Lesson Three Message of the Land

1. Lesson Three Message of the Land

2. Introduction to the Text • 1) The style of such ‘writing’ is colloquial. • 2)The language is straightforward. • 3)The sentences are generally short.

3. The text can be divided into 2 parts: • the first part (para.1—3): she briefly tells us about each member of her family and how all her children left • the second part (para.4—11): the rest deals with the changes that she finds she can’t adjust to. The farmer’s speech is shorter, but touches something deeper- what he thinks are the roots of all evils.

4. Lesson 3 - Message of the Land Author Pira Sudham is considered Thailand's leading English language writer, who was nominated for the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature.His literary works are concerned with social-economic-political changes occurring in Thailand. Widely read and highly acclaimed, his books have given an expedient voice to the poor and the voiceless. The end of Author.

5. Language study • 1. to belong to sb: • to be owned by sb. • eg: This computer belongs to my roommate, Wang Lin. • Who does the Mobil phone belong to?

6. 2. “as” in a relative clause • As is known to all, China first created the use of compass. ( as – subject of the clause) • As is often the case, the boy was late for class. ( as – subject of the clause). • I’ll complete the task as you assigned to me. (manner) • He seemed a foreigner, as in fact he was. • As has been expected, he was late. • He says he is rich, as I would agree.

7. 3. to afford sth. /to do sth: • 1) be able to buy or pay for, e.g: • At the moment I can’t afford a trip to Europe. • Nowadays quite a lot of Chinese families can afford cars. • 2) be able to spend, give, do, etc., without serious loss or damage, e.g: • He can hardly afford to miss another day at school. • Can you afford the time to help me?

8. 4. bully • v. a. to threaten to hurt someone or frighten • them, especially someone smaller or • weaker • b. to put pressure on someone in order to • make them do what you want • E.g. • The child was bullied almost out of its life. • Don't let them bully you into working on Saturdays.

9. 5. Mind (1) • 1) pay close attention to, be careful • Mind your head! • Mind your step! • Mind your footing!小心,站稳了! • 2) take care of, look after • Will you mind our cat while we’re on holiday?

10. Mind (2) • 3) mind one’s own business: not to ask or take action about other people’s private affairs • 4) be against, be opposed to • I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee.

11. 6. in spite of sth: • although sth. is true. • eg: The children went out to play in spite of the cold. • In spite of his age, my grandpa lives an active life.

12. 7. “send”VP p.65 • 1) send away/off: send to another place • His parents sent him away to school in America. • 2) send down • 3) send up • 4) send out • 5) send for

13. 8. used to do sth. … but no longer…: • This expression is often used to show a change. • eg: They used to come and see their parents every week, but no longer..

14. 9. litter • v. to make untidy with scattered rubbish • n. light rubbish (bits of paper, wrappings) • e.g. • The desk was littered with papers. • I am tired of picking uplitter thrown by other people. • People who drop litter can be fined in some cities.

15. 10. to have no use for sth.: • to not need sth. • e.g: When their son started school, they had no use for his toys and gave them away

16. 11. fashionable • a. popular, esp. for a short period of time • b. popular with, or used by, rich people • Strong colors are very fashionable at the • moment. • It suddenly became fashionable for politicians • to talk about green issues. • He runs a very fashionable restaurant near • the Harbor.

17. 12. Shout at vs. shout to • to shout at sb.: • to speak loudly, often angrily to sb. • Eg: He often shouted at his wife, and this upset her. • to shout to sb.: • to speak loudly. • Eg: Tom shouted to Jack to pass him the ball.

18. 13. Even if • in spite of the fact or belief that. • Eg: Even if I had the money, I wouldn’t buy a thing like that. • I’ll go even if no one else does.

19. 14. to occur to sb.: • (of an idea) to come to sb’s mind • eg: A happy thought occurred to me when I was surfing the Internet. • It never occurred to me for a moment that you meant that. • His name just did not occur to my memory. • * sb. comes up with an idea • sb. hits upon an idea

20. Exercises: Translation “good” • 1. It was a girl with good manners. • 2. These were all labeled as good eggs. • 3. Dogs are often regarded as man’s good friends. • 4. He was told that Nesser was a good chess player.

21. Exercises: Translation “good” • 5. … yet, as it sometimes happens that a person departs his life, who is really deserving of the praises the stone-cutter carves over his bones; who is a good Christian, a good parent, a good child, a good wife or a good husband; who actually does have a disconsolate family to mourn his loss;… • ( W. M. Thackeray: Vanity Fair)

22. Reference translation: • 1. 这是一位举止得体的姑娘。 • 2. 这些都是被标为新鲜的鸡蛋。 • 3. 狗经常被认为是人们的忠实朋友。 • 4. 有人对他说赛纳尔是个高明的棋手。

23. Reference translation: • 5. …不过偶尔也有几个死人当的起石匠刻在他们朽骨上的好话。真的是虔诚的教徒，慈爱的父母，孝顺的儿女，贤良的妻子，尽职的丈夫，他们家里的人也的确哀思绵绵地追悼过他们；…