又中又英｜To feel the vibe

There is a big difference between observing an American presidential election while in the US and observing it from outside the US. I have done both. People who observe a presidential election while in the US have a ringside seat to the mood swings (changing mood) of voters during campaigning by the candidates. They can feel the vibe. If you have a ringside seat, it means you are in a place with a close view of something, such as a boxing match. But it can also mean in a position to observe something very well, such as an election.

To feel the vibe means to sense the mood and energy of a situation, such as an election or concert by a superstar. People who follow the election from outside the US are too far away to feel the vibe. I am now in the US, which has given me a ringside seat to feel the election vibe over many months. I have observed the mood swings as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump compete for votes. Most Americans are convinced this is the most important presidential election in modern times because the visions of Harris and Trump are poles apart (very different).

Voting for the Tuesday, November 5, election will be just hours away by the time you read this because of the time difference. It is exciting to have a ringside seat for this very tight election. I will then pack my bags a few weeks later to travel to Taiwan and Hong Kong.

身处美国和在美国境外观察美国总统大选，有很大的分别。我两样都做过。人们身处美国时观察总统大选，就可以近距离观察（ringside seat）在候选人竞选期间，选民的情绪波动（mood swings），得以亲身感受整个氛围（feel the vibe）。若你有个 ringside seat，意即你得以坐在最好的观赏座位，例如一场拳赛的近台座席；但它也可以解作身处最有利于观察某事，例如选举，的位置。

To feel the vibe是指去感受一个情景，例如一场选举或一个超级巨星演唱会的气氛与能量。在美国以外的地方追随大选变动的人，要去感受氛围（feel the vibe）是距离太远了。我现在身处美国，在过去这好几个月内，给了我最佳的观察位置（ringside seat），得以感受大选的氛围（feel the election vibe）。我观察到当副总统贺锦丽与前总统唐纳德‧特朗普拉票时，整个风向的转动（mood swings）。大部分美国人都确信，这是近代最为重要的总统选举，因为贺锦丽与特朗普的愿景可谓南辕北辙（poles apart）。

因为时差的关系，你读到这里的时候，11月5日星期二的大选还有数小时便开始。可以在这么近的距离观察（ringside seat）这场势均力敌的选举，实在非常紧张刺激。在这之后，再过几周我便会收拾行装，前往台湾和香港。

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Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻