I recently read an article in which one of my favorite columnists, William Safire, explores the use of "generation" in a litany of literary references to American writers. He begins with Hemingway's quotation of "lost generation" and then explores other references throughout recent history.
近来,我读到一篇关于我最喜欢的专栏作家威廉·萨菲尔的文章。文章探究了“一代”在美国作家连载文学参考中的使用。 他开头引用了海明威的“迷惘的一代”,然后回顾了近代出现过该词的文章。
This massive amount of repetition of "generation" in the column by Mr. Safire ought to have already driven home the point. We all belong to specific generations, and cultures and eras tend to identify, mark and classify us according to our age and time on this planet.
在萨菲尔先生的专栏里大量重复使用“generation”这个词,这应该已经揭示出了文章的观点主题。我们都属于特殊的一代,每一代均有自己特定的文化,并且在这个星球上,历史新纪元趋向于根据我们的年龄和时代把我们进行鉴别,分级和分类。
What about my generation? I am a baby-boomer. I grew up in the light of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Kennedys, and under the shadow of the Vietnam War. I have always believed in hope. If asked, I would say that I belong to the Generation of Hope.
我们这一代呢?我是在生育高峰期出生的人。我成长在马丁路德金和肯尼迪家族的光环下,也成长在越战的阴影里。我总是相信希望。如果别人问我,我会说自己属于“希望的一代”。
When I was young, I was convinced there was more good in the world than evil. I still believe that. I thought then and still think that one person can make a difference.
我年轻时深信世上善大于恶,且现在依旧相信。以前我认为每个人都能做出一件不同凡响的事,现在仍然持这种观点。
Hope is taking some very hard knocks these days. Hope may be down at the moment, but it is far from out. Many of us are hopers. We know to which generation we belong.
这些天希望不断的被提及。有时候希望会很渺茫,但是它不会消失。我们中的大多数都是希望者。我们知道自己属于哪一代。