英女王聖誕致辭：今年聖誕有點愁
Queen Elizabeth sees a sombre Christmas for many
Worries about the global economy and violence across the world have turned the celebration of Christmas into a more sombre affair this year, Queen Elizabeth said on Thursday.
Britain, like many other developed nations, is facing the risk of a prolonged recession. Unemployment is rising fast, household high street firms are collapsing and several big banks are only able to stay in business with government help.
There has also been an increase in the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan in recent weeks, just as troops in Iraq prepare to come home next year.
"Christmas is a time for celebration, but this year it is a more sombre occasion for many," the Queen said.
"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."
But, in her annual Christmas broadcast which dates back to 1957 and is watched by millions across Britain and the Commonwealth, the 82-year-old said those with courage would work hard to survive and improve their lot.
"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," she said, standing by a piano adorned with pictures of her family.
This year has been eventful for the royal family, with Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan for 10 weeks, an inquest into the death of Princess Diana and Prince Charles' 60th birthday.
英國女王伊麗莎白於本週四發表聖誕致辭，她在致辭中說，全球經濟危機和暴力衝突引發的擔憂給今年聖誕節蒙上了一層陰影。
和其它很多發達國家一樣，目前英國正面臨長期經濟衰退的危險。失業率飆升，公司倒閉，幾家大銀行只能靠政府的援助度日。
就在英國計劃明年從伊拉克撤軍之時，近幾周又傳來駐阿富汗英軍死亡人數上升的消息。
女王說：“聖誕節本是個歡慶的節日，但今年的聖誕節對於很多人來說並不開心。”
她說：“世界各地發生的事情讓人們深感擔憂。無論是全球經濟衰退還是遠在異國的暴力衝突，我們都能深切地感覺到。”
但今年82歲的女王稱，勇敢的人會通過自己的努力度過難關，改變境況。英國女王一年一度的聖誕致辭始於1957年，每年會在英國和英聯邦國家轉播，有數百萬人觀看。
女王站在擺放有王室成員照片的鋼琴邊說：“勇敢的人在困境中不會低頭認輸，相反他們會更堅定地爲美好的未來而奮鬥。”
今年對於英國王室來說也是個多事之年，期間發生的大事包括英國王位第三繼承人哈里王子赴阿富汗前線服役十週，前王妃戴安娜死因調查以及查爾斯王儲慶祝60歲生日等。
Vocabulary:
eventful:full of events（多事的；an eventful year 多事之秋）
