Sue,
Thank you so much for your lesson on accents in British and American English. I am sure that all the other students are as curious as me to know which accent is more acceptable or considered best in the US. In Iran, Persian, the way people from Tehran speak, is considered standard and high class. Tehranies are notorious for their making fun of all the other accents that are spoken in other Iranian cities. People who seek higher positions in the society and their jobs usually try to ease their accents. The situation is much better today, but I believe it still exists.
Does a similar situation exist in America? We rarely hear a radio or TV announcer speak with a Texan accent. Does Washington as your capital city impose any pressure because it is politically important or New York because it is the capital of the US economy? Is it true that English in the northern parts of the US is cosidered standard? Noam Chomsky says that if someone from Mars looked at us he would say, "They all speak the same language -- only with a lot of accents." That's the way English appears to us: All the huge diversity that exists in all the English speaking countries in the world boils down to just one thing: you just speak English -- except that unlike Chomsky's little green man from Mars, we are not able to distinguish a single accent.
Ali
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Devil's in the Dialect
Dialect is “the use of vocabulary that is characteristic of a particular group.” In England High English is spoken by the queen and aristocrats, and Cockney is spoken by the majority of low to middle class urban English. If you’ve seen the movie, “My Fair Lady” you will see Professor Higgins trying to teach Eliza, a flower girl, to speak “proper” English. However, go to Scotland, Ireland or Wales and you will wonder if you are speaking English or some other language.
America is no different. People from the South speak with a decided slow, mellow accent. They might say, “Yall (you all) come right on over he-ar (here), you hear?” Someone from New York would probably say, “Com’un over.” Short and to the point.
Black English is in a class by itself and it has a long and varied history. African slaves came from many different tribes in Africa and, as a consequence, had many different languages when they were brought to America. A dialect developed for this reason and also for another very important reason: Blacks could talk among themselves and whites might not know what they were saying. Many of the black spirituals (religious songs) were actually in code telling other blacks where to go to escape. They even developed a special dance called The Cake Walk which white slave owners loved to watch, not knowing it was the blacks way of making fun of white manners.
Even today, many well educated blacks speak perfect American English while at work, but with their own people they will go back to the Black Dialect. In some cases the difference is in the use of the word “Be”. In regular English one would say, I am coming or I came, or I will come. In Black English it becomes I be comin’, or I comed, or I be comin’. Present, past and future all get lumped together! This is true for those of you learning English, too. The way you use English verbs is important to learn for business English.
In America, some of us recognize a difference in dialect as only that – a difference, and yet dialect has been used to make fun of people and to teach prejudice and hatred in our country. It took me a long while to get over the prejudice in my family. For example, this song was sung to me, a white child, when I was very little:
Honeychile, stay in yo own backyard,
Don mind what dem white childs do,
What do you tink they’s gwina give
A black little coon like you.
Translation:
Honeychild, stay in your own backyard,
Don’t mind what those white children do,
What do you think they’re going to give
A black little coon (bad name for a black) like you.
Most Americans have grown up on the racial issue, but there is still some prejudice against blacks among some groups. People don’t like to admit it now, but it is there under the surface for a certain percentage of Americans. Obama is often criticized for no other reason but that it really upsets some people that the President of the United States is black. Honeychile’ get over it! We be multicultural!!
America is no different. People from the South speak with a decided slow, mellow accent. They might say, “Yall (you all) come right on over he-ar (here), you hear?” Someone from New York would probably say, “Com’un over.” Short and to the point.
Black English is in a class by itself and it has a long and varied history. African slaves came from many different tribes in Africa and, as a consequence, had many different languages when they were brought to America. A dialect developed for this reason and also for another very important reason: Blacks could talk among themselves and whites might not know what they were saying. Many of the black spirituals (religious songs) were actually in code telling other blacks where to go to escape. They even developed a special dance called The Cake Walk which white slave owners loved to watch, not knowing it was the blacks way of making fun of white manners.
Even today, many well educated blacks speak perfect American English while at work, but with their own people they will go back to the Black Dialect. In some cases the difference is in the use of the word “Be”. In regular English one would say, I am coming or I came, or I will come. In Black English it becomes I be comin’, or I comed, or I be comin’. Present, past and future all get lumped together! This is true for those of you learning English, too. The way you use English verbs is important to learn for business English.
In America, some of us recognize a difference in dialect as only that – a difference, and yet dialect has been used to make fun of people and to teach prejudice and hatred in our country. It took me a long while to get over the prejudice in my family. For example, this song was sung to me, a white child, when I was very little:
Honeychile, stay in yo own backyard,
Don mind what dem white childs do,
What do you tink they’s gwina give
A black little coon like you.
Translation:
Honeychild, stay in your own backyard,
Don’t mind what those white children do,
What do you think they’re going to give
A black little coon (bad name for a black) like you.
Most Americans have grown up on the racial issue, but there is still some prejudice against blacks among some groups. People don’t like to admit it now, but it is there under the surface for a certain percentage of Americans. Obama is often criticized for no other reason but that it really upsets some people that the President of the United States is black. Honeychile’ get over it! We be multicultural!!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
May Day
Mr. T. In answer to your question about Flower Day. I don't recall exactly what I wrote about this, but May lst is called May Day and it goes back many many years at a time when, in England and America, Spring was welcomed and celebrated. Some customs from this day include the ritual of leaving flowers or plants on the doorstep of your friends. Often this is done anonymously and the receiver has no idea who left the gift. Another tradition is the Maypole. It isn't done very often now, but ribbons were tied to the top of a pole and girls would dance around it, weaving the ribbons in and out to make a pattern on the pole. Garlands of flowers were often used as crowns for their hair. I remember making small cornocopias to hold a few flowers and giving them to a friend and tying clover blossoms together to make a necklace to wear on May Day.
Also, the last Monday in May is our Memorial Day. It is a day when we remember those who have died, in battle and in our families. We take flowers to their graves and ceremonies are held to remember those who have gone before us. So, May is a Flower month. I remember my great grandmother taking flowers to the grave of her husband on Memorial Day.
Also, the last Monday in May is our Memorial Day. It is a day when we remember those who have died, in battle and in our families. We take flowers to their graves and ceremonies are held to remember those who have gone before us. So, May is a Flower month. I remember my great grandmother taking flowers to the grave of her husband on Memorial Day.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Flower's day
Hi, Sue. You mentioned the other day that it was the flower's day. What kind of a day is this flower day? Are there any customs or traditions associated with it? It seems a very wonderful day. This is the first time I have ever heard that such a day exists anywhere in the world and I am very curious to know about it.
Thanks, Ali
Thanks, Ali
Friday, May 21, 2010
Nothing Ages Here
The wrinkled hand and that stranger face.
They haunt me. I begrudge that
Fleeting look at the unkind mirror of time.
More real are memories.
That do not age.
Doris Jean, long red curls
the first day at school.
Miss Kayland, long, long gone,
But she lives for me.
Crippled but beautiful to my memory’s eyes.
My first kiss – Gordon,
O so handsome Escort.
Red corsage on white knit –
Dark hair
And dancing feet.
Youth and the newness of
One’s breath.
Nothing ages here.
Nothing has wrinkles here.
Juliet, with gold crocheted capulet
And brocade gown – charade of gauze and lace
A drama that lives on and on.
I was she and Romeo wore blue –
Ah me!
Long gone are the way they were;
Nothing has wrinkles here.
Miss Bowers in Latin Class,
Jean Ann and I playing in her
Upstairs room.
Tom and his chartreuse Ford convertible
Ronnie with his flare for debate,
Barbara with her long blonde hair.
Mrs. Walton – big and broad and kind.
Irma whose man was in the Pacific
Eddie – the gorgeous neighbor boy
And the Millards – neighbors, friends, and family.
All are there – living on in memory
As they were then.
Goodbye Mirror – Memories
Never fading – never aging.
If memories do not fade
Do we?
I have trained myself to look beneath the eyelids of those I pass. The physical presence is more than the sum of the life. I resent my blindness when I see someone only as they now appear: old, fragile, crippled, alone --ah! yes, I have learned so much of life from those who appear all used up. Watch! They have the most to tell!
Sue Petrovski
They haunt me. I begrudge that
Fleeting look at the unkind mirror of time.
More real are memories.
That do not age.
Doris Jean, long red curls
the first day at school.
Miss Kayland, long, long gone,
But she lives for me.
Crippled but beautiful to my memory’s eyes.
My first kiss – Gordon,
O so handsome Escort.
Red corsage on white knit –
Dark hair
And dancing feet.
Youth and the newness of
One’s breath.
Nothing ages here.
Nothing has wrinkles here.
Juliet, with gold crocheted capulet
And brocade gown – charade of gauze and lace
A drama that lives on and on.
I was she and Romeo wore blue –
Ah me!
Long gone are the way they were;
Nothing has wrinkles here.
Miss Bowers in Latin Class,
Jean Ann and I playing in her
Upstairs room.
Tom and his chartreuse Ford convertible
Ronnie with his flare for debate,
Barbara with her long blonde hair.
Mrs. Walton – big and broad and kind.
Irma whose man was in the Pacific
Eddie – the gorgeous neighbor boy
And the Millards – neighbors, friends, and family.
All are there – living on in memory
As they were then.
Goodbye Mirror – Memories
Never fading – never aging.
If memories do not fade
Do we?
I have trained myself to look beneath the eyelids of those I pass. The physical presence is more than the sum of the life. I resent my blindness when I see someone only as they now appear: old, fragile, crippled, alone --ah! yes, I have learned so much of life from those who appear all used up. Watch! They have the most to tell!
Sue Petrovski
Monday, May 17, 2010
KET Reading 6
KET Reading 6
Read the article about crocodiles.
Choose the best word (A, B or C) for each space.
For questions 28-35, mark A, B or C on your answer sheet.
CROCODILES
We can find crocodiles in tropical parts of (0) …………………….. world, for example Africa and Northern Australia.
They spend most of the time (28) …………………….. slow-moving water but they (29) …………………….. move fast through the water and on land.
You often see crocodiles together in large groups. They (30) …………………….. everything they catch, (31) …………………….. fish, birds and small animals. And sometimes they make a meal of large animals or even people.
There are (32) …………………….. than ten types of crocodiles. They all have very sharp teeth. They often lose (33) teeth, but soon get new ones.
Crocodiles are usually about 3.5 metres long, but some are much (34) …………………….. . crocodiles live (35) …………………….. a long time. The oldest one kept in a zoo was 66 years old.
28. A. in B. on C. at
29. A. are B. can C. have
30. A. eats B. eat C. ate
31. A. by B. like C. to
32. A. more B. most C. many
33. A. this B. that C. these
34. A. bigger B. big C. biggest
35. A. for B. since C. during
Read the article about crocodiles.
Choose the best word (A, B or C) for each space.
For questions 28-35, mark A, B or C on your answer sheet.
CROCODILES
We can find crocodiles in tropical parts of (0) …………………….. world, for example Africa and Northern Australia.
They spend most of the time (28) …………………….. slow-moving water but they (29) …………………….. move fast through the water and on land.
You often see crocodiles together in large groups. They (30) …………………….. everything they catch, (31) …………………….. fish, birds and small animals. And sometimes they make a meal of large animals or even people.
There are (32) …………………….. than ten types of crocodiles. They all have very sharp teeth. They often lose (33) teeth, but soon get new ones.
Crocodiles are usually about 3.5 metres long, but some are much (34) …………………….. . crocodiles live (35) …………………….. a long time. The oldest one kept in a zoo was 66 years old.
28. A. in B. on C. at
29. A. are B. can C. have
30. A. eats B. eat C. ate
31. A. by B. like C. to
32. A. more B. most C. many
33. A. this B. that C. these
34. A. bigger B. big C. biggest
35. A. for B. since C. during
KET Reading 5
Read the article about Bill Bryson, a writer.
Are sentences 21-27 ‘right’ (A) or “Wrong’ (B)? If there is not enough information to answer ‘Right” (A) or ‘Wrong’ (B), choose ‘Doesn’t say’ (C).
For questions 21-27, mark A, B or C on your answer sheet.
Bill Bryson
I was born in the United States but I have written several travel books about England. I lived there with my wife and four children for 20 years, but for the last three years we have lived in the United States. Our children are now learning about life in the United States. I’m sure they will be happier because they have lived in two countries. I like Britain and I want to return, but my daughter, Felicity, is going to start college here soon, so it won’t be for another four years.
I have just been to England for six weeks to work on a radio programme about the English language and also to talk about the book I’ve just written. Most writers don’t like doing this; they don’t like traveling around the country, selling their book. I don’t mind it. I like visiting new places and meeting lots of people. It’s very different from the life I have in the United States when I’m writing. In England, people drove me around in big cars and I stayed in expensive hotels. It was good because I didn’t have to pay any bills. Everyone was kind to me and it was fun.
Example:
0. Bill has written about a country he has visited.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say. The answer is: A
21. Bill returned to the United States after living in England for a long time.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say.
22. Bill thinks it will be good for his children to live in more than one country.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say.
23 Bill’s daughter didn’t want to go to college in England.
A. Right. B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say.
24. Bill has just visited England to finish writing his new book.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say
25. Bill is happy with the things he has to do te sell his books.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say
26. Bill has traveled to many different places in the United States.
A. Right B. wrong C. doesn’t say
27. It cost Bill a lot of money to travel around England for six weeks.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say
Are sentences 21-27 ‘right’ (A) or “Wrong’ (B)? If there is not enough information to answer ‘Right” (A) or ‘Wrong’ (B), choose ‘Doesn’t say’ (C).
For questions 21-27, mark A, B or C on your answer sheet.
Bill Bryson
I was born in the United States but I have written several travel books about England. I lived there with my wife and four children for 20 years, but for the last three years we have lived in the United States. Our children are now learning about life in the United States. I’m sure they will be happier because they have lived in two countries. I like Britain and I want to return, but my daughter, Felicity, is going to start college here soon, so it won’t be for another four years.
I have just been to England for six weeks to work on a radio programme about the English language and also to talk about the book I’ve just written. Most writers don’t like doing this; they don’t like traveling around the country, selling their book. I don’t mind it. I like visiting new places and meeting lots of people. It’s very different from the life I have in the United States when I’m writing. In England, people drove me around in big cars and I stayed in expensive hotels. It was good because I didn’t have to pay any bills. Everyone was kind to me and it was fun.
Example:
0. Bill has written about a country he has visited.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say. The answer is: A
21. Bill returned to the United States after living in England for a long time.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say.
22. Bill thinks it will be good for his children to live in more than one country.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say.
23 Bill’s daughter didn’t want to go to college in England.
A. Right. B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say.
24. Bill has just visited England to finish writing his new book.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say
25. Bill is happy with the things he has to do te sell his books.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say
26. Bill has traveled to many different places in the United States.
A. Right B. wrong C. doesn’t say
27. It cost Bill a lot of money to travel around England for six weeks.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say
KET Reading 4
KET Reading:
Receptionist: I’m afraid all our single rooms are full. How long do you want to stay?
Tom: 16. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: I have a double room for 60 pounds.
Tom: 17. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: I’m sure they’re full too. There are a lot of tourists in town at the moment.
Tom: 18. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: I’m afraid the restaurant is closed. Breakfast starts at 7 tomorrow.
Tom: 19. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: Your room must be empty by 12 o’clock. But you can put your luggage in reception.
Tom: 20. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: Would you write your name in the book, please?
a. I see. Can I get something to eat in this hotel?
b. Would you show me the room?
c. I’m looking for a single room.
d. What time does it finish?
e. If I stay here, can I leave my suitcase in my room tomorrow afternoon?
f. That’s rather expensive. Are there any other hotels near here?
g. Just for one night.
h. OK. I’ll take the room.
Receptionist: I’m afraid all our single rooms are full. How long do you want to stay?
Tom: 16. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: I have a double room for 60 pounds.
Tom: 17. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: I’m sure they’re full too. There are a lot of tourists in town at the moment.
Tom: 18. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: I’m afraid the restaurant is closed. Breakfast starts at 7 tomorrow.
Tom: 19. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: Your room must be empty by 12 o’clock. But you can put your luggage in reception.
Tom: 20. …………………………………………………..
Receptionist: Would you write your name in the book, please?
a. I see. Can I get something to eat in this hotel?
b. Would you show me the room?
c. I’m looking for a single room.
d. What time does it finish?
e. If I stay here, can I leave my suitcase in my room tomorrow afternoon?
f. That’s rather expensive. Are there any other hotels near here?
g. Just for one night.
h. OK. I’ll take the room.
Hi,
It's a good blog and its name is very beautiful.
This blog is very useful for me, specially KET readings. I want to solve them and read other readings in this.
These days, my lessons become very hard because in my course(computer hardware), we must imagine what happen in a computer and in computer-base world every thing is 0 and 1, and we must convert to 0 and 1 anything that we want to tell it.
I'm in the third year of university, next year I will finish university and I must give a project to my professor, if he accepts it I will get BA.
I hope that I can improve my english in this year because I need it a lot.
Thank you for interesting and useful blog. I thank Sue too because of her helps.
Faranak
It's a good blog and its name is very beautiful.
This blog is very useful for me, specially KET readings. I want to solve them and read other readings in this.
These days, my lessons become very hard because in my course(computer hardware), we must imagine what happen in a computer and in computer-base world every thing is 0 and 1, and we must convert to 0 and 1 anything that we want to tell it.
I'm in the third year of university, next year I will finish university and I must give a project to my professor, if he accepts it I will get BA.
I hope that I can improve my english in this year because I need it a lot.
Thank you for interesting and useful blog. I thank Sue too because of her helps.
Faranak
Sunday, May 16, 2010
KET Reading 3
complete the five conversations.
For questions 11-15, mark A, B or C on your answer sheet.
11. Are you sure the match starts at two?
a. It started well.
b. It’s all right.
c. I think so.
12. I saw the new Spielberg film last night.
a. Did I go?
b. Has he come?
c. Was it good?
13. How did the accident happen?
a. I can’t go there.
b. I didn’t see it.
c. I don’t know how to.
14. Hello, I’d like to speak to Mr. Green, - please.
a. Sorry, can you say that again?
b. I’m sorry, I’ll call again later.
c. I’m afraid I don’t know.
15. May I leave now?
a. When we’ve finished.
b. Until tomorrow.
c. I don’t agree.
For questions 11-15, mark A, B or C on your answer sheet.
11. Are you sure the match starts at two?
a. It started well.
b. It’s all right.
c. I think so.
12. I saw the new Spielberg film last night.
a. Did I go?
b. Has he come?
c. Was it good?
13. How did the accident happen?
a. I can’t go there.
b. I didn’t see it.
c. I don’t know how to.
14. Hello, I’d like to speak to Mr. Green, - please.
a. Sorry, can you say that again?
b. I’m sorry, I’ll call again later.
c. I’m afraid I don’t know.
15. May I leave now?
a. When we’ve finished.
b. Until tomorrow.
c. I don’t agree.
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