I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

我常常从普通人身上汲取力量，他们平凡却做着不平凡的事。

 

 'Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love'.

“并非每个人都能做出伟大的事情，但我们可以带着伟大的爱去做一些小事。” ——引用特蕾莎修女

 

The cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.

成千上万微不足道的善行累加起来，就能产生我们想象不到的巨大影响。

 

Inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows.

对心的启迪和鼓舞是一个礼物，既可接纳也可赠予，而爱起于微末，却总能茁壮成长。

 

女王的演讲发音纯正，措辞优雅，语速适中，内容积极向上，是完美的英语听力素材。

 

双语全文

 

There was a time when British Olympic medal winners became household names because there were so few of them.

曾几何时，英国奥运奖牌获得者家喻户晓，因为他们凤毛麟角。

 

But the 67 medals at this year's Games in Rio and 147 at the Paralympics meant that the GB medallists' reception at Buckingham Palace was a crowded and happy event.

而在今年的里约奥运会上，我们斩获67枚奖牌，残奥会147枚，这让白金汉宫款待大不列颠奖牌得主们的招待宴变得拥挤而欢乐。

 

Throughout the Commonwealth there were equally joyful celebrations. Grenada, the Bahamas, Jamaica and New Zealand won more medals per head of population than any other countries.

英联邦各处亦欢欣庆祝，格林纳达、巴哈马群岛、牙买加、新西兰比其他任何国家的人均奖牌数都多。

 

Many of this year's winners spoke of being inspired by athletes of previous generations.

今年许多胜利者谈到，自己受到前辈的鼓舞。

 

Inspiration fed their aspiration; and having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others.

心受鼓舞令人志存高远，这些运动员发现了自己都难以置信的能力，现在他们正鼓舞着他人。

 

A few months ago, I saw inspiration of a different kind when I opened the new Cambridge base of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where Prince William works as a helicopter pilot.

几个月前，我受到另一种鼓舞，我为东盎格鲁救援飞行队在剑桥的新基地剪彩，威廉王子是那里的直升机飞行员。

 

It was not hard to be moved by the dedication of the highly skilled doctors, paramedics and crew, who are called out on average five times a day.

训练有素的医生、医疗护理人员和机组成员，他们平均每天出勤五次，人们很容易就被他们的奉献精神感召。

 

But to be inspirational you don't have to save lives or win medals.

但要鼓舞他人，你并不非定要救死扶伤或赢取奖牌。

 

I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special.

我常常从普通人身上汲取力量，他们平凡却做着不平凡的事：志愿者、老人看护、社区组织者和友善的邻居，他们是无名的英雄，默默无闻的奉献让他们与众不同。

 

 

They are an inspiration to those who know them, and their lives frequently embody a truth expressed by Mother Teresa, from this year Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

他们鼓舞着认识他们的人，他们的生活每每体现着特雷莎修女表达的真理，今年特雷莎封圣为“加尔各答的圣特雷莎”。

 

She once said: 'Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love'.

她曾说：“并非每个人都能做出伟大的事情，但我们可以带着伟大的爱做一些小事。”

 

This has been the experience of two remarkable organisations, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and The Prince's Trust, which are 60 and 40 years old this year. These started as small initiatives but have grown beyond any expectations, and continue to transform young people's lives.

有两个出色的组织正是如此，它们是今年六十周年的爱丁堡公爵奖和四十周年的王子信托基金。它们从小做起，如今却超乎预料，并继续改变着年轻人的生活。

 

To mark my 90th birthday, volunteers and supporters of the six hundred charities of which I have been patron came to a lunch in The Mall.

为纪念我九十岁生日，来自600个慈善团体的志愿者和支持者来林荫大道参加午宴，我一直以来资助这些团体。

 

 

Many of these organisations are modest in size but inspire me with the work they do.

许多机构并不大，它们做的事却鼓舞着我。

 

From giving friendship and support to our veterans, the elderly or the bereaved; to championing music and dance; providing animal welfare; or protecting our fields and forests, their selfless devotion and generosity of spirit is an example to us all.

它们把友谊和支持给予退伍老兵、老年人和丧亲之人；它们赞助音乐和舞蹈；它们提供动物福利；它们保护我们的土地和森林；它们无私的奉献和慷慨的精神堪为典范。

 

 

When people face a challenge they sometimes talk about taking a deep breath to find courage or strength. In fact, the word 'inspire' literally means 'to breathe in'.

遭遇挑战的人们有时会说，深吸一口气，拿出勇气和力量。事实上，“鼓舞”的字面意思就是“吸气”。

 

But even with the inspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help.

可即便受到他人鼓舞，我们有时还是发现，这个世界的问题太大，我们所做的不过杯水车薪，这是可以理解的。

 

On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.

就我们自己而言，我们无法结束战争，扫除不公，可成千上万微不足道的善行累加起来，能产生我们想象不到的巨大影响。

 

At Christmas, our attention is drawn to the birth of a baby some two thousand years ago. It was the humblest of beginnings, and his parents, Joseph and Mary, did not think they were important.

圣诞之际，我们又想起两千年前诞生的一个婴儿。他出生极为卑微，父母约瑟和玛丽并不觉得自己有多重要。

 

Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far. He was maligned and rejected by many, though he had done no wrong.

耶稣基督一生大部分时光都籍籍无名，未能行走天下。尽管他并没无过错，但还是屡遭诋毁和排挤。

 

 

And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives.

而如今，数十亿人追随他的教诲，从他身上发现生命中引路的明灯。

 

I am one of them because Christ's example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.

我就是其中一员，因为基督之范让我看到以大爱行小善的价值，无论是谁，无论他信仰什么。

 

The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows.

圣诞传达的精神就是让我们记住，对心的启迪和鼓舞是一个礼物，既可接纳也可赠予，而爱起于微末，却总能茁壮成长。

 

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

祝各位圣诞快乐。

 

译文参考：英文联播

 

每年的圣诞演讲是为数不多的情况下，女王能直抒胸臆，发表一些自己的见解，而不需要征求政府的意见。

 

这个传统始于女王的爷爷乔治五世（King George V）在1932年首次进行的广播演讲。

 

英国国王乔治五世1935年圣诞日的广播演讲

 

BBC曾对这段背景做了如下介绍：

 

He was unsure about using the relatively untried medium of the wireless, but eventually agreed and read a message composed by author Rudyard Kipling. 

他（乔治五世）并不确定是否使用尚未验证过的无线电波作为媒介，但最终还是同意了，并朗读了由拉迪亚德·吉卜林撰写的演讲稿。

 

The fixed time of 3 pm each year was chosen in 1932 because it was considered the best for reaching most of the countries in the British Empire by short wave.

演讲的时间定于每年圣诞的下午三点，这也是1932年定下的，当时是为了使短波能够最大范围覆盖大英帝国统治的国家。

 

但圣诞致辞真正成为每年的传统是从女王的父亲乔治六世（George VI）开始。

 

乔治六世演讲

 

这位乔治六世，正是《国王的演讲》（The King's Speech）中由科林·费斯（Colin Firth）扮演的国王。

 

科林叔在《国王的演讲》中的剧照

 

现任女王伊丽莎白二世从1952年——她继位当年——开始用广播进行她的第一次圣诞演讲。

 

而1957年，女王首次以电视播出的形式进行了圣诞致辞。

 

既然说到这，那我们不如就来看看女王首次圣诞电视致辞的珍贵视频吧。古典英伦范，特别适合做听力素材。

 

听完了女王高冷的英音演讲，再来感受下奥巴马夫妇接地气的美式圣诞演讲吧。

 

 

以下是双语全文：

 

THE PRESIDENT: Merry Christmas everybody! One of the best parts of the holiday season is spending time with the special people in your life. And for me, that means getting some help from my best friend for our annual Christmas Weekly Address.

总统：大家圣诞快乐！圣诞节最美好的事情就是，和你生命中最特殊的人在一起。对我来说，这意味着让我最好的朋友来帮我完成年度圣诞每周讲话。

 

THE FIRST LADY: Given how our first Christmas Weekly Address went, I realized that Barack needed all the help he could get.

第一夫人：由于第一次圣诞每周讲话搞砸了，我意识到，巴拉克需要一切可能的帮助。

 

THE FIRST LADY: Celebrating the holidays in the White House over these past eight years has been a true privilege. We’ve been able to welcome over half a million guests… our outstanding pastry chefs have baked 200,000 holiday cookies… and Barack has treated the American people to countless dad jokes.

第一夫人：在白宫度过八年的圣诞节，对我们来说真的是一大荣幸。我们在这里欢迎了50多万名客人……我们出色的糕点厨师烘焙了20万个圣诞饼干……而巴拉克也对美国人民讲了无数的冷笑话。

 

THE PRESIDENT: Although a few got a…Frosty reception.

总统：虽然有一些冷场了……

 

THE FIRST LADY: This year’s White House holiday theme is “The Gift of the Holidays,” and our decorations reflect some of our greatest gifts as a nation: from our incredible military families, to the life-changing impact of a great education.

第一夫人：今年，白宫的圣诞主题是：节日的礼物。我们的装饰品体现了一个国家能收到的最棒礼物：包括我们了不起的军人家庭、伟大的教育对人生的改变等等。

 

THE PRESIDENT: And the greatest gift that Michelle and I have received over the last eight years has been the honor of serving as your President and First Lady. Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low. We secured health insurance for another twenty million Americans, and new protections for folks who already had insurance. We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more.

总统：而我跟米歇尔这八年来收到最棒的礼物就是，有幸作为总统和第一夫人为你们服务。我们一起对抗了80年来最严重的经济衰退，把失业率降到了9年最低；我们为200万美国人民增加了医疗保险，为已有医保的人增加了医疗保障；我们使美国在世界上更受尊重，为了我们的子孙后代，领导美国保护环境；以及很多很多。

 

By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we first got here. And I’m hopeful we’ll build on the progress we’ve made in the years to come.

经过这么多努力，我们的国家变得更强盛更繁荣了。我有信心，未来的日子里，我们将在此基础上取得更多进步。

 

Tomorrow, for the final time as the First Family, we will join our fellow Christians around the world to rejoice in the birth of our Savior. And as we retell His story from that Holy Night, we’ll also remember His eternal message, one of boundless love, compassion and hope.

明天，我们将最后一次以第一家庭的名义，和世界各地的基督徒一起庆祝耶稣基督的生日。我们将重述一遍那个神圣夜晚发生的故事，并记住他传递给我们的永恒信息，即无止境的爱、慈悲与希望。

 

THE FIRST LADY: The idea that we are our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated. And that we care for the sick… feed the hungry… and welcome the stranger… no matter where they come from, or how they practice their faith.

第一夫人：我们是我们的兄弟姐妹的守护者的理念；我们要待人如待己；我们要关心生病者，给饥饿者带去温饱，友善对待陌生人，无论他们从哪来，信仰是什么。

 

THE PRESIDENT: Those are values that help guide not just my family’s Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds. And no one better embodies that spirit of service than the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and their families.

总统：这些价值观不但引导着我家的基督教信仰，还包括犹太教、穆斯林、无神论者，以及所有不同背景的美国人。在这里面，我们的军人及其家属最能体现我们的服务精神。

 

THE FIRST LADY: As always, many of our troops are far from home this time of year, and their families are serving and sacrificing right along with them. Their courage and dedication allow the rest of us to enjoy this season. That’s why we’ve tried to serve them as well as they’ve served this country. Go to JoiningForces.gov to see how you can honor and support the service members, veterans and military families in your community – not just during the holidays, but all year round.

第一夫人：跟往常一样，许多军人此时此刻仍远离家乡，他们的家庭也一样在作出牺牲服务国家。是他们的勇气与奉献让我们得以享受这个节日。这也是为什么我们要为他们服务，就像他们为这个国家服务一样。登录JoiningForces.gov，看看你可以为自己社区的现役军人、退伍老兵和军人家属做些什么——不单单是在这个节日，而且全年都可以。

 

THE PRESIDENT: So as we look forward to the New Year, let’s resolve to recommit ourselves to the values we share. And on behalf of the all the Obamas – Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo, and that troublemaker Sunny – Merry Christmas, everybody.

总统：所以，在喜迎新年之际，让我们再次坚定共同拥有的价值观。我代表奥巴马家庭——米歇尔、玛利亚、萨沙、波尔，还有小淘气桑尼——祝大家圣诞快乐。

 

THE FIRST LADY: And we wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2017… thanks, and God bless.

第一夫人：我们也祝你和你的家庭2017年健康快乐……谢谢，上帝保佑。

 

25日，奥巴马还发了一条推特，配上一张全家人喜气洋洋的照片，向所有人问候圣诞快乐。

 

圣诞节最美好的事情就是，和爱的人在一起的时光。我代表米歇尔、玛利亚、萨沙，祝所有人圣诞快乐。

 

这张照片也被用在了白宫官方圣诞卡（official White House holiday card）上。

 

圣诞前夕，第一夫人还参加了NORAD Tracks Santa（北美空防司令部追踪圣诞老人）的一个活动，负责接听大家的电话和回复邮件。

 

在电话中，米歇尔告诉打电话来的孩子们：Santa was flying over Malta, Sardinia and Hungary. （圣诞老人正飞过马耳他、撒丁岛和匈牙利呢。）

 

奥巴马的演讲真是听一次少一次，我们不妨再听一个国家圣诞树点灯仪式（annual National Tree Lighting ceremony）上的演讲。

 

12月1日，奥巴马最后一次点燃国家圣诞树，之后发表演讲。

 

不放过任何一个机会抖包袱的奥巴马在这次演讲中也不忘讲段子：

 

The last week, I pardoned a turkey. Tonight we’re lighting the national Christmas tree. This one is easier because a tree does not move; it does not gobble. You just push a button and it’s electrified – which is exactly what you don’t want to have happen at a turkey pardon.

上周，我赦免了一只火鸡，今晚，我们要点亮国家圣诞树。后者更简单点，因为树不会动，也不会咯咯叫。你只要按下按钮，就通上电了——这正好是赦免火鸡时你最不愿意看到的事。

 

此时特朗普在做什么呢？当然是发推特……

 

一句祝福里连写4个very，看起来心情很激动的样子呢。

 

明年的圣诞演讲就要由他承包了，你们做好准备了吗？

来源：中国日报网双语新闻