英語美文名人勵志故事71:英國女王伊麗莎白2009年圣誕致辭的故事
71. Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Message to 2009 Christmas
71. 英國女王伊麗莎白2009年圣誕致辭
Each year that passes seems to have its own character Some leave us with a feeling of satisfaction, others are best forgotten. 2009 was a difficult year for many, in particular those facing the continuing effects of the economic downturn.
過去每年似乎都各具特點。一些年份讓我們心滿意足，一些年份則最好忘卻。2009年對很多人來說都不好過，尤其是那些深受經(jīng)濟衰退之苦的人們。
I am sure that we have all been affected by events in Afghanistan and saddened by the casualties suffered by our forces serving there. Our thoughts go out to their relations and friends who have shown immense dignity in the face of great personal loss.
我相信，我們所有人都受到阿富汗戰(zhàn)事影響，為英軍士兵傷亡感到悲傷。我們向這些士兵的家人和朋友表示慰問，他們面對巨大個人損失表現(xiàn)得無比高尚。
But, we can be proud of the positive contribution that our servicemen and women are making, in conjunction with our allies.
但我們應(yīng)該為我們的士兵與盟友做出的積極貢獻而感到驕傲。
Well over 13,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and across the Commonwealth---Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore---are currently serving in Afghanistan.
英國和包括加拿大、澳大利亞、新西蘭和新加坡在內(nèi)的英聯(lián)邦國家眼下共有超過1.3萬名士兵在阿富汗服役。
The debt of gratitude owed to these young men and women, and to their predecessors, is indeed profound.
我們對這些年輕士兵以及先前在阿富汗服役過的士兵表示深深感激。
It is 60 years since the Commonwealth was created and today, with more than a billion of its members under the age of 25, the organization remains a strong and practical force for good.
今年是英聯(lián)邦成立60周年，今天其成員國25歲以下人口超過10億，為它保持長久的強大和實力提供了力量源泉。
Recently I attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago and heard how important the Commonwealth is to young people.
最近我剛剛參加了在特立尼達和多巴哥舉行的英聯(lián)邦政府首腦會議，聽到聯(lián)邦對年輕人是多么重要。
New communication technologies allow them to reach out to the wider world and share their experiences and viewpoints. For many, the practical assistance and networks of the Commonwealth can give skills, lend advice and encourage enterprise.
新的通信技術(shù)使他們能夠接觸到更廣闊的世界，分享他們的經(jīng)驗和觀點。對于許多人來說，英聯(lián)邦的實際援助與網(wǎng)絡(luò)可以為他們提供技能、給予意見和鼓勵。
注釋：
satisfaction：n. 滿意，滿足;賠償;樂事;贖罪
例句：Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress so far.
雙方都對目前的進展表示滿意。
casualties：n. 傷亡;人員傷亡
例句：Troops fired on the demonstrators causing many casualties.
軍隊向示威的人群開火，造成不少傷亡。
viewpoints：觀點
例句：The novel is shown from the girl's viewpoint.
這部小說是從那個女孩兒的視點展開的。
be proud of ：自豪，高興;以……而驕傲
例句：We all have much to be proud of.
我們都有很多值得自豪的東西。
in conjunction with ：連同，共同;與…協(xié)力
例句：Windcatchers are sometimes used in conjunction with underground water canals to cool buildings.
招風(fēng)斗有時和地下水管道聯(lián)合起來使用以冷卻建筑物。
owed to：歸功于;由于
例句：We owe to Newton the principle of gravitation.
萬有引力原理的發(fā)現(xiàn)應(yīng)歸功于牛頓.
