新視野大學英語第三版文章翻譯
新視野大學英語第三版文章翻譯
鄭樹堂任總主編的《新視野大學英語》,新世紀之初在我國部分高等院校試用。下面是學習啦小編帶來的新視野大學英語第三版文章翻譯,歡迎大家閱讀!
新視野大學英語第三版文章翻譯篇一
Unit 1 The Way to Success
課文A
Never, ever give up!
永不言棄!
As a young boy, Britain's great Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, attended a public school called Harrow. He was not a good student, and had he not been from a famous family, he probably would have been removed from the school for deviating from the rules. Thankfully, he did finish at Harrow and his errors there did not preclude him from going on to the university. He eventually had a premier army career whereby he was later elected prime minister. He achieved fame for his wit, wisdom, civic duty, and abundant courage in his refusal to surrender during the miserable dark days of World War II. His amazing determination helped motivate his entire nation and was an inspiration worldwide.
英國的偉大首相溫斯頓·丘吉爾爵士,小時候在哈羅公學上學。當時他可不是個好學生,要不是出身名門,他可能早就因為違反紀律被開除了。謝天謝地,他總算從哈羅畢業(yè)了,在那里犯下的錯誤并沒影響到他上大學。后來,他憑著軍旅生涯中的杰出表現(xiàn)當選為英國首相。他的才思、智慧、公民責任感以及在二戰(zhàn)痛苦而黑暗的時期拒絕投降的無畏勇氣,為他贏得了美名。他非凡的決心,不僅激勵了整個民族,還鼓舞了全世界。
Toward the end of his period as prime minister, he was invited to address the patriotic young boys at his old school, Harrow. The headmaster said, "Young gentlemen, the greatest speaker of our time, will be here in a few days to address you, and you should obey whatever sound advice he may give you." The great day arrived. Sir Winston stood up, all five feet, five inches and 107 kilos of him, and gave this short, clear-cut speech: "Young men, never give up. Never give up! Never give up! Never, never, never, never!"
在他首相任期即將結(jié)束時,他應邀前往母校哈羅公學,為滿懷報國之志的同學們作演講。校長說:“年輕的先生們,當代最偉大的演說家過幾天就會來為你們演講,他提出的任何中肯的建議,你們都要聽從。”那個激動人心的日子終于到了。溫斯頓爵士站了起來——他只有 5 英尺 5 英寸高,體重卻有 107 公斤。他作了言簡意賅的講話:“年輕人,要永不放棄。永不放棄!永不放棄!永不,永不,永不,永不!”
Personal history, educational opportunity, individual dilemmas - none of these can inhibit a strong spirit committed to success. No task is too hard. No amount of preparation is too long or too difficult. Take the example of two of the most scholarly scientists of our age, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. Both faced immense obstacles and extreme criticism. Both were called "slow to learn" and written off as idiots by their teachers. Thomas Edison ran away from school because his teacher whipped him repeatedly for asking too many questions. Einstein didn't speak fluently until he was almost nine years old and was such a poor student that some thought he was unable to learn. Yet both boys' parents believed in them. They worked intensely each day with their sons, and the boys learned to never bypass the long hours of hard work that they needed to succeed. In the end, both Einstein and Edison overcame their childhood persecution and went on to achieve magnificent discoveries that benefit the entire world today.
個人經(jīng)歷、教育機會、個人困境,這些都不能阻擋一個全力以赴追求成功的、有著堅強意志的人。任務再苦,準備再長,難度再大,都不能讓他放棄自己的追求。就以本時代最有學問的兩位科學家——阿爾伯特·愛因斯坦和托馬斯·愛迪生為例,他們都曾面臨巨大的障礙和極端的批評,都曾被說成“不開竅”,被老師當成笨蛋而放棄。托馬斯·愛迪生還曾逃學,因為老師嫌他問的問題太多而經(jīng)常鞭打他。愛因斯坦一直到將近 9 歲才能流利地說話,學習成績太差,有些人認為他都已經(jīng)學不好了。然而,這兩個男孩的父母都相信他們。他們堅持不懈地每天和兒子一起努力,孩子們也了解到,要想成功,就絕不要怕付出長期而艱辛的努力。最終,愛因斯坦和愛迪生都擺脫了童年的困擾,進而作出了造福當今全世界的偉大發(fā)現(xiàn)。
Consider also the heroic example of Abraham Lincoln, who faced substantial hardships, failures and repeated misfortunes in his lifetime. His background was certainly not glamorous. He was raised in a very poor family with only one year of formal education. He failed in business twice, suffered a nervous breakdown when his first love died suddenly and lost eight political elections. Later in life, he suffered profound grief over the tragic death of three of his four children. Yet his strong will was the spur that pushed him forward, strengthening his optimism, dedication and determination. It intensified and focused his efforts and enabled him to triumph over the overwhelming failures and profound difficulties in his life. A hundred years later, people from around the world commend Abraham Lincoln as the greatest American president of all time.
再如亞伯拉罕·林肯這個英雄的典范,他一生面臨了無數(shù)艱辛、失敗和接二連三的不幸。他的出身和經(jīng)歷真是一點也算不上光鮮。他在一個非常貧困的家庭長大,只受過一年正規(guī)教育。經(jīng)商兩度失敗,初戀愛人的突然離世也使他精神崩潰,還在八次政治選舉中落馬。此后,他的四個孩子有三個不幸去世,令他悲痛欲絕。然而,堅強的意志鞭策著他,推動他前進,使他更加樂觀、投入、堅毅。這讓他得以全力以赴,一次次戰(zhàn)勝生命中的巨大困難和挫折。一百年之后,世界各地的人們都贊頌亞伯拉罕·林肯,認為他是有史以來最偉大的美國總統(tǒng)。
Just like Churchill and Lincoln, only those who "keep their eyes on the prize", those who uphold a committed and focused will and spirit, will find their endeavors successful. Many artists, statesmen, writers and inventors have had the same experience. They achieved prosperity because they possessed a fierce will to keep preparing and working and a passion to succeed. They attained success, not because it was easy, but because they had the will to overcome profound obstacles and to work diligently in the pursuit of their goals.
與丘吉爾和林肯一樣,只有那些“執(zhí)著地追求成功”的人,那些保持始終如一的精神意志的人,才會通過自身的努力,獲得成功。許多藝術(shù)家、政治家、作家和發(fā)明家都有同樣的經(jīng)歷。他們之所以能取得這樣的成就,是因為他們擁有強烈的意愿,不懈地準備、奮斗,并保持對成功的激情。他們?nèi)〉昧顺晒?,并不是因為成功很容易,而是因為他們擁有克服重重障礙的意志,為了追求目標而勤奮努力。
After growing up on a cattle ranch without running water or electricity, Sandra Day O'Connor fought to achieve the best education possible. Consistently graduating at the top of her class, she worked her way into Stanford Law School, where she graduated with honors. But despite all of her hard work, Sandra Day O'Connor was still a woman in the 1950s. Even with the prestige of her degree from Stanford, she was rejected from the entire law circuit as firms preferred to hire less qualified men rather than risk hiring a female lawyer, which was unprecedented. Yet Sandra Day O'Connor refused to give up on her dreams. Through sheer persistence she was eventually nominated and then appointed the first woman Supreme Court Justice of the United States of America. There, she acted as a crucial vote on issues like abortion and women's rights.
桑德拉·戴·奧康納成長于既沒自來水也沒電的養(yǎng)牛場,她努力學習以使自己接受到最好的教育。她的學習成績在班上始終名列前茅,一路奮斗終于進入了斯坦福大學法學院,并以優(yōu)異的成績從法學院畢業(yè)。盡管奧康納勤奮刻苦,但在 20 世紀 50 年代,她仍然受到女人身份的制約。即使斯坦福大學的學位有良好的聲譽,她仍被整個法律界拒之門外,因為事務所寧愿聘請才干稍遜的男性,也不愿冒險破例雇傭一位女律師。然而,桑德拉·戴·奧康納并未放棄夢想。她執(zhí)著地堅持下去,終于得到提名并被任命為美國第一位女性最高法院大法官。她任職期間,對很多問題,例如墮胎和婦女權(quán)利,都起到了極為關(guān)鍵的作用。
Many people simply say that they want something, but they do not expend the substantial effort required to achieve it. Many people let the threat of failure stop them from trying with all of their heart. The secret of success is based upon a burning inward desire - a robust, fierce will and focus - that fuels the determination to act, to keep preparing, to keep going even when we are tired and fail. As a wise saying goes: "It's not how many times you fall down that matters. It's how many times you get back up that makes success!"
很多人只是嘴上說他們想要什么東西,但并不真正地付出大量努力去實現(xiàn)。很多人因為害怕失敗而不敢全心嘗試。而成功的秘訣在于內(nèi)心燃燒的欲望——一種堅定不移的意志和專注力——從而激發(fā)行動的決心,即使疲憊,即使失敗,也會繼續(xù)準備,繼續(xù)前進。正如一句箴言所說:“你摔倒了多少次并不要緊;你能多少次重新站起來對成功才至關(guān)重要!”
Focus on becoming more knowledgeable. Focus on gradual, consistent progress. Maintain the strong will to keep going - even when you are tired and want to slack or the odds seem too large. "Keep your eyes on the prize!" "Where there's a will, there's a way!" With hard work, determination, dedication and preparation, you can transcend any handicap, accomplish any feat, and achieve success!
專注于汲取更多的知識,爭取持之以恒地漸進,保持永不言退的堅強意志——即使在你疲憊想要松懈的時候,或者困難重重之時。“執(zhí)著地追求成功!”“有志者,事竟成!”只要刻苦努力,意志堅決,專心投入,準備充分,你就能跨越一切障礙,完成所有壯舉,取得成功!
新視野大學英語第三版文章翻譯篇二
Chance favors the prepared
機會偏愛有準備之人
Les Brown and his twin brother were adopted by Mamie Brown, a kitchen worker, shortly after their birth in a poverty-stricken Miami neighborhood.
萊斯·布朗和其孿生兄弟出生于邁阿密一個異常貧困的街區(qū),出生后不久就一起被廚工瑪米·布朗收養(yǎng)。
Because of his overactive behavior and nonstop talking as a child, Les was placed in special education classes for the learning disabled all the way through high school. Upon graduation, he became a garbage collector. The prospective opportunities for his future looked slim to others, but not to Les. He had a passion, a dream - a big dream that he was ready to work hard for. He was destined to be a disc jockey, also known as a "DJ", one of the radio celebrities mixing music broadcasts for the whole city.
由于兒時過度好動,還愛不停地說話,萊斯被送到專為學習困難兒童而設的特殊教育班,并一直讀到了高中。一畢業(yè),他就成了一名垃圾清運工。大家都覺得他將來不會有什么好前途,但他自己卻不這么想。他有激情,有夢想——一個讓他為之奮斗的偉大夢想。他覺得自己一定會成為電臺音樂唱片節(jié)目主持人,通常也叫“DJ”,那可是電臺名人,專門為面向全市的廣播制作音樂節(jié)目。
At night he would take a radio to bed so he could indulge his dream by listening to the local DJs. He created an imaginary radio station in his tiny bedroom. A hairbrush served as his microphone as he energetically practiced speaking his masterpieces to his imaginary listeners.
一到晚上,他就帶著收音機上床睡覺,這樣他就可以一邊聽著當?shù)?DJ 的節(jié)目,一邊沉浸在自己的夢想里。他在自己的小臥室里營造了一個假想電臺。他把梳子當麥克風,勁頭十足地對著想象中的聽眾練習自己的杰作。
He aggravated his friends with his constant practicing. They all told him that he didn't have a chance and he would never be a DJ. They scorned him and said to stop dreaming and focus on the real world. Nonetheless, Les didn't let their negativity stop him. He kept his goals close to his heart and remained wrapped up in his own world, completely absorbed in preparing for his future, preparing to live his dream as a renowned DJ.
他無休止地練習讓朋友們不勝其煩。他們都說他根本沒有機會,永遠都不可能成為 DJ。他們嘲弄他,告訴他別做白日夢,要面對現(xiàn)實。然而,這些負面影響并沒有讓萊斯停止追求。他心中一直銘記自己的目標,繼續(xù)沉浸在自己的世界里,全身心投入到對未來的準備中,去實現(xiàn)他成為著名 DJ 的夢想。
One day Les decided to take the initiative and begin with this enterprise. He boldly went to the local radio station and told the station manager he understood the layout of the station and was ready to be a disc jockey.
一天,萊斯決定主動出擊,開始自己的事業(yè)。他大膽地來到當?shù)仉娕_,告訴經(jīng)理他熟悉電臺布局環(huán)境,完全可以成為一名 DJ。
The manager looked dubiously at the untidy young man in overalls and a straw hat and inquired, "Do you have any expertise in broadcasting?"
經(jīng)理滿腹狐疑地看著這個一身工作服還戴著頂草帽的邋遢年輕人,問他:“你了解播音的專業(yè)知識嗎?”
Les replied, "No sir, I don't."
萊斯回答說:“不,先生,我不了解。”
"Well, son, I'm afraid we don't have a job for you then," he responded bluntly. So, Les' first chance at success had been a complete bust.
“哦,孩子,那恐怕我們沒法雇用你,”經(jīng)理直截了當?shù)鼗貞?。就這樣,萊斯對成功的第一次嘗試完全以失敗告終。
Les was determined. He adored his adoptive mother, Mamie Brown, and was careful with his money to try and buy her nice things. Despite everyone's discouragement, she believed in him and had taught him to pursue his goals and persist in his dreams no matter what others said.
萊斯十分堅定。他很愛自己的養(yǎng)母瑪米·布朗,還精打細算攢錢為她買喜歡的東西。盡管人人都打擊他,但她卻十分信任他,告訴他不管別人怎么說,都要追求自己的目標,堅持自己的夢想。
So, in spite of what the station manager had originally said, Les returned to the station every day for a week. His persistence was very persuasive, and the station manager finally gave in and took Les on to do small tasks - at no pay. Les brought coffee and food. He catered to their every need at work and worked overtime whenever necessary. Eventually, his enthusiasm won their confidence and they would send Les in their Cadillac to pick up celebrities, not knowing that he didn't even have a driver's license!
因此,不管電臺經(jīng)理之前怎么說,萊斯每天還是會去電臺,這樣持續(xù)了一周。他的堅持很能打動人,電臺經(jīng)理終于讓了步,讓他做一些小事情——不過沒有報酬。萊斯負責給大家提供咖啡和吃的東西。他在工作中盡力滿足大家的每一個要求,而且只要有需要,任何時候都可以加班。最后,他的工作熱情贏得了大家的信任,他們讓萊斯開著凱迪拉克去接送名人,居然不知道他連駕照都沒有。
While hanging out with the station's real DJs, Les taught himself their posture and hand movements on the control panel. He stayed around the studio, soaking up whatever knowledge he could. He was disciplined; back in his bedroom at night, he faithfully practiced in anticipation of the opportunity he knew would come.
與電臺真正的 DJ 相處時,萊斯自學他們操作調(diào)音臺的姿勢和手勢。他徘徊在播音間,力所能及地汲取全部知識。他非常自律,晚上一回到房間,就滿懷著期待不懈地練習,他知道機遇終會降臨。
One afternoon at work, the DJ named Rock started to feel very sick while on the air. Les was the only person around, and he realized that Rock was coughing and losing his voice. Les stayed close in case there was some way he might help alleviate his coworker's distress. He also worried that the illness was sure to doom this broadcast.
一天下午,工作期間,一個名叫洛克的 DJ 在直播時突然病得厲害。周圍只有萊斯,而他意識到洛克正在咳嗽,都快不能說話了。萊斯湊近他,看看有什么辦法能幫助同事減輕痛苦。他也擔心這病肯定會讓廣播無法進行下去。
Finally, when the phone rang, Les grabbed it. It was the station manager, as he knew it would be.
最后,電話鈴響了,萊斯抓起電話。正是電臺經(jīng)理,對此他已有預感。
"Les, this is Mr. Klein. I don't think Rock can finish his program,
“萊斯,我是克萊因。我覺得洛克沒辦法做完這期節(jié)目了。”
"Yes," he murmured, "I know."
“是的,”他低聲說,“我知道。”
"Would you call one of the other deejays to come in and take over?"
“你能打電話叫其他 DJ 來接替他嗎?”
"Yes, sir, I sure will."
“好的,先生,我一定去叫。”
But try as he might, none of the regular DJs were available. MC Cormick and DJ Slick were both out of town for the weekend and DJ Neil was also feeling sick. It seemed that the radio station was in big trouble.
但他找了個遍,卻發(fā)現(xiàn)一個正式 DJ 都找不到。主持人考密克和 DJ 斯雷克都出城度周末去了,尼爾身體也不舒服。似乎電臺的麻煩大了。
Frantic with distress, Les called the general manager. "Mr. Klein, I can't find nobody," Les said.
萊斯無計可施,幾欲抓狂,只好給總經(jīng)理打電話。“克萊因先生,一個人都找不到,”萊斯說。
Mr. Klein then asked, "Young man, do you know how to work the controls in the studio?" 克萊因先生于是問道:“小伙子,你知道怎么操作播音間里的調(diào)音臺么?”
"Yes sir," replied Les, grinning with the sudden opportunity. He didn't even blink before he called his mother and his friends. "You all go out on the front porch and turn up the radio because I'm about to come on the air!" he said.
“我知道的,先生,”萊斯回答,為突如其來的機會笑了。他一刻都不耽擱,馬上給母親和朋友們打了電話。“你們都到前廊去,打開收音機,我馬上要直播了!”他說。
Les rushed into the booth, hoisted Rock onto a nearby couch, and sat down in his place. He was ready. He flipped on the microphone and eloquently rapped, "Look out! This is me, LB, Les Brown! There were none before me and there will be none after me. Therefore, that makes me the one and only. Young and single and love to mingle. Qualified to bring you satisfaction, a whole lot of action. Look out, baby, I'm your lovin' man."
萊斯沖進播音間,把洛克扶到附近的沙發(fā)上,然后坐上了他的位置。他已做好準備。打開麥克風,他流利地開始了一段說唱:“注意啦!我是萊布,萊斯·布朗!空前絕后的萊斯·布朗,獨一無二的萊斯·布朗。我青春年少,單身無掛,喜愛結(jié)交;我會讓你心滿意足,動能無限。來吧,親愛的,我就是你喜愛的那個人。”
Because of his preparation, Les was ready. He had dazzled the audience and heard applause from his general manager. From that fateful beginning, Les was propelled to become an icon in broadcasting, politics, public speaking and television.
正因為萊斯勤于準備,他才能一切就緒。聽眾為之折服,經(jīng)理為之鼓掌。在那決定命運的一刻后,萊斯不斷前進,成為在廣播、政治、演講和電視等領域的一位偶像級人物。
新視野大學英語第三版文章翻譯篇三
Unit 2 Beat your Fear
課文A
Swimming through fear
游越恐懼
I was on a tour of France with my friends when our car pulled to a stop at the beach and we saw the Mediterranean Sea. Massive waves surged against large rocks that formed a waterproof jetty. People said this beach was known for its notorious rip currents. I shivered with fear. Nothing scared me as much as water.
當時我和朋友正在法國旅行,我們把汽車停在海灘,眼前就是地中海。巨浪翻滾擊打著構(gòu)筑起防波堤的偌大巖石。人們說這里的海灘以其可怕的裂流而著稱??謶肿屛也缓酢]有什么比水讓我更害怕了。
Just the sight of the sea made me sick to my stomach.
只是看到了海就已經(jīng)讓我覺得反胃。
I'd always loved water and been a good swimmer until last summer, when I'd decided to climb up to the highest diving board at the pool. I'd hopped from that height and hit the water with an incredible impact. The air was ousted from my lungs and I blacked out. The next thing I knew, my brother was pulling my feeble body out of the pool. From then on, my fear wouldn't recede; I was absolutely terrified of water.
我曾經(jīng)一直都是喜歡水的,并且直到去年夏天我都還是一名游泳好手。那時,我決定爬上游泳池邊上最高的跳板來跳水。我從那么高的地方跳下,重重地撞擊到水面上。我肺里的空氣一下子全被擠出去了,馬上不省人事。醒來時發(fā)現(xiàn)哥哥正把我虛弱的身體從游泳池里拖出來。從那時起,我對水的恐懼就沒有消退過,我怕極了水。
"Jason, are you coming?" my friend, Matt, called.
“賈森,你要過來嗎?”我的朋友馬特朝我喊道。
"Yeah," I said. "Just enjoying the view," from dry land, I added silently, worried they might deem my fear pathetic if they knew.
我說:“好,就是欣賞一下景色”,又在心里默默加了一句——在岸上欣賞。擔心如果他們知道我害怕水而可憐我。
Suddenly I heard shouting in French. A mob of people were running into the sea, fully clothed. That's odd, I thought.
突然,我聽到有人用法語喊叫。接著看見一群人沒脫衣服,就沖到海里。我心想,這真是太奇怪了。
I glimpsed something moving up and down amid the waves, past the end of the jetty. I gasped, realizing the catastrophe with horror. That's a little boy out there! The would-be rescuers fought against the tide, but the situation was bleak. With the water's tow, they'd never get to him in time.
我瞥見防波堤盡頭的海浪中有個東西在上下浮動。我驚恐地意識到大事不妙,倒吸了一口涼氣,那居然是個小男孩!前去救落水男童的人們搏擊著海浪,但情況卻不樂觀。由于水的拉拽,他們根本不可能及時游到小男孩身邊。
I looked back at the boy. His head popped up, then a wave crashed over him and he disappeared for a moment; I had to intervene.
我扭頭看看那小男孩。他的頭剛露出水面,然后一個浪頭打過來,好一陣不見蹤影——我不得不做點什么了。
I appraised the situation and realized - the jetty! The boy was close to it; maybe I could help from there. I raced down the beach, out onto the jetty, and it hit me: Water! My palms got sweaty and my stomach felt sick, symptoms of my fear. I stopped short.
我估計了當下的情形后注意到了——對,那防波堤!小男孩靠近那個地方,也許我可以從那兒幫忙。我沖下海灘,跑上防波堤,但突然我想起了什么——水!頓時有了恐懼的癥狀:我手心冒汗,胃里感覺不適。我一下子停下來。
The people in the water had underestimated the waves and weren't making any progress. I was the only one who saw that going out on the jetty was the fastest way to reach the drowning boy. Yet in the midst of this tragedy, I was extremely terrified. I tried to remember the lifeguard training I'd had as a teenager.
水里的那些人低估了海浪的威力,救援工作沒有任何進展。只有我注意到了跑到防波堤上是到達溺水男童的最快的路徑。然而在此性命攸關(guān)之際,我極度恐慌。我努力去回想十幾歲時所接受的救生員訓練。
I was paralyzed with fear, but I forced myself to move forward with this impromptu rescue. I don't want this. Surely someone else can save him before I have to.
我因恐懼而全身癱軟,但我強迫自己向前移動,展開這場突發(fā)的救援行動。我不想做這些,在我施救之前肯定會有別人救他吧。
At the ridge of the jetty, I whirled around, convinced I'd see an athletic swimmer plowing through the rough water toward the boy. To my dismay, no one was there. I turned back out to the sea to see the boy battered by vicious waves about 25 yards away from me. Sucking in a deep breath, I threw myself into the water. As soon as I jumped in, I felt like I was back in that pool, breathless, struggling, terrified. Salt stung my eyes. Focus, I shouted in my head. Where is he?
我在防波堤的邊上迅速轉(zhuǎn)過身來,深信會看見某個游泳健將正向著小男孩劈波斬浪。但是讓我沮喪的是,一個人也沒有。我回身面向大海,看見 25 碼開外惡浪擊打著小男孩。我深吸一口氣,縱身躍入水中。一跳進水里,我感覺仿佛又回到了當年的那個游泳池,我喘不過氣,拼命掙扎,驚恐萬分。咸水刺痛了我的雙眼。“集中注意力,”我在心里喊道。“他在哪里?”
Then, with clarity, I saw a thin arm waving weakly a few yards away. I swam with all my strength, reaching the boy just as he sank below the surface. I grabbed his arm and pulled. He popped back up, eyes wide with terror, pawing and twisting against me. "Repose (Calm down)!" I commanded the boy in French. His struggling would derail any rescue attempt, and we'd both perish. "Repose!" I commanded again. Thankfully, this time he listened, and was still.
然后我清楚地看到一只細小的手臂在離我?guī)状a處微弱地揮動著。我拼盡全力游過去,在他剛要沒水之時趕到了。我抓住他的手臂拉他。他冒出水面,眼睛因恐懼瞪得很大,胡亂抓扯著我。我用法語命令他:“別慌!”他這樣掙扎會阻礙救援,那我們倆就都死定了。我再次命令他:“別慌!”謝天謝地,這次他聽話了,不動了。
When I turned back toward shore a wave pounded over us. The jetty was further away! The rip current It was forcibly dragging us out to the sea. I fought to get us back to land, but made little progress. I knew I'd never be able to escort him back like this.
當我轉(zhuǎn)身朝岸邊游去的時候,一個浪劈頭蓋臉打來。我們離防波堤更遠了!是裂流!它強行把我們拽往大海深處。我掙扎著想帶他游回岸上,但進展甚微。我知道這種游法根本沒法護著他返回岸邊。
Desperate to survive, I remembered what I'd learned in my life saving class: Never, ever swim against the rip current! Swim sideways to the pull of the current and slowly make your way back toward shore. It was an odd-looking but practicable solution. Swim sideways and float to rest Swim sideways and float to rest. We did that over and over. We slowly made our way to safety. "Jason, you can do it!" I heard Matt say as he stood on the jetty. I hadn't even noticed how close we were, only about seven feet left to go.
強烈求生欲望之下,我想起了在救生課上所學到的知識:永遠不要與裂流相對而游!要順其方向朝側(cè)邊游,慢慢地靠向岸邊。這個辦法盡管看上去很荒謬,但卻管用。朝側(cè)邊游,浮起休息。朝側(cè)邊游,浮起休息。我們重復著這個方法,慢慢地游到了安全區(qū)。“賈森,你能行的!”我聽到站在防波堤上的馬特對我說。我甚至沒有注意到我們離防波堤這么的近,只剩下大約 7 英尺的距離了。
And, as we made our way to safety I realized something incredible: I was no longer afraid. That absence of fear was a moment of triumph!
后來我們到達安全水域時,我覺得有些不可思議:我不再怕水了??謶譀]了,這一刻我勝利了!
Matt jumped into the water. I tossed the boy to him. Just as I let go, a big wave picked him up and carried him all the way to Matt.
馬特跳進水里。我把男孩拋給他。我剛一松手,一個大浪托起他直接把他送到了馬特身邊。
On the brink of collapse, I stopped fighting, just letting myself go. My hand hit the jetty. It was like an electric shock that brought me back to my senses. Someone grabbed for me.
我全身都快虛脫了,我不再劃水,就這樣放松自己順水而漂。我的手碰上了防波堤,仿佛觸電一般,我重新恢復了神志。有人抓住了我。
I felt strong arms lift me. I ascended not only from the sea onto the secure rocks of the jetty - but also to my salvation, leaving behind the terrible fear that had gripped me for so long. I turned my head and saw the boy was hugged tightly by his mother. I looked out to the sea. Weary as I was, the water had never looked so beautiful.
我感覺到強壯有力的手臂將我托起。我不僅從海里爬上防波堤的磐石,而且完成了自我拯救,擺脫了困擾已久的恐懼。我扭過頭看見小男孩被母親緊緊擁入懷中。雖已疲憊不堪,但放眼大海,我感覺海水比任何時候看起來都更美。
課文B
When courage triumphed over fear
當勇氣戰(zhàn)勝恐懼
I know what courage looks like. I saw it on a flight I took six years ago, and only now can I speak of it without tears filling my eyes at the memory.
我知道勇氣是什么樣子。我六年前在乘坐的一架航班上就見識了。只到現(xiàn)在,憑記憶述說這件事的時候,我才不致熱淚盈眶。
When our plane left New York that Friday morning, we were a talkative, high-energy group. The early-morning transcontinental flight hosted mainly professional people going to San Francisco for a day or two of business. As I looked around, I saw lots of designer suites, CEO-level expensive haircuts, designer briefcases and all the trimmings of lofty business travelers. I settled back with my paperback novel for some light reading and the brief flight ahead.
那是星期五的早上,當我們的飛機從紐約起飛時,我們這幫人還高談闊論、勁頭十足。這趟橫貫大陸的清晨航班主要搭載了一些前往舊金山出差一兩天的職業(yè)人士。我向四周打量一下,看到的多是名貴西裝、經(jīng)理人式的考究發(fā)型、名牌公文包以及氣宇軒昂的商務旅行者們的各種裝束。我身子往后一靠,拿出一本簡裝小說準備輕松閱讀一下,度過時下這短暫的飛行。
Immediately upon take-off, long before we had reached our cruising altitude, it was clear that something was wrong. The aircraft was bumping vertically up and down and tilting left to right. All the experienced travelers, including me, looked around with knowing grins. We had experienced minor problems and turbulence on prior flights. If you fly very much, you see these things and learn to act relaxed about them.
飛機剛一起飛,遠未達到巡航高度時,我們就明顯感到有什么不對勁。飛機直上直下顛簸、忽左忽右傾斜。我們這些有出門經(jīng)驗的人都四下環(huán)顧著,會心地笑了笑。在以前的飛行中,我們都經(jīng)歷過一些小問題和氣流顛簸。如果你飛機坐多了,這類事情見多了,你也就學會泰然處之了。
It wasn't long before our relaxed attitudes began to evaporate. Minutes after we were in flight, our plane began dipping wildly and one wing plunged downward. The plane climbed higher but that didn't help our plight. The pilot soon provided some grave news regarding the flight.
沒過多久我們放松的心情就開始消失了。飛行才幾分鐘,飛機就失控下墜,而且一只機翼向下傾斜。盡管飛機爬高了些,但于事無補。飛行員很快通報了這次飛行的嚴重事態(tài)。
"We are having some difficulties," he said. "At this time, it appears we have no nose-wheel steering. Our indicators show that our landing system has failed, which necessitates that we abort the flight and return to New York. Because of the problems with the mechanisms, it's unlikely our landing gear will lock, so the flight attendants will prepare you for a bumpy landing. Also, if you look out the windows, you will see that we are dumping fuel from the airplane. We want to have as little on board as possible in the event of a rough touchdown."
“我們現(xiàn)在遇到了一些麻煩,”他說。“目前看來前輪轉(zhuǎn)向裝置無法運轉(zhuǎn);指示器顯示,我們的著陸系統(tǒng)失靈了。我們必須放棄飛行,返回紐約。由于機械裝置出現(xiàn)了問題,我們的起落架可能無法鎖住,因此乘務人員將幫助大家做好準備,預防著陸時的顛簸。還有,如果大家看一下窗外,就會看見我們正在傾倒飛機上的燃油。我們想盡量減輕飛機的負荷,以應對飛機硬著陸。”
In other words, we were about to crash. No sight has ever been so sobering as that fuel, hundreds of gallons of it, streaming past my window out of the plane's tanks. The flight attendants scrambled to get people into position and comforted those who were instantaneously hysterical.
也就是說,我們要墜機了。從飛機油箱里倒出的成百上千加侖的汽油就從舷窗外飛流直下,沒有什么比這種景象更能讓人感到事態(tài)的嚴重。乘務人員急于讓大家各歸其位,還盡力安撫那些頃刻之間歇斯底里的乘客。
As I looked at the faces of my fellow business travelers, I was stunned by the changes I saw. Many looked visibly frightened now. Even the most sophisticated looked vulnerable and grim. Their faces actually looked panicked. There wasn't a single exception, and I realized that no one faces death without fear; no one is immune to its terror.
我看了看這些出門公干的旅伴們,驚訝地發(fā)現(xiàn)他們已經(jīng)神色大變。此時許多人顯然嚇壞了。甚至那些飽經(jīng)世故的人們也顯得神經(jīng)脆弱、神情嚴肅。他們其實已經(jīng)慌神了。無一例外!由此,我意識到面對死神誰都害怕——無人能免俗。
Then, somewhere in my proximity, I overheard a still calm voice underlying the panic. It was a woman's voice, speaking in an absolutely normal conversational tone. Despite the circumstance, there was no angry emotion or tension, and this calm voice evoked a calm in me that quieted some of my initial fears. It became imperative that I find her.
就在此時,在我附近某個地方,我聽到一個淹沒在恐慌之中的依舊從容的聲音。這是一位女性的聲音,說話語調(diào)完全就像普通聊天一樣正常。盡管形勢危急,這個平靜的聲音既沒有憤怒之情也沒有緊張,喚醒了我內(nèi)心的鎮(zhèn)靜,撫平了我最初的恐懼。我急需找到她。
All around the cabin, people cried. Many moaned and screamed. A few of the men maintained their appearance of calm by bracing against their armrests and grinding their teeth, but their fear was written all over them.
整個機艙都是人們的哭喊聲。許多人呻吟著、尖叫著。幾個男人死死撐住座位扶手,咬緊牙關(guān),竭力保持鎮(zhèn)靜,但是渾身上下都透出惶恐。
Try as I might, I could not have spoken so calmly, so sweetly at that moment as the fabulous voice I heard. Finally, I saw her.
盡管我竭盡全力,但此刻我怎么也不可能像我聽到的那個美妙的聲音那樣,講話如此鎮(zhèn)定、如此動聽。終于,我看到了她。
In the midst of all the chaos, a mother was talking, just talking to her child. The woman, in her mid-30's and unremarkable looking in any other way, was staring full into the face of her daughter, who looked about four years old. The child listened closely, sensing that her mother's words were invaluable. The mother's gaze held the child so fixed and intent that the child seemed untouched by the sounds of grief and fear all around her.
混亂之中,一位母親正在講話,她就只對著自己的孩子講。這名婦女 35 歲左右,無論怎么看都相貌平平。她正目不轉(zhuǎn)睛地盯著女兒的臉,女兒看起來大約四歲。孩子仔細聆聽,意識到母親的話語的分量。母親凝視的目光讓孩子聽得聚精會神,似乎一點也不為周圍人們哀傷和驚恐的聲音所動。
I strained to hear what this mother was telling her child. I relished the sound of calm confidence amongst the terror. Finally, I hovered nearby and by some miracle could hear her soft, sure, confident voice say in a calming tone over and over again, "I love you so much. Do you know for sure that I love you more than anything?
我竭力想聽清這位母親在跟孩子講些什么。我喜歡這恐懼中的淡定之聲。最后,我湊得近了些。幸運的是,我聽清了這溫柔、沉著而自信的聲音。她用平靜的語調(diào)一遍遍地說:“我十分愛你。你相信我愛你勝過一切么?”
“Yes, Mommy,” the little girl said.
“是的,媽咪,”小姑娘答道。
"And remember, no matter what happens, that I love you always; and that you are a good girl. Sometimes things happen that are not your fault. You are my beloved, good girl and my love will always be with you."
“不管發(fā)生什么事情,都要記住我永遠愛你,你是個好孩子。有些事情的發(fā)生并不是你的錯。你是我的乖女兒,我的愛將永遠伴隨著你。”
As her first concern was for her daughter's well-being, the mother then put her body over her daughter’s, strapping the seat belt over both of them to save her daughter from a possible wreckage.
母親首先心系女兒的安危,她俯身擋在女兒身上,用安全帶系住她們倆人,以免女兒被可能的失事殘片所傷。
Then, for no earthly reason, our landing gear held and we glided to a gentle stop. It was all over in seconds. Our touchdown was smooth and easy; the tragedy we had feared was not our destiny.
而后,天知道什么原因,我們的起落架居然鎖住了,飛機滑行,平穩(wěn)停下。幾秒鐘后一切都過去了。我們著地順利、輕松;我們所恐懼的悲劇并沒有成為我們的宿運。
The voice I heard that day never hesitated, never acknowledged dread, and maintained an evenness that seemed emotionally and physically impossible. During that descent, not one of the hardened business people could have spoken without a hint of fear in their voice. Only the greatest courage, with a foundation of even greater love, had brought that mother up and lifted her above the chaos around her.
那天我聽到的那個聲音沒有絲毫的動搖,沒有流露出半點懼怕,保持了一份平和。那份平和無論從感情上還是從生理上來講都令人難以置信。在飛機下墜的過程中,見慣世事的商人們當時說話聲中無不流露出恐懼。只有最偉大的勇氣,以更偉大的愛為根基,才支撐起這位母親,使她超然于周圍的混亂之上。
That mom showed me the amazing power of love. And for those few minutes, I heard the voice of true courage.
那位母親給我展現(xiàn)了愛的驚人力量。在那短短幾分鐘里,我聽到了真正勇氣的聲音。
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