[BBC随身英语] Politics: Obama’s Speech 政治：奥巴马演讲

>> Download MP3 Audio

Politics: Obama’s Speech 政治：奥巴马演讲

History was made in Washington this week as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States in front of a crowd of two million people.

President Obama made an impassioned and emotional speech to the multitude of people who had braved the elements to witness the inauguration of America’s first African-American President.

President Obama’s speech touched on many subjects of significance to the American people, including the fragile state of their economy and security matters such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But he began by addressing his personal feelings on his election and the weight of responsibility he felt in taking on such an important office.

"I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors," said President Obama.

The President went on to talk about the fears that many Americans have that their country is becoming less successful and diminishing as a global power.

He spoke of a "sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights".

However, President Obama continued to say that America would respond to the challenges before it, and that the nation would pull together and overcome its problems by working together in a spirit of co-operation.

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," said the President.

After such a stirring speech, the world waits to see if America’s new president’s actions will match his lofty words and ideals.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GLOSSARY 词汇表



sworn in

宣誓就职

multitude

众多（的人）

inauguration

就职仪式

weight of responsibility

身上的重任

humbled

身感责任重大的

sacrifices

牺牲

sapping of confidence

逐渐失去了信心

pull together

齐心协力

unity of purpose

共同目标

stirring

令人激动地

impassioned

慷慨激昂的

braved the elements

勇敢面对恶劣天气

fragile state

（经济）疲软局势

office

（总统）职务

bestowed

授予

diminishing

逐渐缩小的

lower its sights

降低目标

spirit of co-operation

协作精神

discord

不和，分歧

lofty words

寓意深厚的演讲



本文章来源： bbcchina.com.cn



点击下载本节目台词（PDF格式）