Show 593 Thursday 27 December

Watch today’s show at YouTube or BlipTV.

Hi, I’m Sarah, welcome to The Daily English Show.

The video I recommend today is the Queen’s speech.

As you know, you can watch it on YouTube (note: this used to be available on The Royal Channel, but has been made private) – and the best thing is, there is a transcript available, so you can read along while you’re listening to it.

I think this is the kind of video you could use in an ESL classroom too, to discuss things like the British Monarchy, the Commonwealth, the Queen’s English.

So, what can we learn from the Queen’s English today?

First, she uses an idiom: to turn a blind eye.

This means: to pretend not to notice sth bad that is happening, so you do not have to do anything about it.

For example, if you notice your neighbours are abusing their children, you could do something about it, or you could turn a blind eye, just pretend that you don’t notice anything is happening – which is probably the easiest option – but probably not the best.

That’s what the queen is saying, when she’s talking about helping people, she says: it’s all too easy to turn a blind eye ... and leave it to the experts and professionals.

It’s all too easy means it’s very easy, and I think that structure is used when it’s not a good thing that’s easy.

She says: All the great religious teachings of the world press home the message that everyone has a responsibility to care for the vulnerable.

“Press home the message” means tell people the message strongly, or emphasize the message.

So, that’s all pretty serious ... as for the funny side ... I think it’s pretty funny when the photographer says: watch the birdie.

I’ve never heard anyone say that before when they take a photo ... maybe it’s a royal thing.

STICK NEWS

Kia Ora, in Stick News today, a campaign has been launched in New Zealand which uses blame and guilt to encourage people to be SunSmart this summer.

The Health Sponsorship Council (HSC) is a social marketing agency of the New Zealand government that markets health messages. One of their brands is SunSmart.
According to the SunSmart website:
NZ has one of the highest melanoma death rates in the world.
Over 300 New Zealanders die from skin cancer every year.
This year, SunSmart’s campaign warns parents to protect their children from sunburn now – or put them at risk of deadly skin cancer later in life.
The campaign includes a TV ad with images of sunburnt children and a woman in hospital – implying that your child could get cancer later in life.
The ad says: A child’s sunburn now could lead to melanoma skin cancer later on in life. Never let your child get sunburnt.

And that was Stick News for Thursday 27th of December.
Kia Ora.

THE SNOW REPORT
at fire ICE

このアイスバー、いつから作り始めましたか？
When did you start making this ice bar?

このバーは今年に関しては12月になってから始めてます。
This year we started making the bar in December.

このアイスバーというプロジェクトは何年前からスタートしましたか？
When did you start making ice bars?

一応ですね３年前、あぁ２年前に一番最初はニセコでやって去年は札幌市の藻岩山の上で作りました。

Three, ah, two years ago we made the first ice bar here in Niseko.
Then, last year, we made one on Moiwa Mountain in Sapporo.

活動拠点はどこになりますか？
Where do you usually work?

僕は夏は福岡で冬が北海道、夏夏休み、冬冬休みっていうスタイルで作品を作っています。

In summer, I’m in Fukuoka and in winter, in Hokkaido. So I make things in a hot place in the summer and a cold place in the winter.

夏はどんなことをやっていますか？
What do you do in summer?

そうですね、えーっと、色んなモノをプロデュースしたりとか空間を作ったりとか、まあ一応「造形作家」っていう仕事なんでジャンルにこだわらず色んなモノをやってますね。
Well, I produce many things, and design spaces, well I’m actually a sculptor but I don’t have one particular style, so I’m involved with many kinds of projects.

このアイスバーを作るのにスタッフは何名いますか？
How many people do you have making this bar?

一応、今年はベースになる子たちが４名で、それプラス去年やったスタッフとか、その前やったスタッフだとかが応援に来てくれるっていう、自由参加型のスタッフの形になってます。

This year there are basically four people, plus some of the staff from last year and the year before that are also helping out.

fire ICEとは何ですか？
What does “fire ICE” mean?

fire ICEっていうのは相反するモノ、火と氷、南と北、それがこう合わさる。
Fire and ice are opposite things. Fire, ice, south, north. We put them together like this.

conversations with sarah
#361 That’s so sad

Step 1: Repeat Thomas’s lines.
Step 2: Read Thomas’s lines and talk to Sarah.

Thomas Do you know anyone that died of skin cancer?

Sarah Yeah, someone in my family actually.

Thomas Really? When?

Sarah About 10 years ago.

Thomas That’s so sad.

Sarah Yeah, it was. It is. They had young kids.

Thomas Oh, really ...

Sarah Mmm.

links

today's news
today's STICK NEWS pictures

music

show start
artist: Anawin
album: A glimpse inside the bubble
track: Little jazzy
from: Arles, France
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo

the snow report start
artist: Olga Scotland
album: Scotland Yard
track: Absolute
from: Moscow, Russia
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

cws start
artist: San Sebastian
track: Happy Sad
artist site

qa start
artist: ioeo
album: Groovetracks
tracks: groovetracks ending
from: Saint Raphael, France
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

qa bgm
artist: ioeo
album: Groovetracks
tracks: into the grove
from: Saint Raphael, France
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

Did you notice a mistake in this script? Please leave us a comment and tell us! We really appreciate people pointing out our mistakes.Thank you.

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EDIT: Thank you to Joon for telling us about a mistake in this script!