Learn these words before you read the text:
vocative (.)
(Vocatives are words that you use in addressing people);
to address -
intimate
to respect
if addressed to -
(She is helped to a chair. .);
address system .
Foreign students often think that English is a simple language. Look how easy it is to address somebody in English, they say. Theres only one word you. In my language its more difficult.
The fact that the English language has only one form you doesnt mean that Englishmen see no difference between friends, people they dont know, people they respect and so on.
For example: What time is it, John? Can become: Excuse me, could you tell me the time, please? if addressed to a person you dont know. Here is another example. A woman in a shop suddenly feels unwell and is helped to a chair. Her husband may ask: Are you all right, dear? A person who doesnt know her may say: Are you all right? And the shop owner may ask: Are you all right, madam?
The English address system has intimate, neutral and polite forms.
There are many different intimate vocatives. Among these there is the persons first name. Other intimate vocatives are dear, love, old boy, old man etc. The word old here doesnt really mean old. It simply shows you are friendly to a person.
It is difficult to give the rules which explain the use of the vocatives. The use of no vocative at all, as in Are you all right?, is easier to explain. It is neutral.
A polite vocative is used to show some special respect. The polite vocatives are madam or sir, Mr. Smith or Mr. Smith, ladies and gentlemen. There are many other polite vocatives, for example, professional words such as Doctor, Professor and so on.
So the question of addressing a person in English is not so simple as it seems to be. Pay attention to these vocatives when you are speaking to an Englishman or reading an English dialogue. They are strange words, but very important for you.
Task I. Read the statements below and choose the one that best tells the main idea of the text.
1. It is difficult to learn how to use English vocatives.
2. English vocatives are very important for students of English.
3. In addressing people it is better for students of English to use the neutral style.
Task II. Say which of the following statements are true.
1. The English address system has:
a) neutral and intimate forms
b) neutral and polite forms
c) neutral, polite and intimate form.
2. Old boy is:
a) a polite vocative
b) an intimate vocative
3. A polite vocative is used to show:
a) some special respect
b) friendliness
4. A shop owner usually uses the words:
a) old man
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b) dear
c) sir, madam
Text 3.Read the text and do the tasks.
To each his own
Learn these words and expressions before you read the text:
point of view ;
from my point of view ;
differ , ;
make an appointment ;
space ;
inch (=2,5);
to make lines ;
to be too close .
Read the text. Guess the meaning of the words you dont know. Read and think how you will translate the title of the text To each his own.
In some ways people all over the world are alike. They eat, they sleep, they work, they play, they laugh and cry. But in other ways they are different. The way they look at the world is different. Their points of view are different.
Lets take time, for example. If a North American makes an appointment with someone in an office for 11.00 a.m., he will probably come to the office early maybe about five minutes before eleven. He will tell the secretary that he has an appointment for 11.00 and will start to wait. But after ten minutes he will become uncomfortable. In many other countries it is different. If a person makes an appointment with someone for 11.00 a.m., there he may not come to the office until 11.15 or 11.30. He will not be surprised if he has to wait until 11.45. The idea of what is early and what is late differs from country to country.
We also have different ideas about space. North Americans like to stand about eighteen to twenty inches from each other when they talk. People from many other countries like to stand twelve to fourteen inches from each other when they talk. When a North American talks to someone from one of these countries, everyone feels uncomfortable. The North American thinks that the person is trying to be too close. The other person thinks that the North American is too unfriendly, too far away. The North American carries his space with him. When he stands in a line, he will stay about eighteen inches away from the next person, if it is possible. When he is on a bus, he will try to find a seat far from everyone. In many other countries people do not make lines when they wait for a bus. They stand in a group. When they sit on a bus, they sit close to each other.
In some countries the dinner table is the place where the father and mother talk while the children listen. In other countries the children talk and the mother and the father listen.
To express the idea that everyone has his own point of view, the English say, To each his own.
Task 1.List the following items in order they come in the text:
1. A North American who has an appointment usually comes five minutes earlier.
2. In many countries people dont make lines when they wait for a bus.
3. People have different ideas about space.
4. In some ways people all over the world are alike.
5. The idea of what is early and what is late differs from country to country.
Task 2. Say which of the following statements are true:
1. North American will become uncomfortable if the person he has an appointment with is:
a) five minutes late;
b) ten Minutes late;
c) fifteen minutes late.
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2. North Americans like to stand from each other:
a) about thirteen to fifteen inches;
b) about eighteen to twenty inches;
c) about thirty to forty inches.
3. When he is on a bus, a North American will try to find a seat:
a) close to a window;
b) close to other people;
c) far from everyone;
d) far from the door.
4. In some countries:
a) the father and the children talk while the mother listens;
b) the father and mother talk while the children listen;
c) the mother and the children talk while the father listens.
Read the texts 4 and 5 and compare English and American haracters.
Text 4
English character
One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behavior, and practically no loud disputing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a quiet and orderly manner.
Englishmen are naturally polite and are never tired of saying Thank you, Im sorry, Beg your pardon. If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented on a remarkable politeness of the English people.
English people dont like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good tempered and cheerful under difficulties.
The Englishman does not like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech. Sometimes he conceals his knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigners language.
The Englishman prefers his house to an apartment in a block of flats, because he doesnt wish his doing to be overlooked by his neighbors. An Englishmans house is his castle.
Sunday is a very quiet day in London. All the shops are closed, and so are the theatres and most of the cinemas.
Londoners like to get out of town on Sundays. The sea is not far only fifty or sixty miles away and people like to go down to the sea in summer or somewhere to the country for skiing in winter.
Text 5
American character
American society seems to be much more informal than the British and, in some ways, is characterized by less social distinction. Students do not rise when a teacher enters the room. One does not always address a person by his title, such as Major or General or Doctor in the case of a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The respectful Sir is not always used in the northern and western parts of the country.
However, it is best to use a persons title when first meeting him/her, and then allow the person to tell you how he/she wishes to be called.
They use first names when calling each other, slap on the back, joke and are much freer in their speech, which is more slangy than the conventional British English. Your will often hear the word Hi (a form of greeting among friends) used instead of the usual Hello, and Howdy instead of How do you do?
Those who dont easily show these signs of friendship are called snooty or snobbish. In contrast, people who show such simple signs of friendship, particularly to their own economic and social inferiors, are praised as regular guys, or as truly democratic. As a description of character, democratic is generally used to signify that a person of high social or economic status acts in such a way that his or her inferiors are not reminded of their inferiority.
Yet, in spite of all the informality, the Americans, even in the way they address each other, show consciousness of social distinction. For example, one is likely to use somewhat more formal language when talking to superiors. While the informal Hello is an acceptable greeting from employee to employer, the employee is more apt to say Hello, Mr. Ferguson, while the employer may reply Hello, Jim. Southerners make a point of saying Yes, sir, or Yes, Maam, or No, Sir, or No, Maam, when talking to an older person or a person in position of authority. While this is a good form all over the United States, Yes, Mr. Weston or No, Mrs. Baker is somewhat more common in a similar situation in the North or West.
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Certain other forms of politeness are observed on social occasions. Women may wear hats in church, in restaurants, and often when attending luncheons in public places and other public social functions except those that take place in the evening. Men who do wear hats ordinarily remove them in elevators, churches, restaurants, private homes, business offices in fact, in most public situations when they wish to show respect.
