名人励志英语演讲 第166期:奏出生命中最美的乐曲(13)

 　　Every era has its defining struggle and the fate of Africa is one of ours. It's not the only one, but in the history books it's easily going to make the top five--what we did or what we did not do. It's a proving ground, as I said earlier, for the idea of equality. But whether it's this or something else, I hope you'll pick a fight and get in it. Get your boots dirty. Get rough. Steel your courge with a final drink there at Smoky Joe's, one last primal¹ scream and go.

　　每一个时代都有其特定的斗争使命，而我们的一个使命就是改变非洲的命运。这不是我们唯一的使命，但无论是对我们已经解决的或尚未解决的困难来说，这都会很容易被历史列为五大挑战之一。正如我之前说过的，非洲是平等理念的试验场。不管是什么原因，我都希望你们掀起这场斗争并为之奋斗。去感受苦难，去磨练你们的意志，在斯莫基乔酒吧再饮上最后一杯，大喊一声，然后踏上征程，去锤炼你们的意志吧。

　　Sing the melody line you hear in your own head. Remember, you don't owe anybody any explanations. You don't owe your parents any explanations. You don't owe your professors any explanations. You know, I used to think that the future was solid, or fixed², or something you inherited like an old building that you move into when the previous generation moves out or gets chased out. But it's not. The future is not fixed. It's fluid. You can build your own buildings, or hut or condo, whatever. This is the metaphor³ part of the speech by the way.

　　唱出你心中最美的乐曲！记住，你无须向任何人解释，你无须向父母做出解释，你也无须向你的教授做出任何解释。我曾经认为未来是注定的，一成不变的，就像继承一座老房子，上一代搬出去或被逐出去，你们就可以搬进去。但事实并非如此。未来并非一成不变，而是可以改变的。你们可以建造自己的大楼或小棚子或公寓。顺便说一下，这只是今天致辞中的暗喻。

　　But my point is that the world is more malleable⁴ than you think and it's waiting for you to hammer it into shape. Now if I were a folksinger I'd immediately launch into "If I Had a Hammer" right now, get you all singing and swaying. But as I say I come from punk rock, so I'd rather have the bloody⁵ hammer right here in my fist. That's what this degree of yours is, a blunt instrument. So go forth⁶ and build something with it. And remember what John Adams said about Ben Franklin, "He does not hestitate at our boldest measures but rather seems to think us too irresolute⁷."

　　但我要说的是，世界比你们想象的更具可塑性，它正等待着你们把它塑造成形。现在，如果我是一名民间歌手，我就会立即开始唱《假如我有一把铁锤》，带领你们一起唱，一起跳。但如我所言，我是朋克乐队的一名歌手，我宁愿手中握着一把带血的铁锤。你们的学位不过算是一把不算锋利的武器，所以，向前冲吧！用它去铸造未来！记住约翰·亚当对本·富兰克林的评价：“对于我们最勇敢的行动，他毫不犹豫地响应，而且似乎认为我们过于优柔寡断了。”

　　Well this is the time for bold measures. And this is the country. And you are the generation. Thank you. Thank you very much.

　　现在是大胆去行动的时候了，就在这个国家，就是你们这一代，大胆地去行动吧！谢谢大家！非常感谢。

1 primal   

adj.原始的；最重要的

参考例句：

• Jealousy is a primal emotion.嫉妒是最原始的情感。
• Money was a primal necessity to them.对于他们，钱是主要的需要。

2 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

3 metaphor   

n.隐喻，暗喻

参考例句：

• Using metaphor,we say that computers have senses and a memory.打个比方，我们可以说计算机有感觉和记忆力。
• In poetry the rose is often a metaphor for love.玫瑰在诗中通常作为爱的象征。

4 malleable   

adj.(金属)可锻的;有延展性的；(性格)可训练的

参考例句：

• Silver is the most malleable of all metals.银是延展性最好的金属。
• Scientists are finding that the adult human brain is far more malleable than they once thought.科学家发现成人大脑的可塑性远超过他们之前认识到的。

5 bloody   

adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染

参考例句：

• He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
• He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。

6 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

7 irresolute   

adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的

参考例句：

• Irresolute persons make poor victors.优柔寡断的人不会成为胜利者。
• His opponents were too irresolute to call his bluff.他的对手太优柔寡断,不敢接受挑战。