英国新任首相基尔·斯塔默（Keir Starmer）的胜选演讲值得一读（全文见文末），既读妙语佳句，也可透过字里行间探视工党施政方向以及党派分歧。

（图源：english.aawsat.com）

英国《卫报》说，以下几句演讲词最能引起共鸣、最令人难忘（the most resonant and memorable lines of the speech）：

You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country.

特别是 tread more lightly on your lives 这句有些诗意的隐喻表达，是斯塔默竞选关键句，再次出现在胜选演讲中，格外受到关注。

从目前见到的中译文来看，只有财联社把关键句译到了点子上：

“你们给了我们明确的授权，我们将利用它来实现变革，恢复服务和对政治的尊重，结束喧闹的表演时代，更少地干扰你们的生活，团结我们的国家。”（财联社）

读懂译对首先要搞清两个问题：tread more lightly on your lives 讲给谁听？为什么要讲？

英国《每日电讯报》说，这话意在拉拢保守派选民，因为他们担心工党政府会过分干预民众生活（concerned that there will be more state interference in their lives under a Labour administration）。

从 tread more lightly on your lives 也可窥见工党与保守党的重要分歧：政府角色与边界。总体而言，保守党倾向于“小政府，自由市场（small state, free market）”，而工党的传统是“政府积极主义（government activism）”。如今工党卷土重来，政府势必在经济社会等领域管得更宽，因此媒体说英国政坛“左转（leftward lurch）”。

虽然斯塔默从竞选伊始就作出 tread more lightly on voters' lives 这一承诺，但保守党选民不敢信。立场“中-右”的《金融时报》年初曾发文指出：不干涉老百姓生活那还叫工党吗？（Labour is unapologetically interventionist. ...You do not join the party to tread lightly on people's lives. ）

《金融时报》评论文章道出了保守派选民的担忧：若工党上台，就等着政府的大脚丫子踩下来吧！

实际上，斯塔默演讲词中另一句广受关注的话已经让这句承诺的可信度打了折扣：

Politics can be a force for good — we will show that.

相比财联社译文，其他译文，比如“更加轻松地对待您的生活”，译得稀里糊涂，不知所云。

翻译时政文本，看懂单词只是第一步。平时多读书看报，上手翻译才有底气。

Thank you. 

Good afternoon. 

I have just returned from Buckingham Palace, where I accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to form the next government of this great nation. 

I want to thank the outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. His achievement as the first British-Asian Prime Minister of our country – the extra effort that that will have required should not be underestimated by anyone. We pay tribute to that today. And we also recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership.

But now our country has voted, decisively, for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.

When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future – that we need to move forward, together. 

Now, this wound, this lack of trust, can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that. But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgment that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect. 

If you voted for Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild our country. But whether you voted Labour or not – in fact, especially if you did not – I say to you, directly: my government will serve you. 

Politics can be a force for good – we will show that. We’ve changed the Labour Party, returned it to service – and that is how we will govern. Country first, party second. 

Yet, if I’m honest, service is merely a pre-condition of hope. And it is surely clear to everyone that our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery of who we are. Because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to navigate a way through to calmer waters. 

And yet this depends upon politicians, particularly those who stand for stability and moderation – as I do – recognising when we must change course. 

For too long now, we have turned a blind eye as millions slid into greater insecurity. 

Nurses, builders, drivers, carers, people doing the right thing, working harder than ever, recognised – at moments like this, before. Yet, as soon as the cameras stop rolling, their lives are ignored. I want to say very clearly to those people: not this time. 

Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. The world is now a more volatile place. This will take a while. 

But have no doubt that the work of change begins – immediately. 

Have no doubt – that we will rebuild Britain, with wealth created in every community. 

Our NHS back on its feet, facing the future.

Secure borders. Safer streets. Everyone treated with dignity and respect at work.

The opportunity of clean British power, cutting your energy bills for good. 

And, brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity. The world-class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people, the security that working-class families like mine can build their lives around. 

Because if I asked you now whether you believe that Britain will be better for your children, I know – too many of you would say no. 

And so my government will fight, every day, until you believe again. 

From now on, you have a government unburdened by doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve your interests. To defy, quietly, those who have written our country off. 

You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change. To restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives, and unite our country. 

Four nations standing together again, facing down, as we have so often in our past, the challenges of an insecure world, committed to a calm and patient rebuilding. 

So, with respect and humility, I invite you all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal. 

Our work is urgent, and we begin it today.

Thank you very much. 

来源 | 外宣微记、GOV.UK

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