BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
London English: Cockney
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 6
Yvonne: Hello, I'm Yvonne Archer.
Alice: I'm Alice.
Yvonne: And this is 6 Minute English! Now, like me, you were born in London, weren't
you Alice?
Alice: Yes I was.
Yvonne: Were you born within the sounds of Bow bells, in the East End of London?
Alice: No, I wasn’t born close enough to hear the bells ringing from a certain church
in Bow.
Yvonne: Ah, so that means officially, you’re not a Cockney. But I imagine like me Alice,
you're probably interested in "Evolving English – One Language, Many
Voices". It’s an exhibition at the British Library which includes a whole
section about London English.
Alice: London English - how interesting!
Yvonne: Hmm, I thought so. Now before we continue, Alice - I've got a tricky little
question for you! Are you ready?
Alice: I am.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 6
Yvonne: OK - in August of 2009, a business decided to officially recognise the Cockney
language by delivering its services using Cockney rhyming slang for three
months. Now can you guess what type of business it was?
a) a hotel
b) a restaurant or
c) a financial business
Alice: Oh, I'm going to guess 'a restaurant', you know, maybe something like a fish
and chips restaurant?
Yvonne: Hmm, that's a nice answer. But as usual, you'll just have to wait until later on to
find out the correct answer! Now the exhibition at the British Library tells us
about the 1500 year history of the English language, as used by people around
the world. And of course, there's information about the Cockney dialect in the
section on London English too.
Alice: Oh that's really good.
Yvonne: Mm. Now if I say, "Hello me ole china" – am I being rude, Alice?
Alice: Oh, no - not at all, that's quite friendly. You're using Cockney rhyming slang to
say: "Hello my old mate - my old friend". So in Cockney rhyming slang, a
word is replaced by another word or phrase that rhymes with it. So here,
"china" from "a china plate" is used instead of "mate". Hello me ole china!
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 6
Yvonne: OK, Cockney rhyming slang was, and is still sometimes used in the East End
of London, mainly by working people. It’s changed over the years. So let’s
hear from the exhibition’s curator, Johnny Robinson:
Insert 1: BBC Radio London
In London today, we do still hear that traditional Cockney that's been around for a long
time, but also we get British Asian English speakers, London Jamaican speakers. And so
that's been going on for, you know, a thousand years – people coming into contact with
each other and gradually changing the sounds and the words and the vocabulary that we
hear.
Yvonne: So people of Asian and of Jamaican descent, for example, speak their own
versions of London English, including Cockney. And as they’ve come into
contact with people who speak traditional Cockney, it’s changed.
Alice: That's right - as people immigrate to London, they influence the sounds, the
words, the vocabulary that we hear. But of course, as people who speak
traditional Cockney move out of London, they also take that language with
them.
Yvonne: So, we can also hear it outside the East End of London too. You know what
Alice, I think of Cockney rhyming slang as a sort of code. When I was a child,
adults would speak it around me in Hackney because they didn’t want me to
know what they were saying.
Alice: What a good idea! And it’s said that working-class people in the East End of
London started speaking it because they didn’t want the ruling-class to
understand their conversations.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 6
Yvonne: That's right. Now I’d also say that Cockney rhyming slang gives East Enders a
strong sense of identity, just like any other language.
Alice: That’s true. If we hear someone speaking Cockney or Cockney rhyming slang,
we immediately know they've got roots in the East End.
Yvonne: That's true. OK, here’s a treat! Let’s hear Paul Ross from BBC Radio London’s
Breakfast Show reading out a message from a listener. But, it’s all in Cockney
rhyming slang. How much will we understand?
Insert 2: BBC Radio London
"Morning Gaby and Paul", says Ian on the Dartford Crossing, "Woke up this morning,
had a jimmy, had a dig in the grave, cleaned me corned beef, put on me trousers, put me
wallet in me sky, came down the apples and pears, got in mi jam jar and I'm now on me
way to work - or in my case" says Ian, "shirk".
Yvonne: Ooh, so what have you got for us, Alice?
Alice: Well, Ian from Dartford Crossing said: "had a dig in the grave" – "grave" -
shave. So he shaved when he woke up.
Yvonne: Ian also "cleaned his corned beef". Did you get that one, Alice?
Alice: Yeah – "he cleaned his corned beef" – so that's cleaning his teeth.
Yvonne: Excellent! Shall we hear the last part of that again? It's quite fast.
Alice: Yeah.
Insert 3: BBC Radio London
"… came down the apples and pears, got in me jam jar and I'm now on me way to work
– or in my case" says Ian, "shirk".
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 6
Yvonne: He "came down the apple and pears" – meaning "stairs".
Alice: And then he got into his "jam jar" – his car - he got into his car.
Yvonne: Now before we go, it’s time for the answer to today’s question. Earlier, I told
you that in August of 2009, a business decided to officially recognise the
Cockney language. And it did this by delivering its services using Cockney
rhyming slang for three months. But, what type of business was it, Alice?
Alice: I thought it might be a restaurant selling something like fish and chips.
Yvonne: Good idea. But no, it was actually the financial institution.
Alice: Oh, how bizarre! Why?
Yvonne: Well, they did it via their cash machines and they thought it would be fun if it
asked you: "please enter your Huckleberry Finn".
Alice: Ha, ha, "Huckleberry Finn" – pin!
Yvonne: Exactly. Anyway, we do hope you’ve had fun with us today on "6 Minute
English" and that you’ll join us again soon.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 6
Vocabulary and definitions
evolving gradually changing, developing and adapting
dialect version of a language spoken by a particular group of
people or in a particular area
curator person in charge of gathering objects for exhibitions in
museums or galleries
descent here, a person’s family background, specifically the
nationality of their family
immigrate to come to live in a country after leaving your own
code here, a secret language or system of replacing words with
others so that only certain people can understand its
meaning
ruling class a group of the most powerful of people in charge of
government
sense of identity special things about a particular group of people which
they share and can be recognised by
roots here, the place where a person comes from
delivering its services making its products and help available to customers
More on this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11640951
Read and listen to the story online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2010/12/101202_6min_london_english_page.shtml
2010年12月11日 星期六
2010年12月3日 星期五
The London Tube!
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
The London Tube
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 6
Yvonne: This is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer and Alice has kindly joined me
for today's programme. Hello Alice.
Alice: Hi Yvonne.
Yvonne: Now Alice, how do you get around London?
Alice: Ooh – by bus, bicycle and usually the Tube.
Yvonne: Aha, and most people would agree that the London Underground – ‘the Tube’ -
is the best way to get around this city. But many people have a love-hate
relationship with the underground – we either love it or hate it.
Insert 1: Tube announcement
(Ladies and gentlemen)…because of earlier signal failure, theMetropolitan Line has
severe delays and Hammersmith & City, Circle and Victoria Lines are all operating
with minor delays. We have a good service and operation on all of our other London
Underground lines (baby crying).
Alice: Oh dear, more delays – that's when the Tube is running late and doesn't come
along when we expect it to. And that makes it unreliable.
Yvonne: And the thing I hate most is that on a crowded carriage – or compartment - I
always have to stand under someone's armpit – and they don't always smell
very nice!
Alice: Oh, Yvonne – you poor thing. It's probably because you're not that tall, right?
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 6
Yvonne: Anyway, there is a lot to love about the Tube as well. It’s reasonably fast, it
covers a wide area and it has a long history. Now, it’s time for today's question,
Alice. During the last financial year, how many kilometres did Tube trains
travel? Was it about equal to:
a) 72 trips to the moon and back
b) 85 trips to the moon and back or
c) 90 trips to the moon and back
Alice: Oh, I've got no idea, so I'm going to guess and go for the big one. 90 trips to
the moon and back.
Yvonne: Mmmm – a very brave guess! But we’ll find out whether you've given us the
right answer or not later on. Now, if you live or work in London, or even if
you’ve only ever used the Tube once as a visitor to Britain, you’ll probably
have an opinion on it.
Alice: Yes, tourists and visitors to London who I’ve spoken to say they find it quite
simple to use and that the map is very good. It's difficult to get lost
underground.
Yvonne: Hmm, it is. When our colleague Natalie first arrived in London from Northern
Ireland, one thing about the Tube really surprised her.
Insert 2: Natalie
Nobody speaks to each other on the Tube; nobody looks at each other either most of the
time. And at first, it was strange being that close to strangers, but you just have to get on
with it or you'll not get on the Tube.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 6
Yvonne: So Natalie found it strange to be standing so close to people she didn't know –
strangers – because the Tube was so crowded.
Alice: She soon realised that if she didn't 'get on with it', squeeze into a carriage and
travel in cramped conditions at rush hour, she might never go anywhere.
Yvonne: Mm, Natalie was most surprised that people don’t really speak to each other on
the Tube. And do you know, it's true. We do avoid eye contact with other
people, but I’m not sure why? But I'm a Londoner, and of course, I think lots
of us are quite friendly.
Alice: I think it happens in all big cities. When there are lots of people in small,
public places, people avoid eye contact or talking to each other.
Yvonne: Now let’s hear from Wang Fei, another of our colleagues. He's from China, but
has a much more romantic view of the Tube. Let’s listen to part of this rather
poetic piece he created about the sounds we hear underground:
Insert 3: Wang Fei
I hear a rumbling noise begin quietly, then grow louder and louder, building up to a
noise explosion as the train comes into the station. (This is South Kensington…). I hear
the beeping sound and the doors open and close. I hear the clacking sound of the
track, a constant soundtrack to people silently reading newspapers and books on the
train.
Yvonne: Aw, Alice, that might certainly make us feel a little differently about the Tube,
don't you think?
Alice: Yes, it often takes fresh eyes to look at something we take for granted.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 6
Yvonne: That’s true. So Wang Fei used quite a few adjectives to describe some of the
sounds we heard there as we travel on the Tube. Alice, remind us of a few
please.
Alice: Sure. Wang Fei describes the sudden, loud sound that we hear as the train
arrives at a station as 'a noise explosion'. But first, the train makes a quiet,
rumbling noise that grows louder and louder.
Yvonne: Mmm, that was lovely, because it's the same word we use to describe the
sound our stomachs make when we're hungry. Our stomachs rumble. They
make a rumbling sound.
Alice: Then there was 'beeping' - that's the sound we hear as the doors open and close
on the carriages. And this beeping's really important for blind or visually
impaired people to know when the doors are open or shut.
Yvonne: Yes, because the beeping sound lets them know when it's safe to get on and off
the train.
Alice: We also heard about the 'clacking' sound – which Wang Fei says is a
continuous sound that we hear in the background. So it's like the music in a
film; he calls it 'a constant soundtrack'.
Yvonne: 'A constant soundtrack'. Well, I hope we'll both think about all those things
next time we're stuck on a Tube train, Alice.
Alice: I hope so.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 6
Yvonne: And before we go, our question! I asked you Alice: during the last financial
year, how many kilometres did Tube trains travel, in terms of trips to the moon
and back? And your answer was?
Alice: I think I said 90.
Yvonne: Yes, 90 trips to the moon and back.
Alice: Amazing!
Yvonne: Thanks Alice, that was fun! Do join us again soon for more "6 Minute English".
Both: Bye!
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 6
Vocabulary and definitions
get around travel around
the Tube the London Underground train system
a love-hate relationship relationship (often not romantic) where feelings towards
someone or something vary from love to hate
delays when things are later than expected or planned
unreliable cannot be depended on
get on with it hurry up or do something you might find difficult
eye contact to look at someone while they are looking at you
take for granted don't understand the value of
visually impaired not able to see properly
soundtrack music used in or made for a film
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2010/11/101125_6min_tube_page.shtml
6 Minute English
The London Tube
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 6
Yvonne: This is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer and Alice has kindly joined me
for today's programme. Hello Alice.
Alice: Hi Yvonne.
Yvonne: Now Alice, how do you get around London?
Alice: Ooh – by bus, bicycle and usually the Tube.
Yvonne: Aha, and most people would agree that the London Underground – ‘the Tube’ -
is the best way to get around this city. But many people have a love-hate
relationship with the underground – we either love it or hate it.
Insert 1: Tube announcement
(Ladies and gentlemen)…because of earlier signal failure, theMetropolitan Line has
severe delays and Hammersmith & City, Circle and Victoria Lines are all operating
with minor delays. We have a good service and operation on all of our other London
Underground lines (baby crying).
Alice: Oh dear, more delays – that's when the Tube is running late and doesn't come
along when we expect it to. And that makes it unreliable.
Yvonne: And the thing I hate most is that on a crowded carriage – or compartment - I
always have to stand under someone's armpit – and they don't always smell
very nice!
Alice: Oh, Yvonne – you poor thing. It's probably because you're not that tall, right?
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 6
Yvonne: Anyway, there is a lot to love about the Tube as well. It’s reasonably fast, it
covers a wide area and it has a long history. Now, it’s time for today's question,
Alice. During the last financial year, how many kilometres did Tube trains
travel? Was it about equal to:
a) 72 trips to the moon and back
b) 85 trips to the moon and back or
c) 90 trips to the moon and back
Alice: Oh, I've got no idea, so I'm going to guess and go for the big one. 90 trips to
the moon and back.
Yvonne: Mmmm – a very brave guess! But we’ll find out whether you've given us the
right answer or not later on. Now, if you live or work in London, or even if
you’ve only ever used the Tube once as a visitor to Britain, you’ll probably
have an opinion on it.
Alice: Yes, tourists and visitors to London who I’ve spoken to say they find it quite
simple to use and that the map is very good. It's difficult to get lost
underground.
Yvonne: Hmm, it is. When our colleague Natalie first arrived in London from Northern
Ireland, one thing about the Tube really surprised her.
Insert 2: Natalie
Nobody speaks to each other on the Tube; nobody looks at each other either most of the
time. And at first, it was strange being that close to strangers, but you just have to get on
with it or you'll not get on the Tube.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 6
Yvonne: So Natalie found it strange to be standing so close to people she didn't know –
strangers – because the Tube was so crowded.
Alice: She soon realised that if she didn't 'get on with it', squeeze into a carriage and
travel in cramped conditions at rush hour, she might never go anywhere.
Yvonne: Mm, Natalie was most surprised that people don’t really speak to each other on
the Tube. And do you know, it's true. We do avoid eye contact with other
people, but I’m not sure why? But I'm a Londoner, and of course, I think lots
of us are quite friendly.
Alice: I think it happens in all big cities. When there are lots of people in small,
public places, people avoid eye contact or talking to each other.
Yvonne: Now let’s hear from Wang Fei, another of our colleagues. He's from China, but
has a much more romantic view of the Tube. Let’s listen to part of this rather
poetic piece he created about the sounds we hear underground:
Insert 3: Wang Fei
I hear a rumbling noise begin quietly, then grow louder and louder, building up to a
noise explosion as the train comes into the station. (This is South Kensington…). I hear
the beeping sound and the doors open and close. I hear the clacking sound of the
track, a constant soundtrack to people silently reading newspapers and books on the
train.
Yvonne: Aw, Alice, that might certainly make us feel a little differently about the Tube,
don't you think?
Alice: Yes, it often takes fresh eyes to look at something we take for granted.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 6
Yvonne: That’s true. So Wang Fei used quite a few adjectives to describe some of the
sounds we heard there as we travel on the Tube. Alice, remind us of a few
please.
Alice: Sure. Wang Fei describes the sudden, loud sound that we hear as the train
arrives at a station as 'a noise explosion'. But first, the train makes a quiet,
rumbling noise that grows louder and louder.
Yvonne: Mmm, that was lovely, because it's the same word we use to describe the
sound our stomachs make when we're hungry. Our stomachs rumble. They
make a rumbling sound.
Alice: Then there was 'beeping' - that's the sound we hear as the doors open and close
on the carriages. And this beeping's really important for blind or visually
impaired people to know when the doors are open or shut.
Yvonne: Yes, because the beeping sound lets them know when it's safe to get on and off
the train.
Alice: We also heard about the 'clacking' sound – which Wang Fei says is a
continuous sound that we hear in the background. So it's like the music in a
film; he calls it 'a constant soundtrack'.
Yvonne: 'A constant soundtrack'. Well, I hope we'll both think about all those things
next time we're stuck on a Tube train, Alice.
Alice: I hope so.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 6
Yvonne: And before we go, our question! I asked you Alice: during the last financial
year, how many kilometres did Tube trains travel, in terms of trips to the moon
and back? And your answer was?
Alice: I think I said 90.
Yvonne: Yes, 90 trips to the moon and back.
Alice: Amazing!
Yvonne: Thanks Alice, that was fun! Do join us again soon for more "6 Minute English".
Both: Bye!
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 6
Vocabulary and definitions
get around travel around
the Tube the London Underground train system
a love-hate relationship relationship (often not romantic) where feelings towards
someone or something vary from love to hate
delays when things are later than expected or planned
unreliable cannot be depended on
get on with it hurry up or do something you might find difficult
eye contact to look at someone while they are looking at you
take for granted don't understand the value of
visually impaired not able to see properly
soundtrack music used in or made for a film
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2010/11/101125_6min_tube_page.shtml
2010年11月27日 星期六
Estate Agents!
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Estate agents’ language
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 6
Yvonne: Hello, I'm Yvonne Archer and this is 6 Minute English. Today, I've been
joined by Alice. Hi Alice!
Alice: Hi Yvonne!
Yvonne: Now Alice, everyone seems to have something to say about estate agents or as
they’re known in the United States, real-estate agents - the people who help
others to buy or sell houses or flats. But what would you say about the
language they use?
Alice: Oh, it can be very descriptive and often, they make things sound better than
they really are.
Yvonne: Hmm – I have to agree with you on that one. Well, estate agents do seem to
have a language all of their own. For example, if they describe a house as
'characterful' – what would you think they meant by that, Alice?
Alice: Well, 'characterful' – so full of character, perhaps old, unusual and maybe that
there are quite a few things that need fixing.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 6
Yvonne: Mm-hmm, definitely! But before we go any further, let’s have today’s question.
There are lots of old houses in London Alice, but do you know anything about
the smallest house?
Alice: The smallest house? I don't.
Yvonne: Well, the smallest house was built 1805 in central London and it's said that it
was used by people who were watching out for body snatchers – people who
stole bodies from the nearby cemetery for medical examinations. Anyway, can
you guess how wide that house is, Alice?
a) 2.4 metres
b) 5.6 metres or
c) 1 metre
Alice: Oh, I think I'll go for 2.4 metres. I can't imagine anything smaller.
Yvonne: No - but I will tell you what the correct answer is later on. So, we’ve already
heard some language used by real-estate agents, but what about some of the
other things they write in advertisements. In 1968 it became illegal - against
the law – to advertise a house or a flat in a way that might discriminate against
different groups of people or encourage discrimination. Listen to this example:
Insert 1:
Beautiful 3 bedroom house, close to temples.
Yvonne: Alice, why might that language be seen as discriminatory?
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 6
Alice: Well, it said ‘close to temples’. So maybe that might describe the perfect house
for people of a certain religion. But it could also seem like the sellers and the
estate agent won’t sell the house to people of any other religion.
Yvonne: Mmm… so using the words ‘close to temples’ could be used to exclude or
discriminate against people of other religions, or encourage discrimination
against them.
Alice: Hmmm, it's complicated. So estate agents have to be very careful about the
language they use to stay within the law.
Yvonne: Now one of the most interesting uses of language in estate agent adverts are
the synonyms; finding words which mean the same thing. So, for example,
how many ways can you say the word ‘small’ without putting people off?
Here’s Paul Bonnett, an estate agent, who’s said that for the past 30 years, the
vocabulary estate agents use hasn’t changed much.
Insert 2: Paul Bonnett
You’ve got the compact, you've got the bijou, you've got the delightful, you've got
attractive (charming), you've got panoramic…
Yvonne: So there, we heard words that lots of estate agents use. Alice – can you explain
them for us, please?
Alice: Yes – we heard ‘compact’, which means that it’s quite small, but everything
that’s needed can still fit into it. We heard ‘bijou’ – that's more elegant. It
means that the apartment, the flat, is small and elegant.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 6
Yvonne: Mm… and what about ‘panoramic’?
Alice: Well, that means there's a good view of the area. So you can see all around you
from the flat.
Yvonne: Now, Paul Bonnet wanted the adverts from his real-estate agency to stand out
from all the others – to be more noticeable so that they’d attract more
customers. They decided to make their descriptions more poetic – like poetry.
Alice: And of course, while factual descriptions appeal to or satisfy our heads – our
intellect – poetry appeals to our hearts – how we feel.
Yvonne: It does, so here’s a factual description for a flat:
Insert 3:
Two bedroom, first floor balcony flat with some superb sea views towards the Palace
Pier.
Yvonne: Okay, we know there are two bedrooms, but did the description include
anything that appeals to your emotions, Alice?
Alice: Well, not really. I mean 'superb sea views' sounds quite nice, but nothing too
attractive.
Yvonne: No, so let’s hear a more poetic description of the same flat by the poet, Paul
Lyle. He's helping Paul Bonnet write his adverts:
Insert 4: Paul Lyle
The room fills your eyes with air and space. The first thing you see is the sea meeting the
sky. The windows lead out onto the terrace, taking you above and beyond with room to
breathe.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 6
Yvonne: Would you be interested in viewing that flat, Alice?
Alice: It sounds lovely! Filling your eye with air and space.
Yvonne: So adverts that appeal to our emotions but are also accurate and fair seem to
work quite well for us, don't they Alice?
Alice: They do.
Yvonne: Now earlier, I asked you how wide the smallest house in London is and what
you said was…
Alice: I think I went for 2.4 metres.
Yvonne: Oh, it’s actually 1.05 metres wide – really narrow.
Alice: So – compact and bijou!
Yvonne: Well, that’s all for today's "6 Minute English". Join us again.
Both: Bye!
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 6
Vocabulary and definitions
estate agents people who sell properties including flats and houses
characterful a word used by estate agents to suggest a building is full of
character, perhaps old or unusual
illegal not allowed by the law, against the law
discriminatory unfair; treating some people worse than others
synonyms words that mean the same thing or have a similar meaning
compact small, with just enough space to fit what is needed
bijou small and elegant (in French this means ‘jewel’)
panoramic a good view of the surrounding area
poetic like poetry
intellect idea of what is makes sense
6 Minute English
Estate agents’ language
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 6
Yvonne: Hello, I'm Yvonne Archer and this is 6 Minute English. Today, I've been
joined by Alice. Hi Alice!
Alice: Hi Yvonne!
Yvonne: Now Alice, everyone seems to have something to say about estate agents or as
they’re known in the United States, real-estate agents - the people who help
others to buy or sell houses or flats. But what would you say about the
language they use?
Alice: Oh, it can be very descriptive and often, they make things sound better than
they really are.
Yvonne: Hmm – I have to agree with you on that one. Well, estate agents do seem to
have a language all of their own. For example, if they describe a house as
'characterful' – what would you think they meant by that, Alice?
Alice: Well, 'characterful' – so full of character, perhaps old, unusual and maybe that
there are quite a few things that need fixing.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 6
Yvonne: Mm-hmm, definitely! But before we go any further, let’s have today’s question.
There are lots of old houses in London Alice, but do you know anything about
the smallest house?
Alice: The smallest house? I don't.
Yvonne: Well, the smallest house was built 1805 in central London and it's said that it
was used by people who were watching out for body snatchers – people who
stole bodies from the nearby cemetery for medical examinations. Anyway, can
you guess how wide that house is, Alice?
a) 2.4 metres
b) 5.6 metres or
c) 1 metre
Alice: Oh, I think I'll go for 2.4 metres. I can't imagine anything smaller.
Yvonne: No - but I will tell you what the correct answer is later on. So, we’ve already
heard some language used by real-estate agents, but what about some of the
other things they write in advertisements. In 1968 it became illegal - against
the law – to advertise a house or a flat in a way that might discriminate against
different groups of people or encourage discrimination. Listen to this example:
Insert 1:
Beautiful 3 bedroom house, close to temples.
Yvonne: Alice, why might that language be seen as discriminatory?
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 6
Alice: Well, it said ‘close to temples’. So maybe that might describe the perfect house
for people of a certain religion. But it could also seem like the sellers and the
estate agent won’t sell the house to people of any other religion.
Yvonne: Mmm… so using the words ‘close to temples’ could be used to exclude or
discriminate against people of other religions, or encourage discrimination
against them.
Alice: Hmmm, it's complicated. So estate agents have to be very careful about the
language they use to stay within the law.
Yvonne: Now one of the most interesting uses of language in estate agent adverts are
the synonyms; finding words which mean the same thing. So, for example,
how many ways can you say the word ‘small’ without putting people off?
Here’s Paul Bonnett, an estate agent, who’s said that for the past 30 years, the
vocabulary estate agents use hasn’t changed much.
Insert 2: Paul Bonnett
You’ve got the compact, you've got the bijou, you've got the delightful, you've got
attractive (charming), you've got panoramic…
Yvonne: So there, we heard words that lots of estate agents use. Alice – can you explain
them for us, please?
Alice: Yes – we heard ‘compact’, which means that it’s quite small, but everything
that’s needed can still fit into it. We heard ‘bijou’ – that's more elegant. It
means that the apartment, the flat, is small and elegant.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 6
Yvonne: Mm… and what about ‘panoramic’?
Alice: Well, that means there's a good view of the area. So you can see all around you
from the flat.
Yvonne: Now, Paul Bonnet wanted the adverts from his real-estate agency to stand out
from all the others – to be more noticeable so that they’d attract more
customers. They decided to make their descriptions more poetic – like poetry.
Alice: And of course, while factual descriptions appeal to or satisfy our heads – our
intellect – poetry appeals to our hearts – how we feel.
Yvonne: It does, so here’s a factual description for a flat:
Insert 3:
Two bedroom, first floor balcony flat with some superb sea views towards the Palace
Pier.
Yvonne: Okay, we know there are two bedrooms, but did the description include
anything that appeals to your emotions, Alice?
Alice: Well, not really. I mean 'superb sea views' sounds quite nice, but nothing too
attractive.
Yvonne: No, so let’s hear a more poetic description of the same flat by the poet, Paul
Lyle. He's helping Paul Bonnet write his adverts:
Insert 4: Paul Lyle
The room fills your eyes with air and space. The first thing you see is the sea meeting the
sky. The windows lead out onto the terrace, taking you above and beyond with room to
breathe.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 6
Yvonne: Would you be interested in viewing that flat, Alice?
Alice: It sounds lovely! Filling your eye with air and space.
Yvonne: So adverts that appeal to our emotions but are also accurate and fair seem to
work quite well for us, don't they Alice?
Alice: They do.
Yvonne: Now earlier, I asked you how wide the smallest house in London is and what
you said was…
Alice: I think I went for 2.4 metres.
Yvonne: Oh, it’s actually 1.05 metres wide – really narrow.
Alice: So – compact and bijou!
Yvonne: Well, that’s all for today's "6 Minute English". Join us again.
Both: Bye!
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 6
Vocabulary and definitions
estate agents people who sell properties including flats and houses
characterful a word used by estate agents to suggest a building is full of
character, perhaps old or unusual
illegal not allowed by the law, against the law
discriminatory unfair; treating some people worse than others
synonyms words that mean the same thing or have a similar meaning
compact small, with just enough space to fit what is needed
bijou small and elegant (in French this means ‘jewel’)
panoramic a good view of the surrounding area
poetic like poetry
intellect idea of what is makes sense
2010年11月19日 星期五
Men are the weaker sex!
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Men are the weaker sex
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 5
Yvonne: This is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer - and I’ve been joined by Rob.
Hello Rob!
Rob: Hello Yvonne.
Yvonne: Now Rob, you may not know this, but experts say that men are the weaker sex.
Can you explain that term for us please, ‘the weaker sex’?
Rob: Well I'll try! Now traditionally, women are generally known as ‘the weaker
sex’ – so they’re not as strong as men and need to be protected. But in terms of
health, women are the strong, healthy ones - so, men are supposedly the weaker
sex.
Yvonne: Now it's time for today’s question! Rob, compared with the early 1960s, each
year, the number of men who enter medical schools in the UK has doubled. But
how many women enter medical school each year?
a) About the same number
b) Triple the number - or
c) Ten-fold
Rob: Hmm… that's a tricky one. I would probably say about the same number.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 5
Yvonne: Mmm…as usual, we’ll find out the correct answer later on. So, why are men
the weaker sex in terms of health? Writer, Doug Devaney told the BBC’s
Breakfast television programme how he started taking tablets for angina – a
type of heart condition. But unfortunately, Doug was still getting chest pains
and a few days later, he collapsed in the street.
Extract 1: Doug Devaney
15 minutes later after the fact of the initial attack, I thought: 'Oh well, I've got through
that' and so forth. I went off and carried on my business as usual. But then I realised
after a while that I couldn't run for the bus or anything like that. So I just thought:
'Well - I've already been there; I don't want to be a fuss, I don't want to be a burden.'
Rob: Wow – just 15 minutes later, it was ‘business as usual’ for Doug; he carried
on doing what he usually does. Doug should have gone back to the hospital
when he was still getting pains in his chest - but he didn't. Shocking!
Yvonne: Definitely – and that helps to explain why men are the weaker sex. They find it
difficult to ask for medical help when they need it, which can be dangerous.
For example, Rob, did you know that men are more likely than women to get
cancer and die from it - and they’re more likely to commit suicide?
Rob: Hmm…no, I didn't know that. That's really shocking.
Yvonne: And sad too. So if more men ask for medical attention, more lives could be
saved. But did you catch the reasons Doug Devaney gave for not going back to
the hospital, Rob?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 5
Rob: Yes, he said he ‘didn’t want to be a fuss’ – so he didn’t want to draw any
attention to himself. Or we can also say: ‘he didn’t want to make a fuss’.
Yvonne: He also said he ‘didn’t want to be a burden’.
Rob: No, he didn't want to be a nuisance, a bother – to use up anyone’s time and
make them feel like they were responsible for looking after him. Doug didn’t
want to be ‘a burden’.
Yvonne: Of course, doctors are there to look after us. We’re not a burden to them even
if, like men, many of our illnesses are caused by lifestyle choices. Rob, what
are 'lifestyle choices'?
Rob: Well, these are things we choose to do in life - such as drinking and smoking
too much, an unhealthy diet maybe, or not getting enough exercise. Those are
all 'lifestyle choices'.
Yvonne: Mmm…now, as men tend to work more hours than women, it can be more
difficult – or harder for them to ask for the help they need – and get to doctors'
appointments. But are there other reasons why they don't? Peter Baker is Chief
Executive of the charity, The Men’s Health Forum. And Peter has a possible
answer for us.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 5
Extract 2: Peter Baker, Chief Executive, The Men’s Health Forum
I think men are still stuck in the attitude: they mustn't admit there's something wrong
with them. They mustn't show weakness, admit a vulnerability. And I think this makes
it much harder for them to ask for help from a doctor or another health professional.
Yvonne: So men have an attitude – a way of thinking - that they just won't change.
They're 'stuck' in their attitude which makes it harder for them to ask for
medical help.
Rob: Experts say that we men believe we mustn't let other people know – we mustn't
admit – that there's something wrong with us. And Doug's story shows us how
dangerous it can be.
Yvonne: Exactly. Peter Baker says that men believe they mustn't show weakness or
‘vulnerability’ – but can you explain what is meant by 'vulnerability', Rob?
Rob: Yes, if you're 'vulnerable', you're not at your best. Perhaps you're easily hurt,
either physically because you're ill, or emotionally because, for example, you're
not feeling particularly happy. And men don't like to show that they're
vulnerable – they don't like to show their 'vulnerability'.
Yvonne: So, what can be done to change this situation where men are now the weaker
sex when it comes to health? Here’s Peter Baker again with two suggestions.
Extract 3: Peter Baker, Chief Executive, The Men’s Health Forum
I think we've got to do two things: we've got to educate men, change men's attitudes,
make them more aware. But we've also got to make the system much more accessible.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 5
Yvonne: So, the medical system needs to be easier to use – it needs to be 'more
accessible', and men need to be made more aware.
Rob: Yes, men need help to understand more about when it's really important for
them to get medical help and why, even if the problem was caused by lifestyle
choices.
Yvonne: Absolutely! Now earlier Rob, I asked: since the early 1960s, how many
women enter medical school each year?
Rob: And I said: about the same number.
Yvonne: It's actually ten-fold.
Rob: Wow – that is a lot!
Yvonne: It is… but that's all for today's "6 Minute English".
Both: Goodbye!
6 Minute English
Men are the weaker sex
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 5
Yvonne: This is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer - and I’ve been joined by Rob.
Hello Rob!
Rob: Hello Yvonne.
Yvonne: Now Rob, you may not know this, but experts say that men are the weaker sex.
Can you explain that term for us please, ‘the weaker sex’?
Rob: Well I'll try! Now traditionally, women are generally known as ‘the weaker
sex’ – so they’re not as strong as men and need to be protected. But in terms of
health, women are the strong, healthy ones - so, men are supposedly the weaker
sex.
Yvonne: Now it's time for today’s question! Rob, compared with the early 1960s, each
year, the number of men who enter medical schools in the UK has doubled. But
how many women enter medical school each year?
a) About the same number
b) Triple the number - or
c) Ten-fold
Rob: Hmm… that's a tricky one. I would probably say about the same number.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 5
Yvonne: Mmm…as usual, we’ll find out the correct answer later on. So, why are men
the weaker sex in terms of health? Writer, Doug Devaney told the BBC’s
Breakfast television programme how he started taking tablets for angina – a
type of heart condition. But unfortunately, Doug was still getting chest pains
and a few days later, he collapsed in the street.
Extract 1: Doug Devaney
15 minutes later after the fact of the initial attack, I thought: 'Oh well, I've got through
that' and so forth. I went off and carried on my business as usual. But then I realised
after a while that I couldn't run for the bus or anything like that. So I just thought:
'Well - I've already been there; I don't want to be a fuss, I don't want to be a burden.'
Rob: Wow – just 15 minutes later, it was ‘business as usual’ for Doug; he carried
on doing what he usually does. Doug should have gone back to the hospital
when he was still getting pains in his chest - but he didn't. Shocking!
Yvonne: Definitely – and that helps to explain why men are the weaker sex. They find it
difficult to ask for medical help when they need it, which can be dangerous.
For example, Rob, did you know that men are more likely than women to get
cancer and die from it - and they’re more likely to commit suicide?
Rob: Hmm…no, I didn't know that. That's really shocking.
Yvonne: And sad too. So if more men ask for medical attention, more lives could be
saved. But did you catch the reasons Doug Devaney gave for not going back to
the hospital, Rob?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 5
Rob: Yes, he said he ‘didn’t want to be a fuss’ – so he didn’t want to draw any
attention to himself. Or we can also say: ‘he didn’t want to make a fuss’.
Yvonne: He also said he ‘didn’t want to be a burden’.
Rob: No, he didn't want to be a nuisance, a bother – to use up anyone’s time and
make them feel like they were responsible for looking after him. Doug didn’t
want to be ‘a burden’.
Yvonne: Of course, doctors are there to look after us. We’re not a burden to them even
if, like men, many of our illnesses are caused by lifestyle choices. Rob, what
are 'lifestyle choices'?
Rob: Well, these are things we choose to do in life - such as drinking and smoking
too much, an unhealthy diet maybe, or not getting enough exercise. Those are
all 'lifestyle choices'.
Yvonne: Mmm…now, as men tend to work more hours than women, it can be more
difficult – or harder for them to ask for the help they need – and get to doctors'
appointments. But are there other reasons why they don't? Peter Baker is Chief
Executive of the charity, The Men’s Health Forum. And Peter has a possible
answer for us.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 5
Extract 2: Peter Baker, Chief Executive, The Men’s Health Forum
I think men are still stuck in the attitude: they mustn't admit there's something wrong
with them. They mustn't show weakness, admit a vulnerability. And I think this makes
it much harder for them to ask for help from a doctor or another health professional.
Yvonne: So men have an attitude – a way of thinking - that they just won't change.
They're 'stuck' in their attitude which makes it harder for them to ask for
medical help.
Rob: Experts say that we men believe we mustn't let other people know – we mustn't
admit – that there's something wrong with us. And Doug's story shows us how
dangerous it can be.
Yvonne: Exactly. Peter Baker says that men believe they mustn't show weakness or
‘vulnerability’ – but can you explain what is meant by 'vulnerability', Rob?
Rob: Yes, if you're 'vulnerable', you're not at your best. Perhaps you're easily hurt,
either physically because you're ill, or emotionally because, for example, you're
not feeling particularly happy. And men don't like to show that they're
vulnerable – they don't like to show their 'vulnerability'.
Yvonne: So, what can be done to change this situation where men are now the weaker
sex when it comes to health? Here’s Peter Baker again with two suggestions.
Extract 3: Peter Baker, Chief Executive, The Men’s Health Forum
I think we've got to do two things: we've got to educate men, change men's attitudes,
make them more aware. But we've also got to make the system much more accessible.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 5
Yvonne: So, the medical system needs to be easier to use – it needs to be 'more
accessible', and men need to be made more aware.
Rob: Yes, men need help to understand more about when it's really important for
them to get medical help and why, even if the problem was caused by lifestyle
choices.
Yvonne: Absolutely! Now earlier Rob, I asked: since the early 1960s, how many
women enter medical school each year?
Rob: And I said: about the same number.
Yvonne: It's actually ten-fold.
Rob: Wow – that is a lot!
Yvonne: It is… but that's all for today's "6 Minute English".
Both: Goodbye!
The dirtiest lie of the Taekwondo match in the Asian Games 2010
Yang, Shu-chun, an excellent female Taekwondo Athlete. She has been one of the best s of 49-kg level in the world for several years.
Yang was defamed to cheat in the match on 11/17.
THIS IS NOT TRUE AT ALL.
The truth is she didn't violate any rule and used the officially-certificated gear for the match.
The truth is she didn't violate any rule and used the officially-certificated gear for the match.
Three videos which can show the entire process and the keys are available on Youtube.
You can check them carefully if you like.
But you may want to read the pictures and captions below these 3 videos first
This article from this website : https://sites.google.com/site/dirtytaekwondo2010/
Related videos:
1. full and unedited video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdPcXA0AMMc&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdPcXA0AMMc&feature=player_embedded
2. (this one points out controversial issues)
3.English news
The CNN ireport
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-519884
Here are some snapshots captured from the video, which was recorded by a professional sport TV channel, to show the entire process.
These pictures will tell the correct, iron-like truth including how the ridiculous mistakes happened and how unreasonable the whole thing is!!
-----------------------------Here we go---------------------------------
0.(Before the match)All gears and personel had been inspected by the referee and technicians.
(the picture not shown because this is common sense)
1.(Before the match)
Both side were testing the electronic socks.
Someone outside the field told the referee that Yang's electronic socks have problems.
(Before the match)
Yang went downstairs, left the field ,and TOOK OFF 2 sensors from her socks.
4.
(Before the match)
Yang's coach DROPPED OFF those 2 sensors.
(Before the match)
Yang's coach DROPPED OFF those 2 sensors.
(The match was being started by the referee)
This means EVERYTHING IS OK! The match is under a appropriate and FAIR status.
6.
(During the match)
Yang was leading the competitor 9 more points. The Vietnanese was ZERO point at that time.
6 of the 9 points were from twice head kicks which were judged by other 3 side-referees, NOT FROM the electronic gear hits.
Someone outside the field stopped the match and asked Yang to come over.
(During the match)
Yang was leading the competitor 9 more points. The Vietnanese was ZERO point at that time.
6 of the 9 points were from twice head kicks which were judged by other 3 side-referees, NOT FROM the electronic gear hits.
Someone outside the field stopped the match and asked Yang to come over.
7.
(During the match)
Hong inspected yang's socks and DID NOT find anything he wants.
(During the match)
Hong inspected yang's socks and DID NOT find anything he wants.
(During the match)
Hong asked the referee to take the 2 sensors NEAR Yang's coach.
9.
(During the match)
The referee went to Yang's coach and asked him to pick up the sensors and hand in.
(During the match)
The referee went to Yang's coach and asked him to pick up the sensors and hand in.
10.
(During the match)
The referee gave the sensors obtained from Yang's coach to Hong.
(During the match)
The referee gave the sensors obtained from Yang's coach to Hong.
11.
(During the match)
Hong waved the sensors showing to someone.
(During the match)
Hong waved the sensors showing to someone.
12.
(During the match)
Another one with gray suit came to check.
(During the match)
Another one with gray suit came to check.
13.
(During the match)
Hong and Zhao(man with gray suit) were talking and checking the 2 sensors.
(Note:
a. Yang is the biggest obstacle of China's player for the gmae of 49-kg level
b. DO NOT forget the 2 sensors were from Yang's coach, NOT directly from the socks Yang' was wearing!!)
(During the match)
Hong and Zhao(man with gray suit) were talking and checking the 2 sensors.
(Note:
a. Yang is the biggest obstacle of China's player for the gmae of 49-kg level
b. DO NOT forget the 2 sensors were from Yang's coach, NOT directly from the socks Yang' was wearing!!)
14.
(During the match)
These people holding the 2 sensors went to a undertable meeting.
Few minutes after, Yang was disqualified by these people due to the 2 sensors that had never been used !?!?!?!?
(During the match)
These people holding the 2 sensors went to a undertable meeting.
Few minutes after, Yang was disqualified by these people due to the 2 sensors that had never been used !?!?!?!?
Yang could not help crying for the unfair and unreasonable judgement.
If you were Yang, would you accept the ridiculous judgement? would you? would anyone?
!!Latest picture as evidence!!!
VERY CLEAR! VERY SOLID!
The upper panel of the picture shows that sensors were on the heels while gears testing.
The lower panel of the picture shows that no sensor exists while fighting.
Yang DID NOT cheat at all !
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taiwanese are different from Chinese and Korean. We never ever cheat on any international game.
We don't need the gold prize,
WE WANT the JUSTICE and TRUTH.
In order to show how well the Asian Games 2010 is working,
China government uses their medias to broadcast lies and defamation.
As you can see, IT IS NOT AT ALL.
They don't even show any evidence, such as videos or pictures,
to prove what they said.
Lies and evilness have covered everything.
After read this page,
if you agree with the viewpoints which are based on evidences here,
please join the Facebook to support Yang.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taiwan-athlete-Yang-Shu-Chun-did-NOT-cheat/111708428895555?v=wall
And also tell your friends to clarify the truth.
Henry
*All pictures are from http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=293&t=1867332&last=23974280
*Thanks to CM Wang , joish, and other contributors not shown here.
2010年11月12日 星期五
Media Blackout!
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Media Blackout
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 5
Dan: This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Dan Walker Smith
and today I'm joined by Alice. Hello Alice!
Alice: Hi Dan.
Dan: Alice, you've got some news about a media blackout in an English town, right?
Alice: That's right; a media blackout; that's a ban on all media. It's happening at
Bournemouth University on the south coast of England.
Dan: OK, so there's no media anywhere in Bournemouth?
Alice: Well it's not a complete media blackout; the ban is just affecting hundreds of
university students, as part of an experiment to see how they react without
media.
Dan: Aha! OK, well before you go on, I've got a media question for you: according
to the latest Facebook figures, how many active Facebook users are there in the
world? Is it:
a) 300 million
b) 500 million
c) 800 million
Alice: Oh I've just recently seen that film about Facebook, so I'm going to guess 800
million.
Dan: OK top number there. Well we'll see if you're right later on in the programme.
Now Alice, tell us a bit more about this experiment.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 5
Alice: Absolutely. Well the experiment's called Unplugged, because the people
who've volunteered have been asked to unplug their media devices, such as
laptops, phones and TVs, for 24 hours. And they're not allowed to listen to the
radio or read newspapers either.
Dan: OK, so no access to any media. But 24 hours doesn't seem like a very long
time.
Alice: No it doesn't, but some of the volunteers have found it really difficult, as you
can hear from one of the guinea pigs in the experiment.
By the way, a guinea pig here is a strange term for describing someone who
takes part in a new experiment or test. They're usually little furry animals, a bit
like short-eared rabbits, and make very nice pets. But in this case it means
someone who takes part in an experiment.
This is one of the guinea pigs, Charlotte Gay:
Extract 1: Charlotte Gay
It’s been a real struggle to be honest, even here in the student union here, you have to
literally shut down and try and avoid all contacts with media; it's really difficult.
Dan: So our guinea pig Charlotte there said it was a real struggle to avoid all contact
with the media. She said she had to shut down; basically just stop doing
anything.
Alice: Yeah, the media's everywhere, so not surprisingly Charlotte said it was really
difficult.
Dan: OK, but how has this media ban affected the students' mental well-being,
Alice?
Alice: Well their mental well-being; you'd think 24 hours, how will they feel about
themselves and their emotional health? Well, Doctor Roman Gerodimos, is a
media lecturer at Bournemouth University. He helped with the experiment and
he here is describing some of the students’ symptoms:
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 5
Extract 2: Roman Gerodimos
They are reporting withdrawal symptoms, overeating, feeling nervous, feeling isolated,
disconnected, they don’t know what to do with themselves all the time, just going round
their room or their house in silence and they really hate that!
Dan: Wow, so it sounds like the media ban had a very negative effect on the
students.
Alice: Yeah, Doctor Gerodimos said some students were overeating; they were
eating too much food. And they were also feeling nervous and isolated.
Isolated means lonely or detached from other people. They also felt
disconnected, which is another word meaning detached or cut off.
Dan: Let's have another listen to the clip.
Extract 2: Roman Gerodimos
They are reporting withdrawal symptoms, overeating, feeling nervous, feeling isolated,
disconnected, they don’t know what to do with themselves all the time, just going round
their room or their house in silence and they really hate that!
Dan: So a lot of problems there in just 24 hours. And have there been any long-term
effects?
Alice: Long-term effects – changes that last for a long time. Well, the experiment has
only just finished, so we don’t know the full findings yet. But let’s hear some
thoughts from another student, Caroline Scott, and also afterwards the voice of
BBC correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones.
Extract 3: Caroline Scott and Rory Cellan-Jones
Caroline: Yeah it is quite nice to be totally separated for about two hours I would say,
maximum. Other than that I would like to have my phone on me, or the internet, or
something.
Rory: As a nation we now spend half our waking hours using the media in some form
and these young people can’t imagine being permanently unplugged.
Dan: So Caroline said it's nice to be separated from the media for two hours
maximum, but after that she wanted her phone or the internet.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 5
Alice: Exactly, as Rory Cellan-Jones concluded, as we spend half our waking hours
– that's half the time we're awake – using media, a lot of young people can’t
imagine being ‘permanently unplugged’.
Dan: Well, there's just time for a reminder of some of the language we've come
across today. Alice, could you help us out with those please.
Alice: Of course; we had:
media blackout
unplugged
guinea pig
mental well-being
overeating
isolated
disconnected
long-term effects
waking hours
Dan: And our question of the week: How many active Facebook users are there in
the world? Is it:
a) 300 million
b) 500 million
c) 800 million
Alice: Well I guessed 800 million.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 5
Dan: Yeah, you're actually a bit too high with 800 million. 500 million users at the
last count, but that is rising by the day, so it could be 800 very very soon.
Alice: Amazing!
Dan: It really is. But I'm afraid that's all we have time for in today's 6 Minute
English. So thanks so much for joining us, and goodbye.
Alice: Bye!
6 Minute English
Media Blackout
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 5
Dan: This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Dan Walker Smith
and today I'm joined by Alice. Hello Alice!
Alice: Hi Dan.
Dan: Alice, you've got some news about a media blackout in an English town, right?
Alice: That's right; a media blackout; that's a ban on all media. It's happening at
Bournemouth University on the south coast of England.
Dan: OK, so there's no media anywhere in Bournemouth?
Alice: Well it's not a complete media blackout; the ban is just affecting hundreds of
university students, as part of an experiment to see how they react without
media.
Dan: Aha! OK, well before you go on, I've got a media question for you: according
to the latest Facebook figures, how many active Facebook users are there in the
world? Is it:
a) 300 million
b) 500 million
c) 800 million
Alice: Oh I've just recently seen that film about Facebook, so I'm going to guess 800
million.
Dan: OK top number there. Well we'll see if you're right later on in the programme.
Now Alice, tell us a bit more about this experiment.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 5
Alice: Absolutely. Well the experiment's called Unplugged, because the people
who've volunteered have been asked to unplug their media devices, such as
laptops, phones and TVs, for 24 hours. And they're not allowed to listen to the
radio or read newspapers either.
Dan: OK, so no access to any media. But 24 hours doesn't seem like a very long
time.
Alice: No it doesn't, but some of the volunteers have found it really difficult, as you
can hear from one of the guinea pigs in the experiment.
By the way, a guinea pig here is a strange term for describing someone who
takes part in a new experiment or test. They're usually little furry animals, a bit
like short-eared rabbits, and make very nice pets. But in this case it means
someone who takes part in an experiment.
This is one of the guinea pigs, Charlotte Gay:
Extract 1: Charlotte Gay
It’s been a real struggle to be honest, even here in the student union here, you have to
literally shut down and try and avoid all contacts with media; it's really difficult.
Dan: So our guinea pig Charlotte there said it was a real struggle to avoid all contact
with the media. She said she had to shut down; basically just stop doing
anything.
Alice: Yeah, the media's everywhere, so not surprisingly Charlotte said it was really
difficult.
Dan: OK, but how has this media ban affected the students' mental well-being,
Alice?
Alice: Well their mental well-being; you'd think 24 hours, how will they feel about
themselves and their emotional health? Well, Doctor Roman Gerodimos, is a
media lecturer at Bournemouth University. He helped with the experiment and
he here is describing some of the students’ symptoms:
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 5
Extract 2: Roman Gerodimos
They are reporting withdrawal symptoms, overeating, feeling nervous, feeling isolated,
disconnected, they don’t know what to do with themselves all the time, just going round
their room or their house in silence and they really hate that!
Dan: Wow, so it sounds like the media ban had a very negative effect on the
students.
Alice: Yeah, Doctor Gerodimos said some students were overeating; they were
eating too much food. And they were also feeling nervous and isolated.
Isolated means lonely or detached from other people. They also felt
disconnected, which is another word meaning detached or cut off.
Dan: Let's have another listen to the clip.
Extract 2: Roman Gerodimos
They are reporting withdrawal symptoms, overeating, feeling nervous, feeling isolated,
disconnected, they don’t know what to do with themselves all the time, just going round
their room or their house in silence and they really hate that!
Dan: So a lot of problems there in just 24 hours. And have there been any long-term
effects?
Alice: Long-term effects – changes that last for a long time. Well, the experiment has
only just finished, so we don’t know the full findings yet. But let’s hear some
thoughts from another student, Caroline Scott, and also afterwards the voice of
BBC correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones.
Extract 3: Caroline Scott and Rory Cellan-Jones
Caroline: Yeah it is quite nice to be totally separated for about two hours I would say,
maximum. Other than that I would like to have my phone on me, or the internet, or
something.
Rory: As a nation we now spend half our waking hours using the media in some form
and these young people can’t imagine being permanently unplugged.
Dan: So Caroline said it's nice to be separated from the media for two hours
maximum, but after that she wanted her phone or the internet.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 5
Alice: Exactly, as Rory Cellan-Jones concluded, as we spend half our waking hours
– that's half the time we're awake – using media, a lot of young people can’t
imagine being ‘permanently unplugged’.
Dan: Well, there's just time for a reminder of some of the language we've come
across today. Alice, could you help us out with those please.
Alice: Of course; we had:
media blackout
unplugged
guinea pig
mental well-being
overeating
isolated
disconnected
long-term effects
waking hours
Dan: And our question of the week: How many active Facebook users are there in
the world? Is it:
a) 300 million
b) 500 million
c) 800 million
Alice: Well I guessed 800 million.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 5
Dan: Yeah, you're actually a bit too high with 800 million. 500 million users at the
last count, but that is rising by the day, so it could be 800 very very soon.
Alice: Amazing!
Dan: It really is. But I'm afraid that's all we have time for in today's 6 Minute
English. So thanks so much for joining us, and goodbye.
Alice: Bye!
2010年11月5日 星期五
Dress codes: what can you wear?
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Dress codes
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 5
Yvonne: Hello – this is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer - and Alice is with me
today. Hello Alice!
Alice: Hello Yvonne!
Yvonne: Now these days, BBC staff no longer wear formal clothes for work - like
dinner jackets and evening dresses.
Alice: What a shame – it would be nice to get really dressed up to go to work
sometimes.
Yvonne: So how would you describe your BBC work wardrobe, Alice – the clothes you
wear to work?
Alice: Well I suppose it's what you call 'smart casual'. So for women, that's quite a
smart skirt and blouse or dress or trousers. And for men - nice shirt, smart
trousers but perhaps no tie or jacket.
Yvonne: So that's 'smart casual'. Now recently – the Ukrainian government decided to
publish a dress code for its workers on the official website. Alice, would you
explain for us what is meant by ‘a dress code’?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 5
Alice: Well here, it’s a set of written guidelines or rules about what people should and
shouldn’t wear to work. In some cases, workers get into trouble if they don’t
follow the dress code.
Yvonne: Thanks, Alice. But before we hear about the details of Ukraine’s dress code,
I’ve a question. Alice, following its independence, an African country banned
its men from wearing the western style suit with shirt and tie. This was done to
show that the country had broken links with its colonial past – but which
country was it?
Zaire, now known as The Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwanda or
Uganda
Alice: Ooh – that's difficult. I'm not sure, so I'm going to guess the second answer –
Rwanda.
Yvonne: As usual, we’ll find whether you're right or wrong later on! As mentioned
earlier, in the Ukraine, government workers now have an official dress code.
So, let’s find out what workers there used to wear - and what they’re being
asked to wear now. Here’s part of a report by the BBC’s David Stern from the
capital, Kiev…
David Stern, BBC reporter, Kiev
Ukrainian government workers have received their wardrobe marching orders. Gone
are the flashy, provocative styles of the country's previous administration. In, are more
subdued fashions and colours.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 5
Yvonne: So, the current government is trying to stop workers from wearing what they
used to by giving their wardrobes ‘marching orders’!
Alice: 'Marching orders' – it's a military term meaning to stop something.
Yvonne: And here, they're giving marching orders to ‘flashy and provocative’ clothes.
Alice, what does that mean?
Alice: Well, ‘flashy’ usually means something that's shiny, bright coloured –
something that attracts a lot of attention. And provocative clothes are those
usually worn to parties or nightclubs to help people look and feel as attractive
as possible.
Yvonne: So, we couldn't be described as 'flashy' dressers then, Alice?
Alice: Not exactly. We're both in grey today!
Yvonne: So we could say that we prefer 'subdued' fashion and colours – just the
opposite. But there were more details about what women should wear – or
rather, not wear…
Extract 2: David Stern, BBC reporter, Kiev
Women were told what perfume to wear - scents with sharp aromas should only be worn
in the afternoon, it suggested. They should also avoid short, tight skirts and outfits that
revealed too much cleavage. Flats were preferred to high heels.
Yvonne: So, no scents with sharp aromas in the mornings.
Alice: That's - no strong perfumes.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 5
Yvonne: Well, I can understand how women showing a lot of their chest area –
revealing too much cleavage – isn’t appropriate for work, but I don't think I
like the rule about shoes!
Alice: It says it prefers women to wear ‘flats’ rather than ‘high heels’. Maybe that's
for safety.
Yvonne: That's true – could be. Well, you’ll probably be pleased to hear that men have a
few rules too…
Extract 3: David Stern, BBC Reporter, Kieve
As for men, the advice was more basic. They should dress in trousers that break across
their shoe fronts and their suit sleeves should reach the top of their palms. They should
also not wear the same outfit two days in a row, the dress code suggested.
Yvonne: Men shouldn't wear suits that are too small for them and, they should wear a
different outfit each day. So Alice, what’s your reaction to that one?
Alice: I think that's difficult for me because suits can be very expensive. It is true men
don't look so good in suits that are too small - but I think I'd just say wear a
clean shirt and a different tie and you'll look different.
Yvonne: Good point. Now earlier, I asked which African country, following
independence, banned its men from wearing the western style suit with shirt
and tie to show it had broken links with the colonial past.
Alice: And I said 'Rwanda'?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 5
Yvonne: Hmm – good guess but it was actually Zaire, now known as the Democratic
Republic of Congo. And there's just time now for a reminder of some of the
language we came across in today's programme.
Alice: Dinner jacket
Wardrobe
Dress Code
Flashy
Provocative
Subdued fashion
Flats
High heels
Yvonne: That's all for today's “6 Minute English”. Do join us again for more!
Both: Goodbye!
6 Minute English
Dress codes
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 1 of 5
Yvonne: Hello – this is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer - and Alice is with me
today. Hello Alice!
Alice: Hello Yvonne!
Yvonne: Now these days, BBC staff no longer wear formal clothes for work - like
dinner jackets and evening dresses.
Alice: What a shame – it would be nice to get really dressed up to go to work
sometimes.
Yvonne: So how would you describe your BBC work wardrobe, Alice – the clothes you
wear to work?
Alice: Well I suppose it's what you call 'smart casual'. So for women, that's quite a
smart skirt and blouse or dress or trousers. And for men - nice shirt, smart
trousers but perhaps no tie or jacket.
Yvonne: So that's 'smart casual'. Now recently – the Ukrainian government decided to
publish a dress code for its workers on the official website. Alice, would you
explain for us what is meant by ‘a dress code’?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 5
Alice: Well here, it’s a set of written guidelines or rules about what people should and
shouldn’t wear to work. In some cases, workers get into trouble if they don’t
follow the dress code.
Yvonne: Thanks, Alice. But before we hear about the details of Ukraine’s dress code,
I’ve a question. Alice, following its independence, an African country banned
its men from wearing the western style suit with shirt and tie. This was done to
show that the country had broken links with its colonial past – but which
country was it?
Zaire, now known as The Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwanda or
Uganda
Alice: Ooh – that's difficult. I'm not sure, so I'm going to guess the second answer –
Rwanda.
Yvonne: As usual, we’ll find whether you're right or wrong later on! As mentioned
earlier, in the Ukraine, government workers now have an official dress code.
So, let’s find out what workers there used to wear - and what they’re being
asked to wear now. Here’s part of a report by the BBC’s David Stern from the
capital, Kiev…
David Stern, BBC reporter, Kiev
Ukrainian government workers have received their wardrobe marching orders. Gone
are the flashy, provocative styles of the country's previous administration. In, are more
subdued fashions and colours.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 5
Yvonne: So, the current government is trying to stop workers from wearing what they
used to by giving their wardrobes ‘marching orders’!
Alice: 'Marching orders' – it's a military term meaning to stop something.
Yvonne: And here, they're giving marching orders to ‘flashy and provocative’ clothes.
Alice, what does that mean?
Alice: Well, ‘flashy’ usually means something that's shiny, bright coloured –
something that attracts a lot of attention. And provocative clothes are those
usually worn to parties or nightclubs to help people look and feel as attractive
as possible.
Yvonne: So, we couldn't be described as 'flashy' dressers then, Alice?
Alice: Not exactly. We're both in grey today!
Yvonne: So we could say that we prefer 'subdued' fashion and colours – just the
opposite. But there were more details about what women should wear – or
rather, not wear…
Extract 2: David Stern, BBC reporter, Kiev
Women were told what perfume to wear - scents with sharp aromas should only be worn
in the afternoon, it suggested. They should also avoid short, tight skirts and outfits that
revealed too much cleavage. Flats were preferred to high heels.
Yvonne: So, no scents with sharp aromas in the mornings.
Alice: That's - no strong perfumes.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 5
Yvonne: Well, I can understand how women showing a lot of their chest area –
revealing too much cleavage – isn’t appropriate for work, but I don't think I
like the rule about shoes!
Alice: It says it prefers women to wear ‘flats’ rather than ‘high heels’. Maybe that's
for safety.
Yvonne: That's true – could be. Well, you’ll probably be pleased to hear that men have a
few rules too…
Extract 3: David Stern, BBC Reporter, Kieve
As for men, the advice was more basic. They should dress in trousers that break across
their shoe fronts and their suit sleeves should reach the top of their palms. They should
also not wear the same outfit two days in a row, the dress code suggested.
Yvonne: Men shouldn't wear suits that are too small for them and, they should wear a
different outfit each day. So Alice, what’s your reaction to that one?
Alice: I think that's difficult for me because suits can be very expensive. It is true men
don't look so good in suits that are too small - but I think I'd just say wear a
clean shirt and a different tie and you'll look different.
Yvonne: Good point. Now earlier, I asked which African country, following
independence, banned its men from wearing the western style suit with shirt
and tie to show it had broken links with the colonial past.
Alice: And I said 'Rwanda'?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 5
Yvonne: Hmm – good guess but it was actually Zaire, now known as the Democratic
Republic of Congo. And there's just time now for a reminder of some of the
language we came across in today's programme.
Alice: Dinner jacket
Wardrobe
Dress Code
Flashy
Provocative
Subdued fashion
Flats
High heels
Yvonne: That's all for today's “6 Minute English”. Do join us again for more!
Both: Goodbye!
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