Text of President Obama's Back-to-School Speech

总统奥巴马回到学校（新学期开学）演讲词

Updated: Sep 14, 2010 7:51 AM（更新：20xx年9月14日 7：51晨）

Remarks of President Barack Obama—As Prepared for Delivery

奥巴马总统的谈话——准备发表

Back to School Speech（新学期讲演）

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania（费城，宾州）

September 14, 2010

As Prepared for Delivery—（准备发表）

Hello Philadelphia! It's wonderful to be here. Today is about welcoming all of you and all of America's students back to school – and I can't think of a better place to do it than Masterman. You're one of the best schools in Philadelphia – a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom. And just last week, you were recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for your record of achievement. That's a testament to everyone here – students and parents, teachers and school leaders. And it's an example of excellence I hope communities across America embrace. 费城，你好！非常高兴来到这里。今天是要欢迎你们所有的人以及全美的学生回到学校——我想不到一个比Masterman公学【1】更好的地方。你们是费城最好的学校之一——帮助学生在课堂取得成功的领袖。就在上一周，由于你们所取得的成就而获得了―全国蓝丝带学校‖。这对在这里的每一个人都是证明——学生和家长，教师和学校领导。这是一个优秀的典范，我希望全美每个社区向之学习（此处翻译可能有争议）。

Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school. And I bet a lot of you are feeling the same way they're feeling. You're a little sad to see the summer go, but you're also excited about the possibilities of a new year. The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones. Of joining a school club, or trying out for a team. The possibilities of growing into a better student, and a better person, and making your family proud. 在过去的几周，我和Michelle忙着为Sasha和Malia准备好上学。我打赌你们中的很多人会与她们有相同的感觉。你们会对夏季的结束略感悲伤，但你们又对新的一年中的种种可能感到兴奋——结交新朋友加强旧友谊的可能，加入一个学校社团或者参加一只校队的可能，成为一个更优秀的学生，更好的人并使你的家庭为之骄傲的可能。

But I know some of you may also be nervous about starting a new school year. Maybe you're making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school, and worried about what that'll be like. Maybe you're starting a new school, and not sure how you'll like it. Or maybe you're a senior who's feeling anxious about the whole college process; about where to apply and whether you can afford to go.

但是我知道你们中的一些人依然为新学年的开始而感到紧张。也许你们刚刚从小学升入中学，从初中升入高中，担心着那里会怎么样呀。也许你进入一所新学校，并且不确定你是否会喜欢那里。或者你是高三学生正在为升学感到焦虑，为申请哪所大学和自己能否负担得起而焦虑。

And beyond all these concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of these difficult times. You know what's going on in the news and your own family's lives. You read about the war in Afghanistan. You hear about the recession we've been through. You see it in your parents' faces and sense it in their voice.

除了这些问题，我知道你们对现在的一些艰难时事也感觉到压力。你们知道新闻里发生的事情和你们家庭生活的事情。你们读到阿富汗战争，你们听到我们正在经历的经济衰退。你们可以从你们父母的脸上看出这些从他们的声音中听出这些。

A lot of you are having to act a lot older than you are; to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas; to look after younger siblings while your mom works that second shift; to take on a part-time job while your dad is out of work.

你们中的很多人必须做超过你们年龄的事情。当你们的兄长姐姐在海外服役，为了你们的家庭而你变得坚强；在你们母亲出去兼职时照顾好你的弟弟妹妹；当你父亲失业的时候去做一份钟点工。

It's a lot to handle; it's more than you should have to handle. And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like; whether you'll be able to succeed in school; whether you should set your sights a little lower, and scale back your dreams.

太多的事情要做，远远超过了你们应该做的。这也许会使你时常想你自己的未来将会怎样；你们是否能学业有成；是否应该放低你的眼光并且调低你的梦想。

But here is what I came to Masterman to tell you: nobody gets to write your destiny but you. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing – absolutely nothing – is beyond your reach. So long as you're willing to dream big. So long as you're willing to work hard. So long as you're willing to stay focused on your education.

但是这里是我来Masterman中学要告诉你的：除了你没有人能书写你的命运。你的未来在你的手中。你的生命是由你创造的。并且没有——绝对没有——是你所不能及的。只要你愿意梦想远大，只要你愿意努力工作，只要你愿意持续关注与你的教育。

That last part is absolutely essential – because an education has never been more important. I'm sure there will be times in the months ahead when you're staying up late cramming for a test, or dragging yourselves out of bed on a rainy morning, and wondering if it's all worth it. Let me tell you, there is no question about it. Nothing will have as great an impact on your success in life as your education.

最后一项是绝对重要的——因为教育从来没有如此重要。我确定在未来的几个月中会发生：当你挑灯夜战准备一次考试，或当你强拽着自己在一个阴雨的早晨起床，并且怀疑这一切是否值得。让我告诉你，这绝对不是问题。绝没有比教育在你一生的成功中更重要的。

More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you will be determined by how far you go in school. In other words, the farther you go in school, the farther you'll go in life. And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before; when students around the world are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever; your success in school will also help determine America's success in the 21st century.

将为你敞开的机会越来越决定于你的学业能进行多远。换而言之，你学得越深你的人生行之

越远。此刻其他国家正在和我们进行前所未有的竞争；此时，全世界的学生都比从前更加努力，做得比从前更好。你们的学业有成也将决定着美国在21世纪的成功。

So, you have an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you to make sure you're getting the best education possible. And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hand-in-hand.

因此你们有义务，美国人有义务确保你们得到尽可能最好的教育。而且用我们的齐心协力确保你们将得到的教育。

It will take all of us in government – from Harrisburg to Washington – doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom, in college, and in a career. It will take an outstanding principal and outstanding teachers like the ones here at Masterman; teachers who go above and beyond for their students. And it will take parents who are committed to your education. 这将让我们政府中的每一个人，从哈瑞斯堡到华盛顿，要做好我们的本职去为我们的学生们，也就是你们，在课堂、在大学、在职场的成功作准备。这将使每一个优秀的校长和优秀的教师，如同masterman公学老师和校长，全心全意的为他们的学生。这也包括致力于你们教育的家长们。

That's what we have to do for you. That's our responsibility. That's our job. But here's your job. Showing up to school on time. Paying attention in class. Doing your homework. Studying for exams. Staying out of trouble. That kind of discipline and drive – that kind of hard work – is absolutely essential for success.

这是我们必须为你们做的！这是我们的责任。我们的工作。但，接下来是你们的事情：准时到校，认真听讲，完成作业，准备好考试，不惹麻烦。这些原则和驱动力——当然也是苦功——对成功是至关重要的。

I know – because I didn't always have it. I wasn't always the best student when I was younger; I made my share of mistakes. In fact, I can still remember a conversation I had with my mother in high school, when I was about the age of some of you here today. It was about how my grades were slipping, how I hadn't even started my college applications, how I was acting, as she put it, "casual" about my future. It's a conversation I suspect will sound familiar to some of the students and parents here today.

我知道，因为我并不总是那样。我小时候，我并不总是最好的学生，我承担了我错误的后果。事实上，我依然能记得我和我母亲在我高中时的一次谈话，那时我和你们中的一些人年龄差不多。是关于我的成绩下滑，为什么我还没有开始我的大学申请，和我的行为。如她用―危险‖来描述我的未来。我猜这样的谈话对于今天在座的一些学生和家长听起来十分熟悉。

And my attitude was what I imagine every teenager's attitude is in a conversation like that. I was like, I don't need to hear all this. So, I started to say that, and she just cut me right off. You can't just sit around, she said, waiting for luck to see you through. She said I could get into any school in the country if I just put in a little effort. Then she gave me a hard look and added, "Remember what that's like? Effort?"

我在谈话中的态度正如我猜想每个十几岁的孩子那样。我觉得我根本没有必须听到这些，我也这样说的，她立刻阻止了我。她说：你不能坐等好运撞到你身上。她说我可以上这个国家

中任何一所大学如果我再努力一点点。她盯着我补充道：―别忘了这是什么，努力！‖

It was pretty jolting, hearing my mother say that. But eventually, her words had their intended effect. I got serious about my studies. I made an effort. And I began to see my grades – and my prospects – improve. And I know that if hard work could make the difference for me, it can make the difference for you, too.

听我母亲说这些我非常忐忑。但是最后，她的话起到了她希望的作用。我开始认真学习。我十分努力，我开始看到我的成绩——和我的未来——提升了。而且我知道好好学习会使我变得不同，他也能使你们变得不同。

I know some of you may be skeptical about that. You may wonder if some people are just better at certain things. And it's true that we each have our own gifts and talents we need to discover and nurture. But just because you're not the best at something today doesn't mean you can't be tomorrow. Even if you don't think of yourself as a math person or as a science person – you can still excel in those subjects if you're willing to make the effort. And you may find out you have talents you'd never dreamed of.

我知道你们中的一些人对此表示怀疑。你们会想是否有些人只是擅长某些事。的确我们每个人有自己需要发掘和培养的天赋与专长。但是绝非今天你不是某个方面最好的，就代表明天依然这样。即便是你不认为你是一个精于数学或精于科学（物理、化学一类的学科）的人，你依然能在那些课程上十分出色，只有你肯努力。由此你也许会发现你拥有你从未设想过的天赋。

You see, excelling in school or in life isn't mainly about being smarter than everybody else. It's about working harder than everybody else. Don't avoid new challenges – seek them out, step out of your comfort zone, and don't be afraid to ask for help; your teachers and family are there to guide you. Don't feel discouraged or give up if you don't succeed at something – try it again, and learn from your mistakes. Don't feel threatened if your friends are doing well; be proud of them, and see what lessons you can draw from what they're doing right.

你们可以看到，在学习或在生活中优异并不主要由于比其他人聪明。而是由于比其他人勤奋。不要回避新的挑战——把他们找出来，不要呆在你们舒服的地方，不要害怕求助。你的老师们、你们的家庭在引导你们。如果某件事情没有成功，不要灰心或放弃——再来！从你的错误中学习。不要因为你的朋友们做得好而感到威胁，为他们骄傲，看看你在他们作对的事情中可以学到些什么。

That's the kind of culture of excellence you promote here at Masterman; and that's the kind of excellence we need to promote in all America's schools. That's why today, I'm announcing our second Commencement Challenge. If your school is the winner; if you show us how teachers, students, and parents are working together to prepare your kids for college and a career; if you show us how you're giving back to your community and our country – I'll congratulate you in person by speaking at your commencement.

这就是你们在这里，Masterman公学，促进着的卓越的文化。就是这种卓越我们要推向全美的学校。这就是为什么今天，我宣布第二届―毕业挑战（Commencement Challenge 不知道是什么，应该类似于一种学校评比）‖。如果贵校是得胜者，如果你们为我们展示教师、学生和家长如何协力为你们的子女的大学和职场作准备，如果你们展现给我们你们如何回馈你们

的社区和你们的国家。我将用在你们的毕业典礼上发表演讲来向你们表明我个人的祝贺！

But the truth is, an education is about more than getting into a good college or getting a good job when you graduate. It's about giving each and every one of us the chance to fulfill our promise; to be the best version of ourselves we can be. And part of what that means is treating others the way we want to be treated – with kindness and respect.

实际上，教育不仅仅意味着当你们毕业后能进入一所著名大学或得到一份好的工作。它意味着我们中的每一个人有机会实现我们的承诺，达到我们可以达到最好的境况。部分上它意味着以我们希望被对待的方式对待他人——充满善意和尊重。

Now, I know that doesn't always happen. Especially not in middle or high school. Being a teenager isn't easy. It's a time when we're wrestling with a lot of things. When I was your age, I was wrestling with questions about who I was; about what it meant to be the son of a white mother and a black father, and not having that father in my life. Some of you may be working through your own questions right now, and coming to terms with what makes you different.

现在我知道那不经常发生。尤其是在初中和高中。做一个十来岁的人并不容易。这是一个你们和很多事情纠结的时候。我在你们这么大的时候，我纠结于我是谁，作为一个白人妈妈和黑人爸爸的儿子意味着什么，以及我的生活中没有那个爸爸。你们中的一些人也许现在已经了解决你们的问题，而开始琢磨什么使你不同。

And I know that figuring all that out can be even more difficult when you've got bullies in class who try to use those differences to pick on you or poke fun at you; to make you feel bad about yourself. In some places, the problem is more serious. There are neighborhoods in my hometown of Chicago, where kids have hurt one another. And the same thing has happened here in Philly. 我知道当你们在课堂上被那些用他们的特长的人挑逗或戏弄欺负，这回让前面提到的东西变得更加困难，让你我感觉不好。在某些情况，这些问题更加严重。在我家乡芝加哥的邻近社区，有孩子相互伤害。这种事在费城也发生过。

So, what I want to say to you today – what I want all of you to take away from my speech – is that life is precious, and part of its beauty lies in its diversity. We shouldn't be embarrassed by the things that make us different. We should be proud of them. Because it's the things that make us different that make us who we are. And the strength and character of this country have always come from our ability to recognize ourselves in one another, no matter who we are, or where we come from, what we look like, or what abilities or disabilities we have.

因此，我今天想告诉你们——我想让你们所有人从我的演讲中明白——生命宝贵，它的一部分美丽根植于多样性。我们不应该为使得我们不同的事情感到难为情。我们应该为此感到骄傲。因为正是那些让我们不同的事情决定了我们是谁。而且这个国家的强大和个性正来源于我们认识在人群中自我的能力，无论我们是谁，从哪里来，我们的长相，或者我们拥有的能力与不足。

I was reminded of that idea the other day when I read a letter from Tamerria Robinson, an 11-year old girl in Georgia. She told me about how hard she works, and about all the community service she does with her brother. And she wrote, "I try to achieve my dreams and help others do the same." "That," she wrote, "is how the world should work."

我记得当我读Tamerria Robinson，一个乔治亚州11岁女孩，的来信。她告诉我关于她有多努力，关于她和她母亲一起做的社区义工。她写道―我试着达成我的梦想，并帮助别人也能这样‖她写道―世界就应这样‖。

I agree with Tamerria. That is how the world should work. Yes, we need to work hard. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own education. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own lives. But what makes us who we are is that here, in this country, we not only reach for our own dreams, we help others do the same. This is a country that gives all its daughters and all its sons a fair chance. A chance to make the most of their lives. A chance to fulfill their God-given potential. 我赞同Tamerria。那就是她将如何做。是的，我们需要努力。是的，我们要承担我们自己教育的责任。是的我们需要承担我们自己生活的责任。但是什么决定我们是谁在于：在这个国家，我们不仅追求我们自己的梦想，我们帮助别人也能这样。这是一个国家给她的全部而且公平的机会。一个让他们生命充分发展的机会。一个让他们实现天赋的机会。

And I'm absolutely confident that if all our students – here at Masterman, and across this country – keep doing their part; if you keep working hard, and focusing on your education; if you keep fighting for your dreams and if all of us help you reach them; then not only will you succeed this year, and for the rest of your lives, but America will succeed in the 21st century. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

我非常自信如果我们全部的学生——这里在Masterman公学，以及全国的学生——坚持做他们的本职；如果你们坚持努力学习，并且专注于你们的教育；如果你们持续为你们的梦想而努力并且如果我们所有人帮助你实现梦想；那么你不仅将在这一年中取得成功，并且在你其余的生命中取得成功，而且美国将在21世纪中成功。谢谢你们，上帝保佑你们，上帝护佑美利坚。

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【1】指宾夕法尼亚州费城的Julia R. Masterman中学，费城最好的公立定学区中学。参见/wiki/Julia_R._Masterman_School