英國女王伊莉莎白二世自1952年即位以來,每年都會在12月25日發表聖誕致辭,這也是女王為數不多的不需要諮詢英國政府就能發表的講話。
2020年,對於全世界來說都是艱難苦澀的一年。今年,英國女王的聖誕致辭主題是「Hope in the new dawn」,最黑暗的夜晚,仍舊會有黎明到來。女王談到了今年的諸多挑戰,這一年帶來了疾病、恐懼、金融困境、孤立無援和許多黑暗的日子,但人性最好的一面卻在黑暗中始終閃耀。
中英全文(來自網絡僅供分享參考)
Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood – light brings hope.
每年我們都會點燈預示聖誕節的到來。燈光不僅創造了一種節日氣氛,還帶來了希望。
For Christians, Jesus is 『the light of the world』, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Vaisakhi.
對基督徒來說,耶穌是「世界之光」,但我們今天不能用平常的方式慶祝他的誕生。各種信仰的人都無法像他們希望的那樣聚集在一起慶祝他們的節日,如逾越節(猶太教)、復活節、開齋節和豐收節(錫克教)。
But we need life to go on. Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity – despite social distancing.
但我們需要生活繼續下去。上個月,煙火照亮了溫莎周圍的天空,印度教徒、錫克教徒和耆那教徒慶祝排燈節,這是一個充滿希望和團結的歡樂時刻——儘管社會距離遙遠。
Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.
值得注意的是,這一年必然讓人疏遠,但在許多方面又拉近了我們的距離。在整個大英國協,我和我的家人都受到了人們在他們的社區志願服務,幫助那些需要幫助的人的故事的鼓舞。
In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.
在英國乃至全世界,人們都以勇敢的姿態迎接這一年的挑戰,我為這種沉靜、不屈不撓的精神感到驕傲和感動。我要特別感謝我們的年輕人,感謝你們所發揮的作用。
This year, we celebrated International Nurses』 Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.
今年,在佛羅倫斯南丁格爾誕辰200周年之際,我們慶祝了國際護士節。與其他護士先驅,如瑪麗西科爾一樣,佛羅倫斯南丁格爾照亮了世界各地的希望之燈。
Today, our front-line services still shine that lamp for us – supported by the amazing achievements of modern science – and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn.
今天,在現代科學驚人成就的支持下,我們的一線服務仍然為我們點亮了明燈,我們欠他們一份感謝。我們繼續被陌生人的善良所鼓舞,並從中得到安慰,即使在最黑暗的夜晚,也能在新的黎明中獲得希望和安慰。
Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.
耶穌用撒瑪利亞人的寓言來探討這個問題。被搶劫並留在路邊的人被一個不認同自己宗教或文化的人救了。這個美好的善行故事在今天仍然有重要意義。
Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.
社會上出現了許多善良的撒瑪利亞人,他們對所有人都表示關心和尊重,無論性別、種族或背景如何,他們提醒我們,在上帝的眼中,我們每個人都是特殊而平等的。
The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.
基督的教誨是我內心的光,也是我們聚集在一起敬拜的使命感。
In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War – a symbol of [the] selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.
11月,我們紀念了另一位英雄——儘管沒有人知道他的名字。無名戰士的墓並不是一個大型的紀念館,但是每個進入威斯敏斯特大教堂的人都必須繞著他的安息地走一走,紀念這位第一次世界大戰的無名戰士,向他象徵的無私使命和偉大犧牲致敬。
The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.
無名戰士並不特別,這才是重點。他代表著數百萬像他一樣的人,在我們的歷史上,他們把別人的生命置於自己的生命之上,即使到了今天也是如此。對我來說,這是在困難和變幻莫測的時代裡持久希望的源泉。
Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they』d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.
當然,對許多人來說,今年的此刻會有一些悲傷:一些人哀悼失去親人,另一些人思念因社交隔離而相隔兩地的朋友和家人,而他們聖誕節真正想要的只是一個簡單的擁抱或是一個緊握的手。如果你在他們當中,你並不孤單,讓我向你保證我的思想和祈禱。
The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas – the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope – guide us in the times ahead.
聖經講述了一顆星星如何出現在天空中,它的光芒指引著牧羊人和智者來到耶穌誕生的現場。讓聖誕之光——無私、愛和最重要的希望——指引我們走向未來。
It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.
正是本著這種精神,我祝你聖誕快樂。
100天聽力訓練營1.3000左右的詞彙量增長;積累大量的實用表達