VOA建国史话(翻译+字幕+讲解):19世纪美国圣诞节
日期:2019-04-03 09:07

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I'm Steve Ember. And I'm Shirley Griffithwith THE MAKING OF A NATION – American history in VOA Special English. Today wepresent a special program on Christmas traditions in the United States duringthe first half of the nineteenth century. During this period, Christmas was avery different kind of holiday than it is today. There was no set way ofcelebrating the day, which was not yet an official holiday. Communities aroundthe country honored the day in different ways. Some observed Christmas as animportant Christian religious day honoring the birth of Jesus. Otherscelebrated the day with parties, music, drinking and eating. And, somecommunities did not celebrate the day at all. But, it was during this periodthat Americans began to reinvent the holiday by combining ancient Christmastraditions from different cultures with modern American influences. You can think about thehistorical people we have been talking about, Andrew Jackson, Martin van Buren andothers, and the ways they too might have celebrated Christmas.

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In eighteen nineteen, the popular Americanwriter Washington Irving wrote a series of five essays published in a bookcalled "The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." The essays describea wealthy British landowner who invites his farm workers into his home tocelebrate Christmas. The landowner recreates a traditional Christmas as itwould have been celebrated in the distant past. Irving praised this lookingback to ancient traditions. He liked the idea of different levels of societycoming together to enjoy a festive and peaceful holiday. Washington Irvingseemed to express concern about the lack of such unifying Christmas traditionsin modern America. Penne Restad wrote a book "Christmas in America: AHistory." It shows how Americans began to slowly shape Christmas into aunifying national holiday during the first half of the nineteenth century. Shedescribes how Christmas had different meanings for Americans who came fromdifferent cultural and religious backgrounds. Many immigrants broughtChristmast traditions from their own countries. Religion played a big role inhow an American might celebrate the holiday. Calvinist Christians banned thecelebration of Christmas. But groups such as Episcopalians and Moravianshonored the day with religious services and seasonal decorations.

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By mid-century, Christian groups began to ignore their religious differences over the meaning of Christmas and honoredthe day in special ways. Christmas became an important time for families tocelebrate at home. More and more Christian Americans also began to follow theEuropean traditions of Christmas trees and giving gifts. Christians believedthat the tree represented Jesus and was also a sign of new beginnings. Germanimmigrants brought their tradition of putting lights, sweets and toys on thebranches of evergreen trees placed in their homes. This tradition of setting upa Christmas tree soon spread to many American homes. So did the practice ofgiving people presents. As these traditions increased in popularity, the moderntrade and business linked to Christmas also grew. As Christmas became morepopular, some states declared the day a state holiday. Louisiana was the firststate to make the move in eighteen thirty-seven. By eighteen sixty, fourteenother states had followed. It was not until eighteen seventy that PresidentUlysses Grant made Christmas a federal holiday.

Americansalready knew old Christmas songs that came from England and other areas ofEurope. But many new American Christmas songs started to become popular. CameUpon a Midnight Clear." The song "Jingle Bells" appeared sevenyears later. And, a year later, a religious leader in Williamsport,Pennsylvania wrote the song "We Three Kings of Orient Are." And ofcourse, no discussion of Christmas would be complete without talking about ofone of the holiday's most famous representations, Santa Claus. This characteris based on the story of Saint Nicholas, a Christian holy person believed tohave lived in the third century. Saint Nicholas became known as a protector ofchildren. In his role as a Christmas hero, different cultures have given himdifferent names. These include Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas.But for most Americans his most popular name would become Santa Claus. DR4k=ucqI9+bev4[

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In the nineteenth century, many Dutchimmigrants living in the United States celebrated the feast of Saint Nicholason December sixth. Saint Nicholas was especially important to New Yorkersbecause of their history as a Dutch colony. In eighteen-oh-nine, WashingtonIrving published his "History of New York." It lists Saint Nicholasas the patron saint of New Yorkers. He describes the saint wearing a low hat,large pants, and smoking a pipe. Does this description sound familiar? Ineighteen twenty-two, an American professor named Clement Clarke Moore wrote apoem that redefined the image of Saint Nicholas. It was called "Account ofa Visit from Saint Nicholas." He did not expect it to be published. Hewrote it as a Christmas present for his young children. In recent years,experts have questioned whether Moore actually wrote the poem. Some believe itwas written by Henry Livingston, a map maker in New York who wrote andpublished funny poems in his spare time. But whoever wrote this classic poem,it has since become a favorite around the world. This poem combines thetraditions of Santa Claus, seasonal decorations and gift-giving that have cometo define Christmas in America. We leave you with Clement Clarke Moore's poem,popularly known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

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'Twas the night before Christmas, when allthrough the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.The stockingswere hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would bethere. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions ofsugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. When out on the lawn therearose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away tothe window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, gave the lustre of mid-day toobjects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniaturesleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursersthey came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

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"Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancerand Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen! To the top of theporch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with anobstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, withthe sleigh full of toys, and Saint Nicholas, too. And then, in a twinkling, Iheard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in myhead, and was turning around, down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with abound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clotheswere all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on hisback, and he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes -- how theytwinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like acherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of hischin was as white as the snow.

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The stump of a pipe he held tight in histeeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad faceand a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him,in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me toknow I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to hiswork, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying hisfinger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose! He sprangto his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the downof a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, "HappyChristmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

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重点解析

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1.set up 设立;设置

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Now you are ready to set up the secure register balance accounting system.

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现在您已经准备好安装安全的收银机结算系统kBY-Ku9VlH1T!yE04DnE

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2.be based on 根据;基于

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Both countries agreed that normal relations would be based on non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

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两国一致同意正常邦交关系应建立在互不干涉内政的基础之上Hwo*J;eF2dZC]U

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3.come from 来自于;来源于

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Help may also come from some unexpected places.

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帮助也可能来自某些意想不到的地方m@ZHq~g8eV

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4.spread to 传到;蔓延到

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Then it spread to more companies and people around the world.

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然后它传播到更多的公司和世界各地的人hfEWJ29((R^4

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参考译文

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我是史蒂夫·恩伯我是雪莉·格里菲斯,您现在收听的是VOA慢速英语之建国史话节目&g_o9Nsuv8]。今天,我们带来的是关于19世纪上半叶美国圣诞节传统的特别节目*9#3%2k1F;KH6yvXj。那段时期的圣诞节和今天是完全不同的节日,当时没有固定的方式来庆祝,它还不是一个正式的节日[6Q#uYwW9@%1FS。全国各地的社区以不同的方式庆祝这一天oV-q|-^+Es,。有些人认为圣诞节是纪念耶稣诞生的重要的基督教宗教节日YWcdNh%wMI#pRM0R8@!w。其他人则以聚会、音乐、喝酒和吃饭来庆祝这一天VWAQHtb[s5O5h@R。而有一些社区根本不庆祝这一天M52b(q@AAAHjh+。但是,正是在这一时期,美国人开始通过将来自不同文化的古老圣诞节传统与现代美国的影响相结合,重塑这个节日+PdKdGW4(~S+,BLx4。你可以想象一下我们谈论过的历史人物,安德鲁·杰克逊,马丁·范布伦等人,以及他们庆祝圣诞节的方式yfEZ;-gxCzPwcJ3q

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1819年,美国著名作家华盛顿·欧文在一本名为《见闻札记》的书中连续发表了五篇文章f&^jVM_PKtg。这些文章描述了一位富有的英国地主,邀请他的农场工人到家里庆祝圣诞节x&xMqdJlt;X@N0=dclnr。地主按照过去的庆祝习俗重现了一个传统的圣诞节0L%VDzm*Qlk。欧文对这种回顾古代传统的做法大加赞扬S*#^w6eu@;,_+b5。他喜欢这种不同社会阶层的人欢聚在一起享受喜气安宁的假期的想法ywnH,8jCHGp。华盛顿欧文似乎对现代美国社会缺乏这种统一的圣诞节传统表示担忧!KQAxAl%FAf。佩恩·雷斯塔德写了一本名为《美国的圣诞节史》,书中展示了19世纪上半叶美国人如何慢慢地把圣诞节塑造成一个统一的国家节日ydhromFXS@lQ[。她描述了圣诞节对来自不同文化和宗教背景的美国人有着不同的意义0x2yL#,hjwRFgd=。许多移民从自己的祖国带来了圣诞节传统CtITU*=gLO.&l)。宗教在美国人庆祝圣诞节时扮演着重要的角色unt@(c!6wdX]u。加尔文基督徒禁止庆祝圣诞节*Ztgo3]b,9XM9J*,]hl。但是像圣公会教徒和摩拉维亚人这样的群体用宗教仪式和季节性装饰来纪念这一天10x!f#=+Up^H

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到了本世纪中叶,基督教团体开始忽视他们在圣诞节含义上的宗教差异,并以特殊的方式纪念这一天eYthQFfZi@。圣诞节成了一家人在家中庆祝的重要时刻,越来越多的基督教美国人也开始遵循欧洲装点圣诞树和赠送礼物的传统!P^T*7+*grPvaLp%[as。基督徒相信这棵树代表了耶稣,也是一个新开端的标志p7oGX#WC2Ep#aaC;hw^x。德国移民带来了他们的传统,把灯、糖果和玩具放在家中的常青树树枝上A#*20S_j1*I8c6^=!n。装点圣诞树的传统很快传进许多美国家庭,人们也开始彼此赠送礼物lM!vXkt=QesuOciQl]IE。随着这些传统的流行,与圣诞节相关的现代贸易和商业也在增长w4.I9^E)9CbVjHzD[ua。随着圣诞节越来越流行,一些州宣布这一天为该州的节日XET)XqbO(Q。1837年,路易斯安那州第一个宣布将圣诞节定为该州的节日lTG%@roRA~#b.qK。到1860年,其他14个州紧随其后设定该节日h=NmS8=I%lTzap=。直到1870年,总统尤利西斯·格兰特才把圣诞节定为联邦节日,Cg~#EyjlivlI|

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美国人已经对来自英国和欧洲其他地区古老的圣诞歌曲耳熟能详,但许多新的美国圣诞歌曲才开始流行起来~]s3Jz;8kj!Uu7P~69。例如,在1849年,一位来自马萨诸塞州的宗教领袖写下了《晴朗的午夜》这首歌,《铃儿响叮当》七年后问世&]CkbXCH.2DX!u6#-F!3。又过了一年,宾夕法尼亚州威廉斯波特的一位宗教领袖写了一首歌《东方三博士》2#Av)7c-ea~7M2ipEZ。当然,说道圣诞节,怎么能不聊聊圣诞节最著名的表征之一——圣诞老人Gi3nM98GO(Iu[。这个人物是基于圣尼古拉斯的故事,人们认为他是生活在三世纪的一位基督教圣人^mh]yc7I+cb=u。圣尼古拉斯被称为儿童保护者z0Z=r@j-[qAEf.。作为圣诞英雄,不同的文化给予他不同的名字,如辛特克拉斯、克里斯·克林格尔和圣诞老人6rUrJM~WSpP%AKf]1oR。但对大多数美国人来说,他最受欢迎的名字是圣诞老人QzfKqF2^V2U!sv9_;)OP

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19世纪,许多居住在美国的荷兰移民在12月6日庆祝圣尼古拉斯节kAP%PH%+e~JN。圣尼古拉斯对纽约人来说特别重要,因为他们曾经历过荷兰殖民地的历史a-BbZcdA+G^3y#_3y8m(。1889年,华盛顿·欧文出版了《纽约史》,并将圣尼古拉斯列为纽约人的守护神8Ek_xyS;3O9|6kWix。他描述了圣人戴着矮帽,穿着肥大的裤子,抽着烟斗c+;fr~8uffR。这个描述听起来熟悉吗?1822年,一位名叫克莱门特·克拉克·摩尔的美国教授写了一首诗,重新界定了圣尼古拉斯的形象_ZIdR|Lq-O。这本书名为《圣尼古拉来访》,他没想到它会出版3K1mmjTywMwL-dTpt)|x。他写这本书作为送给孩子们的圣诞礼物V|-t_GT&aO(UPb;)%w。近年来,专家们质疑摩尔是否真的写了这首诗x#&s|GRpvNXd。有人认为这是亨利·利文斯顿写的,他是纽约的一位地图制作者,在业余时间书写并出版有趣的诗歌T8SMOsyY;nzMy。无论是谁写了这首经典诗歌,它都已经在世界各地获得人们的喜爱Bj#XRMJ.J7Q)Bk。这首诗结合了圣诞老人、季节性装饰和礼物赠送等传统,来定义美国的圣诞节PKmXj(rLn7IKFb.+。我们最后为您送上莱门特·克拉克·摩尔的一首诗歌,《在圣诞节前夜》jXq[p[))|GZy!s4r

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那是圣诞节的前夜,整个房子里~LE9c@eVtU*sNALq。安静极了,连老鼠也是悄无声息BQRrGO(l4PO8;k(IY|。长袜被小心地挂在了烟囱上,期待着圣尼古拉的随时造访Gbw)^kizV#~ClxaN+。孩子们都依偎在被窝里,温暖舒适Bf#8%[55YM@Vnp&UeS。脑子里满是香甜的糖果,舞动不止x9Ph(9Dlj7f,Iv@PfSUj。妈妈戴上她的头巾,我戴上了帽,我们要气定神闲地睡个冬日长觉m39Jr=kGOe+W%a。这时草坪上有咔嗒咔嗒的声响出现,我从床上一跃而起去看看谁在外面+N*cU4biy+(NMI*.。我冲向窗边,快得像一道闪光,扯开百叶窗,把窗子推到上方)9vg4PWS%QvP~|Iu%V5。月光洒落,铺满了新雪的胸膛,给万物镀上正午般闪亮的光芒*nm!c[tVXsGMB_#EHGd。这时出现令人目瞪口呆的一幕,那是一辆小雪橇和八只小驯鹿cI;+EFnphrd5P。驾车的是身材矮小的老车夫,敏捷活泼,我一下子就认出是圣尼古拉,那还用说^!pfC4I.P.]zEz。他的骏鹿们极速前行,速度远超过老鹰,他一边吹哨吆喝,一边呼唤它们的大名R!9fZ2Uko.CQcGlMs4]H

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“驾,达舍!驾,丹瑟!驾,普兰策和维克森!前进,科米特!前进,朱庇特!前进,唐纳和布莱琛!一鼓作气,冲到门廊顶!一鼓作气,冲到围墙上!快,向前啊!向前啊!大伙儿一鼓作气向前方!就像是遭遇暴虐的飓风时枯叶的骤然升空,障碍横挡路途时,他们也那样向天上猛冲-6FK6w.J&=hO4wt。骏鹿向着千家万户的屋顶奔跑,一路飞腾,拉着满载玩具的雪橇,和圣尼古拉的身影7Ot77.iMl%。说的迟那时快,这时我听到房子上,传来小蹄子踏出的欢腾踢踏的声响oWC#RIohNVhdIcucg!Fk。我缩回了脑袋,刚刚把身体转过,圣尼古拉就从烟囱里面轰然降落0N-fNc!(;XcUf|rYlJs。他从头上到脚下,身着皮革,衣服却落满烟灰,毫无光泽~FE+[Q0RctFl;zALMizK。他把一堆玩具往后背一扛,就像要把背包打开的货郎MlbIM)#bh~_Xl^O_-m5o。他的双眼,光芒闪烁!他的酒窝,欢乐美妙!他的双颊,红若玫瑰!他的鼻子,宛若樱桃!他滑稽的小嘴咧着,像弯弓被拉开qmh~*%.nv=)Q7xj|hv。他下巴上长满胡须,如雪一般洁白,n_j0Gc4#gs

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他的牙齿中间紧紧地咬着一只烟斗,香烟飘着,像花环一样绕着他的头HP#nCOnZ.iPQp4)l。他面如满月,小肚子又圆又胖,笑起来像满满一碗果冻在摇晃!他是一个圆圆乎乎的快活的老精灵,我一看见他就情不自禁地笑个不停!他眨眨眼睛转过了脑袋,我突然间感到心无挂碍lzjIsCS(PWS^。他一句话都没有说,立即开始干活,填满了所有长袜后,猛把身子转过jsT3QcR-_Q。他把一根手指放到鼻子一旁,点点头,从烟囱里一跃上房HnCLdX^yd6;。他跳上了雪橇,朝他的队伍一声口哨,转眼就飞走了,像是一朵蓟草的绒毛HPudr3,wlr7o,i=。在他驾车消失之前,我听到他的呼喊:“祝福所有的人都圣诞快乐,各位晚安!”

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译文为可可英语翻译,未经授权请勿转载!

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重点单词
  • sootn. 煤烟,烟尘 vt. 熏以煤烟
  • spiten. 恶意,怨恨 vt. 刁难,伤害
  • internaladj. 国内的,内在的,身体内部的
  • grantn. 授予物,补助金; 同意,给予 n. 财产转让 vt
  • settingn. 安装,放置,周围,环境,(为诗等谱写的)乐曲 动词
  • spokev. 说,说话,演说
  • celebratedadj. 著名的,声誉卓著的 动词celebrate的过
  • sashn. 饰带,肩带,腰带 n. 窗框 vt. 系上腰带 v
  • hurricanen. 飓风,飓风般猛烈的东西 adj. 有防风罩的
  • classicn. 古典作品,杰作,第一流艺术家 adj. 第一流的,