中国人学写英文的方法,千万不要搞错。
      学写,中文与英文有三处重要不同:字汇(vocabulary)、动词(verb)、造句(sentence structure。让我在这三项上说说吧。记住,我的建议是从中、英的不同之处入手。

    读书学字汇

      英文难学主要是因为字汇难学。有三个原因。第一个原因是英文的字汇多。以一个知识分子常用的字而言,英文比中文多一至两倍,而翻译出来一个英文字大约译为两个中文字。中文是以单音字砌成的,以单字砌出变化,但很多英文字的单字是以字根砌成的。中文用字根(金字旁、水字旁之类)不多。字汇多的表达能力比较强,比较容易达意,但学起来就远为困难了。
      一九六七年我认识了夏理庄逊,那位以文笔流畅而发表文章最多的经济学者。我问他:「夏理,怎样学好写英文呀?」他想也不想就响应:「学字汇,学字汇!」其它什么也不说。这是英语文章高手的经验之谈了。
      中国人学英文字汇的第二个困难,是除了名词外,英文字一般没有毫无差别的中文对译。例如,名词apple译作苹果是绝对的,但handsomebeautifulprettygorgeousneat等怎样译呢?这些都代表「好看」,英文的含意差别很大。我们往往要看上文下理才能肯定作者之意是什么。字汇多,无论形容词还是动词,英文看似是同义的字有微妙的差别,往往失之毫厘,谬以千里。所以英文有Use the right word in the right place这句格言。是的,翻英、中字典而英译中,译出来的文章一般不知所谓。除了名词,英文字大都要靠意会的。
      试举一个英文字汇的微妙差别的例子吧。二十多年前,我的一个读生物的外甥(今天是大名家了),写博士论文,其中两个实验的结果相近,但不肯定。他试用approximatelyroughly等字来形容,都不称意。跑来问我这个舅父,我细读上文下理,建议用in the neighborhood,恰当。
      第三个学英文字汇的困难,一般来说,是懂得一个字的解法与懂得怎样用一个字,是两回事。这与中文截然不同。中文字一般是懂得解就懂得用。英文是除了名词,懂一通常不懂二,而不懂得怎样用不算是懂。是的,你去考什么TOEFLSATGRE等试,英文字汇那部分考一百分,可能一句象样的英文也写不出来。
      我学英文字汇的方法很简单,但要先假设你有香港英文中五毕业的水平,或TOEFL试可以考得五百八十分左右。方法如下:

      (一)准备一本英文字典,一本英中字典。要平装,小的,轻的,但字要大,要有清楚的拼音注释。如果是精装的,翻阅太重,要把硬封面剪掉。这是因为你要翻查很多很多,翻得不够快或不舒畅你就不愿意多翻。
      (二)找几本你有兴趣读的项目的书,要英文写得很好的。这选书十分重要,你要多问朋友或英文老师来协助你的选择。以每页大约五百字算(也要选字大的版本),要选两三本,加起来大约六百页。
      (三)坐下来读书,一页一页地读下去,每个稍有不明的字要立刻查字典。千万不要以为一个字你惯见,以为是懂就不查。凡是稍有疑问的都要查,一丝不苟,直至你完全明白每一个字在一句之内的解法。不要骗自己。
      (四)先查英语字典,清楚明白就不用查英中字典了。英中字典是英语字典不能尽释所疑才用的。
      (五)千万不要在书页旁下注释。一个字查一次通常不会记得,再见该字时,稍有不明,要再查。稍有不明,同样的字出现一次查一次。一般来说,查三至五次可以记清楚而又学懂一个字。
      (六)清楚明白了一句,你要朗声读出来。不查自明之句不朗读,只朗读查过字典的。这是为什么有好的拼音注释字典重要。

      上述的学英文字汇的方法,是学字的解法时一起学怎样用。同字在不同句之内往往有不同的意会,所以千万不要在书页旁下注释。不要把字意固定下来,一个不完全明白的字出现一次查字典一次,直至该字再出现时你不用再查为止。
      我自己的经验,是这种彻底以明白文字内容为准则的查字的学字汇方法,开始时每页有二十多个字要查,要用上个多小时才读完一页,但进境非常快。大约读了一百页,每页要查的字下降至五、六个,到了二百页,每页只要查三几个。大约四百页要查的字近于零,而六百页就毕业了。
      依照上述的学英文字汇的方法,假若你的天赋与记忆力是中等的话,我的估计是四百个小时可以毕业。每天集中地读读查查两个小时,不要多。
      记住,名词不论,学英文字汇不是学中文的译法,而是学英文本身的意会。主要是学一个字怎样用。懂得用一定懂得解,但懂得解通常不懂得用。这是中国人学英文的一个重点,算是一个关键了。
      再转谈中国人学英文动词与造句的方法,比较困难了。不是比较难学,而是比较不容易说得够详尽清楚。数之不尽的书籍教英文怎样用动词与怎样造句,是教老外怎样学的。很多很好的书籍可以参考,尤其是牛顿大学与芝加哥大学的一些经典规范。我特别喜欢的是E. P. White的一本名为Elements of Style的小书,三十多年前再三读之,获益良多。
      我没有资格与这些专家的经典之作一比高下。虽然这些经典是教鬼子佬的,炎黄子孙也应该读。我要说的是限于因为中、英截然不同,炎黄子孙学英文动词与造句有特别的困难,因而集中在两个不同文化的动词与造句的不同重点下笔。集中于重要的不同点,主要是协助懂得或善于写中文的转写英文转得比较容易。

    两个简化学动词

      中文的动词,字的本身没有时间性。我们要以附加字——曾、将、了等——来表达过去或将来。英文动词,字的本身有时间性——如加-edgowentgone等。但英文又加上「完成式」——perfect tense——变化多了,使一些书本说英文的动词时态(tense)有九个或十二个。太复杂了。
      作为中国人,我学英文动词想出两个简化。其一是英文动词有过去,有现在,但没有将来。例如willwouldshallshouldmaymightcancould等,都是现在或过去,没有「将来」的。英语用动词是:现在说将来是现在,过去说将来是过去。
      用英文动词,首先要决定的是说现在(present)、过去(past),还是「无所谓,二者皆可」。现在就用现在式,过去就用过去式,二者皆可就任择其一,但凡是二者皆可的,选现在式是选了不变,选过去式也是选了不变,不可转来转去。这是说,二者皆可的,选其一之后,要stay in one tense。这是作文章引言或结论时的最佳处理,通常选简单现在式较简单过去式优胜。
      除了现在或过去,英文动词有三类时态:简单(simple)、继续(continuous)与完成(perfect)。愚见以为,中国人写英文不要花拳绣腿,卖弄技巧,动词以简单为妙。可用简单现在(simple present,如I go)或简单过去(simple past,如I went),用之可也。事实上,简单动态的文字最有力,虽然有时「继续」与「完成」等动态是非用不可的。
      继续时态是指加-ing,浅而明,不需要说了。但完成时态(perfect tense)不容易。我处理完成时态(havehadhas等)是用第二个简化,那就是完成时态有时度(time dimension),而这是中文动词没有的。英文的简单时态是一剎那(one instant of time),过去是过去,现在是现在,没有一段时期的时度;继续时态也是一剎那——过去或现在继续的一剎那,也没有时度。I forget是现在忘记,I forgot是以前忘记,I am forgetting是正在忘记,I have forgotten是从以前到现在之间的时度中忘记了——不知何时忘记而现在还忘记。
      「时度」是比较难解释的,而「完成时态」这称呼有点莫名其妙。不明白的读者要从one instant of timeovertime这分别去想——后者有时度,或者记凡有since这个字或有其意的句子都有时度。
      教用英文动词的读物甚多,大都教得对。但当年我觉得动词很难学,书本帮不到多少忙。后来我想出的方法就是上述的两点:其一是决定是「过去」还是「现在」;其二是决定要不要表达时度——要不要给时间走一程。

    句子从简短造起

      中国的文字传统是没有标点的。那是近于没有句子了。我们今天读古文是后人把一个圈一个圈加上去,把文字切断来读。这发展促成今天的中、英二文有不同的句子风格。用标点、分句、分段,中文没有英文那样讲究。很多中国人写英文,见到鬼佬那样「讲究」,就学人家转来转去,总是有点不象样。作本科生时我写的英文也是转来转去的,后来决定不求有功,但求无过,英文才开始象样。
      重要的出发点是英文的长句是以短句串连起来的。英文学造句,首先要短句造得好。学造短句,每句的字越少越好,动词用简单时态,几个字,毫无花巧地直写,清楚明白,就来一个句号。这样考英文试作文一定不及格,但我的英文是这样学来的。今天,无论我的英文句子怎样长,其结构是以短句为基础,串连起来再加变化。有短句清楚直写的根底,串连起来也是清楚直写。没有花拳绣腿,有些人认为不到家,但我没有意图做文豪,不敢在钢线上跳舞,但求清楚明白,逻辑井然,读来通顺,只此而已。
      以短句串连成长句很多书有教,教得好。标点重要,书本教得好。动词的位置书本也教得好。书本少教的是重要的字要放在句首或句末,尽可能不放在中间。分段的方法书本也教得好,少教的是一段的首句与尾句不应该太长,以短句起笔或收笔读来有力量感。不是明显的短,是要有短的力度感受。
      我说过了,不管是中文还是英文,文章要讲文气,而文气最容易是从背诵前贤的大作学得。作学生时我喜欢背诵圣经的《创世记》。兹录创世第一天的绝妙好文如下:

     

       In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

      读清楚了吗?文气如虹,都是短句,是直写,全用简单时态,and stay in one tense!这是最可取的英文基础了。