SH40翻译宇宙的未来.docx

SH40翻译：宇宙的未来 (史蒂芬·霍金)Translation: The Future of the Universe (Stephen William Hawking)(assembled/translated by alexcwlin; reviewed/edited by Adam Lam)本文是霍金1991年1月在剑桥大学的一次讲演录。This article is the script of a speech by Stephen Hawking at Cambridge University in January, 1991.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------这篇讲演，从古代巫师的预言，谈到近代宗教预言，再过渡到对宇宙未来的讨论，In this speech, Hawking talked about predictions from ancient-time oracles to modern-day prophets, and continued on to discuss future of the Universe.主要探讨了宇宙未来的两种命运：一是继续膨胀下去，一是收缩以至于坍缩成一个点。The discussion delved mainly into two possibilities that would happen to theUniverse in the future: one would be continuous expansion and the other would be contraction to as little as a speck.膨胀还是收缩，取决于宇宙的平均密度。Whether expansion or contraction would be the case depends entirely on the average density of the Universe.运用天体物理学理论，对宇宙的未来作出科学的论断，By applying theories of astrophysics, we could come up with a scientific inference on the Universe’s future.这是科学家与巫师不同之处。This is where scientists and oracles differ.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------节选自《霍金讲演录——黑洞、婴儿宇宙及其他》(湖南科学技术出版社1995年版)。杜欣欣、吴忠超译。The following is an extraction from Hawking’s speech collection “Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays” (Hunan Science and Technology Press, 1995 Edition) as translated by Du Xinxin and Wu Zhongchao.史蒂芬·霍金，英国理论物理学家，1942年1月生于英国的牛津。Stephen Hawking is a British theoretical physicist born in Oxford, England in January 1942.先后在牛津大学物理系和剑桥大学物理系学习，He studied in physics faculties of Oxford University and Cambridge University at different times.23岁获博士学位。At the age of 23, he obtained a Ph.D. Degree.21岁时，患上一种运动神经细胞病，以致全身不能动弹，When he was 21, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease and became completely paralysed over time.不能说话。Also he lost his ability to speak.他身残志坚，Despite his disability, he remained strong mentally.在大爆炸、黑洞等宇宙学理论上取