VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Celebrates St. Patrick's Day with Irish L

Millions of Americans of Irish descent and millions more who are not joined Tuesday in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the national holiday of Ireland. U.S. President Barack Obama led the festivities at the White House, where he met with Ireland's Prime Minister, Brian Cowen.

President Obama speaks often of his American mother and his Kenyan father.

It turns out that he is also Irish. "My mother's family can be traced back to Ireland," he said.

His roots go back to the same county that is home to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. And as the two met at the White House for the first time, Mr. Obama spoke¹ of a common bond.

"Even if by blood we are not related, by culture and affinity², by friendship and mutual³ interests we are certainly related," he said.
　
President Barack Obama receives a bowl of shamrocks from Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, 17 Mar⁴ 2009

In keeping with tradition, the leader of the Republic of Ireland presented Mr. Obama with a crystal bowl of shamrocks, the three-leafed clover that is the symbol of Ireland.

But Mr. Cowen made clear that his visit was about more than a celebration of Irish heritage. He talked about the peace process that ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland between Irish separatists and British forces.

Recently, militants⁵ opposed to Northern Ireland's ties to Britain killed a police officer and two soldiers in separate incidents near Belfast.

The prime minister said the Irish people do not support such action. "They have spoken with one voice. They have rejected violence and division. They have stood by peace, reconciliation⁶, democracy and freedom," he said.

After the public appearance with the prime minister, President Obama met privately⁷ at the White House with Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy, Martin McGuiness.
　
Water in the White House South Lawn fountain is green-colored in honor of St. Patrick's Day, 17 Mar 2009

They all attended a St. Patrick's Day luncheon⁸ at the U.S. Capitol.

Bagpipes⁹ played on the Capitol steps and inside, the president alluded¹⁰ to the recent attacks in Northern Ireland. He said not all Americans are Irish, but all support the cause of peace.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 affinity   

n.亲和力，密切关系

参考例句：

• I felt a great affinity with the people of the Highlands.我被苏格兰高地人民深深地吸引。
• It's important that you share an affinity with your husband.和丈夫有共同的爱好是十分重要的。

3 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

4 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

5 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

6 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

7 privately   

adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地

参考例句：

• Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
• The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。

8 luncheon   

n.午宴，午餐，便宴

参考例句：

• We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
• I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。

9 bagpipes   

n.风笛；风笛( bagpipe的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Yes, and I'm also learning to play the bagpipes. 是的，我也想学习吹风笛。 来自超越目标英语 第3册
• Mr. Vinegar took the bagpipes and the piper led the cow away. 于是醋溜先生拿过了风笛，风笛手牵走了奶牛。 来自互联网

10 alluded   

提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design. 在你的谈话中，你提到了某个阴谋。
• She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles. 她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。