随着川普的神奇上台，奥巴马的工作也终于开始收尾了，在给川普做了一个多小时的手把手辅导之后，差不多就可以开始打包胡萝卜了。

 

奥巴马作为一个总统可能太过人畜无害，不过作为段子手的话，他绝对能算是白宫一绝。

 

在等着看他找工作找不到的笑话之前，我们先来欣赏欣赏他在5月份白宫的记者晚宴上做的告别演说吧。

 

英语字幕 & 语言点 如下：

 

You can’t say it, but you know it’s true.

 

Good evening, everybody.

 

It is an honor to be here at my last — and perhaps the last — White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

 

The不光只在元音前面发“滴”的音，也可以用这个发音来强调“独一无二”。比如：He is not just a star. He is “滴” star! （他可不光只是个明星，他是头号明星！）

 

You all look great. The end of the Republichas never looked better.

 

I do apologize — I know I was a little late tonight.

 

I doapologize 的do是用来表示强调的，do do sth.表示“的确怎么样”。比如：I do telljokes for a living.（我的确是靠讲笑话为生的。）

 

I was running on C.P.T. —— which stands for“jokes that white people should not make.”

 

CPT=Colored People Time，有色人种时间。

 

It’s a tip for you, Jeff. （Got it.）

 

Anyway, here we are.

 

Here we are在口语中的意思有点像现在中文里的“来都来了”。可以把它理解为“那我们就开始干我们该干的事吧。”

 

My eighth and final appearance at this unique event. And I am excited.

 

If this material works well, I’m going to use it at Goldman Sachs next year. Earn me some serious Tubmans. That’s right.

 

Tubman是现在20美元上印的人物。所以这里可以直接理解为money。这就和我们说“一打毛爷爷”一个意思。

 

Some serious money和some real money的意思一样，都是指大钱。

 

My brilliant and beautiful wife, Michelle,is here tonight.

 

She looks so happy to be here. That’s called practice — it’s like learning to do three-minute planks. She makes it look easy now, but……

 

Next year at this time, someone else will be standing here in this very spot, and it’s anyone’s guess who she will be.

（这届就一个女性参选人，希拉里。）

 

But standing here, I can’t help but be reflective, a little sentimental.

 

Reflect除了有“反射”的意思还有“沉思”、“静思”、“反思”的意思，这里的be reflective可以换成reflect。

 

Eight years ago, I said it was time to change the tone of our politics. In hindsight, I clearly should have been more specific.

（这里指的是当时应该直接说给美国弄出个女总统。）

 

Eight years ago, I was a young man, full of idealism and vigor, and look at me now.

 

I am gray and grizzled, just counting down the days ’til my death panel.

 

Death penal的意思是死刑，这里是幽默地指最后被上帝判死刑。

 

Hillary once questioned whether I’d be ready for a 3 a.m. phone call — now I’m awake anyway because I’ve got to go to the bathroom. I’m up.

（人老了，夜尿频多。）

 

I’ve got to是I have got to的缩写，它等于I have to，表示“必须”，不过更口语、更接地气。

 

不过它在有的地方也表示其他意思，比如川普这次演讲里讲了几次I’ve got to know them，意思是“我在过程中认识了他们”，是现在完成时。

 

In fact, somebody recently said to me, Mr. President, you are so yesterday; Justin Trudeau has completely replaced you —he’s so handsome, he’s so charming, he’s the future.

（加拿大的靓仔总理）

 

And I said, Justin, just give it a rest.

 

I resented that.

 

许多常常误把hate当成“讨厌”，那是不对的，hate是“恨”，感情色彩太强烈。“讨厌”对应的是resent和dislike，不过这连个词都太书面，口语里面这么讲会比较奇怪，所以一般就直接说I don’t like。

 

Meanwhile, Michelle has not aged a day. The only way you can date her in photos is by looking at me. Take a look.

 

Here we are in 2008.

 

Here we are a few years later.

 

And this one is from two weeks ago.

 

So time passes.

 

In just six short months, I will be officially a lame duck, which means Congress now will flat-out reject my authority. And Republican leaders won’t take my phone calls.

 

And this is going to take some getting used to, it’s really going to — it’s a curve ball. I don’t know what to do with it.

 

这里的getting used to整体构成了一个名次结构，也就是get used to名词化。Get used to我们翻译成“习惯”，其实这不算特别准确，中文中“习惯”既是一个状态也是一个过程，而英语是不同的。

 

Be accustomed to是表示“习惯”这个状态，而get used to是表达“经过一个过程来习惯”。

 

Of course, in fact, for months now congressional Republicans have been saying there are things I cannot do in my final year.

 

Unfortunately, this dinner was not one of them.

 

But on everything else, it’s another story.

 

And you know who you are, Republicans.

 

In fact, I think we’ve got Republican Senators Tim Scott and Cory Gardner, they’re in the house, which reminds me, security, bar the doors!

 

Judge Merrick Garland, come on out, we’re going to do this right here, right now.

（Merrick Garland是奥巴马提名的法官，但是共和党一直把他的是压着不通过。）

 

It’s like “The Red Wedding.”

（《权力的游戏》里的梗）

 

But it’s not just Congress. Even some foreign leaders, they’ve been looking ahead, anticipating my departure.

 

Last week, Prince George showed up to our meeting in his bathrobe.

 

That was a slap in the face.

 

A clear breach in protocol.

 

Although while in England I did have lunch with Her Majesty, the Queen, took in a performance of Shakespeare, hit the links with David Cameron — just in case anybody is still debating whether I’m black enough, I think that settles the debate.

 

Incase的意思是“以防”，这里缩just incase实际上是在说“我说这些是为了以防……”。

 

That settles the debate的意思是“这个可以给这场争论画下休止符”。

 

I won’t lie — look, this is a tough transition. It’s hard.

 

Key staff are now starting to leave the White House. Even reporters have left me.

 

Savannah Guthrie, she’s left the White House Press Corps to host the Today show. Norah O’Donnell left the briefing room to host CBS This Morning. Jake Tapper left journalism to join CNN.

（吐槽CNN做的不是新闻）

 

But the prospect of leaving the White Houseis a mixed bag. You might have heard that someone jumped the White House fence last week, but I have to give Secret Service credit — they found Michelle,brought her back, she’s safe back at home now.

（这里又是段子，上周的确有个吃瓜群众翻越围栏入侵，这里他说是他老婆受不了白宫生活离家出走了）

 

Give sb. credits的意思是“承认某人的事做得好”。

 

It’s only nine more months, baby. Settle down.

 

And yet, somehow, despite all this, despite the churn, in my final year, my approval ratings keep going up. The last time Iwas this high, I was trying to decide on my major.

 

Be high不光有“处于高位”的意思，也有“嗑药嗑高了”的意思。这里是在自嘲当年抽大麻。

 

And here’s the thing: I haven’t really done anything differently. So it’s odd. Even my aides can’t explain the rising poll numbers — what has changed, nobody can figure it out. Puzzling.

 

Anyway, in this last year I do have more appreciation for those who have been with me on this amazing ride, like one of our finest public servants, Joe Biden.

（副总统）

 

Ride不光只有“骑”的意思，它也可以用来表示“旅程”。

 

God bless him. Love that guy. I love Joe Biden, I really do. And I want to thank him for his friendship, for his counsel, for always giving it to me straight, for not shooting anybody in the face.

（小布什的副总统切你开枪误伤了朋友的脸。）

 

Thank you, Joe.

谢谢你，乔。

 

Also, I would be remiss — let’s give it up for our host, Larry Wilmore. Also known as one of the two black guys who is not Jon Stewart.

（意思是大部分观众只记得节目里有个囧司徒）

 

Give it up不光有“放弃”的意思，也有“鼓掌喝彩把气氛炒起来”的意思。

 

You’re the South African guy, right?

（其实另一个才是南非的，这里是故意说错）

 

I love Larry. And his parents are here, who are from Evanston, which is a great town.

 

I also would like to acknowledge some of the award-winning reporters that we have with us here tonight.

 

Rachel McAdams. Mark Ruffalo. Liev Schreiber. Thank you all for everything that you’ve done. I’m just joking.

（其实都是演记者的演员）

 

As you know, “Spotlight” is a film, a movie about investigative journalists with the resources and the autonomy to chase down the truth and hold the powerful accountable. Best fantasy film since Star Wars. Look — that was maybe a cheap shot.

 

Hold sb. accountable的意思是“追究某人的责任”。

 

I understand the news business is tough these days, it keeps changing all the time. Every year at this dinner, somebody makes a joke about BuzzFeed, for example, changing the media landscape. And every year, the Washington Post laughs a little bit less hard.

 

Kind of a silence there. Especially at the Washington Post table.

 

GOP Chairman Reince Priebus is here as well. Glad to see you that you feel that you’ve earned a night off. Congratulations on all your success. The Republican Party, the nomination process -– it’s all going great. Keep it up.

（这里是反话，共和党一直想阻止川普，然而没有成功）

 

GOP = Grand Old Party，是共和党的别称“老大党”。

 

Kendall Jenner is also here. And we had a chance to meet her backstage — she seems like a very nice young woman. I’m not exactly sure what she does, but I am told that my Twitter mentions are about to go through the roof. 

（那女的是卡戴珊的妹妹，职业网红）

 

Go through the roof，正如字面的意思“冲破天花板”，意思就是“冲高到从未有过的天文数字”。

 

Helen Mirren is here tonight. I don’t even have a joke here. I just think Helen Mirren is awesome.

 

She’s awesome.

 

Sitting at the same table, I see Mike Bloomberg.

（纽约市长布隆伯格）

 

Mike, a combative, controversial New York billionaire is leading the GOP primary and it is not you.

 

That’s has to sting a little bit.

 

Although it’s not an entirely fair comparison between you and the Donald. After all, Mike was a big-city mayor. He knows policy in depth. And he’s actually worth the amount of money that he says he is.

（这里是在黑川普，川普自称的身价比实际上多很多，而且越吹越高）

 

这里在川普的Donald前面加了个the，意思是“那个川普”，因为英文世界里重名的太多了，现场又有不少Donald，所以特此做出区别。

 

What an election season. For example, we’ve got the bright new face of the Democratic Party here tonight –- Mr. Bernie Sanders! There he is — Bernie!

（民主党的参选人之一桑德斯）

 

Bernie, you look like a million bucks. Or to put it in terms you’ll understand, you look like 37,000 donations of 27 dollars each.

（桑德斯的捐款者平均捐了27美元）

 

Buck就是口语里的dollar。

 

A lot of folks have been surprised by the Bernie phenomenon, especially his appeal to young people. But not me, I get it.

 

Just recently, a young person came up to me and said she was sick of politicians standing in the way of her dreams. As if we were actually going to let Malia go to Burning Man this year.

（这个年轻人就是奥巴马的女儿Malia，年年梦想去火人节）

 

Stand in the way of sth.的意思是“挡住……的路”，也就是“阻碍”。

 

That was not going to happen. Bernie might have let her go. Not us.

 

I am hurt, though, Bernie, that you’ve distancing yourself a little from me. I mean, that’s just not something that you do to your comrade.

（这是在黑桑德斯，桑德斯走的是民主社会主义，所以特意用comrade“同志”）

 

Bernie’s slogan has helped his campaign catch fire among young people. “Feel the Bern.” Feel the Bern — it’s a good slogan. Hillary’s slogan has not had the same effect. Let’s see this.

（这里取的是Bern和Burn的谐音）

 

这个希拉里口号的意思是“爬上小山坡”。

 

Look, I’ve said how much I admire Hillary’s toughness, her smarts, her policy chops, her experience. You’ve got to admit it, though, Hillary trying to appeal to young voters is a little bit like your relative just signed up for Facebook. “Dear America, did you get my poke?” “Is it appearing on your wall?” “I’m not sure I am using this right. Love, Aunt Hillary.” It’s not entirely persuasive.

 

Policy chops的意思是“政治手段”，chop就是“切菜”的“切”，可以类比为中文说的“两把刷子”。

 

Poke就是网聊时候说的“戳一戳”。

 

Meanwhile, on the Republican side, things are a little more — how should we say this — a little “more loose.” Just look at the confusion over the invitations to tonight’s dinner. Guests were asked to check whether they wanted steak or fish, but instead, a whole bunch of you wrote in Paul Ryan.

（意思是他在共和党里干的事太糟了，居然弄出了科鲁兹和川普）

 

That’s not an option, people. Steak or fish. You may not like steak or fish —— but that’s your choice.

（这是在吐槽大选，有什么就选什么吧）

 

Meanwhile, some candidates aren’t polling high enough to qualify for their own joke tonight. The rules were well-established ahead of time.

 

And then there’s Ted Cruz. Ted had a tough week. He went to Indiana –- Hoosier country –- stood on a basketball court, and called the hoop a “basketball ring.” What else is in his lexicon? Baseball sticks? Football hats? But sure, I’m the foreign one.

（共和党里根川普争最终提名的科鲁兹）（共和党那边说奥巴马是肯尼亚人，其实科鲁兹才是老外，是加拿大人）

 

Well, let me conclude tonight on a more serious note. I want to thank the Washington press corps, I want to thank Carolfor all that you do. The free press is central to our democracy, and — nah, I’m just kidding! You know I’ve got to talk about Trump! Come on! We weren’t just going to stop there. Come on.

 

Although I am a little hurt that he’s not here tonight. We had so much fun the last time. And it is surprising. You’vegot a room full of reporters, celebrities, cameras, and he says no? Is this dinner too tacky for The Donald? What could he possibly be doing instead? Is he at home, eating a Trump Steak —— tweeting out insults to Angela Merkel? What’s he doing?

（德国现在的领导人）

 

The Republican establishment is incredulous that he is their most likely nominee — incredulous, shocking. They say Donald lacks the foreign policy experience to be President. But, in fairness, he has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan.

（环球小姐大赛是川普自己办的）

 

And there’s one area where Donald’s experience could be invaluable -– and that’s closing Guantanamo. Because Trump knows a thing or two about running waterfront properties into the ground.

（这是在黑他把水边的酒店和赌场弄倒闭了）

 

Run sth. into the ground的意思就是“把……弄垮”。也可以说bring sth. into the ground。

 

All right, that’s probably enough. I mean,I’ve got more material —— no, no, I don’t want to spend too much time on The Donald. Following your lead, I want to show some restraint. Because I think we can all agree that from the start, he’s gotten the appropriate amount of coverage, befitting the seriousness of his candidacy.

 

Material不光只物质材料，它也被用来指写文章、讲话用的素材，而且一般是指“有价值”或“有笑点”的，所以可以翻译成“料”。

 

I hope you all are proud of yourselves. The guy wanted to give his hotel business a boost, and now we’re praying that Cleveland makes it through July.

（川普生成如果落选克利夫兰就会发生暴乱）

 

As for me and Michelle, we’ve decided to stay in D.C. for a couple more years. Thank you. This way, our youngest daughter can finish up high school, Michelle can stay closer to her plot of carrots. She’s already making plans to see them every day. Take a look.

（黑她在白宫后面搞的菜园子）

 

But our decision has actually presented a bit of a dilemma because, traditionally, Presidents don’t stick around after they’re done. And it’s something that I’ve been brooding about a little bit.Take a look.

 

Sb. is done的意思是“没找个人什么事了”，因此这里对于总统来说就是“卸任”。

 

I am still waiting for all of you to respond to my invitation to connect on LinkedIn. But I know you have jobs to do, which is what really brings us here tonight.

 

I know that there are times that we’ve had differences, and that’s inherent in our institutional roles — it’s true of every President and his press corps.

 

 

But we’ve always shared the same goal –- to root our public discourse in the truth; to open the doors of this democracy; to do whatever we can to make our country and our world more free and more just.

 

Root不光有“根”的意思，也有“扎根”的意思。

 

And I’ve always appreciated the role that you have all played as equal partners in reaching these goals.

 

And our free press is why we once again recognize the real journalists who uncovered a horrifying scandal and brought about some measure of justice for thousands of victims throughout the world.

 

Recognize在这里的意思是“承认……的良好品质”。

 

They are here with us tonight –- Sacha Pfeiffer, Mike Rezendes, Walter Robinson, Matt Carroll, and Ben Bradlee, Jr. Please give them a big round of applause.

 

Our free press is why, once again, we honor Jason Rezaian. As Carol noted, last time this year, we spoke of Jason’s courage as he endured the isolation of an Iranian prison.

 

This year, we see that courage in the flesh and it’s a living testament to the very idea of a free press, and a reminder of the rising level of danger, and political intimidation, and physical threats faced by reporters overseas.

 

And I can make this commitment that as longas I hold this office, my administration will continue to fight for the release of American journalists held against their will — and we will not stop until they see the same freedom as Jason had.

 

At home and abroad, journalists like all of you engage in the dogged pursuit of informing citizens, and holding leaders accountable, and making our government of the people possible. And it’s an enormous responsibility.

 

这里的government of the people是一个整体，“为人民服务的政府”。

 

And I realize it’s an enormous challenge at a time when the economics of the business sometimes incentivize speed over depth; and when controversy and conflict are what most immediately attract readers and viewers.

 

The good news is there are so many of you that are pushing against those trends.

 

And as a citizen of this great democracy, I am grateful for that.

 

For this is also a time around the world when some of the fundamental ideals of liberal democracies are under attack,and when notions of ob jectivity, and of a free press, and of facts, and of evidence are trying to be undermined. Or, in some cases, ignored entirely.

 

And in such a climate, it’s not enough just to give people a megaphone. And that’s why your power and your responsibility to dig and to question and to counter distortions and untruths is more important than ever. Taking a stand on behalf of what is true does not require you shedding your objectivity.

 

In fact, it is the essence of good journalism. It affirms the idea that the only way we can build consensus, the only way that we can move forward as a country, the only way we can help the world mend itself is by agreeing on a baseline of facts when it comes to the challenges that confront us all.

 

So this night is a testament to all of you who have devoted your lives to that idea, who push to shine a light on the truth every single day.

 

So I want to close my final White House Correspondents’ Dinner by just saying thank you. I’m very proud of what you’ve done. It has been an honor and a privilege to work side by side with you to strengthen our democracy.

 

And with that, I just have two more words to say -– Obama out. Thank you.

（致敬刚退役的科比）

来源：沪江英语