Audio Upload 17: Recording an Article

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Now, the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories.

A listener from Venezuela sent us a question about the meaning of the expression “mayday.” He wrote that he often hears this expression in movies.

“Mayday” is an emergency code word. It is used around the world in voice communications. You might see a war movie in which an airplane has been hit by rocket fire. The pilot gets on his radio and calls “mayday, mayday, mayday” to tell that his plane is in danger of crashing to the ground.

Mayday has nothing to do with the month of May. It comes from the French expressions “venez m’aider,” or “m’aidez,” which mean “help me.”

Frederick Stanley Mockford created the mayday call signal in the 1920s. Mockford was a radio officer at Croydon Airport in London. He was asked to think of a word that could be used in an emergency. The word had to be easily understood by all pilots and airport workers. Much of the air traffic at that time was between Croydon Airport and Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France. So he proposed the word “mayday.”

Today, many groups use the word to mean a life-threatening emergency. The call is always given three times to prevent mistaking it for some similar sounding words.

Many other French words are commonly used in English. One of these words is even in the Special English Word Book. It is “sabotage.” It means “to damage or destroy as an act of subversion against an organization or nation.”

You may have heard the term “laissez-faire” to describe a kind of economic or political policy. It means “to leave alone and not interfere.” It was first used in France in the 18th century.

In the business world, “entrepreneur” is another French word. It means a person who starts and operates a new business and has responsibility for any risks involved.

Many French words are used in the arts. For example, a “film noir” is a movie about murder and other crimes. These films were popular in the 1940s and 1950s.

Anything in art, music or literature which is very modern or ahead of its time is called “avant-garde.”

If you are looking for a job, you must prepare your resumé. This document lists all of your education, skills and experience.

Something that is one of a kind and like no other thing is called “unique.”

The French are famous for their food. All cooks need to know how to sauté. This is frying something quickly in a small amount of oil or butter.

When you are eating at a restaurant, the server may tell you “bon appétit,” which means “good appetite,” or “enjoy your meal.” And if you go away, someone may wish you “bon voyage,” or “have a good trip.”

This program was written by Shelley Gollust. I’m Faith Lapidus.

You can find more Words and Their Stories at our website, voaspecialenglish.com.

Audio Upload 16 “3 pieces of News”

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Kate, the Princess of Wales, said in a video message that she is undergoing chemotherapy. Tests after her surgery in January showed that she had cancer.

The 42-year-old wife of Prince William said that it was a big shock for her and the family. Kate had successful surgery earlier, but more tests showed the cancer. Kate’s medical team advised her to undergo chemotherapy.

Both Kate and Prince William are managing the situation privately because they want to keep their children safe. The palace did not give more details about Kate’s health. King Charles, too, is receiving cancer treatment.
After a devastating fire in 2019, workers began to restore Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The work started five years ago and there were many problems like pandemic delays. But the works are continuing and it seems that they could finish by the end of 2024.

When workers removed the scaffolding, they found a new spire with a golden rooster and a cross. Workers rebuilt the organ and restored stained glass windows. Although there are many problems, once workers finish, it will mark an important moment in the cathedral’s history.
In Italy, Carlo Del Buono and Jose Cianni run a successful business farming crickets.

Their startup, Nutrinsect, produces cricket flour, which is high in protein and environmentally friendly. At first, they imported crickets, but now, Cianni’s farm produces two tons of cricket flour monthly. After Italy approved their use in food, Nutrinsect’s products quickly sold out.

Del Buono, a pizza maker, experiments with cricket pizza, and he adds a small amount of cricket powder to the dough. Despite some doubts, Del Buono plans to add cricket pizza to his menu soon.

My Language 2 self-assessment ♡!

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November 12, 2023

Hii, it’s been a while since I wrote my last self-assessment, but here we are again and I’m still scared about my future haha, the “fear” of speaking in English in front of people has gone away a little and has been improving quite a bit in that.

One of the subjects that was most difficult for me and I think will continue to be difficult for me is still Phonetics (again, I’m sorry Professor Jaime, but it is difficult for me), in Speaking I managed to overcome that fear and learned that making mistakes is completely okay, also in Writing I managed to improve my writing.
Lately I haven’t been doing very well with the Use of English, but I know that if I study I will be able to achieve my goals.

I did not feel that all the proposed goals and objectives were met this semester and that discourages me a little, knowing that I did not achieve what I expected and the result was “bad”, but I know that if I continue practicing and studying, I will be able to fulfill each one. of those goals.
I know that things take time, but with effort and dedication, I can achieve it.

This semester was a little more difficult, but thanks to my classmates and some professors the academic load did not become so heavy in some subjects, I hope we continue to be this united as a section too haha.

But thanks to everyone in general (with some exceptions, oops), you made this semester more entertaining, thank you!!!

The Flatmates, ep 134, “Tim’s Management Style”

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Episode 134: Tim’s Management Style

Tim: Oh, that was a long day, Sally. I’m sorry you had to take care of me all the time. I just thought it was important to get my feet wet from the beginning.

Sally: Then I saw it.

Tim: I don’t know what kind of manager Henry was, but I…

Sally: The best.

Tim: Oh, I should have seen that coming! But I don’t want to be him. I need to find my own way to manage it. That’s why today I went ahead and served customers. I need to know what the coal zone is like.

Sally: Well, that’s a novel way to run an empire! Although I don’t know if all the staff will like it.

Tim: We’ll have to wait and see. Now how about a cup of tea just for the two of us?.

New Dialogues:

Sally: That sounds good.

Tim: Yes, I need a big cup of tea.Sally: Me too, it was a long day.

Tim: Too long, how about we go by car?.

Sally: Yes, we can also talk about how the work day was today while we’re in the car, it will be more fun that way.

Tim: Exactly.

Sally: And what flavor will you order your tea, Tim.

Tim: I don’t know, I’ll probably order the apple flavor , I like that.

Sally: Yes!, it’s one of my favorites, oh!, we’re here.

Tim: The trip isn’t that long, let’s get in.

Painting and Decorating, The Flatmates, ep 123

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Painting and Decorating

Helen’s dad:The shelves look great Khalid.
Khalid:Thank you. I enjoy working with my hands. I miss doing practical things like this when I’m studying all the time.
Dad:Well I have an idea which might suit us both.
Khalid:Really?, what’s that?
Dad:I hear you’re not going back home over the holidays.
Khalid:Er, yes. It’s too expensive and my family doesn’t celebrate Chrismas in Bahrain anyway.
Dad:Well, I was planning on doing some redecorating on one of my other flats while my tenants were away for Christmas.
Khalid:Oh yes ?
Dad: I could really use another pair of hands. Of course, I wouldn’t expect you to work for free. What do you think?

Added dialog:

Khalid:Yes, of course, I have no problem.
Dad:Perfect, how many hours can you work?
Khalid:I would have to check my schedule, but it could be 5 hours
Dad:Okay, the pay would be 50 pounds an hour.
Khalid:Are you sure? It’s a lot of money.
Dad:Don’t worry about it, money is not a problem.
Khalid:Remained attentive to your call.
Dad:Okay.
Khalid:See you.
Dad:See you!.

Audio 1: Vicente as Helen’s dad-Valentina as Khalid.

Audio 2: Valentina as Helen’s dad- Vicente as Khalid.

The Flatmates, “A Proposition”, ep. 112

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Episode 112: A proposition

Janet: Sorry ?
Tim : I said ‘I’ve always seen myself as a bit of a self-made man’.
Janet: So a guy who’s not afraid of hard work.
Tim: Exactly! It’s just that there hasn’t been much hard work around lately.
Janet: Well, what if I told you you’re wrong?
Tim: I’d love to be wrong about that.
Janet: Well, a dear friend of mine is retiring and heading off to the sun. He’s looking for someone to take over the reins of his small business. And I thought you might just be the man for the job.
Tim: But how could I? I mean, I’d need some money to start with. How would I do it? A business all of my own?
Janet: Tim. What do you say?

-Audio 1: Janet as Vicente Pavez, Tim as Valentina Tapia

-Audio 2: Janet as Valentina Tapia, Tim as Vicente Pavez

The Flatmates, “Home Again”

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•Audio 1: Vicente Pavez as Helen, Valentina Tapia as Khalid

• Audio 2: Valentina Tapia as Helen, Vicente Pavez as Khalid

Episode 110: “Home Again”

Helen:And then, she really did make it up to the top !
Khalid:Congratulations Alice ! You are brave !
Alice:Thank you !
Helen:So, how were things back here. Did you boys manage to look after yourselves alright ?
Khalid:We had a great time and Tim’s got some good news.
Helen:Oh what ?
Tim:My guardian angel seems to have come to my rescue once again.
Helen:What happened ?
Tim:Well, Janet Hall phoned to say she’s got a job, she thinks I might like but she wouldn’t tell me what it was. She says I have to meet her so we can talk about it.
Alice: So are you going to ?
Tim:What do you think ?

The Flatmates, ep 93 “An old Friend calls”

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Episode 93: An old friend calls

Tim:Hello?
Janet:It’s Janet Hall here.
Tim: Janet! How did you get my number?
Janet: Oh, a bit of detective work and a chat with a lovely gal in the Human Resources department.
Tim:Well, I’m glad you called. I’ve got so much to thank you for. I was branded a cheat, a liar and a thief, but because of you I’m beginning to clear my name.
Janet:It was nothing, honestly. The truth will out, as they say. But all’s not quite well with you yet. I hear you got the boot.
Tim:No, I quit. It was a matter of principle. But you’re right – quit, fired – it comes to the same thing. No job, no money, no prospects.
Janet:And you think I’d stand for that?

Audio 1: Valentina Tapia as Tim-Vicente Pavez as Jannet

Audio 2: Vicente Pavez as Tim-Valentina Tapia as Janet