Exercise 1. Watch the film carefully and complete the following sentences with the words and word-combinations from the film:
1. London is such a popular business and vacation that it is one of the only four cities which can be reached 2. The is the area which most tourists want to see: it goes from to South Kensington and where most theatres and restaurants are. 3. One of the myths about London is that you have to take to get anywhere. It is a 4. One of the things about Leicester Square is that you can buy and tickets here. 5. (John Mortimer, lawyer and writer) And this is where you can be robbed and and where everything is lorry. 6. is a great place to sell and to visit because the atmosphere is 7. Street entertainers are free to do their when they want and how they want. 8. All cabbies must do the a test unique to 9. Chefs have no to cook right in places near average because people will come to eat anyway. 10. (Michael Caine, actor and restaurateur) I can name a few places in London now where they can give you a... for your 11. The Afro-Caribbean food is in London, things like hot bonnet chillies and bread fruit are becoming of London 12. Older people are more traditional food like and 13. (An American living in London) There are a number of things you have to into. At one point you think you have got it.., you have got it figured out. 14. A case of wine was sold at an auction in New-York for $120 000 which makes one bottle worth $10 000. 15. Some believe that a mans outfit should a 16. Oh,..! Look at that! That is 17. A hat on actually makes the whole outfit very 18. Cricket is exactly like baseball in that 19. and (name of the shop) makes clothes for everyone ranging from to But the store is most famous for outfitting and 20. To become a barrister, you have to put on this extraordinary uniform, also known as dress: black.., lace.., and a 21. And you have to go down to the of dressed up in all this to swear this of to the Queen. 22. There is a great free show in law courts. 23. Lawyers in England are divided into and 24. Future barristers still follow the old tradition of apprenticeship with the.., the established members of the Bar. 25. The Temple Church is a church built in by This is where lawyers come to and 26. We (landed) only today and have no definite plans yet. 27. The modern idea of play will Shakespeare to how it was performed and it should be performed. 28. For most Londoners life revolves around the pub. 29. There is an entire countryside out there which we really want to 30. Dominating the city are buildings built for the rich who to enjoy the spa. 31. To make this back in time you have to think what it would be like to walk into the largest building you have ever seen in your life and then just think of a factor.
Exercise 2. Outline the main points of the film using the language above.
Exercise 3. Point out 34 culturally-specific language items in the film and suggest possible contexts.
|
|
|
Exercise 4. Identify and comment on the cultural information, stereotypes and topics involved.
Exercise 5. Write a 300-word commentary on the culture shock that the Americans experienced during their visit to England.
UNIT 7. WHAT DO THEY ASPIRE TO?
Having It All
AMERI-THINK: Life is about Having It All the most American of catch-phrases. For years Yanks went around parroting well-worn clichés like, You Cant Have Everything. But somewhere between the Fifties and the Eighties they changed their minds. Post-war Baby-Boomers possibly the most influential members of society now believe that you not only can, but should have it all: beauty, intelligence, ability, money, health and fame as a result. The catch is that nothing happens unless you make it happen. Hence, the compulsion to exercise, diet, wheel-and-deal, write books, appear on talk shows, and marry up. Also to live for ever, since theres scant time for total success in one lifetime. Even TV commercials appeal to the Yanks sense of comprehensive ambition; the slogan for low-cal beer Michelob Light runs, Oh Yes, You Can Have It All!
Recent changes in television shows document the shift in attitudes. Three of todays brand-leaders are Dallas, Dynasty, and Falconcrest serials depicting the world of the super-rich. Their popularity suggests that the American Dream has been up-graded... from the sweet, suburban comforts depicted in Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet, and Life of Riley, to hard-core mega-wealth and all its privileges including the freedom to be nasty. The Carringtons are fascinating because they let Americans see why and how the rich are different.
New American role-models are those who fend for themselves (Rambo) and get their own way. Go for it! is the buzz-word. People whove taken the idea to heart include athletes, rock-stars, models, businessmen, newscasters, and even TV weathermen. Many enjoy huge incomes, and convince themselves that I deserve it. The syndicated television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, illustrates the material rewards of Me-think, and is a runaway success. Problem is that the possibility of Having It All is a mixed blessing. Many Americans are now restless, confused about how best to invest their energies. The question on nearly 250 million pairs of lips is, if its all within reach, if I can have it all why havent I got it? How can I get it? And when is enough enough?
BRIT-THINK: Muddling through
Brits feel no desire to Have It All. They were so relieved to learn that you cant have everything. They prefer to relax, and enjoy working within lifes natural boundaries Im not very good at games instead of kicking against them. As a nation, they are so fond of limitation, that where necessary, they will invent one: You are not the type to wear red; Hes not well suited to business.
Brits hate being required to hustle and change the course of destiny even in their own interests. They have a great and easy contentment, and can derive much satisfaction from small successes: Look, dear, Ive cleaned the fish-pond. Its not as is often said they are lazy. But theyve seen the future, and decided that it doesnt work, and is not worth getting hot and bothered about. They are united in the belief that most change is neither possible nor desirable which also rules out improvement. So, Brits of all classes live for the moment. They have no master-plan, no ultimate ambition: Whats is it all about, Alfie? As a group, they are a bit chaotic. It is a particularly British concept to muddle through.
|
|
|
This distinguishes them from Yanks, who are in every sense goal-orientated I always do 27 lengths before breakfast / I want to be a millionaire before Im 40. In general, Brits are less single-minded and determined. Their private aspirations if they can be identified, since they embarrass Brits are more modest: This year, Muriel, Ill wipe out the greenfly.
Historically, Brits have been wary of men of driving ambition (thats how you get dictators. Or Scargill). Its a romantic notion, anyway, for any one of us to think we can change the world. Silly to believe there is a reason why our own interests should prevail. That way lies ruin Look at the Second World War. Far better to relax, and cultivate your garden. Anything for a quiet life.
Yanks want to know why were here. Theyre desperate to leave a mark on life, to impose some order on the chaos. They need to decide about money, or power, or love, and act accordingly. Brits know why were here. In the words of the song, were here because we are here.
