爱华网前几天，美国黑人奥巴马以高票战胜对手麦凯恩当选美国新一任总统，从此让世人见证了一个富有传奇色彩的人物。昨天无意中在土豆网上看到了奥巴马当选后的第一次演讲视频，变从头到尾认认真真地看了一遍，让我看到了一个伟人的风采，他那慷慨激昂的演讲，让我们看到了美国制度在某些方面的优越性，看到了美国的未来，看到了我们国家对人才培养的缺陷，同时也让我们全世界人民关注美国的未来。今天把他的演讲稿全部摘录下来与大家一起分享。
在演讲的第一部分，奥巴马强调了他在法统上的合法性，通过一系列排比句暗示他是由无数美国民众发自内心地采取民主方式选举出来的总统。第二部分在感谢相关人士之后，奥巴马再次重申了美国精神，向民众做出了他的承诺。并号召人民和他一起并肩克难，实施变革，振兴美国。在演说的第三部分，异常巧妙地转换了表述的视角，通过讲述一个106岁的普通黑人妇女库波尔的一生，把美国历史上的危急时刻串联起来，让人民深受感动的同时又不觉得和奥巴马有所疏远，是全篇演讲最精彩的部分。最后，奥巴马重提美国梦，并把美国梦和他本人叠合，彻底完成对个人的渲染和身份的转化，几近神格。
通篇演讲中，奥巴马始终采用和人民对话的口吻，释放出强力的召唤信号，把焦点集中在美国内政之上，鼓舞民心士气，呼吁人民团结一致。同时，值得注意的是，他也非常巧妙地回避了军事外交等他不擅长的领域，只是蜻蜓点水而过，复又把演说重心移回美国国内问题。
我不知道中文翻译者是谁，但是，这个译本是昨天我所见到最完善的一个。把它张贴出来，和大家分享。需要说明的是，我在其中修改了一两处细微的地方，希望不至于影响到诸位的阅读体验。
《Change Has Come ToAmerica》
《美国的变革时代已经到来》
Hello,Chicago.
芝加哥的市民们，你们好！
If there is anyone out there whostill doubts that America is a place where all things are possible;who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in ourtime; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight isyour answer.It’s the answer told by lines that stretched aroundschools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; bypeople who waited three hours and four hours, many for the veryfirst time in their lives, because they believed that this timemust be different; that their voice could be that difference.
如果还有人对在美国是否凡事皆有可能这一点存疑，还有人怀疑美国奠基者的梦想在我们所处的时代是否依然鲜活，还有人质疑我们的民主制度的力量，那么今晚，这些问题都有了答案。这是设在学校和教堂的投票站前排起的前所未见的长队给出的答案；是等了三四个小时的选民所给出的答案，其中许多人都是有生以来第一次投票，因为他们认定这一次肯定会不一样，认为自己的声音会是这次大选有别于以往之所在。
It’s the answer spoken by young andold, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino,Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled –Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been acollection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always willbe, the United States of America.
这是所有美国人民共同给出的答案－－无论老少贫富，无论是民主党还是共和党，无论是黑人、白人、拉美裔、亚裔、原住民，是同性恋者还是异性恋者、残疾人还是健全人－－我们从来不是“红州”和“蓝州”的对立阵营，我们是美利坚合众国这个整体，永远都是。
It’s the answer that led those whohave been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful,and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arcof history and bend it once more toward the hope of a betterday.
长久以来，很多人一再受到告诫，要对我们所能取得的成绩极尽讽刺、担忧和怀疑之能事，但这个答案让这些人伸出手来把握历史，再次让它朝向美好明天的希望延伸。
It’s been a long time coming, buttonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, atthis defining moment, change has come to America.
已经过去了这么长时间，但今晚，由于我们在今天、在这场大选中、在这个具有决定性的时刻所做的，美国已经迎来了变革。
I just received a very graciouscall from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign,and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. Hehas endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin toimagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by thisbrave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palinfor all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with themto renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.
我刚刚接到了麦凯恩参议员极具风度的致电。他在这场大选中经过了长时间的努力奋斗，而他为自己所深爱的这个国家奋斗的时间更长、过程更艰辛。他为美国做出了我们大多数人难以想像的牺牲，我们的生活也因这位勇敢无私的领袖所做出的贡献而变得更美好。我向他和佩林州长所取得的成绩表示祝贺，我也期待着与他们一起在未来的岁月中为复兴这个国家的希望而共同努力。
I want to thank my partner in thisjourney, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the menand women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode withon that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of theUnited States, Joe Biden.
我要感谢我在这次旅程中的伙伴－－已当选美国副总统的拜登。他全心参与竞选活动，为普通民众代言，他们是他在斯克兰顿从小到大的伙伴，也是在他回特拉华的火车上遇到的男男女女。
I would not be standing heretonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for thelast sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life,our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, Ilove you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’scoming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer withus, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family thatmade me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt tothem is beyond measure.
如果没有一个人的坚决支持，我今晚就不会站在这里，她是我过去16年来最好的朋友、是我们一家人的中坚和我一生的挚爱，更是我们国家的下一位第一夫人：米歇尔?奥巴马(MichelleObama)。萨莎(Sasha)和玛丽亚(Malia)，我太爱你们两个了，你们已经得到了一条新的小狗，它将与我们一起入驻白宫。虽然我的外祖母已经不在了，但我知道她与我的亲人肯定都在看着我，因为他们，我才能拥有今天的成就。今晚，我想念他们，我知道自己欠他们的无可计量。
To my campaign manager DavidPlouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaignteam ever assembled in the history of politics – you made thishappen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to getit done.
我的竞选经理大卫?普劳夫(DavidPlouffe)、首席策略师大卫?艾克斯罗德(DavidAxelrod)以及政治史上最好的竞选团队－－是你们成就了今天，我永远感激你们为实现今天的成就所做出的牺牲。
But above all, I will never forgetwho this victory truly belongs to – it belongs toyou.
但最重要的是，我永远不会忘记这场胜利真正的归属－－它属于你们。
I was never the likeliest candidatefor this office. We didn’t start with much money or manyendorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls ofWashington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the livingrooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
我从来不是最有希望的候选人。一开始，我们没有太多资金，也没有得到太多人的支持。我们的竞选活动并非诞生于华盛顿的高门华第之内，而是始于得梅因、康科德、查尔斯顿这些地方的普通民众家中。
It was built by working men andwomen who dug into what little savings they had to give fivedollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grewstrength from the young people who rejected the myth of theirgeneration’s apathy; who left their homes and their families forjobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-youngpeople who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock onthe doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans whovolunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centurieslater, a government of the people, by the people and for the peoplehas not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
我们的竞选活动能有今天的规模，是因为辛勤工作的人们从自己的微薄积蓄中拿出钱来，捐出一笔又一笔5美元、10美元、20美元。而竞选活动的声势越来越大则是源自那些年轻人，他们拒绝接受认为他们这代人冷漠的荒诞说法；他们离开家、离开亲人，从事报酬微薄、极其辛苦的工作；同时也源自那些已经不算年轻的人们，他们冒着严寒酷暑，敲开陌生人的家门进行竞选宣传；更源自数百万的美国民众，他们自动自发地组织起来，证明了在两百多年以后，民有、民治、民享的政府并未从地球上消失。这是你们的胜利。
I know you didn’t do this just towin an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did itbecause you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges thattomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, aplanet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even aswe stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking upin the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risktheir lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lieawake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll makethe mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough forcollege. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created;new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances torepair.
我知道你们的所做所为并不只是为了赢得大选，我也知道你们做这一切并不是为了我。你们这样做是因为你们明白摆在面前的任务有多艰巨。因为即便我们今晚欢呼庆祝，我们也知道明天将面临我们一生之中最为艰巨的挑战——两场战争、一个面临危险的星球，还有百年来最严重的金融危机。今晚站在此地，我们知道伊拉克的沙漠里和阿富汗的群山中还有勇敢的美国士兵醒来，甘冒生命危险保护着我们。会有在孩子熟睡后仍难以入眠的父母，担心如何偿还按揭月供、付医药费或是存够钱送孩子上大学。我们亟待开发新能源、创造新的工作机会；我们需要修建新学校，还要应对众多威胁、修复与许多盟国的关系。
The road ahead will be long. Ourclimb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even oneterm, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I amtonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people willget there.
前方的道路会十分漫长艰辛。我们可能无法在一年甚至一届任期之内实现上述目标，但我从未像今晚这样满怀希望，相信我们会实现。我向你们承诺---我们作为一个整体将会达成目标。
There will be setbacks and falsestarts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision orpolicy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solveevery problem. But I will always be honest with you about thechallenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when wedisagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work ofremaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America fortwo-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick,calloused hand by calloused hand.
我们会遭遇挫折和不成功的开端。对于我作为总统所做的每项决定和政策，会有许多人持有异议，我们也知道政府并不能解决所有问题。但我会向你们坦陈我们所面临的挑战。我会聆听你们的意见，尤其是在我们意见相左之时。最重要的是，我会请求你们参与重建这个国家，以美国221年来从未改变的唯一方式---一砖一瓦而成、胼手胝足相续。
What began twenty-one months ago inthe depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. Thisvictory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance forus to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to theway things were. It cannot happen without you.
21个月前那个寒冬所开始的一切不应该在今天这个秋夜结束。今天的选举胜利并不是我们所寻求的改变——这只是我们进行改变的机会。而且如果我们仍然按照旧有方式行事，我们所寻求的改变不可能出现。没有你们，也不可能有这种改变。
So let us summon a new spirit ofpatriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolvesto pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, buteach other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught usanything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street whileMain Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as onenation; as one people.
因此，让我们发扬新的爱国精神，树立新的服务意识和责任感，让我们每个人下定决心全情投入、更加努力地工作，并彼此关爱。让我们铭记这场金融危机带来的教训：我们不可能在金融以外的领域备受煎熬的同时拥有繁荣兴旺的华尔街——在这个国家，我们患难与共。
Let us resist the temptation tofall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturitythat has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that itwas a man from this state who first carried the banner of theRepublican Party to the White House – a party founded on the valuesof self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those arevalues we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a greatvictory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility anddetermination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are notenemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must notbreak our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose supportI have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear yourvoices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
让我们抵制重走老路的诱惑，避免重新回到令美国政治长期深受毒害的党派纷争和由此引发的遗憾和不成熟表现。让我们牢记，正是伊利诺伊州的一名男子首次将共和党的大旗扛到了白宫。共和党是建立在自强自立、个人自由以及全民团结的价值观上，这也是我们所有人都珍视的价值。虽然民主党今天晚上赢得了巨大的胜利，但我们是以谦卑的态度和弥合阻碍我们进步的分歧的决心赢得这场胜利的。林肯在向远比我们眼下分歧更大的国家发表讲话时说，我们不是敌人，而是朋友——虽然激情可能褪去，但是这不会割断我们感情上的联系。对于那些现在并不支持我的美国人，我想说，或许我没有赢得你们的选票，但是我听到了你们的声音，我需要你们的帮助，而且我也将是你们的总统。
And to all those watching tonightfrom beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those whoare huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world –our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawnof American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear thisworld down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace andsecurity – we support you. And to all those who have wondered ifAmerica’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved oncemore that the true strength of our nation comes not from our themight of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduringpower of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, andunyielding hope.
那些彻夜关注美国大选的海外人士，从国会到皇宫，以及在这个世界被遗忘的角落里挤在收音机旁的人们，我们的经历虽然各有不同，但是我们的命运是相通的，新的美国领袖诞生了。那些想要颠覆这个世界的人们，我们必将击败你们。那些追求和平和安全的人们，我们支持你们。那些所有怀疑美国能否继续照亮世界发展前景的人们，今天晚上我们再次证明，我们国家真正的力量并非来自我们武器的威力或财富的规模，而是来自我们理想的持久力量：民主、自由、机会和不屈的希望。
For that is the true genius ofAmerica – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. Andwhat we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can andmust achieve tomorrow.
这才是美国真正的精华——美国能够改变。我们的联邦会日臻完善。我们取得的成就为我们将来能够取得的以及必须取得的成就增添了希望。
This election had many firsts andmany stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s onmy mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to maketheir voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann NixonCooper is 106 years old.
这次大选创造了多项“第一”，也诞生了很多将世代流传的故事。但是今天晚上令我难忘的却是在亚特兰大投票的一名妇女：安?尼克松?库波尔(AnnNixon Cooper)。她和其他数百万排队等待投票的选民没有什么差别，除了一点：她已是106岁的高龄。
She was born just a generation pastslavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes inthe sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons –because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
她出生的那个时代奴隶制度刚刚结束；那时路上没有汽车，天上也没有飞机；当时像她这样的人由于两个原因不能投票－－一是她是女性，另一个原因是她的肤色。
And tonight, I think about all thatshe’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache andthe hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were toldthat we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that Americancreed: Yes we can.
今天晚上，我想到了她在美国过去一百年间所经历的种种：心痛和希望；挣扎和进步；那些我们被告知我 们办不到的世代，以及那些坚信美国信条---是的，我们能做到---的人们。
At a time when women’s voices weresilenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand upand speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
曾几何时，妇女没有发言权，她们的希望化作泡影，但是安?尼克松?库波尔活了下来，看到妇女们站了起来，看到她们大声发表自己的见解，看到她们去参加大选投票。是的，我们能做到。
When there was despair in the dustbowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fearitself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.
当30年代的沙尘暴和大萧条引发人们的绝望之情时，她看到一个国家用罗斯福新政、新就业机会以及对新目标的共同追求战胜恐慌。是的，我们能做到。
When the bombs fell on our harborand tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness ageneration rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes wecan.
当炸弹袭击了我们的海港、独裁专制威胁到全世界，她见证了美国一代人的伟大崛起，见证了一个民主国家被拯救。是的，我们能做到。
She was there for the buses inMontgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and apreacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.”Yes we can.
她看到蒙哥马利市公车上坚韧不拔的抗争，在伯明翰市水枪下苦苦支持的抗议群众，在塞尔马市那座桥边民权斗士们的斑斑血迹，她也听见了那位来自亚特兰大的传教士---马丁.路德金博士---曾告诉人民说：我们终将克难成功。是的，我们能做到。
A man touched down on the moon, awall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own scienceand imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched herfinger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years inAmerica, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, sheknows how America can change. Yes we can.
人类登上月球、柏林墙倒下，世界因我们的科学和想像被连接在一起。今年，就在这次选举中，她用手指触碰屏幕投下自己的选票，因为在美国生活了106年之后，经历了最好的时光和最黑暗的时刻之后，她知道美国如何能够发生变革。是的，我们能做到。
America, we have come so far. Wehave seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, letus ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the nextcentury; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as AnnNixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we havemade?
美国，我们已经走过漫漫长路。我们已经历了很多。但是我们仍有很多事情要做。因此今夜，让我们自问---如果我们的孩子能够活到下个世纪；如果我们的女儿有幸活得和安一样长，他们将会看到怎样的改变？我们将会取得怎样的进步？
This is our chance to answer thatcall. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people backto work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restoreprosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the AmericanDream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, weare one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met withcynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we willrespond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of apeople:Yes We Can.
现在是我们回答这个问题的机会。这是我们的时刻。这是我们的时代---让我们的人民重新就业，为我们的后代敞开机会的大门；恢复繁荣发展，推进和平事业；让“美国梦”重新焕发光芒，再次证明这样一个基本的真理：我们是一家人；一息尚存，我们就有希望；当我们遇到嘲讽和怀疑，当有人说我们办不到的时候，我们要以这个永恒的信条来回应他们：是的，我们能做到。
Thank you, God bless you, and mayGod Bless the United States ofAmerica.
感谢你们。上帝保佑你们。愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。
