The APC after the main clause

1. Choice of the right register is dictated by the need not to give offence, with pronunciation giving sometimes even more offence.

2. Standard English with RP is taught at schools and universi­ties, the various forms of American are no less prominent.

c) Put the verb in brackets into the right form.

1. With spring (to approach), thousands of birds (to head) to the islands that make up Malta.

2. Political parties (to be unpopular) long, people in Germany (to trust) them more now.

3. The court (to suspend) its hearing until June 8th, he (to give) the extra time to prepare his defence.

4. The president (to oust) more than three years ago, the coun­try (to stagger) through a political crisis.

5. The walls of the college (to cover) with portraits of the Found­ing Fathers, the dormitories (to name) after their houses — Monticello, Mount Vernon and so on.

6. Brazil (begin) to integrate its public universities, the giant state university of Rio (lead) the way.

7. 46 percent of its 175 million people (trace) their ancestry to Africa, Brazil often (label) the largest black nation after Ni­geria.

8. Such acts clearly (have) an impact, many museums (close) temporarily, hurting both the tourism trade and public mo­rale.

9. Millions of dollars (spend) on educational charities, his out­look for inner-city education (seem) bleak.

10. "Lord of the Rings" (contend) for numerous Oscars later this month, the book (investigate) whether the old adage that the movie is never as good as the book still holds true.

1. The young leader (try) hard to end the debate, with the Con­servative Party (divide) on Europe as never before.

d) Translate the sentences into English, using the Absolute Par­ticiple Construction.

1. Поскольку было слишком поздно продолжать дискуссию, поступило предложение отложить обсуждение этой про­блемы до следующей встречи.

2. Хотя война в Ираке уже закончилась, США и их союзни­ки настаивают на необходимости своего военного при­сутствия в этой стране.

3. Расширение НАТО стало объективной реальностью, но стремление Украины присоединиться к Североатланти­ческому альянсу вызывает наибольшую обеспокоенность России.

4. Так как инфляция представляет собой непосредственную угрозу, многие опасаются, что этой зимой они столкнут­ся с нищетой и голодом.

5. После того как договор был подписан, судоходное и авиа­ционное сообщение между двумя государствами немед­ленно возобновилось.

Exercise 28

Match the words from the article with their definitions.

1. a general agreement

2. a concept, an idea formed in the mind by combining pieces of information

3. a long violent attack in speech or writing

4. an advertisement on TV or radio

Exercise 29

Find in the text the English equivalents for the following Russian phrases.

вырваться за пределы своего ареала

бесчисленные диалекты

поднять до статуса языка

силой насаждать язык

решать что законно, а что нет

не учитывать что-либо

нанести вред чему-либо

нестандартное мышление

нанести оскорбление

воспитывать отношение

здравый смысл

яростная обличительная речь

лить слезы по чему-либо

Exercise З 0

Translate the following into English, using the phrases mentioned above.

1. Правозащитники произносят яростные обличительные речи против цензуры, как метода репрессии.

2. Не стоит лить слезы по поводу смены государственных символов.

3. Правительства некоторых государств бывшего Советс­кого Союза порой пытались силой насаждать местные языки, отказывая многочисленному русскоязычному на­селению в праве иметь собственные школы, литературу, театр.

4. Бесчисленные диалекты английского языка не мешают англичанам понимать всех, кто говорит на их языке.

5. Здравый смысл помогает воспитывать критическое вос­приятие печатного материала.

6. Отдельные публикации могут нанести оскорбление це­лой нации.

Good monolingual dictionaries always indicate if a word or phrase has a particular register, in other words the type of con­text it should be used in. Different dictionaries use slightly dif­ferent labels to indicate register but they all tell you whether the word or phrase is informal, formal, specialized/technical (e.g. medical, legal, literary, etc), old-fashioned / dated, slang, etc. Words and phrases with no label are of neutral register.

Exercise 31

а) Use a monolingual dictionary to determine the register of the following words and to discover a more common / neutral (near) synonym. An example is given.

       Word            Register       Synonym

1. lesion            medical       cut, wound

2. podgy

3. bananas (adj)

4. pen (v)

5. wireless (n)

6. larceny

7. pretty (adv)

8. court (v)

9. notwithstanding

10. nosh-up

11. politic

12. bamboozle

13. clavicle

14. lingo

b) Make any necessary changes to the underlined words in the j sentences that follow. Not all the underlined words are in inappropriate register. The first one has been done for you.

1. Unfortunately, he ended his days in an institution for the criminally bananas. Insane
2. Oh no! I think I've put my clavicle out again.
3. Lingo study classes are from 09:00 to 12:15 with options in the afternoon.
4. You are invited to a nosh-up to celebrate the 25th anniversa­ry of the foundation of the club.
5. It's no good trying to bamboozle me. I'm not going to buy any insurance.
6. She turned out to be a great boss to work for notwithstanding what everybody said about her.
7. It is, to say the very least, pretty regrettable that the Manag­ing Director has decided to resign at this crucial time.
8. Podgy children run a high risk of heart disease in later life.
9. My grandmother never bought a TV. She was quite happy listening to her wireless, as she used to call it.
10. Can you pen a quick shopping list for me? You know how forgetful I am.
11. One feels it may not be politic at this moment to press for an increase in salary.
12. "Hi, Karen. So this is your new boyfriend".

"Year, we've been courting for about two months now".

1. I'm a bit worried about Harry, Doctor. He's got some nasty lesions on his legs.
2. "I see Fred Gomm's been arrested again".

"Oh, what for this time?"

"The usual — larceny".

The kind of informal English, which is normal in ordinary conversation but is not considered acceptable in more formal language is called "colloquial". "Slang" is even more informal and consists mainly of particular words and phrases used prin­cipally by one group of people, e. g. young children, teenagers, students, professional people, working people etc.

Exercise 32

After each conversation below, first explain each colloquial or slang item listed and then rewrite the conversation in a more formal style.

E. g.

Alan: Do you fancy going to the pictures tonight?

Jill: Great. Hang on, though. There's something good on telly.

a) Do you fancy b) Great c) Hang on d) Telly

Answer:

a) Would you like to b) Wonderful c) Wait d) Television

Alan: Would you like to go to the cinema this evening?

Jill: Wonderful. But wait. There's a good programme on tele­vision.

 

1. Chris: Do you like your new school?

Gus: It's OK.

Chris: And the kids in your class?

Gus: They're a decent bunch.

Chris: And the teacher?

Gus: Oh, he's a terrific bloke.

a) OK b) kids c) decent d) bunch e) terrific f) bloke

 

1. Fred: I'm not too keen on this new guy in the office.

       Alex: Yeah, he's a bit of a big-head. Throws his weight around.

       Fred: Yeah, if I get any more hassle from him, I'm going to tell him what I think.

       Alex: Come off it. You haven't got the guts. You'd get the sack.

a) I'm not too keen on b) guy c) yeah d) big-headed e) throws his weight around f) hassle g) come off it h) guts i) get the sack

 

1. Joe: Posh suit!

       Brian: My grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. We're having a bit of a do.

       Joe: Come and have a drink first. On me.

       Brian: Just for a jiffy. Mustn't get there plastered.

a) posh b) a do c) on me d) jiffy e) plastered

 

Formality in a language is all about your relationship with the person you are speaking or writing to. If you use formal language, it may be because you wish to show respect, po­liteness, or to put yourself at a distance (for example, "official" language). Informal language can show friendliness, equality or a feeling of closeness and solidarity with some-one. You should never use informal language to sound fluent or clever.

Exercise 33

Read the passage below and underline all instances of informal language. What conclusions can you make about relationship between the two people? Does vocabulary alone help to render the speech informal? What else points to informality? Rephrase the informal phrases in the conversation, using Standard En­glish. The passage has been taken from the film "Educating Rita".

Rita: I read this poem about fightin' death...

Frank: Ah -— Dylan Thomas...

Rita: No. Roger McGough. It was about this old man who runs away from hospital an' goes out on the ale. He gets pissed an' stands in the street shoutin' an' challengin' death to come out an' fight. It's dead good.

Frank: Yes. I don't think I know the actual piece you mean...

Rita: I'll bring y' the book — it's great.

Frank: Thank you.

Rita: You probably won't think it's any good.

Frank: Why?

Rita: It's the sort of poetry you can understand.

Frank: Ah. I see.

(Rita begins looking idly round the room.)

Frank: Can I offer you a drink?

Rita: What of?

Frank: Scotch?

Rita: (going to the bookcase) Y'wanna be careful with that stuff; it kills y'brain cells.

Frank: But you'll have one? (He gets up and goes to the small table.)

Rita: All right. It'll probably have a job findin' my brain.

Frank: (pouring the drinks) Water?

Rita: (looking at the bookcase) Yeh, all right. (She takes a copy of Howards End from the shelf.) What's this like? (Frank goes over to Rita, looks at the title of the book and then goes back to the drinks.)

Frank: Howards End?

Rita: Yeh. It sounds filthy, doesn't it? E. M. Foster.

Frank: Forster.

Rita: Oh yeh. What's it like?

Frank: Borrow it. Read it.

Rita: Ta. I'll look after it. (She moves back towards the desk.) If I pack the course in I'll post it to y’. (Frank comes back to the desk with drinks.)

Frank: (handing her the mug) Pack it in? Why should you do that?

(Rita puts her drink down on the desk and puts the copy of Howards End in her bag.)

Rita: I just might. I might decide it was a soft idea.

Frank: (looking at her) Mm. Cheers. If — erm — if you're al­ready contemplating "packing it in", why did you enrol in the first place?      

Rita: Because I wanna know.

Frank: What do you want to know?

Rita: Everything.

Frank: Everything? That's rather a lot, isn't it? Where would you like to start?   

Rita: Well, I'm a student now, aren't I? I'll have to do exams, won't I?

Frank: Yes, eventually.

Rita: I'll have to learn about it all, won't I? Yeh. It's like y' sit there, dont' y', watchin' the ballet or the opera on the telly an' — an' y' call it rubbish cos tha's what it looks like? Cos y' don't understand. So y' switch it off an' say, that's fuckin' rubbish.

Frank: Do you?

Rita: I do. But I don't want to. I wanna see. Y' don't mind me swearin', do y'?

Frank: Not at all.

Rita: Do you swear.

Frank: Never stop.

Rita: See, the educated classes know it's only words, don't they? I It's only the masses who don't understand. I do it to shock them sometimes. Y' know when I'm in the hairdresser's — that's where I work — I'll say somethin' like, "Oh, I'm really fucked", y' know, dead loud. It doesn't half cause a fuss.

Frank: Yes — I'm sure..

Rita: But it doesn't cause any sort of fuss with educated people, does it? Cos they know it's only words and they don't worry. But these stuck-up idiots I meet, they think they're royalty just cos they don't swear; an' I wouldn't mind but it's the aristocracy that swears more than anyone, isn't it? They're effin' and blindin' all day long. It's all "Pass me the fackin" grouse' with them, isn't it? But y' can't tell them that round our way. It's not their fault; they can't help it. (She goes to the window and looks out.) But sometimes I hate them. God, what's it like to be free?

Frank: Ah. Now there's a question.

Exercise 34

Read the following information sheet about hiring a car while on holiday in Greece and use the information to complete the numbered gaps in the informal letter to a friend. Use no more than two words for each gap. The words you need do not occur in the information sheet. The exercise begins with an example (0).

GENERAL CAR HIRE CONDITIONS

1. Cars should be booked at the same time as your holiday. If added later, a fax or telex fee may be incurred.

2. A small charge (c. J5 per day) to offset extra insurance costs is made for additional drivers and payable locally.

3. Drivers must be at least 23 years of age for Groups A, B and C, 25 years of age for other groups, and have held a full UK driving licence for 12 months. All drivers should be entered individually on the contract to be completed when collecting the car — you will need passport, driving licence, "Hellas" voucher and a credit card.

4. Damage to the tyres, engine or underside of the car is not covered by insurance in Greece. A credit card imprint or cash deposit of approximately J100 will be required on delivery of the car, returnable at the end of the hire period on condi­tion that the car is returned with no damage to the above.

5. Outside normal office hours (08:00 - 20:00) an out-of-hour delivery charge is payable locally, normally c. j15.

6. Child seats and roof racks are available on request only and at a charge of c. J 3 per day payable locally.

7. Cars may be booked for periods of less than 7 days but the daily rate increases — please telephone us for a quote. Car hire prices are calculated on 24 hour periods.

Dear Fabienne,

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back in touch but I've been up to my eyes in work. Anyway, I did manage to find out about hir­ing a car if you book your holiday with "Hellas". The first thing is to book the car when you pay for your holiday or there '11 be some extra (0) charges. If David's going to drive (I) _____, you '11 have to pay another J5 a day. I know you're both (2) _____ twenty-three but have you both (3)_____ for more than 12 months? If you haven't, you won't be allowed to drive! Also, don't forget to (4) _____ both your names on the contract you sign in Greece. They '11 also ask you for a deposit for (5) _____ J100 to (6)_____ any damage you might do to the car. But don't worry, you '11 (7) _____ this back so long as you bring the car back in one (8) _____! Child seats don't come as standard, so you '11 have to (9) _____     one for little  Rory when you're there. It'll (10) _____ you another  J3 a day.

Exercise 35

Match lines from column "a" with lines from column "b" to form two-line dialogues. 

Column "a"

1. What a horrible day!
2. I'm going to do it whether you like it or not.
3. I paid the tax bill just in time.
4. How do you get on with her?
5. You look very chuffed.
6. Can you lend me a fiver?
7. How did you manage to finish the job so fast?
8. Could you mend this, Dad, and give me a drink of juice?
9. No, no. This is how you do it.
10. How was your exam?
11. Did you buy anything?
12. I'll ask her what her politics are.
13. My stomach hurts, I've eaten too much.
14. Do you think I should try again?
15. Did you enjoy the party?

Column "b"

1. I know, I wasn't born yesterday.
2. We have our ups and downs.
3. Just a few bits and bobs.
4. I blew it.
5. You dare.
6. Serves you right.
7. You might as well. You've got nothing to lose.
8. You can say that again.
9. Hang on. I've got only one pair of hands.
10. It's a good job too.
11. Piece of cake.
12. Not half. It wasn't great.
13. I wouldn't. It's a touchy subject.
14. No way. Sorry.
15. Yes, I've just had some good news.

The monster at No 10

The hideous monster, the Gobbledygook, which has been rampant in Whitehall for years, paid a visit to 10 Downing Street yesterday, courtesy of the Plain English Campaign.

Led in chains, snarling savagely, the Gobbledygook deliv­ered the first copy of the campaign's magazine, Plain English, which aims to persuade writers of forms, leaflets and agreements to write them more clearly.

Exercise 36

Try to rewrite the sentences below in Plain English. An example has been done for you.

EXAMPLE: "It is expected that in the foreseeable future further meetings will be arranged with the Trade Union for the purpose of conducting negotiations in relation to a reduction in working hours".

In Plain English: "We will soon be meeting the Trade Union to discuss shorter hours ".

1. If I were asked to give an accurate description of my physi­cal condition at the present moment, the only possible hon­est reply would be that I am greatly in need of liquid refresh­ment.
2. People whose professional activity lies in the field of poli­tics are not, on the whole, conspicuous for their respect for factual honesty.
3. Failure to assimilate an adequate quantity of solid food over an extended period of time is absolutely certain to lead, in due course, to a fatal conclusion.
4. It is by no means easy to achieve an accurate understanding of that subject of study, which is concerned with the relation­ship between numbers.
5. The climatic conditions prevailing in the British Isles show a pattern of alternating and unpredictable periods of dry and wet weather, accompanied by a similarly irregular cycle of temperature changes.
6. I should be grateful if you would be so good as to stop the uninterrupted flow of senseless remarks with which you are currently straining my patience to breaking point.

Exercise 37

Read the memo from the Director of Studies to the new Health and Safety officer of a language school and use the information to complete the fire notice. Use no more than two words for each gap. The words you need do not occur in the memo.

 

                  MEMORANDUM

To: David

From: Kim

RE: Fire notices for inspection next week.

As you know, we've got the all important inspection coming up next week and we still haven't got any proper fire notices up! Can you put something official-looking together on the comput­er— don't forget to laminate the notices! Make sure you include the following:

· if you see/smell a fire, set off the nearest alarm

· try and put the fire out if you can but don't get burnt/trapped

· go to the meeting place (behind the library)

· wait for your name to be called out

· if you hear the alarm, get out straight away — don't try to pick up any books, coats, etc.

· go to the meeting place but don't lose control or run

· don't go back into the building until the senior fire officer (that's you by the way!) says it's OK.

Kim

                     FIRE NOTICE

On discovering a fire:

1. a)…….the nearest fire alarm.

2. b)……. to c)…….the fire but d)…….risks.

3. Proceed to the e)…….point (to the f)…….the library)

4. g)…….roll call.

On hearing the fire alarm:

1. Leave without stopping to h)       …….

2. Proceed to the library quickly but without i)…….or running.

3. j)…….outside the building until k)…….that it is safe l)…….by a senior officer.

Exercise 38

Read this extract from a letter. It is written by a mother to her son who is away from home for the first time and is unable to cook. Change the vocabulary and structures to rewrite the passage in a form that is more appropriate for this task.

The cooking of an omelette is not a time-consuming project, nor does it necessitate a particularly high degree of culinary skills. The prerequisites in terms of provisions are two eggs, water and butter, and the essential equipment comprises a frying pan and heat source. The procedure is as follows. Initially, the two eggs are broken, and the contents, both egg yolk and white are placed in a bowl, where they are beaten. A small quantity of water or milk is then added and the mixture stirred again. The butter is placed in the frying pan, heated to melting point, and the egg mixture is subsequently added to the pan. The process of cook­ing is complete in approximately one minute, after which time the omelette is folded in half and served.

Exercise 39

If you hear the following lines, can you say precisely who is speak­ing to whom and in what situation?

1. Good morning, Matron.

2. I can't hear you, caller.

3. With your Lordship's permission.

4. Penny for the Guy?

5. Excuse me, officer.

6. Take the book in your right hand     

7. Hear, hear.

8. Good boy, come here.

9. My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, pray silence for

10. Mr. Chairman, I object.

Exercise 40

Read the following comments from a language school student questionnaire and use the information to complete the numbered gaps in the formal memorandum to staff. Use no more than two words for each gap. The words you need do not occur in the students 'comments. The exercise begins with an example (0).

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