名校励志英语演讲 182:一切皆有可能(4)

 　　I was raised in a traditional Chinese family where achievement was not demanded, but expected. My father, born in Hong Kong, was a successful architect¹. My mother, born in Shanghai, was the first female² chemical engineer in her graduating class at the University of Toronto in Canada. They arrived in America not speaking a word of English but through hard work, both were able to fulfill³ their full potential, and their success has set a wonderful example for me.

　　我在一个传统的中国家庭里成长，家人不强求我取得多大成就，但期望我能成功。我父亲出生在香港，是一名成功的建筑师。我母亲生于上海，是当时加拿大多伦多大学研究生班里培养出来的第一位女性化学工程师。他们刚到美国时一句英语都不会讲，但他们通过努力，都充分发挥了自己的潜力。他们的成功为我树立了很好的榜样。

　　My parents were always, and continue to be today, the single biggest influence in my life. They raised my brother and I with a respect for the values and traditions of our Chinese heritage⁴, yet also with an unwavering commitment⁵ to bring us up with all the opportunities for higher education and a desire to prepare us to adapt to American society and to succeed in this world of great change.

　　我的父母从过去到现在始终是我唯一的最大影响力的来源。他们用中国的传统文化和价值观教育我和弟弟，但也不遗余力地把握所有让我们接受教育的机会，帮助我们适应美国社会，并在这个变幻无常的世界里获得成功。

　　My brother and I were given all the opportunities of our American friends - the same schools, the same tennis lessons, the same piano teachers....but we had the wonderful advantage in my mind of a cultural heritage that we were always taught to be proud of. Mom and Dad always wanted us to be proud of being Chinese - my brother and I smile today when we reminisce on growing up in our house.

　　我和弟弟同我们的美国同龄人获得的机会是均等的：同一所学校，同样的网球课，相同的钢琴老师……但我们被中国传统文化熏陶的思想是一个很大的优势，我们为此感到骄傲。父亲母亲一直教导我们要为自己是中国人感到骄傲。如今，我和弟弟回想起在家的成长历程还会由衷地微笑。

1 architect   

n.建筑师，设计者，造物主

参考例句：

• His father was a notable architect.他的父亲是一个著名的建筑师。
• The new building was built from the design of a famous architect.这座新楼是根据一位著名建筑师的设计建成的。

2 female   

adj.雌的，女(性)的；n.雌性的动物，女子

参考例句：

• We only employ female workers.我们只雇用女工。
• The animal in the picture was a female elephant.照片上的动物是头母象。

3 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

4 heritage   

n.传统，遗产，继承物

参考例句：

• The ancient buildings are part of the national heritage.这些古建筑是民族遗产的一部分。
• We Chinese have a great cultural heritage.我们中国人有伟大的文化遗产。

5 commitment   

n.奉献，忠诚，辛劳，委托，实行，承担义务，赞助

参考例句：

• The builder had a commitment to finish the work on time.那个承建商答应过准时完工。
• He made a commitment to pay the rent on time.他保证按时付房租。