奥巴马每周电视讲话：总统祝福人民感恩节快乐

Hi,everybody.In 1620,a small band of pilgrims came to this continent,refugees who had fled persecution¹ and violence in their native land.Nearly 400 years later,we remember their part in the American story-and we honor the men and women who helped them in their time of need.
大家好。1620年，一小拨朝圣的清教徒来到这片大陆，他们为了逃离故土的迫害和暴力镇压逃难至此。将近400年来的今天，我们依然记得他们在美国历史上的重要位置，我们也崇敬那些在他们最需要帮助的时候伸出援手的人们。
Thanksgiving is a day for food and football,and for hoping the turkey didn't turn out too dry.But it's also a day to count our blessings² and give back to others-a reminder³ that no matter our circumstances,all of us have something to be grateful for.Maybe it's good health,a new addition to the family,or a child taking a next step toward college or a career.Maybe it's a new job,or long overdue⁴ raise.Maybe it's something as simple,and as important,as the chance to spend time with the people who matter most.
感恩节是分享美食、观赏球赛的日子，大家都希望火鸡不要烤的太干。这也是我们将祝福和帮助送给他人的日子，无论我们生活在什么环境中，我们都有一些需要感恩的东西。也许是有个好身体、家里有了新居、或者是孩子们在学业或职业上取得了新进展。也许是有了新工作、期待已久的升职。也许是很简单、很重要，与最关心的人一起共度时光的机会。
Of course,every American can be thankful for the chance to live in a country founded on the belief that all of us are created equal.And as President,I'm thankful that I get to see the best of America every day-the courage of our troops and veterans,the resilience of our families,and the basic goodness of the ordinary people who call this country.
当然，每个美国人都会为生活在这样的国家而感动，因为这个国家相信所有人生而平等。作为总统，我感谢每一天我看到的都是最美好的美国，我们有英勇不屈的将士和退伍军人，坚忍不拔的家庭，普通百姓称赞这个国家的一切美好的地方。
On this uniquely American holiday,we also remember that so much of our greatness comes from our generosity⁵.There's the generosity of Americans who volunteer at food banks and shelters,making sure that no one goes hungry on a day when so many plates are full.There's the generosity of Americans who take part not just in Black Friday and Cyber Monday,but Giving Tuesday-recognizing that in the holiday season,what you give is as important as what you get.
在这个独具美国特色的节日里，我们也感谢慷慨大方的人们。乐善好施的美国人民自发设置食品发放中心和救济站，确保在大部分人都有吃的情况下没有人挨饿。慷慨的美国人民不仅参与黑色星期五和网购星期一的活动中，也参与到分享星期二的活动中，这些在假期里的活动让我们记住，你所给予的与你所得到的一样重要。
And I've been touched by the generosity of the Americans who've written me letters and emails in recent weeks,offering to open their homes to refugees fleeing the brutality⁶ of ISIL.
最近几个星期，很多人给我写信、发邮件，大家敞开家门接纳逃离ISIL魔掌的难民们，我也一直被美国人民的慷慨大方所感动。
Now,people should remember that no refugee can enter our borders until they undergo the highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States.That was the case before Paris,and it's the case now.And what happened in Paris hasn't stopped Americans from opening their arms anyway.
现在，大家应该了解，任何来到美国的人，只要没有通过最高级别的安全检查，是不可能进入我们国家的。巴黎事件之前是这样，之后也是这样。但巴黎事件的发生不会让美国敞开的怀抱关闭。
One woman from Pennsylvania wrote me to say,"Money is tight for us in my household ...But i have a guest room.I have a pantry full of food.We can do this." Another woman from Florida told me her family's history dates back to the Mayflower-and she said that welcoming others is part of "what it means to be an American."
一位来自宾夕法尼亚州的女士写信给我，她说：“我持家过日子，钱很紧张…但我腾出了一间客房。我家的食品还算充足。我们可以做到。”另一位来自佛罗里达州的女士告诉我说她家祖上是随五月花号过来的，她说欢迎其他人正是“美国传统”的一部分。
Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail,the world is still full of pilgrims-men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer,better future for themselves and their families.What makes America America is that we offer that chance.We turn Lady Liberty's light to the world,and widen our circle of concern to say that all God's children are worthy⁷ of our compassion⁸ and care.That's part of what makes this the greatest country on Earth.
距离五月花号启航将近四个世纪了，世界上依然充满了朝圣者，这些男男女女不为别的，就为一份更安宁的生存机会，为自己和家人更争取更美好的未来。美国之所以成为美国，正是因为我们提供的这样的机会。我们将自由女神的光明传递到世界各地，我们将我们的关怀扩大到所有上帝的子民，他们值得我们去同情、关爱。而这也正是我们成为这个星球上最伟大的国家的原因。
I hope that you and your family have wonderful Thanksgiving,surrounded by loved ones,and full of joy and gratitude⁹.And together,may we all play our own small part in the American story,and write a next chapter that future generations can be thankful for.
我希望大家过一个美好的感恩节，与心爱的人团聚，充满欢乐和感激。愿我们共同努力，扮演好我们在美国历史上的角色，写下可以让子孙后代感激的新篇章。
From the Obama family to yours,have a great Thanksgiving.
最后，我代表奥巴马全家祝大家感恩节快乐！
 

1 persecution   

n. 迫害,烦扰

参考例句：

• He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
• Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。

2 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

4 overdue   

adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的

参考例句：

• The plane is overdue and has been delayed by the bad weather.飞机晚点了，被坏天气耽搁了。
• The landlady is angry because the rent is overdue.女房东生气了，因为房租过期未付。

5 generosity   

n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为

参考例句：

• We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
• We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。

6 brutality   

n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮

参考例句：

• The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之残暴使公众大为震惊。
• a general who was infamous for his brutality 因残忍而恶名昭彰的将军

7 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

8 compassion   

n.同情，怜悯

参考例句：

• He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
• Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。

9 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。