PODCAST
Podcast
SEX OF THE BRAIN
Just as many of us believe men to be more practical than women and tend to label women “thinkers” rather than “doers,” there are those who would easily claim the opposite. However, recent studies on “the sex of the brain” show that there is more to gender-personality relation than meets the eye.To the strong opposition of feminists, the term “masculine brain,” first introduced in 1970s, has been widely used to cover such characteristics as being practical and having a tendency to act rather than think or analyze. “Feminine brain,” on the other hand, has been agreed to refer to an analytical, talkative and less spontaneous type of person. Quite surprisingly, the two terms are still used in psychology even in the times of political correctness.
A series of studies carried out over the last three years shed new light upon the issue of the relationship between sex and personality features. The research showed that there is no clear gender-personality correlation. What is more, the comparison of the results of studies carried out over the last few decades suggests that there is a steady growth in the number of men with feminine brains.
A crucial question which arises is whether sex-personality relation is the same irrespective of one’s place of living and cultural background. A study carried out in twenty different countries on five different continents tried to answer this question and produced quite surprising results. As it was shown, in the majority of countries male subjects shared the characteristics of a masculine-brained person and female subjects – of a feminine-brained one. Nonetheless, the results for two Western European countries were quite the opposite. This clearly proves that many factors other than gender must come into play when determining one’s personality features.
Research into the nature of human brains may bring contradictory results but there is at least one conclusion that can be inferred from analyzing various studies – to claim to have determined personality naturally feminine or typically masculine equals presenting a distorted and oversimplified image of humankind.
VOCABULARY
the sex of the brain – płeć mózgu
there is more to … than meets the eye – jest w tym coś więcej, niż się wydaje
gender-personality relation/gender-personality correlation – zależność między płcią
a osobowością
to the strong opposition – ku silnemu sprzeciwowi
widely used – powszechnie używany
political correctness – polityczna poprawność
to shed light upon sth – rzucić na coś nowe światło
a steady growth – stały wzrost
a crucial question arises – nasuwa się kluczowe pytanie
irrespective of – bez względu na
cultural background – pochodzenie kulturowe
to produce surprising results – przynieść zaskakujące wyniki
to come into play – odgrywać ważną rolę
to determine one’s personality – określać, decydować o czyjejś osobowości
research into – badania nad
contradictory results – sprzeczne wyniki
to infer a conclusion – wysnuć wniosek
distorted and oversimplified image – zniekształcony i uproszczony obraz
humankind – ludzkość
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the earth or Earth?
On Friday a group asked me about the difference between ''the earth'' and ''Earth''. They have inspired me to make this podcast and this podcast is dedicated to them.For several dacades, linguists, psychologists and anthropologists as well as cultural historians have been studying and observing the reality structure of language. Our experience of the world is shaped by the language we use. What I mean to say is that there is more to language than just language. For example, ''man'' is ''man'' but it is also our ''humanity'', because ''man'' is strength, man is courageous, man is heroic, man is keen, man is powerful, that's why we refer to ''humanity'' as ''man''. There are many examples of this precipitation. ''Snow'' is another example, to us it is just snow, but to the Eskimos of Alaska it is everything, therefore ''snow'' is treated by the Eskimos differently.
Language structures reality, and because language structures reality, it is very important how we perceive such things as our planet and the experience we have on certain matters. For example, we do not refer to the other planets using the definite article ''the''. Because we have no experience with these planets, we do not live on these planets, we have never been to these planets, they are simply Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
Now, the question referring to whether we should use ''the earth'' or ''Earth'' is simply the respect and gratitude we have towards our planet. If we see our planet as a resource for human consumption, then we say ''the earth''. On the other hand, by using our planet's proper name, ''Earth'', we honor its beauty and creativeness as a self-organizing system.
Some scientists and others refer to the planet as "Gaia," the name of the ancient Greek goddess who symbolized Mother Earth, for the same reason. It is important to note here that this is far more than a question of semantics; it is a question of honor — which may be one of the most important questions before us as we move into the next millennium.
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THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR
Arthur was the first born son of King Uther Pendragon and heir to the throne. However these were very troubled times and Merlin, a wise magician, advised that the baby Arthur should be raised in a secret place and that none should know his true identity.As Merlin feared, when King Uther died, there was great conflict over who should be the next king. Merlin used his magic to set a sword in a stone. Written on the sword, in letters of gold, were these words: "Whoever pulls out this sword of this stone is the rightwise born king of all England." Of course all the contenders for the throne took their turn at trying to withdraw the sword, but none could succeed. Arthur, quite by chance, withdrew the sword for another to use in a tournament. Following this he became King.
He gathered Knights around him and fought back against the Saxons who, since the Romans left Britain, were slowly but surely taking the country over. After many great battles and a huge victory at Mount Badon the Saxons' advance was halted.
Arthur's base was at a place called Camelot. Here he built a strong castle. His knights met at a Round Table. They carried out acts of chivalry such as rescuing damsels in distress and fought against strange beasts. They also searched for a lost treasure, which they believed would cure all ills - this was the 'Quest for the Holy Grail'.
Under the guidance of Merlin, Arthur had obtained a magical sword from The Lady Of The Lake. This sword was called 'Excalibur" and with this weapon he vanquished many foes.
Queen Guinevere, Arthur's beautiful wife, brought romance to the story while his equally beautiful half sister Morgan le Fay added a dark side.
Unfortunately, as peace settled over the country things turned sour within the court of Camelot and civil war broke out. In the final battle at Camlan both Arthur and Mordred, Arthur's traitorous nephew, were mortally wounded. Arthur was set upon a boat and floated down the river to the isle of Avalon. Here his wounds were treated by three mysterious maidens. His body was never found and many say that he rests under a hill with all his knights - ready to ride forth and save the country again.
Merlin the Wizard
There is no historical evidence that Merlin the Wizard existed. The Arthurian legends were based on the books written by the clerics and poets of the Medieval era or the Middles Ages. These legends and myths about "the one, true King of the Britons" - King Arthur - and the mystical magical and prophetic world of Merlin were used by Kings of England to authenticate their claims to both the Welsh and English thrones!
Who was Merlin the Wizard?
There are many magical legends which surround Merlin the magician and wizard. Merlin was enchanted by the Lady of the Lake and became the guardian of the young Arthur. He appeared as an old, wise man, giving his wisdom to four successive British kings. He was known as the Wild Man of the Woods during which time he learned to talk to the animals. Merlin was reputed to be a mystical Druid, a Celtic priest, Merlin the Wizard, Merlin the Sorcerer, Merlin the Magician a man who possessed the knowledge and secrets of the ancients. The mystical advisor to King Arthur at Camelot. The population knew, and believed, the old legends and myths about Merlin and he was especially revered as a great prophet.
VOCABULARY
a heir to the throne – następca tronu
to set a sword in a stone – umieścić miecz w kamieniu
Rightwise king- prawowity król
a contender – zawodnik, rywal
quite by chance- całkiem przez przypadek
the Saxons’ advance was halted – natarcie Saksonów zostało zatrzymane
to carry out acts of chivalry – dokonywać rycerskich wyczynów
to vanquish – rozgromić, pokonać
to turn/ go sour – popsuć się
traitorous – zdradziecki
prophetic – proroczy
to authenticate claims to – poświadczyć prawdziwość
to enchant – oczarować, rzucić czar na
to be revered as – być szanowanym, czczonym za
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HOLIDAY ENGLISH
Hello to Bielsko-Biala! It's Conrad again and this time I have chosen something a little more useful. Helping me with this podcast will be my favourite pupil Mr Robert. This new podcast will help you on your summer holidays, and it will help you break the ice.Let's begin with the verb ''to pay''. With this verb we can have ''to pay in cash'' and ''to pay by creditcard or simply card''. Let's see how it would look in real life...
-Good afternoon sir!
-Oh hello, welcome to Barney's shop!
-Thank's. How much are these postcards and do you have stamps?
-A dollar for one postcard and 2 dollars for 4.
-I'll take 4, please, and don't forget the stamps!
-How many do you want?
-4 please.
-Can I pay by creditcard?
-No, only in cash.
-Here you are
Our second scene takes place in a fancy hotel at the reception desk.
Good evening and welcome to Hotel Paradise! My name is Maggie and how may I help you?
-We would like to check in?
-Ok may I see your passport and reservation, please?
-Ok...
-Thank you very much Mr and Mrs Papajojo and here is your room key. Your room number is 303 you can take the stairs or take the elevator.
Breakfast is from 7:30 to 11 am, lunch is from 12:30 to 3 pm, and dinner is from 6 to 9 pm. We also have very exclusive restaurants like seafood, oriental and a steakhouse, but you must make a reservation 2 days before. Thank you for coming and enjoy your stay!
-Thank you bye bye!
Our 3rd scene takes place in a restaurant. Now it is very important that when in a restaurant to not use ''I would like'', but use ''I will have''. The rule is that when in a restaurant, we use something which is called ''Ciusine English'', and we should say ''I will have the'' when it's a meal, and ''I will have a'' when it's a drink.
-Hello my name is Alfredo and I will be your waiter. Here is the menu and
what would you like to drink?
-We would like 2 Cokes, please.
-With ice and lemon?
-Yes, please!
-hmm tell me waiter, what do you recommend from the menu?
-I recommend the duck with orange sauce. It's very fresh and tastey!
-Oh hunny, I want the duck!
-My wife will have the duck and I will have the steak.
-Very good choice and may I suggest the Greek salad?
-Ok and 2 Greek salads.
-Fine choice I will be back shortly.
Half an hour later Alfredo returns with the food and leaves. Two hours later the couple asks for...
-Excuse me waiter!
-Yes?
-The check, please!
-Ok no problem!
The waiter gives them the check and the check comes out to 180 dollars. The couple gives two hundred and says ''keep the change''!
Here are some useful phrases which will help you:
My plane is delayed
I can't find my luggage
I need a wake-up-call
It's too expensive
I'm lost, can you help me?
...to the airport (when in a taxi)
I would like to ...
I don't have towels ;)
in the morning
in the afternoon
in the evening
at night
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THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
The House of Commons is the name of the elected lower house of the parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. Historically, there have also been Houses of Commons in Ireland and North Carolina. The House of Commons holds much more legislative power than the upper house of the parliament. The Commons’ functions include considering and debating about new laws and changes to existing ones, authorizing taxes, and scrutinizing the Government’s policy and expenditure. It has also the power to pass a vote of no confidence therefore removing the Government.The British House of Commons was created to serve as the political power and voice for the common people. Members of Parliament take their seats on the green leather benches according to their party and position. One of the MPs is chosen to be the Speaker – a person who acts as a chairperson of the debates taking place in the House. The MPs of the biggest party sit in front of and on the right of the Speaker and are faced by the MPs of the opposing parties, the Opposition. The leaders of the two groups sit at the front on each side, while less significant MPs, called backbenchers, sit behind their leaders at the back.
The biggest party forms the government with the Prime Minister as the leader who sits on the government front bench next to his or her ministers. The Cabinet gathers the most important ministers of the government. The one responsible for relations with other countries is the Foreign Secretary and the one taking care of law and security is called the Home Secretary. Financial matters are dealt with by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who prepares the annual speech on the economic state of the country. Opposite the Cabinet sits the Leader of the Opposition, i.e. the leader of the largest party opposing the government, together with the Shadow Cabinet, whose members specialize in particular areas of government.
The Canadian House of Commons is a democratically elected body which consists of 308 Members of Parliament. Each of 308 members of the house represents a single electoral district, also called a riding. In practice, the house holds much more power than the upper house, the Senate. Although legislation requires the approval of both houses, the Senate very seldom rejects bills already passed by the Commons. What is more, the Government of Canada is responsible to the House of Commons and the Prime Minister holds office only as long as he or she retains the support of the house.
During debates, members may only speak if called upon by the Speaker who is responsible for ensuring that members of all parties have an opportunity to be heard. The Speaker also determines who is to speak if two or more members rise simultaneously. Speeches may be made in either of Canada's official languages, English or French. Members must address their speeches to the presiding officer, not the House, using the words “Mr. Speaker” or “Madam Speaker.” Other members must be referred to in the third person. Traditionally, Members do not refer to each other by name, but by constituency or cabinet post, using forms such as “the honourable member for…” or “the Minister of…”
No member may speak more than once on the same question. Repetitive or irrelevant remarks are prohibited, as is reading remarks written beforehand. When the debate comes to an end, the motion in question is put to a vote. The House first votes by voice vote - the presiding officer puts the question, and members respond either "yea" (in favor of the motion) or "nay" (against the motion). The outcome of most votes is usually known before the voting, since political parties normally instruct members on how to vote. Thus, the independence of Members of Parliament is usually extremely low, and “backbench rebellions” by members not satisfied with their party's policies are rare. Still, in some circumstances, parties announce “free votes,” which allow Members to vote as they please.
VOCABULARY
the lower house – izba niższa
legislative power – władza ustawodawcza
the upper house – izba wyższa
authorizing taxes – zatwierdzanie podatków
scrutinizing the Government’s policy and expenditure – nadzorowanie polityki i wydatków rządu
a vote of no confidence – wotum nieufności
a chairperson - przewodniczący
a backbencher – szeregowy deputowany
the Cabinet – Rada Ministrów
the Foreign Secretary - minister spraw zagranicznych
the Home Secretary – minister spraw wewnętrznych
the Chancellor of the Exchequer – minister finansów
the Shadow Cabinet – gabinet cieni
an electoral district – okręg wyborczy
to pass/to reject bills – przyjąć/odrzucić ustawę
to hold office – piastować urząd
to refer to in the third person – zwracać się w trzeciej osobie
a constituency – okręg wyborczy
a cabinet post – stanowisko ministerialne
written beforehand – napisane wcześniej, z wyprzedzeniem
a motion - wniosek
to put to a vote – poddać pod głosowanie
voice vote – głosowanie przez aklamację
a rebellion – rebelia, bunt
in some circumstances – w pewnych okolicznościach
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