中英雙語散文彙總精選
Two trains are traveling side by side and at the same speed along parallel tracks. We are seated in one of the trains, and with us we have a special speedometer that measures their relative speed. Since the trains are traveling at the same speed, their relative speed is zero; the speedometer therefore reads "0."
兩列火車以相同的車速並排地沿着兩條平行的軌道往前行馳。我們坐在其中的一列火車上帶着特製的速度測量儀，可以測出兩列火車之間的相對速度。因為這兩列火車是以相同的車速前進的，所以二者的相對速度是零；因此，測速儀上的讀數為“0”。
Suddenly the other train seems to start pulling ahead of ours. The speedometer shows a reading of 10 miles per hour. The other train has apparently increased its speed. But can we be absolutely certain of this increase?
突然間另一列火車使我們覺得好像是開始趕到我們所乘坐的火車前頭去了。這時測速儀上顯示出來的讀數是每小時10英里。很顯然，另一列火車已經加快了速度。但是，我們能不能肯定是另外那輛火車加快了速度呢？
If your answer is yes, you are wrong. You are wrong because all that we know is that the relative speed between the two trains changed from 0 mph to 10 mph. Nothing more. This change could have been brought about in one of two ways:
如果你回答説是的，那你就錯了。你之所以是錯了，我們所知道的僅僅是這兩輛火車之間的相對速度由每小時0英里增加到了每小時10英里。僅此而已，這車速的變化很可能是由於下列兩種原因中的任何一個原因所造成的：
The other train increased its speed.
另一列火車增加了車速。
Our train decreased its speed.
我們的火車降低了車速。
There are thus two possible explanations to account for the change in speed, but we don't know which one is right. Furthermore, regardless of which explanation we choose, the end result will be the same: the other train will arrive at the station first. So it makes no difference whether we say that the other train increased its speed or that our train decreased its speed.
因而對於車速的改變就可能有兩種不同的解釋，但是我們不知道哪一種解釋是對的。進一步來説，不管我們選定了上述兩種解釋中的哪一種，反正最終的結果是同樣的：另一列火車將首先抵達終點站。所以，不論我們説另一列火車加快了車速，還是説我們所乘的火車減慢了車速，實際上這兩種説法沒有什麼區別。
Since both explanations lead to the same result, you can choose either one. Whenever two things are relative, you can choose either one of them. The converse is also true: whenever you have a choice between two things that are equally possible, then the things are relative.
既然上述兩種解釋會導致同樣的結果，那麼你選定任何一種解釋都可以。不論任何時候，只要兩件事物兩種情況是相對的，那你就可以選定其中一種解釋。逆真理亦真，每當你從有同樣可能的兩件事物中選定其中之一時，那麼這兩種事物之間就是相對的。
There is no reason, except convenience, for choosing one explanation over the other. The relative speed between the trains remains the same, 10 mph; and the end result will be the same.
除為了方便這個理由而外，我們選定了一種解釋而不選另一種解釋根本就沒有其他別的原因。如果兩列火車之間的相對速度依然相同，都是每小時10英里，那麼最終的結果也會是相同的。
Now let's suppose that both trains are at the railroad station loading and unloading passengers and baggage. A half-hour passes. As we look at the other train through our window, we see that our train seems to start moving, smoothly and slowly. For a minute or so, our train seems to travel at a uniform speed. Our special speedometer shows that the relative speed between the two trains is 20 mph. But as we look out our window, we suddenly see the last coach of the other train disappear from sight and notice the motionless station behind it. So we are not moving after all. The other train has been moving!
現在我們假設兩列火車都在火車站上在上下乘客或裝卸行李。過了半小時以後，當我們透過車窗看另一列火車時，我們看到我們所乘的火車好像是在緩慢地平穩地開始開動了。約有一分鐘左右，我們所乘的火車似乎是在以均勻的速度向前運行。我們特製的測速儀顯示這兩列火車的相對速度是每小時20英里。但當我們往窗外一看，這才突然看見另一列火車的最後一節車廂從我們的視野中正在消失，於是我們看到那一列火車後面留下的是不動的火車站。所以，我們所乘的火車根本就沒有開動。原來是另外一輛火車在開動！
This peculiar and often frustrating experience is an effect of relative motion. At the train station we cannot tell whether it was our train that changed its speed from 0 mph to 20 mph or whether it was the other train that changed its speed from 0 mph to 20 mph. Only after the other train pulled out of the station could we see that it, and not our train, was moving.
這種奇特的而又經常使人沮喪的經歷就是相對運動所產生的效應。在火車站上我們辨別不出是不是我們所乘坐的那一列火車把車速從每小時0英里改變成每小時20英里。只有當另一列火車駛出火車站之後，這我們才能明白原來是它在開動，而不是我們所乘坐的這列火車在開動。
Now let us again raise the question that was raised at the beginning of this article: can we be absolutely certain that the other train did indeed increase its speed, and in this case pull out of the station?
現在讓我們再次提出本文開頭所提出過的那個問題：我們能否絕對肯定確實是另一列火車加快了車速，在此情此景駛出了火車站呢？
If your answer is yes, then you are wrong again. All we can be certain of is that the relative speed between the two trains changed.
如果你回答説是的，那麼你就又錯了。我們所能夠完全肯定的一點只是這兩列火車之間的相對速度變了。
These examples illustrate an important principle in the special theory of relativity. If A appears to be moving at a steady speed relative to B, we cannot know for sure if it is A that is really moving. Perhaps A is standing still, and B is moving. Or perhaps both are moving. According to relativity, there is no experiment that can be devised to solve the problem. As there is no way of deciding which of the two objects is moving, we can choose either one as the moving object. The reason is that their motion is relative, and relativity, as we have seen, means that we have a choice.
這些例子闡明瞭特殊的相對論中的一個重要的原理。假如我們覺得A似乎是在用相對於B的一種很均勻的速度在移動，我們就不能肯定地確切知道是否就是A在真的移動。也許A仍在原地不動而是B在移動。或者，AB兩者都在移動。根據相對論的説法，根本就不能構想出任何一個實驗去解答這個問題。因為根本沒有辦法來確定這兩個物體中哪一個物體在移動，所以我們可以把兩個物體中的任何一個物體認定是在移動着的物體。理由就是他們的運動是相對的。正如我們所理解的那樣，相對論就意味着我們可以選用一種解釋了。
This principle - that if two objects are in uniform motion relative to each other, it is impossible to decide which one is moving and which one is at rest - applies to all objects moving uniformly in a straight line through the universe.
如果兩個物體在以相互間相對的同等的運動速度在運動，若想判定哪一個物體在動，哪一個物體原地不動，這是不可能的。這一原理適用於整個宇宙中凡是作直線等速運動的一切物體。
In relativity you'll find that whenever you have a choice among things that are equally possible, you are dealing with relative things. For example, time, which is measured with clocks and watches, is relative because it can be shown that there is more than one system of time. All systems of time are equally possible and you can choose any system you with.
按着相對論的説法你就會發現，每當你在眾多同樣可能的事物中需要選定一種解釋時，你就是在跟相對的事物打交道。例如，時間，雖然能用鐘錶加以測量，也是相對的，因為有不止一種時間體系可以來表示時間。所有的時間體系都同樣有可能表示時間，所以你可以選用你所喜歡的時間體系來表示時間。
A Parable of a Child
A Parable of a Child
一個孩子的寓言
by Steve Goodier 李 瑾 譯
父母説：“我有一個孩子，他/她將來會成為一名……”
孩子説：“我是你們的孩子，我將來會成為一名……”
省略號的內容由你決定！教育與經驗之間是有區別的。教育就是從閲讀文字所得到的`，而經驗是從不閲讀而得到的。看一個故事，你就會明白“偉大的學習來自於教育和經驗的結合”。
一名青年教師夢見天使出現在他面前，對他説：“你將會有一個孩子，他/她將來會成為一名世界領袖。你得讓她意識到自己的智慧，增長自信心，開發她果斷不失細膩，虛心而又堅韌的性格特質，你會如何為她做準備呢？”
夢醒時，青年教師一身冷汗。他從沒經歷過這種事情。照夢中所説的，他現在或將來的學生之中的任何一個人都有可能有成為他夢中聽到的那個人物。他準備好了要去幫助他們實現每一個志向嗎？他默默想：“既然知道了某一個學生會成為那個人物，那麼我的教學方式該怎麼改變一下呢？”一步一步地，他已經開始暗自籌劃了。
這名學生不僅需要有經歷，而且需要有人指導。他的教學方式改變了。對他而言，每一個走過他教室的年輕人都有可能成為未來的世界領袖。他看這些學生時，不是看他們曾經是什麼樣子，而是看他們將來可能成為什麼樣子。他以一種平和的心態期盼學生髮揮最大的潛力。他在教育學生時，彷彿世界的未來完全掌握在他的教導中。
多年以後，他所認識的一名女子成為舉世矚目的人物。這時他才悟出，她就是那晚夢中天使所説的那個女孩。只是，她不是他的學生，而是他的女兒。在女兒一生所遇到的老師之中，他是最棒的。
我聽過這樣一句話：“孩子是我們給自己無法預見的某個時間、某個地點所發送出去的活信息。”可這並不僅僅是一則有關一個無名教師的寓言，而是有關你我的寓言——不論我們是為人父母，還是為人師表。而這個故事——我們的故事，其實是這樣開始的：
“你將有一個孩子，他/她將來會成為一名……”你來填完這個句子吧，如果不填“世界領袖”，那麼“絕世好爸”也行；再要不“優秀教師”？“妙手神醫”？“不按常理出牌的問題剋星”？“鼓舞人心的藝術家”？或是“慷慨無私的慈善家”？
你會在何地、如何遇見這個孩子，那是一個謎。可是，你要相信，一個孩子的將來很有可能就取決於你給他/她所造成的影響；也要相信，孩子會出人頭地的。對你來説，任何孩子都是不平凡的，你也因此脱胎換骨。
A young school teacher had a dream that an angel appeared to him and said, “You will be given a child who will grow up to become a world leader. How will you prepare her so that she will realize her intelligence, grow in confidence, develop both her assertiveness and sensitivity, be open-minded, yet strong in character？”
The young teacher awoke in a cold sweat. It had never occurred to him before——any ONE of his present or future students could be the person described in his dream. Was he preparing them to rise to ANY POSITION to which they may aspire？ He thought, “How might my teaching change if I KNEW that one of my students were this person？” He gradually began to formulate a plan in his mind.
This student would need experience as well as instruction. His teaching changed. Every young person who walked through his classroom became, for him, a future world leader. He saw each one, not as they were, but as they could be. He expected the best from his students, yet tempered it with compassion. He taught each one as if the future of the world depended on his instruction.
After many years, a woman he knew rose to a position of world prominence. He realized that she must surely have been the girl described in his dream. Only she was not one of his students, but rather his daughter. For of all the various teachers in her life, her father was the best.
I’ve heard it said that “Children are living messages we send to a time and place we will never see.” But this isn’t simply a parable about an unnamed school teacher. It is a parable about you and me——whether or not we are parents or even teachers. And the story, OUR story, actually begins like this:
“You will be given a child who will grow up to become…” You finish the sentence. If not a world leader, then a superb father？ An excellent teacher？ A gifted healer？ An innovative problem solver？ An inspiring artist？ A generous philanthropist？
Where and how you will encounter this child is a mystery. But believe that one child’s future may depend upon influence only you can provide, and something remarkable will happen. For no young person will ever be ordinary to you again. And you will never be the same.
·父親節的由來（一）
父親節的由來（一）
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Father’s Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a “father’s day” was first proposed there were no Father’s Day cards!
父親節與普遍的誤解不同的是，它並非是一個為了幫助賀卡製作廠商銷售更多賀卡的節日。事實上，當“父親節”的提議首先被提出時，父親節賀卡根本就不存在。
Mrs. John B Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a “father’s day” in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father William, whose wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
華盛頓州的約翰·布魯斯·多德夫人在1909年首先提出了設立“父親節”的提議。多德夫人希望有一個特殊的日子來向她的父親———威廉·斯瑪特表示敬意。他的妻子在生他們第六個孩子時因難產而死。斯瑪特先生在華盛頓州東部鄉下的農場裏獨自養大了六個孩子。多德太太成人後她才意識到她的父親一個人養大孩子所表現的力量和無私。
The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19,1910 in Washington. And it was in 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson officially declared the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
1910年的6月19日人們在華盛頓慶祝了第一個父親節。林登·約翰遜總統最終於1966年宣佈每年六月的第3個星期天為父親節。
Father’s Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father’s Day.
父親節現在已經成為向父親及所有扮演父親角色的人表達敬意的節日。繼父，伯父，祖父所有成年男性都將在父親節受到尊敬。
文字
·當你老去
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當你老去 When You Are Old
When you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
當你老了，頭白了，睡思昏沉，
爐火邊打盹，請取下這部詩歌，
慢慢讀，回想你過去眼神的柔和，
回想它們過去濃重的陰影；
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
多少人愛你年輕歡暢的時候，
愛慕你的美貌，出於假意或者真心
只有一個人愛你那朝聖者的靈魂，
愛你已改的容顏痛苦的皺紋
And bending down beside the glowing bars
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead,
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
躬身在紅光閃耀的爐火旁，
悽然低語，愛為何消逝，
它漫步走上高高山巒，
將臉龐隱沒在了羣星間。
·當你老去
<OBJECT
當你老去 When You Are Old
When you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
當你老了，頭白了，睡思昏沉，
爐火邊打盹，請取下這部詩歌，
慢慢讀，回想你過去眼神的柔和，
回想它們過去濃重的陰影；
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
多少人愛你年輕歡暢的時候，
愛慕你的美貌，出於假意或者真心
只有一個人愛你那朝聖者的靈魂，
愛你已改的容顏痛苦的皺紋
And bending down beside the glowing bars
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead,
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
躬身在紅光閃耀的爐火旁，
悽然低語，愛為何消逝，
它漫步走上高高山巒，
將臉龐隱沒在了羣星間。
·肇事的兔子
The rabbits who cause all the trouble 肇事的兔子
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Within the memory of the youngest child there was a family of rabbits who lived behind a pack of wolves. The wolves announced that they did not like the way the rabbits were wolves were crazy about the way they themselves were 1iving,because it was the only way to live.
在最小的孩子還記得的那個時候,在狼羣的附近居住着兔子一家。狼們公開宣佈,他們不喜歡兔子的生活方式。狼對自己的生活方式推崇備至,因為這是唯一可行的生活方式。
One night several wolves were killed in an earthquake and this was blamed on the rabbits, for it is well known that rabbits pound on the ground with their hind legs and cause earthquakes. On another night one of the wolves was killed by a bolt of lightning and this was also named on the rabbits, for it is well known that lettuce-eaters cause wolves threatened to civilize the rabbits if they didn't behave.
一天晚上,幾隻狼在地震中死亡。這件事是兔子的責任,因為眾所周知,兔子用兩條腿蹬地造成了地震。另一個晚上,一隻狼被雷電劈斃,這件事也怪罪於兔子,因為眾所周知,雷電是由吃萵苣的動物引發的。狼威脅説,如果兔子繼續為非作歹,它們將施以管教。
The rabbits decided to move away to a desert island. But the animals, who lived at a great distance, shamed them, saying, "You must stay where you are and be brave. There is no world for escapists. If the wolves attack you, we will come to your aid all probability." So the rabbits continued to live near the wolves.
兔子決定逃到一個荒島上去。但是其它住在遠處的動物奚落它們説:"你們必須守住陣腳,要勇敢。這個世界決沒有逃避主義者的容身之地。如果狼攻擊你們,我們多半會來相助。"於是兔子繼續在狼羣附近生活。
One day them was a terrible flood which drowned a great many wolves. This was blamed on the rabbits, for it is well known that carrot-nibblers with long ear cause floods. The wolves descended on the rabbits, for their own good, and imprisoned them in a dark cave, for their own protection.
有一天,發生了一場可怕的洪水,許多狼被淹死。責任怪罪到兔子頭上,因為眾所周知,長耳朵並小口小口吃胡蘿蔔的動物會引起洪水。為了兔子着想,狼對它們下手了,把它們關在黑洞裏進行保護。
When nothing was heard about the rabbits for some weeks, the other animals demands to know what had happened to them. The wolves replied that the rabbits had been eaten and since they had been eaten the affair was a purely internal matter. But the other animals warned that they might possibly unite against the wolves unless some reason was given for the destruction of the rabbits. So the wolves gave them one. “They were trying to escape,” sad the wolves, "and, as you know, there is no world for escapists."
由於連續幾星期沒有聽到兔子的消息,其它動物要求知道它們的行蹤。狼回答説兔子已經被吃了;既然已經吃到肚裏,此事就純屬內政。但其它動物警告説,除非有消滅兔子的正當理由,不然它們可能團結起來,一致對狼。於是,狼給了它們一條理由。"它們企圖逃走",狼説。"你們也知道,這個世界決沒有逃避主義者的容身之地。”
