PEARL HARBOR SPEECH
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
December 8, 1941
To the Congress of the United States:
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of
America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire
of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was
still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the
maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the
Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the
Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply
stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it
contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the
attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening
time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by
false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American
naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition,
American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco
and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific
area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States
have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very
life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be
taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the
American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we
will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this
form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and
our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our
people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by
Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the
Japanese empire.
很多人將2001年9月11日恐怖分子襲擊紐約和華盛頓，比作60年前的日本偷襲珍珠港事件，當時的美國總統羅斯福(Franklin Delano Roosevelt)，於日本發動突襲後的第二日，在國會發表美國對日宣戰的著名演說。
和布殊的演 說一樣，羅斯福一開始就把事件的時間和性質交代清楚︰Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
昨日，1941年12月7日是恥辱的一天(Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy)，成為歷史的名言，不用a date with infamy，是為了表示莊重。
拿這一句和布殊911演說的第一句比較︰Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. 大家都用了deliberately或deliberate，字典解作蓄意，但在這兩篇演說中的意思，是有預謀或有陰謀，帶有強烈批判意義。
馬丁路德金在I have a Dream演說中，不斷重覆關鍵的字眼和句子，以加強煽動力，其實也是採用了羅斯福重覆的手法︰
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
演說中有一個句子的結構非常特別︰Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. 這是一個倒裝的句子，很多人以為應該是︰We will always remember the character of the onslaught against us. 或者不用character，用nature︰We will always remember the nature of the onslaught against us. 其實Always will放在前面，是一種倒裝的修辭方法，強調永遠的意思，如此奇恥大辱，國民將會永誌不忘。
英語中這樣的倒裝用法不多，另一個例子是︰Not until I finish the job, may I go. 沒有完成工作之前，我不能離開。正確的講法應為︰I may not go until I finish the job. 倒裝句法較靈活，但通常用於書面語。
羅斯福演說的結論是向日本宣戰︰I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire. 總統權力雖然很大，但所有的行政權力，必須要由國會批準，這種上尊下卑、繁文縟節，行政與立法的關係，必須交代清楚，羅斯福不能自己說I declare that，而要不厭其煩地用兩個that︰I askthat the Congress declare that。
這一句用得非常聰明，他說美國和日本已經存在了戰爭狀態，避免了我向你宣戰的主語和賓語的關係。這是學英語一個比較難的地方，因為中國人學英文，往往受中文思維影響，如美國向日本宣戰，但英語的客觀說法︰美國和日本之間存在戰爭狀態，更能營造沉重、不共戴天、勢不兩立的激憤和仇恨。
演說中有一句，用了一個較特別的字眼︰Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu. 羅斯福用Commence，而不是我們常用的Start 和Begin，因為前者較正式。我們也要留意這三個詞的習慣用法︰Commence bombing / Start bombing / Begin to bomb. 這些英語的習慣用法，只能死記硬背，沒有捷徑可走。
羅斯福和布殊發表演說的時間相距60年，但兩篇演說一脈相承，在段落和字句中都閃耀著美國精神的光芒，難怪美國一直保持其超級強國的地位。
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