NB: This may not be a word-for-word transcript.
Joe Biden’s First Speech to the Nation as President-Elect of the United States
November 7, 2020
My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken. They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory. A victory for 「We the People.」
國人同胞們，我們的人民已經發聲。他們給我們清楚、明確的勝利，這是「我們人民」的勝利。
We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation — 74 million. I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me.
我們以7,400萬票勝出，這是美國總統史上的最高紀錄。大家給予我的信任和信心，讓我感到謙卑。
humble本身作形容詞表示「謙遜的，謙虛的」，此處作動詞，表示「使…感到自慚，使謙恭」，英文解釋為「to make someone understand that they are not as important or special as they thought」舉個🌰：
He was humbled by the child's generosity.
那個孩子的寬宏大量使他自慚形穢。
I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide, but to unify. Who doesn't see Red and Blue states, but a United States. And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people. For that is what America is about: The people. And that is what our Administration will be about.
我承諾成為一個尋求團結而非分裂的總統。我看到的不是紅州或藍州，而是美利堅合眾國(United States of America)。我將全心努力，贏得全民的信任，因為在美國，重要的是她的人民。我們組成的政府也將以人民為重。
1）表示「保證（做某事）；保證給予（某物）」，英文解釋為「When someone pledges to do something, they promise in a serious way to do it. When they pledge something, they promise to give it.」舉個🌰：
He pledges support and offers to help in any way that he can.
他承諾給予支持並提供力所能及的幫助。
2）表示「抵押」，英文解釋為「If you pledge something such as a valuable possession or a sum of money, you leave it with someone as a guarantee that you will repay money that you have borrowed.」舉個🌰：
He asked her to pledge the house as security for a loan.
他要她抵押房子作為貸款擔保。
I sought this office to restore the soul of America. To rebuild the backbone of the nation — the middle class. To make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home. It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for this vision. And now the work of making this vision real is the task of our time.
我競選總統，是要找回美國的靈魂，重建我國的骨幹，也就是中產階層，要讓美國在全球再次受到尊重，在國內團結。有數以百萬計的美國民眾為這樣的願景投下一票，是我畢生的榮耀。現在，實現這個願景是我們此刻的工作。
1）表示「支柱；骨幹；基礎」，英文解釋為「the most important part of a system, an organization, etc. that gives it support and strength」舉個🌰：
Agriculture forms the backbone of the rural economy.
農業是農村經濟的基礎。
2）表示「脊梁骨；脊柱」，英文解釋為「the row of small bones that are connected together down the middle of the back」；
3）表示「毅力；骨氣」，英文解釋為「the strength of character that you need to do sth difficult」，舉個🌰：
He doesn't have the backbone to face the truth.
他沒有面對現實的勇氣。
As I said many times before, I'm Jill's husband. I would not be here without the love and tireless support of Jill, Hunter, Ashley, all of our grandchildren and their spouses, and all our family. They are my heart.
我說過很多次，我是吉兒的丈夫。要不是有吉兒、杭特、艾希莉、我們的孫兒還有他們的配偶以及我們全家人給我的愛和永不倦怠的支持，我就不會站在這裡。他們是我的心之所在。
Jill's a mom — a military mom — and an educator. She has dedicated her life to education, but teaching isn't just what she does — it's who she is. For America's educators, this is a great day: You're going to have one of your own in the White House, and Jill is going to make a great First Lady.
吉兒是個媽媽，是個「軍媽」，也是個教育工作者。她畢生奉獻教育工作，但教導不只是她的工作，而是她的為人。對美國的教育工作者來說，這是個很棒的日子，你們將在白宮有個自己的人。吉兒會是個很棒的第一夫人。
And I will be honored to be serving with a fantastic vice president — Kamala Harris — who will make history as the first woman, first Black woman, first woman of South Asian descent, and first daughter of immigrants ever elected to national office in this country.
我將有幸與賀錦麗（Kamala Harris）這位了不起的副總統共事，她將創造歷史，成為我國首次有女性、黑人女性、南亞裔女性或移民女兒獲選出任正、副元首。
表示「血緣關係，家族關係；祖先；出身」，英文解釋為「You use descent to talk about a person's family background, for example, their nationality or social status.」舉個🌰：
All the contributors were of African descent.
所有捐助者都是非洲血統。
It's long overdue, and we're reminded tonight of all those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. But once again, America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice.
這事老早就應該發生了。這提醒我們今晚要記得多年來為此努力奮鬥的眾人，但美國已再次將道德的曲線掰得更直一些。
America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice. 借用了馬丁·路德·金（Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.）1968年演講中的話：We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.
📍網上有兩種譯文：所有的道德表現最終會維護正義/道義的蒼穹長又長，但它終將落向正義。
📍據說《現代大學英語精讀5》課後翻譯中也有這個句子：Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. 我們要懂得道義的蒼穹長又長，但它終將落向正義。
很巧的是，當年希拉蕊敗選感言裡也兩次提到了這句話：That's how we help to make our contributions to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.
希拉蕊敗選後首次公開演講【上】
希拉蕊敗選後首次公開演講【下】
Kamala, Doug — like it or not — you're family. You've become honorary Bidens and there's no way out. To all those who volunteered, worked the polls in the middle of this pandemic, local election officials — you deserve a special thanks from this nation. To my campaign team, and all the volunteers, to all those who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible, I owe you everything.
卡瑪拉、道格（註：賀錦麗與她的丈夫），不管你們喜不喜歡，你們已變成我的家人。你們已變成拜登家族的榮譽成員，不得退出。全體志工們，你們在疫情之下參與計票工作，還有地方選務官員，我們的國家應該要特別謝謝你們。我的競選團隊，志工們，還有無私奉獻成就這個時刻的每一個人，這一切都要歸功於你們。
And to all those who supported us: I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most diverse in history.
還有每個支持我們的人，我以我們建立的競選團隊與選戰操作感到光榮。我以我們組成的聯盟感到驕傲，這是史上最廣泛、最多元的聯盟。
coalition /ˌkəʊəˈlɪʃən/ 表示「（不同政黨或不同群體的人為特定目標而暫時形成的）聯盟，同盟，聯合體」，英文解釋為「the joining together of different political parties or groups for a particular purpose, usually for a limited time, or a government that is formed in this way」。
Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Progressives, moderates and conservatives. Young and old. Urban, suburban and rural. Gay, straight, transgender. White. Latino. Asian. Native American.
有民主黨的、共和黨的，還有無黨籍人士，有進步勢力、中間派還有保守派，有年輕的，有老人，有市區跟郊區民眾，也有人來自鄉村地區，有同志、異性戀者，也有跨性別者，有白人、拉丁美洲裔、亞裔，還有美洲原住民。
And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest — the African American community stood up again for me. They always have my back, and I'll have yours.
特別要紀念我們在選情最低迷的時候，非裔美國民眾再次站起來支持我。他們總是支持我，我也支持你們。
I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that. Now that's what I want the administration to look like.
我一開始就表明，我的競選要代表美國，我認為我們做到了。我的政府也要這樣。
表示「從一開始；開端」，英文解釋為「at/from the beginning of sth」舉個🌰：
I made it clear right from the outset that I disapproved.
從一開始我就明確地說我不贊成。
And to those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight.
投票給川普總統的選民們，我理解你們今晚的失望。
I've lost a couple of elections myself. But now, let's give each other a chance. It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric. To lower the temperature. To see each other again. To listen to each other again. To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy.
我自己也選輸過兩次（譯註：拜登曾在1988年與2008年兩度爭取民主黨總統提名，但未成功），但此刻，讓我們給彼此一個機會。這是拋開尖刻言辭的時候，要降溫，再見到彼此，聆聽彼此。如果要進步，我們就必須停止把對手當成敵人。
rhetoric /ˈretərɪk/表示「辭令；巧辯；（尤指）花言巧語，浮誇之詞」，英文解釋為「language that is used to persuade or influence people, especially language that sounds impressive but is not actually sincere or useful」舉個🌰：
The speech was dismissed by some people as merely political rhetoric.
有些人認為這場演講只是華而不實的政治空談。
We are not enemies. We are Americans.
我們不是敵人，我們都是同胞。
The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal.
聖經教導我們，天下萬物均有定時，建造有時，收割有時，栽種有時，醫治也有時。
表示「收割，獲得，收穫」，英文解釋為「If you reap the benefits or the rewards of something, you enjoy the good things that happen as a result of it.」舉個🌰：
You'll soon begin to reap the benefits of being fitter.
你很快就會獲得身體更健康帶來的好處。
This is the time to heal in America. Now that the campaign is over — what is the people's will? What is our mandate?
現在是美國醫治療傷的時刻。如今選舉已經結束，人民的意志是什麼？我們被授權要做什麼？
I believe it is this: Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the forces of fairness. To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time. The battle to control the virus. The battle to build prosperity. The battle to secure your family's health care. The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country. The battle to save the climate. The battle to restore decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair shot.
我相信是這個：美國人民要我們集結合宜得體的力量，以及公正的力量，要集結科學與希望的力量，以展開我們這個時代的重要徵戰，包括控制疫情、打造繁榮、確保你和家人的醫療照顧、達成種族公平並根除我國制度性的種族歧視、拯救氣候、找回合宜得體的言行、捍衛民主，並且給每個國民公平的機會。
1) 表示「整理（思路、想法等）」，英文解釋為「to organize your thoughts, ideas etc so that they are clear, effective, or easy to understand」，如：marshal your thoughts/arguments etc，舉個🌰：
When working on my doctoral thesis, I often pause for a moment to marshal my thoughts.
我寫博士論文時經常停頓片刻，整理下思路。
2) 表示「整理調集，集結（力量）」，英文解釋為「to organize all the people or things that you need in order to be ready for a battle, election etc」舉個🌰：
The general marshalled his forces for a major offensive.
將軍調集軍隊準備大舉進攻。
Our work begins with getting COVID under control. We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality, or relish life's most precious moments — hugging a grandchild, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us — until we get this virus under control.
我們的第一件工作，是要控制新型冠狀病毒疾病的疫情。在使疫情得到控制之前，我們無法修補經濟、恢復我們的活力，也無法享受人生最珍貴的時刻：擁抱孫兒、慶生、參加婚禮、畢業典禮，還有所有對我們最重要的場合。
表示「享受；從…獲得樂趣；渴望；喜歡」，英文解釋為「to get great pleasure from sth; to want very much to do or have sth」舉個🌰：
He is relishing the prospect of studying in Shanghai for four years.
他憧憬著在上海學習四年的美好時光。
On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on January 20th, 2021. That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern.
明天，我將指定一群重要科學家和專家擔任政府過渡期顧問，協助將拜登—賀錦麗計畫轉化成為行動藍圖，在明年1月20日開始實施。那項計劃將以科學為基礎，依憐閔、同理心與關懷的原則規劃。
表示「基礎；牢固基礎；基本事實；基本原則」，英文解釋為「the main principles on which something is based」舉個🌰：
Honesty is the bedrock of any healthy relationship.
誠實是維持一切良好關係的基本原則。
I will spare no effort — or commitment — to turn this pandemic around.
我將竭盡全力，全心承諾扭轉疫情。
I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn't vote for me — as those who did. Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end — here and now.
我以民主黨員身分光榮參選，我如今將成為美國總統。對於沒有投票給我的人，我也會努力以赴，無異於投票給我的民眾。此時此地，就讓美國妖魔化的灰暗時代開始落幕。
The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control. It's a decision. It's a choice we make.
民主黨與共和黨拒絕相互合作的原因，並非某種我們無法控制的神秘力量。它是個決定，是我們所做的選擇。
And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that this is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate.
如果我們可以決定不合作，我們就可以決定合作。我相信這是美國人民授權我們要做的事情之一。他們要我們合作。
That's the choice I'll make. And I call on the Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — to make that choice with me.
這就是我要做的選擇，我籲請國會民主黨與共和黨議員跟我做一樣的選擇。
The American story is about the slow, yet steady widening of opportunity. Make no mistake: Too many dreams have been deferred for too long. We must make the promise of the country real for everybody — no matter their race, their ethnicity, their faith, their identity, or their disability.
美國故事，是雖然緩慢但機會卻穩定寬廣的故事。而且不要犯錯，有太多夢想被推遲的太久。我們必須讓這個國家承諾對每個人都能實現，不論他們的種族、族裔、信仰、認同或有何殘缺。
表示「使延期，使延緩，推遲」，英文解釋為「to delay something until a later time」，舉個🌰：
My bank has agreed to defer the repayments on my loan.
銀行同意讓我延緩償還貸款。
America has always been shaped by inflection points — by moments in time where we've made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be. Lincoln in 1860 — coming to save the Union. FDR in 1932 — promising a beleaguered country a New Deal. JFK in 1960 — pledging a New Frontier. And twelve years ago — when Barack Obama made history — and told us, 「Yes, we can.」
美國始終被拐點所塑造，也就是在一些時間點，我們思考自己是什麼樣的人，又想成為什麼樣的人，然後做出困難的決定。林肯在1860年決定維護國家的完整，羅斯福總統在1932年為陷入困境的美國承諾推行新政，甘迺迪總統在1960年承諾新境界，12年前，歐巴馬在創造歷史的時候，他告訴我們：「是的，我們做得到。」
beleaguered /bɪˈliːgəd/ 表示「被煩擾的；處於困境的」，英文解釋為「having a lot of problems or difficulties」舉個🌰：
The arrival of the fresh medical supplies was a welcome sight for the beleaguered doctors working.
新醫療用品的到來深受已焦頭爛額的醫生們的歡迎。
We stand again at an inflection point. We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose. We can do it. I know we can. I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must restore the soul of America.
我們再次處在一個拐點。我們有機會打敗絕望，建立繁榮、有目標的國家。我們做得到，我知道可以。我很早就談到要為美國的靈魂而奮鬥。我們必須找回美國的靈魂。
Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. It is time for our better angels to prevail. Tonight, the whole world is watching America. I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe. And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.
塑造我們國家的，是我們的善良天使跟我們最黑暗的衝動之間不斷發生的徵戰。此刻，我們善良的天使要得勝。今晚，全世界都在看著美國，我相信美國表現最好的時候，是全球的明燈。我們的領導，靠的不是我們實力的展示，而是靠我們做為榜樣的力量。
I've always believed we can define America in one word: Possibilities. That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them. You see, I believe in the possibility of this country.
我始終相信，若要用一個單字來定義美國，必定是「可能性」。在美國，每個人都應該有機會追尋夢想，將神所賜予的能力發揮到淋漓盡致。對，我相信這個國家的可能性。
We're always looking ahead. Ahead to an America that's freer and more just. Ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect. Ahead to an America that cures disease — like cancer and Alzheimers. Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind. Ahead to an America that never gives up, never gives in.
我們眼光總是向前看，盼望一個更自由、更公正的美國，一個用品格、尊重來創造工作機會的美國，一個可以治療諸如癌症、阿茲海默症等疾病的美國，一個不放棄任何一人的美國，一個不輕言放棄、屈服的美國。
This is a great nation. And we are a good people. This is the United States of America. And there has never been anything we haven't been able to do when we've done it together.
這是偉大的國家，我們是良善的一群，這是美利堅合眾國，當我們攜手團結，就沒有辦不到的事。
In the last days of the campaign, I've been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America.
選戰進入最後倒數階段的時候，我腦海不斷想著一首對我和家人很重要的讚美詩，尤其是我已故的兒子波伊（Beau）。這首讚美詩體現給我支撐的信仰，我深信它也支撐著美國。
表示「讚美詩，聖歌」，英文解釋為「a song of praise that Christians sing to God」。
And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Hopefully this hymn gives you solace as well.
我希望，這也將對今年因恐怖病毒而失去摯愛的23萬個家庭提供些許慰藉。我心惦念著你們大家，希望這首讚美詩也能給你們安慰。
表示「安慰，撫慰，慰藉」，英文解釋為「help and comfort when you are feeling sad or worried」舉個🌰：
When his wife left him, he found solace in the bottle (= drank alcohol).
妻子離開他之後，他借酒消愁。
「And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand.」And now, together — on eagle's wings — we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do.
「他要將你升高乘鷹翅膀，背負你黎明翱翔，要你明亮如太陽，將你緊握在主慈手中。」現在，大家一起在鷹翅之上，展開神和歷史召喚我們從事的工作。
With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country — and a thirst for justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be. A nation united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed. The United States of America.
憑藉著虔誠的心、穩健的手以及對美國和彼此的信心，藉著愛國的心和對正義的渴望，讓我們的國家達到我們自知可以達到的境界：一個團結的國家，一個強化的國家，一個癒合的國家，美利堅合眾國。
God bless you. And may God protect our troops.
神保佑大家，願神保佑我們的部隊。
往期精彩
在他鄉| 月亮圓圓，日子甜甜。
為什麼我們總做出讓自己後悔的決定？| 視頻雙語
海洋中的氧氣會被用光嗎？(視頻)
不學經濟學，也一定要知道「雙循環經濟」
大選到底誰贏？請先查收5種「贏」的高級表達
"敢於浪費一個小時時間的人，還沒有發現生命的價值。"——查爾斯·達爾文
來源：CSPAN，網絡
排版文本：LEARN AND RECORD
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