第一篇：奧巴馬演講

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.我要感謝下一位第一夫人米歇爾*奧巴馬。她是我家的中流砥柱，是我生命中的最愛。沒有她在過去16年來的堅定支持，我就不可能今晚站在這里。我要感謝薩

沙和瑪麗雅，我太愛你們兩個了，你們將有一條新的小狗，它將與我們一起入住白宮。我還要感謝已去世的外婆，我知道此刻她正在天上看著我。她與其它親人一

起造就了今天的我。今夜我思念他們，我知道他們對我的恩情比山高，比海深。

老夫評語：

奧巴馬是個演講高手，他在這里做了一個小小的抖包袱。也就是說，他先表示了對當選副總統的感謝之后，先描述一下接下來他要感謝的人的情況，然后再隆重推

出。但“新東方譯本”先把包袱給平淡無味地說了出來，這種翻譯，損害了原文的神韻。就這種翻譯，中國人看完了之后，會認為這個奧巴馬有什么演講口才

嗎？

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

pressure or persuasion”的意思，即“不向壓力低頭的”，“不屈不撓的”?！皥远ā狈g得不透徹。

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.我要感謝我的競選經理大衛*普魯夫，感謝首席策劃師大衛*阿克塞羅德以及整個競選團隊，他們是政治史上最優秀的競選團隊。你們成就了今夜，我永遠感謝你

們為今夜所作出的犧牲。但最重要的是，我將永遠不會忘記這場勝利真正歸功于誰---是你們！

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.我曾經是最沒有可能的候選人。起初，我們的資金不多，贊助人也不多。我們的競選并非始于華盛頓的華麗大廳，而是起于德莫奈地區某家的后院、康科德地區的某家客廳、查爾斯頓地區的某家前廊。

老夫評語：

1、Endorsement：翻譯成“贊助人”是錯誤的。這是一個政治競選的專門術語，專指“一些重量級人物對競選人公開宣布支持”的行為。比如，最后

一周前，共和黨的鮑威爾宣布支持奧巴馬，這一公開支持行為，使奧巴馬的競選行情更加看好。也就是說，Powell's endorsement，成了那

一天所有新聞媒體的頭條。

2、把Des Moines很隨性地瞎譯成“德莫奈地區”是非常不負責的。這是美國中西部一個叫愛荷華州的首府。盡管這個州在大選時，并不是太重要的一

個州，但卻是一個成立于19世紀時一個州啊。傳統地翻譯為“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.這些勞動大眾從自己的微薄積蓄中掏出5美元、10美元、20美元，拿來捐助我們的事業?，F在的年輕人曾被認為是冷漠的一代，但正是這些年輕人壯大了我們 的聲勢。他們離開自己的家庭和親人，拿著很少的報酬，起早摸黑地助選。上了年紀的人也頂著嚴寒酷暑，敲開陌生人的家門助選。無數的美國人自愿地組織起

來，證明了在兩百多年以后，民有、民治、民享的政府并未從地球上消失。這是你們的勝利。

老夫評語：

1、“5美元、10美元、20美元”這是表達了原文的表面意義。但實際上，這是中國的一些翻譯最常見的糟糕的翻譯。試想一下，你在說人民幣時，會說“5

人民幣，10人民幣，20人民幣”嗎？因此，你在翻譯時，也認為奧巴馬會這么說嗎？

2、“捐助我們的事業”，又是譯者自己在胡亂地多加漢字，原文是“It was built by...”，也就是指“競選活動”，而不是什么“我們的事

業”。然后，演講高手又繼續深入地說，“It grew strength”，也是與“it was built by...”是同一個意思。同一種意思，不使用同一個詞，這是演講上的最大的講究。也是一種遞進式的進一步加強語氣的最常見說法。結果呢，看漢語，突然說了句“現在的年輕人曾被認為......”。

3、the myth of their generation's apathy：譯成“冷漠的一代”，又過于簡單了。因為，這里是指“這一代人對政

治不感興趣”，而不是“冷漠的一代”。

4、“上了年紀的人”？玩什么玩笑，“the not-so-young...”不應該按中國人的習慣給翻譯成“上了年紀的人”。在美國，人們是不喜歡自己

變老的。這是一種非常婉轉但很美麗的表述啊，就是“已經不太年輕的人”。此外，還是翻譯時太隨性了。

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.我知道你們這樣做并不只是為了贏得一場大選，更不是為了我個人。你們這樣做，是因為你們明白未來的任務有多么艱巨。今晚我們在歡慶，明天我們就將面對一

生之中最為嚴峻的挑戰－－兩場戰爭、一個充滿危險的星球，還有百年一遇的金融危機。今晚我們站在這里慶祝，但我們知道在伊拉克的沙漠里，在阿富汗的群山

中，那些勇敢的美國人正在那里。為了我們，他們醒來后面對的是一個有生命危險的世界。這些士兵的父母會在孩子熟睡后仍難以入眠，他們擔憂的是如何償還月

供，如何支付醫藥費，如何存夠今后孩子的大學費用。我們需要開發新能源，創造新的就業機會；修建新的學校；我們還要迎接挑戰和威脅，并修復與盟國的關

系。

老夫評語：

1、“For even as..., we know...”這個關聯詞是必須要翻譯出來的，因為它是整個這個演講中，很重要的一個轉折。奧巴馬從這時開始要

評述目前的經濟困境了。也就是說，該必須翻的，結果還給漏掉了。另外，奧巴馬還是很喜歡排比句，他還要繼續以“even as...”深入地表明自己的態

度。奧巴馬看到人們的熱烈歡呼的場面，但他知道，美國人民還必須面對更嚴峻的經濟形勢。所以，他說，即便我們今晚在這里慶祝勝利，但我們知道接下來的日

子并不好過。

2、把“the worst financial crisis in a century”譯成“百年一遇”也過于隨性。說“百年一遇”，在漢語里

有“唯一一次的”意味。事實上，1929年就已經有過一次。所以，還是最好不要這樣譯，還是直接翻譯原文就更對味了：“一個世紀里最糟糕的金融危

機”。

3、“這些士兵的父母”？也太隨便了點吧？哪有的事情?。渴莻€并列的句子！奧巴馬先說在國外的士兵，然后，又說在國內的很多父母，但并沒有說這些人就是

那些士兵們的父母。

4、“他們擔憂的是......”是這樣嗎？“wonder how...”，沒有擔憂的意思。是他們在想，在盤算，在合計的意思啊。這個譯本給我的感覺，越來

越“深一腳淺一腳”的了。

5、“挑戰和威脅”？原文只有“威脅”一詞，哪有“挑戰”的詞呢？這是添了油加了醋。要知道，翻譯政論性的文章，就應該學《參考消息》的那種翻譯方法

啊。這是業內基本的共識。這樣的譯者，如果真給派到外交場合去翻譯的話，給國際外交帶來的，只能是無窮無盡的麻煩。

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.前方的道路還很漫長，任務很艱巨。一年之內，甚至一屆任期之內，我們可能都無法完成這些任務。但我從未像今晚這樣對美國滿懷希望，我相信我們會實現這個

目標。我向你們承諾－－我們美利堅民族將實現這一目標！老夫評語：

1、“our climb will be steep.”多好的語言啊，怎么被翻譯成“任務很艱巨”這么沒有一點原文滋味的話呢？奧巴馬喜歡使用很多

很生動形象的比喻。作為一個譯者，不是在沒有的地方多加些話，就是在應該原滋原味地翻譯的地方，胡亂地套上一點也不尊重原文的漢語，這已經不是翻譯。原

文的意思是，“我們要攀爬的地方還十分陡峭”。因此，他繼續說，“我們也許在一年后，甚至一屆總統任內，都不會抵達那里。但美國人民啊，我從來沒有像今

晚這樣充滿著憧憬，那就是，我們一定會抵達那里。我向你們承諾：我們美國人民一定要抵達那里！”這么富有煽動性的話語，讓新東方譯本這么一譯，成了白菜

湯了，都。

2、關于“We as a people...”，任何對美國憲法有一點了解的人，都明白，奧巴馬是在這里

婉轉地使用了美國憲法最開始一句話的頭三個字：“We the people”。而這位譯者，卻翻譯成了“我們美利堅民族”，聽上去更像有種族主義者的意味。

____________________ 老夫譯文：

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，我能站在這里，是因為我擁有過去16年來我最好的朋友，我們家的基石，我生命中的摯愛，我們國家的下一位第一夫人，米雪·奧巴馬始終不渝的支持。

莎莎，還有瑪麗亞，我深愛著你們兩個。你們已經贏得了一個新的寵物，它要隨我們一起走進白宮了。還有一位，她已經不再與我們在一起了，我知道，姥姥在高

天上正望著我，她跟所有培養我成為今天這個樣子的親人們一起，在望著我。今晚，我想念他們，我內心知道，我對他們永遠感激不盡。

老夫譯文：

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.這一競選過程的氣勢，是由那些勞作的人們，從自己很少的積蓄中，掏出五塊十塊二十塊贊助，而贏得的。是從那些離開家，離開親人，干收入很少的助選的活 兒，睡很少的覺的年輕人那里贏得的，（因為）他們拒絕承認自己對政治不感興趣。是從那些嚴冬酷暑里，勇于敲開一點也不認識的生人的門，自己卻并不太年輕 的人們那里贏得的。是從數百萬自愿組織起來的美國民眾那里贏得的。而且它也證明了，兩百多年后的今天，一個民有，民治，民享的政府，并沒有從這個地球消

失。這是你們的勝利！

老夫譯文：

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，你們這樣做，并不是只為了贏得一次選舉，我也知道你們這樣做，也不是為我。你們之所以要這樣做，是因為你們懂得，擺在眼前的任務太過艱巨了。因

為即便我們今晚這樣慶祝勝利，但我們都明白，明天帶來的挑戰，是我們一輩子里最大的挑戰了____兩場戰爭，危機四伏的地球，百年里最糟糕的金融危機。

因為即便我們今晚站在這里，但我們都明白，在伊拉克的沙漠里，在阿富汗的群山中，還有我們勇敢的美國人（戰士），他們一覺醒來，就面臨著為保護我們而犧

牲性命的危險。還有無數母親們和父親們，孩子已經熟睡了，自己卻不能入眠，他們要盤算著如何才能償付房貸，怎樣支付醫療費用，如何才能攢夠孩子上大學的

錢數。還有，新能源要開發，新的就業機會要創造，新校舍要搭建，無數威脅要面對，友邦關系要修補。

前面的路，很長，我們要攀爬的地方，還很陡。也許，我們在一年內，甚至一屆總統任期內，都不會抵達那里。但美國人民哪，我從來沒有像今晚這樣，充滿著憧

憬，這憧憬就是，我們一定會抵達那里。我向你們承諾：我們美國人民一定要抵達那里！“ _________________________ 還有地方，再補充些評語內容：

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.我們會遇到挫折，會出師不利，會有許多人不認同我得某一項決定或政策。我們知道政府并不能解決所有問題，我會向你們坦陳我們所面臨的困難。我會聆聽你們 的意見，尤其是在我們意見不同的時候。最重要的是，我會請求你們一起參與重建這個國家。用自己的雙手，從一磚一瓦做起，這是美國立國221年以來的前進

方式，也是惟一的方式。

老夫評語：

1、”as president“，漏譯。

2、不是”某一項“，是”每項“，是強調社會的多元化。

3、But I will always be...語氣譯得不夠原文那么強烈的意味。

4、”用自己的雙手“，卻沒有了原文的味道。原文說的是”用一雙又一又挽在一起的長著老繭的手“。我發現，這位譯者不喜歡把細節的東西好好看。所以給人

感覺是粗糙地”意譯“，而不是翻譯。

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個月前那個隆冬所開始的一切絕不應在今天這個秋夜結束。我們所尋求的變革并不只是贏得大選，這只是給變革提供了一個機會。假如我們仍然按照現有方式

行事，就沒有變革。沒有你們，就沒有變革。

老夫評語：

1、”This victory alone is not the change we seek“，”這場勝利本身，并不是我們要追求的變革?！爸?/p>

接翻譯就很不錯啊，為什么要人為地拐一下彎呢？接下來也正對啊，”這場勝利，不過是我們要進行變革的一個機會。“

2、”the way things were“是”現有方式行事“嗎？那是個過去式，奧巴馬在批評八年執政的共和黨呢。從此時起，就一切都成為”過去

式“了啊。這可能還是一種隨性譯法吧。

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.讓我們發揚新的愛國精神，樹立新的服務意識和責任感；讓我們每個人下定決心，更加努力地工作，彼此關愛；讓我們牢記這場金融危機帶來的教訓：不能允許商

業街掙扎的同時卻讓華爾街繁榮。在這個國家，我們屬于同一民族，我們患難與共。

老夫評語：

1、”服務意識“？呵呵，哎呀。怎么說呢，這都是哪兒跟哪兒?。吭趺匆豢础眘ervice“就是”服務“呢？這種理解”service“的方法，有些太

初學的意味。

2、”if this financial crisis taught us anything“這是純粹英語表述法，但在漢語中是可以被接受的。不

要舍棄原滋原味的奧巴馬演講風格為好。

3、”不能允許商業街掙扎的同時卻讓華爾街繁榮。“徹底翻譯錯了。又是在關鍵的地方出錯。美國不是集權國家，不敢動不動就對商業說”不能允許“的話。這

是一種客觀描述，而不是命令句。而且，這也說的是一種教訓，希望大家能吸取。

4、”我們屬于同一民族“，這是明顯是中國人典型的翻譯法。美國總統不會說出中國式的話。美國什么時候都不認為整個美國屬于同一民族。它永遠都是

以”melting pot“為驕傲。

這部分的總體評價：整個翻譯，說得不客氣些，就是沒有神韻，就是在關鍵的地方，總譯不到點子上，也可以進一步說，就是很差的意思。原文極其具有煽動性，勸說性，但讀起這個譯文，有些”白菜湯"的味道。

第二篇：奧巴馬演講

奧巴馬演講

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：奧巴馬演講

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：奧巴馬演講

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：奧巴馬演講

奧巴馬演講:為未來清潔能源投資

來源: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。本周我來到了維吉尼亞州匹茲堡市的一家工廠，這家工廠帶來了100多個新的工作崗位，他們正在生產下一代噴氣發動機的零部件。

這樣的景象在全國各地不斷涌現。上個月我們的企業又新增23.3萬個就業崗位，過去兩年總共新增約400萬個就業崗位。越來越多的企業選擇回國投資并將工作崗位帶回來。制造業也從上世紀90年代以來首次增加就業崗位，我們制造的產品被銷往世界各地，產品上印著讓我們自豪的四個字：美國制造。

我們不僅僅是正在制造一些東西，我們是在制造更棒的東西。在匹茲堡這里生產的引擎零部件將用于下一代的更輕、更快、更節省燃料的飛機上。

最后一個特點很重要。因為無論你是買機票還是給自己的汽車加油，提高單位燃料的行駛里程是幫助我們節約支出和降低對海外石油依賴的最直接的方式。而最近油價的上漲也深深刺痛著我們，我們必須在這一技術上進行投資。一些政客一直在兜售他們實現2美元油價的三項計劃：開采、開采以及更多的開采。好吧，我的回應是，我們一直都在開采。在政府領導下，美國國內的石油產量處在8年來的最高點。我們開放了數百萬英畝的開采區域，正在運轉的石油鉆井平臺也增加了4倍。但你我都知道我們僅僅擁有2%的世界石油儲量，我們不能單獨依靠開采來降低油價，何況我們還消費了全球20%的石油。我們需要一個最高的能源戰略，減少我們對海外石油的依賴，更多使用國產能源：太陽能、風能、天然氣以及生物燃料等等。

這才是我們追求的戰略。這也是我本周早些時候到訪北卡的一家工廠的原因，那里的工人們正在生產使用天然氣的卡車，混合動力卡車用一箱油能行駛的更遠。

這也是我自主政以來就一直關注高能效汽車的原因。在過去的幾年里，美國人每年的汽車行駛里程基本保持不變，但總的汽油消耗量在不斷下降。換句話說，我們花同樣的錢，得到的利益增加了。如果我們加速推進這一趨勢，我們就可以幫助駕駛員們節約一筆可觀的費用。這也是我們實施新的能效標準的原因，老的標準還是30年前制定的，這樣我們能在未來15年內實現汽車平均用1加侖汽油行駛55英里的目標，這是現狀的兩倍。實現這一目標并不容易，我們需要將汽車生產廠家、產業聯盟以及意見并不一致的人們團結到一起。但這么做是值得的。

因為這樣的汽車并不像前幾年那樣還是空中樓閣。我們的工人，國內的工廠現在正在生產這樣的汽車。每年，我們的汽車、卡車都能用更少的油跑的更遠，很快，你們將能每兩周加一次油而不用每周都去加油站。這樣假以時日，將為一般家庭在油費支出上節省8000多美元。我們將減少超過120億桶的石油消費量。這是值得我們投資的未來。因此，我們要做出選擇。但現在華盛頓的一些人卻寧愿每年花40億美元給石油公司提供補貼。你們可知道。我們已經用納稅人的錢給它們提供了將近一個世紀的補貼了。在國會之外，難道就有人真的認為這是個好主意嗎？我希望國會終止對石油產業的補貼，它們的利潤已經高的不能再高了，我們應該把這些錢投資到更有希望的清潔能源產業上。我們應該投資于生產高能效汽車、卡車和飛機的技術上，避免我們年復一年的受高油價的麻煩。

走出不斷上漲的油價這一惡性循環并不容易，也不能在一夜間完成。但這正是你們選擇我們來到華盛頓的原因，我們就是來解決這樣的難題的。因此我將繼續竭盡所能幫助我們節約油費支出，現在如此將來亦如此。我希望兩黨的政客們都能與我一道。讓我們把空洞的口號放置一邊，牢記使命，為美國人民把事情做好。謝謝，上帝保佑大家，祝大家周末愉快。