Lesson Num.4 dive deeper
Table of Contents
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Warming up - Tongue Twisters (15 minutes)
/æ/
"The cat ran after the man with a black hat."- "Ann and Andy had an apple and a banana."
- "The fat rat sat on a flat mat in a hat."
- "Sally sang a sad song about a sandy land."
- "Pat packs a batch of snacks in a sack."
/ŋ/
"The king's song clung to the climbing swing."- "Long strings of strong springs swing in the wind."
- "Binging on bananas brings a longing for something tangy."
- "The wings of the young swans are strong."
- "Singing along, the penguin swung to the ringing gong."
/ɹ/
"Rick rolled rapidly round the rocky road."- "Rita's rabbit rarely runs around."
- "Robert ran rings around the rugged rocks."
- "Rachel's red roses really radiate."
- "Roger races rapidly, reaching ridges."
LoopBack (20 minutes)
- Who Barbara Oakley really are?
- How many children she has?
- How many cildren she has adopted?
- The evidence of what these facts are?
Reading Aloud (Poetry and Prosody) (35 minutes)
Glossary
In the context of language and linguistics,
prosody
refers to the patterns of rhythm, stress, and intonation in spoken language. It encompasses several elements:
Rhythm:
The flow and timing of speech, including the duration of syllables and pauses.Stress:
The emphasis placed on certain syllables or words, which can affect meaning and contribute to the natural rhythm of speech.Intonation:
The variation in pitch while speaking, which can convey different meanings, emotions, or questions.Prosody is important for understanding the nuances of language, as it can affect the emotional tone and clarity of the spoken message.
In the context of Hiberno-English (the variety of English spoken in Ireland),
pitch
refers to the perceived frequency of sound in speech, contributing to the melody or musical quality of spoken language. In Hiberno-English, pitch can play a significant role in communication for several reasons:
Intonation Patterns:
Pitch variations often create distinctive intonation patterns. Hiberno-English is known for its unique intonation, which can be more varied and musical compared to other English varieties.Expressing Emotion and Meaning:
Changes in pitch can convey emotional nuances or emphasize certain parts of speech. In Hiberno-English, shifts in pitch can indicate questions, statements, irony, or emphasis, adding layers of meaning beyond the words alone.Regional Variation:
Different regions in Ireland may exhibit variations in pitch usage, contributing to the distinctiveness of local dialects and accents within Hiberno-English.Overall, in Hiberno-English, as in other dialects, pitch is an essential component of prosody, crucial for expressing emotion, intent, and meaning.
Ae Fond Kiss
'Ae Fond Kiss' is the most famous and widely acclaimed song to arise from Robert Burns's association with Agnes McLehose, an educated woman whom he met whilst in Edinburgh in 1787 and who was separated from her husband James McLehose, a Glasgow lawyer.
The lovers exchanged a wealth of letters in which they refer to each other as 'Sylvander' and 'Clarinda'. Mrs McLehose inspired some of Burns's most famous works including the song 'Ae fond Kiss'.
Agnes McLehose arranged an introduction to Robert Burns by a mutual friend, Miss Erskine Nimmo (b.1731), and following this the couple embarked on a lengthy and, at times, passionate correspondence, sometimes writing to each other twice in one day (over the years 1787 and 1788).
This being said, Agnes McLehose remained aware of her controversial status as a married, yet separated woman, living alone and dependent upon the generosity of her cousin, William Craig (1745-1813).
She was deeply concerned with propriety and confidentiality, and so it was partly to protect both her own and Burns's privacy and reputation that she suggested the noms d'amours 'Sylvander' and 'Clarinda'.
There is nothing concrete to suggest that the relationship was ever consummated, yet one can derive from the letters that the couple were certainly taken with each other for a time.
Following Robert Burns's departure from Edinburgh in 1788, it is apparent that the correspondents' friendship suffered owing to Burns's reunion with Jean Armour and their eventual marriage, not to mention the birth of his illegitimate child to Jenny Clow, Agnes McLehose's maid.
In 1792 Agnes McLehose travelled to the West Indies on the Roselle at the request of her estranged husband who, it appears, wished to affect reconciliation. Robert Burns, upon learning of this plan, wrote the song 'Ae Fond Kiss' and sent it to Agnes McLehose on the 27th of December 1791.
Burns's use of the song to express his distress at the finality of the pair's relationship is both dramatic and emotive. 'Ae Fond Kiss' conveys sincere, powerful notions of love, and yet a sense of deep despair and hopelessness is ever present. For this reason it is one of the most moving songs ever written in response to loss and heartbreak.
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him,
While the star of hope she leaves him?
Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights me;
Dark despair around benights me.
I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy,
Naething could resist my Nancy:
But to see her was to love her;
Love but her, and love for ever.
Had we never lov'd sae kindly,
Had we never lov'd sae blindly,
Never met-or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.
Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae fareweel alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
Перевод С.Маршака
РАССТАВАНИЕ
Поцелуй - и до могилы
Мы простимся, друг мой милый.
Ропот сердца отовсюду
Посылать к тебе я буду.
В ком надежды искра тлеет,
На судьбу роптать не смеет.
Но ни зги передо мною.
Окружен я тьмой ночною.
Не кляну своей я страсти.
Кто твоей не сдастся власти?
Кто видал тебя, тот любит,
Кто полюбит, не разлюбит.
Не любить бы нам так нежно,
Безрассудно, безнадежно,
Не сходиться, не прощаться,
Нам бы с горем не встречаться!
Будь же ты благословенна,
Друг мой первый, друг бесценный.
Да сияет над тобою
Солнце счастья и покоя.
Поцелуй - и до могилы
Мы простимся, друг мой милый.
Ропот сердца отовсюду
Посылать к тебе я буду.
Proverbs and Sayings (15 minutes)
A
proverb
is a short, commonly known saying that expresses a general truth, piece of advice, or moral lesson. Proverbs are typically concise and use figurative language or metaphor to convey their message in a memorable way. They are often passed down through generations and are part of the cultural wisdom of a society. For example, the proverb "A stitch in time saves nine" advises that it is better to address a problem promptly to prevent it from becoming larger.
Here are ten proverbs that emphasize the values of diligence, perseverance, and persistence:
- "Rome wasn't built in a day."
- "Slow and steady wins the race."
- "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
- "The early bird catches the worm."
- "Fortune favors the brave."
- "Where there's a will, there's a way."
- "No pain, no gain."
- "Little strokes fell great oaks."
- "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
- "Practice makes perfect."
These proverbs highlight the importance of consistent effort and determination in achieving success.
Translation (25 minutes)
Here's a modern adaptation of a well-known Zen story involving two Tibetan monks, which conveys a moral lesson about letting go:
Two Tibetan monks, an elder and a younger, were traveling together on a long journey when they came across a wide, swift river. As they were about to cross, they noticed a woman sitting by the riverbank, distressed because she was unable to cross the river by herself.
The elder monk offered to help. With the woman's consent, he picked her up and carried her across the river, setting her down safely on the other side. The woman thanked him and went on her way.
The monks continued their journey in silence. Hours passed, and the younger monk couldn't keep his feelings to himself any longer. He turned to the elder monk and said, "Brother, we are supposed to avoid contact with women. Why did you carry her?"
The elder monk replied, "I set her down by the river hours ago, but you are still carrying her with you."
This fable teaches a lesson about the importance of letting go of unnecessary burdens and not holding onto thoughts or worries that can weigh us down.