每到圣诞节, 英国女皇总会发表一个圣诞致辞. 这是个延续了半个多世界传统. 对我而言, 这是一份英语学习的好素材, 下面我来尝试边翻译这份材料.

本文摘自: Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Message Reflects on the Royal Family's 'Busy Year'

Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Message
女皇 Elizabeth 圣诞致辞

For many, the service of 'Nine Lessons and Carols' from King's College Cambridge is when Christmas begins. Listened to by millions of people around the world it starts with a chorister singing the first verse of "Once in Royal David’s City".
对于许多人来说, 自圣诞节开始就有剑桥国王大学提供的'九道日课和圣诞颂歌'服务. 这项在全世界有几百万的听众的服务, 起源于一位唱诗班成员, 他唱起了"走进大卫皇城"的第一首诗.

The priest who introduced this service to King's College Chapel exactly 100 years ago was Eric Milner White. He had served as a military chaplain in the First World War. Just six weeks after the Armistice he wanted a new kind of service which, with its message of peace and goodwill spoke to the needs of the times.
Eric Milner 是把这项服务引进国王学院礼拜堂的牧师, 距今恰好100年. 他是一战期间的随军牧师. 就在停战协定达成的六周后, 他希望有种新的服务, 它所表达的和平与友好反映时代的要求.

译注: armistice 的本意即停战协定, 有时特指一战的停战协定.

2018 has been a year of centenaries. The Royal Air Force celebrated its hundredth anniversary with a memorable fly-past demonstrating a thrilling unity of purpose and execution. We owe them and all our armed services our deepest gratitude.
2018年有多个百年纪念. 皇家空军举行了百年庆典, 难忘的飞机列队彰显着意志与执行力的强劲结合. 我们要向他们乃至全军致以最深的感激.

My father served in the Royal Navy during the First World War he was a midshipman in HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement. My father wrote in a letter how and why we were not hit beats me.
一战期间我父亲在皇家海军服役. 在1916年日德兰海战期间他是HMS Collingwood号上的见习船员. 在交战中英国舰队损失了14艘船和6000人. 父亲写的信深深打动着我, 信里写着如何和为什么我们没被打倒.

译注: HMS = Her/He Majesty's Ship, 即 "陛下之舰".

Like others he lost friends in the war. At Christmas we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died whatever the circumstances. But of course we would not grieve if we did not love. Closer to home, it has been a busy year for my family.
像其他人一样, 他在战争中失去了朋友. 在圣诞节我们强烈地怀念着逝去亲人, 不管他们是怎么离去的. 当然, 要是我们不爱他们, 我们就不会如此悲痛了. 说到家, 今年我家很忙.

With two weddings and two babies and another child expected soon it helps to keep a grandmother well occupied. We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of the Prince of Wales.
两场婚礼, 两个宝宝, 外加一个快要出生的, 这些事让我这个老奶奶有得忙了. 我们还有其他的庆典, 包括威尔士亲王的70岁生日.

Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I'd like to think so. Perhaps, part of that wisdom is to recognize some of life's baffling paradoxes such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil.
有些文化相信长寿意味着智慧. 我也这么认为. 也许, 智慧的一个作用是认清人生中令人困惑的悖论, 比如人类一心向善, 但也容得下恶.

Even the power of faith which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice can fall victim to tribalism. But through the many changes I have seen over the years: faith, family, and friendship have been not only a constant for me, but a source of personal comfort and reassurance.
即使信仰经常鼓励慷慨和自我牺牲, 这种信仰的力量会成为部落制的牺牲品. 但是从多年的变化中我看到, 信仰, 家庭, 友情对我来说不仅仅是不变的, 更是舒适与心安的源泉.

In April the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London. My father welcomed just eight countries to the first such meetings in 1948. Now, the Commonwealth includes 53 countries with 2.4 billion people, a third of the world's population. Its strength lies in the bonds of affection it promotes and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world.
四月英联邦政府元首在伦敦会晤. 第一次的这种会晤是在1948年, 我的父亲仅仅迎来了八个国家. 今天英联邦有53个成员国, 人口24亿, 占世界人口的三分之一. 其力量源于它促进的感情纽带和共同的期待, 期待着能生活在一个更好更和平的世界.

Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding. Indeed the Commonwealth Games held this year on Australia's Gold Coast are known universally as the friendly games because of their emphasis on good will and mutual respect.
尽管各有各的不同, 尊重他人, 把他们看作自己的同胞, 这一直是增进了解的第一步. 这一年澳大利亚黄金海岸举办了英联邦运动会, 它确实被广泛地认为是友好的运动会, 因为它强调着善意与相互尊重.

The Christmas story retains its appeal since it doesn't provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life. Instead, it's about the birth of a child, and the hope that birth 2,000 years ago, brought to the world.
圣诞故事不能对生活问题给予理论解释, 但它依旧充满魅力. 它讲的是一个小孩的诞生, 它讲的是2000年前的诞生带给世界的希望.

Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born; now billions follow him. I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone. It's needed as much as ever.
耶稣诞生时没人认识他, 现在数十亿人跟随他. 我相信他的信念永远不会过时, 这信念即世界和平以及善待他人. 每个人都需要这种信念, 一如既往地需要这种信念.

A very happy Christmas to you all.
祝你们圣诞快乐.

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