english like a native — Learn English Through Story - Chapter 7

Transcript کامل قسمت

Hello, and welcome back to your English five a day on the English Like a Native podcast.

This is your daily dose of English vocabulary delivered through story, because that's a much more effective and fun way to learn, don't you think?

My name is Anna and we are today on week seven, day five of this season.

We're on a journey following Gabriel.

And this week, we've come to the end of Gabriel's time in Edinburgh.

Throughout the week, Gabriel has felt invigorated, wistful, enchanted and awed.

He has immersed himself in history, absorbed the atmosphere and reflected on his journey.

Today we see how his Edinburgh chapter gently comes to a close.

As always, supporting materials, including this week's free language lens reference sheet, are available over at www.joinelan.com forward slash plus.

And now let me bring together the entire chapter seven.

Here we go.

Gabriel was about to do something odd.

He wanted to go to Scotland.

So from York, he was heading south.

Arranging this 12 week trip had been quite challenging and occasionally he had made a plan that, well, let's say it seemed like a good idea at the time.

In order to see the majestic and iconic Edinburgh Castle, he was on his way to London.

Here was the plan.

Take the train from York to London and catch up on a bit of blogging.

Then take the Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight train, from Euston Station to Edinburgh Waverley.

Then catch up on a bit of sleep before arriving in Edinburgh for breakfast.

When Gabriel located his seat on the train to London, he found that it was already occupied.

Before today, he might have been too nervous to challenge the person who was sitting in his seat.

But today was different.

A couple of days ago, he thought he had seen the ghosts of a Roman legion appear in front of him.

So by now, nothing could faze him.

He politely approached the woman in his seat, and she made her apologies before disappearing down the aisle into the next carriage.

He read up on Edinburgh on his laptop on the way down from York and was surprised to discover that it was actually the birthplace of Harry Potter.

At least the birthplace of the books that were written in various cafes around the city.

Maybe it wasn't that surprising as Edinburgh itself is such a storied place.

Gabriel changed trains at Euston Station and found somewhere to sit on the west side of the train.

This was for a good reason.

As the train was about to reach its destination, Gabriel got the best and most striking view of Edinburgh Castle.

He saw it awe-inspiring on the hill, setting the tone for his visit.

As soon as he got off the train, Gabriel wandered down the famous Royal Mile looking for some breakfast.

He saw the word tatty on a board outside a cafe and he smiled to himself.

He knew the English adjective tatty, which meant in poor condition.

He'd learnt this when someone had commented on the state of his scarf.

He had used it to secure his boot sole in order to get down Mam Tour in the Peak District.

He was also a big fan of the legendary French filmmaker Jacques Tati.

So he decided that this was definitely what he wanted to eat.

At the counter, he asked what a tatty scone was.

A tatty scone is fried mashed potatoes and flour, the waitress replied.

Gabriel was relieved that he could understand her accent.

She added, Oh, it's a bonny thing to have with a wee bit of bacon and eggs.

Er, bonny?

Oui?

asked Gabriel, wondering whether she was trying to speak French to him.

Aye, bonnie.

It means good, well, more than good.

And wee means little, in case you're worried.

So it's Goods Clan?

Gabriel asked, remembering what he learnt during his disorientating experience in a Liverpool cafe.

Aye, laddie.

They bad for someone outwith Scotland.

While he was waiting for his order, Gabriel made a quick note on his mobile before he forgot this new language.

Bonnie was like bon in French.

I seemed to be like oui in French.

But oui in Edinburgh meant little.

And what was it the waitress called him?

Ah, laddie.

He typed it into an app and listened to the definition.

Laddie is Scottish for young man.

Just then the waitress came over again.

Aye, that's right.

Laddie for a young man.

Lassie for a young woman.

Here's your tatties going.

Enjoy your scran.

Gabriel tucked into his Scottish breakfast with great gusto.

After breakfast, Gabriel walked slowly along the Royal Mile, dragging his suitcase as carefully as he could across the cobbles and stone paths.

He felt invigorated by the crisp wind and the tatty scone, but a street performer playing a soft bagpipe tune soon made him feel more contemplative.

The sound drifting through the narrow alleys added to the city's timeless atmosphere.

He stopped for a moment and leaned against a weathered wall, as if he were trying to enable the silent stories embedded in the stone to pass into him.

Gabriel wandered past a small courtyard where a group of local artists were sketching the castle looming above.

He was awed by their talent,

but he realised that he was also feeling a wee bit wistful.

He vividly remembered childhood visits to the Château de la Roche, a castle near Lyon.

It was built on a rocky island, and Edinburgh Castle seemed like it was atop a sort of island on the land.

Recalling the château reminded him that he was now more than halfway through his trip already.

He walked on into Parliament Square and sat on a wall outside St Giles Cathedral.

He took out his mobile again and began writing notes about his impressions.

He felt enchanted by the atmosphere as Edinburgh seemed to breathe history and mystery all around him.

He was so focused that he didn't even notice the French Institute of Scotland opposite him.

His thumbs were flying as he rapidly tried to capture his reflections before they got away.

Eventually, when the moment had passed, he got up to carry on his adventure.

He got up and went to take his suitcase.

Oh no, not again.

He instinctively checked for his money belt.

Oh, at least that was safe under his clothes.

But his suitcase?

How could he have lost it while dragging it over the bumpy street?

He doubled back, desperately retracing his steps.

Gabriel didn't know how long he had been absorbed in typing.

He ran blindly out of the square in a panic and, to make things worse, he smacked straight into a police officer.

"'What's the hurry, laddie?'

the policeman asked.

Gabriel apologised and nervously explained that he'd lost his suitcase.

"'Would it happen to look anything like this?'

The officer calmly replied, pointing to Gabriel's suitcase, standing innocently and alone just a few yards away.

Seeing the relieved look on Gabriel's face, the policeman said, I'd be a wee bit more careful if I were you.

Aye, I will, Gabriel replied.

Thank you.

Gabriel went straight to his accommodation, reciting the warnings he had read in London as he walked.

Keep your belongings close.

Do not leave bags unattended.

He dropped off his things and set off for Edinburgh Castle.

He wanted to immerse himself in its history and forget about his recent scare.

On the information panels, Gabriel read that the castle was the seat of Scottish kings and queens for centuries.

Its position on a volcanic rock outcrop made it nearly impregnable.

And this natural defence has given the castle an almost mythical presence.

Gabriel admired the enormous effort that it must have taken to build this castle up on the rock.

He was just reflecting on this when he bumped into a group of tourists listening to their guide.

He decided to tag along discreetly.

They made their way into the royal palace to see the crown jewels and the guide stopped to talk about a large rectangular stone.

It didn't seem very precious to Gabriel but it turned out that it was in fact the stone of destiny.

Gabriel quickly imagined a connection between the stone and Harry Potter.

However, the guide explained that traditionally Scottish kings were crowned while seated on the stone at Schoon Abbey near the city of Perth.

Schoon Abbey!

What a coincidence!

Tatty scone for breakfast and schoon at the castle.

Edinburgh is hilly yet compact so Gabriel spent the rest of his days in Edinburgh walking everywhere.

He needed plenty of layers in addition to his waterproof jacket as the weather changed fast.

He enjoyed the sun while it lasted

But when the weather turned, he was always able to duck inside somewhere and write a few notes to himself.

This was how he discovered mash bars, a type of restaurant where everything is served with different types of mashed potato.

He knew that when visiting Scotland, you have to try haggis.

Although it wasn't exactly his cup of tea, he ordered a wee one accompanied with a tangy mustard mash in a popular bar in the city centre.

The thing that really helped him to finish the haggis, though, was the thought of the dessert to come.

Cranachan.

made with whipped cream, fresh raspberries, heather honey, toasted oats and scotch whisky.

After the savoury haggis, the tangy mash and the creamy sweet crannican, Gabriel went back outside.

The weather had changed again and he took the opportunity to walk to Leith Harbour.

Leith Walk was a long, lively street full of shops, cafes, bakeries and everyday Edinburgh life.

It was uphill to begin with, but flattened out closer to the historic harbour area.

When he reached the shore, he found scenic harbourfront streets with boats, old dock buildings and water views.

There were great places to sit, reflect and absorb the maritime atmosphere.

He started composing a poem.

I, Edinburgh is a bonny place.

The sun and the rain and the wind in my face.

A wee haggis, chronicon and a tatisconn.

The historic mile and the castle at dawn.

Stoid city, streets full of history.

Gabriel paused for a moment.

A man in traditional Scottish dress, kilt, knee-high socks, sporran and tam-o-shanter hat was walking past him playing the bagpipes.

Gabriel wrote, Music and clothes add to the mystery.

Wonderful.

That brings us to the end of chapter seven.

I do hope that you've enjoyed the story so far.

There are many more chapters to come, but now it's time to focus on something a little more technical.

Yes, that's right.

It's time to look through the language lens.

Now that we've followed Gabriel on his Edinburgh adventure, let's take a closer look at some of the language choices that help the story flow smoothly.

In particular, we will focus on linking words and phrases.

These are the little words that connect events, show cause, signal contrast and help us keep track of what's happening.

First, time and sequence.

The story uses words and phrases like as soon as, before today, while, after and eventually.

For example, as soon as he got off the train, Gabriel wandered down the Royal Mile looking for some breakfast.

The phrase as soon as tells us that this action happened immediately after he got off the train.

Here's another example.

While he was waiting for his order, Gabriel made a quick note on his mobile before he forgot this new language.

While shows that two actions were happening at the same time.

Let's move on to cause and purpose.

Words like in order to, because, as, and so explain reasons or purposes behind actions.

For example, in order to see the majestic and iconic Edinburgh castle, he was on his way to London.

This explains why Gabriel is making this trip.

Another example, as Edinburgh itself is such a storied city.

Here, as links Gabriel's surprise to the reason behind it.

Next, we're going to look at contrast and concession.

Words like although, but and yet show difference, exception or contradiction.

For example, although it wasn't exactly his cup of tea, he ordered a wee haggis accompanied with a tangy mustard mash.

This shows that he tries something new despite his hesitation.

Another example.

Edinburgh is hilly yet compact, so Gabriel spent the rest of his days walking everywhere.

Here yet highlights the contrast between the city's hills, which might make walking difficult, and its compact layout, which makes it easier to explore.

Next, let's turn our focus to conditional or explanatory phrases.

Phrases like, in case, if or while link explanations to context.

For example, and we means little in case you are worried.

Here, in case connects the explanation to Gabriel's possible confusion.

Next and last, combining types.

Some sentences combine time and cause to make the story even clearer.

For example, eventually, when the moment had passed, he got up to carry on his adventure.

Here, when tells us about the timing and eventually shows the consequence of the moment he had been reflecting.

Now, the linking words and phrases in Gabriel's story make his Edinburgh adventure easier to follow, clear and engaging.

They guide us through time, cause, contrast and sequence.

From the train ride, to breakfast, to the castle and finally to the harbour.

If you prefer to see this technical language written down, then remember you can get your free language lens reference sheet for this week and every other week of this particular season.

All you have to do is go to www.joinelan.com forward slash plus and you'll see the option to get your reference material.

But before you do that, I'd like you to have a turn.

Listen again if you have chance or read the story and write three or four sentences about a visit that you've made to a city or a historical building or local attraction.

Try to include at least two linking words or phrases for time or sequence.

at least two linking words or phrases for cause or contrast, and one sentence that combines both types.

This will help you practice using linking words to tell your story clearly, naturally, and vividly, just like Gabriel's Edinburgh adventure.

Thank you so much for listening.

I do hope you've enjoyed this week.

Until next time, take care and goodbye.