第一篇：奧巴馬演講修辭學(xué)分析1

奧巴馬演講分析

——排比在英語演講中的修辭作用

美國大選前許多人都評價：奧巴馬的政見并不新穎甚至有點平庸；擁有的個人財富只有對手的幾十分之一；相貌遠(yuǎn)遜于前輩肯尼迪和克林頓，而且還是非美國本土的外來黑哥......奧巴馬唯一讓人嫉妒的是他擁有最能鼓動人心的好口才，這是上帝給他最好的禮物和恩賜！不可否認(rèn)，他超凡脫俗的演講，為他競選贏得勝利起到了至關(guān)重要的作用。奧巴馬的演講，無論是文稿的整體布局，還是演講言辭的融情達(dá)意，或是激情澎湃的演講表達(dá)，都可謂精深獨到，不得不令人拍手稱快。．據(jù)CNN報道。，有語言學(xué)家稱，“總統(tǒng)當(dāng)選人巴拉克·奧巴馬當(dāng)晚發(fā)表的獲勝演說可與很多史上著名演講相比．”奧巴馬稱得上是一位杰出的演說家，在多次演講中，他都嫻熟地運用了各種修辭技巧，可以說，“奧巴馬的勝利是修辭學(xué)的勝利”(梁文道，2008)．其中，排比在奧巴馬演講中效果最為突出。鑒于排比在英語演講中的重要性，我們試圖以美國新當(dāng)選總統(tǒng)奧巴馬的獲勝演講為例，來探討排比在這篇演講中的修辭效果．本研究目的在于給英語演講和修辭教學(xué)一些啟示．同時也讓學(xué)者通過領(lǐng)悟奧巴馬的演講技藝，學(xué)習(xí)、借鑒，來提高自身的演講水平。

一，排比概念及其作用

“排比”在英語中的對應(yīng)詞為parallelism，是指為了達(dá)到修辭效果而循環(huán)出現(xiàn)的、句法相似的結(jié)構(gòu)—“recurrent syntactical similarities introduced for rhetorical effect“(Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary,1977；831)．英語排比具有結(jié)構(gòu)整齊，節(jié)奏鮮明，語言簡練等特點．在英語演講中運用排比旬，可以增加演講詞的節(jié)奏感和音韻美，突出演講者雄辯口才和強(qiáng)烈感情，增強(qiáng)演講語言的氣勢，提高演講的說服力和欣賞性．

二，奧巴馬獲勝演講個案排比分析

奧巴馬于2008年11月4日當(dāng)選為美國總統(tǒng)。并于當(dāng)晚發(fā)表了獲勝演講．這次演講富有很強(qiáng)的號召力和感染力，喚起了民眾戰(zhàn)勝金融危機(jī)的信心和勇氣?，F(xiàn)場的無數(shù)觀眾被感動得熱淚盈眶．奧巴馬在他的獲勝演講中熟練地運用了一系列的修辭方法，如捧比，對比，反復(fù)，對仗，引用等，其中排比的使用次數(shù)最多．下面我們就以排比結(jié)構(gòu)在奧巴馬獲勝演講(Barak Obama’s Victory Speech)中的置,選取了四個代表性的例子，來討論其修辭效果。

（一）從句開頭的排比

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible，who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time，who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.這三個排比組合句是奧巴馬獲勝演講的開場白。奧巴馬用自己勝選的事實回答了某些人對“美國是否凡事都有可能，美國奠基者的夢想是否依然鮮活，美國民主制度的力量”的質(zhì)疑．通過這三個排比旬，奧巴馬言簡意賅地表達(dá)了他獲勝的意義：顯示出“美國夢”的獨特性和普遍價值，顯示出他的能力，肯定了美國是一切皆有可能的地方，肯定他的獲勝是對美國政治文化傳統(tǒng)的繼承而不是背離．開場耐人尋味的排比，便已打開了選民們的心聲以及繼續(xù)聽下去的欲望。

（二）排比結(jié)構(gòu)用在段首 It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen；By people who waited three hours and four hour...It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican，black，white, Hispanic，Asian，Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled...It’s the answer that led those who have been told...to put their hands Off the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day．

首先，在前兩個位于段首的排比句群中，奧巴馬強(qiáng)調(diào)他是“設(shè)在學(xué)校和教堂的投票站前排起的前所未見的長隊”，是“等了三四個小時的選民”，是“所有美國人民”共同選舉出來的總統(tǒng)。他重申了自己當(dāng)選總統(tǒng)是合法的，是由美國人民通過民主方式選舉出來的．第三個排比句群在意義上是對前兩個排比句群的總結(jié)和升華。奧巴馬呼吁美國人民要對美國的未來有信心，同時暗示作為新一任的總統(tǒng)，他會繼承美國的歷史傳統(tǒng)，讓“美國夢”延續(xù)。這三個排比句群的使用，增強(qiáng)了演講的氣勢，有力地回?fù)袅四切W巴馬獲勝原因存在質(zhì)疑的人，同時向聽眾做出了有力的保證，調(diào)動了聽眾的積極性，激發(fā)了聽眾的自信心．

（三）介詞短語的排比

To those who would tear this world down, we will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security, we support you．And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright, tonight we proved once more that the strength of our nation comes...from the enduring power of our ideals :democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope．

介詞短語To those的反復(fù)出現(xiàn)，明確了要擊敗和支持的對象，語氣強(qiáng)烈，一針見血．這既是對恐怖分子敲警鐘，又給予了愛好和平的人們奮斗的力量。同時，向那些懷疑美國能否繼續(xù)照亮世界發(fā)展前景的人們證明。美國真正的力量來自于這個國家的理想：民主、自由、機(jī)會和不屈的希望。排比結(jié)構(gòu)的出現(xiàn)突出了強(qiáng)調(diào)的內(nèi)容，語言氣勢逼人，具有強(qiáng)大的震撼力。

（四）句型結(jié)構(gòu)的排比

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the west;endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg, Normand and Khe sahn.（五）段尾的排比

And tonight,...she’s seen...the heartache and the hope；the struggle and the progress...Yes we can．

At a time...she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can．

When there was...she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal，new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can．

When the bombs...she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can． She was there.Yes we Can．

A man...And this year, in this election..., she knows how America can change.Yes we can．

在這里奧巴馬以一個106歲的老婦人參加投票為例，運用了一系列的排比來烘托現(xiàn)場氣氛，具有很強(qiáng)的說服力和感染力。連續(xù)4個“她看到了···”(she’s seen，she lived to see，she saw, she was there to witness)和6個“是的，我們能”(Yes We can)，強(qiáng)調(diào)美國能達(dá)成正義和平等，能獲得機(jī)遇和繁榮能治愈這個國家，能補(bǔ)救這個世界，強(qiáng)調(diào)美國能發(fā)生變革!這種以具體的人物、事例和具體的生活場景為主體構(gòu)成的排比語段，真正達(dá)到了提高語言表現(xiàn)力的目。這幾段出現(xiàn)在演講末尾的排比具有排山倒海的氣勢，具有強(qiáng)大的煽動性，把整個演講再次推向了高潮。

在整個獲勝演講當(dāng)中，通過捧比，奧巴馬將有魅力的句子集中，演講節(jié)奏分明，氣氛被一次次的推向的高潮，演講大為增色。這些排比的運用，創(chuàng)造了演講中的個個亮點，氣勢磅礴，使聽眾的情感受到一次次的震。．

三 結(jié)語

演講是一門勸說的藝術(shù)。演講者要達(dá)到勸說的目的，就必須講究演講詞的語言表達(dá)技巧，這種技巧在語言層面的體現(xiàn)之一就是修辭手法的運用。排比是英語演講中最常見的修辭手法。國內(nèi)學(xué)者對于排比的修辭效果給予了充分的肯定。“排比是英語所有修辭格中最常使用的修辭格之一。任何學(xué)會使用并能駕馭排比及其變化的人都會發(fā)現(xiàn)排比可使演講條理清楚，效果顯著，具有難以衡量的價值”(張秀國．2005)奧巴馬這篇獲勝演講中排比修辭手法的運用，成功的達(dá)到了說服聽眾的目的．

參考文獻(xiàn)：（1）奧巴馬獲勝演講英文原文網(wǎng)址：http://wenku.baidu.com/view/70d3d8d8d15abe23482f4d56.html（2）何曉勤 演講·勸說·訴諸·語篇 外語與外語教學(xué)．2004．(11)（3）張秀田 《英語鉻辭學(xué)》北京：青華大學(xué)出版杜．2005（4）梁文道 《奧巴馬的勝利是修辭學(xué)的勝利 》 南方周末，2008(5)徐鵬 《英語辭格 》北京：商務(wù)印書館，1977

第二篇：美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬開學(xué)演講西方修辭學(xué)淺析

美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬開學(xué)演講西方修辭學(xué)淺析

李榮義

（福建農(nóng)林大學(xué)蜂學(xué)學(xué)院2009級 學(xué)號：090723067）

【摘要】肯尼斯·伯克認(rèn)為任何語篇都包含著人類動機(jī)。人類的行為是在動機(jī)驅(qū)使下發(fā)生的。語言作為人類的一種行為，可以成為動機(jī)的載體。西方修辭學(xué)的發(fā)展史表明，演講是修辭的最早來源，兩者關(guān)系密切。古典修辭學(xué)理論認(rèn)為，修辭學(xué)就是研究演說的技巧。修辭和演講密不可分，演講是一門勸說的藝術(shù)。演講者要得到勸說目的就需要應(yīng)用各種修辭表達(dá)技巧。而通過對語言的研究，可以發(fā)現(xiàn)其中隱藏的動機(jī)。本文試圖通過奧巴馬總統(tǒng)的開學(xué)演講，淺析其中西方修辭的應(yīng)用，討論修辭應(yīng)用對勸說效果的影響。

【關(guān)鍵詞】奧巴馬 演講 受眾 修辭

一、戲劇五要素分析

肯尼斯·伯克的戲劇五位一體理論作為發(fā)現(xiàn)動機(jī)工具，其中的五個因素：行動、場景、執(zhí)事者、工具、和目的。伯克是這樣闡述的：任何有關(guān)動機(jī)的完整闡述都應(yīng)該回答這樣五個問題：發(fā)生了什么(行動)，在什么時候或哪里發(fā)生的(場景)，行動實施者是誰(執(zhí)事者)，怎么發(fā)生的(工具)，以及為什么(目的)。在本文研究材料中五要素表現(xiàn)為：美國剛上任總統(tǒng)奧巴馬（執(zhí)事者）在和弗吉尼亞州阿靈頓市的韋克菲爾德高中（場景），通過麥克風(fēng)以對現(xiàn)場聽眾，以及電臺及電視臺的轉(zhuǎn)播（工具）面對全美國學(xué)生及教育者，學(xué)生家長等演講（行動），強(qiáng)調(diào)學(xué)習(xí)的重要性并希望通過演講使學(xué)生重視并認(rèn)真學(xué)習(xí)（目的）。這五個要素不是孤立存在的，它們可以以不同的方式組合。按照伯克的觀點，戲劇五要素的不同組合可形成十對關(guān)系比場景-行為、場景-執(zhí)行者、場景-工具、場景-目的、行為-目的、行為-執(zhí)行者、行為-工具、執(zhí)行者-目的、執(zhí)行者-工具、工具-目的，顛倒每-對關(guān)系比的順序可創(chuàng)設(shè)另外十對關(guān)系比。演講是由演講者的動機(jī)驅(qū)使而發(fā)生的行為，動機(jī)會決定五個元素在其中的排列組合。因此，了解動機(jī)可以對演講的理解起到幫助作用。相比競選就職等政治色彩演說，開學(xué)演講的動機(jī)只需要博得受眾的認(rèn)同并實踐，而受眾的認(rèn)同及付諸行動并不需要放棄一放選擇另一平行的選擇，如投選票。開學(xué)演講中，沒有競爭對手，演講動機(jī)即說服受眾承認(rèn)學(xué)習(xí)的重要性并采取行動以正確的態(tài)度認(rèn)真學(xué)習(xí)。因此演講動機(jī)并不需要頂著另一方同等競爭備選項的挑戰(zhàn)。

二、開學(xué)演講受眾分析

修辭的首要問題便是對受眾的把握。受眾應(yīng)該成為整個修辭過程的中心。演講者必須對受眾有清晰的認(rèn)識，了解受眾心理，及時調(diào)整演講內(nèi)容、選定語法結(jié)構(gòu)、框定

詞匯范圍、列舉恰當(dāng)例子幫助修辭目的的成功。從演講開頭，我們可以發(fā)現(xiàn)奧巴馬對受眾已經(jīng)有了清晰的認(rèn)識：幼兒園到12年級的學(xué)生。并且奧巴馬有對受眾進(jìn)行分層：剛?cè)雽W(xué)新生、畢業(yè)班、以及剛完成新生向老生轉(zhuǎn)變的學(xué)生這三層次。鑒于受眾受教育程度跨度較大，奧巴馬演講所用詞匯，運用的語法都比較簡單。一般而言，激勵學(xué)生認(rèn)真學(xué)習(xí)本是教育者的工作。而奧巴馬作為美國新上任的總統(tǒng)，在開學(xué)第一天的演講看來有些“不務(wù)正業(yè)”。挖掘潛在的受眾，我們發(fā)現(xiàn)還有教育工作者以及學(xué)生家長。當(dāng)然也不排除政界對立的黨派人士。演講中，奧巴馬一再使用“I’ve”的現(xiàn)在完成時語態(tài)，強(qiáng)調(diào)了自己對教育的重視，在口頭上“兌現(xiàn)”了其競選演講許下的承諾。而作為剛上任的總統(tǒng)，我們其實清楚地知道：教師配備及待遇及教育設(shè)施投入等現(xiàn)狀其實是以往的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)班子努力的成果。演講中，多次用到“I’ve”的排比形式，潛意識里形成受眾對他工作的認(rèn)同，盜用了前人的功勞，為其總統(tǒng)工作的肯定鋪下基石，穩(wěn)定并提高公眾對自己的支持率。據(jù)此分析，奧巴馬的開學(xué)演講在激勵學(xué)生的目的的背后，或多或少帶有政治動機(jī)。

三、博克新修辭學(xué)認(rèn)同說分析

根據(jù)伯克的定義，修辭指“人們運用語言表明態(tài)度或誘導(dǎo)他人完成某種行為”：它以語言的基本功能為基礎(chǔ)，其關(guān)鍵在于“認(rèn)同”，即個體與某個特性或人之間的共同本質(zhì)。在伯克看來，人類作為生物學(xué)上獨立的個體生存在世界上，為了克服隔離感，始終在通過交際追求認(rèn)同。伯克認(rèn)為，“說服是認(rèn)同的結(jié)果”。想要說服受眾，執(zhí)事者必須在其他方面上和受眾達(dá)成共識，以謀取受眾心理上接受演說者的基礎(chǔ)繼而進(jìn)行修辭，從而達(dá)到說服的目的。認(rèn)同論分為：同情認(rèn)同、對立認(rèn)同、誤同。

演講一開始，奧巴馬便抓住受眾心理，并通自己的童年來表達(dá)自己對學(xué)生心理的理解：對假日的不舍，對懶床的共性，對開學(xué)的壓力等。以“過來人”的身份表示自己完全理解，因為小時候“我（奧巴馬）”也是這樣的。這就很自然地迎合了受眾心理，與說教的風(fēng)格立即區(qū)別開，取得受眾的認(rèn)同使其有興趣聽下去。

同時，奧巴馬總統(tǒng)的身份本身也在此也起到修辭作用：誤同。通過同情認(rèn)同，總統(tǒng)的身份形成一種誤同，即：只要你們現(xiàn)在肯努力，也會和我（奧巴馬）一樣有無限可能，比如成為總統(tǒng)。此后結(jié)合各種例子，演講中誤同的大量運用起到很好的修辭效果。誤同在廣告中最常見，以明星的身材，容貌結(jié)合其知名度使受眾誤以為只要用同一產(chǎn)品，誘使受眾誤以為只要使用一樣的產(chǎn)品，通過同樣的努力，就可以和他們一樣優(yōu)秀出眾。跳出演講，眾所周知成功案例畢竟是少數(shù)，努力過后，成功也往往需要機(jī)會的垂青，也因各人品行修養(yǎng)取向以及人生觀價值觀左右。也就是說，成功除了努力，也靠各人造化，機(jī)遇和運氣早就不同人生。但是，在演講中誤同法運用得當(dāng)，可以起到很好的修辭效果，讓受眾備受激勵而接受演講者的觀點，從而使演講者的動機(jī)得以實現(xiàn)。

我們可以發(fā)現(xiàn)，在該演講中，幾乎沒有運用到對立認(rèn)同。這也是開學(xué)演講相對于競選等政治演講的特點。開學(xué)演講不需要受眾在接受演講者的觀點的同時，拋棄另一平行選項。所以，這是一種沒有競爭的修辭行為。

四、語言細(xì)節(jié)分析

“The future of America depends on you.What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the

future.” “If you don't do that--if you quit on school--you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.”“because here in America, you write your own destiny.You make your own future.”演講者用了一系列的放大夸張法，將放棄學(xué)業(yè)放大成對國家的拋棄，將國家的前途降臨到?jīng)]一位受眾身上。這使受眾倍受激勵而自覺放棄反駁同時也失去反駁的余地。受眾被賦予光榮的身份，將認(rèn)真學(xué)習(xí)修辭成為熱愛國家的不二選擇。同時，之后又用到“because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.”再次運用這一修辭，將演說者的觀點深入受眾內(nèi)心，修辭動機(jī)得以突出。而這一動機(jī)也迎合了奧巴馬競選時候的格調(diào)：“I can”以及“Change”等在經(jīng)濟(jì)不景氣背景下對直接受眾，潛在受眾的激勵，延續(xù)競選時的口號，使其政治手段更加深入人心。

相比于辯論，歸謬法這一修辭手段也沒有應(yīng)用到該演講中。但是以上夸大事實放大影響提出對未來生活的無限展望，本人認(rèn)為與歸謬法的效果有些類似。根據(jù)本人對西方修辭的理解，我認(rèn)為那是一種“泛歸謬法”的應(yīng)用，道理是一樣的。謬法是人們常用的一種論證方法。它是充分條件假言推理否定式在論證中的應(yīng)用。人們在運用歸謬法反駁某一判斷(或稱為觀點)時，先假定被反駁判斷為真，并以它作為充分條件假言推理大前提的前件，然后經(jīng)過合理的引申、推導(dǎo)得出一個虛假或荒謬的后件，最后根據(jù)充分條件假言推理“否定后件就要否定前件”的規(guī)則，達(dá)到對被反駁判斷的否定。而放大夸張的修辭則往相反方向，其動機(jī)恰恰與駁倒對方觀點相左，通過夸大修辭讓受眾接受同一觀點。因此，本人對修辭中的歸謬法認(rèn)識：歸謬法在辯論中較常使用，不適用于開學(xué)演講這種激勵型演講。

此外，開學(xué)演講中運用排比重復(fù)形式，推進(jìn)形式，結(jié)合訴諸情感，人格和邏輯與聽眾達(dá)成同一。通過分析受眾、同情認(rèn)同、引入主題、強(qiáng)調(diào)背景，轉(zhuǎn)入正題、反復(fù)誤同后結(jié)合而邏輯分析、正面價值觀先入為主、細(xì)節(jié)關(guān)心生活（勤洗手）、推進(jìn)總結(jié)，從而將演講內(nèi)容歸納如下：

A：發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的長處，發(fā)現(xiàn)自己真正感興趣的東西。每一個人都是有用之才，你們的職責(zé)就是發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的才能所在！

B：每一個孩子都應(yīng)該擁有讀書和學(xué)習(xí)的機(jī)會。

C：永遠(yuǎn)不要放棄自己！盡管長相，家庭，智力任何外在的因素的不如意等緣故，都不要當(dāng)作放棄疏忽學(xué)業(yè)和態(tài)度惡劣借口。

D：問問自己，在未來的社會中。你將會有什么心新的發(fā)現(xiàn)？你將會解決什么問題？你將會做出什么樣的貢獻(xiàn)？

E：在成功的路上，就是不斷失敗不斷失敗中，走向成功。

F：不要害怕求助，他是力量的象征。因為你有勇氣承認(rèn)自己的不足，能使你得到進(jìn)步！

五、結(jié)語

奧巴馬成功就職總統(tǒng)是修辭學(xué)的成功，然而生活無處不修辭。本文從政治性較不突出的開學(xué)演講進(jìn)行淺析，得到不一樣的認(rèn)識。同時，西方修辭的簡單入門學(xué)習(xí)也為自己演講稿的撰寫得到一些啟發(fā)。西方修辭學(xué)相比中國零散不成體系的修辭，彰顯其強(qiáng)大的力量，吸引著我。國內(nèi)對西方修辭學(xué)的研究較薄弱，本人認(rèn)為應(yīng)該適時加強(qiáng)對西方修辭學(xué)的研究，幫助我們在對外政治或商務(wù)談判中少吃虧。同時，通過本人感悟，認(rèn)為西方修辭學(xué)可以很好地結(jié)合營銷理論用于實踐，指導(dǎo)商家業(yè)務(wù)推廣。因為修辭的本質(zhì)就是知道我們?nèi)绾握f話，以及對什么樣的人，說什么樣的話（依據(jù)受眾特點），更好地達(dá)到說服或者取得受眾的認(rèn)同。此外，鑒于修辭本質(zhì)是應(yīng)用語言，我們“實踐出真知”的同時，應(yīng)該注意修辭學(xué)應(yīng)用中的道德問題，即“好人良言”，合理使用并維護(hù)西方修辭學(xué)的地位和名聲。

參考文獻(xiàn)：

【1】黃堅 借鑒西方修辭理論，改進(jìn)對臺傳播 福建福州350002

【2】劉亞猛：《西方修辭學(xué)史》，外研社2008年版

第三篇：奧巴馬演講

奧巴馬演講

Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.

第四篇：奧巴馬演講

Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)

Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?

Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?

Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)

第五篇：奧巴馬演講

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address Saturday, May 14, 2011

Washington D.C.Recently, there have been signs that the economy is picking up steam.Last month, we saw the strongest job growth in five years, and have added more than three-quarters of a million private sector jobs in just three months.But there are still too many Americans who are either looking for work, or struggling to pay the bills and make the mortgage.Paychecks aren’t getting any bigger, but the cost of everything from groceries to college tuition keeps on rising.Without a doubt, one of the biggest burdens over the last few months has been the price of gasoline.In many places, gas is now more than $4 a gallon, meaning that you could be paying more than $60 to fill up your tank.These spikes in gas prices are often temporary, and while there are no quick fixes to the problem, there are a few steps we should take that make good sense.First, we should make sure that no one is taking advantage of consumers at the pump.That’s why we’ve launched a task force led by the Attorney General that has one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.Second, we should increase safe and responsible oil production here at home.Last year, America’s oil production reached its highest level since 2003.But I believe that we should expand oil production in America – even as we increase safety and environmental standards.To do this, I am directing the Department of Interior to conduct annual lease sales in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while respecting sensitive areas, and to speed up the evaluation of oil and gas resources in the mid and south Atlantic.We plan to lease new areas in the Gulf of Mexico as well, and work to create new incentives for industry to develop their unused leases both on and offshore.We’re also taking steps to give companies time to meet higher safety standards when it comes to exploration and drilling.That’s why my Administration is extending drilling leases in areas of the Gulf that were impacted by the temporary moratorium, as well as certain areas off the coast of Alaska.And to streamline that permitting process, I am establishing a new team to coordinate work on Alaska drilling permits.Finally, the third step we should take is to eliminate the taxpayer subsidies we give to oil and gas companies.In the last few months, the biggest oil companies made about $4 billion in profits each week.And yet, they get $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies each year.Four billion dollars at a time when Americans can barely fill up their tanks.Four billion dollars at a time when we’re trying to reduce our deficit.This isn’t fair, it makes no sense.Before I was President, the CEOs of these companies even admitted that the tax subsidies made no sense.Well, next week, there is a vote in Congress to end these oil company giveaways once and for all.And I hope Democrats and Republicans come together and get this done.The American people shouldn’t be subsidizing oil companies at a time when they’re making near-record profits.As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the ultimate solution to high-gas prices.That’s why we’re investing in clean energy technology, helping businesses that manufacture solar panels and wind turbines, and making sure that our cars and trucks can go further on a tank of gas – a step that could save families as much as $3,000 at the pump.These are investments worth making – investments that will save us money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect the health and safety of our planet.That’s an energy policy for the future, and it’s what I’ll be fighting for in the weeks and months to come.Thanks.