公众人物毕业演讲第402期:奥巴马2012年哥伦比亚大学毕业演讲(20)

 　　Whenever somebody tells you to set your sights lower the trajectory¹ of this country should give you hope Previous generations should give you hope.

　　每当有人告诉你要将眼光放低点这个国家走过的道路应该给你带来希望前几代人的经历应该给你带来希望

　　What young generations have done before should give you hope Young folks who marched.

　　在你之前的一代又一代年轻人做过的一切应该给你带来希望无论是在塞尼卡福尔斯

　　And mobilized and stood up and sat in from Seneca Falls to Selma to Stonewall.

　　还是在塞尔玛或是在石墙当时那些参加游行 动员起来挺身而出 进行静坐的年轻人

　　Didn't just do it for themselves they did it for other people That's how we achieved women's rights.

　　他们不仅仅是为自己这样做他们这样做是为了别人就是这样 我们获得了妇女权利

　　That's how we achieved voting rights That's how we achieved workers' rights That's how we achieved gay rights.

　　就是这样 我们获得了选举权就是这样 我们获得了工人权利就是这样 我们获得了同性恋权利

　　That's how we've made this Union more perfect And if you're willing to do your part now if you're willing to reach up and close that gap.

　　就是这样 我们使我们的合众国更趋完美如果你们愿意现在就来尽你们的职责如果你们愿意竭尽所能

　　Between what America is and what America should be I want you to know that I will be right there with you If you are ready to fight for that brilliant.

　　缩小美国现状与理想之间的差距我想让你们知道 我会与你们站在一起如果你准备为美国实现这个十分简单

　　Radically² simple idea of America that no matter who you are or what you look like no matter who you love or what God you worship.

　　却又非常美好的想法而奋斗不管你是谁 不管你的外貌如何不管你爱的是谁或敬拜什么样的神

　　You can still pursue your own happiness I will join you every step of the way Now more than ever, now more than ever.

　　你仍然可以追求自己的幸福我会在前进的道路上与你并肩迈出每一步与以往任何时候相比 与以往任何时候相比

　　America needs what you the Class of 2012, has to offer America needs you to reach high and hope deeply.

　　现在美国都更需要你们2012届的同学们 所能贡献的一切美国需要你们高瞻远瞩 胸怀大志

　　And if you fight for your seat at the table and you set a better example and you persevere³ in what you decide to do with your life.

　　如果你们为争取自己的发言权而奋斗树立一个更好的榜样坚持做你们一生中立志要做的事情

　　I have every faith not only that you will succeed but that, through you, our nation will continue to be a beacon⁴ of light for men and women.

　　我坚信 不仅你们会取得成功而且由于你们的努力 我们的国家将继续是为全球每一个角落的男人和女人

　　Boys and girls, in every corner of the globe So thank you. Congratulations God bless you.

　　男孩和女孩照耀航程的灯塔因此 谢谢大家 向你们祝贺上帝保佑你们

　　God bless the United States of America

　　上帝保佑美利坚合众国

1 trajectory   

n.弹道，轨道

参考例句：

• It is not difficult to sketch the subsequent trajectory.很容易描绘出它们最终的轨迹。
• The path followed by a projectile is called its trajectory.抛物体所循的路径称为它的轨道。

2 radically   

ad.根本地，本质地

参考例句：

• I think we may have to rethink our policies fairly radically. 我认为我们可能要对我们的政策进行根本的反思。
• The health service must be radically reformed. 公共医疗卫生服务必须进行彻底改革。

3 persevere   

v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠

参考例句：

• They are determined to persevere in the fight.他们决心坚持战斗。
• It is strength of character enabled him to persevere.他那坚强的性格使他能够坚持不懈。

4 beacon   

n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔

参考例句：

• The blink of beacon could be seen for miles.灯塔的光亮在数英里之外都能看见。
• The only light over the deep black sea was the blink shone from the beacon.黑黢黢的海面上唯一的光明就只有灯塔上闪现的亮光了。