TEDGlobal 2014
Taiye Selasi: Don't ask where I'm from, ask where I'm a local
泰雅．赛拉斯: 不要问我来自哪个国家，问我来自哪个地方
Filmed:
Readability: 4.9
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如果有人问你你是哪里人，你会不会一时语塞？作家泰雅．赛拉斯为跨地方族群代言，他们觉得生长的地方、现在住的城市，或许还有另外一两个地方都像家。 「我怎么能来自某个国家？」她问：「人怎么能来自一个概念？」
Taiye Selasi - Author
In her writings, Taiye Selasi explores our relationship to our multiple identities. Full bio
In her writings, Taiye Selasi explores our relationship to our multiple identities. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
去年，我第一次踏上签书之旅。
00:12
Last year, I went on my first book tour.
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在13个月里，我飞了14个国家，
00:16
In 13 months, I flew to 14 countries
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00:19
and gave some hundred talks.
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并且举办了数百场的演说。
在每一个城市的每一个的演讲，
00:22
Every talk in every country
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都有一段讲者介绍，
00:24
began with an introduction,
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00:26
and every introduction began,
alas, with a lie:
alas, with a lie:
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而每一次的讲者介绍，
唉....都是以谎言开始：
唉....都是以谎言开始：
Taiye Selasi 来自加纳及尼日利亚，
00:32
"Taiye Selasi comes
from Ghana and Nigeria,"
from Ghana and Nigeria,"
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00:35
or "Taiye Selasi comes
from England and the States."
from England and the States."
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或者是，Taiye Selasi 来自英国及美国。
无论什么时候我听到
这样的介紹开场白....
这样的介紹开场白....
00:40
Whenever I heard this opening sentence,
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00:42
no matter the country that concluded it --
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不管提到的是哪个国家，
00:45
England, America, Ghana, Nigeria --
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英国、美国、加纳还是尼日利亚，
00:47
I thought, "But that's not true."
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我都会想，" 这不是真的啊！ "
00:51
Yes, I was born in England
and grew up in the United States.
and grew up in the United States.
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是的，我在英格兰出生，在美国长大。
我的母亲，在英格兰出生，
在尼日利亚被抚养，
在尼日利亚被抚养，
00:55
My mum, born in England,
and raised in Nigeria,
and raised in Nigeria,
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00:58
currently lives in Ghana.
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现在住在加纳。
01:00
My father was born in Gold Coast,
a British colony,
a British colony,
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我的父亲在黄金海岸出生，
是一个英国的殖民地，
是一个英国的殖民地，
01:05
raised in Ghana,
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在加纳长大，
01:06
and has lived for over 30 years
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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在沙特阿拉伯生活了三十多年。
01:10
For this reason, my introducers
also called me "multinational."
also called me "multinational."
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因为这些原因，我的引言人
也常介绍我为：多国家人
也常介绍我为：多国家人
但是耐克 (Nike)才是多国家的，
01:16
"But Nike is multinational," I thought,
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我在想，" 我是一个人啊 "
01:20
"I'm a human being."
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后来，有一天，在旅行的途中，
01:23
Then, one fine day, mid-tour,
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01:26
I went to Louisiana, a museum in Denmark
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我去了路易斯安那，
一个丹麦的博物馆，
一个丹麦的博物馆，
01:29
where I shared the stage
with the writer Colum McCann.
with the writer Colum McCann.
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在那里我和作家
Colum McCann同台，
Colum McCann同台，
01:33
We were discussing the role
of locality in writing,
of locality in writing,
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我们讨论了「地方」
在写作中扮演了什么角色 ?
在写作中扮演了什么角色 ?
01:36
when suddenly it hit me.
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突然间我领悟到......
我并不是一个多国家的人
01:39
I'm not multinational.
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01:41
I'm not a national at all.
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我根本就不属于哪个国家。
01:44
How could I come from a nation?
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我怎么会来自某个国家呢？
01:46
How can a human being come from a concept?
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一个人怎么能来自一个概念？
01:50
It's a question that had been bothering me
for going on two decades.
for going on two decades.
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这个问题持续困扰了我20年之久。
从报纸，书本，对话中，
01:55
From newspapers, textbooks, conversations,
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我了解到当我们在谈论国家时，
01:58
I had learned to speak of countries
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02:00
as if they were eternal, singular,
naturally occurring things,
naturally occurring things,
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好像它们是永恒、独一、
自然发生的事情，
自然发生的事情，
02:05
but I wondered:
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但是我仍有疑问：
02:07
to say that I came from a country
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说我来自某一个国家，
02:09
suggested that the country
was an absolute,
was an absolute,
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是说明那个国家是一个绝对的概念，
02:12
some fixed point in place in time,
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时空下某个固定的点，
02:15
a constant thing, but was it?
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是持续不变的事情，
但是是这样吗？
但是是这样吗？
02:18
In my lifetime, countries
had disappeared -- Czechoslovakia;
had disappeared -- Czechoslovakia;
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在我这一生中，我看到有国家消失了，
像捷克斯洛伐克；
像捷克斯洛伐克；
02:22
appeared -- Timor-Leste;
failed -- Somalia.
failed -- Somalia.
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有国家出现了，像东帝汶；
有的失败了，像索马里。
有的失败了，像索马里。
02:27
My parents came from countries
that didn't exist when they were born.
that didn't exist when they were born.
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我父母来自的国家，
在他们出生的时候还不存在。
在他们出生的时候还不存在。
02:31
To me, a country -- this thing that could
be born, die, expand, contract --
be born, die, expand, contract --
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对我而言，国家会诞生，
死亡，扩张，缩小—
死亡，扩张，缩小—
02:37
hardly seemed the basis
for understanding a human being.
for understanding a human being.
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几乎不能作为了解一个人的基础。
02:41
And so it came as a huge relief
to discover the sovereign state.
to discover the sovereign state.
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所以当我明白「主权国家」这概念时
真是松了一口气。
真是松了一口气。
我们现在所称的「国家」，其实是，
02:47
What we call countries are actually
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02:49
various expressions
of sovereign statehood,
of sovereign statehood,
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对于「主权国家」的各种不同说法。
02:51
an idea that came into fashion
only 400 years ago.
only 400 years ago.
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这种想法在400年前才开始流行起来。
02:56
When I learned this, beginning my
masters degree in international relations,
masters degree in international relations,
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当我了解到这些的时候，
我才刚开始我的国际关系硕士的学习，
我才刚开始我的国际关系硕士的学习，
03:01
I felt a sort of surge of relief.
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我如释重负。
03:03
It was as I had suspected.
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这和我猜想的一样，
03:06
History was real, cultures were real,
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历史是真实的，文化也是真实的，
03:10
but countries were invented.
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但是国家是被人创造的。
03:13
For the next 10 years, I sought
to re- or un-define myself,
to re- or un-define myself,
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在接下来的十年，我用
超越「国家」的这个逻辑
超越「国家」的这个逻辑
03:17
my world, my work, my experience,
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来重新定义或否定义我自己的
世界、工作、经历。
世界、工作、经历。
03:19
beyond the logic of the state.
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03:22
In 2005, I wrote an essay,
"What is an Afropolitan,"
"What is an Afropolitan,"
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2005年，我写了一篇论文，
“ 什么是大非洲人？ "
“ 什么是大非洲人？ "
03:26
sketching out an identity
that privileged culture over country.
that privileged culture over country.
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描述一种以「文化」而不是
「国家」来定义身份。
「国家」来定义身份。
03:32
It was thrilling how many people
could relate to my experience,
could relate to my experience,
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我很兴奋的是，
很多人能认同我的经验，
很多人能认同我的经验，
03:36
and instructional how many others
didn't buy my sense of self.
didn't buy my sense of self.
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也很受教，有关于很多人无法
认同我对我自己的感觉。
认同我对我自己的感觉。
有一个评论家这么说，
03:42
"How can Selasi claim to come from Ghana,"
one such critic asked,
one such critic asked,
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“当她从不明白在旅行时持有加拿护照所受到的侮辱时，”
03:47
"when she's never known the indignities
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03:49
of traveling abroad
on a Ghanian passport?"
on a Ghanian passport?"
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“ Selasi 她怎能自称是加纳人？ ”
03:52
Now, if I'm honest,
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我现在要说，如果我是诚实的话，
03:54
I knew just what she meant.
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我懂她说的意思。
03:56
I've got a friend named Layla
who was born and raised in Ghana.
who was born and raised in Ghana.
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我有一个叫蕾拉的朋友，
出生并在加纳长大。
出生并在加纳长大。
04:00
Her parents are third-generation
Ghanians of Lebanese descent.
Ghanians of Lebanese descent.
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她的父母是第三代
黎巴嫩裔迦纳人。
黎巴嫩裔迦纳人。
04:05
Layla, who speaks fluent Twi,
knows Accra like the back of her hand,
knows Accra like the back of her hand,
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蕾拉会说一口流利的加纳方言，
对首都阿克拉了如指掌，
对首都阿克拉了如指掌，
04:10
but when we first met years ago,
I thought, "She's not from Ghana."
I thought, "She's not from Ghana."
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但是当我们数年前第一次见面时，
我想着，「她不是迦纳人。」
我想着，「她不是迦纳人。」
在我心中，她是黎巴嫩人，
04:15
In my mind, she came from Lebanon,
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04:18
despite the patent fact
that all her formative experience
that all her formative experience
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除去显而易见的事实，
她过去形成的经历，
她过去形成的经历，
04:21
took place in suburban Accra.
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都在阿克拉的郊区发生。
04:24
I, like my critics,
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我，就像评论我的人一样，
04:26
was imagining some Ghana
where all Ghanaians had brown skin
where all Ghanaians had brown skin
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當時在想迦纳人
都是棕色皮肤，
都是棕色皮肤，
04:32
or none held U.K. passports.
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或沒人有英国护照。
我当时已陷入
自我设限的陷阱中，
自我设限的陷阱中，
04:35
I'd fallen into the limiting trap
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04:37
that the language of coming
from countries sets --
from countries sets --
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即陷入了我们都来自
某个国家的固定说法 --
某个国家的固定说法 --
04:40
the privileging of a fiction,
the singular country,
the singular country,
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某个虚构的主权、单一国家
04:44
over reality: human experience.
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而不是实际性：人文的经历。
和作家Colum McCann谈话的那天，
终于让我了解了这件事。
终于让我了解了这件事。
04:48
Speaking with Colum McCann that day,
the penny finally dropped.
the penny finally dropped.
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“ 所有的经历都与地方有关 ”，他说
04:53
"All experience is local," he said.
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04:56
"All identity is experience," I thought.
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“ 所有的身份都与经历有关 ”，我这么想
“ 我不是某个国民 ”，
我在台上这么宣称
我在台上这么宣称
05:00
"I'm not a national,"
I proclaimed onstage.
I proclaimed onstage.
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“我是某地的居民 ，
我是多地方的居民。”
我是多地方的居民。”
05:04
"I'm a local. I'm multi-local."
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05:07
See, "Taiye Selasi comes
from the United States," isn't the truth.
from the United States," isn't the truth.
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你看，“ Taiye Selasi 来自美国 ” 不是事实，
我和美国没有任何关系，
05:12
I have no relationship
with the United States,
with the United States,
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05:15
all 50 of them, not really.
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跟50个州，都没有关系。
05:17
My relationship is with Brookline,
the town where I grew up;
the town where I grew up;
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我只与布鲁克林有关系，
因为那是我成长的地方。
因为那是我成长的地方。
05:21
with New York City, where I started work;
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和纽约有关，
那是我开始工作的地方；
那是我开始工作的地方；
05:24
with Lawrenceville,
where I spend Thanksgiving.
where I spend Thanksgiving.
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和劳伦斯维尔有关，
我在那里度过感恩节。
我在那里度过感恩节。
让美国成为我的家乡的原因，
不是我的护照或者口音，
不是我的护照或者口音，
05:27
What makes America home for me
is not my passport or accent,
is not my passport or accent,
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05:33
but these very particular experiences
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而是那些特别的经历，
05:35
and the places they occur.
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和那些经历发生的地方。
05:38
Despite my pride in Ewe culture,
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尽管我对加纳的文化、
国家足球队“ 黑星 ”
和我最爱的加纳食物引以为傲。
和我最爱的加纳食物引以为傲。
05:40
the Black Stars,
and my love of Ghanaian food,
and my love of Ghanaian food,
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05:43
I've never had a relationship
with the Republic of Ghana, writ large.
with the Republic of Ghana, writ large.
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我却与加纳共和国
没有任何关系，非常明显。
没有任何关系，非常明显。
我和阿克拉有关系，我妈妈住在那里，
05:48
My relationship is with Accra,
where my mother lives,
where my mother lives,
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我每年都会去那里，
05:52
where I go each year,
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05:54
with the little garden in Dzorwulu
where my father and I talk for hours.
where my father and I talk for hours.
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与左乌鲁的小花园有关，
我父亲和我会在那里畅谈几个小时。
我父亲和我会在那里畅谈几个小时。
这些都是塑造我经历的地方。
05:59
These are the places
that shape my experience.
that shape my experience.
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我的经历就是我来自的地方。
06:02
My experience is where I'm from.
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06:05
What if we asked, instead
of "Where are you from?" --
of "Where are you from?" --
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与其问你来自哪个国家，
不如问，你是哪个地方的人 ?
06:09
"Where are you a local?"
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06:11
This would tell us so much more
about who and how similar we are.
about who and how similar we are.
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这会让我们更加了解我们是谁，
我们有多么相似。
我们有多么相似。
06:16
Tell me you're from France,
and I see what, a set of clichés?
and I see what, a set of clichés?
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你说你从法国来，
我会意识到什么？陈腔滥调？
我会意识到什么？陈腔滥调？
06:20
Adichie's dangerous single story,
the myth of the nation of France?
the myth of the nation of France?
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阿迪奇的危险故事？法国的神话？
你说你是菲斯或者巴黎人，
06:25
Tell me you're a local of Fez and Paris,
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06:28
better yet, Goutte d'Or, and I see
a set of experiences.
a set of experiences.
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甚至你说你是巴黎古德多区的人，
我看到的就是很多的生活经历。
我看到的就是很多的生活经历。
06:33
Our experience is where we're from.
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我们的经历就是我们来自的地方。
06:35
So, where are you a local?
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所以，你是哪个地方的人？
06:38
I propose a three-step test.
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我提议来一个三步测试，
06:40
I call these the three "R’s":
rituals, relationships, restrictions.
rituals, relationships, restrictions.
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我称这些为三「R」测试：
分别为习惯，关系，和限制。
（英语中这三个词的第一个字母都是R）
分别为习惯，关系，和限制。
（英语中这三个词的第一个字母都是R）
首先，回忆一下你的日常习惯，
不管是什么都没关系：
不管是什么都没关系：
06:46
First, think of your daily rituals,
whatever they may be:
whatever they may be:
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06:50
making your coffee, driving to work,
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煮咖啡、开车上班、
06:52
harvesting your crops,
saying your prayers.
saying your prayers.
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收割庄稼、祷告。
06:55
What kind of rituals are these?
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这些是什么样的生活习惯？
06:57
Where do they occur?
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它们在哪里发生的？
06:59
In what city or cities in the world
do shopkeepers know your face?
do shopkeepers know your face?
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这世界上有哪个城市
或哪几个城市有店家认识你？
或哪几个城市有店家认识你？
当我还是一个孩子的时候，
我在波士顿有着标准的郊区生活习惯，
我在波士顿有着标准的郊区生活习惯，
07:04
As a child, I carried out fairly standard
suburban rituals in Boston,
suburban rituals in Boston,
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07:08
with adjustments made for the rituals
my mother brought from London and Lagos.
my mother brought from London and Lagos.
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还携带着我母亲从伦敦
和拉戈斯带来的习惯。
和拉戈斯带来的习惯。
07:13
We took off our shoes in the house,
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我们在室内脱鞋，
07:15
we were unfailingly
polite with our elders,
polite with our elders,
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我们对长辈总是彬彬有礼，
07:18
we ate slow-cooked, spicy food.
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我们吃慢炖的辛辣食物。
07:20
In snowy North America,
ours were rituals of the global South.
ours were rituals of the global South.
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在大雪纷飞的北美，
我们带着南半球的习惯。
我们带着南半球的习惯。
我第一次去德里及意大利南方时，
07:26
The first time I went to Delhi
or to southern parts of Italy,
or to southern parts of Italy,
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07:29
I was shocked by how at home I felt.
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我被似家的感觉吓到了，
07:32
The rituals were familiar.
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那里的习惯太相似了，
第一个“R”，习惯（rituals）
07:34
"R" number one, rituals.
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现在，想想你和参与你
每一天的人们之间的关系，
每一天的人们之间的关系，
07:37
Now, think of your relationships,
of the people who shape your days.
of the people who shape your days.
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和你一周至少会说一次话的人的关系，
07:42
To whom do you speak at least once a week,
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07:44
be it face to face or on FaceTime?
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无论是面对面还是
通过视频通话的人，
通过视频通话的人，
07:47
Be reasonable in your assessment;
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评估时要合理。
07:49
I'm not talking about
your Facebook friends.
your Facebook friends.
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我不是在说你的脸书上的朋友，
07:52
I'm speaking of the people who shape
your weekly emotional experience.
your weekly emotional experience.
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而是在说每星期会
影响你情绪的朋友。
影响你情绪的朋友。
07:56
My mother in Accra,
my twin sister in Boston,
my twin sister in Boston,
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我母亲在阿克拉，
我的双胞胎妹妹在波士顿上学，
我的双胞胎妹妹在波士顿上学，
07:58
my best friends in New York:
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我最好的朋友在纽约。
08:01
these relationships are home for me.
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这些关系对我就像家的感觉。
08:03
"R" number two, relationships.
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这是第二个“R”，关系（relationships）
08:06
We're local where we carry out
our rituals and relationships,
our rituals and relationships,
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我们在哪里带着习惯过日子、
产生关系，我们就是那里的人，
产生关系，我们就是那里的人，
08:10
but how we experience our locality
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但是我们在某地的经历，
08:13
depends in part on our restrictions.
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一部分受我们限制的影响。
08:17
By restrictions, I mean,
where are you able to live?
where are you able to live?
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我说的限制是指，
你能在哪里生活？
你能在哪里生活？
08:19
What passport do you hold?
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你持有的是哪个地方的护照？
08:21
Are you restricted by, say, racism,
from feeling fully at home where you live?
from feeling fully at home where you live?
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你是否受到像种族主义的限制，
住的地方没有充满家的感觉？
住的地方没有充满家的感觉？
08:27
By civil war, dysfunctional governance,
economic inflation,
economic inflation,
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是否受内战、政局失衡、
经济通胀限制，
经济通胀限制，
08:31
from living in the locality
where you had your rituals as a child?
where you had your rituals as a child?
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这些因素导致你不能住在
小时候养成习惯的地方。
小时候养成习惯的地方。
这是3R中最不迷人的一个，
08:36
This is the least sexy of the R’s,
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08:39
less lyric than rituals and relationships,
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比习惯和关系更难表述，
08:41
but the question takes us past
"Where are you now?"
"Where are you now?"
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但是这个问题能带我们超越
“ 你现在住在哪？ ”
“ 你现在住在哪？ ”
08:45
to "Why aren't you there, and why?"
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到“你现在为什么不住在那里？
为什么？”
为什么？”
习惯、关系、限制。
08:49
Rituals, relationships, restrictions.
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拿出一张纸，
08:52
Take a piece of paper
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08:54
and put those three words
on top of three columns,
on top of three columns,
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将这三个词写在这张纸的最上面，
08:57
then try to fill those columns
as honestly as you can.
as honestly as you can.
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然后尽可能的诚实地填满这三项。
一个全然不同的你，
在某个地方生活的样子，
在某个地方生活的样子，
09:01
A very different picture
of your life in local context,
of your life in local context,
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09:05
of your identity as a set of experiences,
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你的经历勾勒出的身份，
可能因此出现。
09:08
may emerge.
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09:09
So let's try it.
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所以我们一起尝试一下，
09:11
I have a friend named Olu.
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我有一个朋友叫做“ Olu ”
09:12
He's 35 years old.
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他今年35岁了，
09:14
His parents, born in Nigeria,
came to Germany on scholarships.
came to Germany on scholarships.
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他的父母出生在纳吉利亚，
通过奖学金到德国。
通过奖学金到德国。
09:18
Olu was born in Nuremberg
and lived there until age 10.
and lived there until age 10.
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Olu 在纽伦堡出生，
十岁之前都在那里生活。
十岁之前都在那里生活。
09:22
When his family moved to Lagos,
he studied in London,
he studied in London,
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当他一家搬到拉戈斯时，
他在伦敦学习。
他在伦敦学习。
09:24
then came to Berlin.
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然后去了柏林，
09:26
He loves going to Nigeria --
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他喜欢去纳吉利亚，
09:28
the weather, the food, the friends --
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喜欢那里的气候，食物和朋友，
09:31
but hates the political corruption there.
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但是讨厌那里腐败的政治。
Olu 从哪里来的呢？
09:34
Where is Olu from?
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09:36
I have another friend named Udo.
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我有另外一个朋友叫做 Udo
09:38
He's also 35 years old.
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他今年也是35岁了，
09:40
Udo was born in Córdoba,
in northwest Argentina,
in northwest Argentina,
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Udo 出生在科尔多瓦，
阿根廷的西北方，
阿根廷的西北方，
09:43
where his grandparents migrated
from Germany, what is now Poland,
from Germany, what is now Poland,
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他的祖父战后
从德国，现在已是波兰，移民到那里，
09:47
after the war.
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09:48
Udo studied in Buenos Aires,
and nine years ago came to Berlin.
and nine years ago came to Berlin.
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Udo在布宜诺斯艾利斯读书，
九年前到了柏林。
九年前到了柏林。
09:52
He loves going to Argentina --
the weather, the food, the friends --
the weather, the food, the friends --
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他很喜欢阿根廷，
那里的气候、食物和朋友，
那里的气候、食物和朋友，
09:56
but hates the economic corruption there.
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但是讨厌那里的经济腐败，
Udo 是来自哪里呢？
09:59
Where is Udo from?
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1938
10:01
With his blonde hair and blue eyes,
Udo could pass for German,
Udo could pass for German,
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从他的金发碧眼可以判断，
他可能是德国人，
他可能是德国人，
10:05
but holds an Argentinian passport,
so needs a visa to live in Berlin.
so needs a visa to live in Berlin.
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但是他持有阿根廷护照，
所以需要签证才能住在柏林。
所以需要签证才能住在柏林。
10:09
That Udo is from Argentina
has largely to do with history.
has largely to do with history.
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Udo 来自阿根廷，
与历史有很大关系。
与历史有很大关系。
10:13
That he's a local
of Buenos Aires and Berlin,
of Buenos Aires and Berlin,
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说他是布宜诺斯艾利斯和柏林人，
10:16
that has to do with life.
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必定和他的生活有关。
10:18
Olu, who looks Nigerian,
needs a visa to visit Nigeria.
needs a visa to visit Nigeria.
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Olu，看起来像是奈及利亚人，
却需要签证才能去奈及利亚。
却需要签证才能去奈及利亚。
10:22
He speaks Yoruba with an English accent,
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他说的非洲优卢巴话带有英国口音，
10:25
and English with a German one.
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说英语却有德国口音。
10:27
To claim that he's
"not really Nigerian," though,
"not really Nigerian," though,
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但是如果你说他不是
真正的奈及利亚人，
真正的奈及利亚人，
10:30
denies his experience in Lagos,
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则否定了他在拉戈斯的经历、
10:32
the rituals he practiced growing up,
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他成长过程中养成的习惯、
10:34
his relationship with family and friends.
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他和他家人朋友的关系。
10:37
Meanwhile, though Lagos
is undoubtedly one of his homes,
is undoubtedly one of his homes,
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同时，尽管拉戈斯
无疑是他的家园之一，
无疑是他的家园之一，
10:41
Olu always feels restricted there,
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Olu 在那里总觉得很受限制，
10:43
not least by the fact that he's gay.
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尤其是他是同性恋的这个事实。
他和 Udo 都受到来自
10:47
Both he and Udo are restricted
by the political conditions
by the political conditions
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父母国家的政治环境束缚，
10:50
of their parents' countries,
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10:52
from living where some of their
most meaningful rituals
most meaningful rituals
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无法住在他们可以培养出
最有意义的习惯，
最有意义的习惯，
10:55
and relationships occur.
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和关系的地方。
10:57
To say Olu is from Nigeria
and Udo is from Argentina
and Udo is from Argentina
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说 Olu 是奈及利亚人，
Udo 是阿根廷人，
Udo 是阿根廷人，
11:01
distracts from their common experience.
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转移了我们对他们共同经历的注意力。
11:03
Their rituals, their relationships,
and their restrictions are the same.
and their restrictions are the same.
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他们的习惯，他们的关系，
和他们受到的限制是一样的。
和他们受到的限制是一样的。
当然，当我们问起，你是从哪国家来的？
11:08
Of course, when we ask,
"Where are you from?"
"Where are you from?"
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11:10
we're using a kind of shorthand.
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我们好像在使用速记法。
11:12
It's quicker to say "Nigeria"
than "Lagos and Berlin,"
than "Lagos and Berlin,"
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说起 “奈及利亚” 比 “拉戈斯” 及 “柏林” 快得多，
并且通过谷歌地图，
我们可以放大来看，
我们可以放大来看，
11:16
and as with Google Maps,
we can always zoom in closer,
we can always zoom in closer,
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11:20
from country to city to neighborhood.
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从国家到城市到地区。
11:23
But that's not quite the point.
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但是这不是重点，
“ 你是哪国人 ”
11:26
The difference between
"Where are you from?"
"Where are you from?"
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2589
和 “你是哪个地方的人” 之间的区别，
11:28
and "Where are you a local?"
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11:30
isn't the specificity of the answer;
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不在于有非常明确的答案，
11:33
it's the intention of the question.
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而在于问题本身的目的。
11:36
Replacing the language of nationality
with the language of locality asks us
with the language of locality asks us
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将「国籍」这种表达法
以「地方」来取代，
以「地方」来取代，
11:41
to shift our focus
to where real life occurs.
to where real life occurs.
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是要我们转移焦点到
现实生活发生的地方。
现实生活发生的地方。
11:45
Even that most glorious expression
of countryhood, the World Cup,
of countryhood, the World Cup,
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甚至在最能展现国家辉煌
的时刻，比如世界杯，
的时刻，比如世界杯，
11:49
gives us national teams comprised
mostly of multilocal players.
mostly of multilocal players.
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参赛的国家球队也是由
来自各地的队员组成。
来自各地的队员组成。
用「国家」作为人文经历的测量单位，
11:55
As a unit of measurement
for human experience,
for human experience,
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11:58
the country doesn't quite work.
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实在不怎么好用。
12:00
That's why Olu says, "I'm German,
but my parents come from Nigeria."
but my parents come from Nigeria."
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这就是为什么 Olu 说，我是德国人，
但是我的父母来自奈及利亚。
但是我的父母来自奈及利亚。
12:05
The "but" in that sentence
belies the inflexibility of the units,
belies the inflexibility of the units,
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在这个句子中的“ 但是 ”
反映了这个测量单位的不灵活，
反映了这个测量单位的不灵活，
12:10
one fixed and fictional entity
bumping up against another.
bumping up against another.
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一个固定的、虚构的实体
彼此冲突碰撞著。
彼此冲突碰撞著。
“我是拉戈斯和柏林人”
暗示了我有重叠的经历，
暗示了我有重叠的经历，
12:15
"I'm a local of Lagos and Berlin,"
suggests overlapping experiences,
suggests overlapping experiences,
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12:19
layers that merge together,
that can't be denied or removed.
that can't be denied or removed.
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4225
层层交叠，不能被否认或者抹去。
你可以拿走我的护照，
12:24
You can take away my passport,
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12:26
but you can't take away my experience.
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但是你无法拿走我的经历。
12:28
That I carry within me.
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它与我密不可分。
12:30
Where I'm from comes wherever I go.
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2642
我从哪里来，
源自于我去过哪里。
源自于我去过哪里。
我要说清楚，
我不是要建议我们要脱离国家，
我不是要建议我们要脱离国家，
12:34
To be clear, I'm not suggesting
that we do away with countries.
that we do away with countries.
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12:37
There's much to be said
for national history,
for national history,
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民族的历史很多时候比
国家的历史谈的更多。
国家的历史谈的更多。
12:39
more for the sovereign state.
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1961
12:41
Culture exists in community,
and community exists in context.
and community exists in context.
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文化存在于社会，
而社会存在于背景。
而社会存在于背景。
12:46
Geography, tradition, collective memory:
these things are important.
these things are important.
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地理，传统，共同的记忆，
这些都很重要。
这些都很重要。
我质问的是哪个是首位？
12:51
What I'm questioning is primacy.
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12:53
All of those introductions on tour
began with reference to nation,
began with reference to nation,
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在旅行的时候所有的介绍
都是从国家开始，
都是从国家开始，
12:58
as if knowing what country I came
from would tell my audience who I was.
from would tell my audience who I was.
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好像知道我从哪个国家来可以让
读者了解我是一个什么样的人。
读者了解我是一个什么样的人。
但是，在我们问某人来自哪一国时，
我们真正想问的是什么？
我们真正想问的是什么？
13:03
What are we really seeking, though,
when we ask where someone comes from?
when we ask where someone comes from?
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3905
13:07
And what are we really seeing
when we hear an answer?
when we hear an answer?
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2941
我们听到的答案时
我们真正明白了什么？
我们真正明白了什么？
其中一个可能性是，
13:10
Here's one possibility:
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13:12
basically, countries represent power.
235
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2770
基本上，国家代表势力，
你是从哪國来的？墨西哥，
波兰，孟加拉，力量弱一点。
波兰，孟加拉，力量弱一点。
13:15
"Where are you from?"
Mexico. Poland. Bangladesh. Less power.
Mexico. Poland. Bangladesh. Less power.
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4575
美国，德国，日本，更强大一点。
13:20
America. Germany. Japan. More power.
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788671
3494
13:24
China. Russia. Ambiguous.
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2887
中国，俄罗斯，不确定。
（笑声）
13:27
(Laughter)
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1660
13:29
It's possible that without realizing it,
we're playing a power game,
we're playing a power game,
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3661
有可能我们在无意间玩权力游戏。
13:33
especially in the context
of multi-ethnic countries.
of multi-ethnic countries.
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特别是在多种族的国家里。
13:36
As any recent immigrant knows,
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2269
就像每一位新移民者所知道的，
13:38
the question "Where are you from?"
or "Where are you really from?"
or "Where are you really from?"
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4244
“你从哪里来” 或者 “你真正从哪里来” 的问题，
13:42
is often code for "Why are you here?"
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常常是“ 你为什么来这里 ”的代名词。
然后我们有
William Deresiewicz的文章 ，
William Deresiewicz的文章 ，
13:46
Then we have the scholar
William Deresiewicz's writing
William Deresiewicz's writing
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13:49
of elite American colleges.
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1773
一位美国菁英大学的学者，
13:51
"Students think that
their environment is diverse
their environment is diverse
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3151
他说，“ 学生认为他们的环境很多元 ”，
13:54
if one comes from Missouri
and another from Pakistan --
and another from Pakistan --
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3255
“如果有一个同学来自密苏里，
另一个来自巴基斯坦，”
另一个来自巴基斯坦，”
13:57
never mind that all of their parents
are doctors or bankers."
are doctors or bankers."
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825711
4038
“却不去管他们的父母
都是医生或银行家。”
都是医生或银行家。”
我赞同他的看法，
14:02
I'm with him.
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1159
14:03
To call one student American,
another Pakistani,
another Pakistani,
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831297
3471
说某个学生是美国人，
另一个是巴基斯坦人，
另一个是巴基斯坦人，
14:06
then triumphantly claim
student body diversity
student body diversity
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3261
然后得意地说，
学生群体很多元，
学生群体很多元，
14:10
ignores the fact that these students
are locals of the same milieu.
are locals of the same milieu.
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忽略了一个事实，就是这些学生
在相同的成长背景下长大。
在相同的成长背景下长大。
14:13
The same holds true on the other end
of the economic spectrum.
of the economic spectrum.
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3349
这同样适用于经济情况。
一个在洛杉矶的墨西哥园丁，
和来自尼泊尔的管家，
和来自尼泊尔的管家，
14:17
A Mexican gardener in Los Angeles
and a Nepali housekeeper in Delhi
and a Nepali housekeeper in Delhi
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14:22
have more in common
in terms of rituals and restrictions
in terms of rituals and restrictions
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在习惯和限制上有很多相同的地方，
比国籍显示出的意义还多。
14:26
than nationality implies.
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14:27
Perhaps my biggest problem
with coming from countries
with coming from countries
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可能我最大的问题在于
“来自于某个国家”
“来自于某个国家”
14:31
is the myth of going back to them.
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是回到那个国家的迷思。
14:33
I'm often asked if I plan
to "go back" to Ghana.
to "go back" to Ghana.
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我常被问到有没有
”回“ 迦纳的打算。
”回“ 迦纳的打算。
14:36
I go to Accra every year,
but I can't "go back" to Ghana.
but I can't "go back" to Ghana.
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我每年都会去阿克拉，
但我不会「回去」迦纳。
但我不会「回去」迦纳。
14:40
It's not because I wasn't born there.
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这不是因为我不在那里出生。
14:42
My father can't go back, either.
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我父亲也不会回去
14:44
The country in which he was born,
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那个他出生的国家，
14:46
that country no longer exists.
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那个国家已不存在。
14:49
We can never go back to a place
and find it exactly where we left it.
and find it exactly where we left it.
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我们不会在故地重游时
发现所有的事情都是依旧的，
发现所有的事情都是依旧的，
14:53
Something, somewhere
will always have changed,
will always have changed,
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总有一些事情在改变。
14:56
most of all, ourselves.
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大多数是我们自己改变了，
14:58
People.
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人。
14:59
Finally, what we're talking
about is human experience,
about is human experience,
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最后，我们谈论的是人文的经历，
15:02
this notoriously and gloriously
disorderly affair.
disorderly affair.
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这个声名狼藉又
辉煌无比的混乱事件。
辉煌无比的混乱事件。
在创意写作中，地方性代表人性。
15:06
In creative writing,
locality bespeaks humanity.
locality bespeaks humanity.
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15:10
The more we know
about where a story is set,
about where a story is set,
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我们愈了解故事的发生地点，
15:12
the more local color and texture,
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地方色彩就越浓厚，
15:14
the more human
the characters start to feel,
the characters start to feel,
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感受到的角色就越真实。
15:17
the more relatable, not less.
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就越能产生认同感，而不是更少。
15:19
The myth of national identity
and the vocabulary of coming from
and the vocabulary of coming from
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对国籍的迷思和从哪里来的词汇，
15:24
confuses us into placing ourselves
into mutually exclusive categories.
into mutually exclusive categories.
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混淆了我们，使得我们置身于
相互排斥的类别中。
相互排斥的类别中。
15:29
In fact, all of us are multi --
multi-local, multi-layered.
multi-local, multi-layered.
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事实上，我们每一个人
都是多地方的，多层次的人。
都是多地方的，多层次的人。
15:33
To begin our conversations
with an acknowledgement of this complexity
with an acknowledgement of this complexity
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以承认这样的复杂度
来开始我们的对话，
来开始我们的对话，
15:37
brings us closer together, I think,
not further apart.
not further apart.
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我觉得使得我们变得更近，
而不是更远。
而不是更远。
15:40
So the next time that I'm introduced,
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所以在下一次我做自我介绍的时候，
15:44
I'd love to hear the truth:
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我很乐意听到实话，
15:46
"Taiye Selasi is a human being,
like everybody here.
like everybody here.
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“ Taipei Selasi 这个人，
就跟在座各位一样 ”
就跟在座各位一样 ”
15:50
She isn't a citizen of the world,
but a citizen of worlds.
but a citizen of worlds.
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“ 她不是某个地区的公民，
但是是多个地区的公民。 ”
但是是多个地区的公民。 ”
15:54
She is a local of New York,
Rome and Accra."
Rome and Accra."
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她是个在地的纽约人，
罗马人和阿拉克人。
罗马人和阿拉克人。
15:57
Thank you.
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谢谢。
15:58
(Applause)
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（掌声）
Translated by Yi-Fan Yu
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Taiye Selasi - AuthorIn her writings, Taiye Selasi explores our relationship to our multiple identities.
Why you should listen
A writer and photographer of Nigerian and Ghanaian descent, born in London and raised in Boston, now living in Rome and Berlin, who has studied Latin and music, Taiye Selasi is herself a study in the modern meaning of identity. In 2005 she published the much-discussed (and controversial) essay "Bye-Bye, Babar (Or: What Is an Afropolitan?)," offering an alternative vision of African identity for a transnational generation. Prompted by writer Toni Morrison, the following year she published the short story "The Sex Lives of African Girls" in the literary magazine Granta.
Her first novel Ghana Must Go, published in 2013, is a tale of family drama and reconciliation, following six characters and spanning generations, continents, genders and classes.
Taiye Selasi | Speaker | TED.com