机器人向往之尊严 Looking for Dignity
前情梗概:尽管拥有酷似人类的外表和神经中枢系统,安德鲁仍然改变不了不死之身的事实。眼看着深爱的波夏渐渐老去,安德鲁也萌生出与波夏一同变老、死去的想法。他更换了身上的主要器官,并在即将老死之际,向曾经拒绝承认他为人类身份的各国联合大会提出申请,希望大家承认他作为人类的身份。
Andrew: I have always tried to make sense of things. There must be some reason I am as I am. As you can see, Madam Chairman, I am no longer 6)immortal.
Madam Chairman: You have arranged to die?
Andrew: In a sense, I have. I am growing old, and my body is 7)deteriorating, and, like all of you, it will eventually cease to function. As a robot, I could've lived forever. But I tell you all today, I would rather die a man than live for all eternity as a machine.
Madam Chairman: Why do you want this?
Andrew: To be acknowledged, for who and what I am. ⑤No more, no less. Not for acclaim, not for approval, but the simple truth of that recognition. This has been the elemental drive of my existence, and it must be achieved, if I am to live or die, with dignity.
Madam Chairman: Mr. Martin, what you are asking for is extremely complex and controversial. It will not be an easy decision. I must ask for your patience while I take the necessary time to make a determination of this extremely delicate matter.
Andrew: Then I await your decision, Madam Chairman. Thank you for your patience.
安德鲁:我一直试着想要搞清楚事情的道理。我之所以是我,一定是有原因的。主席女士,你能看出来,我不再长生不老。
主席女士:你安排了自己的死亡。
安德鲁:也可以这么说。我已经逐渐老化,我的身体日渐衰败,就像你们一样,我的身体迟早会停止运作。身为机器人,我原本可长生不老,但我今天是来告诉各位,我宁愿因身为人类而死,也不要身为机器人而生。
主席女士:你为何要这么做?
安德鲁:我要你们承认我身为人类的本质,如此而已。我不要名声,不求认可,我只要你们的承认。这是让我活下去的唯一动力。我一定要达成目的,不管我是生或是死,都要保有我的尊严。
主席女士:马丁先生,你的要求极其复杂又具争议性。这是个困难的抉择,我希望你能耐心等待,我需要花点时间斟酌才能解决这个难题。
安德鲁:我静待你的判决,主席女士。谢谢你们的耐心聆听。
Smart Sentences
① You're in on this. 你也有份。
to be in on sth.: be part of a plan or know about a secret(参与某个计划,或了解某个秘密)。例如:
Andy is not in on the planning for the party because he has a big mouth.
安迪并没有参与周末派对的筹划,因为他嘴不严。
Suitable Occasions: oral, informal
② It's because of you and Andrew's abilities that he's become every bit as complex as we are. 正因为你和安德鲁自己的能力,所以他才会变得像我们一样拥有七情六欲。
every bit: in all ways, equally(完全,从头到尾)。例如:
He is every bit as mean as she is.
他完全与她一样刻薄。
Suitable Occasions: oral, informal
③ Called or uncalled, I am always at your service. 不管你有没有吩咐,我永远乐于为你们服务。
at your service: an expression used to indicate your willingness to help the other in any way you can(敬候差遣)。例如:
James tipped his hat, “Always at your service, Ma'am.”
詹姆斯行了个脱帽礼,说道:“永远为您效劳,夫人。”
Suitable Occasion: oral, formal
④ I have done everything inside and out. 我从内到外都改变了。
inside and out: thoroughly, every part of something(彻底地,某事物的所有部分),usually used to emphasize the completeness(常用以强调全部性)。例如:
After living here for two years, I know this place inside and out.
在这里住了两年,我对里里外外都非常了解。
Suitable Occasion: oral, informal
⑤ No more, no less. 如此而已(不多不少)。
no more, no less: used to express the exactness, precision of sth.(不折不扣,不多不少)。例如:
I want you to complete your work quota today. No more, no less.
我只需要你完成今天的工作量,不多也不少。
Suitable Occasions: oral, informal