most of us wrote poetry at school and as adults, perhaps many of us still write it secretly. But this week, we'll hear an interview with Dave Neita who
happily shares his poetry with the world!
我们很多人在学校里都写过诗，但是作为成年人，很多人都私下写过。但是这周呢，我们要听一个采访，被采访者很乐意与大家一起分享他的诗
Poetry
Yvonne: This is '6 Minute English' and I'm Yvonne Archer - and thanks to Callum for joining me today. Hello Callum!
Callum: Hello Yvonne!
Yvonne: In today's programme we hear from a poet. But first – Callum, are you any good at writing poetry?
Callum: Umm, not really – no – not at all!
Yvonne: Well don't worry about it because we've a special interview with someone who is good at poetry. But first, a poetic question for Callum: Which is
Britain's favourite poem? Is it a) "Oh My Luve's Like a Red, Red Rose" by Robert Burns b) "How Do I love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barratt Browning – OR… c)
"Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?" by William Shakespeare
Callum: Well I remember this competition but I don't remember the answer. I'm going to go for Shakespeare - "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day" because
he's probably our most well known writer.
Yvonne: That's a good choice but -we'll find out whether you're right or wrong at the end of the programme.
Dave Neita is a barrister（律师） – a lawyer who speaks on behalf of people or organisations in the higher courts of law. But Dave is also a poet, and in
his interview, he uses the words 'metaphors（隐喻）' and 'symbolism'（象征，记号） – both very useful for talking in English about poetry. Callum – what
can you tell us about 'metaphors'?
Callum:Well 'a metaphor' is a way of describing something or someone by using the qualities of something else. For example, in England we have very cold
wind, it's so cold, we describe it as 'a biting wind（刺骨的风）' – 'a biting wind'. So that's a metaphor; it's not really biting, but we say 'a biting
wind'.
Yvonne: Excellent. And what about 'symbolism'?
Callum: Well 'symbolism' is when we take an object, a shape or even an idea and we use that to represent something else that we want to talk about.
Yvonne: Okay, great! So here's an example of 'symbolism' as used in one of Dave's poems:
DAVE NEITA
Mind the Gap… mind the gap between the rich and the poor If nothing is done, it will extend even more
Yvonne: 'Mind the gap' is an announcement and a sign that we often hear and see at London Underground train stations. They warn passengers to be careful when
getting on and off trains and platforms because of the space between them. But what does the announcement and sign symbolise in that poem Callum?
Callum: Well here, Dave has used 'mind the gap' – to symbolise the gap or the difference in wealth between rich people and poor people. He's saying that
there's a gap between them and he's giving us a warning that if we're not careful, that gap will get even wider.
Yvonne: So 'Mind the Gap' delivers a message from Dave about poverty.
DAVE NEITA
Mind the Gap… mind the gap between the rich and the poor If nothing is done, it will extend even more
Yvonne: Now as we hear more from him, try to catch the three things he says poetry can communicate – which three things can poetry tell us about?
DAVE NEITA
Poetry can communicate feelings, thoughts and ideas by way of metaphors and symbolism. But poetry can also tell stories and that is the flexibility（灵活性，
柔韧性） of poetry; it lends itself to everyone to do with it as they choose.
Yvonne: Callum, which three things can poetry communicate?
Callum: Dave says that poetry can communicate feelings, thoughts and ideas.
Yvonne: Yes, and we also heard how poetry is flexible so it 'lends itself to' other things such as sending a message, as in 'Mind the Gap' -or even telling a
story.
Before Dave came to England from Jamaica in 1995, he decided to write a letter to the Queen – except, his letter was really a poem which told his story!
"Letter to the Queen" uses the word 'hospitality' and the term 'short notice'. Callum, what do we mean by them?
Callum: Well, if someone shows us 'hospitality（好客，殷勤）', they make us feel welcome and comfortable. And 'short notice' is if you don't tell people
you're going to do something until just a little bit of time before you do it. So for example, if you ask me to come to the '6 Minute English' studio only
two minutes before we're due to record, you are giving me very 'short notice'.
Yvonne: As if I would! Okay, let's get an extract from Dave Neita's poem "Letter to the Queen"…
DAVE NEITA
When your people come down to Jamaica We treat them like royalty（皇家，皇族） So when I come up to England I'm expecting the same hospitality I don't have
anywhere to stay Because I'm coming up on short notice So please, I'm asking you to fix me up a place inna Buckingham Palace
Yvonne: I wonder whether Dave actually sent the Queen his poem?
Callum: Oh well, I doubt it – because I'm sure he didn't stay at Buckingham Palace when he arrived in England!
Yvonne: No – right. Now let's move on to the answer to today's big question. Which is Britain's favourite poem Callum?
Callum: Well, I wasn't sure. I guessed that it was "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?" by William Shakespeare because he's probably our most famous
writer. Was I right – was I right?!
Yvonne: No you weren't – no you weren't! I guessed the same one at first – but anyway. It was actually "How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barratt Browning.
But that's all we've got time for today on '6 Minute English'. Do join us again for more.
Callum: Goodbye!
Yvonne: Goodbye! (本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑) |