Asia finds herself again 亞洲人站起來了

好文共賞
V27

爽報 - 香港版


2012-06-21

Asia finds herself again 亞洲人站起來了

Asia finds herself again　亞洲人站起來了

印度總理尼赫魯（Jawaharlal Nehru）1947年4月23日在第一屆亞洲國家會議上發言

　　We stand at the end of an era (1) and on the threshold (2) of a new period of history. Asia, after a long period of quiescence (3), has suddenly become important again in world affairs. It was here that civilization began and man started on his unending adventure of life (4). Here the mind of man searched unceasingly for truth and the spirit of man shone out like a beacon which lighted up the whole world. A change is coming over the scene now and Asia is again finding herself. We live in a tremendous age of transition (5) and already the next stage takes shape when Asia takes her rightful place with the other continents.

　　In this crisis in world history Asia will necessarily play a vital role (6). The countries of Asia can no longer be used as pawns by others; they are bound to have their own policies in world affairs. The West has driven us into wars and conflicts. There is today conflict in many countries, and all of us in Asia are full of our own troubles (7). Nevertheless, the whole spirit and outlook of Asia are peaceful, and the emergence of Asia in world affairs will be a powerful influence for world peace. .

　　All over Asia we are passing through trials and tribulations (8). Let us not be disheartened by this; this is inevitable in an age of mighty transition. There are a new vitality and powerful creative impulses in all the peoples of Asia. The masses are awake and they demand their heritage. Strong winds are blowing (9) all over Asia. Let us not be afraid of them, but rather welcome them for only with their help can we build the new Asia of our dreams. Let us, above all, have faith in the human spirit which Asia has symbolized for those long ages past.

馮強短評

好辭彙共賞:

(1) era = 開（劃）新紀元。Era的同義詞有epoch 和period等

(2) threshold = 門檻，開端。Cross the threshold = 跨進門內，過了某階段。On the threshold of = 在……的開頭，就要發生

(3) a long period of quiescence = 長時間的寂靜，沉默。Quiescence的同義詞有serenity和calm等

(4) adventure of life = 探索人生。Adventure a proposal = 大膽提出建議。Adventurer = 冒險家；投機分子

(5) age of transition = 過渡期。A transition period [stage] = 過渡時期（階段）

(6) play a vital role = 扮演重要角色。Perseverance is vital to success = 堅忍是成功的重要條件。Of vital importance = 極重要的

(7) full of our own troubles = 滿是自身問題。Thank you for your trouble = 麻煩您了。In trouble = 為難，窘困；被捕

(8) trials and tribulations = 痛苦。Tribulation的同義詞有suffering：ordeal和misery等

(9) Strong winds are blowing = 風起雲湧。Victor blows too much = 他好吹牛

短評共賞:

前印度總理尼赫魯65年前的預言今天實現了。尼赫魯說亞洲人站起來了（Asia finds herself again）。印度和中國都是經濟發展得極快的國家，在世界舞台舉足輕重。

馮強

浸會大學傳理學院國際新聞和財經新聞碩士課程主任