Quote:

Thank you for your best wishes, cloud1232.

May your Year of the OX be a fruitful, happy and lucky one also.

hi futair

"Thank you for your best wishes, cloud1232.

May your Year of the OX is a fruitful, happy and lucky one also.
"
thanks your wish
i will cheer up
i also want to know
what's your opinion the address ?
the taiwanese i know
so if you tell me your opinion
i will return taiwanese mean for you

Quote:

漏漏長 so long speech
涮了 forget it
馬總統的 President Ma's speech
都沒讀過 did not read
又沒米國籍 not a US citizen

It is so long speech; forget it I am not a US citizen even did not read the President Ma's speech

Quote:

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激情奧巴馬難再現﹖

【明報專訊】
考考大家，在奧巴馬的就職演說中，出現得最多的英文字是什麼﹖很多人想當然會以為是「change」，對不起，大家錯了。

你或許完全不會估到，「change」這個字竟然只出現過兩次，而且是在同一句句子當中：「For the world has changed, and we must change with it.」這句不單止不是演說的核心，更說得頗為被動，絕不是以慷慨激昂的形式說出，與選舉時比較，完全是兩回事。

在就職演說中出現得最多的，其實是「nation」這個字，共15次。Nation是傳統上共和黨和美國右派最喜愛的用字之一，估不到今次卻由奧巴馬再三娓娓道出。

順帶一提，在對上一次就職演說中，小布殊用得最多的，卻是「freedom」一字，由右派講「freedom」，是否真的與奧巴馬有點異曲同工呢﹖

講權利、講自由，這是民主黨和美國左派的傳統； 相反，講人倫、講道德、講家庭、講國家、講責任，就是共和黨和美國右派的傳統了。有趣的是，到了發表就職演說時，為了修補上一階段因選戰所造成的傷口，當選的總統，時有來一記急轉彎的 --- 選前選後兩套語言。

例如甘迺迪，在1961年，便發表了那經典金句：「不要問國家能為自己做些什麼，而要問自己能為國家做些什麼。」當大家在稱讚這經典金句的文采時，其實亦要記得，這一句完全是右派、共和黨的政治論述和邏輯。

而今次奧巴馬，亦提出「責任年代」（era of responsibility）的相類似概念，要求每個美國人，都要對自己、對國家、對世界負責，說大家要心甘情願地捉緊這些責任，更要相信，沒有任何事情比起全情投入迎接艱難的任務，更能體現民族的精神，這也是作為公民代價與承諾。

或許政壇原本就是這樣：

講「權利」，是選舉的語言；
講「責任」，才是治國的語言。

同樣，
講「求變」，也是選舉的語言；
講「忍耐」，才是治國的語言。

其實奧巴馬從共和黨手上借用的板斧，又豈止這一道，更明顯的，便是篇末的小故事。

我曾經說過，談到美國總統就職演說，如果問我最喜歡的，答案一定是1981年列根提及的那個小兵故事。當時經濟環境與如今一樣的嚴峻，如何能感召百姓共渡時艱，激發他們的信心，成了其最大挑戰。結果列根選擇在結尾時，講述一位名不見經傳小兵的故事和金句：

「其中一塊墓碑下安息着一位名叫 Martin Treptow 的年輕人，他在1917年放下了在小鎮裏當理髮師的工作，毅然參軍，並追隨著名的【彩虹師團】開赴法國戰場。在戰火連天的西部戰線，他冒着槍林彈雨為部隊傳遞情報，卻不幸陣亡殉國。

在他遺體上我們找到一本日記，他在扉頁上以【我的誓言】為題寫下了以下一番話：

『美國必須打贏這場戰爭，因此我將刻苦工作；我將努力拯救他人；我將犧牲；我將堅忍；我將樂觀奮戰；我將竭盡所能；千斤擔子兩肩挑。』

我們今天面對的危機，並不需要我們每個人像Martin Treptow ，以及其他成千上萬曾受徵召的勇士般捨身取義，然而它的確需要我們全心全意相信自己，相信我們有能力成就大業；相信我們只要同心協力，並在上帝的庇佑之下，就一定能夠克服今天的困境。說到底，我們無理由不如此相信，因為我們都是美國這個偉大國家的子民。」

如今面對類似嚴峻環境，奧巴馬一樣用上立國先賢的故事和金句，來激發民眾的信心：

「在美國立國那一年，冬寒刺骨的一刻，一小群愛國者在冰封的河畔，圍攏一堆營火餘燼取暖。首都失陷，敵人步步進逼，雪白血紅。在革命果實正風雨飄搖之際，我們的國父下令把以下一段向民眾宣讀：

『就讓我們告訴未來……在寒風凜冽之際，除了希望和德行之外，沒有其他能夠存活下去……這個城市和這個國家，必須一起迎上和克服共同的危難。』

美利堅，面對共同的危難，在困境的嚴冬之中，就讓我們緊記這些不朽的文字。憑着希望和德行，讓我們再一次勇敢對抗冰冷的寒流，承受來襲的風暴。告訴我們的後代，當我們經歷試煉時，我們曾拒絕讓這個旅程終結，我們不掉頭，我們不畏縮，放眼未來，抱着上主賜給我們的恩典，帶着自由這份獻禮向前走，將它薪火相傳下去。」

只要簡單比較，大家都會發現兩者由概念到行文鋪排，都十分相似，都是用先賢的故事，激發民眾的愛國心，以共渡時艱，難怪當地很多政治評論員，都說今次就職演說的風格，與奧巴馬之前大選時那些作比較，出現了顯著的不同。例如我常常提起的那位David Gergen，他便指出：「the rhetorical part does not match with his previous speeches but the message about remaking America together is just right.」

CNN的另一位政治評論員Bill Schneider亦指出：「Obama's was a cool speech, not a hot speech.」

其實，奧巴馬近日正一再進行期望管理，多次公開宣稱大家不要指望，問題可以在他第一個任內得到解決，目的也是要大家降溫，由熱轉冷，所以，還如何能夠期望他在演說中多講幾句「change」，難道要落得那個說「『馬』上就會好」的台灣總統一樣的收場嗎﹖

可能，總統本來就需要如此，或許，大家再不易看到大選時那個熱情澎湃的奧巴馬了。

蔡子強 (中文大學政治與行政學系高級導師)
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I share the same opinion as Bill Schneider holds towards the inaugural speech --- "Obama's was a cool speech, not a hot speech."

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Quote:

Sorry to have made my posting that long. (BUT those renditions were hard to locate at the time of posting and I didn't want to miss any one of them.)

I purposely have the different Chinese versions posted (BOTH CENSORED AND FULL) so that okenglish pals here could have a better view of how an original English speech was "treated", "cured", "embellished", and whatnot. After all, this is the aim of this English forum; right?

Last but not least, thanks for your translation.

Quote:


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I share the same opinion as Bill Schneider holds towards the inaugural speech:

"Obama's was a cool speech, not a hot speech."
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Here's my answer; what's yours?

hi futari
how have you been ?

I’m not personally interested in politics but it’s a part of life, I know and accept that.
I like Obama’s character. I have been watching his biography, political career and his lectures.
It touches my heart every time I hear about him.
As the first Africa American President it’s a good opportunity to dismiss racial polarization in The United States.
He is quoted as saying, “we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.”
There are many people of different nations in the U.S. I believe that a better relationship between both black and white comes from good communication. It could also be used as a model to help all racial bias in the world.
Obama has many good characteristics. He is smart, intelligent, wise, brave, confident, humble, generous, kind and honest.
Of all his characteristics I especially appreciate his honesty and confidence. In his lecture, ” A more perfect union Philadelphia” he expressed the reality about his background. I also feel that he was honest about his relationship with Reverend Wright. The man has helped and guided Obama to know God.
Now it’s very difficult to face the many crises and challenges, however, he is full of confidence and brave enough to tell all of the Americans this.
“For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies”
“This is the price and the promise of citizenship.”
He has one very famous remark, “Yes we can “.
He has never promised that he will overcome the many challenges that exist but he will try and do him best. He is an honest and powerful politician.

He is very clear on where is he stands and has told the Americans that he will guide them to a good future.

My American friend told me that Obama is too young to have a political career, for the reason that it’s too difficult to solve the many crises. I feel that this is the truth, but it could be the opposite and be an advantage for him. He will help to create a new culture and a new role in American history.

i try to express my opinion
hope you can understand.

good for you everyday