VOA标准英语2014--流亡的缅甸歌手仍不能回国

 

Exiled Myanmar Singer Still Not Able to Return Home 流亡的缅甸歌手仍不能回国 

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND—

In Myanmar, also known as Burma, thousands of refugees have returned home in recent years, drawn¹ by democratic changes, a growing economy and loosened restrictions³ on political freedoms.

But not everyone is welcome. One former activist⁴ remains⁵ in exile, despite his desire to return.

In northern Thailand, exiled Kachin musician Mun Aung has a message of peace for his fans in Yangon.

But the former '88 Generation activist, who fled to Norway 26 years, ago will not be delivering the message in person. He was recently denied a visa to enter Myanmar, without being given an official reason.

“Maybe they think that we are going to cause problems or trouble in the country. I just recently finished recording⁶ my new album, which is called "Raindrops of Peace." My dream was to perform a concert in public, a kind of fund-rising concert for Kachin Refugees," he explained.

About 100,000 civilians⁷ are facing a fourth Christmas in primitive⁸ camps in rebel-controlled areas of Kachin state. The Kachin fighters are the only ethnic⁹ army that has not signed a cease-fire agreement.

Talks faltered¹⁰ recently, following a government artillery¹¹ attack on a Kachin training center that killed 23 cadets.

The Kachin's perpetual struggles are familiar to Mun Aung who grew up as a child in the conflict zone.

“The problem in Burma today is the power sharing because the power has been in military or previous military government or so-called governments in last 50 years," Mun Aung said. "All the state, the power and authority, everything has been in the hands of the military. So it is the military decision whether they want to give up the power or not.”

Mun Aung's music has long been an anthem¹² for pro-democracy protesters. That is likely part of the reason he cannot go back. But he remains popular, even in exile. During an ethnic festival on the Thai-Myanmar border, Kachin singers raising money for people displaced by fighting invited him on-stage to play a few classics.

For now, he looks on the bright side of Myanmar's reforms, even if he cannot witness them.

“When I released 'Battle for Peace' album in 1992, it was very difficult because it was considered as illegal, so everyone who owned my cassette or copy of the album could go to jail," Mun Aung said. "But this time, for me to release a new album, I hope it will be easier than 20 years ago because now it sounds like there is no restriction² on distribution of music such as censorship and permission from authorities to release a new album.”

While Mun Aung is set to return to his family in Norway, his thoughts of peace will remain here with his people.

1 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

2 restriction   

n.限制，约束

参考例句：

• The park is open to the public without restriction.这个公园对公众开放，没有任何限制。
• The 30 mph speed restriction applies in all built-up areas.每小时限速30英里适用于所有建筑物聚集区。

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

7 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

8 primitive   

adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物

参考例句：

• It is a primitive instinct to flee a place of danger.逃离危险的地方是一种原始本能。
• His book describes the march of the civilization of a primitive society.他的著作描述了一个原始社会的开化过程。

9 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

10 faltered   

（嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃

参考例句：

• He faltered out a few words. 他支吾地说出了几句。
• "Er - but he has such a longhead!" the man faltered. 他不好意思似的嚅嗫着：“这孩子脑袋真长。”

11 artillery   

n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队)

参考例句：

• This is a heavy artillery piece.这是一门重炮。
• The artillery has more firepower than the infantry.炮兵火力比步兵大。

12 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。