美国第三十五任总统John Fitzgerald Francis Kennedy (1917-1963)约翰.弗.肯尼迪19xx年元月20日在首都华盛顿国会大厦前发表“就职演说”时，我在读初中三年级，学的是俄语。直到19xx年，我才在美国出版的“English For Today”“今日英语”教材的第五册里阅读到了这篇演说，而且还听了这篇演说的实况录音。现在这篇演说已被一字未删地选入《Advanced English》“高级英语”（张汉熙主编，商务印书馆出版发行），《21 Century College English》 “二十一世纪大学英语”（复旦大学，交通大学主编;高等教育出版社，复旦大学出版社出版发行）英语教材里作为高等院校的英语学习教材。19xx年，那时大学外语教学还是很原始落后的。我想得到英语版的联合国“人权宣言”，但在当时武汉的中南财经学院图书馆里没有。找到武汉大学图书馆，那里才只有一本油印的“人权宣言”小册子。我想得到英文版的“中华人民共和国刑法”这书，武汉的外文书店买不到。我托原北京地院外语老师去北京外国专家局找有关专家打听此书，专家说，《刑法》英文译文由他翻译，正在他手里，由于没有出版，他不能外借。肯尼迪“就职演说”是在演说之后十九年被我们看到。时过境迁，20xx年元月20日，全世界几乎所有的人都能从网上及各种媒体上听到，见到，读到美国第一位黑人总统奥巴马的“就职演说”。虽然有的人看到的是被有些媒体屏掉了（Recall that earlier generations faced down Fascism and Communism not just with missiles and tanks but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.我们在此回忆先辈，他们战胜了法西斯主义和共产主义，靠的不仅是导弹，坦克；更是靠坚定的盟友和不移的信念。），（To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent know that you are on the wrong side of history but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.对于那些通过腐败，欺骗，压制异见来统治的人，你们应该知道你们站在了历史的对立面。但是，如果你们愿意放开紧攥的拳头，我们会向你们伸出一只手。）这些文字的演说，但是19xx年那时代的人能听到，见到，读到的是完全不能与今天相比的了！
阅读翻译注释
1、 Mr.Chief Justice,President Eisenhower,Vice President Nixon,President Truman,Reverend Clergy,Fellow Citizens,we observe today not a victory of party,but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end as well as a beginning – signifying renewal,as well as change.For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.The world is very different now.For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe – the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state,but from the hand of God.
首席法官先生，艾森豪威尔威尔总统，尼克松副总统，杜鲁门总统，尊敬的神父，同胞们；我们今天庆祝的不是一次政党的胜利而是庆祝自由精神的胜利 - 这不仅象征结束 –这还象征开始 – 意味着更新 – 也意味着变革。我在你们和全能的上帝面前宣读了将近一百七十年前我们祖先拟定的同一庒严的誓言。现在，这世界已完全不同了。人类把消除各种贫穷及毁灭各种形式的生活的力量握在巨手中。然而，在全球，我们祖先为之奋斗的相同的革命信念仍然在争论之中 – 这信念:人权不是来自国家的慷慨，而是来自上帝之手。
1：the same solemn oath: I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States,and will,to the best of my ability,preserve protest and defend the Constitution of the United States.同一庒严的誓词：我郑重地宣誓我一定满怀信心地履任美国总统职务，尽我所能，维持，保护和防卫美国宪法。
2：林肯：four score and seven years ago,八十七年前；肯尼迪在此借用：nearly a century and three quarters ago接近一百七十五年前
2.． We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.Let the word go forth from this time and place,to friend and foe alike,that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans – born in this century,tempered by war,disciplined by a hard and bitter peace,proud of our ancient heritage – and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
今天，我们不会忘记我们是第一次革命的后代。在此时此地，让我们的朋友和敌人都听到我们的讲话：火炬已传到了新一代美国人手里 – 生在本世纪，受过战争的考炼，经历艰难困苦的和平磨炼，以我们古老的传统而自豪 – 不愿意眼看着，不容忍我们美国一直承诺的,今天在美国及全球仍然在承诺的人权，不断地遭受践踏。
3、 Let every nation know,whether it wishes us well or ill,that we shall pay any price,bear any burden,meet any hardship,support any friend,oppose any foe,in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.This much we pledge – and more.
让每一个希望我们好还是希望我们不好的国家知道，我们将不惜一切代价，承受一切负担，面对各种困难，支持所有朋友，反对一切敌人，以捍卫和争取自由的胜利。我们保证这些 – 而且不仅如此。
对偶：有意识地把词意相对的词语放在对称的结构中形成对照。结构匀称，整齐，词的意义相反而互相衬托，使语言鲜明，使语义加强。
well or ill
place and time
friend foe
united,little we can not do,divided,little we can do.(第四段)
If a free society can not help the many who are poor,it can not save the few who are rich.（第六段）
It was the best of times,it was the worst of times,
It was the age of wisdom智慧,it was the age of foolishness愚蠢
It was the epoch of belief信仰，it was the epoch of incredulity怀疑
It was the season of light,it was the season of darkness,
It was the spring of hope,it was the winter of despair绝望,
We had everything before us,we had nothing before us,
We were all going direct to heaven,we were all going direct the other way.狄更斯：《双城记》
Tom gave up the brush with reluctance in his face,but eagerness in his heart. 马克。吐温：<光荣的刷墙工>
排比：结构相同，意义并重，语气一致的词组或句子排列成串，形成一个整体。渲染，壮文势，广文义。使文章条理清楚，论点突出。
That we shall pay any price,bear any burden,meet any hardship,support any friend,oppose any foe,
There was a song in every heart;there was cheer in every face and a spring in every step. Mark Twain:<The glorious whitewasher>
4. To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share,we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends.United,there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures.Divided,there is little we can do – for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
对那些和我们有着共同文化和精神渊源的老盟友，我们保证对挚友的忠诚。团结一致，我们在许多合作事业中将无往不胜。四分五裂，我们将一事无成。- 因为，意见分歧，各行其是，我们就不能对付强大的挑战。
5. To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free,we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far greater iron tyranny.We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view.But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom – and to remember that ,in the past,those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
对那些我们欢迎他们加入自由行列的新国家，我们保证对现我们的诺言：一种形式的殖民控制的结束，决不能被更为暴虐的专制来代替。我们不总是指望看到他们支持我们的观点,但是，我们总是希望看到他们强烈的支持他们自己的自由 – 请记住，在过去，那些靠骑在虎背上愚蠢地寻找力量的人,必葬身虎腹。
1：One form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far greater iron tyranny.
否定的转移：
Man does not live that he may eat but eats that he may live.人活着，不是为了吃；但是,吃，人才活下来。
I do not think you are right.
The machine did not stop for lack of oil.
2：Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
There once was a lady from Niger(尼日尓)，
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger.
They came back from the ride,
With the lady inside,
And the smile on the face of the tiger.
6. To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery,we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves,for whatever period is required – not because the Communists may be doing it,not because we seek their votes,but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor,it cannot save the few who are rich.
对那些遍布在另一半地球上的茅屋荒村里，正在奋力打碎穷困锁链的各民族；我们保证，无认需要多长时间，将尽最大的努力，来帮助他们帮助他们自己 – 不是因为共 产 党可能做这些，也不是因为我们寻求他们在联合国里的选票，而是这样做是正确的。如果自由社会不能帮助那些众多穷人，那么它就不能拯救少数富人。
7. To our sister republics south of our border,we offer a special pledge – to convert our good words into good deeds,in a new alliance for progress,to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty.But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas.And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the mater of its own house.
对那些我们边界以南的各姐妹邻邦，我们提出特别的保证 – 在为进步而缔结成新的联盟中，把我们良好的诺言转变成有益的行动，支持自由的人们和自由的政府摆脱贫困的枷锁。但是，这种充满希望的和平革命不能成为敌对势力的牺牲品。让我们所有的邻邦知道，我们将和他们一起反对美洲大陆上任何地方的侵略和颠覆。让所有其他国家知道，西半球的人民决心继续做自己家园的主人。
8. To that world assembly of sovereign states,the United Nations,our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace,we renew our pledge of support – to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective – to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak – and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
对联合国，这个主权国家的世界性议会组织，在战争手段远远超过和平手段这一时代，我们最美好和最后的希望之所在，我们重申我们对联合国支持的保证 – 防止它仅仅变成谩骂的讲坛 – 加强对新生国家和弱小国家的保护 – 扩大联合国的决议得以执行的范围。
9.Finally,to those nations who would make themselves our adversary,we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace,before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
最后，对那些一定要使自己成为我们敌手的国家，我们不是做出保证，而是提出要求：我们双方重新开始谋求和平，不要等到被科学释放出的毁灭性的巨大威力因有意或无意的自我毁灭而吞灭全人类。
10. We dare not tempt them with weakness.For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt
can
we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
我们决不用软弱引诱他们，因为只有当我们的武力强大得无可怀疑，我们才能豪不怀疑
地确
信这些武器永远不被使用。
11. But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course
– both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons,both rightly alarmed by the
steady
spread of the deadly atom,yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the
hand of mankind’s final war.
但是，两个伟大而强有力的国家集团都不能从我们现在的局势中获得安慰 – 双方超负荷地
负
担现代武器的开支，双方理所当然为致命的原子武器不断地扩散而忧心忡忡。然而，双方竟
争着去改变这种遏制人类最后战争不确定的恐怖均势。
12．So let us begin anew – remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness,and
sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear.But let us never fear to
negotiate.
因此，让我们重新开始 – 双方都记住：礼让并不表示软弱，诚意永远需要验证。让我们决
不
因为害怕而谈判。但是，让我们决不害怕谈判。
反复（Repetition）:反复使用同一个词，句子或段落，借以加强语气和感情，使文章产生突
出
的效果。（罗嗦重复，则是语病）
To those old allies第四段至第九段共重复五次。
So let us begin anew 第十二段至第十六段共享了四次。
We pledge our best effort to help them help themselves.
Let us never negotiate out of fear.But let us never fear to negotiate.
英国诗人Thomas Hood的<Song of the shirt>
Work – work – work !
Till the brain begins to swim!
Work – work – work,
Till the eyes are heavy and dim(暗淡)。
Seam(缝合)，and gusset(缝三角形布料)and band（镶边，绑扎），
Band,and gusset,and seam –
Till over the buttons I fall asleep.
And sew them on a dream.描写工作的繁重，单调，枯燥。
13. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of laboring those problems which divide
us.
让双方探讨使我们团结的问题，而不要过分花精力于使我们分裂的那些问题。
14. Let both sides,for the first time,formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and
control of arms – and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute
control of all nations.
让双方首次为军备捡查及军备控制制定严肃精确的计划 – 把毁灭别的国家的绝对力量置于
所有国家的绝对控制之下。
15.Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us
explore the stars,conquer the deserts,eradicate disease,tap the ocean depths,and encourage the
arts and commerce.
让双方寻求实现科学创造的奇迹，而不是它的恐惧。让我们一起探索星星，征服沙漠，根治
疾病，开发海底资源，发展艺术，促进贸易。
排比：explore the stars,conquer the deserts,eradicate disease,tap the ocean depths,and
Encourage the arts and commerce.
16．Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah – to “undo the
heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free.”
让双方团结起来，在地球的每一个角落倾听先知以赛亜的号令 – “卸下沉重的负担，让被压
迫者获得自由。
17. And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion,let both sides join in
creating a new endeavor , not a new balance of power,but a new world of law,where the strong
are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
如果合作的滩头可以逼退猜疑的丛林，就让双方携手创造一种新的均势，不是一种新的力量
均势，而是一个法治的新世界，在那里，强者公允，弱者安全，和平得到保卫。
18．All this will not be finished in the first 100 days.Nor will it be finished in the first 1000 days,nor
in the life of this administration,nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet.But let us begin.
所有这些不能在本届政府任期内的第一个一百天里，一千天里，整个任期内完成；甚至也许
在这颗星球上,我们的一辈子都不能完成。但是，让我们开始吧。
19. In your hands,my fellow citizens,more than in mine,will rest the final success or failure of our
course.Since this country was founded,each generation of Americans has been summoned to give
testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service
are found around the globe.
同胞们，我们事业最终的成败不仅掌握在我手中，更是在你们的手中。自这个国家成立以来，
一代代美国人被召唤去证明他们对国家的忠诚。响应国家召唤的年青美国人的坟墓遍布全
球。
20. Now the trumpet summons us again – not as a call to bear arms,though arms we need;not as
a call to battle,though embattled we are;but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight
struggle,year in,and year out,“rejoicing in hope,patient in tribulation” – a struggle against the
common enemies of man:tyranny,poverty,disease,and war itself.
现在号角又一次在召唤我们 – 不是号召背上武器，虽然我们需要武器；不是号召去战斗，虽
然我们严阵以待；而是号召背上漫长黎明的斗争重任，年复一年，“满怀希望而欢欣鼓舞，磨
难中忍耐”- 进行反对人类共同敌人的斗争：暴政，贫穷，疾病及各种战争。
21. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance,North and South,East and
West,that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind?Will you join in that historic effort?
我们能建立一个把东西南北连在一起的伟大全球联盟来对付这些敌人，以确保全人类
更为丰硕的生活吗？你们愿意加入到这一具有历史意义的行动中来吗？
22. In the long history of the world,only a few generations have been granted the role of defending
freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it.I do
not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation.
The energy,the faith,the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all
who serve it – and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
在漫长的世界历史里，只有少数的几代人在自由面临极大危险的时刻被赋予保卫自由的角色。
我不推卸这一责任 – 我欢迎它。我认为我们之中的任何人不会与别人或另一代人交换位置。
我们献给这一事业的精力，信心，忠诚将照亮我们的国家和所有为国服务的人 – 这火焰发出
的光芒定能真正地照亮全世界。
23.And so,my fellow Americans,ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for
your country.
因此，我的美国同胞们，不要问你们的国家能为你们做些什麽，而要问你们能为你们的国家
做些什麽。
24. My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America will do for you,but what together we can
do for the freedom of man.
我的世界各国的公民们，不要问美国将为你们做些什么，而要问我们大家一起能为人类的自
由做些什么。
反复：第二十三，第二十四段使用反复的修词手法。
25. Finally,whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world,ask of us the same high
standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure
reward,with history the final judge of our deeds,let us go forth to lead the land we love,asking
His blessing and His help,but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.
最后，无论我的美国同胞还是世界各国的公民们，请用我们要求于你们的力量和牺牲精
神同样的高标准来要求我们。我们唯一确信的报赏是对得起我们的良心（我们问心无愧）
,历史是我们行动的最后见证人，让我们领导我们所热爱的国家向前进，请求上帝的保佑和帮
助，但是，要知道在这个星球上，上帝的工作真正的是我们自己的工作。