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영국/영국 영어

영국 여왕의 크리스마스 스피치와 영어 공부

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영국 여왕은 매년 크리스마스 때만 되면, BBC를 통해 영국 국민을 향해 연설을 합니다. 연설이라고 하면 좀 어감이 강하니, 그저 덕담이라고 하면 되겠네요. 이제 한달만 있으면, 또, 올 한해를 돌아보며 미래를 기약하는 여왕의 덕담이 있을 것입니다.

위에서 말한 것처럼, 여왕의 덕담의 청자는 영국인들을 위한 것이므로, 그 내용이 우리들과는 직접적인 관계가 없지만, 이라크 문제 등 국제적으로 논란이 된 이슈 등을 언급을 하고, 급속도로 변하는 현대 사회 속에 휴머니즘을 강조하는 등 모든 사람들이 공감할 수 있는 그런 내용을 담고 있습니다. 물론, 그들 로얄 패밀리들의 소식과 크리스마스인 만큼 예수에 관한 내용도 들어가 있기도 하죠.

하지만, 그 무엇보다도 우리들은 여왕의 스피치를 통해 영어 듣기 공부를 할 수 있다는 사실입니다. 여왕의 스피치는 영국 영어의 표준말로 불리며, 많은 사람들이 선망하는 그런 영어 구사 능력을 보여주고 있기 때문이죠. 영국 표준 영어를 배우기 위한 분들에게는 여왕의 스피치만큼 좋은 영어 듣기 자료는 없을 것입니다.

들어보시면 알겠지만, 단어 사용과 발음, 억양이 다른 영어권 사람들은 물론 영국 내 다른 영국인들과도 약간의 차이가 있습니다. 미묘한 차이기에 그것에 대한 자세한 설명을 하기는 어렵네요. 그저 아래에 올려 놓았으니 한번 들어보고, 스스로 다른 영어 구사자와 비교하면서 그 다른 점을 느껴 보는 것이 좋을 듯 합니다. 그럼, 한번 들어볼까요?


어떤가요? 좀 알아 들으실 수 있나요?

뭔가 절제된 듯 하면서도 부드럽게 흘러가는 영국식 억양, 연세가 드셔서 목소리에 힘이 부치는 모습이지만, 그래도 알아 듣기에는 전혀 문제가 없는 듯합니다. 아래에 대본을 올려 놓을테니, 참고하세요.

 

2008년 영국 여왕의 크리스마스 스피치

Christmas is a time for celebration, but this year it is a more sombre occasion for many. Some of those things which could once have been taken for granted suddenly seem less certain and, naturally, give rise to feelings of insecurity.

People are touched by events which have their roots far across the world. Whether it is the global economy or violence in a distant land, the effects can be keenly felt at home. Once again, many of our service men and women are serving on operations in common cause to bring peace and security to troubled places.

In this ninetieth year since the end of the First World War, the last survivors recently commemorated the service and enormous sacrifice of their own generation. Their successors in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan are still to be found in harm’s way in the service of others. For their loved ones, the worry will never cease until they are safely home.

In such times as these we can all learn some lessons from the past. We might begin to see things in a new perspective. And certainly, we begin to ask ourselves where it is that we can find lasting happiness.

Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives; the kind of people who are generous with their talents or their time. There are those who use their prosperity or good fortune for the benefit of others whether they number among the great philanthropists or are people who, with whatever they have, simply have a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves.

What they offer comes in the form of what can easily be recognised as service to the nation or service to the wider community. As often as not however, their unselfishness is a simply-taken-for-granted part of the life of their family or neighbourhood.

They tend to have some sense that life itself is full of blessings, and is a precious gift for which we should be thankful. When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.

I think we have a huge amount to learn from individuals such as these. And what I believe many of us share with them is a source of strength and peace of mind in our families and friends. Indeed, Prince Philip and I can reflect on the blessing, comfort and support we have gained from our own family in this special year for our son, The Prince of Wales.

Sixty years ago, he was baptised here in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace. As parents and grandparents, we feel great pride in seeing our family make their own unique contributions to society. Through his charities, The Prince of Wales has worked to support young people and other causes for the benefit of the wider community, and now his sons are following in his footsteps.

At Christmas, we feel very fortunate to have our family around us. But for many of you, this Christmas will mean separation from loved ones and perhaps reflection on the memories of those no longer with us.

I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life. Countless millions of people around the world continue to celebrate his birthday at Christmas, inspired by his teaching. He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.

We can surely be grateful that, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, so many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in him a source of strength and courage. I hope that the Christmas message will encourage and sustain you too, now and in the coming year.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.