Aaah… a French name! Quelle prestige! It has a certain je ne sais quoi, n’est-ce pas?
On the one hand foreign, but on the other hand French; deliciously other-worldly; comme un verre de Chateau Margaux Margaux 2015 (oh-so-seductive notes of warm blackberries, cassis and black forest cake with touches of forest floor, sandalwood, anise and cigar boxes plus a waft of lavender).
Or like Guerlian’sChamade fragrance (a hymn to love that unfurls like the spring with equal grace, femininity, independence and attraction).
Now meet Parler (pronounced Parl-lay). It’s a new social network in the USA that wants you to speak freely (parler librement). Channel your inner racist and your best hate speech. It’s the Twitter you need, when you want to be your most extreme, or when Twitter has decided you are too extreme and has expelled you.
Rule number one:
No posting pictures of faecal matter (shit)
when you disagree with someone
There’s little chance you’ll be ex-communicated here. Parler is the go-to-place for haters. Anything goes. More or less. There’s room to breathe. The rules are simple, as eloquently explained by 26-year-old chief executive, John Matze.
Rule number one: No posting pictures of faecal matter (shit) when you disagree with someone. Threatening to kill people is also frowned upon.
You might say: Parler is a hymn to free speech that unfurls like a sweaty gun holster stained with the oh-so-seductive notes of racism, misogyny, conspiracies, vilification and hate with a bitter-sweet after-waft of neo-Nazis and white supremacy and a touch of alternative truth. (Yeah baby! That’s my stink!)
You can download Parler at your App Store, or at least for the moment.
Qui parle sur Parler?
You can join luminaries such as the Trump boys (Dad has not signed in as yet), the White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, most of the Trump team, including motor mouth Rudy Giuliani,Senator Ted Cruz and don’t forget Katie Hopkins, who compares immigrants to cockroaches and called for a “final solution” in relation to Muslims. Remember Milo Yiannopoulos? No, you’d rather not. Understandable. He’s there too.
The president has 82.6 million followers
on Twitter, so for the
moment Parler is not so enticing
Parler already has 1.5 million users, according to the company. Twitter has 330 million monthly actives users. Facebook has 2.6 billion active users.
But why no Donald? The president has 82.6 million followers on Twitter, so for the moment Parler is not so enticing.
Parler promotes itself as a fee speech utopia. The problem with Parler is that it is an echo chamber. It’s like being at MAGA rally. There’s no pushback, little debate and little influencing. The converted are giving sermons to the converted. Everyone is wearing red baseball caps. There is a lot of angry noise, but little colour or grace.
By Benedicte Gravrand, English language trainer at The Language House
The verbs say and tell are very similar, but say is more about expressing something, and tell is more about informing or instructing someone.
Example:
Mary: Where’s John. He said he was coming to the party.
John: That’s funny, he told me he had an important meeting. He said he wouldn’t be here until 9pm.
Mary: He didn’t tellme that. He doesn’t always tell the truth, does he? He often says one thing and does something else.
Say (said, said): used for all sorts of speech.
‘Turn right,’ I said.
She said it was my last chance / She said that she liked dancing. (indirect/reported speech)
He said that he would be late (NOT He said me)
Has he said who is coming? (indirect question)
Alice said a naughty word this morning (object is: a word/name/ phrase…)
And I say to all the people of this great country… (to before personal object)
I’ve already said sorry for hurting his feelings. (say sorry)
The committee said yes. (say yes/no (give or refuse permission))
I want to say something on this subject. I want to say something about this house. (on/about).
The castle is said to be (belief/opinion)
Say you get £2,000 for the car – you’ll still need another thousand. (imagine what will happen if…)
Tell (told, told): used to mean ‘instruct’ or ‘inform’. After tell, we usually say who is told, for example: he only told one person where the money was.
‘Turn right,’ I told him.
She told me (that) it was my last chance (indirect/reported speech)
‘What time is the meeting?’ ‘I’ll tell you’
I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. (no personal object here)
Grandpa tells wonderful stories about the old days. (tell stories)
I’m not asking you – I’m telling you! (order)
He’s lying. I can always tell.
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Music
Say It Ain’t So Joe, by Murray Head
Say and tell phrases
There are many phrases with say and tell. Here are just a few of them:
Having said that: add an opinion that seems to be the opposite of what you have just said, although you think both are true
It’s expensive. Having said that, I must admit that it is very well made.
I wouldn’t say no (to something): you would like something, especially something that has been offered to you
I wouldn’t say no to another piece of cake.
(just) say the word: you are ready to do something for someone
We can go whenever you like. Just say the word.
go without saying (that): completely obvious or true
It goes without saying that I’m sorry.
that’s/it’s easier said than done: telling someone that what they are advising you to do is not easy to achieve
He told me not to worry, but that’s easier said than done.
that’s not saying much: emphasize that something is not very unusual, surprising, or impressive
It’s better than the old one, but that’s not saying much.
I couldn’t tell you: you do not know the answer to a question, especially when you do not want to be helpful
‘What time will he be back?’ – ‘I couldn’t tell you.’
I told you (so): you warned someone that something bad would happen and you have now been proved right
I told you it wouldn’t work.
See, it broke! I told you so.
tell it like it is: to give the real facts about something, even if they are unpleasant
You can always rely on Jane to tell it like it is.
tell me about it: you already know about something unpleasant that someone has just described because you have experienced it yourself
‘I’m so overworked.’ ‘Tell me about it!’
to tell (you) the truth: what you really think or feel
To tell you the truth, I’m completely bored.
you never can tell: it is impossible to be certain about something
You can never tell how long these meetings will last.
* Definitions and examples from MacmillanDictionary.com
Say and tell exercise
Complete the dialogue between a man and a police inspector with say or tell (conjugated).
MAN: The police officer … me to stop when I leaving the bank.
INSPECTOR: What did he …?
M: He …, “You’re under arrest.”
I: And what did you …?
M: To … you the truth, I can’t remember what I …. I panicked.
I: Do you know why you are here?
M: I couldn’t … The officer didn’t … me why I was arrested.
I: You are a prime suspect in a bank robbery.
M: What? I was never …! What are you …?
I: You were carrying a bag full of cash. One million dollars’ worth.
M: I’m … you, this bag was not mine. And old man … me to carry it to his car because it was too heavy for him. I … I would.
I: Where is the old man now? Can you … me?
M: I couldn’t … He disappeared as soon as the police officer showed up.
I: What can you … me about him? … me what happened exactly?
M: This old man was waiting at the door inside the bank, with the bag on the floor. He also … he would give me a tip for the service.
I: Really? What else?
M: I … I wouldn’t … no to a tip, especially since my bank account is completely empty.
I: Can you describe him?
M: He was wearing a black beret. And he had a beard.
I: That’s not …
M: Having … that, I think now he probably wasn’t that old.
I: How can you …?
M: He looked quite fit. But you can never ….
I: Appearances can be deceiving. Did he … you where his car was parked?
M: He … the car was a black BMW and that it was parked right outside the bank.
I: And did you see the car?
M: No, I didn’t have time to check. I was arrested as soon as I stepped out!
Check your answers
MAN: The police officer told me to stop when I leaving the bank.
INSPECTOR: What did he say?
M: He said, “You’re under arrest.”
I: And what did you say?
M: To tell you the truth, I can’t remember what I said. I panicked.
I: Do you know why you are here?
M: I couldn’t tell The officer didn’t tell me why I was arrested.
I: You are a prime suspect in a bank robbery.
M: What? I was never told! What are you saying?
I: You were carrying a bag full of cash. $1 million worth.
M: I’m telling you, this bag was not mine. And old man told me to carry it to his car because it was too heavy for him. I said I would.
I: Where is the old man now? Can you tell me?
M: I couldn’t tell He disappeared as soon as the police officer showed up.
I: What can you tell me about him? Tell me what happened exactly?
M: This old man was waiting at the door inside the bank, with the bag on the floor. He also said he would give me a tip for the service.
I: Really? What else?
M: I said I wouldn’t say no to a tip, especially since my bank account is completely empty.
I: Can you describe him?
M: He was wearing a black beret. And he had a beard.
I: That’s not saying
M: Having said that, I think now he probably wasn’t that old.
I: How can you tell?
M: He looked quite fit. But you can never tell.
I: Appearances can be deceiving. Did he tell you where his car was parked?
M: He said the car was a black BMW and it was parked right outside the bank.
I: And did you see the car?
M: No, I didn’t have time to check. I was arrested as soon as I stepped out!
Telephone conversations can be challenging, or even terrifying, if English is not your first or second language.
Many of you know the scenario. You are working comfortably at your desk. Bleep bleep, the telephone rings. The line is not very clear, the speaker has had four double expressos and English words are being fired at you at 155 kmph. But the rapid fire is not the cause of rising panic. It’s the accent. It’s so alien and thick that you’re finding it difficult to understand every third word.
Aaargh!!!!
Don’t panic. Just calmly reply: “One moment please…”, and 99 times out of 100, the person on the line will reply:“Of course”
One moment please is an expression that can save your life on the telephone.
Gently put the phone down on the desk.
And breathe…
And breathe again.
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One moment pleaseis a golden phrase for the telephone. It buys you time. You can use this time to remember your telephone language (see below) and prepare your response.
Yes, how can I help you? Yes, Can I help you?
When you don’t understand
I am sorry could you speak slowly please?
Can you repeat that please?
I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.
Did you say Tuesday or Thursday?
If I understand correctly, you would like to speak to the marketing director?
If I understand correctly, you would like to cancel your appointment on Friday?
Taking messages
I’m afraid Sarah is in a meeting. Can I give her a message?
Can I take a message?
Would you like to leave a message?
Can I have your name please?
Your number?
And your email address please?
Would you like to ring back after lunch?
Would you like her direct number?
Can you spell that please?
Check spelling and email addresses
How do you spell that?
Did you say M-I-K-A-E ..?
Is that E-for-elephant?
So that’s Mikaelia – M-I-K-A-E-L-I-A…?
So that’s Monday, June 5 at 3.30pm in your office?
So that’s George Wilkins… W- I – L – K – I – N – S?
So that’s G dot Wilkins – Wilkins -W-I-L-K-I-N-S at greencables (all one word) – G-R-E-E-N-C-A-B-L-E-S dot ch
Final check before you end the conversation
If necessary, make a final check at the end of the conversation. Just repeat the important facts.
You: Thanks for your call. I will ask Susanne call you on 079 533 72 98 or she can email you at [email protected] – that’s Mikaelia – capital M-I-K-A-E-L-I-A dot Hobson capital H-O-B-S-O-N at greencables – all one word – G-R-E-E-N-C-A-B-L-E-S dot CH.
Mikaelia: Great. Thank you.
You: Thanks for your call. I will ask Susan to call you back this afternoon between 3 and 4.30pm.
Your name is Rafael – that’s Rafael with a F, NOUNCI – N-O-U-N-C-I and you are calling from Cisco Systems -that’s Cisco – C-I-S-C-O Systems.
Rafael: Correct. Thanks
And breathe. Good job!
Vocabulary:
to buy time: delay an event temporarily so as to have longer to improve one’s own position.
The police kept the gunman talking to buy time for the hostages.
French: gagner du temps
rapid fire: to speak very quickly or shoot bullets very quickly
Love it or hate it, football, especially English football, is often the stuff of fairy tales.
It’s a potent mix of tribal passion, tragedy and surrealism. UK premiership football has history. It is a mirror, stained and cracked, that reflects the trials and tribulations of generations where football is not just football. The round ball is life.
In 2016 we witnessed the magical tale of Leicester City Football Club and the re-internment of the bones of King Richard III dug up under a city car-park – read more here.
The story of Liverpool’s 2020 premiership is a grittier and darker story of redemption, exemplified in the haunting club song, You will never walk alone. It’s an anthem of sufferance and hope that transcends the brilliance of King Salah of Egypt, the Dutch centre-half poet, Virgil van Dijk, the goal scorer from Bambali, Senegal, Sadio Mané, and of course, the mastermind with the finest brain and teeth in modern football, Jürgen Klopp from the small Black Forest village of Glatten.
As Klopp says:
It’s the most beautiful song in the world. Everybody feels it, everybody loves it.
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Klopp and the Kop are of the same family. The Kop is the name of the famous steep stand at Anfield, the Liverpool home ground. It is said the Kop army of 50,000 supporters in full voice can suck the ball into goal.
Pink Floyd recorded the Kop in the last two minutes of their song Fearless from the album Meddle released in 1971.
But why the name Kop? In 1900, during the Boer War in South Africa, the British Army fought to capture a hilltop, and 300 men died, most of whom were from Lancashire and many from Liverpool itself. The name of the hill was Spion Kop.
A greater tragedy, arguably the greatest stain
on modern football, justice and
journalism in the history of the UK,
was to come later
A greater tragedy, arguably the greatest stain on modern football, justice and journalism in the history of the UK, and I do not exaggerate, was to come later.
The Hillsborough disaster was a fatal human crush (mouvement de foule fatal) that claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters, men, women and children at the Hillsborough Stadium in a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989. Four hundred were taken to hospital.
The investigations, court cases and public inquiries continued right up to last year. We now know that it was a police mistake that led to the crush. We also know that the police lied repeatedly, doctored documents and, with heinous intent, shifted blame onto the supporters.
The lies were lapped up by the Murdoch tabloid, The Sun, which produced this shameful front page the following day:
It was not the truth. It was LIES. Pure tabloid gutter journalism, from the stable of the Murdoch media.
The newspaper ran claims from anonymous police officers that, as people were dying at Hillsborough, their fellow supporters stole from them, urinated on police officers and beat up “brave cops” trying to help.
It was not the truth. It was LIES.
Pure tabloid gutter journalism,
from the stable of the Murdoch media
It took 15 years before The Sun finally offered an apology. It read in part:
The Sun’s reporting of the Hillsborough tragedy 23 years ago is without doubt the blackest day in this newspaper’s history. The Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report into the disaster lays bare the disgraceful attempt by South Yorkshire Police to hide their culpability behind a smokescreen of lies. It highlights a concerted campaign by senior officers to smear the innocent by fabricating lurid allegations about Liverpool fans — and then feeding them to the media.
But it is to the eternal discredit of The Sun that we reported as fact this misinformation which tarnished the reputation of Liverpool fans including the 96 victims. Today we unreservedly apologise to the Hillsborough victims, their families, Liverpool supporters, the city of Liverpool and all our readers for that misjudgment.
Even today, few people buy The Sun in Liverpool.
In 2016, some 27 years after the disaster, a further inquiry finally ruled that the 96 people were killed unlawfully and the actions of police were the principal cause of the disaster. It also refuted all of the scandalous claims made in The Sun. No-one has been found guilty.
This was the scene in Liverpool on April 15 this year – the 31st anniversary of Hillsborough.
Italian is a language that we can both hear and see. English, on the other hand, is shy when it comes to painting pictures in the air with your hands, fingers, shoulders and face.
However, there are a few expressions to liberate the Italian in you and make your English more visual, theatrical and powerful.
On the one hand… and on the other hand, is used to contrast two opinions about a subject; one usually positive and one usually negative. We use our hands to reinforce our spoken language. We hold out one hand, palm up when we say on the one hand and then the other hand palm up when we say on the other hand.
On the one hand, he’s the best man for the job, but on the other hand, he’s often late for meetings.
On the one hand, expansion would be profitable, but on the other hand, we’ll be working much longer hours and under greater stress.
On the one hand, it’s a high-paying job doing what I’ve always wanted to do. But on the other hand, I’d have to move halfway around the world, far from all my friends and family.
On the one hand, the UK is a full of history and interesting places, but on the other hand, the weather can be really depressing, especially this time of the year.
Practise the above examples in front of a mirror or better still with your teacher. You’ll soon be a natural.
Vocabulary:
The palm of your hand is the inner surface of the hand between the wrist and the fingers.
My mother is a palm reader. She can read your future by looking at the lines on your palms.
The singer behind one of the most iconic and moving war songs of the 20th century has died in the UK, aged 103.
We’ll Meet Again, sung by Vera Lynn, became an anthem of hope and resilience during the Second World War.
The singer and the song were poignantly referenced in the Pink Floyd concept album The Wall.
The song was also used in the final devastating scene of Stanley Kubrick’s black masterpiece Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Vera Lynn was known as the (armed) forces’ sweetheart.
She was born Vera Margaret Welch on 20 March 1917 in the London suburb of East Ham. She was the daughter of a plumber. She toured the war zones singing to soldiers in Burma, Egypt and India. She also performed for people sheltering from bombing raids in the stations of London’s underground.
The song was recorded in 1929 and Lynn later starred in the film of the same name.
Vera Lynn was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1975.
In September 2009 Dame Vera Lynn became the oldest living artist, at the age 92, to have a number 1 album on the UK album chart, with her collection We’ll Meet Again: the Very Best of Vera Lynn.
Let’s say goodbye with a smile, dear
Just for a while, dear
We must part
Don’t let this parting upset you
I’ll not forget you, sweetheart
We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
‘Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away
So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won’t be long
They’ll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song
We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day…
So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won’t be long
They’ll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singin’ this song
We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day
(English reading and vocabulary related to zombies in history and popular culture)
Level: B2 to C1
By Benedicte Gravrand, English trainer at The Language House, Genève
Zombies are not your friends. They are the awakened dead who have an enormous appetite for human flesh – or human brains, depending on the story. They don’t look good either: they have rotting flesh, missing limbs, and really dirty underwear. They don’t speak, they grunt. They don’t think much either – so don’t try to convince them they need a change of lifestyle. Not all zombies are the reawakened dead (or undead); some are people who have been bitten or scratched – and infected – by a zombie while walking down the street to get their Sunday newspaper.
But zombies have one thing going for them: they make for great stories.
(Check the meaning of the words in bold. See exercise below)
A bit of zombie history
The Ancient Greeks were possibly the first civilization to be afraid of the undead. Archaeologists have found many ancient graves in Greece in which the skeletons had rocks and other heavy objects on top of them, probably to prevent them from re-awakening.
Some say that stories in the Bible of dead people being resurrected may have also inspired zombie myths.
But the real birthplace of the zombie myth is Haiti, in the Caribbean.
It might have started in the 17th century when West African slaves were brought in to work on the sugar cane plantations. The West Africans took with them their religion, called voodoo.
Voodoo is practiced today in Haiti and the Caribbean, Brazil, the American South, and other places. In general, people who follow the voodoo religion do not believe in zombies. Some, however, do. They believe people can be revived as zombies by a voodoo practitioner called a bokor. Bokors practice the art of necromancy by creating a “zombie powder”, made of herbs, shells, bones, animals and other ingredients. Any zombie created by the bokor is his slave.
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During the time of slavery on the cotton plantations in the USA, slave drivers, who were usually slaves themselves and sometimes voodoo priests, used the fear of zombification to discourage slaves from committing suicide. Life was indeed brutal then.
The zombie powder contains tetrodotoxin, a poisonous neurotoxin found in marine species. To humans who ingest small quantities, the powder “may cause zombie-like symptoms such as difficulty walking, mental confusion and respiratory problems,” says History.com. High doses can lead to paralysis and coma. When that happens, the person who took a high dose of zombie powder may appear dead to others – and is then buried alive, only to re-awake later. Apparently, several such occurrences have been documented in medical journals.
In Haitian folklore, a zombie is a dead body reanimated through magic.
But in modern folklore, zombies are created through viruses, radiation, madness, parasites… you name it.
Zombies are cinema super stars
Zombies have become big stars in pop culture. They became famous with the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, by film director George Romero, who did two more zombie films after that; Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead. You can say he started the zombie cult. He once said: “A zombie film is not fun without a bunch of stupid people running around and observing how they fail to handle the situation.”
Among the many zombie movies, my favourites are the comedy types, such as Shaun of the Dead starring Simon Peg (famous quote: “You’ve got red on you”), and Zombieland. Among the more dramatic movies are 28 Days Later and I am Legend.
Zombies have also invaded television, with series such as iZombie, where zombies can be your friends, and The Walking Dead, a post-apocalyptic story filled with horrid flesh-eaters and a few highly stressed survivors – and where the word “zombie” is never used (here’s why). There’s this famous quote from the series that sums up the survivors’ puzzlement: “Christ promised a resurrection of the dead, I just thought he hadsomething a little different in mind”.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War might just be the best book on zombies. This zombie apocalyptic horror novel, written by American author Max Brooks, was the inspiration for the film World War Z (for the record: the book is much better). It is a collection of individual stories following a global zombie plague. It describes different ways of survivals as well as the social, political, religious, economic, and environmental changes resulting from the plague.
Zombies, due to their dangerous and infectious nature, are the vehicle to such interesting scenarios that they could remain big stars in pop culture for decades to come.
According to Angela Becerra Vidergar, a Stanford professor, we started our fascination with zombies after World War II and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These large-scale disasters influenced stories about mass-scale deaths and the survival of the fittest.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even created a “Zombie Preparedness” website to motivate people to prepare for disasters.
Finally, just in case you were wondering, zombies can only be killed if you destroy their head, somehow.
And if you are getting married soon – and you are very afraid of zombies, you could change your marriage vows to: “To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, unless you become a zombie – then I promise to shoot you in the head.”
Meaning, if you stop being a human being and become a humanoid beast with a lizard brain and great blood lust… well, that will change our story completely.
You can use the word “zombie” to describe a weird, stupid or very tired person, e.g. I feel like such a zombie. Maybe I’m not eating right.
You can also use the word zombie to describe a company that earns just enough money to continue operating and service debt but is unable to pay off its debt. Zombie companies are also known as the “living dead” or “zombie stocks.”
Writing
What is your favourite zombie movie and why?
Please leave your answer in the Commentaire section below.
I’ve got a song stuck in my head. It pings around my neurons and exits in whistle, song and hum from dusk to dawn. On repeat play.
You probably know the song, if you like your dogs with diamonds, know an astronaut called Major Tom, or like a little stardust…
Here are the first four lines of the song:
It’s a God-awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling no
And her daddy has told her to go
The song is called Life on Mars?, written and sung by David Bowie. Bowie said that the melody and riff came to him on a bus after a sunny, druggy day in a park in London.
One journalist later wrote that Bowie “saw the Cosmos in a bus-stop”.
Another UK journalist ranked it the greatest song of all time. He wrote:
A quite gloriously strange anthem, where the combination of stirring, yearning melody and vivid, poetic imagery manage a trick very particular to the art of the song: to be at once completely impenetrable and yet resonant with personal meaning. You want to raise your voice and sing along, yet Bowie’s abstract cut-up lyrics force you to invest the song with something of yourself just to make sense of the experience. And, like all great songs, it’s got a lovely tune.
It does have a lovely tune and you do want to sing along. The problem is that for the last week or two, I can’t get it out of my headto quote Electric Light Orchestra. The song is Always on my mind, as the Pet Shop Boys might say.
The origins of Life on Mars? can be traced back to France, a few years before Bowie’s sunny druggy bus day. It all began with the pop megastar Cloclo, (Claude François) who put the glow-glow into the hearts of the French during the 60s and 70s before tragically electrocuting himself in the shower.
One of his many tubes (hits) was Comme d’habitude (co-written by Jacques Revaux) released in 1967 and based on his break-up with fellow French singer France Gall.
A year later the music landed on the desk of an unknown UK singer songwriter named David Jones, who had recently changed his name to David Bowie. (His first extra-terrestrial hit, Space Oddity which would open his fame stargate was still two years away).
Among the jobs that kept Bowie in fags, food and mascara was writing English lyrics to hit songs from continental Europe. Comme d’habitude, became Even a Fool Learns to Love (Même un imbécile apprend à aimer). Bowie later admitted the music was great, but his lyrics were shite. It was never released.
In 1969, an astonished Bowie heard the song on the radio. Same music, but with lyrics written by Paul Anka. And the voice…aaaah, it was unmistakable. It was Frank Sinatra, and Comme d’habitude was now My Way, a timeless anthem and a funeral favourite, and one of the most successful songs in the history of popular music.
My Way set records which still stand today; 122 weeks in the top 50 between April 1969 and January 1972, 75 weeks in the top 40. Even the Sex Pistols did a cover (listen and watch below).
A peeved and pissed Bowie decided to write a revenge song which he called Life on Mars? It was first released on Bowie’s 1971 album Hunky Dory and later released in 1973 as a single. On the album cover notes (below) he wrote: ‘inspired by Frankie’ next to track number 4.
The songs share some of the same chords and structure, but the subject matter couldn’t be more different. My Way is a self-assured celebration of a life lived with little or no regrets. Angst, disappointment and a strange hope lie at the heart of Life of Mars?
In 2008, Bowie recalled writing this song to the Mail on Sunday:
This song was so easy. Being young was easy. A really beautiful day in the park, sitting on the steps of the bandstand. ‘Sailors bap-bap-bap-bap-baaa-bap.’ An anomic heroine. Middle-class ecstasy. I took a walk to Beckenham High Street to catch a bus to Lewisham to buy shoes and shirts but couldn’t get the riff out of my head. Jumped off two stops into the ride and more or less loped back to the house up on Southend Road. Workspace was a big empty room with a chaise lounge; a bargain-price art nouveau screen (‘William Morris,’ so I told anyone who asked); a huge overflowing freestanding ashtray and a grand piano. Little else. I started working it out on the piano and had the whole lyric and melody finished by late afternoon. Nice. Rick Wakeman [soon to join the prog rock band Yes] came over a couple of weeks later and embellished the piano part and guitarist Mick Ronson created one of his first and best string parts for this song which now has become something of a fixture in my live shows.
Wakeman recalled the afternoon in an interview (see video below) after Bowie’s death.
“I remember coming home and telling a few friends in the pub that I had just worked on the best song that I had ever had the privilege of working on…”
So, what does the song mean?
It tells the story of a girl who seeks escape in cinema, only to realise the same sad and boring cliches are played out on the screen. It is a song of disaffection and yearning for truths, but it is strangely positive, despite that Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow and the lawman beating up the wrong man.
Can we do better? There must be a better life somewhere. Is there life on mars?
It’s a God-awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling no
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she’s hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a saddening bore
For she’s lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man, look at those cavemen go
It’s the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man, wonder if he’ll ever know
He’s in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
It’s on America’s tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
‘Cause Lennon’s on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
‘Cause I wrote it ten times or more
It’s about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man, look at those cavemen go
It’s the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man, wonder if he’ll ever know
He’s in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
Bowie talks to Michael Parkinson about Life on Mars. (Forward to 20:55)
Giving an opinion can be quite easy. Simple expressions are:
I agree or I disagree, or I don’t agree (NOTI am agree).
I totally agree with you George.
I disagree. I don’t think it is a good idea.
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Simple options to introduce your opinion are:
I think / I believe / In my opinion / Personally, I feel…
I think plan A is great.
In my opinion, plan B is the best option.
Personally, I feel/think/believe that plan C would be better.
I agree with George, but…
However, when we give our opinion, we must be careful that we do not sound too cold and insensitive. And we often also need to give more subtle and nuanced replies.
We can partially agree or agree to some extent, and totally agree and completely disagree
This is where the famous BUTcomes into play.
I agree with your George, butI am not sure about the pricing.
I think the idea is great, but I am not sure about the timeline.
The British are the masters of the BUT. How does it work?
The first sentence is a mini-compliment, but when we hear the BUT we know something less complimentary (negative) is coming.
I see what you mean (I understand what you are saying), but I don’t think we have the people to doit.
I think that’s a good point, but it’s not really our decision.
The BUT quickly changes the meaning.
Compare:
That’s a good idea.
That’s a good idea, but there is no way the marketing team will agree.
A lot of the language used in giving your opinion is coded. It can drastically change meaning depending on the tone and intonation of the speaker.
Let’s look at the expression: I hear what you say
You might think it means I understand you. In fact, the expression is coded.
For a native English speaker, I hear what you say, means I understand what you are saying, but I don’t agree with you… because nine times out of 10 it is followed by that word but…
I hear what you say, but unfortunately the deadline cannot be extended.
A similar expression is: I see what you mean
Once again, you can say this if you understand why somebody thinks something, but you probably do not agree.
Alain: We can’t force her to leave him. It’s her decision.
Beatrice:”I see what you mean, but we’ve got to do something. We can’t let him treat her like that.
Senior trainer at The Language House Sian Tobin, who is from the UK, had this to say:
A British person is unlikely to ever say ´I disagree with you’ or ´I don’t agree’. We will mostly employ ‘I’m not sure about that’ , which means ‘I am 100% unsure, I’m just too polite to say it directly’. In a business meeting you might hear someone say: ´I would challenge that idea’. Translation: ‘I think you are 100% wrong.‘
Sian says (tongue in cheek) Brits strive for diplomacy at all times, ‘whilst secretly expressing that we are 100% right, 100% of the time‘.
Mmmm… interesting, but…
Then there is the word the word interesting.
Interesting can mean a lot of different things.
Depending on the tone and intonation, interesting could mean anything from very positive – “Yes that’s got potential” to extremely negative – “What a stupid idea”.
Nine times out of 10, sorry to say, it has a definite negative meaning. It is often used as a polite reaction to say thank you for your input, BUT it’s not particularly interesting or relevant.
English speakers use it in many different situations especially when they can’t think of anything else to say. The tone of voice will show the listener whether its positive or negative. Better to use it when you are genuinely interested.
“That’s interesting!”
But, more often that not, you will hear:
Mmmm… interesting. Maybe we can talk about that in the next meeting. (Coded meaning: It is not relevant, and this is the not the right place or time).
Interesting… it might be worth a look. (Coded meaning: It’s very low priority)
Exercise 1: Match the phrases A – E with the phrases 1- 5 below:
(In cases more than one response is possible)
a. That’s a great idea!
b. I hear what you are saying,
c.Now, that’s really interesting!
d. Mmmm.. interesting,
e. Do you agree?
I’ll ask George to start work on it right away.
We definitely should do that.
but I don’t think she will agree.
but there is no way we can afford it.
Yes, to a certain extent.
Answers:
a: 1 or 2 b: 3 or 4 c: 1 or 2 d: 3 or 4 e: 5
Exercise 2: Giving your opinion
Meeting to decide on re-opening English school after the coronavirus.
Present: Susan (trainer), Mary (director of studies), John (trainer).
Put the following expressions in the right space in the exercise below. The first two have been done for you.
I totally agree
That’s a great idea! In my opinion
I think
Interesting… BUT
I see what you mean Susan, BUT
On the one hand,
BUT, on the other hand
I agree
we all agree on
I agree 100 per cent.
I agree to a certain extent
Susan: (a) Personally, I think all students and teacher must wear face-masks when we reopen.
Mary: (b) I hear what you are saying,BUT it’s impossible to learn a language if your mouth is covered.
Susan: Yes, I suppose you are right. But we must be safe.
John; Yes, (c)…………………………. with Mary. We have to come up with another alternative to make students safe.
Mary: What about putting transparent screens in the classrooms to separate the teacher and students?
John: (d) Yes! ………………………..this would protect both the students and teachers.
Susan: (e)…………………………… we should also ask students to bring a doctor’s certificate.
Mary: (f)……………………….that’s not practical. Not many people have had tests. Personally, I don’t know anyone who has had a test.
John: (g)………………………………………..if we ask students to wear masks and have medical certificates, I think we might as well close down the school.
(h) …………………………. we might be 100 per cent safe, (i) …………………………… we will probably have no students and no jobs.
Mary: (j) ………………. with John. So, do (k) ………………………….the screens?
John: (l) ………………………… It’s a brilliant idea!
Susan: (m) ……………………………but I still think it’s important to wear masks.
(Check your answers at the bottom of the page)
Expression to learn and use: to agree to disagree
agree to disagree – to accept that there are two different views. And stop arguing and agree to have different points of view.
After their discussion about politics intensified, Fred and Sue decided to agree to disagree before it affected their friendship.
I’m sick of arguing with you, so let’s just agree to disagree and move on.
Answers to exercise 2:
Susan: Personally, I think all students and teacher must wear masks when we reopen.
Mary: I hear what you are saying,BUT it’s impossible to learn a language if your mouth is covered.
Susan: Yes, I suppose you are right. But we have to be safe.
John; Yes I totally agree with Mary. We have to come up with another alternative to make students safe.
Mary: What about putting transparent screens in the classrooms to separate the teacher and students?
John: That’s a great idea! In my opinion this would protect both the students and teachers.
Susan: I think we should ask students to bring a doctor’s certificate.
Mary: Interesting… BUT not at all practical. Not many people have had tests. Personally, I don’t know anyone who has has a test.
John: I see what you mean Susan,BUT if we ask students to wear masks and have medical certificates I think we might as well close down the school.
On the one hand, we might be 100 per cent safe, BUTon the other hand we will probably have no students and no jobs.
Mary: I agree with John. So, do we all agree on the screens?
John: I agree 100 per cent.
Susan: I agree to a certain extent. I still think it’s important to wear masks.
“You will meet a tall, dark, handsome stranger,” a fortune teller told me four months ago. This was a prediction – it was not an intention, a plan, a pre-arranged event, or a decision.
There are different ways of making predictions in English:
Predictions based on evidence, or proof. We can see it coming. For example, “I see dark clouds in the sky; it is going to rain” Use “be going to” + infinitive.
Susan rang. She said she is going to be late.
If Barcelona wins this match, they are going to be the top team.
Predictions based on knowledge or belief. For example, “she’ll be here in a couple of minutes,” or, “I will be rich one day.” Use “will” (or ‘ll) + infinitive verb (without “to”). It is also possible to use the continuous form: “You will be going on a long journey.”
In 1960 he told everyone: “Technology will rule the world.”
He will be here on time. He’s always punctual.
3. Future probability. For example, “we may find a vaccine this year, we may not.”
Use the model verbs “may” or “should” to express a possibility, or “might” or “could” to express weak probability (+ infinitive verb without “to”).
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Exercise:
Fill the gaps with “be going to” (conjugated), “will”. In some cases both answers are possible.
The first one has been done for you.
Sarah is going to have another baby this summer. I have just seen her.
I don’t know how, but I know things …… get better.
I’m going to a party so I …… probably be home late tonight.
I think they …… want to meet us before they decide.
He drives too fast. He …… have an accident one of these days.
I don’t feel well. I think I ……. sick.
I think nobody …… never know what happened that day.
“This time next year, you …… be travelling the world,” said the fortune teller.
You …… never finish that book. It’s too difficult.
I think Barcelona …… win. They have won their last seven matches.
The economic climate is not good. Orders …… be difficult to get.
It …… snow soon. We can feel it in the air.
Their new house …… look over the river. That is what they have always wanted.
I am seeing Jean tomorrow. I wonder if she …… recognise me.
Nothing lasts forever. One day there … be no more oil.
She’s very angry. She’s gone to see the boss. I think she …… resign.
When …… you know his decision?
There is no competition for this product. I am sure, it …… be a great success.
Answer key:
1: is going to
2: will
3: will
4: will
5: is going to
6: am going to
7: will
8: will
9: will / are never going to finish the book
10: is going to / will
11: are going to
12: is going to
13: is going to – or will
14: will
15: will
16: is going to
17: will
18: is going to / will
Sources: Practical English Usage, Michael Swan. Market leader, Peter Strutt
Reading
(level B2-C2)
Will somebody please tell me what the future holds?
I am anxious about my future and my family’s future. Who isn’t? I need some certainty in my life, something to hold on to.
So, I decided to consult some experts on the future: a futurist, an economist and an astrologer.
The futurist
“How do you predict the future? How should I prepare?” I ask the futurist. We are on a conference call and from what I see on my computer screen, he is a thin, greying man with intelligent black eyes. I know he is an important academic who advises governments and institutions on future risks and opportunities. He also, in his spare time, writes science fiction.
“Well,” he says, “I predict all possible futures by studying historical data and current trends. I look at the three Ps and a W: Possible, Probable, and Preferable futures – and Wildcards, that is, low-probability high-impact events. As you can guess, the current pandemic is a wildcard, aka (also known as) a ‘black swan’ event. I have been predicting a possible pandemic for several years now, and I have been stocking food and water in my garage and cash under my mattress. Ironically, I can’t use the cash now, and there’s still plenty of food and water supplies in the shops.
“Predicting the future from a black swan event is the hardest,” he continues. “I cannot tell you how to prepare for the future because right now anything is possible. We may find a vaccine this year, or next year. We may build immunity, we may not.
“Of course, there is a strong probability of increased global collaboration, more people working from home, less international travel, and a greater use of technology… for everything. However, if we may also come back to the lifestyle we had before 2020.
“Don’t think about the future,” he concludes with a smile. “Think about now. Take it one day at a time. Focus on what you can do, not on what you cannot do.” He is himself focusing on redecorating his house, he adds.
It looks like the futurist has become a stoic philosopher. I thank him and switch off the Zoom call. I have not learnt much from this conversation for I already suspected I might have to work from home and travel less in the near future – and maybe also in the far future. And when we’ll find an acceptable vaccine is anyone’s guess. As for what I can do for the future… is use a bicycle, instead of a car (too polluting) or public transports (great for transmitting viruses).
So far, I am not closer to having any certainty about the future.
The economist
Now I do understand that economists are not exactly known for their precise forecasts (a forecasts is statement about what is likely to happen based on available information). They get it wrong more often than not. But a few had predicted the great financial crisis of 2008, for example, and 1929, and 2001… So maybe economists can help me, even a little.
I am going to talk to one who does not have strong convictions but, instead, a balanced view. She is a middle-aged American with impeccable hair and gold-rimmed eye-glasses, and she is often interviewed on financial TV channels.
“Could you share with me the possible economic futures that you see. I need to know more about my home and my job,” I tell her over a Skype call.
“Well,” she says, “the world economy could shrink from as little as -0.7% to as much as -7% this year. It could be anything from a minor inconvenience to an economic ice age.”
“What are the recovery scenarios?” I ask.
“The best one is an economic fall followed by a strong recovery, with the help and fiscal and monetary stimuli around the world. This is what we all a V-shaped recovery.
“Then there is the U-shaped recovery, like in 2008-09, where economies will take some time to recover, this time because social distancing will affect many industries.
“And there is the W-shaped recovery, where the economies will restart immediately after the end of the lockdowns, but high levels of unemployment and corporate bankruptcies – or a new wave of the pandemic – will eventually bring the economy down again.
“Finally, the L-shaped recovery is a scenario where the global economy does not recover, or takes a very long time to recover, maybe because there isn’t enough stimulus or the virus does not go away.
“Europe, where you are based, has a good chance of some kind of recovery, as there are many programs in place. But I can’t tell you if you should sell your home or if you’ll have a job next month. There are so many variables. All essential jobs – food production and supplies, security and police, medical professions, truck drivers, teachers, utility workers (power, water, phone and internet services, waste disposal…) are in general recession proof. Engineers, firefighters and morticians may do well too.
“As for real estate,” she adds. “It’s anyone’s guess. Some people will not sell their home because real estate has lost value, some people will sell their home because they have lost their job…” She adds she feels lucky because she has a lot of savings, no debt, and a house that is all hers.
I thank her for her broad perspective and switch off the call. I am now sitting in front of a blank computer screen, and a blank economic forecast. I still don’t have any certainty about my economic future.
The astrologer
The astrologer I have been recommended looks like an artist, with long curly hair, a flowery dress, big shiny eyes and a wide smile. I am told that while astrology is not a science, it is an deep study of the movements of the planets in the solar system and their synchronicity with events on earth.
Some astrologers predicted that in February and March 2020, when Mars joins Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, this could result in something big in the world. But most did not predict the pandemic.
“What can you see in my future?” I ask her.
“The conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn will trine your moon in Taurus and it will be rather easy for you. But at the same time, as Uranus is in Taurus and conjunct your moon, it could be very hard.”
“Sorry?”
“It means,” she says with an even bigger smile, “that 2020 will be both an opportunity and a challenge for you. How you come out on the other side of the crisis depends entirely on your attitude and your actions.” Keep calm and carry on, she concludes.
I am happy she is paid by the minute, because she told me everything I needed to know in a very short time. I switch off FaceTime after thanking her. Again, I have a confirmation of what I already suspected. I am privileged in that I can survive during a lockdown, but not enough to guarantee that the rest of the year will be plain sailing.
I am not sure anyone can tell me what the future holds. I need it, but I am not going to get it. Maybe I should focus on something else. Maybe I’ll study history.
a gradual change or development that produces a particular result
to hold something tightly or carefully so that you do not drop it or do not fall
facts or information used for making calculations or decisions: can be followed by a plural verb in scientific English, in which case the singular is datum
land and the buildings on it
to help something to increase, improve, or become more successful
time when you do not have to work or study and when you can do what you like
__________
Answer key:
1:d – 2:e – 3:b – 4:f – 5:c – 6:a
__________
event
Take it one day at a time
Switch off
be anyone’s guess
shrink (v.)
ice age
if you switch off something such as a light or a machine, or if it switches off, it stops working
a period of time thousands of years ago when large areas of the Earth were covered in ice
used for saying that something is not known by anyone
to become smaller in size
To deal with some unpleasant, difficult, or undesirable situation gradually, without focusing too much on its eventual outcome.
something that happens, especially something that involves several people
__________
Answer key:
7:l – 8:k – 9:g – 10:i – 11:j – 12:h
__________
recovery
unemployment
bankrupt
synchronicity
recession proof
lockdown
plain sailing
a time when large numbers of people are ordered to stay at home either most or all of the time
a situation in which two or more things happen at the same time and seem to be connected even if they are not
a term used to describe an asset, company, industry or other entity that is believed to be economically resistant to the effects of a recession
something easy to do or achieve
(in this context) the process of returning to normal activity after a period of slow activity
a person or business that is bankrupt has officially admitted that they have no money and cannot pay what they owe
a situation in which some people do not have work and do not have an income
__________
Answer key:
13:q – 14:s – 15:r – 16:n – 17:o – 18:m – 19:p
__________
Definitions from MacmillanDictionary.com
Writing
How do you think the coronavirus will affect the future? Is it a game changer? Or will life go back to “normal”?
What are your predictions?
Please leave your predictions in the commentaires section below. We’d love to hear from you.
Video
(Level: C1 – C2)
Superforecasting: How to Predict the Future (4 mins 40 secs)
