讀《FT·金融時報》學(xué)英語：英國首相特麗莎·梅的圣誕講話

There is no greater honour for me, as Prime Minister, than to work with so many of you: the extraordinary men and women who make up the armed forces of our United Kingdom.
作為英國首相，于我而言，至上的榮耀莫過于與各位組成英國軍隊的卓越的先生們與女士們共事。

So as our thoughts turn to Christmas, I want to send you this personal message, to thank you on behalf of the whole country for everything you do for us; and to tell you just how much we appreciate the extraordinary sacrifices that you and all your families make, especially at this time of year.
圣誕已至，我想送上我的祝福，代表整個國家，為各位所做的一切致以謝意；我們極其感激各位及你們的家庭所做出的莫大犧牲，尤其每年的佳節(jié)時際。

Earlier this month I was on board HMS Ocean in Bahrain, meeting sailors, marines and pilots whose service is helping to bring stability to the Gulf.We talked about the challenges of being away from home–separated and at such a distance from loved ones this Christmas.
本月早些時候，我在巴林登上了海軍艦艇，與幫助維護海灣地區(qū)和平穩(wěn)定的海員、海軍戰(zhàn)士和飛行員們進行了交談。我們聊到了在佳節(jié)之時遠離深愛之人、遠離故土的艱辛。

Over this holiday period, there will be around 5,000 members of our Armed Forces deployed on operations–in the desert, at sea, even under the sea operating our continuous nuclear deterrent.While even those who are able to be here in the UK will, in many cases, be on standby to deal with domestic incidents like the flood relief that so many of you helped with during your Christmas breaks last year.
在此圣誕假期之時，仍有大約5000名軍人正在執(zhí)行任務(wù)——在沙漠中，在大洋里，甚至在水下執(zhí)行我們不間斷核威懾。而就算是那些得以駐留英國本土的戰(zhàn)士，也大都是嚴陣以待處理國內(nèi)突發(fā)事務(wù)。就像去年圣誕節(jié)假期期間，你們處理了洪水的問題。

Just as your commitment to our country is unfaltering–so in return we owe you the same deep commitment and unflinching support.So as I made clear when I met some of your families on Salisbury Plain earlier this year, we will honour the commitments we have made to you, including helping you to buy your own home and providing support for your children in school.
正如你們對國家的承諾是如此堅定無畏，我們也會回報以同樣堅定的承諾和不移的支持。就像今年年初我在索爾斯堡平原會見你們的家人時所說，我們將履行此前向你們許下的承諾，包括在購置房屋以及子女入學(xué)方面提供支持。


And as we go into 2017, I know there is more we can do to help and I am determined that we should do so.Because I want you–and all your families-to know that this government is on your side.
2017正在臨近，我知道，我們還可以做更多來幫助你們，我也堅信事實也勢必如此。因為我想讓你們及你們的家庭都知道，我們的政府與你同在。

Day in and day out, you put yourselves on the line to keep us safe and to protect our interests around the world.You are the finest in the world, and your service is an inspiration to us all.
日復(fù)一日，你們投身于一線，換來國人的安全和國家在世界范圍內(nèi)的利益。你們是全世界最優(yōu)秀的軍人，你們的精神激勵著我們所有人。

So on behalf of our whole country, let me say a huge thank you once again–and let me wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a very happy New Year.
因而在此，請允許我代表國家，再次對你們表示感謝。祝福你們，圣誕平安，新年快樂。