Barack Obama is now the President of the United States. Americans from around the country packed Washington on a cold January day to witness the historic swearing-in ceremony.
奥巴马现在是美国总统了。全国各地的美国人在1月份这个寒冷的日子纷纷涌向首都华盛顿，来见证这个具有历史意义的宣誓就职仪式。
It was a ceremony steeped in tradition. But the mood was electric and change was in the air.
这是一个具有浓厚传统意义的仪式，但是却极其富有感染力，充满了改革的气氛。
"…I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear..."
这是奥巴马在宣誓：“我巴拉克.候赛因.奥巴马庄严宣誓。”
Standing before the U.S. Capitol, Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States.
奥巴马站在美国国会山前成为第一名担任美国总统的非洲裔美国人。
"... so help me God!"
奥巴马在结束誓言时祈求上帝的保佑。
In less than one minute, the peaceful transfer of power was complete, and a new chapter in U.S. history had begun.
在不到一分钟的时间里，权力的和平移交就完成了，开始了美国历史的新篇章。
"I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors," President Obama began.
奥巴马说：“今天我站在这里，为我们面临的重任而感到渺小，为你们给予我的信任而充满感激，更缅怀我们的祖先所作出的牺牲。”
He looked out at a massive, diverse American crowd, and urged unity.
他展望眼前好几百万各种族裔的民众，敦促大家团结一心。
"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," Mr. Obama said.
他说：“今天我们团聚在一起，因为我们选择希望而摈弃恐惧，选择团结在同一目标下，而摈弃冲突和矛盾。”
He inherits a nation at war and in the midst of an economic crisis. He said the challenges facing the nation will not be met quickly or easily. But he vowed they will be met.
他所接手的国家正处于战争和经济危机中。他说，美国所面临的问题不会迅速和轻易地解决。但是他誓言这些问题一定会解决。
"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and our world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly," said the president.
他说：“我们目前必须承担起新时代的责任，我们务必认识到：每一个美国人对我们自己、我们的国家和我们的世界都有负有责任，我们不但不吝于承担此责，而且还乐于争挑重担。”
He said that is the price and the promise of citizenship.
他说，这是作为公民的代价和承诺。
"This is the meaning our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath," Mr. Obama said.
奥巴马说：“这正是我们的自由和信条的意义所在，这就是为什么所有不同种族、宗教信仰的男女老少能聚集在这个宏伟的大道上共同欢庆；这也是为什么一个人，他的父亲将近六十年前不能在当地一个餐馆得到接待，而如今这个人却能站在你们面前神圣地宣誓。”
The new president also had a message for the world. He spoke of America's desire for peace, and its determination to seek the common good.
这位新总统也向世界各国发出信息。他谈到美国渴望和平的意愿以及追求共同利益的决心。
"To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy," said Mr. Obama. "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
奥巴马说：“世界上有些领导人极力散布冲突、还把本国社会的弊病归咎于西方国家，那些领导人得明白，你们人民的判断是依据是你们的建树并非你们所造成的毁灭。以腐败、欺诈、压制异议手段来抓住政权不放的那些人务必明了：你们站到了历史潮流的反面，但是如果你们放松控制的话，我们也愿意向你们伸出友好的手。”
And when the official ceremony was over, George W. Bush left the stage. He shook the hand of his successor, walked to a waiting helicopter, and waved farewell to Washington and the 44th President of the United States.
就职仪式结束后，布什随即告别政坛，他与自己的接班人握手、走向一架等候在一边的直升机，挥手告别华盛顿和第44任美国总统。 |