的人布鲁克林发生枪击

高级英语上册课文逐句翻译LessonOneRockSuperstars关于我们和我们的社会,他们告诉了我们些什么WhatDoTheyTellUsAboutOurselvesandOurSociety摇滚乐是青少年叛逆的音乐.
——摇滚乐评论家约相罗克韦尔Rockisthemusicofteenagerebellion.
---JohnRockwell,rockmusiccritic知其崇拜何人便可知其人.
——小说家罗伯特佩恩沃伦Byaman'sheroesyeshallknowhim.
---RobertPennWarren,novelist1972年6月的一天,芝加哥圆形剧场挤满了大汗淋漓、疯狂摇摆的人们.
Itwasmid-June,1972,theChicagoAmphitheaterwaspacked,sweltering,rocking.
滚石摇滚乐队的迈克贾格尔正在台上演唱―午夜漫步人‖.
MickJaggeroftheRollingStoneswassinging―MidnightRambler.
‖演唱结束时评论家唐赫克曼在现场.
CriticDonHeckmanwastherewhenthesongended.
他描述道:―贾格尔抓起一个半加仑的水罐沿舞台前沿边跑边把里面的水洒向前几排汗流浃背的听众.
听众们蜂拥般跟随着他跑,急切地希望能沾上几滴洗礼的圣水.
―Jagger,‖hesaid,―grabsahalf-gallonjugofwaterandrunsalongthefrontplatform,sprinklingitscontentsoverthefirstfewrowsofswelteringlisteners.
Theysurgetofollowhim,eagertobetouchedbyafewbaptismaldrops‖.
1973年12月下旬的一天,约1.
4万名歌迷在华盛顿市外的首都中心剧场尖叫着,乱哄哄地拥向台前.
ItwaslateDecember,1973,Some14,000screamingfanswerecrunchinguptothefrontofthestageatCapitalCenter,outsideWashington,D.
C.
美国的恐怖歌星艾利丝库珀的表演正接近尾声.
AliceCooper,America'ssingingghoul,wasendinghisact.
他表演的最后一幕是假装在断头台上结束自己的生命.
Heendsitbypretendingtoendhislife–withaguillotine.
他的―头‖落入一个草篮中.
His―head‖dropsintoastrawbasket.
―哎呀!
‖一个黑衣女孩子惊呼道:―啊!
真是了不起,不是吗‖.
―Ooh,‖gaspedagirldressedinblack.
―Oh,isn'tthatmarvelous‖当时,14岁的迈克珀力也在场,但他的父母不在那里.
Fourteen-year-oldMickPerliewastheretoo,buthisparentsweren't.
―他们觉得他恶心,恶心,恶心,‖迈克说,―他们对我说,你怎么受得了那些‖―Theythinkhe'ssick,sick,sick,‖Mikesaid.
―Theysaytome,Howcanyoustandthatstuff'‖1974年1月下旬的一天,在纽约州尤宁谷城拿骚体育场内,鲍勃狄伦和―乐队‖乐队正在为音乐会上要用的乐器调音.
ItwaslateJanuary,1974.
InsidetheNassauColiseuminUniondale,NewYork,BobDylanandTheBandweretuningforaconcert.
馆外,摇滚歌迷克利斯辛格在大雨中等待着入场.
Outside,inthepouringrain,fanChrisSingerwaswaitingtogetin.
―这是朝圣,‖克利斯说,―我应该跪着爬进去.
‖―Thisispilgrimage,‖Chrissaid,―Ioughttobecrawlingonmyknees.
‖对于这一切好评及个人崇拜,你怎么看Howdoyoufeelaboutallthisadulationandheroworship当米克贾格尔的崇拜者们把他视为上帝的最高代表或是一个神时,你是赞成还是反对WhenMickJagger'sfanslookathimasahighpriestoragod,areyouwiththemoragainstthem你也和克利斯辛格一样对鲍勃狄伦怀有几乎是宗教般的崇敬吗DoyoushareChrisSinger'salmostreligiousreverenceforBobDylan你认为他或狄伦是步入歧途吗Doyouthinkhe–orDylan–ismisguided你也认为艾利丝库珀令人恶心而拒不接受吗DoyourejectAliceCooperassick难道你会莫名其妙地被这个奇怪的小丑吸引,原因就在于他表达出你最狂热的幻想Orareyoudrawnsomehowtothisstrangeclown,perhapsbecauseheactsoutyourwildestfantasies这些并不是闲谈.
Thesearen'tidlequestions.
有些社会学家认为对这些问题的回答可以充分说明你在想些什么以及社会在想些什么——也就是说,有关你和社会的态度.
Somesociologistssaythatyouranswerstothemcouldexplainalotaboutwhatyouarethinkingandaboutwhatyoursocietyisthinking–inotherwords,aboutwhereyouandyoursocietyare.
社会学家欧文霍洛威茨说:―音乐表现其时代.
‖―Musicexpresseditstimes,‖sayssociologistIrvingHorowitz.
霍洛威茨把摇滚乐的舞台视为某种辩论的论坛,一个各种思想交锋的场所.
Horowitzseestherockmusicarenaasasortofdebatingforum,aplacewhereideasclashandcrash.
他把它看作是一个美国社会努力为自己的感情及信仰不断重新进行解释的地方.
HeseesitasaplacewhereAmericansocietystrugglestodefineandredefineitsfeelingsandbeliefs.
他说:―重新解释是一项只有青年人才能执行的任务.
只有他们才把创造与夸张、理性与运动、言语与声音、音乐与政治融为一体.
‖―Theredefinition,‖Horowitzsays,―isataskuniquelyperformedbytheyoung.
Itistheyalonewhocombineinventionandexaggeration,reasonandmotion,wordandsound,musicandpolitics.
‖作曲兼演唱家托德伦德格伦对这个观点表示赞同.
ToddRundgren,thecomposerandsinger,agrees.
他说:―摇滚乐与其说是一种音乐力量不如说是一种社会心理的表现.
就连埃尔维斯普雷斯利也并非是一种伟大的音乐力量,他只不过是体现了50年代青少年那种心灰意冷的精神状态.
‖―Rockmusic,‖hesays,―isreallyasociologicalexpressionratherthanamusicalforce.
EvenElvisPresleywasn'treallyagreatmusicalforce.
It'sjustthatElvismanagedtoembodythefrustratedteenagespiritofthe1950s.
‖毫无疑问,普雷斯利震惊了美国的成人世界.
OfcoursePresleyhorrifiedadultAmerica.
报纸写社论攻击他,电视网也禁止播他,但也许埃尔维斯证实了霍洛威茨和伦德格伦的看法.
Newspaperseditorializedagainsthim,andTVnetworksbannedhim.
ButElvismayhaveprovedwhatHorowitzandRundgrenbelieve.
当他通过电视上埃德沙利文的星期日晚间的综艺节目出现在千百万人面前时,就引起了某种辩论.
WhenheappearedontheEd.
SullivanSundaynightvarietyshowinfrontofmillions,akindof―debate‖tookplace.
多数年纪大的观众眉头紧皱,而大多数年轻观众则报以掌声欢迎.
Mostoftheolderviewersfrowned,whilemostoftheyoungerviewersapplauded.
摇滚乐评论家们说,从埃尔维斯到艾利丝,许多歌星帮助我们的社会解说其信仰与态度.
BetweenElvisandAlice,rockcriticssay,anumberofrockstarshavehelpedoursocietydefineitsbeliefsandattitudes.
鲍勃狄伦触动了对现状不满的神经,他唱到民权、核散落物以及孤独.
BobDylantouchedanerveofdisaffection.
Hespokeofcivilrights,nuclearfallout,andloneliness.
他唱到变革和老一代人的迷茫,他在歌声中唱道:―这儿正发生着什么事,你不知道是什么事,对吗,琼斯先生‖Hespokeofchangeandofthebewildermentofanoldergeneration.
―Something'shappeninghere,‖hesang.
―Youdon'tknowwhatitis,doyou,Mr.
Jones‖其他人也加入了这场辩论.
Othersenteredthedebate.
霍洛威茨说,甲壳虫乐队以幽默的方式,或许还借助麻醉品的力量来倡导和平与虔诚.
傲慢无理、打架斗殴的滚石乐队成员要求革命.
杰斐逊飞机乐队的歌曲―我们能够联合‖和―志愿者‖(有一场革命)则是激进青年的更进一步的两项声明.
TheBeatles,Horowitzsaid,urgedpeaceandpiety,withhumorandmaybealittlehelpfromdrugs.
TheRollingStones,arrogantstreet-fightingmen,demandedrevolution.
TheJeffersonAirplane's―WeCanBeTogether‖andVolunteers(GotaRevolution)‖weretwofurtherstatementsofradicalyouth.
但政治并不是60年代强硬派摇滚乐所辩论的惟一主题,始终作为任何音乐永恒组成部分的情感也是一个重要题目.
Butpoliticswasn'ttheonlysubjectdebatedinthehardrockofthesixties.
Feelings,alwaysapartofanymusicalstatement,wereamajorsubject.
詹妮丝乔普林用歌声表达自己的悲哀.
JanisJophinsangofhersadness.
甲壳虫乐队揭示出爱与恨之间的一系列的感情.
TheBeatlesshowedtherewerearangeofemotionsbetweenloveandhate.
以后又出现了―乐队‖乐队把乡村音乐和西部音乐所表达的较为传统的观念与强硬派摇滚乐较为激进的―都市‖观念结合在一起.
ThencameTheBand,mixingthemoretraditionalideasofcountryandwesternmusicintothemoreradical‖city‖ideasofthehardrock.
霍洛威茨认为这一成分的乡村音乐帮助听众表达了一种―摆脱这一切‖,―重返过去时光‖的强烈愿望.
Thiscountryelement,Horowitzfeels,helpeditsaudienceexpressanurgeto―getawayfromitall,‖to―gobacktotheoldday.
当前最能说明霍洛威茨看法的例子之一就是约翰丹佛,他最著名的歌曲《阳光照在我肩上》、《高高的落基山》和《乡间小路》把民间摇滚乐的音乐灵魂与力量结合了起来,而歌词则赞美了―往日美好时光‖的朴素的欢乐.
.
‖OneofthebestcurrentexamplesofwhatHorotwitzistalkingaboutisJohnDenver.
Hismostnotablesongs–―SunshineonMyShoulders‖,―RockyMountainHigh‖,and―CountryRoad‖–combinethemusicaldriveandpoweroffolkrock,whilethelyricscelebratethesimplejoysof―thegoodolddays.
‖这样的例子不胜枚举.
Thelistcouldgoonandon.
这些摇滚乐音乐家们和所有的艺术家一样反映出我们借以认识并形成属于自己的感情与信念.
Likeallartists,theserockmusiciansmirrorfeelingsandbeliefsthathelpusseeandformourown.
我们以什么来回报他们呢当然是掌声和赞美.
WhatdowegivetheminreturnApplauseandpraise,ofcourse.
在1972年的一次全国民意测验中,10%的男高中生和30%以上的女高中生都说他们最崇拜的人是超级摇滚歌星.
Inone1972,nationalopinionpoll,morethan10percentofthehighschoolboysand20percentofthegirlssaidtheirherowasarocksuperstar.
此外我们给他们金钱,商业杂志《福布斯》认为,―当今成为百万富翁的捷径是当摇滚歌星.
‖Wealsogivethemmoney.
―Thefastestwaytobecomeamillionairethesedays,‖saysForbes,abusinessmagazine,―istobecomearockn'rollstar.
‖今天的英雄们——至少其中一部分人——告诉我们,他们很喜欢所得到的报偿.
Today'sheroes–someofthem,anyway–tellustheyenjoytheirrewards.
―我暗自嘲笑这些先生们和女士们,他们从没想到过我们会成为金娃娃.
‖演唱这支歌曲的是―文化英雄‖艾利丝库珀.
―AndIlaughedtomyselfatthemenandtheladies.
Whoneverconceivedofusbillion-dollarbabies.
‖Theparticular―culturehero‖whosingsthatisAlicecooper.
可是,仍然存在着一个大问题:为什么他是文化英雄Thebigquestionremains:Whyisheaculturehero他,或者当今任何其他走红的摇滚歌星能告诉我们些什么有关他们的歌迷的事情Whatdoeshe–oranyothercurrentrocksuccess–tellusabouthisfans对于我们自己和我们的社会有些什么了解现在怎样,过去如何,将来又将向何处去AboutourselvesandoursocietyWhereitis,whereitwas,whereit'sheadingLesson2:FourChoicesforYoungPeople在毕业前不久,斯坦福大学四年级主席吉姆宾司给我写了一封信,信中谈及他的一些不安.
Shortlybeforehisgraduation,JimBinns,presidentoftheseniorclassatStanfordUniversity,wrotemeaboutsomeofhismisgivings.
他写道:―与其他任何一代人相比,我们这一代人在看待成人世界时抱有更大的疑虑……同时越来越倾向于全盘否定成人世界.
‖―Morethananyothergeneration,‖hesaid,―ourgenerationviewstheadultworldwithgreatskepticism…thereisalsoanincreasedtendencytorejectcompletelythatworld.
‖很明显,他的话代表了许多同龄人的看法.
Apparentlyhespeaksforalotofhiscontemporaries.
在过去的几年里,我倾听过许多年轻人的谈话,他们有的还在大学读书,有的已经毕业,他们对于成人的世界同样感到不安.
Duringthelastfewyears,Ihavelistenedtoscoresofyoungpeople,incollegeandout,whowerejustasnervousaboutthegrownworld.
大致来说,他们的态度可归纳如下:―这个世界乱糟糟的,到处充满了不平等、贫困和战争.
对此该负责的大概应是那些管理这个世界的成年人吧.
如果他们不能做得比这些更好,他们又能拿什么来教育我们呢这样的教导,我们根本不需要.
‖Roughly,theirattitudemightbesummedupaboutlikethis:―Theworldisinprettymuchofamess,fullofinjustice,poverty,andwar.
Thepeopleresponsibleare,presumably,theadultswhohavebeenrunningthing.
Iftheycan'tdobetterthanthat,whathavetheygottoteachourgenerationThatkindoflessonwecandowithout.
‖我觉得这些结论合情合理,至少从他们的角度来看是这样的.
Thereconclusionsstrikemeasreasonable,atleastfromtheirpointofview.
对成长中的一代人来说,相关的问题不是我们的社会是否完美(我们可以想当然地认为是这样),而是应该如何去应付它.
Therelevantquestionforthearrivinggenerationisnotwhetheroursocietyisimperfect(wecantakethatforgranted),buthowtodealwithit.
尽管这个社会严酷而不合情理,但它毕竟是我们惟一拥有的世界.
Forallitsharshnessandirrationality,itistheonlyworldwe'vegot.
因此,选择一个办法去应付这个社会是刚刚步入成年的年轻人必须作出的第一个决定,这通常是他们一生中最重要的决定.
Choosingastrategytocopewithit,then,isthefirstdecisionyoungadultshavetomake,andusuallythemostimportantdecisionoftheirlifetime.
根据我的发现,他们的基本选择只有四种:SofarasIhavebeenabletodiscover,thereareonlyfourbasicalternatives:1)脱离传统社会1)DropOut这是最古老的方法之一,任何年龄的人无论在任何地方,也无论是否使用迷幻剂都可以采用.
Thisisoneoftheoldestexpedients,anditcanbepracticedanywhere,atanyage,andwithorwithouttheuseofhallucinogens.
那些认为这个世界残酷、复杂得令人难以忍受的人通常会选择这个办法.
Italwayshasbeenthestrategyofchoiceforpeoplewhofindtheworldtoobrutalortoocomplextobeendured.
实质上,这是一种寄生式的生活方式,采取此策略的人通过这样或那样的方式寄生于这个他们蔑视的社会,并且拒绝对这个社会承担责任Bydefinition,thiswayoflifeisparasitic.
Inonewayoranother,itspractitionersbattenonthesocietywhichtheyscornandinwhichtheyrefusetotakeanyresponsibility.
我们中的一些人对此很厌恶——认为这种生活方式很不光彩.
Someofusfindthisdistasteful–anundignifiedkindoflife.
但对于那些卑微、懒惰又缺乏自尊的人来说,这也许是可行的最可以忍受的选择了.
Butforthepoorinspirit,withlowlevelsofbothenergyandpride,itmaybetheleastintolerablechoiceavailable.
2)逃避现实社会2)Flee这个策略早在远古就有先例.
Thisstrategyalsohasancientantecedents.
自文明诞生以来,就有人企图逃避文明社会,希望寻求一种更为朴素、更富田园风情、更为宁静的生活.
Eversincecivilizationbegan,certainindividualshavetriedtorunawayfromitinhopesoffindingasimpler,morepastoral,andmorepeacefullife.
与那些脱离传统社会的人不同,这些人不是寄生者.
他们愿意自食其力,愿意为社会作出贡献,可是他们就是不喜欢这个文明世界的环境.
确地说,不喜欢这充满丑恶和紧张的大都市.
Unlikethedropouts,theyarenotparasites.
Theyarewillingtosupportthemselvesandtocontributesomethingtothegeneralcommunity,buttheysimplydon'tliketheenvironmentofcivilization;thatis,thecity,withallitsuglinessandtension.
这种方法的问题在于无法大规模地进行实践.
Thetroublewiththissolutionisthatitnolongerispracticalonalargescale.
不幸的是,在我们的地球上,高尚的野蛮人和未被破坏的自然景色已越来越少;除了两极地区以外已经没有未开发的土地了.
Ourplanet,unfortunately,isrunningoutofnoblesavagesandunsulliedlandscaped;exceptforthepolarregions,thefrontiersaregone.
少数富有的乡绅还可以逃避现实去过田园生活——但总的说来,迁移的潮流是向相反的方向流动.
Afewgentlemanfarmerswithplentyofmoneycanstillescapetothebucoliclife–butingeneralthestreamofmigrationisflowingtheotherway.
3)策划革命PlotaRevolution在对民主进程单调乏味的运作方式毫无耐心或相信只有武力才能改变基本社会制度的那些人中,这一策略颇受欢迎.
Thisstrategyisalwayspopularamongthosewhohavenopatiencewiththetediousworkingofthedemocraticprocessorwhobelievethatbasicinstitutionscanonlybechangedbyforce.
它吸引了每一代年轻人中那些更为活跃和更具理想主义的人.
Itattractssomeofthemoreactiveandidealisticyoungpeopleofeverygeneration.
对他们来说,这种策略具有浪漫的吸引力,通常以某位魅力非凡且令人振奋的人物为其象征.
Tothemitoffersaromanticappeal,usuallysymbolizedbysomedashingandcharismaticfigure.
这一策略简单明了并具有更大的吸引力:―既然这个社会已经无可救药,那就让我们砸碎它,在它的废墟上面建一个更好的社会.
‖Ithastheevengreaterappealofsimplicity:―Sincethissocietyishopelesslybad,let'ssmashitandbuildsomethingbetterontheruins.
‖我最好的朋友中有些是革命者,他们中的一些人过得相当满足.
Someofmybestfriendshavebeenrevolutionists,andafewofthemhaveledreasonablysatisfyinglives.
这部分人其实是那些革命并未成功的人,他们可以继续兴高采烈地策划大屠杀,直至老态龙钟.
Thesearetheoneswhoserevolutionsdidnotcomeoff;theyhavebeenabletokeeponcheerfullyplottingtheirholocaustsrightintotheirsenescence.
另外一些人年纪轻轻就死了,死在监狱里或街垒旁.
Othersdiedyoung,inprisonoronthebarricades.
但最不幸的是那些革命成功的人.
Butthemostunfortunatearethosewhoserevolutionshavesucceeded.
他们极度失望,看到他们推翻的权力机构又被新机构所替代,而新机构依旧是那样冷酷,那样毫无生机.
Theylivedinbitterdisillusionment,toseetheestablishmenttheyhadoverthrownreplacedbyanewone,justashard-facedandstuffy.
当然,我并不是说革命一无所成.
Iamnot,ofcourse,suggestingthatrevolutionsaccomplishnothing.
一些革命(美国革命,法国革命)确实将事情变得越来越好.
Some(TheAmericanRevolution,theFrenchRevolution)clearlydochangethingsforthebetter.
我只是想说革命无论成败,那些策划革命的革命者们都注定要失望.
Mypointismerelythattheidealistswhomaketherevolutionareboundtobedisappointedineithercase.
因为胜利的曙光无论如何也不会照耀在他们梦想中的那个摆脱了人类一切卑劣的灿烂的新世界上.
Foratbesttheirvictoryneverdawnsontheshiningnewworldtheyhaddreamedof,cleansedofallhumanmeanness.
相反,它照在了一个熟悉的平庸的地方,这个地方仍旧需要食品杂货和污水排放.
Insteaditdawnsonafamiliar,workadayplace,stillinneedofgroceriesandsewagedisposal.
无论贴着什么样的政治标签,革命后的国家都不是由激进的浪漫主义者来治理,而是由市场营销、卫生工程和管理官僚机构的专家来治理.
Therevolutionarystate,underwhateverpoliticallabel,hastoberun-notbyviolentromantics-butbyexpertsinmarketing,sanitaryengineering,andthemanagementofbureaucracies.
对一些决心改造社会,但同时又希望能找到一种比武装革命更可行的方法的理想主义者来说,还有另外一种选择.
Fortheidealistswhoaredeterminedtoremakesociety,butwhoseekamorepracticalmethodthanarmedrevolution,thereremainsonemorealternative.
4)循序渐进,逐步改变社会TrytoChangetheWorldGradually,OneClodataTime乍一看,这一途径毫无吸引力.
Atfirstglance,thiscourseisfarfrominviting.
它缺乏魅力,并且见效很慢.
Itlacksglamour.
Itpromisesnoquickresults.
它依靠劝说和民主决策这些令人恼火且不可靠的方法来实现.
Itdependsontheexasperatinganduncertaininstrumentsofpersuasionanddemocraticdecisionmaking.
它需要耐心,可我们却总是缺乏耐心.
Itdemandspatience,alwaysinshortsupply.
它惟一的好处是有时这方法行得通——在这个特定的时间和地点,它比其他的任何策略都更有可能制止世界上的某些恶行.
Aboutallthatcanbesaidforitisthatitsometimesworks–thatinthisparticulartimeandplaceitoffersabetterchanceforremedyingsomeoftheworld'soutragesthananyotheravailablestrategy.
至少历史事实似乎证明了这一点.
Soatleastthehistoricalevidenceseemstosuggest.
我大学毕业的时候,我们这一代人也发现世界乱得一团糟.
WhenIwasgraduatingfromcollege,mygenerationalsofoundtheworldinamess.
几乎所有地方的经济机构都已崩溃,在美国几乎四分之一的人口失业.
Theeconomicmachineryhadbrokendownalmosteverywhere:Inthiscountrynearlyaquarterofthepopulationwasoutofwork.
一场大战似乎在所难免.
Amajorwasseemedalltoolikely.
当时作为校报编辑,对这些我曾经猛烈地抗议过,像今天的学生积极分子一样.
Asacollegenewspapereditoratthattime,Iprotestedagainstthisjustasvehementlyasstudentactivistsareprotestingtoday.
与此同时,我们这一代人渐渐发现改造世界有点像在亚平宁山区打仗一样.
你刚刚占领一条山脉,另一条山脉又在前方隐现.
Atthesametime,mygenerationwasdiscoveringthatreformingtheworldisalittlelikefightingamilitarycampaignintheApennines,assoonasyoucaptureonemountainrange,anotheroneloomsjustahead.
当20世纪30年代的大问题刚刚勉强得到控制,新的问题又出现了——富足社会中出现的崭新问题,如种族平等,保证城市环境适于居住,应付各种陌生伪装下的战争等等.
Asthebigproblemsofthethirtieswerebroughtundersomekindofroughcontrol,newproblemstooktheirplace–theunprecedentedproblemsofan,affluentsociety,ofracialjustice,ofkeepingourcitiesfrombecominguninhabitable,ofcopingwithwarinunfamiliarguises.
最令人不安的是我们发现了人口爆炸这一问题.
Mostdisturbingofallwasourdiscoveryofthepopulationexplosion.
我们突然意识到我们这艘载人小飞船上的乘客数目大约每40年翻一倍.
Itdawnedonusrathersuddenlythatthenumberofpassengersonthesmallspaceshipweinhabitisdoublingabouteveryfortyyears.
只要地球上的人口持续地按这个可怕的速度增长,其他所有问题都将无法解决.
Solongastheearth'spopulationkeepsgrowingatthiscancerousrate,alloftheotherproblemsappearvirtuallyinsoluble.
我们的城市会变得越来越拥挤,景色会变得更加杂乱,空气和水也会变得愈发肮脏.
Ourcitieswillcontinuetobecomemorecrowdedandnoisome.
Thelandscapewillgetmorecluttered,theairandwaterevendirtier.
所有人的生活质量都会不断恶化.
Thequalityoflifeislikelytobecomesteadilyworseforeverybody.
如果过多的人必须为了争夺日益减少的食物份额和生存空间而争斗的话,战争的升级看来是无法避免的.
Andwarfareonarisingscaleseemsinevitableiftoomanybodieshavetostruggleforever-dwindlingsharesoffoodandlivingspace.
因此吉姆宾司这代人要承担一项艰巨的任务.
SoJimBinns'generationhasaformidablejobonitshands.
但我认为这并不是无法克服的困难.
Butnot,Ithink,aninsuperableone.
过去的事实证明,处理这项艰巨任务完全可采用以前解决困难问外时使用的方法——从实际效果出发,一点一滴,通过大家不懈的努力来完成.
Ontheevidenceofthepast,itcanbehandledinthesamewaythathardproblemshavebeencopedwithbefore-piecemeal,pragmatically,bythedoggedeffortsofmanypeLessonThreeTheUseofForce他们是我的新病人,我所知道的只有名字,奥尔逊.
Theywerenewpatientstome,allIhadwasthename,Olson.
请您尽快赶来,我女儿病得很重.
―Pleasecomedownassoonasyoucan,mydaughterisverysick.
‖当我到达时,孩子的母亲迎接了我,这是一位看上去惊恐不安的妇人,衣着整洁却一脸忧伤的神色她只是说,这位就是医生吗WhenIarrivedIwasmetbythemother,abigstartledlookingwoman,verycleanandapologeticwhomerelysaid,Isthisthedoctor然后带我进了屋.
Andletmein.
在后面,她又说到,请你一定要原谅我们,医生,我们让她呆在厨房里,那儿暖和,这里有时很潮湿.
Intheback,sheadded.
Youmustexcuseus,doctor,wehaveherinthekitchenwhereitiswarm.
Itisverydampheresometimes.
在厨房的桌子旁边,这个孩子穿得严严实实的,坐在她父亲的腿上.
Thechildwasfullydressedandsittingonherefather'slapnearthekitchentable.
他父亲试图站起来,但我向他示意不用麻烦,然后我脱下外套开始检查.
Hetriedtogetup,butImotionedforhimnottobother,tookoffmyovercoatandstartedtolookthingsover.
我能够觉察出他们都很紧张,而且用怀疑的眼光上下打量着我.
Icouldseethattheywereallverynervous,eyeingmeupanddowndistrustfully.
在这种情形下,他们通常不会提供太多的情况,而是等着我告诉他们病情,这就是为什么他们会在我身上花3美元.
Asoften,insuchcases,theyweren'ttellingmemorethantheyhadto,itwasuptometotellthem;that'swhytheywerespendingthreedollarsonme.
这个孩子用她那冷漠而镇定的目光目不转睛地盯着我,脸上没有任何表情.
Thechildwasfairlyeatingmeupwithhercold,steadyeyes,andnoexpressiononherfacewhatever.
她纹丝不动,内心似乎很平静.
这是一个非常惹人喜爱的小东西,外表长得象小牛一样结实.
Shedidnotmoveandseemed,inwardly,quiet;anunusuallyattractivelittlething,andasstrongasaheiferinappearance.
但是她的脸发红,而且呼吸急促,我知道她在发着高烧.
Butherfacewasflushed,shewasbreathingrapidly,andIrealizedthatshehadahighfever.
她长着一头漂亮浓密的金发,就像刊登在广告插页上和周日报纸图片版上的那些孩子一样.
Shehadmagnificentblondehair,inprofusion.
OneofthosepicturechildrenoftenreproducedinadvertisingleafletsandthephotogravuresectionsoftheSundaypapers.
她发烧已经3天了,她父亲开口说,我们不知道是什么原因.
She'shadafeverforthreedays,beganthefatherandwedon'tknowwhatitcomesfrom.
我太太给她吃了一些药,你知道,大家都是这样做的,可这些药根本不管用,而且,附近有很多人都生了病,所以我们想请您最好给她检查一下,然后告诉我们是怎么一回事.
Mywifehasgivenherthings,youknow,likepeopledo,butitdon'tdonogood.
Andthere'sbeenalotofsicknessaround.
Sowetho'tyou'dbetterlookheroverandtelluswhatisthematter.
像医生们经常做的那样,我问了个问题,想以此来猜测一下病症所在.
AsdoctorsoftendoItookatrialshotatitasapointofdeparture.
Hasshehadasorethroat父母两人一起回答说,没有……没有,她说她的嗓子不疼.
Bothparentsansweredmetogether,No…No,shesaysherthroatdon'thurther.
你嗓子疼吗母亲又问了一下孩子.
DoesyourthroathurtyouAddedthemothertothechild.
女孩的表情没有任何变化,而她的目光却一直没有从我的脸上移开.
Butthelittlegirl'sexpressiondidn'tchangenordidshemovehereyesfrommyface.
你看过她的嗓子了吗Haveyoulooked我想看,孩子的母亲说,但看不见.
Itriedto,saidthemotherbutIIcouldn'tsee.
这个月碰巧她上学的那个学校已经有好几例白喉病.
虽然到目前为止没有人说出这件事,但很显然,我们心里都想到了.
Asithappenswehadbeenhavinganumberofcasesofdiphtheriaintheschooltowhichthischildwentduringthatmonthandwewereall,quiteapparently,thinkingofthat,thoughnoonehadasyetspokenofthething.
好了,我说,我们先看看嗓子吧.
Well,Isaid,supposewetakealookatthethroatfirst.
我以医生特有的职业方式微笑着,叫着孩子的名字.
我说,来吧,玛蒂尔达,张开嘴,让我看一下你的嗓子.
Ismiledinmybestprofessionalmannerandaskingforthechild'sfirstnameIsaid,comeon,Mathilda,openyourmouthandlet'stakealookatyourthroat.
没有任何反应.
Nothingdoing.
哦,来吧,我劝道,张大你的嘴,让我看看.
看,我说着把两只手伸开,我的手里没有东西,张大嘴,让我看看.
Aw,comeon,Icoaxed,justopenyourmouthwideandletmetakealook.
Look,Isaidopeningbothhandswide,Ihaven'tanythinginmyhands.
Justopenupandletmesee.
他是一个多好的人呀,她的母亲插话道.
你看他对你多好呀,来,听话.
他不会伤害你的.
Suchaniceman,putinthemother.
Lookhowkindheistoyou.
Comeon,dowhathetellsyouto.
Hewon'thurtyou.
听到这里我狠狠地咬了咬牙,要是他们没用―伤害‖这个词,我也许能做点什么,但是我没有着急或恼怒,而是慢声细语地说着话,一边再次靠近这个孩子.
AsthatIgroundmyteethindisgust.
Ifonlytheywouldn'tusetheword―hurt‖Imightbeabletogetsomewhere.
ButIdidnotallowmyselftobehurriedordisturbedbutspeakingquietlyandslowlyIapproachedthechildagain.
我刚将椅子拉近一点,突然,她像猫一样双手本能地朝我的两眼抓去,我差一点被她抓到.
AsImovedmychairalittlenearersuddenlywithonecatlikemovementbothherhandsclawedinstinctivelyformyeyesandshealmostreachedthemtoo.
好在她只是打掉了我的眼镜,虽然眼镜没有碎,但已落到了离我几英尺远的厨房地板上.
Infactsheknockedmyglassesflyingandtheyfell,thoughunbroken,severalfeetawayfrommeonthekitchenfloor.
父母两人都非常尴尬,充满歉意,你这个坏孩子,母亲一边说,一边抓着她,并摇晃着她的一只手,你看看你做的事.
这么一个好人.
Boththemotherandfatheralmostturnedthemselvesinsideoutinembarrassmentandapology.
Youbadgirl,saidthemother,takingherandshakingherebyonearm.
Lookwhatyou'vedone.
Theniceman…看在上帝的份上,我打断了她的话,请不要再在她面前说我是一个好人.
Forheaven'ssake,Ibrokein.
Don'tcallmeanicemantoher.
我来是看看她的嗓子,也许她患了白喉,而且很可能会死于这种病.
I'mheretolookatherthroatonthechancethatshemighthavediphtheriaandpossiblydieofit.
但这一切她都不在乎,看这儿,我对女孩说,我们想看看你的嗓子,你不小了,应该明白我说的话,你是自己张开嘴呢,还是我们帮你张开Butthat'snothingtoher.
Lookhere,Isaidtothechild,we'regoingtolookatyourthroat.
You'reoldenoughtounderstandwhatI'msaying.
Willyouopenitnowbyyourselforshallwehavetoopenitforyou她仍然一动不动,甚至连表情都没有任何变化.
Notamove.
Evenherexpressionhadn'tchanged.
但是她的呼吸却越来越急促.
Herbreaths,however,werecomingfasterandfaster.
接着一场战役开始了,我不得不这样做.
Thenthebattlebegan.
Ihadtodoit.
由于她的自我保护,我必须检查一下她的嗓子.
Ihadtohaveathroatcultureforherownprotection.
可是我首先告诉家长这完全取决于他们.
ButfirstItoldtheparentsthatitwasentirelyuptothem.
我说明了其危险性,但同时提出只要他们承担责任我就不会坚持做这次喉咙检查.
IexplainedthedangerbutsaidthatIwouldnotinsistonathroatexaminationsolongastheywouldtaketheresponsibility.
如果你不按大夫说的去做,你就要去医院了,母亲严厉地警告她.
Ifyoudon'tdowhatthedoctorsaysyou'llhavetogotothehospital,themotheradmonishedherseverely.
是吗我只好暗自笑了笑.
毕竟我已经喜欢上了这个野蛮的小东西,但却看不起这对父母.
OhyeahIhadtosmiletomyself.
Afterall,Ihadalreadyfalleninlovewiththesavagebrat,theparentswerecontemptibletome.
在接下来的―战斗‖中他们越来越难堪,被摧垮了,直至精疲力竭.
而这个女孩由于恐惧,她对我的抗拒达到了惊人的地步.
Intheensuingstruggletheygrewmoreandmoreabject,crushed,exhaustedwhileshesurelyrosetomagnificentheightsofinsanefuryofeffortbredofherterrorofme.
父亲尽了最大的努力,他块头很大,然而事实上他面对着的是他的女儿,由于对她的所作所为感到愧疚和担心伤到她,他每次在我几乎就要成功了的关键时刻放开了她,我真恨不得杀了他.
Thefathertriedhisbest,andhewasabigmanbutthefactthatshewashisdaughter,hisshameatherbehaviorandhisdreadofhurtinghermadehimreleaseherjustatthecriticaltimeswhenIhadalmostachievedsuccess,tillIwantedtokillhim.
可是,因为又担心她真会患上白喉,尽管他自己就快昏到了,他又告诉我继续,继续,而她的母亲在我们的身后走来走去,忧愁万分地抖着双手.
Buthisdreadalsothatshemighthavediphtheriamadehimtellmetogoon,goonthoughhehimselfwasalmostfainting,whilethemothermovedbackandforthbehindusraisingandloweringherhandsinanagonyofapprehension.
把她放在你的大腿上,我命令道,抓住她的两个手腕.
Putherinfrontofyouonyourlap,Iordered,andholdbothherwrists.
然而他刚一动手,女孩就尖叫了一声.
Butassoonashedidthechildletoutascream.
别这样,你会弄疼我的.
Don't,you'rehurtingme.
放开我的手,放手,我告诉你.
Letgoofmyhands.
LetthemgoItellyou.
接着她发出可怕的歇斯底里的尖叫,住手!
住手!
你会弄死我的!
Thensheshriekedterrifyingly,hysterically.
Stopit!
Stopit!
You'rekillingme!
你觉得她受得了吗医生!
她母亲说.
Doyouthinkshecanstandit,doctor!
Saidthemother.
你出去,丈夫对他的妻子说,你想让她死于白喉吗Yougetout,saidthehusbandtohiswife.
Doyouwanthertodieofdiphtheria来吧,抓住她,我说道.
Comeonnow,holdher,Isaid.
接着我用左手掰住女孩的头,并试图将木制的压舌板伸进她的嘴里.
ThenIgraspedthechild'sheadwithmylefthandandtriedtogetthewoodentonguedepressorbetweenherteeth.
她紧咬着牙绝望地反抗着!
Shefought,withclenchedteeth,desperately!
而此时我也变得狂怒了——对一个孩子.
ButnowIalsohadgrownfurious-atachild.
我试图让自己不要发脾气,但却做不到,我知道怎样去检查她的嗓子.
ItriedtoholdmyselfdownbutIcouldn't.
Iknowhowtoexposeathroatforinspection.
我尽了最大的努力.
当我终于把木制的压舌板伸到最后一排牙齿的后面时,她张开了嘴,然而只是一瞬间,我还来不及看她又把嘴闭上了,没等我把它取出来,她的臼齿已经紧紧咬住了压舌板,并把压舌板咬成了碎片.
AndIdidmybest.
WhenfinallyIgotthewoodenspatulabehindthelastteethandjustthepointofitintothemouthcavity,sheopenedupforaninstantbutbeforeIcouldseeanythingshecamedownagainandgrippedthewoodenbladebetweenhermolars.
ShereducesittosplintersbeforeIcouldgetitoutagain.
你不害臊吗妈妈朝她大声训斥道.
你在大夫面前这样不觉得害臊吗Aren'tyouashamed,themotheryelledather.
Aren'tyouashamedtoactlikethatinfrontofthedoctor给我拿一把平柄的勺子什么的,我对母亲说.
Getmeasmooth-handledspoonofsomesort,Itoldthemother.
我们还要接着做下去.
We'regoingthroughwiththis.
孩子的嘴已经流血了.
Thechild'smouthwasalreadybleeding.
她的舌头破了,还在歇斯底里地大叫着.
Hertonguewascutandshewasscreaminginwildhystericalshrieks.
也许我应该停下来,过一个多小时再回来无疑这样会好一些.
PerhapsIshouldhavedesistedandcomebackinanhourormore.
Nodoubtitwouldhavebeenbetter.
但我已经看到至少两个孩子因为这种情况而被疏忽了,躺在床上死去,我感到我必须现在进行诊断,否则就再没有机会了.
ButIhaveseenatleasttwochildrenlyingdeadinbedofneglectinsuchcases,andfeelingthatImustgetadiagnosisnoworneverIwentatitagain.
然而最糟糕的是,我也失去了理智,我本可以在盛怒之下将女孩的嘴扒开来享受其中的快乐,向她发起进攻真是一件乐事,我的脸也因此而发热.
ButtheworstofitwasthatItoohadgotbeyondreason.
Icouldhavetornthechildapartinmyownfuryandenjoyedit.
Itwasapleasuretoattackher,myfacewasburningwithit.
在这种时候,谁都会叮咛自己,无论这个可恶的小鬼做出任何愚蠢的举动,也要违背她的意愿来保护她.
Thedamnedlittlebratmustbeprotectedagainstherownidiocy,onesaystoone'sselfatsuchtimes.
这样做也是为了保护其他孩子,同时这也是一种社会需要,事实也确是如此.
Othersmustbeprotectedagainsther.
Itisasocialnecessity.
Andallthesethingsaretrue.
然而由于释放体内能量的欲望而产生的一种盲目的无法控制的狂怒和一种成年人的羞耻感,使我一直坚持到最后.
Butablindfury,afeelingofadultshame,bredofalongingformuscularreleasearetheoperatives.
Onegoesontotheend.
在最后失去理性的―战斗‖中,我控制了女孩的脖子和下巴,我强行将沉重的银勺从她的牙后面伸到嗓子直到她作呕.
InthefinalunreasoningassaultIoverpoweredthechild'sneckanyjaws.
Iforcedtheheavysilverspoonbackofherteethanddownherthroattillshegagged.
果然,两个扁桃体上有着一层膜状物.
她勇敢地反抗就是为了不让我发现她的这个秘密,她至少隐瞒了3天嗓子疼,并对父母撒谎,都是为了逃避这样一个结果.
Andthereitwas–bothtonsilscoveredwithmembrane.
Shehadfoughtvaliantlytokeepmefromknowinghersecret.
Shehadbeenhidingthatsorethroatforthreedaysatleastandlyingtoherparentsinordertoescapejustsuchanoutcomeasthis.
现在,她真的狂怒了,在这以前她一直处于守势,但是现在她开始进攻了.
Nowtrulyshewasfurious.
Shehadbeenonthedefensivebeforebutnowsheattacked,Triedtogetoffherfather'slapandflyatmewhiletearsofdefeatblindedhereye.
LessonFourDieasYouChoose制定关于安乐死的法律已经到了不能再回避的地步.
Theneedforlawsoneuthanasiacannotbedodgedformuchlonger.
在世界上某个较小的国家里,安乐死被医疗机构普遍接受,每年都有数千例公开实施.
Inoneoftheworld'ssmallercountries,mercy-killingisacceptedbythemedicalestablishmentandopenlypracticedafewthousandtimeseachyear.
而在某个世界大国,安乐死虽然经常受到医疗机构的公开谴责,每年却以数倍于此的次数秘密实施,且从未公之于众.
Inoneoftheworld'sbiggestcountries,euthanasiaiscondemnedbythemedicalestablishment,secretlypracticedmanytimesmoreoften,andalmostnevercomestolight.
但是,在上述那个国家有医生因为实施安乐死而在监狱里服刑呢Whichofthesecountrieshasamercy-killingdoctornowlanguishinginitsjails是在小国荷兰.
荷兰制定了有关安乐死的法律,能有效地管理它.
Itisthesmallone,Holland,whichhasrulesforeuthanasiaandsocanpoliceiteffectively.
那位荷兰的医生违反了他国家的规定.
TheDutchdoctorbrokehiscountry'srules.
有关安乐死的问题在所有国家都存在,决不仅出现在美国这个禁止安乐死的大国.
Thereisamoralhereforallthecountries,andnotjustforthebigdeath-forbiddingcountry,America.
目前美国正再次展开有关安乐死的辩论.
Rightnowitisgoingovertheargumentsabouteuthanasiaonceagain.
美国医学协会会刊1月份发表了一封非同寻常的来信.
一位医生在信中宣称自己按照病人的意愿,杀死了一位身患癌症的20岁女孩.
InJanuarytheJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociationpublishedabizarreletter,inwhichananonymousdoctorclaimedtohavekilleda20-year-oldcancerpatientatherownrequest.
这件事引起了一场辩论,而这场辩论将轰轰烈烈地持续到秋季,那时加利福尼亚州可能会就一项使安乐死合法化的法律进行投票表决.
Thisstartedadebatethatwillrumbleonintotheautumn,whenCaliforniansmayvoteonaproposedlawlegalizingeuthanasia.
这封信可能是为了起到引发争论的效果,内容并不可信.
Theletterwasprobablywrittenforpolemicalimpact.
Itisscarcelycredible.
是作者自己在信中声称他(或她)第一次与那位得了癌症的病人见面,听到病人说出5个字——―让我去死吧‖——然后就杀了她.
It'sauthorclaimsthathemetthecancerpatientforthefirsttime,heardfivewordsfromher–―Let'sgetthisoverwith‖–thenkillerher.
即使是极端的安乐死支持者也不赞成在这种情况下采取如此做法.
Eventhemostextremeproponentsofeuthanasiadonotsupportsuchanactioninthosecircumstances.
然而,医疗上出现的可怕事件如洪水猛兽一般,并不比安乐死的情况更好.
它们无疑会在英美以及其他国家中继续肆虐,几乎成了令人恐怖的常规.
Yetmedicalmonstrositiesthatarehardlyanybetterundoubtedlycontinue,almostasamatterofmacabreroutine,inAmerica,Britainandmanyothercountries.
一些医生私下透露他们有时会故意杀死病人,这样的情况非常普遍,令人担忧.
Itisdisturbinglyeasytofinddoctorswhowillsay,inprivate,thattheysometimeskillpatientsonpurpose.
多数医生说他们知道其他医生也有同样的行为,但是因为即使在病人乞求他们的时候,医生也几乎不能与病人公开讨论安乐死,因此医生往往倾向于仅在要死的人处于垂危昏迷之际而无法表达是否同意安乐死时,才结束其生命.
Mostsaythatknowsomebodyelsewhodoes.
Butbecausetheycanrarelydiscusseuthanasiaopenlywithpatients–evenwhenthosepatientsbegthemforit–doctorstendtokillonlywhenthedyingaretoofargonetoconsent.
由于自愿要求安乐死受到禁止,就只能由医生自行作出决定了,病人会在夜间受到药物注射而非自愿地离开人世.
Thus,becausevoluntaryeuthanasiaistaboo,adoctormakesthedecisionhimself–andthepatientiskilledinvoluntarilyinthenightwithasyringe.
这是不使安乐死公开的代价.
Thatisonepriceofkeepingeuthanasiasecret.
如果所有形式的安乐死都是错误的,那就应该统统列入禁止之列.
Ifallformsofmercy-killingarewrong,theyshouldremaintaboo.
可情况果真如此吗Butarethey许多人都认为依靠医学技术来延续生命带给人的痛苦是令人悲哀、可憎可恶的,完全不顾人的尊严,因此被动的安乐死——让病人自行死亡——被人们普遍接受.
Becausemanypeopleacceptthatitissad,undignifiedandgruesometoprolongthethroesofdeathwillallthemightofmedicaltechnology,passiveeuthanasia–lettingpatientsdie–iswidelyaccepted.
美国大多数州都有关于―活遗嘱‖的法规,为医生提供保护.
如果医生没有尽力救助曾声明不想延续生命的病人,不会为此受到起诉.
MostAmericanstateshave―living–will‖legislationthatprotectsdoctorsfromprosecutioniftheydonottrytosavesomeonewhohassaidhedoesnotwantlifeprolonged.
主动的安乐死——杀死病人——却依然争论颇多.
Activeeuthanasia–killing–remainscontroversial.
将人杀死与让人死亡之间的界线还能维持多久呢Howlongcanthedistinctionbetweenkillingandlettingdieholdout正如因未履行某种职责受到处罚一样,人也可能因干了某事而不受责难.
Justastherecanbeculpableomissions,sotoocantherebeblamelessacts.
让我们从道德伦理著作中举例说明.
假定一个人会从某个孩子的死亡中获益,当这个孩子在浴缸中撞伤头部而失去知觉时,那个人视而不见,任其溺水身亡.
Suppose–totakeanexamplefromthemoralphilosophybooks–thatamanstandstogainfromthedeathofacertainchild.
Thechildstrikeshisheadinthebathandfallsunconscious.
Themansitsdownandwatcheshimdrown.
虽然这个人什么都没有做,但他并不能因此开脱罪责.
Thefactthatthemanhasperformednoactiondoesnotexcusehim.
同样,再假设为了缩短而不是延长死亡到来的时间,医生终止某种治疗是无可指责的做法,那么如果这位医生使用足够的镇痛剂致使病人死亡,他就一定大错特错吗Similarly,supposethatadoctordoesnowrongbywithholdingsometreatmentinorderthatdeathshouldcomesoonerratherthanlater.
Ishethennecessarilywrongifheadministersenoughpainkillerstokill这位医生采取了某种行动,而不是未尽某种职责,这会使他有罪吗Doesthefactthatthedoctorperformedanaction,ratherthananomission,condemnhim许多医生一直在为解除病人临终前的痛苦而奋斗着.
他们认为在病人请求安乐死时,根本无法截然区分被动与主动的安乐死.
Manydoctorsworkingonthebattlefieldofterminalsufferingthinkthatonlysqueamishnessdemandsafirmdifferencebetweenpassiveandactiveeuthanasiaonrequest.
他们赞成医生杀死病人的理由是:医生的职责之一就是使病人免遭痛苦,这是医生所做的全部事情,而杀死病人则是做到这一点的惟一办法.
Theirargumentforkillinggoeslikethis:oneofadoctor'sdutiesistopreventsuffering;sometimesthatisallthereisleftforhimtodo,andkillingistheonlywaytodoit.
这个观点并不新颖.
当希波克拉底为医生制定信条的时候,曾明确禁止安乐死,而多数其他希腊医生和思想家都不赞成这一禁令.
Thereisnothingnewinthisview.
WhenHippocratesformulatedhisoathfordoctors,whichexplicitlyrulesoutactivekilling,mostotherGreekdoctorsandthinkersdisagreedwithhisban.
前事不忘,后事之师.
Letthepastbeaguide.
有人认为死亡的时间是上帝安排的,任何人不得缩短他人的生命,然而假如一位病人的人生观使其接受安乐死,那么人们不禁要问:为什么其他人还要用不同的宗教观念去干预其死亡呢SomepeoplebelievethatthetimeofdeathisappointedbyGodandthatnomanshouldputtheclockbackonanother.
Yetifapatient'sphilosophicalviewsembraceeuthanasia,itisnotclearwhythereligiousobjectionsofothersshouldintrudeonhisdeath.
另一个令人担忧问题是,有关安乐死的法律体系允许医生在规定的情况下按照垂死病人的请求实施安乐死,就可能为杀人首开先例,从而危害社会.
Anotherworryisthatalegalframeworkforeuthanasia,permittingadoctortocomplywithadyingman'srequestinaprescribedsetofcircumstances,mightposedangersforsocietybysettingaprecedentforkilling.
这个问题取决于社会.
Thatdependsonthesociety.
尽管有不同意见,荷兰对建立这样的法律体系已经准备就绪.
Holland,arguably,isreadyforit.
当年就是荷兰医生英勇无比地顶住了压力,拒绝参与使安乐死声名狼藉的纳粹用人体进行医学实验的暴行,这恐怕不是巧合.
ItisprobablynocoincidencethatitwasDutchdoctorswhomostheroicallyresistedpressuretojoinintheNazimedicalatrocitiesthathavegiveneuthanasiaitsworstname.
这些医生对个人自由坚定不移的尊重使他们没有杀害渴望活下去的健康人.
今天正是同样的精神又使他们去帮助不愿活下去的垂危病人.
Thesametenaciousrespectforindividuallibertythatstoppedthemkillinghealthypeople,whodidnotwanttodie,nowletsthemhelpdyingpeoplewhodo.
与之相反,西德在未来相当长的时间里都无法使任何形式的安乐死合法化.
WestGermany,bycontrast,willnotbeabletolegalizeanyformofeuthanasiaforalongtimetocome.
由于历史的阴影反对安乐死的力量异常强大,在那些近年来自由意志的传统未受任何干扰的国家里,为自愿安乐死制定有限的规定并不会使人们产生太多的恐惧.
Oppositionistoofierce,becauseoftheshadowofthepast.
Countrieswithanuninterruptedrecentlibertariantraditionhavelesstofearfromsettingsomelimitedrulesforvoluntaryeuthanasia.
拒绝讨论这个问题会使情况更加糟糕.
Byrefusingtodiscussit,theyusherinsomethingworseLessonFiveI'dRatherBeBlackthanFemale我是第一位当选国会议员的黑人妇女,这使我不同凡响.
BeingthefirstblackwomanelectedtoCongresshasmademesomekindofphenomenon.
国会中还有九位黑人议员和十位妇女议员,但我是第一位同时克服两个不利因素的人.
TherearenineotherblacksinCongress;therearetenotherwomen.
Iwasthefirsttoovercomebothhandicapsatonce.
在这两种不利因素中,是个女人比是黑人更糟.
Ofthetwohandicaps,beingblackismuchlessofadrawbackthanbeingfemale.
如果我说做黑人比做妇女更糟糕,也许没有人会对我的说法提出质疑.
IfIsaidthatbeingblackisagreaterhandicapthanbeingawoman,probablynoonewouldquestionme.
为什么呢因为―众所周知‖,美国存在着对黑人的歧视.
WhyBecause―weallknow‖thereisprejudiceagainstblackpeopleinAmerica.
说美国存在着对妇女的歧视对于几乎所有男人——还有大多数女人来说——却是不可思议的.
Thatthereisprejudiceagainstwomenisanideathatstillstrikesnearlyallmen–and,Iamafraid,mostwomen–asbizarre.
许多年以来,多数人看不到社会存在着对黑人的歧视.
PrejudiceagainstblackswasinvisibletomostwhiteAmericansformanyyears.
当黑人终于通过静坐示威、联合抵制和自由乘车游行的方式以示抗议,来提及这个问题时,他们觉得简直难以置信.
Whenblacksfinallystartedto―mention‖it,withsit-ins,boycotts,andfreedomrides,Americanswereincredulous.
―谁,我们‖他们委屈地问道.
―Who,us‖theyaskedininjuredtones.
―我们歧视黑人‖对美国白人来说,这是漫长而痛苦的再教育的开始.
―We'reprejudiced‖Itwasthestartofalong,painfulreeducationforwhiteAmerica.
他们,包括那些自认为是自由主义者的白人——还需要许多年才能发现并消除他们实际上都持有的种族主义态度.
Itwilltakeyearsforwhites–includingthosewhothinkofthemselvesasliberals–todiscoverandeliminatetheracistattitudestheyallactuallyhave.
消除对妇女的歧视的困难有多大我确信这将会是一场更持久的斗争.
HowmuchharderwillitbetoeliminatetheprejudiceagainstwomenIamsureitwillbealongerstruggle.
部分问题在于比起黑人来美国妇女被洗脑的程度更深,且更满足于她们次等公民的角色.
PartoftheproblemisthatwomeninAmericaaremuchmorebrainwashedandcontentwiththeirrolesassecond–classcitizensthanblackseverwere.
我来解释一下.
Letmeexplain.
二十多年来我一直积极参与政治活动.
Ihavebeenactiveinpoliticsformorethantwentyyears.
除了最后的那六年,其余那些年干活的是我,我干的是所有无聊琐碎但对竞选胜负至关重要的工作——可得到好处的却是男人,这几乎就是政界妇女一直以来的命运.
Forallbutthelastsix,Ihavedonethework–allthetediousdetailsthatmakethedifferencebetweenvictoryanddefeatonelectionday–whilemenreapedtherewards,whichisalmostinvariablythelotofwomeninpolitics.
在美国政界,大部分的工作仍然是由妇女来做——大约300万志愿者.
Itisstillwomen–aboutthreemillionvolunteers–whodomostofthisworkintheAmericanpoliticalworld.
她们中任何人所能期待的最好结果是有幸当选为区或县的副主席,这是一个隔离却平等的职位,是给那些多年来一直忠实从事装信封和组织牌局工作的妇女的奖赏.
Thebestanyofthemcanhopeforisthehonorofbeingdistrictorcountyvice-chairman,akindofseparate-but-equalpositionwithwhichawomanisrewardedforyearsoffaithfulenvelopestuffingandcard-partyorganizing.
在这种职位上,她可以享受公费出差去参加州或全国性的会议或代表大会,在这些场合她的作用就是和她单位的男主席投一样的票.
Insuchajob,shegetsanumberoffreetripstostateandsometimesnationalmeetingsandconventions,whereherroleissupposedtobetovotethewayhermalechairmanvotes.
1963年,当我企图摆脱这一角色代表布鲁克林的贝德富锡—斯图维桑特参加竞选纽约州众议院的席位时,遇到了极大的阻力.
WhenItriedtobreakoutofthatrolein1963andrunfortheNewYorkStateAssemblyseatfromBrooklyn'sBedford-Stuyvesant,theresistancewasbitter.
从竞选一开始,我就要面对他们毫不掩饰的对女性的敌意.
Fromthestartofthatcampaign,Ifacedundisguisedhostilitybecauseofmysex.
但是在四年以后,当我竞选国会议员时,性别问题才成了一个主要争端.
Butitwasfouryearslater,whenIranforCongress,thatthequestionofmysexbecameamajorissue.
我所在党派的党员召开秘密会议讨论如何阻止我参加竞选.
Amongmembersofmyownparty,closedmeetingswereheldtodiscusswaysofstoppingme.
我的对手,著名的人权运动领袖詹姆士法默竭力把自己塑造成一个具有男子汉气概的黑人形象;他坐着带有扩音器的卡车在附近地区巡回,车上满载着留着非洲发式、穿颜色花哨的宽袍和蓄胡子的年轻人.
Myopponent,thefamouscivil-rightsleaderJamesFarmer,triedtoprojectablack,masculineimage;hetouredtheneighborhoodwithsoundtrucksfilledwithyoungmenwearingAfrohaircuts,dashikis,andbeards.
电视台记者对我不屑一顾,他们忽略了一个非常重要的数据,而对此我和我的竞选经纪人韦斯利麦克唐纳霍尔德却很清楚.
Whilethetelevisioncrewsignoredme,theywerenotawareofaveryimportantstatistic,whichbothIandmycampaignmanager,WesleyMacD.
Holder,knew.
在我这个区内,登记参加投票选举的人中男女的比例是1∶2.
5.
而且那些妇女是有组织的——是教师家长协会、教会社团、牌局俱乐部以及其他社会服务性团体的成员.
我去找她们寻求帮助.
nmydistrictthereare2.
5womenforeverymanregisteredtovote.
Andthosewomenareorganized–inPTAs,churchsocieties,cardclubs,andothersocialandservicegroupsIwenttothemandaskedtheirhelp.
法默先生到现在仍然不知道他是如何被击败的.
Mr.
Farmerstilldoesn'tquiteknowwhathithim.
当一位聪明的年轻女大学生开始找工作时,为什么第一个问题总是―你会打字吗‖Whenabrightyoungwomangraduatestartslookingforajob,whyisthefirstquestionalways:―Canyoutype‖在这个问题背后是一整部妇女受歧视的历史.
Ahistoryofprejudiceliesbehindthatquestion.
为什么被看成是秘书而不是管理者为什么被看成是图书管理员和教师而不是律师Whyarewomenthoughtofassecretaries,notadministratorsLibrariansandteachers,butnotdoctorsandlawyers因为她们被认为是不一样的,低人一等的.
Becausetheyarethoughtofasdifferentandinferior.
快乐的家庭主妇和心满意足的黑鬼都是由歧视产生的典型人物.
Thehappyhomemakerandthecontenteddarkyarebothstereotypesproducedbyprejudice.
妇女甚至还没有达到黑人所达到的象征性的平等水平.
Womenhavenotevenreachedtheleveloftokenismthatblacksarereaching.
最高法院中没有妇女,只有两名妇女曾担任内阁的职位,但现在一个也没有.
NowomensitontheSupremeCourt.
OnlytwohaveheldCabinetrank,andnonedoatpresent.
只有两位妇女担任大使.
Onlytwowomenholdambassadorialrank.
妇女主要从事工资低、伺候人、没有前途的工作.
即使她们获得较好的职位,他们的工资也总是比同样工作的男人低.
Butwomenpredominateinthelower-paying,menial,unrewarding,dead-endjobs,andwhentheydoreachbetterpositions,theyareinvariablypaidlessthanamanforthesamejob.
这不是歧视又是什么Ifthatisnotprejudice,whatwouldyoucallit几年前,我与一位政治领袖谈论有关一个有前途的青年妇女做候选人的事.
Afewyearsago,Iwastalkingwithapoliticalleaderaboutapromisingyoungwomanasacandidate.
―为什么要花费时间和精力去树立这个女孩的威信‖他问道,―你很清楚她只会在我们打算让她竞选市长时退出竞选去而生孩子.
‖―Whyinvesttimeandefforttobuildthegirlup‖heaskedme.
―Youknowshe'llonlydropoutofthegametohaveacoupleofkidsjustaboutthetimewe'rereadytorunherformayor.
‖对于我,许多人说了类似的话.
Plentyofpeoplehavesaidsimilarthingsaboutme.
每次当我试图向上迈一步时,许多人劝我回去教书,说那才是妇女的职业,把政治留给男人.
Plentyofothershaveadvisedme,everytime,Itriedtotakeanotherupwardstep,thatIshouldgobacktoteaching,awoman'svocationandleavepoliticstothemen.
我热爱教书,只要我确信这个国家再也不需要女人作贡献时,我就会去教书.
Iloveteaching,andIamreadytogobacktoitassoonasIamconvincedthatthiscountrynolongerneedsawomen'scontribution.
当在这个富足的国家里,当没有孩子饿着肚子上床睡觉时,我可能会回去教书.
Whentherearenochildrengoingtobedhungryinthisrichnation,Imaybereadytogobacktoteaching.
当每一个孩子都能上好学校时,我也许会回去教书.
Whenthereisagoodschoolforeverychild,Imaybeready.
当我们不再将钱财耗费在武器装备上来杀人时,当我们不再容忍对少数民族的歧视时,当惩治住房和雇佣不公行为的法律得以实施而不是被束之高阁时,那么我在政治上也就再没什么可做的了Whenwedonotspendourwealthonhardwaretomurderpeople,whenwenolongertolerateprejudiceagainstminorities,andwhenthelawsagainstunfairhousingandunfairemploymentpracticesareenforcedinsteadofevaded,thentheremaybenothingmoreformetodoinpolitics.
但是在那以前——我们都知道那不是今年或是明年——我们需要的是更多的妇女投身于政治,因为妇女可以作出特殊的贡献.
Butuntilthathappens–andweallknowitwillnotbethisyearornext–whatweneedismorewomeninpolitics,becausewehaveaveryspecialcontributiontomake.
我希望自己成功的例子能使其他的妇女愿意参与政治活动——不仅仅是装信封,而是竞选政府职位.
Ihopethattheexampleofmysuccesswillconvinceotherwomentogetintopolitics–andnotjusttostuffenvelopes,buttorunforoffice.
妇女能将同情、宽容、远见、忍耐和毅力带到政府中——这是我们与生俱有的品质或是在男人的压制下不得不培养出来的品质.
Itiswomenwhocanbringempathy,tolerance,insight,patience,andpersistencetogovernment–thequalitieswenaturallyhaveorhavehadtodevelopbecauseofoursuppressionbymen.
一个国家的妇女通过她们在生活中的行为来塑造这个国家的道德、宗教和政治.
Thewomenofanationmolditsmorals,itsreligion,anditspoliticsbythelivestheylive.
目前,我们国家在政治上也许比其他任何方面更需要妇女的理想主义和决心.
Atpresent,ourcountryneedswomen'sidealismanddetermination,perhapsmoreinpoliticsthananywhereelseLessonSixAGoodChance我到鸭溪时,喜鹊没在家,我和他的妻子阿米莉亚谈了谈.
WhenIgottoCrowCreek,Magpiewasnothome.
ItalkedtohiswifeAmelia.
―我要找喜鹊,‖我说,―我给他带来了好消息.
‖我指指提着的箱子,―我带来了他的诗歌和一封加利福尼亚大学的录取通知书,他们想让他来参加为印第安人举办的艺术课.
‖―IneedtofindMagpie,‖Isaid.
―I'vereallygotsomegoodnewsforhim.
‖IpointedtothebriefcaseIwascarrying.
―IhavehispoemsandaletterofacceptancefromaUniversityinCaliforniawheretheywanthimtocomeandparticipateintheFineArtsProgramtheyhavestartedforIndians.
‖―你知道他还在假释期间吗‖―Doyouknowthathewasonparole‖―这个,不,不大清楚.
‖我犹豫着说,―我一直没有和他联系,但我听说他遇到了些麻烦.
‖―Well,no,notexactly,‖Isaidhesitantly,―Ihaven'tkeptintouchwithhimbutIheardthathewasinsomekindoftrouble.
她对我笑笑说:―他已经离开很久了.
你知道,他在这儿不安全.
他的假释官随时都在监视他,所以他还是不到这儿来为好,而且我们已经分开一段时间了,我听说他在城里的什么地方.
‖Shesmiledtomeandsaid,―He'sgonealot.
It'snotsafearoundhereforhim,youknow.
Hisparoleofficerreallywatcheshimallthetimeandsosometimesitisjustbetterforhimnottocomehere.
Besides,wehaven'tbeentogetherforawhile.
Ihearhe'sintownsomewhere.
‖―你是指他在钱柏林‖―DoyoumeaninChamberlain‖―对.
我和他姐姐住在这儿,她说前一段时间她在那儿见过他.
不过喜鹊不会去加利福尼亚的.
即使你见到他并和他谈此事,他现在也决不会离开这儿.
‖―Yes,Iliveherewithhissisterandshesaidthatshesawhimthere,quiteawhileago.
ButMagpiewouldnotgotoCalifornia.
Hewouldneverleaveherenowevenifyousawhimandtalkedtohimaboutit.
‖―可他以前去过,‖我说,―他去过西雅图大学.
‖―Buthedidbefore,‖Isaid,―HewenttotheUniversityofSeattle.
‖―是的,但……但是,那是以前,‖她说,似乎不想再谈这个话题.
―Yeah,but…well,thatwasbefore,‖shesaid,asthoughtofinishthematter.
―你难道不希望他去吗‖我问道.
―Don'tyouwanthimtogo‖Iasked.
―哦,这不是我说了算的.
我们现在已经分开了.
我只是告诉你,你一定会失望的.
像你这样的人希望他需要那些,可他已经不再需要了.
‖她很快答道,语气非常肯定.
Quickly,sheresponded,―Oh,it'snotuptometosay.
Heisgonefrommenow.
I'mjusttellingyouthatyouareinforadisappointment.
Henolongerneedsthethingsthatpeoplelikeyouwanthimtoneed,‖shesaidpositively.
当她意识到我不喜欢她用―像你这样的人‖的字眼时,她停了一下,然后把手放在我的胳膊上,―听着,‖她说,―喜鹊现在终于快乐了.
他情绪很好,英俊倜傥,自由自在而又意志坚强.
他和兄弟们一起坐在皮鼓前唱歌,他现在一切都很好.
以前,每当发表那些反政府和反对美国印第安人事务委员会的言论时,他总会越发气愤,充满怨恨.
我曾为他担忧,但现在我不再担心了.
你为什么不让他独自呆着呢‖WhenshesawthatIdidn'tlikeherreferenceto―peoplelikeyou‖,shestoppedforamomentandthenputherhandonmyarm.
―Listen,‖shesaid,―Magpieishappynow,finally.
Heisingoodspirits,handsomeandfreeandstrong.
Hesitsatthedrumandsingswithhisbrothers:he'sokaynow.
Whenhewassayingallthosethingsagainstthegovernmentandagainstthecouncil,hebecamemoreandmoreuglyandembitteredandIusedtobeafraidforhim.
ButI'mnotnow.
我和赛利娜坐在一家咖啡馆里.
IwassittingatthecaféwithSalina.
她突然说道:―我不知道喜鹊在哪儿,我已经4天没见到他了.
‖Abruptlyshesaid,―Idon'tknowwhereMapieis.
Ihaven'tseenhiminfourdays.
‖―我把他的诗也带来了.
‖我说,―他有机会进入加利福尼亚的艺术学院,但是我必须和他谈一谈,还要让他填一下这些表格.
我相信他一定会感兴趣的.
‖―I'vegothispoemsherewithme,‖Isaid.
―HehasagoodchangeofgoingtoaFineArtsschoolinCalifornia,butIhavetotalkwithhimandgethimtofilloutsomepapers.
Iknowthatheisinterested.
‖―不,他不会的,‖她打断了我,―他根本就不再做这些没用的、愚蠢的梦了.
‖―No,heisn't,‖shebrokein.
―Hedoesn'thavethoseworthless,shittydreamsanymore.
‖―别这样说,赛利娜,这对他真的是个好机会.
‖―Don'tsaythat,Salina.
Thisisagoodchanceforhim.
‖―好了,你爱怎么想就怎么想吧,可最近你跟他谈过吗你知道他如今怎么样吗‖―Well,youcanthinkwhatyouwant,buthaveyoutalkedtohimlatelyDoyouknowhimasheisnow‖―我知道他情况很好,我也知道他有这个天分.
‖―Iknowheisgood.
Iknowhehassuchtalent.
‖―他是一个印第安人,这次他回到这里是要住下来.
‖―HeisIndian,andhe'sbackheretostaythistime.
‖―你和我一起开车去钱柏林,好吗‖我问道.
―WouldyoudriveintoChamberlainwithme‖Iasked.
她一言不发.
Shesaidnothing.
―如果他是你所说的那种印第安人,不管那是什么意思,如果他这次回来是要住下来,如果他自己亲口对我说出来,我就打消这个念头.
但是,赛利娜,‖我极力说服道,―我一定要跟他谈谈,问问他想要做什么.
你知道我的意思,不是吗‖―IfheisIndianasyousay,whateverthatmeans,andifheisbackheretostaythistimeandifhetellsmethathimself,I'llletitgo.
ButSalina,‖Iurged,―Imusttalktohimandaskhimwhathewantstodo.
Youseethat,don'tyou‖―是的,我知道了,‖她终于说道,―他有权知道这一切,但你会明白.
‖―Yes,‖shesaidfinally.
―Hehasarighttoknowaboutthis,butyou'llsee…‖我们离开时,她的高跟鞋在咖啡屋前的人行道上发出清脆的响声,当她又谈及喜鹊时,变得焦虑不安.
Herheelsclickedonthesidewalkinfrontofthecaféasweleft,andshebecameagitatedasshetalked.
―他在卡司特抗议时,因为法院被烧,惹了麻烦,被判入狱1年.
他现在还在假释期间,他的假释期还有5年,可他们连任何对他不利的证据都没有找到.
5年呀!
你能相信吗现在连谋杀罪的人都没有判这样重.
‖―AfterallthattroublehegotintoduringthatprotestatCusterwhenthecourthousewasburned,hewasinjailforayear.
He'sstillonparoleandhewillbeonparoleforanotherfiveyears–andtheydidn'tevenproveanythingagainsthim!
Fiveyears!
CanyoubelievethatPeoplethesedayscancommitmurderandnotgetthatkindofasentence.
‖我们驱车行使在钱柏林的大街上,埃尔吉正站在银行附近的拐角处,我和赛利娜都心照不宣,这个喜鹊的好朋友肯定知道他在哪儿.
ElgiewasstandingonthecornerneartheBankaswedrovedownthemainstreetofChamberlain,andbothSalinaandIknewwithoutspeakingthatthisman,thisgoodfriendofMagpie's,wouldknowofhiswhereabouts.
我们停了车,埃尔吉走了过来,舒服地靠坐在车的后排座位上.
Weparkedthecar,Elgiecameoverandsettledhimselfinthebackseatofthecar.
车慢慢地驶到了我们停车的街角处,假释官目不转睛地盯着我们3人,而我们却假装没看见.
Apolicecarmovedslowlytothecornerwherewewereparkedandthepatrolmenlookedatthethreeofusintentlyandwepretendednottonotice.
巡逻车在空荡荡的街道上慢慢前行.
我小心谨慎地转向埃尔吉.
ThepatrolcarincheddowntheemptystreetandIturnedcautiouslytowardElgie.
我还没来得及开口,赛利娜说,―她给喜鹊拿了些表格.
他有可能进入加利福尼亚的一所作家学院读书.
‖BeforeIcouldspeak,Salinasaid,―SheisgotsomepapersforMagpie.
Hehasachancetogotoawriter'sschoolinCalifornia.
‖总是不太想让别人清楚地了解他的想法的埃尔吉说道,―是吗‖可赛利娜却不想让他就这么不置可否.
―埃尔吉,‖她嘲弄道,―埃尔吉,你知道他是不会去的!
‖Alwaystentativeaboutlettingyouknowwhathewasreallythinking,Elgiesaid,―Yeah‖ButSalinawouldn'tlethimgetawaysononcommittally,―Elgie,‖shescoffed.
―Youknowhewouldn'tgo!
‖―是呀,你知道,‖埃尔吉开口说,―卡司特那件事发生以后,我和喜鹊曾经想要躲藏起来,最后我们到了奥古斯塔娜大学的校园.
那儿有我们的几个朋友.
他开始谈论自由,而这些是我永远都不会忘记的.
在那以后当他被捕入狱时,自由便成为了他的主要话题.
自由.
他渴望自由,可是,老兄,他们总盯着你的时候,你不可能有自由.
哦,那个怪物,就是他的那个假释官,是一只卑鄙的看门狗.
‖―Well,youknow,‖Elgiebegan,―onetimewhenMagpieandmewerehidingoutafterthatCusterthing,weendedupontoAugustanaCollegeCampus.
Wegotsomefriendsthere.
AndhestartedtalkingaboutfreedomandIneverforgetthat,andthenafterhewentwantstobefreeandyoucan'tbethat,man,whenthey'rewatchingyouallthetime.
Man,thatfreakthat'shisparoleofficerissomemeanwatch-dog.
‖―你觉得他会拿到奖学金吗‖我满怀希望地说.
―Youthinkhemightgoforthescholarship‖Iasked,hopefully.
―我不知道.
也许吧.
‖―Idon'tknow.
Maybe.
‖―他在哪儿‖我问道.
―Whereishe‖Iasked.
沉默了很长一会儿后,埃尔吉终于开口了:―我想你来得太好了,因为喜鹊需要从这没完没了的监视和检查中解脱出来.
事实上,他一直谈道:―如果我和白人交往,那么我将没有自由;那里没有印第安人的自由.
你现在应该和他谈谈.
他变了.
他赞成同白人完全分离或隔离.
‖Therewasalongsilence.
ThenElgiesaidatlast,―Ithinkit'sgoodthatyou'vecome,becauseMagpieneedssomerelieffromthisconstantsurveillance,constantcheckingup.
Infact,that'swhathealwaystalksabout.
IfIhavetoassociatewiththewhites,thenI'mnotfree:thereisnolibertyinthatforIndians.
'Youshouldtalktohimnow.
He'schanged.
He'sforcompleteseparation,segregation,totalisolationfromthewhites.
‖―这是不是有点太过分了太不实际了‖我问道.
―Isn'tthatabittooradicalToounrealistic‖Iasked.
―我不知道.
我真的不知道.
‖―Idon'tknow.
DamnifIknow.
‖―好了,‖赛利娜说,―你觉得他在加利福尼亚的那所大学里会怎样可这是他学习和写作的一个好机会.
我觉得他会从中找到一种愉快的感觉.
‖―Yeah,‖saidSalina,―JustwhatdoyouthinkitwouldbelikeforhimatthatuniversityinCalifornia‖―Butit'sachanceforhimtostudy,towrite.
Hecanfindakindofsatisfyingisolationinthat,Ithink.
‖过了一会儿,埃尔吉说道:―不错,我认为你是对的‖.
Afterafewmoments,Elgiesaid,―Yeah,Ithinkyouareright.
‖然后他又从后排座位上抬起身来说道:―我要过桥了,再过大约3个街区就到了.
在我快要下桥的地方的左边有一座白色的老式二层小楼.
喜鹊的哥哥刚从内布拉斯加州教养院出来,现在跟他的妻子就住在那儿,喜鹊也在.
‖‖Soonhegotoutofthebackseatandsaid,―I'mgoingtowalkoverthebridge.
It'saboutthreeblocksdownthere.
Thereisanold,whittwo-storyhouseontheleftsidejustbeforeyoucrossthebridge.
Magpie'sbrotherjustgotoutoftheNebraskaStateReformatoryandheisstayingtherewithhisoldlady,andthat'swhereMagpieis.
‖现在终于能够和他谈谈,并让他自己作出决定了.
Atlast!
NowIcouldreallytalktohimandlethimmakethisdecisionforhimself.
―呵!
还有些问题,‖埃尔吉说,―喜鹊本不应该在那儿,你知道,因为这是他的假释条件的一部分,那就是他要离开朋友、亲戚和以前的囚犯,差不多是所有的人.
可上帝呀,这是他的哥哥呀.
等到日落前你们再来.
把车停在加油站那儿,只要从那儿绕过那条街走到房子的后门进去,你就可以跟喜鹊谈所有这一切了.
‖―Therearethingsaboutthisthough,‖Elgiesaid.
―Magpieshouldn'thavebeenthere,see,becauseit'sapartoftheconditionofhisparolethathestaysawayfromfriendsandrelativesandex-convictsandjustabouteverybody.
ButJesus,thisishisbrother.
Waituntiljustbeforesundownandthencomeover.
ParkyourcarattheservicestationjustaroundtheblockfromthereandwalktothebackentranceofthehouseandthenyoucantalktoMagpieaboutallthis.
‖赛利娜跟我讲述着喜鹊在背井离乡数月后返回鸭溪的情形及他的亲戚是怎样到他姐姐家欢迎他返乡的.
―他们来听他和兄弟唱歌,他们围坐在椅子上,欢笑着和他一起歌唱.
‖Salinawastalking,tellingmeaboutMagpie'sreturntoCrowCreekaftermonthsinexileandhowhisrelativeswenttohissister'shouseandwelcomedhimhome.
―Theycametohearhimsingwithhisbrothers,andtheysatinchairsaroundtheroomandlaughedandsangwithim.
‖我们到达时,院子里停着几辆车.
赛利娜压低声音说,―她们可能正在聚会.
‖Severalcarswereparkedintheyardoftheoldhouseasweapproached,andSalina,keepinghervoicelow,said,―Maybetheyarehavingaparty.
‖然而,四周的寂静使我忐忑不安.
当我们走进敞着的后门时,看到人们都站在厨房里,我小心翼翼地问道,―出什么事了Butthesilencewhichhungabouttheplacefilledmewithapprehension,andwhenwewalkedinthebackdoorwhichhungopen,wesawpeoplestandinginthekitchen.
Iaskedcarefully,―What'swrong‖没有人答话,只有埃尔吉走了过来.
他那充血的眼睛里充满悲伤和痛苦.
NobodyspokebutElgiecameover,hisbloodshoteyesfilledwithsorrowandmisery.
他在我们面前站了一会儿,然后示意我们到起居室去.
Hestoodinfrontofusforamomentandthengesturedustogointothelivingroom.
屋子里静静地,坐满了人.
终于,埃尔吉轻轻地说道,―他们枪杀了他.
‖Theroomwasfilledwithpeoplesittinginsilence,andfinallyElgiesaid,quietly,―Theyshothim.
‖―他们说他违反了假释条件把他抓走了,关进监狱后就枪杀了他.
‖―Theypickedhimupforbreakingtheconditionsofhisparoleandtheyputhiminjailand…theyshothim.
‖―可是为什么‖我大喊道,―怎么会发生这样的事‖―Butwhy‖Icried.
―Howcouldthishavehappened‖―他们说他们认为他要反抗,而且他们害怕他.
‖―Theysaidtheythoughthewasresistingandthattheywereafraidofhim.
‖―害怕‖我怀疑地问,―但……但是,他有武器吗‖―Afraid‖Iasked,incredulously.
―But…but…washearmed‖―没有‖,埃尔吉说着坐了下来.
他的胳膊撑在膝盖上,头低着.
―No,‖Elgiesaid,seatednow,hisarmonhisknees,hisheaddown.
―No,hewasn'tarmed.
‖我把喜鹊的诗紧紧握在手里,两手的拇指交替在平滑的纸夹上狠狠地摁着.
Iheldthepoemstightlyinmyhandspressingmythumbs,firstoneandthentheother,againstthesmoothnessofthecardboardfolder.
LessonSevenMissBrill尽管阳光明媚——蓝天涂上了金色,巨大的光点犹如泼洒在公共花园里的白葡萄酒——布里尔小姐很高兴自己还是决定戴上了狐皮围巾.
Althoughitwassobrilliantlyfine–theblueskypowderedwithgoldandthegreatspotsoflightlikewhitewinesplashedovertheJardinsPubliques–MissBrillwasgladthatshehaddecidedonherfur.
空气中一丝风也没有,但当你张开嘴时,却有那么一丝丝凉意.
那感觉犹如你要吸一小口冰水时从杯子里冒出的凉气那样.
不时有一片落叶从无人知晓的地方飘来,从天空飘来.
Theairwasmotionless,butwhenyouopenedyourmouththerewasjustafaintchill,likeachillfromaglassoficedwaterbeforeyousip,andnowandagainaleafcamedrifting–fromnowhere,fromthesky.
布里尔小姐抬起手来摸着狐皮围巾.
MissBrillputupherhandandtouchedherfur.
可爱的小东西!
再次触摸到它感觉真好.
Dearlittlething!
Itwasnicetofeelitagain.
下午她把它从盒子里拿了出来,抖掉防蛀粉,好好地刷了一遍,把没有光泽的小眼睛擦得又恢复了生气.
Shehadtakenitoutofitsboxthatafternoon,shakenoutthemoth-powder,givenitagoodbrush,andrubbedthelifebackintothedimlittleeyes.
―我怎么了‖忧伤的小眼睛问道.
―Whathasbeenhappeningtome‖saidthesadlittleeyes.
哈,看到它们从红鸭绒垫上再次亮闪闪地盯着她,实在是令人高兴,但是用某种黑色合成物做的鼻子很不结实了,一定是不知怎么被撞了一下.
Oh,howsweetitwastoseethemsnapatheragainfromtheredeiderdown!
…Butthenose,whichwasofsomeblackcomposition,wasn'tatallfirm.
Itmusthavehadaknock,somehow.
没关系,到时候,到绝对必要的时候用黑色的火漆擦一擦小淘气!
Nevermind–alittledabofblacksealing-waxwhenthetimecame–whenitwasabsolutelynecessary.
…Littlerogue!
是的,她的确觉得它是个小淘气.
Yes,shereallyfeltlikethataboutit.
这个小淘气就在她左耳边咬住自己的尾巴.
Littleroguebitingitstailjustbyherleftear.
她本可以取下它来放在膝上抚弄一下,她感到手和胳膊略微有些刺痛,她想可能是由于走了路的缘故.
Shecouldhavetakenitoffandlaiditonherlapandstrokedit.
Shefeltatinglinginherhandsandarms.
Butthatcamefromwalking,shesupposed.
当她呼吸时,似乎有一种轻柔忧郁的东西——不,不是忧郁——是某种温柔的东西在她的胸中移动.
Andwhenshebreathed,somethinglightandsad–no,notsad,exactly–somethinggentleseemedtomoveinherbosom.
今天下午出来的人很多,比上星期日多多了,而且乐队演奏得也好像更加响亮、欢快.
Therewereanumberofpeopleoutthisafternoon.
farmorethanlastSunday.
Andthebandsoundedlouderandgayer.
那是因为演出季节开始了.
ThatwasbecausetheSeasonhadbegun.
尽管乐队每逢星期日都演奏,但不是演出季节时总是不太一样.
ForalthoughthebandplayedalltheyearroundonSundays,outofseaonitwasneverthesame.
就好像一个人只演奏给家里人听那样,没有陌生人在场,演得怎样都没关系.
Itwaslikesomeoneplayingwithonlythefamilytolisten;itdidn'tcarehowitplayedifthereweren'tanystrangerspresent.
指挥不也穿了一件新上衣吗她肯定那是新的.
Wasn'ttheconductorwearinganewcoat,tooShewassureitwasnew.
他像一只正要鸣叫的公鸡那样一只脚蹭着地,摆动着双臂.
坐在绿色圆亭里的乐队成员们鼓起两腮,眼睛盯着乐谱.
Hescrapedwithhisfootandflappedhisarmslikearoosterabouttocrow,andthebandsmensittinginthegreenrotundablewouttheircheeksandglaredatthemusic.
这时传来―长笛般‖柔和清亮的一小段音乐——十分悦耳——一长串活泼的急降.
Nowtherecamealittle―flutey‖bit–verypretty!
–alitterchainofbrightdrops.
她知道这一段一定会重复出现的.
是的,重复了,她抬起头来笑了.
Shewassureitwouldberepeated.
Itwas;sheliftedherheadandsmiled.
只有两个人和她一起坐在她的―专座‖上,一位是穿着丝绒上衣相貌出众的老头,双手握着一根巨大的雕花手杖;还有一个身材高大的老太太,笔直地坐着,绣花围裙上放着一卷织着的毛活.
Onlytwopeoplesharedher―special‖seat:afineoldmaninavelvetcoat,hishandsclaspedoverahugecarvedwalking-stick,andabigoldwoman,sittingupright,witharollofknittingonherembroideredapron.
他们都不说话,令人非常失望,因为布里尔小姐总是期待着别人的谈话,她觉得自己能够十分老练、不动声色地听别人的谈话,十分在行地利用别人在她周围谈话的时机短暂地介入别人的生活.
Theydidnotspeak.
Thiswasdisappointing,forMissBrillalwayslookedforwardtoconversation.
Shehadbecomereallyquiteexpert,shethought,atlisteningasthoughshedidn'tlisten,atsittinginotherpeople'slivesjustaminutewhiletheytalkedroundher.
她斜眼看了看这对老人,他们也许很快就会走的.
Sheglanced,sideways,attheoldcouple.
Perhapstheywouldgosoon.
上星期日也不如平时那么有趣.
LastSunday,too,hadn'tbeenasinterestingasusual.
那天有一个英国人和他的妻子,男人戴了顶非常难看的巴拿马草帽,女人穿了双带扣长筒靴.
AnEnglishmanandhiswife,hewearingadreadfulPanamahatandshebuttonboots.
所有的时间里她都在说她如何应该戴眼镜,她知道自己需要眼镜,可买眼镜也不行,也许会打碎,总是戴不住.
而男人是那么耐心,他什么建议都提了,金丝镜框,那种镜腿弯曲紧扣耳朵的镜框,眼镜鼻架侧面安上小垫.
不行,什么也无法使她满意.
―它总是会从鼻子上滑下来的!
‖布里尔小姐真想抓住她好好地摇她几下.
Andshe'sgoneonthewholetimeabouthowsheoughttowearspectacles;sheknewsheneededthem;Butthatitwasnogoodgettingany;they'dbesuretobreakandthey'dneverkeepon.
Andhe'dbeensopatient.
He'dsuggestedeverything–goldrims,thekindthatcurvedroundyourears,littlepadsinsidethebridge.
No,nothingwouldpleaseher.
―They'llalwaysbeslidingdownmynose!
‖MissBrillhadwantedtoshakeher.
那两个老人坐在座位上,仍像雕像一样一声不响.
Theoldpeoplesatonthebench,stillasstatues.
没关系,总有许多人可看.
Nevermind,therewasalwaysthecrowdtowatch.
在花圃前和乐队所在的圆亭前,成双成对或三五成群的人们来回漫步,时而停下来交谈、打招呼,或从一个把花盘捆在栏杆上的老乞丐手里买上一把花.
Toandfro,infrontoftheflower-bedsandthebandrotunda,thecouplesandgroupsparaded,stoppedtotalk,togreet,tobuyahandfulofflowersfromtheoldbeggarwhohadhistrayfixedtotherailings.
孩子们在他们中间奔跑着,打闹着,大声笑着,男孩子们下巴底下戴着大个的白色丝绸蝴蝶领结,女孩子们打扮得就像法国玩具娃娃,穿着丝绸带花边的衣服.
Littlechildrenranamongthem,swoopingandlaughing;littleboyswithbigwhitesilkbowsundertheirchins;littlegirls,littleFrenchdolls,dressedupinvelvetandlace.
有时一个刚刚学步的小家伙突然从树下摇摇晃晃地走出来,在空地上停下,睁大眼睛张望着,突然―扑通‖一下坐在地上,直到他娇小的母亲高抬着脚步像只小母鸡一样一边责备着一边冲过去把他救起.
Andsometimesatinystaggeredcamesuddenlyrockingintotheopenfromunderthetrees,stopped,stared,assuddenlysatdown"flop,"untilitssmallhigh-steppingmother,likeayounghen,andrushedscoldingtoitsrescue.
另外一些人坐在长凳上或是绿色的椅子上,但一个又一个星期日,几乎总是同样的一些人,而且布里尔小姐常常注意到他们几乎所有的人身上都有一些奇怪之处.
Otherpeoplesatonthebenchesandgreenchairs,buttheywerenearlyalwaysthesame,SundayafterSunday,and—MissBrillhadoftennoticed—therewassome-thingfunnyaboutnearlyallofthem.
他们古怪、沉默,几乎都很老.
看他们睁大眼睛的样子,好像是刚从黑暗的小屋子里出来,甚至——甚至是刚从小橱柜里出来.
Theywereodd,silent,nearlyallold,andfromthewaytheystaredtheylookedasthoughthey'djustcomefromdarklittleroomsoreven—-evencupboards!
在圆形大厅后面是垂着黄叶的细长的树木,穿过树叶可见一线大海,在那之外便是漂浮着金色纹脉白云的蓝天.
Behindtherotundatheslendertreeswithyellowleavesdowndrooping,andthroughthemjustalineofsea,andbeyondtheblueskygold-veinedclouds.
Tum-tum-tumtiddle-um!
Tiddle-um!
Turntiddley-umturnta!
Blewtheband.
两个穿红色衣服的年轻姑娘从附近走过,两个穿蓝色军装的年轻土兵同她们相遇.
他们高声笑着分成两对挽臂而去.
Twoyounggirlsinredcamebyandtwoyoungsoldiersinbluemetthem,andtheylaughedandpairedandwentoffarminarm.
两个戴着可笑草帽的农妇神情庄重地牵着漂亮的暗灰色的毛驴走了过去.
Twopeasantwomenwithfunnystrawhatspassed,gravely,leadingbeautifulsmoke-coloreddonkey.
一个冷冰冰的,面色苍白的修女匆匆走过.
Acold,palenunhurriedby.
一个美貌的女人向这边走来,将一束紫罗兰掉在地上,一个小男孩追上去把花递还给她,她接过去后又扔掉了,仿佛花被放了毒似的.
Abeautifulwomancamealonganddroppedherbunchofviolets,andalittleboyranaftertohandthemtoher,andshetookthemandthrewthemawayasifthey'dbeenpoisoned.
天哪,布里尔小姐真不知道该不该称赞这种行为.
Dearme!
MissBrilldidn'tknowwhethertoadmirethatornot!
现在一个戴貂皮无沿帽的女人和一个穿灰衣服的先生正好在她面前相遇了.
Andnowanerminetoqueandagentlemaningreymetjustinfrontofher.
他身材高大、神态拘谨、举止庄重,而她戴的貂皮无沿帽是在她的头发是黄色时买的.
Hewastall,stiff,dignified,andshewaswearingtheerminetoqueshe'dboughtwhenherhairwasyellow.
而现在她的一切,头发,脸,甚至眼睛都和这顶破旧的貂皮帽一样颜色苍白了.
她抬起来轻抹嘴唇的那只戴着洗过手套的手是只发黄的爪子.
Noweverything,herhair,herface,evenhereyes,wasthesamecolorastheshabbyermine,andherhand,initscleanedglove,liftedtodabherlips,wasatinyyellowishpaw.
哈!
她见到他真是太高兴了——太愉快了!
Oh,shewassopleasedtoseehim—delighted!
她觉得他们是定好下午会面的.
Sheratherthoughttheyweregoingtomeetthatafternoon.
她描述她到了什么地方——这儿、那儿、海边,到处都去了.
Shedescribedwhereshe'dbeen—everywhere,here,there,alongbythesea.
天气是这样可爱——难道他不同意吗也许他不愿意吧Thedaywassocharming—didn'theagreeAndwouldn'the,perhaps但他摇了摇头,点上一支香烟,徐徐地把一大口烟喷在了她的脸上,在她仍在谈笑风生时,把火柴轻轻向外一弹,继续走开去.
…Butheshookhishead,lightedacigarette,slowlybreathedagreatdeeppuffintoherfaceand,evenwhileshewasstilltalkingandlaughing,flickedthematchawayandwalkedon.
只有貂皮无沿帽独自呆在那里,她笑得更加明快了.
Theerminetoquewasalone;shesmiledmorebrightlythanever.
就连乐队也似乎知道她的感觉而演奏得更轻柔了,乐队轻柔地演奏着,鼓点声一遍又一遍地敲出:―畜生!
畜生!
‖Buteventhebandseemedtoknowwhatshewasfeelingandplayedmoresoftly,playedtenderly,andthedrumbeat"TheBrute!
TheBrute!
"overandover.
她要做些什么呢现在会发生什么事WhatwouldshedoWhatwasgoingtohappennow然而就在布里尔小姐想着这些的时候,貂皮无沿帽转过身去,好像看见了就在那边有另一个更好的人似地扬起手,嗒嗒地走了.
ButasMissBrillwondered,theerminetoqueturned,raisedherhandasthoughshe'dseensomeoneelse,muchnicer,justoverthere,andpatteredaway.
乐队又一次改变节奏,演奏得比任何时候都更快,更欢,坐在布里尔小姐凳子上的老人站起身来走了.
乐队又一次改变节奏,演奏得比任何时候都更快,更欢,坐在布里尔小姐凳子上的老人站起身来走了.
这个连鬓胡子很长的老头真滑稽,和着音乐的节拍蹒跚地走着,差点被四个并排走着的姑娘给撞倒.
Andthebandchangedagainandplayedmorequickly,moregailythanever,andtheoldcoupleonMissBrill'sseatgotupandmarchedaway,andsuchafunnyoldmanwithlongwhiskershobbledalongintimetothemusicandwasnearlyknockedoverbyfourgirlswalkingabreast.
啊,这一切是多么的迷人!
多么令她欣喜!
Oh,howfascinatingitwas!
Howsheenjoyedit!
她是多么喜欢坐在这里,看着这一切!
Howshelovedsittinghere,watchingitall!
就像是一出戏,完全就像是一出戏.
Itwaslikeaplay.
Itwasexactlylikeaplay.
谁能相信背后的天空不是画出来的Whocouldbelievetheskyatthebackwasn'tpainted但是直到一只棕色的小狗神色庄重地迈着小步走过来,然后又慢慢迈着小步走过去,就像一只―演戏‖的小狗,一只被轻度麻醉的小狗那样,直到这时布里尔小姐才发现这一切如此令人激动.
Butitwasn'ttillalittlebrowndogtrottedonsolemnlyandthenslowlytrottedoff,likealittle―theatre‖dog,alittledogthathadbeendrugged,thatMissBrilldiscoveredwhatitwasthatmadeitsoexciting.
他们全都在舞台上.
他们不仅仅是观众,不仅仅在一边观看,他们也在演戏.
Theywereallonthestage.
Theyweren'tonlytheaudience,notonlylookingon;theywereacting.
就连她自己也是其中的一个角色,每个星期天都来.
EvenshehadapartandcameeverySunday.
毫无疑问,如果她没有来,就会引起别人的注意,她毕竟是整个演出的一部分.
Nodoubtsomebodywouldhavenoticedifshehadn'tbeenthere;shewaspartoftheperformance,afterall.
奇怪,她过去从未这样想过.
Howstrangeshe'dneverthoughtofitlikethatbefore!
但是这也解释了她为什么每一个星期都要这样特意在同一时间离家——是为了不误演出——而且这也解释了为什么她在给来向她学习英语的学生讲她如何度过每个星期日下午时会有这样古怪的羞怯的感觉.
Andyetitexplainedwhyshemadesuchapointofstartingfromhomeatjustthesametimeeachweek—soasnottobelatefortheperformance—anditalsoexplainedwhyshehadquiteaqueershyfeelingattellingherEnglishpupilshowshespentherSundayafternoons.
真是难怪!
布里尔小姐几乎笑出声来.
Nowonder!
MissBrillnearlylaughedoutloud.
她是在舞台上.
她想起了那个生病的老人,她每周有四个下午趁他在花园里躺着时给他读报纸.
Shewasonthestage.
Shethoughtoftheoldinvalidgentlemantowhomshereadthenewspaperfourafternoonsaweekwhilehesleptinthegarden.
她已经完全习惯了在棉布枕头上的那个虚弱的脑袋,那深深凹陷的眼睛,张着的嘴巴和高高的皱缩的鼻子.
Shehadgotquiteusedtothefrailheadonthecottonpillow,thehollowedeyes,theopenmouthandthehighpinchednose.
如果他死去,很可能她许多个星期都不会注意到,也不会在乎.
Ifhe'dbeendeadshemightn'thavenoticedforweeks;shewouldn'thaveminded.
但是他突然知道了给他读报纸的是个女演员!
―一个女演员!
‖衰老的头抬了起来,昏花的眼中闪动着两个光点.
Butsuddenlyheknewhewashavingthepaperreadtohimbyanactress!
"Anactress!
"Theoldheadlifted;twopointsoflightquiveredintheoldeyes.
―女演员——是你吗‖布里尔小姐于是抚平报纸,仿佛这是她的台词,并且温柔地说道:―是的,我当演员已经很久了.
‖"Anactress—areye"AndMissBrillsmoothedthenewspaperasthoughitwerethemanuscriptofherpartandsaidgently:"Yes,Ihavebeenanactressforalongtime.
"乐队刚才一直在休息,现在又重新开始演奏了.
Thebandhadbeenhavingarest.
Nowtheystartedagain.
他们演奏的乐曲热烈、明快,然而透着一丝凉意——一种难以言状的东西.
是什么呢——不是悲哀——不,不是悲哀——是一种使你想唱歌的气氛.
Andwhattheyplayedwaswarm,sunny,yettherewasjustafaintchill—asomething,whatwasit—notsadness—no,notsadness—asomethingthatmadeyouwanttosing.
曲调升华,升华,阳光灿烂,布里尔小姐感到再过一会儿他们所有的人,剧团全体人员都会唱起来.
Thetunelifted,lifted,thelightshone;anditseemedtoMissBrillthatinanothermomentallofthem,allthewholecompany,wouldbeginsinging.
那些年轻的人,那些在一起活动的笑着的人会先开始歌唱,然后坚定勇敢的男声会加入进来,然后她也加入,还有长凳上坐着的其他人——他们会以伴唱的形式加入进来——声音很低,几乎没有起伏,非常动听——感人……布里尔小姐眼中充满泪水,微笑着看着剧团的全体人员.
Theyoungones,thelaughingoneswhoweremovingtogether,theywouldbegin,andthemen'svoices,veryresoluteandbrave,wouldjointhem.
Andthenshetoo,shetoo,andtheothersonthebenches—theywouldcomeinwithakindofaccompaniment—somethinglow,thatscarcelyroseorfell,somethingsobeautiful—moving…andMissBrill'seyesfilledwithtearsandshelookedsmilingatalltheothermembersofthecompany.
是的,我们明白,我们明白,她想到——虽然她并不知道他们明白什么.
Yesweunderstand,weunderstand,shethought—thoughwhattheyunderstoodshedidn'tknow.
这个时候一对青年男女走过来坐在刚才那对老夫妻坐的地方.
Justatthatmomentaboyandagirlcameandsatdownwheretheoldcouplehadbeen.
他们衣着鲜亮,正在恋爱.
Theywerebeautifullydressed;theywereinlove.
当然男女主人公刚刚从他父亲的游艇上下来.
Theheroandheroine,ofcourse,justarrivedfromhisfather'syacht.
布里尔小姐仍然在无声地唱着歌,仍带着颤抖的微笑,她准备好听他们的谈话.
Andstillsoundlesslysinging,stillwiththattremblingsmile,MissBrillpreparedtolisten.
―不行,现在不行,‖姑娘说道,―别在这里,我不能.
‖"No,notnow,"saidthegirl.
"Nothere,Ican't.
"―可是为什么是因为坐在那一头的那个愚蠢的老家伙吗‖小伙子问.
"ButwhyBecauseofthatstupidoldthingattheendthere"askedtheboy.
―她为什么要到这里来——谁需要她她为什么不把她那副愚蠢的尊容留在家里‖"Whydoesshecomehereatall—whowantsherWhydoesn'tshekeephersillyoldmugathome"―她的那条皮围巾太滑稽了.
‖姑娘哈哈地笑着说,―和一条炸鲤鱼完全一样.
‖"It'sherfu-furwhichissofunny,"giggledthegirl.
"It'sexactlylikeafriedwhiting.
"―嘿,滚你的吧!
‖小伙子生气地低语道.
接着又说:―告诉我,小心肝——‖"Ah,beoffwithyou!
"saidtheboyinanangrywhisper.
Then:"Tellme,mapetitechere—"―不,别在这里,‖姑娘说道,―先别这样.
‖"No,nothere,―saidthegirl.
"Notyet.
"在回家的路上她总是要在面包店买上一块蜂蜜蛋糕.
这是她星期日的特殊享受.
Onherwayhomesheusuallyboughtasliceofhoney-cakeatthebaker's.
ItwasherSundaytreat.
有时候买的蛋糕里有粒杏仁,有时候没有.
有没有大不一样.
Sometimestherewasanalmondinherslice,sometimesnot.
Itmadeagreatdifference.
如果有杏仁,就像是带回家一个小小的礼物——一份惊喜——一个本来很可能没有的东西.
Iftherewasanalmonditwaslikecarryinghomeatinypresent—asurprise—somethingthatmightverywellnothavebeenthere.
在有杏仁的那些星期日,她总是匆匆赶回家,精神抖擞地划火柴点火烧水.
ShehurriedonthealmondSundaysand.
struckthematchforthekettleinquiteadashing但是今天她径直从面包店门前走过,爬上楼梯走进那个昏暗的小屋——她的像小柜橱一般的小屋——坐在红鸭绒垫上.
Buttodayshepassedthebaker'sby,climbedthestairs,wentintothelittledarkroom—herroomlikeacupboard—andsatdownontheredeiderdown.
她坐了很久.
Shesatthereforalongtime.
装狐皮围巾的那只盒子放在床上.
Theboxthatthefurcameoutofwasonthebed.
她迅速解下围巾,看也不看,很快地把它放进了盒子.
Sheunclaspedtheneckletquickly;quickly,withoutlooking,laiditinside.
但当她盖上盒盖时,她觉得听见了哭声.
Butwhensheputthelidonshethoughtsheheardsomethingcrying第八课人生的一课快一年了,大部分时间我都泡在家里、店铺、学校和教堂里,就像一块旧饼干,又脏又难以下咽.
Fornearlyayear,Isoppedaroundthehouse,theStore,theschoolandthechurch,likeanoldbiscuit,dirtyandinedible.
这时我遇到或者说认识了抛给我第一根救生索的那位夫人.
ThenImet,orrathergottoknow,theladywhothrewmefirstlifeline.
波萨弗劳尔斯夫人是斯坦普司黑人区中的出类拔萃的人物.
Mrs.
BerthaFlowerswasthearistocratofBlackStamps.
她动作优雅,即使在最冷的天气里也不缩手缩脚,而在阿肯色州的夏日里,她似乎又有属于自己的微风环绕在她的身旁,给她带来凉爽.
Shehadthegraceofcontroltoappearwarminthecoldestweather,andonetheArkansassummerdaysitseemedshehadaprivatebreezewhichswirledaround,coolingher.
她的皮肤深黑迷人,如果被挂住就会像李子皮一样剥落,但没有人敢离她近点,碰皱她的衣服,更不要说挂住她的皮肤了.
Herskinwasarichblackthatwouldhavepeeledlikeaplumifsnagged,butthennoonewouldhavethoughtofgettingcloseenoughtoMrs.
Flowerstoruffleherdress,letalonesnagherskin.
她不太喜欢亲近,另外她还带着手套.
Shedidn'tencouragefamiliarity.
Sheworeglovestoo.
她是我所知道的为数不多的有气质的女士之一,并且是我做人的楷模,影响了我一生.
ShewasoneofthefewgentlewomenIhaveeverknown,andhasremainedthroughoutmylifethemeasureofwhatahumanbeingcanbe.
我被她深深地吸引,因为她像是我从没有亲身遇到过的那些人.
SheappealedtomebecauseshewaslikepeopleIhadnevermetpersonally.
她就像英国小说中的女人,走在沼泽地里(不管是什么地方),一群忠实的狗奔跑在她们的身旁,并与她们保持一定的距离以示尊敬.
LikewomeninEnglishnovelswhowalkedthemoors(whatevertheywere)withtheirloyaldogsracingatarespectfuldistance.
她就像坐在炉火熊熊的壁炉前的女人,不时从装满蛋糕和松脆饼的银盘中取东西喝.
Likethewomenwhosatinfrontofroaringfireplaces,drinkingteaincessantlyfromsilvertraysfullofsconesandcrumpets.
她就像走在―石南丛生的荒野‖中,读着用摩洛哥山羊皮装订的书的那些女人,而且有用连字符隔开的两个姓.
Womenwhowalkedoverthe"heath‖andreadmorocco-boundbooksandhadtwolastnamesdividedbyahyphen.
可以肯定地说,是她本人使我为自己是个黑人而感到骄傲.
ItwouldbesafetosaythatshemademeproudtobeNegro,justbybeingherself.
那个在我的记忆中如甜奶般鲜活的夏日的午后,她来我们的店里买东西.
Onesummerafternoon,sweet-milkfreshinmymemory,shestoppedattheStoretobuyprovisions.
换了另外一个同她身体情况和年龄相当的黑人妇女就会一只手把纸袋拎回家去,但奶奶却说,―弗劳尔斯大姐,让贝利帮你把东西送回家去.
‖AnotherNegrowomanofherhealthandagewouldhavebeenexpectedtocarrythepapersackshomeinonehand,butMommasaid,"SisterFlowers,I'llsendBai-leyuptoyourhousewiththesethings.
"―谢谢您,汉德森夫人.
但我想让玛格丽特帮我送回去.
‖"Thankyou,Mrs.
Henderson.
I'dpreferMarguerite,though.
"她说我名字时,我的名字也变得动听起来.
Mynamewasbeautifulwhenshesaidit.
―反正我一直想跟她谈一谈.
‖她们互相对视了一下,其间的意思只有她们这些同龄人才明白.
"I'vebeenmean-instotalktoher,anyway.
"Theygaveeachotheragegrouplooks.
在石头路旁有一条小路,弗劳尔斯夫人在前面摆动着胳膊,在碎石路上小心地走着.
Therewasalittlepathbesidetherockyroad,andMrs.
Flowerswalkedinfrontswingingherarmsandpickingherwayoverthestones.
她没有回头,对我说,―听说你在学校里功课很好,玛格丽特,但那都是笔头作业.
老师说他们很难让你在课堂上发言.
‖Shesaid,withoutturningherhead,tome,"Ihearyou'redoingverygoodschoolwork,Marguerite,butthatit'sallwritten.
Theteachersreportthattheyhavetroublegettingyoutotalkinclass.
我们走过左边三角形的农场,路变宽了,可以允许我们并排走在一起.
但我畏缩地走在后面,想着那些没有问出口也无法回答的问题.
Wepassedthetriangularfarmonourleftandthepathwidenedtoallowustowalktogether.
Ihungbackintheseparateunaskedandunanswerablequestions.
―过来和我一起走,玛格丽特.
‖我无法拒绝,尽管我很想.
"Comeandwalkalongwithme,Marguerite.
"Icouldn'thaverefusedevenifIwantedto.
她把我的名字叫得如此动听.
或者更确切地说,她把每个词都说得这样清晰,我相信就是一个不懂英语的外国人也能听懂她的话.
Shepronouncedmynamesonicely.
Ormorecorrectly,shespokeeachwordwithsuchclaritythatIwascertainaforeignerwhodidn'tunderstandEnglishcouldhaveunderstoodher.
―现在没有人要强迫你说话——恐怕也没人能做到这一点.
但是你记住,语言是人类进行沟通的方式,是语言将人类同低等动物区分开来.
‖―Nownooneisgoingtomakeyoutalk—possiblynoonecan.
Butbearinmind,languageisman'swayofcommunicatingwithhisfellowmananditislanguagealonewhichseparateshimfromtheloweranimals.
‖这对我来说是一个全新的观点,我需要些时间认真考虑一下.
Thatwasatotallynewideatome,andIwouldneedtimetothinkaboutit.
―你奶奶说你读了很多书,一有机会就读.
这很好,但还不够好,言语的含义不仅是写在纸上的那点.
它需要人的声音赋予它深层含义的细微差别.
‖"Yourgrandmothersaysyoureadalot.
Everychanceyouget.
That'sgood,butnotgoodenough.
Wordsmeanmorethanwhatissetdownonpaper.
Ittakesthehumanvoicetoinfusethemwiththeshadesofdeepermeaning.
"我记住了有关声音赋予言语更多内涵的话.
这些话听起来是那么正确,那么富有诗意.
Imemorizedthepartaboutthehumanvoiceinfusingwords.
Itseemedsovalidandpoetic.
她说她要给我一些书,要我不仅阅读这些书,还要大声朗读.
ShesaidshewasgoingtogivemesomebooksandthatInotonlymustreadthem,Imustreadthemaloud.
她建议我用尽可能丰富的语调去读每一句话.
Shesuggestedthatitrytomakeasentencesoundinasmanydifferentwaysaspossible.
―如果你草草读完这些书就还给我的话,我不接受任何理由.
‖"I'llacceptnoexcuseifyoureturnabooktomethathasbeenbadlyhandled.
"我想像不出如果我真的没有认真读弗劳尔斯夫人的某一本书,将会受到怎样的惩罚.
让我去死恐怕是太仁慈太干脆了.
MyimaginationboggledatthepunishmentIwoulddeserveifinfactIdidabuseabookofMrs.
Flowers'.
Deathwouldbetookindandbrief.
房子里的气味让我有点吃惊.
Theodorsinthehousesurprisedme.
不知什么缘故,我从来没有将弗劳尔斯夫人与食物、吃饭或是平常人的琐事联系起来.
SomehowIhadneverconnectedMrs.
Flowerswithfoodoreatingoranyothercommonexperienceofcommonpeople.
那里一定也有户外厕所,但我一点也记不起来了.
Theremusthavebeenanouthouse,too,butmymindneverrecordedit.
她打开门,香草的芬芳迎面扑来.
Thesweetscentofvanillahadmetusassheopenedthedoor.
―今天早上我做了些茶点.
你瞧,我早打算好要请你来吃点心、柠檬水,这样我们就可以聊一会了.
柠檬水正放在冰盒子里呢.
‖"Imadeteacookiesthismorning.
Yousee,Ihadplannedtoinviteyouforcookiesandlemonadesowecouldhavethislittlechat.
Thelemonadeisintheicebox.
"这意味着弗劳尔斯夫人平时也买冰,而镇上大多数人家只是在星期六下午才买冰,放在木头做的冰淇凌冷藏机内,整个夏天也不过只买几次.
ItfollowedthatMrs.
Flowerswouldhaveiceonanordinaryday,whenmostfamiliesinourtownboughticelateonSaturdaysonlyafewtimesduringthesummertobeusedinthewoodenice-creamfreezers.
―坐吧,玛格丽特,坐到那边桌子旁.
‖"Haveaseat,Marguerite.
Overtherebythetable.
"她端着一个用茶布盖着的盘.
Shecarriedaplattercoveredwithateatowel.
尽管她事先说过她已经好久没有做点心了,我还是相信就像她的其他任何东西一样,点心也会十分精美可口.
Althoughshewarnedthatshehadn'ttriedherhandatbakingsweetsforsometime,Iwascertainthatlikeeverythingelseaboutherthecookieswouldbeperfect.
我吃点心的时候,她开始给我讲我们后来称之为―我生活中的一课‖的第一部分.
AsIateshebeganthefirstofwhatwelatercalled"mylessoninliving.
"她告诉我不能宽容无知,但可以理解文盲.
Shesaidthatmustalwaysbeintolerantofignorancebutunderstandingofilliteracy.
她认为有些人虽然没有上过学,但却比大学教授更有知识,甚至更聪明.
Thatsomepeople,unabletogotoschool,weremoreeducatedandevenmoreintelligentthancollegeprofessors.
她还鼓励我认真倾听被乡下人称为常识的一些俗语.
她说这些朴实谚语是一代代人集体智慧的结晶.
Sheencouragedmetolistencarefullytowhatcountrypeoplecalledmotherwit.
Thatinthosehomelysayingswascouchedthecollectivewisdomofgenerations我吃完点心后,她把桌子打扫干净,从书架上拿了一本又厚又小的书.
WhenIfinishedthecookiesshebrushedoffthetableandbroughtathick,smallbookfromthebookcase.
我读过《双城记》,认为这本书符合我心目中浪漫主义小说的标准.
IhadreadATaleofTwoCitiesandfoundituptomystandardsasaromanticnovel.
她翻开第一页,于是我平生第一次听到了诗朗诵.
SheopenedthefirstpageandIheardpoetryforthefirsttimeinmylife.
―这是最辉煌的时代也是最糟糕的时代……‖她的声音圆润,随着言语的起伏而抑扬顿挫,就像在唱歌一样.
"Itwasthebestoftimesandtheworstoftimes.
.
.
"Hervoiceslidinandcurveddownthroughandoverthewords.
Shewasnearlysinging.
我想看一下她读的是否真的和我过去看的一样Iwantedtolookatthepages.
WeretheythesamethatIhadread还是像赞美诗一样,书页上满是音符Orweretherenotes,music,linedonthepages,asinahymnbook她的声音开始慢慢低沉下来.
Hersoundsbegancascadinggently.
我听过很多次布道,因此我知道她的朗诵就要结束了,但我还没有真正听见或听懂一个词.
Iknewfromlisteningtoathousandpreachersthatshewasnearingtheendofherreading,andIhadn'treallyheard,heardtounderstand,asingleword.
―你觉得怎么样‖"Howdoyoulikethat"我这才意识到她在期待我的回答.
Itoccurredtomethatsheexpectedaresponse.
我的舌间还留有香草的余味,她的朗诵对我来说很奇妙.
Thesweetvanillaflavorwasstillonmytongueandherreadingwasawonderinmyears.
我得说点什么了.
Ihadtospeak.
我说:―是的,夫人.
‖我至少得说这些,我也只能说这些.
Isaid,"Yea,ma'am.
"ItwastheleastIcoulddo,butitwasthemostalso.
―还有一件事.
你把这本诗集拿去,背下其中的一首.
下次你再来看我时,我希望你背诵给我听.
‖'Theresonemorething.
Takethisbookofpoemsandmemorizeoneforme.
Nexttimeyoupaymeavisit,Iwantyoutorecite.
‖在经历了成年后的复杂生活后,我多次试图弄清楚为什么当年她送给我的礼物一下子就让我陶醉了.
IhavetriedoftentosearchbehindthesophisticationofyearsfortheenchantmentIsoeasilyfoundinthosegifts.
书中的内容已经忘却,但余韵仍存.
Theessenceescapesbutitsauraremains.
被准许,不,是被邀请进入一群陌生人的私人生活中,与他们共同分享喜悦和恐惧,这使我读贝奥武夫时就犹如喝一杯蜜酒,读奥立佛特威斯特时,犹如饮一杯热奶茶,忘记了那犹如南方苦艾酒般的痛苦经历.
Tobeallowed,no,invited,intotheprivatelivesofstrangers,andtosharetheirjoysandfears,wasachancetoexchangetheSouthernbitterwormwoodforacupofmeadwithBe-owulforahotcupofteaandmilkwithOliverTwist.
当我大声地说―这比我做过的任何一件事都好得多‖时,我眼中涌出了爱的泪水,那是为了自己的忘我WhenIsaidaloud,"Itisafar,farbetterthingthatIdo,thanIhaveeverdone…"tearsoflovefilledmyeyesatmyselflessness.
在我第一次去她家回来,我跑下山去冲到马路上(路上很少有车经过),快到店铺时我还居然没忘了停下来.
Onthatfirstday,Irandownthehillandintotheroad(fewcarsevercamealongit)andhadthegoodsensetostoprunningbeforeIreachedtheStore.
有人喜欢我,这是多么的不同啊.
wasliked,andwhatadifferenceitmade.
有人尊敬我,并不是因为我是汉德森夫人的外孙女或是贝利的妹妹,而是因为我是玛格丽特约翰逊.
IwasrespectednotasMrs.
Henderson'sgrandchildorBailey'ssisterbutforjustbeingMargueriteJohnson.
孩提时的逻辑永远不需要证实(所有的结论都是绝对的).
Childhood'slogicneveraskstobeproved(allconclusionsareabsolute).
我从来没有想过为什么弗劳尔斯夫人会选中我来表示关怀,也从来没想过也许是奶奶曾请求她开导我一下.
1didn'tquestionwhyMrs.
Flowershadsingledmeoutforattention,nordiditoccurtomethatMommamighthaveaskedhertogivemealittletalkingto.
我只关心她曾给我做点心吃,还给我读她最喜欢的书.
这些足以证明她喜欢我AllIcaredaboutwasthatshehadmadeteacookiesformeandreadtomefromherfavoritebook.
Itwasenoughtoprovethatshelikedme.
奶奶和贝利在店铺里等我.
MommaandBaileywerewaitinginsidetheStore.
他问:―她给了你什么‖他已经看到那些书了,但我把装着他那份点心的纸袋放在怀里,用诗集挡住.
Hesaid.
"My,whatdidshegiveyou"Hehadseenthebooks,butIheldthepapersackwithhiscookiesinmyarmsshieldedbythepoems.
奶奶说:―小姐,我知道你的举止像位女士.
Mommasaid,"Sister,Iknowyouactedlikealittlelady.
Thatdomyheartgoodtoseesettledpeopletaketoyouall.
我已经尽最大努力了,上帝知道,但这些天……‖她的声音低下来,―快去把衣服换了.
‖I'mtryingmybest,theLordknows,butthesedays…"Hervoicetrailedoff.
"Gooninandchangeyourdress.
‖LessonNineTheTroublewithTelevision电视的毛病TheTroublewithTelevision要摆脱电视的影响是困难的.
Itisdifficulttoescapetheinfluenceoftelevision.
假如统计的平均数字适用于你的话,那么你到20岁的时候就至少看过2万个小时的电视了,从那以后每生活10年就会增加1万小时.
Ifyoufitthestatisticalaverages,bytheageof20youwillhavebeenexposedtoatleast20,000hoursoftelevision.
Youcanadd10,000hoursforeachdecadeyouhavelivedaftertheageof20.
笔起看电视,美国人只有在工作和睡眠上花时间更多.
TheonlythingsAmericansdomorethanwatchtelevisionareworkandsleep.
稍微计算一下,使用这些时间的一部分能够做些什么.
Calculateforamomentwhatcouldbedonewithevenapartofthosehours.
听说一个大学生仅用5000小时就可以获得学士学位.
Fivethousandhours,Iamtold,arewhatatypicalcollegeundergraduatespendsworkingonabachelor'sdegree.
在1万个小时内你能学成一个天文学家或工程师,流利掌握几门外语.
In10,000hoursyoucouldhavelearnedenoughtobecomeanastronomerorengineer.
Youcouldhavelearnedseverallanguagesfluently.
如果你感兴趣的话,你可能读希腊原文的荷马史诗或俄文版的陀思妥耶夫斯基的作品;如果对此不感兴趣,那你可以徒步周游世界,撰写一本游记.
Ifitappealedtoyou,youcouldbereadingHomerintheoriginalGreekorDostoyevskyinRussian.
Ifitdidn't,youcouldhavewalkedaroundtheworldandwrittenabookaboutit.
电视的毛病在于它分散了人们的注意力.
Thetroublewithtelevisionisthatitdiscouragesconcentration.
生活中几乎一切有趣的、能给人以满足的事都需要一定的建设性的、持之以恒的努力.
Almostanythinginterestingandrewardinginliferequiressomeconstructive,consistentlyappliedeffort.
即使是我们中间那些最迟钝、最没有天才的人也能做出一些事来,而这些事使那些从来不在任何事情上专心致志的人感到像是奇迹一般.
Thedullest,theleastgiftedofuscanachievethingsthatseemmiraculoustothosewhoneverconcentrateonanything.
但电视鼓励我们不做出任何努力,它向我们兜售即时的满足,它给我们提供娱乐,使我们只想娱乐,让时间在毫无痛苦中消磨掉.
ButTelevisionencouragesustoapplynoeffort.
Itsellsusinstantgratification.
Itdivertsusonlytodivert,tomakethetimepasswithoutpain.
电视节目的多样化成了一种麻醉剂而不是促进思考的因素.
Television'svarietybecomesanarcotic,norastimulus.
它那系列的、多变的画面引着我们跟着它走.
Itsserial,kaleidoscopicexposuresforceustofollowitslead.
观众无休无止地跟着导游游览:参观博物馆30分钟,看大教堂30分钟,喝饮料30分钟,然后上车去下一个参观点,只是电视的特点是时间分配以分秒计算,而所选择的内容却多为车祸和人们的互相残杀.
Theviewerisonaperpetualguidedtour:30minutesatthemuseum,30atthecathedral,30foradrink,thenbackonthebustothenextattraction—-exceptontelevision.
,typically,thespansallottedarcontheorderofminutesorseconds,andthechosendelightsaremoreoftencarcrashesandpeoplekillingoneanother.
总之许多电视节目取代了人类最可贵的一种才能,即主动集中自己的注意力,而不是被动地奉送注意力.
Inshort,alotoftelevisionusurpsoneofthemostpreciousofallhumangifts,theabilitytofocusyourattentionyourself,ratherthanjustpassivelysurrenderit.
吸引并抓住人们的注意力是大多数电视节目安排的主要目的,它加强了电视是有利可图的广告的载体的作用.
Capturingyourattention—andholdingit—istheprimemotiveofmosttelevisionprogrammingandenhancesitsroleasaprofitableadvertisingvehicle.
节目安排使人生活在无休止的恐惧之中,唯恐抓不住人们的注意力——不管是什么人的注意力都担心.
Programmersliveinconstantfearoflosinganyone'sattention—anyone's.
避免造成这一局面的最有把握的办法就是使一切节目都保持简短,不要使任何人的注意力过于集中而受到损害,而要通过多样化、新奇性、动作和行动不断地提供刺激.
Thesurestwaytoavoiddoingsoistokeepeverythingbrief,nottostraintheattentionofanyonebutinsteadtoprovideconstantstimulationthroughvariety,novelty,actionandmovement.
很简单,电视的运作原则就是迎合观众的注意力跨度短这一特点.
Quitesimply,televisionoperatesontheappealtotheshortattentionspan.
这只是最简单的解决办法,但它逐渐被看作是电视这一宣传媒体特定的,内在固有的性质,是必须履行的职责,似乎是司令萨尔诺夫或另一个令人敬畏的电视创始人给我们传下了刻有铭文的石碑,命令电视上出现的一切节目均不得使观众需要片刻以上的注意力.
Itissimplytheeasiestwayout.
Butithascometoberegardedasagiven,asinherentinthemediumitself;asanimperative,asthoughGeneralSarnoff,oroneoftheotheraugustpioneersofvideo,hadbequeathedtoustabletsofstonecommandingthatnothingintelevisionshalleverrequiremorethanafewmoments'Concentration.
要是运用得恰当,这倒也无可厚非.
Initsplacethatisfine.
如此出色地把使人忘却现实的娱乐作为大规模推销工具加以包装,谁又能反对这样一种宣传媒介呢Whocanquarrelwithamediumthatsobrilliantlypackagesescapistentertainmentasamass-marketingtool但是我看到了它的价值现已充斥于这个国家及其生活之中.
ButIseeitsvaluesnowpervadingthisnationanditslife.
认为快速思维和快餐食品一样影响着生活节奏很快、性情急躁的公众,这已成了时髦的看法.
Ithasbecomefashionabletothinkthat,likefastfood,fastideasarethewaytogettoafast-moving,impatientpublic.
在新闻方面,我认为这种做法不能进行很好的交流.
Inthecaseofnews,thispractice,inmyview,resultsininefficientcommunication.
我怀疑电视每晚的新闻节目真正能够被人吸收和理解的有多少.
Iquestionhowmuchoftelevision'snightlynewseffortisreallyabsorbableandunderstandable.
其中许多被形象地描述为―机关枪不连贯地点射‖.
Muchofitiswhathasbeenaptlydescribedas"machine-gunningwithscraps.
"我认为这种技术是与连贯性作对的.
Ithinkthetechniquefightscoherence.
我认为它最终会使事情变得枯燥乏味、无足轻重(除非伴以恐怖的画面),因为任何一件事,如果你对它几乎一无所知,那么它差不多总会是枯燥乏味、使人觉得无足轻重的.
Ithinkittendstomakethingsultimatelyboringanddismissible(unlesstheyareaccompaniedbyhorrifyingpictures)becausealmostanythingisboringanddismissibleifyouknowalmostnothingaboutit.
我认为,电视迎合观众注意力跨度短的做法不仅会造成交流不畅,而且还会降低文化水平.
IbelievethatTV'sappealtotheshortattentionspanisnotonlyinefficientcommunicationbutdecivilizingaswell.
想一想电视要达到的那些极不慎重的原则吧:必须避免复杂性,用视觉刺激来代替思考,语言的精确早已是不合时宜的要求.
Considerthecasualassumptionsthattelevisiontendstocultivate:thatcomplexitymustbeavoided,thatvisualstimulationisasubstituteforthought,thatverbalprecisionisananachronism.
它可能已过时,但我所受的教育告诉我思想就是语言,是按准确的语法规则组织起来的.
Itmaybeold-fashioned,butIwastaughtthatthoughtiswords,arrangedingrammaticallyprecise在美国存在着读写能力的危机.
Thereisacrisisofliteracyinthiscountry.
据一项研究估计,约有3000万美国成年人是―功能性文盲‖.
他们的读写能力无法回答招聘广告,或读懂药瓶上的说明.
Onestudyestimatesthatsome30millionadultAmericansare"functionallyilliterate"andcannotreadorwritewellenoughtoanswerthewantadorunderstandtheinstructionsonamedicinebottle.
能读写可能算不上是一项不可剥夺的人权,但是我们学识渊博的开国元勋们并不感到它是不合理的或者甚至是达不到的.
Literacymaynotbeaninalienablehumanright,butitisonethatthehighlyliterateFoundingFathersmightnothavefoundunreasonableorevenunattainable.
从统计数字上看,我们的国家不仅未达到人人能读写的程度,而且离这一目标越来越远.
Wearenotonlynotattainingitasanation,statisticallyspeaking,butwearefallingfurtherandfurthershortofattainingit.
尽管我不会天真到认为电视是造成这一情况的原因,但我却相信它起了一定的作用,是有影响的.
And,whiteIwouldnotbesosimplisticastosuggestthattelevisionisthecause,1believeitcontributesandisaninfluence.
美国的一切:社会结构、家庭组织形式、经济、在世界上的地位,都变得更为复杂,而不是相反.
Everythingaboutthisnation—thestructureofthesociety,itsformsoffamilyorganization,itseconomy,itsplaceintheworld—hasbecomemorecomplex,notless.
然而其占主导地位的传播媒介,全国联系的主要方式,却在人类存在的问题上推销简单的解决方式,而这些问题通常是没有简单的解决方式的.
Yetitsdominatingcommunicationsinstrument,itsprincipalformofnationallinkage,isonethatsellsneatresolutionstohumanproblemsthatusuallyhavenoneatresolutions.
在我的心目中,那30秒钟一个的商业广告:一位家庭主妇因选对了牙膏而感到幸福的那小小的戏剧性场面就是这一切的象征.
电视已使这极其成功的艺术形式成为我们文化不可缺少的一个部分了.
Itisallsymbolizedinmymindbythehugelysuccessfulartformthattelevisionhasmadecentraltotheculture,the30-secondcommercial:thetinydramaoftheearnesthousewifewhofindshappinessinchoosingtherighttoothpaste.
在人类历史上,几时曾有这样多的人共同把自己这样多的业余时间奉送给一件玩具,一项大众娱乐Whenbeforeinhumanhistoryhassomuchhumanitycollectivelysurrenderedsomuchofitsleisuretoonetoy,onemassdiversion几时曾有一个国家使自己整个地置于商品推销媒介的摆布之下Whenbeforehasvirtuallyanentirenationsurrendereditselfwhole-saletoamediumforselling几年前,耶鲁大学的法学教授小查尔斯L布莱克写道:―……被喂食本身并不是件琐碎小事.
‖SomeyearsagoYaleUniversitylawprofessorCharlesL.
Black.
Jr.
,wrote:".
.
.
forcedfeedingontrivialfareisnotitselfatrivialmatter-"我认为我们这个社会正在强行被喂食.
Ithinkthissocietyisbeingforced-fedwithtrivialfare,我担心这一做法对我们的思维习惯,对我们的语言、我们努力的极限度及对复杂情况的兴趣等方面所造成的影响,这一点我们还只是极模糊地意识到.
andIfearthattheeffectsonourhabitsofmind,ourlanguage,ourtoleranceforeffort,andourappetiteforcomplexityareonlydimlyperceived.
就算我的看法不对,用怀疑和批判的眼光来分析这个问题,来考虑如何抵制它,也不会有任何害处.
IfIamwrong,wewillhavedonenoharmtolookattheissueskepticallyandcritically,toconsiderhowweshouldberesistingit.
IhopeyouwilljoinwithmeindoingsoLessonTenTheTenthMan就在第二天下午3点(闹钟上的时间),一个军官走进了牢房.
这是他们几星期以来见到的第一位军官.
他非常年轻,甚至小胡子的形状也显示出他不够老练,左边的胡子剃得重了点.
Itwasatthreethenextafternoon(alarmclocktime)thatanofficerenteredthecell;thefirstofficertheyhadseenforweeks–andthisonewasveryyoung,withinexperienceevenintheshapeofhismustachewhichhehadshavedtoomuchontheleftside.
他就像一个初次登台领奖的小学生一样窘迫不安,他说起话来粗鲁无礼,似乎要显示一种他并不具备的力量.
Hewasasembarrassedasaschoolboymakinghisfirstentryonastageataprize-giving,andhespokeabruptlysoastogivetheimpressionofastrengthhedidnotpossess.
他说道:―昨天夜间城里发生了几起谋杀,一名军事长官的副手、一位中士和一个骑自行车的女孩被杀.
‖他又说道:―我们不在乎女孩的死.
法国男人杀死法国女人不关我们的事.
‖Hesaid,"Thereweremurderslastnightinthetown.
Theaide-de-campofthemilitarygovernor,asergeantandagirlonabicycle.
"Headded,"Wedon'tcomplainaboutthegirl.
FrenchmenhaveourpermissiontokillFrenchwomen.
"很明显他事先仔细斟酌了他的讲话,但他的嘲弄做过了头,他的表演也很业余.
Hehadobviouslythoughtuphisspeechcarefullybeforehand,buttheironywasoverdoneandthedeliverythatofanamateuractor:整个场面就像手势字谜游戏那样矫饰做作.
thewholescenewasasunrealasacharade.
他接着说道:―你们知道自己为什么来这里,你们在这里好吃好喝,过着舒适的日子,而我们的人却在工作和战斗.
不过现在你们必须付出代价了.
不要怪我们,要怪你们自己的杀人凶手.
我的命令是集中营里每十个人要有一个被枪决.
你们有多少人‖―报数.
‖他厉声喝道人们闷闷不乐地照办了.
―28,29,30.
‖人们知道不用数他也知道人数,这不过是他玩的把戏中不可省略的一句台词.
.
Hesaid,"Youknowwhatyouareherefor,livingcomfortably,onfinerations,whileourmenworkandfight.
Well,nowyou'vegottopaythehotelbill.
Don'tblameus.
Blameyourownmurderers.
Myordersarethatonemanineverytenshallbeshotinthiscamp.
Howmanyofyouarethere"Heshoutedsharply,"Numberoff,"andsullenlytheyobeyed,".
.
.
twenty-eight,twenty-nine,thirty.
"Theyknewheknewwithoutcounting.
Thiswasjustalineinhischaradehecouldn'tsacrifice.
他说道:―那么,你们的名额是三个,我们并不关心是哪三个人.
你们可以自己选择.
死刑于明天早上7点执行.
‖Hesaid,"Yourallotmentthenisthree.
Wearequiteindifferentastowhichthree.
Youcanchooseforyourselves.
Thefuneralriteswillbeginatseventomorrowmorning.
‖他玩的把戏结束了,人们可以听到他的脚步响亮地敲击着沥青路渐渐远去.
Thecharadewasover:theycouldhearhisfeetstrikingsharplyontheasphaltgoingaway.
查维尔忽然很想知道他打的手势是什么字.
要他们猜的是不是―夜间‖,―姑娘‖,―旁边‖或―30‖.