名校励志英语演讲 176:人人都能成为总统(3)

 　　As I recall, one of my academic advisers¹ was worried about my selection of such a specialized² course. He said I should focus on English. I still hear that quite often. But my critics don't realize I don't make verbal gaffes³. I'm speaking in the perfect forms and rhythms of ancient Haiku.

　　我记得一位学科顾问对我选修如此专精的课程表示担忧。他说我应该选修英语。现在，我仍然时常听到这类建议。我在其他场合演讲时，在语言表达上曾被人误解过，那些批评我的人不明白：我不是说错了字，我是在复诵古代俳句的完美格式与韵律呢。

　　I did take English here, and I took a class called "The History and Practice of American Oratory," taught by Rollin G. Osterweis. And, President Levin, I want to give credit where credit is due. I want the entire world to know this—everything I know about the spoken word, I learned right here at Yale.

　　在耶鲁大学我的确也学习了英语课程，我选修了罗琳·G·奥斯特维斯主讲的“美国演讲历史与实践”。莱文校长，我想在此给予他应有的赞许。我想让全世界的人知道，我所知道的关于演讲的一切的知识都是在耶鲁学会的。

　　As a student, I tried to keep a low profile. It worked. Last year the New York Times interviewed John Morton Blum because the record showed I had taken one of his courses. Casting his mind's eye over the parade of young faces down through the years, Professor Blum said, and I quote, "I don't have the foggiest recollection of him."

　　作为一名学生，我努力保持低调，而这也十分奏效。去年，《纽约时报》采访了约翰·莫顿·布鲁姆教授，因为相关记录称我曾选修过他的课程。回顾多年来仍存留在脑海中的那些年轻的面孔之后，布鲁姆教授说，“我压根不记得有布什这个学生。”

　　But I remember Professor Blum. And I still recall his dedication⁴ and high standards of learning. In my time there were many great professors at Yale. And there still are. They're the ones who keep Yale going after the commencements, after we have all gone our separate ways. I'm not sure I remembered to thank them the last time I was here, but now that I have a second chance, I thank the professors of Yale University.

　　但是我记得布鲁姆教授，我依然记得他无私奉献的精神和他的博学多才。我在耶鲁大学上学时，这里有很多优秀的教授任教，现在依然如此。在一届又一届的毕业典礼后，毕业生们各奔东西，是这些优秀的教授在推动着耶鲁大学不断向前发展。我已经不记得最后一次在这里的时候是否向他们表达过感激之情，但现在我还有机会，我要衷心感谢耶鲁大学的所有教授。

1 advisers   

顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• a member of the President's favoured circle of advisers 总统宠爱的顾问班子中的一员
• She withdrew to confer with her advisers before announcing a decision. 她先去请教顾问然后再宣布决定。

2 specialized   

adj.专门的，专业化的

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
• These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

3 gaffes   

n.失礼，出丑( gaffe的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The presidential candidate made three mistakes, or gaffes, during his speech. 校长候选人在演讲中出了三次错，或失态。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• When the microphones were on, gaffes gushed from his lips. 而当电话响起，他却口无遮拦，屡屡失言。 来自互联网

4 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。