Today, a baffled lady observed the shell where my soul dwells
今天, 一位困惑的女士观察了 我内心深处灵魂寄居的壳
And announced that I'm "articulate"
并宣称我 “口才好”
Which means that when it comes to enunciation and diction
这意味着 我根本不用考虑
I don't even think of it
发音和措辞
‘Cause I’m "articulate"
因为我“口才好”
So when my professor asks a question
所以当我的老师问一个问题
And my answer is tainted with a connotation of urbanized suggestion
我的回答会 跟城市化的建议沾边
There’s no misdirected intention
这没有不当的意思
Pay attention
注意
‘Cause I’m “articulate”
因为我“口才好”
So when my father asks, “Wha’ kinda ting is dis?”
所以当我父亲问我: ”这是神马东西?“
My “articulate” answer never goes amiss
我“口才好”的回答从来不会出差错
I say “father, this is the impending problem at hand”
我说:”爸爸,这是眼前 即将发生的问题“
And when I’m on the block I switch it up just because I can
所以当我在讲台上 我就打开开关, 因为我可以做到
So when my boy says, “What’s good with you son?”
所以当我儿子说:”我哪里好?”
I just say, “I jus’ fall out wit dem people but I done!”
我只是说:“我只是觉得#@¥%!”
And sometimes in class
而且有时候在课堂上
I might pause the intellectual sounding flow to ask
我可能会停下智慧的思考问道
“Yo! Why dese books neva be about my peoples”
"嘿,为什么这些书从来不是 有关我们这些人的”
Yes, I have decided to treat all three of my languages as equals
是的,我已经决定同等 对待我的三种语言
Because I’m “articulate”
因为我“口才好”
But who controls articulation?
但是谁控制口才?
Because the English language is a multifaceted oration
因为英语是多面的华丽虚饰的语言
Subject to indefinite transformation
受到不定的变化
Now you may think that it is ignorant to speak broken English
你可能认为说蹩脚的英语是愚昧的
But I’m here to tell you that even “articulate” Americans sound foolish to the British
但是我是要告诉你 哪怕是“有口才”的美国人 在英国人听起来也很愚蠢
So when my Professor comes on the block and says, “Hello”
所以当教授站在讲台上 说“大家好”
I stop him and say “Noooo …
我就会制止他说“不对”
You’re being inarticulate … the proper way is to say ‘what’s good’”
你这么说是没口才的... 正确的说法是:“怎么吗”
Now you may think that’s too hood, that’s not cool
现在你可能觉得这太虚伪,不酷
But I’m here to tell you that even our language has rules
但是这里我是要告诉你 即使我们的语言是规范的
So when Mommy mocks me and says “ya’ll-be-madd-going-to-the-store”
所以妈妈嘲笑我说到 ”你过商店去“
I say “Mommy, no, that sentence is not following the law
我说”妈,不,这个句子不合规范
Never does the word "madd" go before a present participle
不要把’过‘放在‘去’前面
That’s simply the principle of this English”
这就是英语的规范“
If I had the vocal capacity I would sing this from every mountaintop,
如果我有声乐能力我就会 从每个山顶这么唱,
From every suburbia, and every hood
每个郊区,每个人
‘Cause the only God of language is the one recorded in the Genesis
因为最标准的语言是记录在《创世纪》
Of this world saying “it is good"
在这个世界说”它是很好的“
So I may not always come before you with excellency of speech
所以我可以一直在你面前 做完美的演讲
But do not judge me by my language and assume
但是不要用我的语言来评论我
That I’m too ignorant to teach
说我不是一个好老师
‘Cause I speak three tongues
因为我可以说三种调调
One for each:
每样一种:
Home, school and friends
家,学校,朋友
I’m a tri-lingual orator
我是三语演说者
Sometimes I’m consistent with my language now
有时候我保持语言的一致
Then switch it up so I don’t bore later
然后换一种, 这样我不会不耐烦
Sometimes I fight back two tongues
有时候我在两种语言之间挣扎
While I use the other one in the classroom
当我在教室用另一种语调
And when I mistakenly mix them up
有时候我会混用
I feel crazy like … I’m cooking in the bathroom
我觉得我疯了就像... 我在厕所做饭
I know that I had to borrow your language because mines was stolen
我知道我必须借用你的语言 因为我的语言被盗窃了
But you can’t expect me to speak your history wholly while mines is broken
但是你不能希望我完整的说你的历史 而我的历史是破碎的
These words are spoken
这些词汇被
By someone who is simply fed up with the Eurocentric ideals of this season
那些受够了 欧洲中心主义的人
And the reason I speak a composite version of your language
我说一种复合形式的 你们的语言的原因是
Is because mines was raped away along with my history
因为我的语言 已经被历史抹去了
I speak broken English so the profusing gashes can remind us
我说蹩脚的英语 可以提醒我们
That our current state is not a mystery
我们的现状不是一个谜
I’m so tired of the negative images that are driving my people mad
我已经受够了那些 让我们这些人发疯的负面看法
So unless you’ve seen it rob a bank stop calling my hair bad
除非你看到它抢劫了银行, 否则不要说我的头发不好
I’m so sick of this nonsensical racial disparity
我受够了这不理智的种族差异
So don’t call it good unless your hair is known for donating to charity
所以也不要说它好, 除非你的头发 以捐助慈善而享誉社会。
As much as has been raped away from our people
我们的很多东西被掠去了
How can you expect me to treat their imprint on your language
你们如何期待我对待 自己印迹在你们的语言中
As anything less than equal
像所有不公平的一切
Let there be no confusion
让我们不在迷惑
Let there be no hesitation
让我们不在犹豫
This is not a promotion of ignorance
这不是推进愚昧
This is a linguistic celebration
这是语言学家的庆典
That’s why I put "tri-lingual" on my last job application
这就是为什么我在我的上封求职信上 写下“会三种语言”
I can help to diversify your consumer market is all I wanted them to know
我可以使你的客户多元化 这是我想让他们知道的
And when they call me for the interview I’ll be more than happy to show that
而且当他们打电话面试的时候 我很乐意展示这
I can say:
我可以说:
“What’s good”
”怎样了“
“Whatagwan”
”好啊“
And of course …“Hello”
而且当然……”大家好“
Because I’m “articulate”
因为我“口才好”
Thank you.
谢谢。
(Applause)
(鼓掌)