2014年7月17日 星期四

頭條日報 頭條網 - It is much ado about nothing by Michael Chugani

Why are so many people crucifying Archbishop Paul Kwong? All he said in his Sunday sermon was that democracy activists should keep quiet, just as Jesus remained silent in his crucifixion. I think it is much ado about nothing. Archbishop Kwong was just using his right to free speech to say what he thinks. The expression "much ado about nothing" is similar to the expression "storm in a teacup". They both mean making a big deal out of something that is trivial(not very important). A sermon is a speech or talk on a religious subject, usually given in church by a religious leader.

        T he verb "crucify" means to put a person to death by nailing or tying his hands and feet to a cross. The noun is "crucifixion". For example, Jesus was crucified (verb). The crucifixion(noun) of Jesus lasted six hours. Nowadays, the word "crucify" can be used in other ways too. For example, you can say many people are crucifying Archbishop Kwong for urging democracy supporters to stay silent. When you use the word "crucify" this way, it means to strongly criticize someone. For example, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and his election rival Henry Tang Ying-yen were both crucified in the media for trying to cover up the illegal structures in their homes.

        I support Archbishop Kwong's right to free speech but, in fact, Jesus did not stay silent during his crucifixion. According to the Bible, he spoke seven times while nailed to the cross. He, of course, did not speak in English but in his own language at that time in history. This is what he said: Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do. Today you will be with me in paradise. Behold your son: behold your mother. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? I thirst. It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

        The yearly Book Fair has started. I'll be at the Book Fair on Sunday, July 20 from 3-4 pm, and on Tuesday, July 22 from 4-5 pm to sign my latest 又中又英 book. I'll be at the Sing Tao booth 1aD22. I hope to see you there.

        為甚麼現在人人都要「釘死」(crucifying)大主教鄺保羅﹖他在周日講道(sermon)中所說的是,爭取民主的行動者應該靜默無聲,像耶穌承受十字架酷刑(crucifixion)時,也是默然無聲的。我認為這是小題大做、無事生非(much ado about nothing)。鄺大主教只不過在行使他的言論自由,道出他的想法。習語much ado about nothing類近習語storm in a teacup,即是「茶杯裏的風波」,都解作將瑣碎或無關痛癢的事小題大做。Sermon就是宗教演說,通常是指教會領袖的講道。

        動詞crucify是指將某人四肢釘着或用繩縛於十字架上致死,名詞是crucifixion。例如,耶穌就被釘死於十字架上(crucified,動詞),耶穌的crucifixion(名詞)持續了六個小時。今天,crucify這個字也可有別的用法。譬如,你可以說許多人在crucifying鄺大主教呼籲擁戴民主的示威者保持沉默。當你這樣用crucify的時候,意思是強烈批評某人。又譬如,特首梁振英及跟他競爭特首之位的對手唐英年,同樣被傳媒狠批(crucified)他們試圖隱瞞家中僭建物。

        我支持鄺大主教行使言論自由的權利,不過事實上,耶穌在受十字架酷刑(crucifixion)期間,並非默然無聲的。根據聖經所述,他釘十字架時曾說了七次話。當然他不是用英語說的,而是用他當時的語言。他說的是:父啊,赦免他們,因為他們所作的,他們不曉得。今日你要同我在樂園裏了。看你的兒子;看你的母親。我的神!我的神!為甚麼離棄我﹖我渴了。成了﹗父啊,我將我的靈魂交在你手裏。

        一年一度的書展已經開鑼了。我會於星期日七月二十日三至四時及星期二七月二十二日四至五時到書展,為我的新書《又中又英》簽名。我會在星島攤位1aD22,希望到時見到你。

        mickchug@gmail.com

        中譯:七刻

        Michael Chugani 褚簡寧

Source: http://news.stheadline.com/dailynews/headline_news_detail_columnist.asp?id=293880§ion_name=wtt&kw=126