翻譯資格考試英語(yǔ)口譯中級(jí)模擬題：成長(zhǎng)與家庭

　　We human beings grow like lobsters that grow by developing and shedding a series of hard, protective shells. Each time a lobster expands within, it sheds its shell, leaving its body exposed and vulnerable until, in time, a new shell grows to replace the old.

　　我們?nèi)祟惖某砷L(zhǎng)過(guò)程與龍蝦格外相似：先長(zhǎng)出一層堅(jiān)硬的保護(hù)甲，繼而將其蛻去，周而復(fù)始。 每次，龍蝦的肉身在保護(hù)甲中得以發(fā)育，之后甲殼蛻去，其間肉身毫無(wú)遮攔，不堪一擊，直到最終長(zhǎng)出新的盔甲，取代舊殼。

　　Likewise, each time we grow to a new stage of our life, we cast away our old protective structures, becoming exposed and vulnerable, but we also build new ones to meet the new needs of our social life. This may take several years or more. Coming out of each passage, though, we enter a longer and more stable period in which we can expect relative peace of mind, and a sense of balance regained. We leave our parental home, thinking that we have grown up, separating from the caregivers of our childhood. But we soon find that we cannot achieve autonomy once and for all by turning our dreams into concrete goals. We have to construct new relations and adjust ourselves to the new environment. The process is meaningful, if not painful. When the new life structure has been established, we are ready to move on to the next period. So we continue with this sequence of growth.

　　同樣，每當(dāng)我們?nèi)祟惒饺肴松�的新階段，都要甩掉舊的護(hù)甲，變得毫無(wú)遮攔，十分脆弱---但還要長(zhǎng)出新的甲衣來(lái)適應(yīng)社會(huì)生活的新要求。 這個(gè)過(guò)程耗時(shí)數(shù)年甚至更久。 可是，在告別這個(gè)過(guò)程之后，我們步入一個(gè)較之先前更長(zhǎng)久、更穩(wěn)定的時(shí)期，在此時(shí)期，我們可以企盼得到相對(duì)平和的心態(tài)，也會(huì)重新恢復(fù)平衡的感覺(jué)。 我們飛出父母的溫暖愛(ài)巢，堅(jiān)信自己已經(jīng)長(zhǎng)大成人，再也不需要童年時(shí)期的呵護(hù)。 但是很快我們就意識(shí)到，把夢(mèng)想變?yōu)榫唧w的目標(biāo)并不能讓我們一勞永逸地獲得自立。 我們必須建立新的人際關(guān)系，適應(yīng)新環(huán)境。 這個(gè)過(guò)程就算沒(méi)有痛苦，也夠意味深長(zhǎng)的。 當(dāng)新的人生階段構(gòu)建起來(lái)時(shí)，我們又要準(zhǔn)備走入下一個(gè)時(shí)期。 成長(zhǎng)之路如此這般，周而復(fù)始。

　　Let's look at the two important stages in that sequence. They mark the crucial moment of our passage from a dreaming adolescence to a more mature adulthood.

　　現(xiàn)在我們就來(lái)關(guān)注一下成長(zhǎng)過(guò)程中的兩個(gè)重要階段。 它們標(biāo)志著從充滿夢(mèng)幻的青春期到進(jìn)一步成熟的成人期必然要經(jīng)歷的關(guān)鍵時(shí)刻。

　　The first is said to be a stage of pulling up roots. We grow hastily into the stage where we seek for independence and recognition.

　　第一個(gè)階段被稱為“連根拔起”時(shí)期， 是我們成長(zhǎng)過(guò)程中急于獨(dú)立與讓自我得到他人認(rèn)可的階段。

　　Before 18, our motto is loud and clear:"I have to get away from my parents." But the words are seldom connected to action. We are generally still a safe part of our families, the center of our parental care, even if away at school, or at an army camp for military instructions.

　　18歲之前，我們的口號(hào)響亮而清晰：“我要離開(kāi)父母�！� 但是說(shuō)歸說(shuō)，做歸做，口號(hào)幾乎無(wú)法付諸行動(dòng)。 總體上我們還是家庭中牢固的一分子，是父母的掌上明珠。就算是在住校時(shí)，或到軍營(yíng)參加軍訓(xùn)時(shí)，也是如此。

　　After 18, we begin pulling up roots in earnest. College, military service, and short-term travels are all usual social vehicles for the first round trips between family and a base of one's own. Despite strong protestations, we really attempt to separate our world view from that of our families. "I know exactly what I want!" We cast about for any beliefs we can call our own and test them. In the process, we are often drawn to fads, superstars and rock'n'roll, which are mostly mysterious and inaccessible to our parents.

　　可18歲過(guò)后，我們就開(kāi)始迫不及待地要把自己的根拔離家庭的土壤。 通常，上大學(xué)、服兵役以及短期出游都像是社會(huì)為我們提供的交通工具，載著我們踏上第一輪往返于家庭與自己大本營(yíng)之間的路途。 盡管會(huì)遭到家人強(qiáng)烈的反對(duì)，我們還是試圖將自己的世界觀和家人的世界觀劃清界限， “我非常清楚自己想要什么!”我們追尋著任何所謂屬于自己的信仰，并檢驗(yàn)著它們。 在這個(gè)過(guò)程中，我們迷戀上了時(shí)尚、超級(jí)明星和搖滾樂(lè)，而這一切對(duì)于我們的父母來(lái)說(shuō)簡(jiǎn)直如天方夜譚，神秘而難以接受。

　　No matter how confidently we try to be real members of the world, the fear haunts us that we are really kids who cannot take care of ourselves. We cover that fear by shrugging it off as if it were nothing. For allies to replace our parents, we turn to our peers. They become conspirators, view sharers, substitute for our families. But that doesn't last very long. The instant they stay away from our vague ideals of "our group," they are seen as traitors. It is common that we go back to our family between the ages of 18 and 22.

　　無(wú)論我們何等信心十足地努力成為真正的世界成員，可心中到底放不下那份擔(dān)憂，生怕自己其實(shí)還是孩子，無(wú)法自立。 掩飾這份憂慮的做法便是一笑置之，當(dāng)它是垃圾。 為了找到能夠取代父母的同盟者，我們把目光轉(zhuǎn)向了同齡人。 他們成了我們志同道合的伙伴，完全替代了家人。 但這種關(guān)系卻不能長(zhǎng)久維持， 一旦背棄了“咱們?nèi)��?nèi)”那些十分模糊的理想，他們就會(huì)被當(dāng)成叛徒排擠出去。 因此，18歲到22歲之間的青年重新回歸家庭懷抱是很常見(jiàn)的。

　　This passage is to locate us in a peer group role, a sex role, an anticipated occupation, an ideology or world view. As a result, we are ready to leave home physically, relocating our identity to begin leaving home emotionally.

　　上述人生階段將我們定位成一個(gè)同齡人群體角色，一個(gè)性成熟角色，并且有著一份期望中的職業(yè)，一種意識(shí)形態(tài)和一套世界觀。 因而，我們準(zhǔn)備采取行動(dòng)，離家闖蕩，從而重新確立自己的角色，并在情感上開(kāi)始脫離家庭。

　　This stormy passage through the rapid growing years of our youth will probably facilitate the normal progression of the adult life cycle. If one doesn't have an identity crisis at this point, it will erupt during a later transition, when the penalties may be harder to bear.

　　這段飛快成長(zhǎng)并充滿疾風(fēng)暴雨的青春旅途，會(huì)促使我們正常步入成年期。 如果在這個(gè)階段沒(méi)有經(jīng)歷過(guò)身份危機(jī)，那么該危機(jī)一定會(huì)在今后的過(guò)渡時(shí)期爆發(fā)，到那時(shí)我們?cè)馐艿耐纯鄷?huì)更徹骨，更加難以忍受。

　　The next stage of our growth can be called "the trying twenties."

　　第二個(gè)成長(zhǎng)階段我們稱之為“躍躍欲試的二十多歲”。

　　Our main task in this period is the question of how to take hold in the adult world. Our focus shifts from the inner restlessness of late adolescence - "Who am I?" "What is truth?" - and we become preoccupied with materializing our career goals. "How do I put my aspirations into effect?" "What is the best way to start?" "Where do I go?" "Who can help me?" "How did you do it?"

　　在這一時(shí)期，青年人的主要問(wèn)題便是何以立足于成人世界。 我們關(guān)注的焦點(diǎn)不再是青春期后期內(nèi)心的不安---比如“我是誰(shuí)?”“真理是什么?”---現(xiàn)在我們?nèi)�身心地為�?shí)現(xiàn)事業(yè)的目標(biāo)而奮斗。 “我該怎樣實(shí)現(xiàn)滿腔抱負(fù)?” “怎樣著手才最有效?” “我該朝著哪個(gè)方向發(fā)展?” “誰(shuí)能助我一臂之力?” “別人是怎么成功的?”

　　In this period, which is longer and more stable than the last, the tasks are as enormous as they are exciting: To shape a dream, a dream that will generate energy, aliveness, and hope. To prepare for our career. To find a mentor if possible. And to form the capacity for friendship, without losing in the process our self so far constructed.

　　在這個(gè)較之先前為時(shí)更久也相對(duì)更穩(wěn)定的時(shí)期，人生的任務(wù)既巨大又激動(dòng)人心：塑造一個(gè)夢(mèng)想，一個(gè)激發(fā)精力、活力和希望的夢(mèng)想; 為宏圖偉業(yè)做好準(zhǔn)備; 如果有可能還要尋覓一位良師益友; 培養(yǎng)交友能力，同時(shí)還不能失落已經(jīng)樹(shù)立起來(lái)的自我。

　　Doing what we "should" is the common theme of the twenties. What "should" be done is largely defined by family models, the social convention or the examples of our peers. If the popular cultural instructions are that one should get married and set up one's own family, a nuclear family is born. If instead the peers insist that one should do one's own thing, a 25-year-old is likely to apply for a position in Microsoft, hoping that, without family commitment, he could work his way up to a real CEO there.

　　二十多歲的時(shí)候，擔(dān)負(fù)起責(zé)任是我們共同的主題。 我們“應(yīng)該”負(fù)起什么樣的責(zé)任主要是由家庭示范、社會(huì)習(xí)俗或同齡人中的榜樣來(lái)確定的。 如果社會(huì)上流行文化認(rèn)為人們應(yīng)該結(jié)婚、建立家庭，那么一個(gè)核心家庭就會(huì)應(yīng)運(yùn)而生。 相反，如果同齡人都堅(jiān)持認(rèn)為走自己的路，那么一個(gè)25歲的青年便會(huì)到微軟求職，希望在沒(méi)有家庭義務(wù)的羈絆下，自己能步步高升，榮任微軟的首席執(zhí)行官。

　　People in their twenties tend to believe that the choices they make cannot be changed. This is largely a false fear. Change is quite possible, and some alteration of our original choices is probably unavoidable.

　　二十多歲的人往往覺(jué)得自己做出的諸多選擇是不可更改的。 其實(shí)這種擔(dān)心是沒(méi)有根據(jù)的。 改變選擇也不是不可以，而且對(duì)有些先前選擇的變更也是無(wú)法避免的。

　　Two impulses, as always, are at work. One is to build a firm, safe structure for the future by making strong commitments, to "be set." Yet people who willingly slip into a ready-made form of life are likely to find themselves locked in.

　　這一時(shí)期總是有兩種動(dòng)力在發(fā)揮作用。 動(dòng)力之一是通過(guò)按部就班、安安穩(wěn)穩(wěn)地承擔(dān)各種義務(wù)而為將來(lái)打造一個(gè)牢靠的基礎(chǔ)。 然而一旦甘愿滑入這種現(xiàn)成的生活方式，就有可能永遠(yuǎn)把自己約束起來(lái)，鎖定在一個(gè)狹窄的圈子里。

　　The other urge is to explore and experiment, keeping their way of life tentative and therefore easily reversible. Taken to the extreme, these are people who skip from one trial job and personal relationship to another, spending their twenties in high mobility.

　　動(dòng)力之二是不斷地探索、嘗試新事物，將生活中的每一段道路都變成嘗試之路，使之可以隨時(shí)逆轉(zhuǎn)、變更。 如果做得極端一點(diǎn)兒，這樣的青年人就會(huì)不斷地變換嘗試性的工作和嘗試性的人際關(guān)系，將20歲之后的整個(gè)十年都投入到這種高度動(dòng)蕩之中。

　　Although the choices of our twenties can be changed, they do set in motion a life pattern. Some of us follow the lock-in pattern, others the mobile pattern, the caregiver pattern, and others. Such patterns strongly influence the particular questions raised for each person during each passage.

　　雖然二十多歲時(shí)的諸多選擇可以更改，但這些選擇還是啟動(dòng)了一種生活模式。 有人走上了穩(wěn)妥的既定之路，有人選擇了闖蕩，還有人擔(dān)負(fù)起照料家庭的責(zé)任，如此這般，不一而足。 這些生活模式很大程度上決定了不同人生階段不同的人所面臨的特定問(wèn)題。

　　Youths in their twenties hold powerful illusions and they are truly confident that they can materialize their dreams. They commonly insist in their twenties that what they have chosen to do is their true course in life. If they are told that they are not unlike their parents, that the two decades of parental training might be reflected in their current actions and attitudes, they would certainly say "no."

　　二十多歲的青年人都有揮之不去的夢(mèng)想，并且深信這些夢(mèng)想定能實(shí)現(xiàn)。 這個(gè)時(shí)期，大家通常堅(jiān)信自己的選擇就是人生正確的航線。 假如有人告訴這些青年，說(shuō)他們并非不像自己的父母，說(shuō)他們20年所受的家庭熏陶反映在了他們當(dāng)前的行為態(tài)度上，那么他們就會(huì)斬釘截鐵地回答：“不�！�

　　"Not me," is their motto, "I'm different."

　　他們的口號(hào)是：“我絕不是那樣的，我是家庭的異類�！�