Sixty years ago today, a young woman spoke about the speed of technological change as she presented the first television broadcast of its kind. She described the moment as a landmark.
六十年前的今天,有位年轻女性第一次通过电视发表了圣诞致辞。她感慨技术发展日新月异,说那是一个有里程碑意义的历史时刻。
“Television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day. My own family often gather round to watch television, as they are at this moment. And that is how I imagine you now.”
电视能让很多人在圣诞节当天从家里就看到我。我的家人常聚在一起看电视,他们这一刻也是如此,我想你们现在也是一样。
Six decades on, the presenter has "evolved" somewhat, as has the technology she described. Back then, who could have imagined that people would one day be watching this on laptops and mobile phones — as some of you are today. But I'm also struck by something that hasn't changed. That, whatever the technology, many of you will be watching this at home.
六十年过去了,演讲者也像她所描述的技术那样,“升级”了一些。过去,谁能想到人们有一天能像现在这样,从电脑和手机上看演讲。但是,一个不曾改变的事实更让我触动:无论技术怎样迭代更新,大部分人还是会在家里收听我的演讲。
We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home.
家是我们熟悉的温暖港湾,它承载着家人的爱、故事和记忆。这大概也是为什么每年此刻,人们会回到养育他们长大的地方,家的召唤简单朴素,却总是魂牵梦萦。
For many, the idea of "home" reaches beyond a physical building to a home town or city. This Christmas, I think of London and Manchester, whose powerful identities shone through over the past twelve months in the face of appalling attacks. In Manchester, those targeted included children who had gone to see their favorite singer. A few days after the bombing, I had the privilege of meeting some of the young survivors and their parents.
对许多人而言,“家”的概念已超越自家房屋,拓展到一座城镇。圣诞节之际,我想到了伦敦和曼彻斯特,在过去的十二个月里,面对恐怖袭击,这两座城市坚强的品格依旧熠熠生辉。在曼彻斯特,受害者还包括那些去看偶像演唱会的孩子。爆炸发生几天后,我荣幸地探望了几个年轻的幸存者和他们的父母。
I describe that hospital visit as a "privilege" because the patients I met were an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience. Indeed, many of those who survived the attack came together just days later for a benefit concert. It was a powerful reclaiming of the ground, and of the city those young people call home.
我之所以称其为一种“荣幸”,是因为这些幸存者们展现了非凡的勇气和坚韧,是我们所有人的榜样。实际上,几天后,许多这次袭击的幸存者聚集在一起,举办了义演音乐会。这是象征他们夺回这片土地、这座城市的最强音,这是那些年轻人的家园。
We expect our homes to be a place of safety — "sanctuary" even — which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered. A few weeks ago, The Prince of Wales visited the Caribbean in the aftermath of hurricanes that destroyed entire communities. And here in London, who can forget the sheer awfulness of the Grenfell Tower fire?
我们希望家是安全的地方,是我们的“避风港”。因此,当这种安宁被打破时,无人不震惊。几周前,威尔士亲王造访了加勒比地区,在那里,飓风肆虐摧毁了整个家园。而在伦敦,谁会忘记格伦菲尔大火的惨剧?
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who died and those who lost so much; and we are indebted to members of the emergency services who risked their own lives, this past year, saving others. Many of them, of course, will not be at home today because they are working, to protect us.
我们的思念和祈祷,与那些逝者以及遭受重创的人们同在。同时,我们也要感激我们的紧急救护人员。这一年,他们冒着生命危险抢救生命。他们当中不少人今天并不能回家与家人相聚,因为他们还要坚守在自己的岗位上,守护着我们。
Reflecting on these events makes me grateful for the blessings of home and family, and in particular for 70 years of marriage. I don't know that anyone had invented the term "platinum" for a 70th wedding anniversary when I was born. You weren't expected to be around that long. Even Prince Philip has decided it's time to slow down a little — having, as he economically put it, "done his bit".
反思这些事件让我感恩我的家庭所受到的庇佑,特别是我七十年的婚姻。在我小时候,我并不知道有人将结婚七十周年称为“白金婚”。那会估计没人会想到有人能活那么久。甚至连菲利普亲王都决定,是时候放慢一些脚步了,用他的话简单说,他已经“尽了自己一份力”。
But I know his support and unique sense of humor will remain as strong as ever, as we enjoy spending time this Christmas with our family and look forward to welcoming new members into it next year.
我知道他的支持以及他独特的幽默感将依旧如故。这个圣诞节,我们也正和家人们在一起共度美好时光,同时一起期待明年家庭里新成员的到来。
In 2018 I will open my home to a different type of family: the leaders of the fifty-two nations of the Commonwealth, as they gather in the UK for a summit. The Commonwealth has an inspiring way of bringing people together, be it through the Commonwealth Games — which begin in a few months' time on Australia's Gold Coast — or through bodies like the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir: a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is.
2018年,我将敞开家门迎接一群特殊的家人:52个联邦国的首脑将前来英国参加峰会。英联邦总是以一种鼓舞人心的方式将人们聚在一起,无论是像几个月后将在澳大利亚黄金海岸举行的联邦国运动会,还是像英联邦青年管弦乐团和合唱团这样的团体,这些都提醒着我们,这个国际大家庭是多么具有生机与活力。
Today we celebrate Christmas, which itself is sometimes described as a festival of the home. Families travel long distances to be together. Volunteers and charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day.
今天,我们欢庆圣诞,这个也被称为合家团聚的节日,家人们不远万里,赶回家中相聚。志愿者和慈善机构,还有许多教会,为无家可归以及在圣诞节这天孤身的人们提供餐食。
We remember the birth of Jesus Christ whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem. He knew rejection, hardship and persecution; and yet it is Jesus Christ's generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad.
我们犹记耶稣基督出生时,伯利恒(耶稣诞生地)的一个马厩是他唯一的避难所。他遭受过排挤,经历过苦难与迫害。然而,正是他的慈爱和善举激励着我走过人生的起起落落。
Whatever your own experiences this year; wherever and however you are watching, I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas.
无论你今年经历了什么,无论你身处何处,以何种方式观看我的讲话,我都祝愿你圣诞快乐,平安幸福。