环球英语 — 114：Ubuntu

　　Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight¹. I’m Ruby² Jones.
Voice 2
And I’m Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting.
Voice 1
Could one word change the world?
Voice 2
Just say “ubuntu!”
Voice 1
Recently, the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, was visiting a meeting of the British Labour party, the ruling political group. He told the Labour party:
“Society and community are important because of ubuntu.”
Voice 2
What did President Clinton mean?
Voice 1
Today’s Spotlight is on ubuntu!
Voice 2
The word ubuntu comes from Africa. It is part of the Bantu language spoken in southern Africa. And it is connected to an idea from the Zulu tribe³. The Zulu people say “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.”
Voice 1
That is a mouthful!
Voice 2
Yes, it is! But umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu has a very important meaning. It means that a person is only a person through their relationship with other people. Or, a person could not exist without relations with other people. The word ubuntu comes from that Zulu idea. It means, “I am because you are.”
Voice1
African leader Desmond Tutu once said
Voice 3
“Ubuntu is very difficult to translate into a Western language. But, it is to say, ‘My humanity⁴ is caught up with your humanity, my humanity is bound⁵ or is connected to yours.”
Voice 1
Tutu’s definition⁶ explains that there is a common bond⁷ between people. It is like people’s lives are tied together. Their lives are connected. It is a difficult idea. But, it is still an important idea for everyone.
Voice 2
I am because you are. This idea communicates the importance of community. You see, there is a strong connection between people. When one person’s situation improves, then the lives of everyone in the community can improve too. But, if one person suffers, then the quality of everyone’s lives is reduced. This is the main idea of ubuntu. If you are sad, then I am sad. If you are happy, then I am happy.
Voice 1
This can be a very hard idea for some people to understand. Ubuntu has many different meanings. And, sometimes the idea is hard to translate into other cultures. You see, the word ubuntu celebrates community. In many countries the community is not as important as the individual. So, it is hard for these individuals to completely understand ubuntu.
Voice 2
But, the word ubuntu is becoming more and more popular. You can find the word in many different areas of life. So, to help everyone understand ubuntu better, here are some more examples. Some of these are traditional examples. And others are new ways that people are living the ubuntu way. We hope that these examples help you understand the true meaning of ubuntu.
Voice 1
First, ubuntu can be a greeting. You can find ubuntu in the way that people say hello to each other. A person will only say that he is doing well if you are doing well. This is a Shona greeting from Zimbabwe, Africa. This greeting could be exchanged with a friend or even a stranger, someone not known.
Voice 4
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
Voice 5
“I slept well, if you slept well.”
Voice 4
“How has your day been?”
Voice 5
“My day has been good if your day has been good.”
Voice 2
Second, we can find the idea of ubuntu in politics. We have already said that Desmond Tutu, an important world leader, uses the word ubuntu. He wants to help people understand their responsibilities to one another. He says that if one person is hungry, then the whole community must work together to feed him. That is the ubuntu way.
Voice 1
And former President Bill Clinton also talks about ubuntu in politics. This is his idea about what ubuntu means
Voice 6
“If we were the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the most wealthy, the most powerful person, and then found, all of a sudden, that we were alone on the planet⁸, it would not amount to a hill of beans!”
Voice 2
President Clinton means that nothing holds much importance if we are alone. What are beauty, intelligence, and wealth if we live alone? Living in community is what gives us wealth. Political governments can help make communities stronger.
Voice 1
Third, people are using ubuntu ideas in their communities. For example, many people in South Africa have AIDS. Sometimes people with AIDS find that their communities reject them. Many people in their communities are afraid of getting AIDS themselves. But, fear of others is not part of ubuntu. So, one community has built a large sign. The sign says, “My friend with AIDS is still my friend - Ubuntu!”
Voice 2
Fourth, ubuntu is an important idea in the work place. The work place is like a small community. When you start a new job, it is like being loyal⁹ to a new community. And your happiness at work is linked to the happiness of the people you work with. Workplaces that support ubuntu make sure that every person has value. And everyone is included in decision making.
Voice 1
Fifth, some people link ubuntu to spirituality, or religion. In Africa many people worship¹⁰ their ancestors. They believe that they are part of a long chain, or line of people. They believe that people are connected to their ancestors. And they believe people are connected to those who will live after them, or future generations. Providing for people now means that you are providing for future generations as well.
Voice 2
Christians¹¹ also like the idea of ubuntu. In the Bible¹², Jesus says that we should care for our neighbour, the widow¹³, and the poor. That is ubuntu.
Voice 1
It is true that ubuntu is very popular in Africa. Ubuntu is a way of life for many people there. If it were not for ubuntu, many communities would not survive. But, ubuntu is becoming popular in many other countries as well. Rebekah Schipper tells of how she first learned¹⁴ about ubuntu in the United States.
Voice 4
“I went to a Bible study at my friend’s house. When I got to his house, I saw that he was wearing a special shirt. The word ubuntu was written on it. I did not know the meaning of ubuntu. So, I asked my friend what it meant. He explained to me that ubuntu is a word from Africa. It means that people are connected to each other. He explained that ubuntu is important for communities. He said that when a community works¹⁵ together, that is ubuntu. My friend’s son gave him the shirt as a gift. The son explained to his father that their family was like an ubuntu community.”
Voice 2
All over the world the idea of ubuntu is growing. You can see the word ubuntu written on shirts. You can see ubuntu on signs. Companies and organizations have named themselves ubuntu. And there is even an ubuntu university!
Voice 1
You can help to spread the idea of ubuntu where you live. Just remember, I am because you are.
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

3 tribe   

n.部落，种族，一伙人

参考例句：

• This is a subject tribe.这是个受他人统治的部落。
• Many of the tribe's customs and rituals are as old as the hills.这部落的许多风俗、仪式都极其古老。

4 humanity   

n.人类，[总称]人(性)，人道[pl.]人文学科

参考例句：

• Such an act is a disgrace to humanity.这种行为是人类的耻辱。
• We should treat animals with humanity.我们应该以仁慈之心对待动物。

5 bound   

adj.一定的，必然的；受约束的，有义务的

参考例句：

• I feel honor bound to repay the money I borrowed.我觉得有责任归还我借的钱。
• If he signs that paper,he will be bound hand and foot.如果他签署那份文件，他就会受到束缚。

6 definition   

n.定义；限定，确定；清晰度

参考例句：

• The book attempts a definition of his role in world politics.该书要阐明的是他在世界政局中的作用。
• I made a definition for this word.我给这个字下了定义。

7 bond   

n.结合，债券，契约，粘合剂，保证人，键，关栈保留；vt.存入关栈，粘着；vi.结合

参考例句：

• This glue makes a good firm bond.这种胶水粘得很结实。
• His word is his bond.他是讲信用的。

8 planet   

n.行星

参考例句：

• Neptune is the furthest planet from the sun. 海王星是离太阳最远的行星。
• Rubbish, however, is only part of the problem of polluting our planet. 然而, 垃圾只是我们这个星球的污染问题的一个方面。

9 loyal   

adj.忠诚的，忠心的

参考例句：

• He is a loyal friend.他是一位忠诚的朋友。
• I judge him to be loyal.我认为他很忠诚。

10 worship   

n.崇拜，礼拜；v.崇拜，敬仰；做礼拜

参考例句：

• The Greeks used to worship several gods.过去，希腊人崇奉好几种神。
• Blind worship must be ended.盲目崇拜必须停止。

11 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

12 bible   

n.《圣经》；得到权威支持的典籍

参考例句：

• According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam.根据《圣经》所说的，我们都是亚当的后裔。
• This dictionary should be your Bible when studying English.学习英语时，这本字典应是你的主要参考书。

13 widow   

n.寡妇

参考例句：

• Martha was a very rich young widow.玛莎是个很有钱的年轻寡妇。
• All this money was appropriated for the support of his widow.所有这些钱作为给他的遗孀的抚养费。

14 learned   

adj.有学问的，博学的；learn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
• In this little village,he passed for a learned man.在这个小村子里，他被视为有学问的人。

15 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。