N: Hi, mom. My graduation ceremony will be held next Saturday and will last for three days. Would you like to attend it?

N:嗨，妈妈。下周六是我的毕业典礼，典礼将持续三天。你去参加吗？

A: Honey, I’d like to. But I planned to visit Sam next Saturday. You know, he lives alone and expects visitors especially after his retirement.

A:宝贝，我想去。但是我早已计划好了，下固六去看山姆。你知道的，他孤苦伶仃 的，退休后就更希望有人去看望他了。

N: But this is my one and only college graduation. I really hope you there.

N:但我一辈子就这一次大学毕业典礼。真希望你能去。

A: What’s the schedule of the commencement?

A:具体的时间安排是怎样的？

N: Saturday is dean’s reception4 for Yale College seniors and their families, as well as a series of concerts.

N:周六是校长的招待会，接待毕业生及其家长，还有一系列的音乐会。

A: How about Sunday?

A:固日呢？

N: Sunday will be the most highlight part, especially the Class Day. The Baccalaureate is at 11 a.m.. And Class Day will begin at 2 p.m..

N:周日是重头戏，尤其是"毕业班日"。布道会将在上午11点开始，"毕业班日" 是下午两点开始。

A: Well, then do you mind if I skip- the first day?

A:哦。那你介不介意妈妈缺席第一天的活动？

N: All right. I'm glad for your coming. There will be much fun. I'm sure you，11 be happy.

N:没问题啊。你能来我就很高兴了。毕业典礼上乐趣无穷，我相信你会开心的。

A: Are there any interesting activities?

A:有什么有趣的活动吗？

N: Of course. On Class Day, seniors will march from each street or college onto the Old Campus, and will be accompanied by the customary display of creative hats.

N:当然啦。"毕业班日”那天，毕业生从各街道和学院浩浩荡荡走进"老校区"，并 顺便展示他们的创意学士帽。

A: Creative hats? What’s that?

A:创意学士帽？什么意思？

N: Throughout the 3-day commencement, graduates are clad in black gowns, but we are free to design our headgears. A birthday cake, leafy garlands, figurines④，pointed hats embroidered with a slim “Y”，or hats with all manner of stuffed animals, and so on and so forth.

N:在为期三天的毕业典礼活动中，毕业生们都要穿着黑色的袍子，但是我们可以自 由地设计各自的学士帽。可以做成生日蛋糕的形状，可以做成绿叶装饰的花环， 可以顶个小雕塑，可以是上面绣着瘦长的“Y”字样的尖顶帽子，也可以是装饰 着形态各异的小动物工艺品的帽子，等等。

A: Sounds interesting. I’m eager to see those odd hats. By the way, what’s your creation?

A:听起来很有意思。我都迫不及待想看看那些奋形怪状的帽子了。对了，你的设计 是什么样子的？

N: Well, it's a secret. You must be surprised on Sunday. Just wait patiently.

N:哦，是个秘密哦。周日你一定会大吃一惊的。耐心等待吧。

A: Ok. I’m looking forward to that day.

A:好吧。希望那_天早日到来。

N: I heard that Clinton will be the featured speaker at Class Day.

N:听说克林顿是这次毕业班日的特邀演讲人。

A: Really? That’s big news. I still remember him spoke at Yale’s tercentennial. It’s on Oct. 6， 2001，shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

A:是吗？那可是条大新闻。我还记得他在耶鲁300固年纪念活动上的演讲呢。2001 年10月6号，就在9.n恐怖袭击后不久。

N: Exactly. Clinton emphasized the importance of teaching tolerance and compassion in a world riddled with hatred and doubt, and lauded Yale for being a “global university.” He also spoke at his 35th reunion in 2008.

N:是的。当时克林顿强调，在一个充满仇恨与怀疑的世界里，教学生学会容忍，学 会同情别人，这一点很重要。他还称赞耶鲁是一所"全球性的大学”。2008年， 他还在他的35周年毕业聚会上作演讲了。

A: And I'm sure we’ll see a crowded Yale on Sunday. People will come from far and near to see former president Clinton. Anyway, Yale students will be happy to have such a high-profile figure deliver the address.

A:固日耶鲁肯定会很拥挤。人们会从四面八方赶来看一眼前美国总统克林顿。不管 怎样，能请来这么高层次的人物做演讲，耶鲁学生会很开心的。

N: Such as me. I’m confident he will give a meaningful speech. Despite his sex scandal, I am moved by his charity work.

N:我就是个例子。我相信，克林顿一定会做一场很有意义的演讲。尽管他曾传出过 性丑闻，但是他在慈善事业上的努力还是令我感动的。

A: I agree. The Clinton Foundation has been doing good things to people in Africa and Latin America...

A:我也是。克林顿基金一直在为非洲及拉 丁美洲的人们做善事……

N: Anyway, few universities have the ability to attract former presidents. What an amazing place Yale is! And how lucky I am to be a Yalie!

N:毕竟，很少有学校能请到前总统做演讲。耶鲁真是个好地方啊！作为耶鲁的一分 子，我多么幸运！

A: Yeah. I’m proud of you, baby. What’s following the speech?

A:是啊，我为你自豪，宝贝。演讲之后是 什么活动呢？

N: Well, a lot of things, such as planting the memorial Ivy. The final Class Day tradition is the singing of the alma mater “Bright College Years.”

N:哦，还有很多活动呢。比如，种植常春藤。‘‘毕业班日”最后一项传统是含唱校歌"美 好的大学时光"。

A: I see. When would you get your diploma?

A:知道了。什么时候领取毕业证书呢？

N : Diploma ceremony is on Monday.

N:颁发证书的仪式是在固一。

A: I'm afraid I would cry out seeing you receive the diploma from your Dean. You are a big boy now.
 

A:看到你从院长手里接过毕业证书，恐怕我会忍不住哭出来的。你已经长大了。