英國(guó)女王伊麗莎白2009年圣誕致辭

圣誕致辭演講是英國(guó)王室傳統(tǒng)。1932年，當(dāng)時(shí)的英國(guó)國(guó)王喬治五世首次發(fā)表圣誕節(jié)講話。77年之后，現(xiàn)年83歲的女王身穿天藍(lán)色服裝，飾以鉆石珍珠胸針，戴著珍珠項(xiàng)鏈，面帶微笑，繼續(xù)她第57次圣誕致辭。以下為英國(guó)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(diǎn)。一些年份讓我們心滿意足，一些年份則最好忘卻。2009年對(duì)很多人來說都不好過，尤其是那些深受經(jīng)濟(jì)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(duì)巨大個(gè)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作出的積極貢獻(xiàn)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(guó)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(guó)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(duì)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 organisation 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(guó)25歲以下人口超過10億，為它保持長(zhǎng)久的強(qiáng)大和實(shí)用提供了力量源泉。

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(dá)和多巴哥舉行的英聯(lián)邦政府首腦會(huì)議，聽到聯(lián)邦對(duì)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(yàn)和觀點(diǎn)。對(duì)于許多人來說，英聯(lián)邦的實(shí)際援助與網(wǎng)絡(luò)可以提供技能，給予意見和鼓勵(lì)進(jìn)取。

It is inspiring to learn of some of the work being done by these young people, who bring creativity and innovation to the challenges they face.

令人鼓舞的是，我了解到一些年輕人正在做著一些事情，他們面對(duì)挑戰(zhàn)，富于創(chuàng)造力和創(chuàng)新精神。

It is important to keep discussing issues that concern us all - there can by no more valuable role for our family of nations. I have been closely associated with the Commonwealth through most of its existence.

對(duì)關(guān)系到我們所有人的問題保持討論很重要，它讓我們的大家庭產(chǎn)生更大的價(jià)值。在英聯(lián)邦成立以來的大部分時(shí)間里，我都同它聯(lián)系緊密。

The personal and living bond I have enjoyed with leaders, and with people the world over, has always been more important in promoting our unity than symbolism alone.

我個(gè)人同各國(guó)領(lǐng)袖、人民密不可分。這不單是象征意義，也能促進(jìn)我們的團(tuán)結(jié)。

The Commonwealth is not an organisation with a mission. It is rather an opportunity for its people to work together to achieve practical solutions to problems.

英聯(lián)邦并非一個(gè)具某種使命的組織，而更是一個(gè)讓各國(guó)人民合作、解決困難的平臺(tái)。

In many aspects of our lives, whether in sport, the environment, business or culture, the Commonwealth connection remains vivid and enriching.

在涉及我們生活的許多方面，不論是體育、環(huán)境、商業(yè)或文化，英聯(lián)邦國(guó)家之間的聯(lián)系緊密而豐富。

It is, in lots of ways, the face of the future. And with continuing support and dedication, I am confident that this diverse Commonwealth of nations can strengthen the common bond that transcends politics, religion, race and economic circumstances.

在很多方面這展現(xiàn)未來的前景。隨著不斷的支持和貢獻(xiàn)，我相信英聯(lián)邦國(guó)家的多元化能加強(qiáng)各國(guó)在政治、宗教、種族和經(jīng)濟(jì)環(huán)境的凝聚力。

We know that Christmas is a time for celebration and family reunions; but it is also a time to reflect on what confronts those less fortunate than ourselves, at home and throughout the world.

眾所周知，圣誕節(jié)是歡慶與家人團(tuán)聚的時(shí)候，但我們也可以借這個(gè)時(shí)機(jī)回顧那些國(guó)內(nèi)外不幸者面臨的困境。

Christians are taught to love their neighbours, having compassion and concern, and being ready to undertake charity and voluntary work to ease the burden of deprivation and disadvantage.

基督徒被教導(dǎo)要愛他們的鄰居，有同情心，樂于慈善和志愿工作，以減輕貧困和不利的負(fù)擔(dān)。

We may ourselves be confronted by a bewildering array of difficulties and challenges, but we must never cease to work for a better future for ourselves and for others.

我們自己會(huì)面臨一連串的困難和挑戰(zhàn)，這些困難和挑戰(zhàn)會(huì)令我們感到困惑，但我們絕不能停下腳步。而應(yīng)該繼續(xù)努力，為自己和他人創(chuàng)造更美好的未來。

I wish you all, wherever you may be, a very happy Christmas.

不論你們現(xiàn)時(shí)身在何處，我都祝愿你們圣誕快樂。