伦敦大本钟即将进入长达四年的“静音模式”

从下周一中午开始，英国伦敦的大本钟将停止敲钟报时，接受维修。英国政府投入2900万英镑，用于维修伊丽莎白塔和坐落其中的大本钟。作为伦敦标志性建筑之一，大本钟敲钟报时已达157年之久。维修期间，除了新年等重要节日外，大本钟将“保持静音”，预计其再次常规报时将是在2021年。

Big Ben will fall silent next week for four years as "major conservation works" are carried out on the tower which houses the bell, UK Parliament announced Monday.
英国国会周一宣布，由于大本钟所在的伊丽莎白塔开始大规模维修翻新，大本钟从下周起会停响，并且将“静音”四年。

The chimes emanating from the bell, one of London's most famous attractions, have kept time in the British capital for 157 years.
大本钟是英国最有名的旅游胜地之一。它的钟声已为伦敦准确报时157年。

At noon on Monday, August 21, Big Ben will sound for the last time until 2021.
8月21日星期一中午大本钟将会最后一次响起，而此后大本钟将“静音”至2021年。

The repairs are estimated to cost around £29 million, or more than $42 million.
本次维修预算约为2900万英镑（合人民币2.5亿元），但这个数字可能会超过4200万。

"Big Ben falling silent is a significant milestone in this crucial conservation project. This essential programme of works will safeguard the clock on a long term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home," Keeper of the Great Clock, Steve Jaggs, said in a statement.
大本钟的负责人史蒂夫•贾格斯在一份声明中表示：“大本钟停响是这个重点维修工程的重要里程碑。本次维修将保证大本钟以后能长期正常运转，同时也保护和修整了大本钟所在的伊丽莎白塔。”

Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the tower (St. Stephen's Tower, renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012), and not the building or the clock (simply known as the Great Clock) itself.
大本钟是伊丽莎白塔（原名圣史提芬塔，2012年改名为伊丽莎白塔）内钟楼的名字，而不是塔楼或古钟本身的名字（古种的名字就叫“大钟”）。

The chimes were last silent in 2007 during maintenance, and before that from 1983-1985 during a period of refurbishment.
大本钟上一次“静音”是在2007年的维修期间。在1983至1985年间翻新期间，它也曾停响过。

Londoners needn't worry though; Big Ben will continue to chime for "important national events" such as New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday.
但是伦敦市民并不需要担心，因为在碰上除夕夜、阵亡将士纪念日等“国家大事”时，大本钟还是会按时响起。