大本钟要维修 可能三年都不会响

　　Starting in early 2017, tourists visiting London won’t have quitethe spectacular view of this iconic clock tower, nor will they hearthe chimes ring out. The tower will be covered in scaffolding asrestoration work begins.

　　从2017年初开始，参观伦敦的游客就没有机会再看到这个标志性的钟塔颇为壮观的景色了，也不会再听到报时的钟声响起。随着维修工程启动，大本钟将被脚手架覆盖。

　　There is much to do for Big Ben that will ensure the historical structure’s integrity for futuregenerations, and an array of problems will be addressed. According to the New York Times, "Maintenance teams have identified problems with the clock’s hands, mechanism and pendulumthat threaten its ability to function properly, according to a Parliament statement. They also foundleaks, erosion, severe rusting and cracked masonry in the tower itself, which does not meet firesafety guidelines."

　　要为子孙后代确保大本钟历史结构的完整性，尚有很多工作要做。另外还有一系列的问题将得到解决。据《纽约时报》报道，“根据议会的声明，维修团队已经确定了大本钟的指针、结构和钟摆等威胁到基本报时功能的相关问题。他们还发现了漏水，腐蚀，严重生锈和钟体裂纹等问题，恐有安全隐患。”

　　There will also be an elevator and bathroom installed, and the overall energy efficiency will beenhanced, including adding modern lighting to the tower face.

　　钟楼将增设一部电梯和卫生间，并加强改进整体的节能环保，包括在钟面上加装现代化的照明设备。

　　This is only the third time in the 157 year history of Big Ben that the clock won’t chime the hours.There’s no doubt that Londoners and visitors alike will be looking forward to when the much-loved clock and tower are spruced up and ringing once again.

　　这是大本钟长达157年的历史上第三次修缮。毋庸置疑的是，所有的伦敦市民，所有的游客，都很期待看到挚爱的大本钟和钟楼焕然一新，再次响起。