VOA常速英语2017--特朗普宣誓就职

Today, in a ceremony as old as the Republic, President Donald Trump¹ will begin his first term by taking the oath of office. For more than 200 years, this pledge has sealed the transfer of power and the wishes of Americans as expressed every four years at the ballot² box. It is a hallmark of our democratic system.

今天，在一个自共和制美国的伊始就存在的仪式上，总统特朗普将宣誓就职，开启他的第一届任期。200多年来，这个就职宣誓象征着权利的移交，也标志着美国人民通过每4年一次的选举投票行为来表达的愿望。它同时也是我们民主体系的标志。

In taking this oath, the President affirms his loyalty³ to the U.S. Constitution. Whatever his personal feelings, party loyalty or religious convictions, he or she is bound to follow the provisions of these fundamental laws. Should a President fail in this duty, he or she, like other government officials, can be impeached⁴ and removed from office.

任何美国总统宣誓就职的行为都相当于公开声明了其忠于美国宪法。无论他/她的个人感受、所属党派亦或宗教信仰为何，他/她都必须遵守宪法这一根本大法的条文规定。倘若总统出现失职行为，那么他/她和其他政府官员一样，都要遭到弹劾和撤职。

From the beginning, the United States has been, in the words of John Adams, the second U.S. president, a "government of laws and not of men."

美国自成立之初，用约翰?亚当斯（第二任美国总统）的话来说，就是一个“法治而非人治的国家。”

By subordinating political power to the rule of law, Americans have ensured the protection of their rights and the survival of their freedom. As President George Washington said at his first inauguration⁵, "the preservation⁶ of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government democracy are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, and finally, staked on the experiment entrusted⁷ to the hands of the American people."

通过让政权服从于法治的方式，美国人确保了对自身权利和自由的保护。正如乔治华盛顿总统在其第一次就职宣誓中所说的那样，“我们要恰当考虑对自由这一神圣之火以及政府民主的共和制宿命的保留，其程度深浅将最终由我们委托于美国人民手中的投票来决定。

Inauguration Day is more than the swearing in of an elected leader. It is a process and a spirit. It is democracy in action.

美国总统就职日并不仅仅是某个当选领导人的宣誓而已。它更是一个过程和一种精神。他是民主的践行。

1 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

2 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

3 loyalty   

n.忠诚，忠心

参考例句：

• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。

4 impeached   

v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议

参考例句：

• Elected officials can be impeached. 经过选举产生的官员可以被弹劾。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The judge was impeached for taking a bribe. 这个法官被检举接受贿赂。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

6 preservation   

n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持

参考例句：

• The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。
• The picture is in an excellent state of preservation.这幅画保存得极为完好。

7 entrusted   

v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He entrusted the task to his nephew. 他把这任务托付给了他的侄儿。
• She was entrusted with the direction of the project. 她受委托负责这项计划。 来自《简明英汉词典》