Surrounded by forests and water, Stockholm has the feel of a small town. The royal capital of Sweden is actually a collection of islands linked by bridges. To the east, the Baltic Sea bustles with ferries and ships. To the west, Lake Malaren provides plenty of space for water sports and sailing. Stockholm's residents seem to be more a part of a small community than a sophisticated European city. But they are intensely proud of their city.

　　斯德哥尔摩为森林和湖海所围绕,很有小乡镇的味道,这个皇家的瑞典首都事实上是众多小岛的结合,其间并以桥梁相连接.在东边,波罗的海上渡船与各式船只熙来攘往;而西边,则有梅拉伦湖为水上运动和帆船提供广大的空间。虽然斯德哥尔摩的居民似乎比较像是一个小城镇的一部分,而不属于一个高级的欧洲都市,但是他们确是热切地以他们的城市为荣。

　　Stockholmers have good reason to be proud. Their city's blue waters are so unpolluted that swimming and fishing are possible in the city center. Fishermen catch trout and salmon near the Royal Palace. Swimmers can take a dip within view of the Old Town. This experience is a small miracle that few cities can offer.

　　斯德哥尔摩的居民的确拥有值得骄傲的理由.这个城市的湛蓝水域非常洁净未受污染,在市中心都可以游泳或钓鱼,渔夫们可以在皇宫附近捕到鳟鱼和鲑鱼,而游泳者可以在这幅旧城的图画中游泳。这样的经验算是个小小的奇迹,而且是很少城市能够提供的。

　　Since water defines Stockholm in so many ways, no visitor should miss a tour by boat. Tour boats pass by many of Stockholm's beautiful bridges, palaces and churches. One of the most famous tours is named "Under the Bridges of Stockholm."

　　既然湖海是斯德哥尔摩如此重要的特征,游客们就绝对不能错过游船观光。游船会经过许多美丽的桥梁、宫殿、和教堂,其中最有名的乘船旅游称为"斯德哥尔摩桥下之旅"。

　　Also on the Baltic side of the city, the Wasa Museum, the home of the flagship Wasa, stands near the water's edge. Once the pride of the Swedish navy, the ship sank on its maiden voyage. Now restored, it is a perfect example of a 17th-century seagoing vessel. The thousands of everyday objects recovered with the ship give a fascinating picture of daily life in Sweden 300 years ago.

　　在市区靠波罗的海沿岸的这边,还有瓦萨博物馆--也就是瓦萨旗舰的所在地。它耸立在岸边,曾经是瑞典海军的骄傲,却在首航时便沉没了。如今被修复的是十七世纪远洋舰艇的绝佳范本,船中放满了数千件的日常用品,为三百年前瑞典的日常生活勾勒出吸引人的图像。

　　As the "Venice of the North," Stockholm takes water seriously. Every August, the city goes all out for the Stockholm Water Festival. The festival sports events and other activities go on 24 hours a day: swimming championships, marathons, music, art and dancing. In the evenings, fireworks light up the sky. The King awards the Stockholm Water Prize for the most outstanding contribution to water conservation. By preserving its precious natural resource, Stockholm has become one of the most pristine cities in the world. It has every reason to celebrate.

　　身为"北方的威尼斯",斯德哥尔摩对水非常重视。每年的八月,整个城市举城欢庆斯德哥尔摩水上节,这个节庆中的体育竞赛和其他活动都是全天候24小时进行的:游泳比赛、马拉松赛跑、音乐、艺术和舞蹈。到了晚上,烟火点亮了整个天空,国王会颁发斯德哥尔摩水上奖给对保护水资源最杰出的贡献者。由于保存了其珍贵的天然资源,斯德哥尔摩已经成为世界上极原始纯正的国家之一,他们当然有足够的理由可以好好地庆祝喽。

　　(文/张梦华选译；英语通高二版2004年第3期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)