17. If Lincoln Had Used a Computer(如果林肯使用过计算机……)
　　1. The ad for a software program caught my eye. It said, "Write better in 30 days or your money back."
　　1、有一则计算机软件的广告引起了我的注意。它说：“要是30天之内不能提高你的写作能力，就将原款退还。”
　　2. I’m familiar with computer programs that correct spelling through the use of built-in dictionaries. But the ad for this program said that it would correct "stylistic errors".
　　2、我熟悉那些通过使用内建字典来纠正拼写错误的计算机程序。但是，这则软件广告却说，它能纠正“文体错误”。
　　3. Style. That’s a big part of what writing is about. So I stopped by the computer store to give it a test run. I wanted to see what the program would
say about one of my favorite pieces of writing.
　　3、文体对于写作关系可是很重大的。因此，我在那家计算机商店停下来，准备试一试这个程序。我想看一看它会对我所喜爱的一篇文章说些什么。
　　4. I typed it into the computer. Then the computer printed out a critique. Here it is:
　　4、我把文章输进了计算机。接着，计算机屏幕上显示出了一段评语。下文便是：
　　5. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth¹ on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated² to
the proposition that all men are created equal. [Long sentences can be difficult to read and understand. Consider revising so that no
more than one complete thought is expressed in each sentence. Passive voice: "are created." Consider using active. Usually a paragraph
should have more than one sentence.] 
　　5、87年前，我们的先辈在这个大陆上缔造了一个新国家。她以自由为立国之本，坚决奉行所有的人生来平等的原则。
　　6. Now we are engaged [Passive voice: "are engaged." Consider using active. See "Help" key for more information.] in a great civil war,
testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met [Passive voice: "are met." Consider
 using active.] on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicated a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here
gave their lives that that [Delete doubled word.] nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 
　　6、目前我们正在进行一场伟大的内战，这场战争正考验我国，或者任何在自由中诞生并奉行上述原则的国家能否永存。我们在这场伟大战争的战场上聚会。把这战场之一角奉献给那些为国家生存而捐躯的人们，作为他们的最后安息之地。我们完全应该这样做。
　　7. But, [Use "But" sparingly to start a sentence.] in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate³, we cannot hallow this ground.
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated⁴ it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note
nor long remember [An adjective "long" is usually not followed by a verb "remember." You may need to use an adverbial form of "long" or a comma
before "remember. "] what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather [This word usually adds little and
 should be omitted.] to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which ["That" is almost always preferred in this situation. If you really mean

"which," then it usually needs to be preceded by a comma, See "Help" key for more information.] they who fought here have thus far so nobly
advanced. It is rather [This word usually adds little and should be omitted.] for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us:
that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly
revolve⁵ that these dead [Usually "these" should be followed by a plural⁶ noun.] shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a
new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. [Problems detected: 13.] 
　　7、但是从更广泛的意义上来说，我们无权把这块土地奉献给他们，也无力神圣化这片土地。那些活着的和死去的，曾在这里战斗过的英雄，才使这片土地成为神圣之地，而非我们的微薄之力所能增减。世人不会注意也不会长久记得我们今天在这里说了些什么，但是勇士们在这里做过的事将永远不会被忘记。倒是我们这些活着的人，应该继续英雄们为之战斗并使之前进的未竟事业。我们应该要更加忠诚于先烈为之牺牲的事业，为摆在我们面前的伟大任务继续献身；我们在这里下定决心不能让他们的鲜血白流；这个国家，在上帝的保佑下将获得自由的新生。这个民有、民治、民享的政府将与世长存。
　　8. That’s something. As often as I’ve read this speech, getting a lump in my throat every time. I’ve never detected one stylistic problem, much less 13. Shows how little I know. 
　　8、真是奇迹!每当我阅读这篇演讲词的时候，总感觉心情激动，如鲠在喉。我却从未发现过它有一处文体错误，更不用说它有13处错误了。这表明我的知识何等贫乏啊!
　　9. But I suppose we really shouldn’t expect anything better from someone who grew up in a log cabin, hoofed⁷ to a oneroom Schoolhouse and never made it to college. 
　　9、但是，我们不应该苛求一个在小木屋里长大，徒步到那所只有一间屋子的学校上学，后来也没有上成大学的人，他也不可能把话讲得再好了。
　　10. We might remember, though, that Abe Lincoln was at a stylistic disadvantage when he wrote his Gettysburg Address. The poor guy didn’t have a "Help" key to push.
　　10、然而，我们也许应当记住：亚伯·林肯写葛底斯堡演讲稿时，他实在没有很好的条件来讲求文体修辞。可怜的家伙那时并没有计算机上的“求助”键可使用